#Writing Patterns

[wikiangela]

writing patterns

tagged by @reformedplayerbibuck @evansboyfriend 💖💖

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

oh wow look at that, I have exactly ten bucktommy fics so far 🙈

Tommy calls him Buck, and it’s like someone pours a bucket of cold water over him.  - from I belong to you (and you belong to me too)

Buck has been dating Tommy for close to four months now, and his bad leg hasn’t bothered him once in that time – at least not in Tommy’s presence. - from I'll take care of you (honey, you'll take care of me too)

Buck's in the middle of cooking dinner when there's a knock at the door. - from you're the sun to me

There’s a movie quietly playing on the TV in the bedroom, a half-eaten bowl of popcorn sitting next to Tommy, Buck plastered to his other side, as they’re propped up against the headboard. - from you're my twin flame from a past life

“Hey, you okay?” Buck bumps his shoulder against Tommy’s as they’re walking to their table, his boyfriend seeming pensive and tense. - from I'm here for whenever you need (to put it all on me) 

The first thing Buck registers as he’s slowly emerging from sleep is the warm presence along his back. - from I wanna wake up with you (and throughout the night I wanna hold you tight)

Tommy hates having to leave the bachelor party. - from It didn't take much time, forever's more than crossed my mind

In Buck's defense, he doesn’t mean to ask this question right then. - from you're my future, baby

Their date is going well, at least at the beginning. - from we don't know where this is going now (don't be afraid of heights, let me open your heart wide)

Tommy drives him home after their date. - from I wanna breathe you in

huh, I guess I start a lot with a bit of context or more of less establishing the scene? also apparently I like to start out with the name of the character whose pov it is lmao

also, I sure do love titles with parentheses haha

no pressure tags (lmk if you wanna be added or removed):

@dr-shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @watchyourbuck @ladydorian05 @diazpatcher @monsterrae1 @rainbow-nerdss @epicbuddieficrecs @pirrusstuff @bucks-daddy-issues @rogerzsteven @honestlydarkprincess @jesuisici33 @steadfastsaturnsrings @diazheartsbuckley @giddyupbuck @thewolvesof1998 @underwaterninja13 @your-catfish-friend @kinard-buckley @beyourownanchor6 @weewootruck @kirkaut @jewishbuckley @loveyouanyway @daffi-990 @lonelychicago @spotsandsocks @bucked-it-up @theotherbuckley @drcloyd @bidisasterevankinard @tizniz @hippolotamus @diazsdimples @dadbodbuck @girlwonder-writes @perfectlysunny02

[adsosfraser]

10 First Lines

Rules: Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

(I'm going by latest updated not by the last "published" dates because that's too much work to search through.)

Eventide (everlark): Peeta lunged forward on the decorative rug stretched out before him for what was probably the fifth time that night.

Da mi diebus mille (jamieclaire): Claire Beauchamp stretched her legs up the three steep steps towards the entrance of the plane.

She Moved Through the Fair (everlark): All around, dandelions that have gone to seed whip around us, dotting the edge of the landscape of waving green grass where train and prairie meet.

I would recognise you... (jamieclaire - also longer line since the first were straight up book quotes): “I was dead. Everything around me was a blinding white. And there was a soft rushing sound like the wings of angels. I felt peaceful. And bodiless. Free of terror. Free of rage. Filled with a quiet happiness.” A soft warmth brushed my hand.

Blood Pearl/Neamhnaid Fola (jamieclaire): Jamie played with the scratchy ruffles sewed to the cuffs of his sleeves, impatient.

Wild Rose (everlark): The blue sky stretches for miles, letting the heat sneak in and saturate the air with a clinginess that can only ever belong to the final long stretch of days of the summer season.

The Sassenach Faerie (jamieclaire): The sun had not yet peaked over the grey monoliths up on the hill.

Soup of Life (outlander fix-it): It was a veritable feast for a small creature such as him.

Chocolate, churros, princesses, and scarves (jamieclaire): “Claire, mo ghraidh, mo Sorcha, I love ye so verra much-” Jamie gulped, the bob of his throat catching Claire’s eyes. “Will ye-” 

roses love sunshine, violets love dew (everlark): In and out. In and out. The blond lashes steady me.

no one tagged me in this but i do feel like taking some hostages with me so if you fancy joining 🫶: @atelierlili @mollywog @thesweetnessofspring @rosegardeninwinter @thesunpersists @littlemarianah @unnamednarrator @notsocooljess @lara-frasers @liberalk1tsch @liusaidh-writing

[carlos-in-glasses]

Writing Patterns

Thank you for the tag @lemonlyman-dotcom and @tellmegoodbye - 💛

Rules: Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns! Cig's note: This isn't a rule but I've added a little 'read if you're in the mood for...' to each.

Keep the Lights On - It’s attempt number three of trying to lean coolly against Carlos' car while they wait for Paul to appear after finishing his shift. (If you're in the mood for: season one idiots in love)

The Wonder of It (I wrote chapter 2) - TK wakes to the sound of the storm wheeling overhead. In high winds, this house has a rattle like pennies in a jar. (If you're in the mood for: Kidfic and how TK and Carlos come to decide they are ready to adopt).

I Was Thinking About Your Mouth - Birdsong stirs Carlos Reyes – but he doesn’t open his eyes as he tumbles unwillingly out of a dream in which he wanders the floral halls of his abuela’s home. He finds her in every room, always delighted to see him. (If you're in the mood for: Silly smut and friendship).

Search and Rescue - TK howls as thunder crashes and lightning fills the dark bedroom with a white-hot flare, for a wild second illuminating their bodies as they bounce up-and-down in the straddle position. (If you're in the mood for: Tarlos adopting a dog).

Where All This Love Comes From - Saturday December 10, 2016. TK Strand opens his eyes on the morning of his twenty-third birthday when nausea stabs like a spike in his gut. (If you're in the mood for: A married Tarlos novel with backstory depicting TK's addiction and Carlos' relationship with his dad).

You Can Leave Your Hat On - “I love our loft so much,” TK yells from the bedroom, midway through stuffing his feet into gray cable-weave slipper socks with white fleece lining and gummy grips on the sole. (If you're in the mood for: Stupidly hot sex on a cold night. Emphasis on stupid).

Suddenly, In the Silence - Andrea kisses them goodbye on the doorstep and wraps her mauve cardigan around herself a little tighter, peering up with a wince at the night sky. (If you're in the mood for: Spending a dark and stormy night with TK and Carlos. And Andrea. And Gabriel...?)

Sweet Dreams and Flying Machines - Ten minutes into writing a story about a talking horse, Carlos Reyes is approached by his teacher and informed that he’s allowed to use a ballpoint pen for his cursive. (If you're in the mood for: A 3x08 coda that contains backstory for Carlos' and TK's experiences of 9/11).

Release the Hand to Relax the Animal - It starts instantly and out of nowhere. (If you're in the mood for: TK and Carlos having tantric sex).

When Soulmates Swim - If I can make it to the chair, TK thinks, then I can make it to the door. (If you're in the mood for: TK and Carlos falling in love while swimming).

Patterns: I'm not sure! There's a couple where there is an initial focus around atmosphere and setting; others where it's more in the action; others where it's perhaps a bit mysterious. Why is TK in a bad way on his birthday? What starts instantly and out of nowhere? Why is TK trying to make it to a chair, then to the door, etc? Overall I think it's a bit of a mixed bag. I don't think you'd get from the opening of I Was Thinking About Your Mouth that it's a very silly fic!

Open tag and tags below!

@heartstringsduet @paperstorm @ladytessa74 @strandnreyes

@reyesstrand @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @orchidscript

@liminalmemories21 @literateowl @alrightbuckaroo

@cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @freneticfloetry @ironheartwriter

@emsprovisions @sapphic--kiwi @three-drink-amy

@bubblesandroses8 @fifthrideroftheapocalypse

@nancys-braids @captain-gillian @butchreyes

@pimento-playing-hopscotch @goodways @lightningboltreader

@bonheur-cafe @sugdenlovesdingle @honeybee-taskforce

@theghostofashton @chicgeekgirl89 @sanjuwrites

@never-blooms - no pressure ever! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

[hbyrde36]

Writing Patterns

I was tagged by @withacapitalp 🥰 ty sweetness! I'm pretty sure I've done this one before but not for a while so most of these should be new/different

and @thefreakandthehair! thank you for the additional tag 💜

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

Midsummer Nights - Steve had been a camper at Sunset Lake since almost before he could remember.

No Vacancy - Eddie grinned as he pulled his trusty van, the very same rust-bucket he’d been driving since high school that he liked to refer to as Van Halen, if only to elicit the groans of both friends and strangers, into the small parking lot of the Buckingham beach motel

Devil (take my hand and we'll walk into the fire together) - It didn’t hit home until Eddie arrived on set on the day of the shoot what he’d actually gotten himself into.

Who even goes on blind dates anymore? - Eddie took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally for the night ahead as he walked up the street towards the place he was supposed to meet his blind date.

Times Like These (The Anniversary Edition) - Eddie could hardly breathe past the blood that was flooding into his mouth, threatening to choke him before he even had the opportunity to bleed out.

Mermay - Eddie had always lived his life in fear of being caught, of being labeled a freak for more than just his love of Metal, Tolkien, and D&D—not to mention his less than heterosexual leanings in the romance department, but that was a whole other thing with its own set of worries.    

Fairytale - He was never going to find her.

I Don't Think We're In Hawkins Anymore, Big Boy - To be perfectly honest, Steve always felt a little unsafe riding around in the van with Eddie.

Life is a Game (and True Love is a Trophy) - “That was amazing, Eddie!”

Hellfire Ink - Not for the first time, Eddie was really regretting his decision to book a client on a Friday night, and a new client at that.

is there a pattern? I feel like there is but I'm not sure how to describe. Eddie's name appears in almost every first sentence and starts FOUR of them, does that count? LMAO 

No pressure tags! @penny00dreadful @pearynice @dreamwatch @devondespresso @shares-a-vest

@medusapelagia @eriquin @rocknrollsalad @momotonescreaming @thisapplepielife

[heather-collins]

writing patterns

tagged by @exhuastedpigeon ✨

rules: list the first line(s) of your last 10 8 posted fics and see if there's a pattern!

Buck's Coma vs. Real World Checklist

0.3k | rated G | multimedia art Turn over & look at the digital alarm clock. If the numbers can all be read, this is real. Try to breathe through a fully closed nose. If impossible, this is real.

morning glory

2.6k | rated E | buddie non-linear: the morning after the night before He wakes up slow as molasses trickling out of the pan. A line of warmth is searing down the length of him from the back of his neck to the ticklish points behind his knees. Buck can tell the sun is up too by the weak bands of light creeping their way over the bed and just inside his field of vision.

hope is a sword 

5.5k | rated T | whumptober 2023 prompt #5, debris, pinned down, "It's broken." The next call sounds through their radios and A shift is in the engine as one in the next minute, all jammed in like sardines with sweat trickling down their backs, grins and bellies sharp with hunger. There’s no other place in the world Eddie would rather be (aside from his couch with his son and Buck, but that’s a story for another time).

proof of concept: ach tagais 'nós na hoíche

part 1 of a series | 8.2k | rated E | eddie helps buck through a bad drop Buck’s just closed his utensil drawer as softly as it will let him, hardly gripping the edge of the kitchen counter with his other hand, when his phone chirps. The unexpectedly piercing ding of his message tone rends straight through the eardrums, making him gasp and lose his grasp on the edge of the granite.

slouching towards bethlehem to be born

ch 3/8 | 23.7k | rated M | eddie is haunted by memories that don't belong to him Awareness blows through his eardrums and he’s rudely yanked back into the ability to chronicle two of his senses. “Come on, Eddie! Eddie, hang on. Eddie–” the pleading, formless voice blooms out and begs him. 

eros 

3.1k | rated E | buddie feelings realization and a demonstration They find themselves, like any other easy, lazy night, on Eddie’s couch. Buck looks over from his usual sprawl, attention already drifting past the moody resolve of John Wick choosing violence over the death of his dog Daisy on the Diaz’s TV screen.

slip like freudian

4.5k | rated T | slightly cracky: eddie is taught a lesson by a witch After a rather sideways, unusual morning, Eddie finally makes it to the station parking lot. He’s somehow five minutes early, so he allots three whole minutes to lightly smacking his head against the steering wheel. 

how life goes on the way it does 

ch 12/12 | 39.6k | rated E | buddie & past lives movie au Ravi’s just finished collecting the last of the devices ready for the probie charging pool when a woman with a wild halo of curls strolls into the station’s engine bay. “Hi! Can I help you with anything?” he calls out to her. 

definitely love to set the scene with descriptions that i always hope can help you visualize...feel like you're plopped right in the middle of a scene with a character. also like to switch povs every time i switch fics. indivdually, i can't do multiple povs within one story though. i feel like i take my cues from screenwriting more than anything when i set out to put words on the page. this is making me hungry to blow dust off my fics again!

no pressure tagging: @kitkatpancakestack, @transboybuckley, @shitouttabuck, @eddiebabygirldiaz, @devirnis, @malewifediaz, @spagheddiediaz, @puppyboybuckley, @pirrusstuff, @cal-daisies-and-briars, @pantsaretherealheroes, @lemonzestywrites, @thewolvesof1998, @captain-hen, @rewritetheending, @athenagranted, @butchdiaz, @housewifebuck, @honestlydarkprincess, @homerforsure, @anakinfallen and anyone else who wants to! it's been an age and a half since i tagged anyone for anything. mwah! 💞

[thekristen999]

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

I'm too tired. What do ya'll think? :)

tagged by @dangerpronebuddie and @hippolotamus. Thank you.

Eyes Are Watching You

The rain was relentless, soaking Buck as he weaved through the streets. Taxis screeched to a halt and pedestrians dashed for shelter from the deluge.

Fight In the Shadows

It wasn’t often Athena found herself this far from her normal beat. She was thirty minutes outside her district, riding down a quiet, empty road, thinking of the most creative detail to assign the new rookies

Whose Attention? 

When bad storms brewed off the coast, they tended to have an impact on flight operations. Even Air Rescue had procedures for operating during inclement weather.

A Light in the Darkness 

His coordination is off; fat-feeling fingers fumbling with his turn-out coat, the snaps refusing to work. Exhausted, Eddie gives up wrestling with the damn things, yanking at the bottom until all the snaps come undone like the rest of him.

Follow You Into The Dark 

The moment the alarm blared, all the hair along the back of Eddie’s neck stood on end. He didn’t need to check his watch.

Cutting The Ties That Bind 

It’d been three days since the brakes on his car had gone out. There was an active factory recall regarding the master cylinder on the same make and model Buck owned, but his uncle didn’t believe in coincidences.

We All Fall Down 

Sounds filtered through his muddled brain. Radio static. Heavy breathing. Metal creaking—no groaning. Or was that him? Was he groaning?

Tick...Tick...Boom

It was a good day when all their calls ended in success. An automobile accident and an incident involving a large sinkhole resolved with only minor injuries. 

We’ve Got Fun & Games

Giddiness ran through Buck’s veins. He stretched his arms, his hamstrings, even his calves.

Not Today

The first time Eddie encountered death was at his Tía Lula’s bedside. He held her limp hand, whispering thanks for all the times they baked cookies together, for the days spent outside in her lazy hammock, or playing with her cats.

tagging a few folks who might want to play

@exhuastedpigeon @the-likesofus @spotsandsocks

@mellaithwen @diazsdimples @goddess47 @andavs

@woodchoc-magnum @tizniz

[penny00dreadful]

Writing Patterns

I was tagged by @withacapitalp and @hbyrde36 for this, thank you my loves! I'm not going to count the podfics or fanart for obvious reasons but I'm also not going to include my tumblr drabbles because I didn't back date them correctly 😅 Just full fics below!

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

The Mummy - So…

Passing Grade - There was a knock against the door and Steve barely allowed himself a second to glance up from his desk before burying his nose back into his papers.

Folie à Deux - Steve slowly came to consciousness and immediately knew something was wrong.

Through The Valley - Eddie rapped his knuckle against the metal three times.

And They Were Roommates! - Steve didn’t hate him exactly.

Love Is What Makes You Brave - Should he be here?

Stolen - “He’s dead.”

I'll Tell You My Sins and You Can Sharpen Your Knife - Death had visited Hawkins many times in the last few years, far too many times for their liking if they were being honest.

Cat And Mouse - Steve pulled the trigger, barely even paying attention as the bullet tore through the head of his target.

The Parting Glass - It was nearly Christmas and Eddie was driving back to Hawkins for the second time in two weeks.

In terms of a pattern? I apparently like to start with an action. 5/10 of these start with someone doing something. And apparently I also like short opening lines.

Sometimes very short opening lines. 🤣

I suppose that's fitting, I do like to try and suck people in with the opening line alone. Whether I've actually managed that or not, it's up to you 😅

4/10 are Steve, 4/10 are Eddie, 2/10 are some third party observing or speaking.

No pressure tags! @hornedqueenofhell @fuctacles @sidekick-hero @klausinamarink @starryeyedjanai @just-my-latest-hyperfixation @augustjustice @wormdebut @wynnyfryd

[musicalmoritz]

writing patterns ✨

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

The amazing @nyxi-pixie tagged me in this and I never waste an opportunity to yap about my own writing so here we go💪🏻

come go with me (we've got it made) (aoinene shopping, 3k)

“The row of teacups sat on a dusty old bookshelf are the first items to catch Nene’s eye.”

teenage witches (hkom aoinene, 7k)

“Nene peered down at the amphibian beside her shoe.”

wish that i was as invisible as you make me feel (aoinene hurt/comfort, 10k)

“Steam rises from the cup in Aoi’s palms, gracing the air with an herbal aroma.”

am i warm enough? (aoinene morning kisses, 2k)

“Early mornings with her girlfriend are some of Aoi’s favorite moments.”

run your morning bath in seafoam (aoinene at the beach, 4k)

“On the first day of summer break, Nene packed her bag knowing exactly where she wanted to go.”

in the sun, i feel as one (terukane + mitsukou shovel talk, 3k)

“Why are you using a fork?” 

nostalgia (mitsukou and stuffed animals, 2k)

“This is Princess Honoka.” 

carried away (meinene fluff, 5k)

“Under the yellow sunset of a cold September evening, Mei and Nene became girlfriends.”

heaven is a place on earth with you (mitsukou ft. mitsuba’s dependent personality disorder, 2k)

“The school hallways look uncanny in the early morning, devoid of the bodies that bring them to life during the day.”

time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth (terukane first date, 5k)

“Are we almost there?”

Usually when I’m struggling to open a fic I either start with a quote or the description of a setting. I thought I had my patterns down, but I was pleasantly surprised to notice more variety with these, or at least more unique openings than I remember writing. I also noticed that the mlm fics are the ones I tend to open with quotes, that’s not to say I’m lazier with those but…well…I do very much have a femslash bias lol. I also noticed more action put into the first sentences than I was aware of including. Hmmmm

Okay I have a lot of cool moots who are fic writers so thinking off the top of my head I’m gonna tag @leillaaaa, @livvidaloca, and @ifwecouldbefriends. Absolutely no pressure to participate but if you want to, I would love to see ya’ll do this challenge!!

[devirnis]

Writing Patterns

tagged by @alchemistc <3

Rules: Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

drown in my mind

As soon as the front door closes behind Buck, he can tell that something isn’t quite right.

let me desecrate you

Buck’s elbow-deep in warm, soapy water, mechanically cleaning up the dishes from lunch, when he hears footsteps coming up the stairs behind him.

melting on my lips

Eddie doesn’t know how he ended up like this.

powerful with a little bit of tender

By the time Tommy finally gets out of the station and heads for his car, he’s grinning like a fool.

kiss the cook

There’s a knock at Buck’s door just as the oven timer goes off.

Why Can't I (Breathe)?

After getting struck by lightning, Buck had been warned about the various side effects he could experience during his recovery.

come and save me from it

Tommy is just finishing up his breakfast when his phone vibrates on the tabletop, the pattern signalling an incoming call.

'Til the End of the Night

If Buck keeps changing his shirt, he’s going to be late.

it's a sliding into home kind of day

It takes three tries for Buck to get his key in the lock of Eddie’s front door.

The Shadows of Every Spark

There’s a customer sitting in one of the booths when Chimney enters Backdraft Tavern.

Very much a pattern - short and sweet with a hook to (hopefully) get the reader interested

no pressure, tagging @princessfbi @homerforsure @bigfootsmom @freewayshark @queerdiazs

@jeeyuns @exhuastedpigeon @middyblue @watchyourbuck @diazheartsbuckley

@bidisasterevankinard @lemonzestywrites @tizniz @daffi-990 <3

[beyourownanchor6]

writing patterns

rules: list the first line(s) of your last 10 posted fics and see if there's a pattern!

tagged by @honestlydarkprincess @wikiangela @spotsandsocks 🩵

hold me, just for this moment (i don't want to be alone) (thiam)

Theo was exhausted. Like the kind of exhaustion where you start to forget if you’re actually tired or not.

when the sun came up, you were looking at me (thiam)

What the hell am I doing here?

It was the first thought Theo had as he stepped out of his truck and into the parking lot, the all too familiar hospital sign coming into view.

drawstrings (buddie)

Eddie shook the rainwater from his hair as he let himself into Buck’s loft, wiping his boots on the rug as he went.

as long as you’re with me, it’s always that time of year (thiam)

Theo tapped his fingers over his chest, waiting for the inevitable. He smelled Liam coming long before he heard the beta.

duck the halls (buddie)

Eddie’s shift had only started a few hours ago, much of his calls the usual, even for that time of year.

i'll let you fire my hose if you merry my christmas (buddie)

“Oh, you like that big firehose, do you?” He swings around the end of the hose before bringing the nozzle up to his lips, slowly licking over the metal. Swirling his tongue around the opening, he moans around it before swallowing it down.

'cause you cut through all the noise (thiam)

The scent of blood filled his nostrils, but it wasn’t what caught his attention. It never was. Being surrounded by it for 95% of his life had made him immune to it.

i never planned on you (buddie)

When Eddie got to his sister’s place, he wasn’t expecting to see a 6’2’’ blond man with a clipboard ushering everyone around, but the guy did look oddly adorable doing it.

and it smells like me; you can't get rid of it (buddie)

The first time it happened wasn’t unexpected, wasn’t anything that hadn’t happened before. It was just, well—Buck had never left them behind before.

love's a game; wanna play?

The bar was dimly lit, Buck sloshing the ice in his whiskey glass back and forth. He slid the cup from side to side across the bar top aimlessly, his attention on the tv up above.

patterns: mm well last time i did this all my beginning sentences started with eddie, so still got that going for me (seems to be the same with theo) 😂

tagging: @loserdiaz @redlightsandicedtea @monsterrae1 @buddierights @eddiebabygirldiaz @elvensorceress @spaceprincessem @disasterbuckdiaz @wildlife4life @daffi-990 @thewolvesof1998 @watchyourbuck @eddiiediaz @giddyupbuck @hippolotamus

[strangersteddierthings]

🎸Writing Patterns✨

tagged by @carolperkinsexgirlfriend. Thanks bestie!!

Rules: Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

You But Bigger - Eddie blinks.

Envy, Baby - It’s already hot this early in June, and Steve is grateful for the working AC at Family Video

Rescued - The punch doesn’t land.

Wanna Be Toxic? - It’s been seven months since the last text from Eddie

Romantic - "What's wrong?" Robin asks, bumping her arm against his as she joins him leaning against the counter, staring out the front door of Family Video.

Rockstar Life - It might have all been forgiven, if Eddie had called.

Appropriate Response - In the 19 years Steve's lived in this house, never once has he slammed his front door like that.

What's Eight Plus Seven? - Steve has always loved sports.

Good People - Wayne knows eavesdropping isn’t the done thing.

My Default’s Self-Destruct (Oh, I’m Not Used to Normal) - There is a doctor in his room, explaining the extent of his injuries to him and his uncle but Eddie quit listening when the doctor had started with it’s our recommendation that he not start back on the scent blockers until-.

-

I'm not certain I see any real patterns. I start a lot of fics in medias res but I'm not sure if that's pattern or just me falling victim to believing writing advice lists. I start in the center of a story because that's what catches my attention, and those lists talk about writing a first sentence that catches the reader's attention.

6/10 fics are Steve POV.

3/10 are Eddie.

1/10 is a surprises POV of Wayne!

I do tend to start name the POV person of the fic within the first sentence.

I'll tag the besties: @skepsiss @afewproblems @nburkhardt and anyone who wants to join in!

[queenie-ofthe-void]

Writing Patterns

Thank you @ataliagold and @devondespresso for the tag!

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

~~~

“Led Zeppelin? Never heard of them,” Steve lies, like a liar. All of My Love

Eddie’s not usually a teacher to bitch about his job. Tiger Club

“Okay, Munson. What’s your fucking problem?” Hear Me Out, Keep Me Guessing

He’s never quite sure how it happens, seeming to always sneak up on him. Stuck

Eddie and Robin were just finishing filling the snack bowls and mixing drinks when they heard a knock at the door. Confessions

“Stevie, baby, please answer the door,” Eddie begs just as the front door bursts open to reveal Robin Buckley in all her righteous fury. A Desperate Fool

“Max, go get your stuff.” Steve’s voice comes out sterner than he means to, but he’s exhausted after a long day of running errands. Promises

Steve knows his house is quiet, even though all he can hear is the ringing in his ears and the pulse throbbing behind his eyes. Gentle Noise

~~~

Not all of these are on ao3 and a few are prompts. But I've included all of my long fics and a few of my favorites!

Patterns:

5/8 are Steve POV buuuut Stuck is technically dual POV

50% dialogue -> I definitely like to start in the middle of a scene, and I think dialogue is an easy way for me to do that

Confessions, ADF, and Promises all take place in a doorway which is weird. HMO,KMG isn't a door but Steve's still walking through the trees into the picnic area, so it's like an entryway of sorts. UPDATE: My WIP The Babysitter Chronicles is a 5+1 and EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER starts at a door and so does each chapter of ADF. I have a problem

I try to set the tone from the first sentence. So if it's an angst fic, it's an angsty first sentence. Or if there's going to be swearing, etc. I think Tiger Club is the only exception, and maybe Promises since it's hard to tell it's a h/nc fic from the first sentence.

This was fun! Can't wait to finish uploading my stuff to ao3

Tags if you'd like to play and no pressure if you don't <3

@carolperkinsexgirlfriend @runninriot @lingeringmirth @eriquin @cuips-not-cute

@paperbackribs

[spinderella-umbrella]

📝 Writing Patterns

Thank you for the tag @wanderingdonut & @onehundredflamingos 🥰

List the first line of your last 10 (or however many you have) posted fics and see if there's a pattern. (I’m either painting a picture with character movement or using short punchy statements apparently)

How to tell your best friend you're in love with them

When Remus had admitted to Peter that he was in love with his best friend, the first thing he asked Remus was, when did you realise?

Dance Little Liar

“He seems happier lately, don’t you think?” Sirius says, a touch of dazedness in his tone as he watches their unit's Supervisory Special Agent going through a file with Special Agent Marlene McKinnon.

A Certain Romance

Barty’s hand is in his as they lead him up the stairs of a brownstone, Evan ahead of them both to unlock the door.

Peter Loves Christmas

Peter had always felt amazing at Christmas. 

You only Really Knew my Name

The summer had been hard. 

Don’t Stop Looking

Regulus learned a lot of things over the summer.

What Could Have Been

Remus had been robbed of a normal adolescence when he was bitten by Fenrir Greyback at 5 years old.

Smutty Summer Solstice

Sirius shifts to accommodate Marlene as she makes herself comfortable, cuddling up to his side on the couch.

Nightmare Summer Camp

Mary climbs out of her tent with the ribbon from a pair of pyjama pants, tripping over the lip of the tent and giggling as she stumbles towards where she left Remus sitting on a log by the fire.

Shattered

“Remus.” Regulus whines as the door to the dressing room closes behind him.

The tag dies here bc I’m slow and all my friends have been tagged 😁

[hippolotamus]

writing patterns ✏️

rules: share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able and see if there are any patterns!

tagged by @wikiangela @dangerpronebuddie thank you loves 💖

my flesh it was my currency [BuckTommy | E]

“Ohgodohgodohgodohfuck!” Buck babbles, clawing at the bed sheets, panting and gasping, his words slurring and blending even further into a single high-pitched incoherent whine.

late for the love of my life [Eddie pining/background Eddie/Marisol]

“Hey, handsome,” Marisol murmurs in a sleepy voice. She stretches and stands from the armchair, walking over to wrap her arms around Eddie’s waist and give him a peck on the lips. “How was the ceremony?”

late for this, late for that [BuckTommy]

“Not late. Right on time,” Evan sighs, content and sated, turning in Tommy’s arms so they’re back-to-chest, bare skin pleasantly warm at every point of contact.

honey, when you call my name [Buddie | E]

He can do this. He wants to. These are his friends. His family. His people. Frankly, after a shitty week at dispatch running the LAFD Twitter account, he deserves to be here.

it's tempawrary [Stevie | Schitt's Creek]

Stevie is at least 87% certain this week can’t possibly get worse. For starters, she’s in the motel lobby surrounded by overstuffed bankers’ boxes. Boxes that now belong to her, courtesy of Aunt Maureen’s highly inconvenient death.

stay here honey (i don't wanna share) [Lutalia | E]

Lucy drapes one arm around Natalia, burying her nose in her hair. Nat smells like the overpriced mousse from the salon. Like sweat and sex. She smells like Lucy. That knowledge sparks a primal, possessive urge, just enough to make itself known. The one Lucy isn’t ready to admit to having and Natalia won’t admit to loving.

if this love is pain (let's hurt tonight) [Buddie]

Eddie knows it’s him immediately. Feels the weight of his presence like a favorite coat that doesn’t quite fit anymore. Of course he does. Try as he might, Eddie will never not know when Buck is nearby.

with eyes wide open i tore you apart [Buddie]

“Which is why I have to make the most of every single moment.” 

if i'm being honest (it scares me to death) [Buddie]

Just got in. See you tomorrow. 

the only thing that matters now (is everything) [Twylexis | cw: vague reference to medical issues]

Alexis combs her fingers through her hair, letting manicured nails lightly scratch along her scalp while she stares at the ceiling.

i guess the prominent pattern is dialogue (internal or external) and just kind of throwing readers into the story. and a big fan of parentheses in the title 🫶

np tagging LOML @bidisasterevankinard @diazsdimples @daffi-990 @diazheartsbuckley @stereopticons

@tizniz @bi-buckrights @beyourownanchor6 @shipperqueen6 @saybiwithme

@your-catfish-friend @steadfastsaturnsrings @lemonzestywrites @monsterrae1 @loveyouanyway

@the-likesofus @thekristen999 @spotsandsocks @theotherbuckley @lonelychicago and anyone else who wants to 😘

[runninriot]

first line tag game/ writing patterns

got tagged by the lovelies @steddieas-shegoes @ataliagold & @queenie-ofthe-void - thank you! 🖤

RULES: post the first lines of your last 10 fics/chapters posted on AO3 (if you have less than 10 fics posted, post the first lines of all your fics) and try to draw some conclusions

Lost and Found

  “I can't take this anymore!“

Maybe

When he hears the front door open, Steve turns to risk a glance at the clock on his bedside table, red numbers glowing too bright in the darkness of the room.

To Be Me

Steve Harrington has everything.

The Last Sunset

Eddie and Steve are sitting by the shore of Lover’s Lake, just the two of them, enjoying the quiet after a busy day full of laughter and chaotic fun with their friends, watching the sky’s colours change as afternoon turns to evening.

Worth It

Just a quick break, that’s all he wants. Just a moment to breathe.

Mine

Eddie is spread out on the bed, naked and beautiful, open arms welcoming Steve when he crawls on top of him.

Love Drunk

"Steeeve, I really don’t think this is a good idea.“ Robin grabs him by the sleeve of his shirt to hold him back.

Until You Come Back And Be Mine

It was the middle of the night when he got the call.

One Last Time (And Another)

Just one more night, Eddie had promised himself. Just one last time and I’ll stop.

Easy

They’re lying on Eddie’s floor, sharing a joint like they often do. Hanging out, just the two of them, enjoying each other’s company.

conclusion: only two of them start with dialogue? how's that possible? 😆 i don't know if there's any specific writing pattern to be found but i do like to start off in the middle of a scene, sometimes with very vague statements, sometimes with a little more context - i guess that depends on the type of fic i'm writing or the vibe i'm going for. seven out of ten start with at least one of their names, which i thought would be more tbh. I enjoy writing both Steve's and Eddie's POV equally but it's 6:4 here (which doesn't mean anything, it's just something i've noticed)

Don't know if you've already been tagged in this but I'll tag you anyway (no pressure of course) 😇 @mugloversonly @matchingbatbites @hotluncheddie @postmodernau @rozzieroos

@thisapplepielife @jamiethegardener55 @steddie-island