riacte · 6 months ago
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Some thoughts about writing dialogue (coming from someone who basically transcribed the Blue9 MCC stream for fic purposes):
Real life dialogue is messy. People make mistakes, voices overlap, it gets unintelligible, people repeat themselves instinctively (even if they get their point across the first time)
And this is about Blue9 - four streamers (people who talk as a living) with effective communication / chemistry. It's still messy at times because that's simply how people communicate, especially in fast paced / stressful scenarios
Which makes it a bit tricky to translate to text, because if you repeat dialogue too much, it looks tacky even though it sounds perfectly normal.
Juggling between character voices in tense moments is also annoying because in audio form, you instinctively know who's speaking. But in text form, you have to add indicators so you just can't have paragraphs of dialogue (unlike speaking scenes between two characters)
^ although that could work if your characters have distinctive speaking styles (or mentioning characters by the name in the dialogue), but that also relies on the readers' knowledge of their speaking styles
^ even worse when it's a group and the voices are overlapping. The more characters you have to juggle in a scene, the more it feels like "[Character A] said" then "[Character B] said" and on it goes. It's already difficult to transcribe when it's a group of 5/6 and they're all talking.
At least there's one set of she/her pronouns in the Blue9 team. Actually this is partially why I like writing about men and women - it's easier to juggle pronouns (my skill issue lol)
I tried to keep it as close to canon as possible, but sometimes you have to edit down and add bits of exposition for clarity's sake. Like if you watch the stream, it makes sense. The repetition and messiness adds to the experience, honestly, But if you read the transcript, it doesn't work the best.
Tone is such a big thing. It comes instinctively in audio format, but it really is difficult to describe it in text sometimes, especially when it's a tense moment and you have to keep pushing forward instead of spending words to describe tone.
The good thing about writing about streamers is that if you use the right cues, readers can pick it up and picture that specific tone in their head. The bad thing is that this depends on the readers' knowledge and how good you are at describing. (The bad bad thing about this personally is that my OCs have weak character voices because I don't have canon basis.)
^ Bits of informality like stretching syllables and italics help. Like "oooh" is fundamentally different from "oh" and that is different from "ohhhh". And sometimes irl people do stretch syllables or pronounce them differently for humorous effect, but it can look unprofessional on text. (Like Scar's "a-maize-ing".) <- actually this can create distinctive character speaking styles and it's a cue to let readers immediately know who's speaking
Back to the action thing. These streamers are playing in a vc and they all hear each other, but realistically in action scenes, characters are gonna be in different places. There's volume to care about and voices getting lost in the chaos. But when writing, your focus is to push the story forward sooo realism is definitely not the priority
... Yeah. I'm giving my characters high quality communicators. And excellent hearing.
Dialogue in text is... intentional? You can see it in people snarking movies for having unrealistic dialogue. Its purpose is to convey something clearly. Dialogue in everyday life can contain a lot of blunders but that doesn't translate well in storytelling because we expect to learn something from dialogue. That's why it's there.
Transcribing videos and turning them into text based stories is an interesting exercise (and one that I keep on doing lol). It makes you more aware of the gap between irl and written dialogue and why there's a gap.
Godspeed to people who write dialogue between a group during an action scene. We all praise comms in MCC but it does give me a headache to write hahahaha.
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she-who-fights-and-writes · 10 months ago
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how do i get my character out of the corner i wrote myself in without a dues ex machina😭
How to Not Write Yourself Into a Corner (and How to Write Yourself Out of a Corner if You’re Already In One)
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One of a writer’s WORST fears is writing themself into a corner.
It’s easy to write your characters into death-defying situations…but it’s not as easy to write the actual “defying death” part.
Some writers, in their desperation to get their characters out of a bind, employ the use of a Deus Ex Machina, as mentioned by anon:
Deus Ex Machina: (Translates to "god from the machine") A plot device where a seemingly unsolvable situation is fixed by an out-of-the-blue occurrence. The term “deus ex machina” is a reference to Greek plays, when actors playing a god would literally be lowered into the scene via a machine to magically solve any situation.
Unfortunately, this plot device is often ridiculed by readers, cited as a hack-job solution for a writer out of ideas.
How do we avoid this situation, then? Here are some tips and tricks on how to not write yourself into a corner, and how to write yourself out of a corner if you’re already in one!
Note that these tips may not work for everyone, so make sure to use your own intuition as a writer— you know your story best.
1. NIP IT IN THE BUD— OUTLINES ARE KEY!
I’m sorry to all of you pantsers out there, but the key to prevent writing yourself into a corner is to already have an idea of how each scene is going to turn out; don't make a problem without making a solution! If you keep on top of your outline, you should have no worries about writing your characters into a situation they can't get out of it.
It may be easiest to jot down ideas about a couple of scenarios and then select the one that works best, especially when it comes to dire climax scenes that have a lot of moving parts. 
Check out my posts below for more in-depth advice about outlining!
How to Outline
Plotting for Pansters and Pantsing for Plotters
This advice, although essential, does require a ton of foresight and time to plan…and if you’ve sought out this post, it may mean that it’s too late for preventative measures. The subsequent tips in this post are going to be for people who are already in the thick of it and need a way to save all of their writing progress. 
2. FORESHADOWING IS YOUR FRIEND (AKA “CHEKHOV’S GUN YOUR WAY OUT OF THAT SHIT”)
Foreshadowing: A narrative device wherein a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. It helps maintain believability while subverting expectations and making plot twists.
Chekhov’s Gun: A narrative device wherein a seemingly insignificant element or object in the story becomes useful later on. Sometimes used synonymously with foreshadowing, but usually refers to a specific object.
Examples of Foreshadowing/Chekhov’s guns in media:
The 1981 Quarter (Or Extra Life Quarter) in Ready Player One
“Don’t Cross the Streams” in Ghostbusters (1984)
Winchester Rifle Hanging over the Bar in Shaun of the Dead (2004)
The Rita Hayworth Poster in The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Water Bottle in Bullet Train (2022)
In my opinion, a Chekhov’s Gun is the more refined twin of the deus ex machina; although it may seem like it comes out of nowhere, observant readers or those who go back into the story will realize that this event was set up from the beginning.
Foreshadowing is the key to turning a deus ex machina into a Chekhov’s Gun. It’s spreading breadcrumbs to maintain believability even when unbelievable things happen.
My advice: plant a line here and there referring to the object/element that will get you out of the corner.
These lines can be about a healing potion that a character carries around to save them when they’re at the brink of death, the fact that the city they’re fighting in often suffers from sinkholes, or that a character has a seemingly useless skill. 
However, haphazardly inserting foreshadowing into your story may come across as heavy-handed; make sure it aligns with the narrative beats. Particularly big Chekhov’s Guns, especially ones that “save the day," may require multiple foreshadowing elements.
It can take a lot of work to incorporate the foreshadowing smoothly, so make sure it actually saves you time in comparison to rewriting the whole scenario/plot point.
3. TAKE A BREAK
Sometimes, the solution to your problem may not come to mind because you’re too immersed into the writing process and not thinking of the bigger picture. Or maybe it might just be good old-fashioned writer’s block. Take a step back, reassess, and return with the scene properly re-evaluated. Maybe start a new book or TV show to get some inspiration, or check out one of my posts below!
How to Overcome Writer’s Block
How to Get Inspired to Write and Regain Creativity
4. ASK FOR HELP
Sometimes, it might be best to have another set of eyes on your story! A situation that may seem unsolvable to you may have an obvious solution to a writing buddy.
5. KNOW THAT SOMETIMES RE-WRITING IS NECESSARY
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I know this sounds horrible. It’s something that I wouldn’t wish upon any writer.
Sometimes, however, no amount of foreshadowing can get your characters out of the debacle they’ve put themselves in. Either that, or the work that it would take to insert the foreshadowing would be more than it’d take to rewrite the scene or the plot point.
My suggestion would be to search for the last place that you didn't feel lost, and then cut out everything after that.
(NEVER DELETE MAJOR CHUNKS OF YOUR WRITING! ALWAYS CUT IT AND SAVE IT IN A SCRAP DOC—IT COULD COME IN HANDY LATER!)
Then, take the time to outline the scenario and figure out the solution to your problem beforehand. It will suck, but trust me, it'll be worth it in the end.
HOPE THIS HELPED, AND HAPPY WRITING!
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warabidakihime · 4 months ago
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Rules and Roses Chapter 2
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★ characters: kibutsuji muzan x reader x akaza
★ plot summary: Kibutsuji Muzan has finally decided to expand his empire, and the way he intends to do so is by running for the highest political position. With you, his darling wife, at his side, he believes he can achieve and have everything the world has to offer. He is, after all, the Phoenix of Phario.
★ fic playlist: sometimes, same day, as time stops, wolf’s song (this is also the vision board for the fic). 
★ content warnings : implied violence and abuse, profanities, toxic relationships, smut.
★ Previous Chapter
a/n:
hello!!!
first of all, i am so sorry for taking so long to update this story. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡
life happened and i got sooo busy. the time i uploaded this fic was when i just started at my new workplace and shortly after a few weeks, i was already preoccupied with work. at first, i was laser-focused on getting used to my new work and the culture. then later on, i found myself playing a more important role in the office that required my undivided attention lol. besides that, so many things happened in my personal life as well that i didn't have the time and energy to write.
btw i'm now a writer by profession as well so oftentimes i would feel drained af after writing corporate write-ups. tbh, i also got hit by writer's block, especially for this fic because the plot i have in mind for it is lowkey intricate, and for the most part, i haven't decided on what route i should take story-wise. so during those 2 years, i was constantly trying to reconstruct the story in my head, and here we are!
i'm back but i'm not so sure about updating regularly as i'm still incredibly busy, but i will do my best! the latest kny seasons inspired me to write again (aka my crush for muzan lol).
hopefully, everyone is still here to read this. ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡
as always, comments and kudos are highly appreciated!
happy reading!
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"Can you outline your key policy platforms should you be elected President of Phario? Given your extensive background in the human resource industry as well as your rich connections owing to your business ventures in Obelisk Kibutsuji, do you first plan to address the pressing issue of the national unemployment rate?"
"Indeed, that's correct. As President, one of my top priorities will be to strengthen our nation's workforce, which is crucial for advancing our economy. I have a comprehensive plan focused on job creation, vocational training, and support for small businesses. These initiatives will not only reduce unemployment but also stimulate innovation and competitiveness within our economy.
I also aim to implement policies that ensure equal access to education, equipping our citizens with the skills needed for the evolving job market. Healthcare reform is high on my agenda. I'll ensure healthcare assistance is accessible to everyone, public hospitals are well-maintained, and healthcare workers are fairly compensated and protected by the state in any dire situations. Additionally, I'll push for technological advancements and infrastructure development to attract both local and foreign investments.
Addressing social issues is equally important, and as a devoted ally of these communities, I'm committed to fighting all forms of discrimination, especially against women and the LGBTQ+ community. We must ensure everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or identity, has equal opportunities and protections under the law.
Moreover, I'll advocate for the rights and welfare of people with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and support to lead fulfilling lives. This includes improving accessibility in public spaces and promoting inclusive employment practices.
Animal welfare will also be a significant focus. We need to enact and enforce laws that protect animals from abuse and ensure humane treatment.
Lastly, I'll champion the rights of minorities and immigrants. Our nation is built on the strength of its diversity, and it's imperative we create an inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected. This includes reforming immigration policies to be fair and humane and implementing programs that support the integration and empowerment of minority communities.
In essence, my administration will be dedicated to creating a sustainable and inclusive economic environment where every Pharian has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to our nation's progress."
Muzan stood confidently at the podium, a modest yet proud smile gracing his face after addressing a journalist's question amidst a room bustling with media personnel.
Today was the day where presidential candidates shared their platforms, which also served as an open forum for engaging with the press and fielding inquiries on a wide array of topics—from current events to personal matters.
With his seasoned composure before cameras and crowds, Muzan navigated the spotlight effortlessly. His articulate delivery drew admiration from all corners as he outlined his plans for the presidency, filling you with pride as you watched from the audience.
Among the attendees, your smile beamed with pride and unconditional support for him. Akaza, who is sitting right beside you, maintained a stoic demeanor outwardly, though inwardly, he couldn't deny a hint of impressed regard. Muzan's comprehensive platform and commanding presence left an undeniable impact on him.
Eloquence had always been Muzan's forte, a skill honed through years of being a businessman and somewhat of a public figure, as among his peers and in the business landscape in general, he is well-revered and widely celebrated.
Beyond his ability to articulate ideas, he possessed a magnetic charisma—an invaluable trait for navigating the intricate world of politics and public service.
Several hours later, the policy speech slash press conference finally ended, and now you were on your way to meet up with Muzan at the lobby of the hotel where the gathering was held when a few journalists spotted you among the sea of people who were also exiting the function room.
Akaza was right behind you and is also on full alert, an important instruction your husband told him when he appointed him as your personal bodyguard a few years back. Committed to his duty, he stood there in a stance where he is ready to take action should anything happen that is out of the ordinary.
Mics were stretched out and placed within just a few inches of your face, and one of them took the liberty to ask you a question: "What are your thoughts on Kibutsuji Muzan's campaign platforms?” 
Very much like your husband, you also wore a modest yet confident smile on your face as you held eye contact with the journalist who asked you that question before displaying your own version of eloquence as you answered,
"To say that I am proud while listening to him share and advocate for the causes he wholeheartedly believed in would be the biggest understatement of the decade," you said with a fond chuckle before continuing, "even before he filed for his candidacy and even way before he became the man we all know now, he has always been outspoken about these things. He would always share with me his desire of making significant changes in the world, hoping no more children would have to endure what he did. As many of you know, Muzan, my dear husband, came from very humble beginnings, and unlike me, he has faced challenges far beyond my own. His vision and intuition surpass that of most, and so, as cliché as it may sound, his words and strong convictions carry a weight and authenticity that are strong enough to enable him in doing the impossible and inspire others to believe that a better future is within our grasp."
Akaza listened intently to your answer, finding himself captivated by your words. The way you addressed the press made you sound like a candidate yourself who's also sharing her platform. In that moment, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming surge of pride as he continued to absorb your statements.
The journalists surrounding you mirrored his sentiment, clearly impressed by your response—no surprise from the esteemed Ballerina Queen of Phario.
It had been quite some time since you last entertained interviews, having retired and chosen to stay away from public engagements.
"Among the plethora of initiatives he wishes to take action on once he's elected, what resonated with you the most?"
You paused, contemplating the list of campaigns your husband had presented earlier. Just as you were about to respond, an arm encircled your waist and gave it a tender squeeze.
It was Muzan.
"Knowing my wife's love for animals, I'm certain she's most excited about what I have planned for animal welfare," Muzan interjected warmly.
You playfully rolled your eyes, eliciting amusement from not only your husband and your respective bodyguards but also the press. "You say that as if it's a bad thing," you quipped.
Muzan chuckled fondly. "Not at all, my love. Your passion for animals is one of the many reasons I fell for you."
The same journalist who had asked you the second question now directed his attention to Muzan, eager for his response. "Based on the most recent public survey, you're likely the most favored candidate to win the elections. What can you say about that, Sir Kibutsuji?"
Muzan smiled bashfully at the reporter, his eyes reflecting a mix of humility and determination. "I'm incredibly honored and thankful that our fellow countrymen have placed such faith and confidence in me. It's a humbling reminder of the trust they have in our vision for a brighter future. This campaign has always been about bringing real change to Phario, addressing the pressing issues our nation faces with innovative solutions and inclusive policies. The support we're seeing reflects not just my efforts, but the collective desire of our people for progress and unity."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room, before continuing with renewed conviction, "Though I would like to emphasize that I don't take this trust lightly, it actually fuels my commitment to serve with integrity and purpose, to listen to the voices of every Pharian, and to lead with compassion and foresight."
By now, the press was highly satisfied with the answers both of you had given, granting you the freedom to depart. Clearly spent after the eventful day, you exchanged farewells and well-wishes before going your separate ways.
With Muzan's arm still draped around your waist, he guided you towards the grand entrance of the hotel. Meanwhile, Akaza made his way to the basement parking lot to retrieve your car, preparing to drive you both home. Kokushibo remained close to Muzan, ensuring your security as you awaited the car's arrival.
Turning to Muzan, unfazed by the bustling activity around you, you placed a tender kiss on his lips, smiling warmly. "Great job out there, my love. You did so well today. I'm incredibly proud of you."
Clearly elated, Muzan mirrored your smile and returned your affection with a gentle kiss on your forehead. "Thank you, darling. Your support means everything to me."
"Truly, I was beaming throughout your speech. You were absolutely amazing. Phario is fortunate to have such an admirable leader like you," you praised sincerely.
Right there and then, Muzan couldn't help but raise his eyebrow and playfully smile at you, prompting a confused raise of your own eyebrow.
"What's that look for?" you asked.
Muzan shook his head with a playful smirk before replying, "You're not showing favoritism now, are you, my love? I know you adore me, but let's keep it fair, hmm?" he teased, his tone light-hearted and affectionate.
You rolled your eyes at his playful accusation. "Ha-ha. Very funny, Muzan. I'll take it back, then."
Muzan laughed wholeheartedly, drawing attention once again. "I was just joking!" He then smiled warmly at you, his eyes reflecting pride. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "Hearing that from you means more than any applause, you know?"
You reached out to pinch his cheeks. "You play too much sometimes, you know?" you said with a chuckle before continuing, "But like I said, hearing you speak today—and in all those times you shared your aspirations with me from when we were students up to now, as you finally have the opportunity to make all come true—it's evident how deeply committed you are. Beyond your skills and capabilities, your passion is what makes you so compelling, Muzan. It's what makes me believe in you, too."
Minutes later, while waiting by the entrance, Akaza finally pulled up with the car. You and Muzan bid farewell to those around you before stepping into the comfort of your vehicle.
As the city lights blurred past the windows, you reflected on the day's events.
"You know," you began, glancing at Muzan beside you, "I have a feeling your speech today touched more hearts than just mine."
Muzan smiled softly, intertwining his fingers with yours. 
"I hope so. Though the election is still months away, and who knows how things might shift, that's why I don't want to take any of this for granted. I'm in this for the long haul. You'll be there with me, won't you?"
He looked over to you, and in that moment, despite his big words, he looked absolutely adorable, with his ruby eyes shining at you and his lips slightly pouty as he waited for your response, which you gladly provided through the means of placing yet another sweet and passionate kiss on his lips and squeezing his hand reassuringly. 
"I'll always be here for you, Muzan, through every challenge and triumph."
"I love you," he whispered lovingly, his expression sincere and heartfelt.
"And I love you," you replied with equal affection.
With a comforting squeeze of your hand, you nestled against Muzan's shoulder, feeling a sense of contentment as the car navigated through familiar streets towards home.
Meanwhile, in the driver's seat, Akaza's face remained unreadable. He was outwardly indifferent to the tender exchange between you and Muzan, but inwardly, he was seething with rage.
You think you're so clever, spouting all those promises and pretty words, playing the saint for the public eye. But I see through you. You're nothing but a manipulative snake, a liar wrapped in a facade of righteousness.
His gaze hardened and his grip on the wheel tightened as he stared ahead, the streetlights casting shadows on his determined expression.
One day, your mask will slip. 
I will fucking rip it off your face, even if it's the last thing I do.
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gotham--fc · 1 year ago
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Halloween Horror - An Alyssa Naeher Imagine
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The second Halloween fic! This wasn't planned but I had so much inspiration it just happened. Dedicated to @grapefruit-personified and her love of Alyssa
Summary: Y/N didn't think inviting Alyssa over to watch a horror movie would end like this
“How could you do this to me?” Alyssa’s says, voice muffled from how her head is squished between Y/N’s shoulder and the couch.
“You’re like the toughest person I know! How was I supposed to know that a horror movie is enough to have you cowering in my lap?”
“I’m not in your lap.”
“Because you wouldn’t fit,” Y/N smiles fondly, “I feel like the roles are supposed to be reversed here, don’t you think?”
Y/N didn’t expect that the night would lead to Alyssa hiding behind Y/N as the last scenes of a Hereditary played out on screen. Her and Alyssa have been seeing each other for a few months and Y/N thought, since it was October (AKA spooky month) that it was a great idea to invite Alyssa over to watch some horror movies. Alyssa never said she was scared of them, though.
Alyssa agreed to come over easily, and when Y/N mentioned watching horror movies, Alyssa’s willingness never waned.  Y/N assumed Alyssa liked horror movies, or at least would be able to watch them.
Y/N spent all of October chatting with their teammates about the best horror movies, the scariest ones, the ones that didn’t quite land, and Alyssa never participated, but it’s Alyssa. She’s always quiet and tries to stay out of the team’s shenanigans most of the time. So really, it came as a shock when a few minutes into the movie, Alyssa’s grip on Y/N’s hand gets so tight that Y/N begins to worry about the circulation in her fingers. Still, when Y/N asked if she should turn it off, Alyssa said no. Then she was screaming and trying to duck behind Y/N. But still, she told Y/N they didn’t need to turn it off.
“I told you we didn’t have to watch the whole thing,” Y/N says, “I wouldn’t have minded doing something else tonight.”
“I can handle a stupid horror movie,” Alyssa insists stubbornly.
“I’ve never doubted your capabilities, babe,” Y/N turns around enough to press a kiss to the back of Alyssa’s head, “But if this is you handling it? I don’t want to see what not handling it looks like.”
“I will go home,” Alyssa says.
“You want to go home right now? When it’s dark out? Get in your car alone and drive home to your empty, dark house with no one around but you? Leave me here all alone and hope there’s nothing lurking in my closet?”
Alyssa doesn’t answer.
“That’s what I thought.”
Y/N swings her legs over Alyssa’s lap, and runs her fingers through Alyssa’s hair.
“I’m sorry you got scared,” Y/N says, “That wasn’t my intention for the evening.”
“I know,” Alyssa says, “It wasn’t your fault.”
“What would you like to do with the rest of the night?”
“I would like to stay like this please.”
“Of course.”
Y/N pulls Alyssa’s head to her chest and alternates between petting her hair and rubbing her back. She feels bad that Alyssa got scared, but she won’t deny she enjoys the end result. She loves doing just about anything with Alyssa, whether it be playing soccer or going on dates or even just watching Alyssa complete her morning crossword. She likes these quiet moments where it’s just the two of them, cuddling up on the couch in silence.
Y/N doesn’t know how long they sit there, before Alyssa lifts her head. Y/N kisses the bridge of her nose, because she can, and grins at the pink blush that dots Alyssa’s cheeks.
“I know it’s not that late, but can we go to bed?” Alyssa asks.
“Yeah, we can go to bed.”
They go through their nightly routines, and then slide into bed. Y/N gives Alyssa a peck and says goodnight then turns off the lamp on her bedside table. She lays down, facing Alyssa, who she can make out the outline of in the dark. Alyssa lays on her back, completely still, and Y/N frowns. She reaches out and touches Alyssa’s arm and Alyssa almost jumps off the bed.
“Woah, Lys, you good?”
“Sorry,” Alyssa whispers, “Sorry.”
“What’s up?”
Alyssa doesn’t answer and if Y/N wasn’t staring at her she might’ve thought Alyssa had fallen asleep. Then Alyssa sighs.
“Can you leave the light on please?”
Y/N rolls over and flicks the lamp back on. She gets up and flicks the hall light on, and leaves her bedroom door open a crack, so the light filtered in. Then she got back in bed and turned the lamp off.
“Better?”
“Yes,” Alyssa says, “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do after I traumatized you with that movie.”
“You did not traumatize me.”
“Whatever you say babe,” Y/N settles deeper in the blankets, “Goodnight Lys. Wake me up if you need me.”
Y/N stays awake long enough to hear Alyssa say goodnight back, then she’s falling asleep, with the warm presence of her girlfriend in bed beside her.
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our-flag-means-love · 1 year ago
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by popular demand (aka the 63 people who voted "yes" in my poll (six months ago oops) for whether or not i should do this)
here's why ofmd is a romcom, beat by beat
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so for the purposes of this analysis, the ten stages outlined in this article are what i'm using for reference.
(and for the sake of everyone's dashes, i've added a cut because This Got Long. like, genuinely, 1.6k and 24 images. you've been warned.)
1. Unfulfilled Desire: something important is missing from the love interests' lives.
before the love interests meet, both of their lives are lacking in some way, often in a way they hardly realize. and this unfulfilled desire doesn't have to be romantic love in and of itself, and quite often it's not. and the things missing from ed and stede's lives are not romantic love. not at first.
what stede's missing is skill and structure. to put it bluntly, he has no idea what the fuck he's doing as a pirate, and without the guidance of someone more experienced, he'd likely get himself and his whole crew killed soon.
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meanwhile, what ed's missing is interest. he's just about as bored with his life as anyone can be. every day is the same, and he needs something new—a new environment, a new challenge—to bring the spark back into his life.
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2. Meet-Cute: the love interests meet, and at first, their personalities clash.
now, granted... in most meet-cutes, one of the protagonists isn't like three-quarters dead and nearly unconscious. but, as we know, ofmd is not like most shows.
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but when we fast forward a bit to their real proper first meeting, we can quickly start to see how their personalities differ. in many meet-cutes, the love interests start off on bad terms, but in ofmd it's more of a contrast than a real clash, as stede and ed take a liking to each other right away.
in their very first conversation, stede is self-conscious and fretting, while ed is relaxed as can be. and as they talk, ed is in awe of stede's eccentricities, and stede is in awe of ed's powerful reputation.
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and nothing exemplifies their contrast better than what they spend the rest of the episode doing—literally switching clothes and switching roles, getting a taste of what it would be like to be each other.
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3. Happy Together: the love interests spend time together and grow to enjoy each other's company.
the classic honeymoon phase—not necessarily denoting romance yet, just a bond that continues to grow stronger the more time they spend together.
one of their first, biggest bonding events, just a few days after they met, is of course the fancy french party. while the night ends in disaster, the two end up much closer after the experiences they shared.
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however, i think by far the best example of this stage is the montage at the beginning of episode 6, narrated by none other than my favorite (derogatory) terrible little rat man, izzy hands, who will become relevant soon. in romcoms, this stage is often shown through montages, so it only makes sense that that would be a great demonstration of it here as well.
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4. Obstacles Arise: the love interests' original lives and obligations catch back up with them.
it's no longer possible to avoid the hard truths their happiness let them ignore. while both ed and stede go through this, i think stede goes through it differently and at different, non-linear times, so i'll talk about him first.
the pre-edward life that stede has been forcing to the back of his mind is, quite obviously, his wife and children back on land. and he's done a very effective job of ignoring it while he's been around ed.
he was fretting about it before—like in episode 2 with nigel's guilt ghost—but it doesn't seem to fully hit him again until he learns in episode 9 that he'd been declared dead. (in my opinion, the dreams/flashbacks in episode 4 feel less about stede's guilt, specifically, than these other instances do. but even if they are, that's still before he properly met ed.) so he does go through this stage, but it happens in slightly different ways and at different times.
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ed, on the other hand, has a very specific and concrete obligation that catches up with him: a promise he made two weeks ago.
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this is where izzy comes in. just as mary is the personified symbol of stede's old life, izzy is the equivalent for ed. whether ed initially intended to follow through on the plan or only said it to placate izzy is up for debate (and my personal take is that it's somewhere in between, but that's a story for another time), but izzy is going to hold him to it regardless.
and when ed can't bring himself to do it, because of both his growing feelings for stede and his trauma around killing people himself, izzy is determined to carry out the act for him.
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5. The Journey: the love interests face and overcome the obstacles together.
what better way to overcome adversity than by getting thumbtacked to a mast by the same Very Angy Little Guy who's the source of the adversity in the first place? with izzy banished, the biggest obstacle to ed and stede's love is out of the way (for now).
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stede still hasn't overcome his big obstacle, of course, but as i said, that happens very non-linearly with regard to the romcom structure.
the two also overcome other minor obstacles, like their bickering during the treasure hunt adventure. the key is that they face what's in their path and settle into a new normal with each other.
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6. New Obstacles: despite solutions seeming effective, more hardships arise.
the next big issue thrown into ed and stede's relationship has a name, and its name is calico jack rackham, my favorite (affectionate) dumpster fire of a man. which makes sense—after all, his sole purpose in meeting up with them was to separate them before the english navy arrived. and he does a damn effective job of it.
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and even once he's gone, they're still faced with chauncey badminton, stede's near-execution, and his and ed's eventual surrender to the english. they may have escaped chauncey's wrath (for now), but they bought it at the cost of their freedom.
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and on top of all of that, now they finally confess their feelings for each other and make plans to run away together, and the choice—really, stede's choice—of whether or not to go through with running off to china looms in the distance. speaking of which…
7. The Choice: the love interests have to decide if the relationship can work.
a turning point is reached, and a decision has to be made. can they go through with it? are they really the best thing for each other?
the choice stede makes here is helped along in no small part by chauncey badminton, whose encounter just solidifies the beliefs stede already held—that he abandoned his family, and that ed is better off without him.
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so stede makes the choice to run.
he goes home to his family, and ed is left to return to the ship alone.
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8. Crisis: the love interests—now apart—ruminate and face the consequences of their choice.
the winter of their discontent. stede has made his choice, they've separated, and they're both worse off for it.
ed is depressed, retreating to his blanket fort and writing sad songs while eating marmalade.
and meanwhile, stede is back with mary and the kids, but learns that they'd all moved on and were much happier without him around. so he's left trying to force himself back into a space where he no longer fits, and all the while he misses ed more than anything.
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and of course, ed takes it one step further by going full emo kraken mode. he's so distraught about stede leaving that he too forces himself back into the shell of what people expect of him—of what he was supposed to be before he even met stede—despite not fitting there anymore.
it's obvious that without each other, they're both in pretty rough shape.
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9. Epiphany: one or both of the love interests conclude that they belong together and rush to reunite.
think of this stage as the person running through the airport to reach their love interest before the flight leaves.
in ofmd, it's clear who has the epiphany, because we watch it happen in real time. stede sits down with mary and asks her how it feels to be in love, and while she describes it, all he can think of is his time with ed. he finally realizes that what he's been feeling all along is love.
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once he knows this, he knows he has to leave his family again, so he can reunite with ed. he and mary stage their fuckery, and stede rows off in a dinghy bound for wherever ed is, because he knows that as long as he's with ed, he'll be happy and everything will be okay.
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10. Resolution: the love interests are reunited. desires are fulfilled, and all is well.
sooo… stay tuned for october 5th, i suppose?
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thebardbullseye · 3 months ago
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www ep 32 spoilers // mini essay below
goddamnit @worldsbeyondpod you can't keep doing this to me
there has been, not quite a burning question, but rather a smoldering one, since the conclusion of arc 1:
How did Morrow build that derrick?
this question raises several other questions/points (outlined in more detail below the gif):
Has Steel truly been the BBEG all along?
Um, why should we believe Tefmet?
How do you verify this information?
We're on top of the world! It's WitchCon(clave) baby and we got decisions to make now that Ame's not dead!!
Tefmet poured some gasoline and the spark is ✨quest fever✨
Who could possibly dissent given this testimony?
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How did Morrow stumble upon some of the greatest conjurative and abjurative magic (per Tefmet) the world of Umora has ever seen --on his own-- in dinky little Port Talon-- at the edges of the empire?
and not an archmage (or one's apprentice) of the citadel, no no. a guild mage who isn't even namecloaked. flunked the citadel.
did he build the derrick all on his own with the misappropriated funds from guild mage Pane? it probably helped, but i doubt he invented the technology himself.
of course, i could put up red string as to how steel was secretly funding the derrick or knew about it already or was never going to free Naram or killed suvi's parents and stole the technology (as i'm sure many already have-- joking). and i could paint the citadel as the truly evil villains we all know them to be (mwuahahahahaha). but I'd like to be the devil's *cough* Citadel's advocate for a moment here:
Why should we believe Tefmet?
how do we know what they are saying is true?
they are in direct opposition to the citadel, and like it or not, citadel magic just saved Ame's station, and we wouldn't even be hearing their presentation if not for their (Suvi's) intercession. moreover, they are part of Indri's retinue, aka the witch who just attempted to destroy her.
they bring objects that they purport to be of great magical significance and paint a circumstantial picture of the citadel (implied at-large) to be abusing magic to the point of 1) creating NEW "spirits" not of the spirit world??? 2) destroying a magical artifact of such great significance to their enemies in Gaothmai as part of an (alleged) attempt to bring forth a great spirit??? and 3) focusing discs that were last seen by our heroes to have bound and wounded a great spirit???
further, how would you verify it at the north pole? Tefmet speaks of protection from scrying, so surely even the witch of the wind and stars herself cannot verify it from her library.
and, apart from the discs which were identified on sight, how do you verify or fact check these artifacts against the source, where the other wizards (who just might have An Opinion on this) have been dismissed or retreated to the skyship?
So, with all of that in mind, what happens next?
in case you're just joining us, welcome to witch-con(clave)! the witches are in conclave and are, if not magically required, then at least magically incentivized, to make decisions based on discussions and debates held during said conclave. Tefmet starts by announcing a window is closing and urging swift action.
Tefmet's allegations are gleaned from reading between the lines of the citadel's activities, their footprint. even if they are presenting in good faith and only with the most robust evidence, this is only part of the story.
and, to read between the lines of This Presentation, they speak calmly, but-
it pushes ALL the quest fever buttons. urgency. a ticking clock. a closing window. threat to magic itself. honor and duty and deference and reverence to spirits. and to the in between-- to the greater binding. an abomination. rebel against the empire. reject control. stop the (bad) wizards. end the citadel. it's happening too fast-- no, it's been happening too fast.*
Suvi Sky is not here. Pane burned the evidence. Tefmet burned their notes.
Who could possibly dissent given this testimony?
oh. shit.
*it's been happening too fast-- meaning that the escalation of citadel magic/empire/etc has ramped up dramatically not just recently given these discoveries but also that wizardry didn't exist until 200 years ago-- and it is currently 1670.
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everybodyshusband · 3 months ago
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per aspera ad inferi ; chapter five
[aka: the university ghouls fic]
aeon, aeon/rain (kind of)
explicit | other | 3.7k words (15.6k in total) | alternate universe (university), masturbation, fantasies, pining, aeon is so down bad
this chapter would not have happened without @divine-misfortune giving me an entire fucking outline to follow so thank you thank you thank you void sdfjnksdf also: @ghoultrifle and @arkeusruin tags, come get your uni ghouls !!!
snippet and ao3 link under the cut !!
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Aeon returns from the scavenger hunt exhausted. Simply pushing the door to his dorm open and lifting his aching leg to step over the threshold feels like a monumental task. He bypasses everything, leaving his shoes and backpack on as he faceplants onto his bed, huffing out a sigh of relief as he gives his feet and back some respite.
From somewhere in the room—presumably his desk or his bed—Dewdrop chuckles at him. “You tired?”
Aeon groans, the sound muffled by his bedspread.
Dewdrop snorts. “I’ll take that as a yes, then.”
“My entire body hurts,” Aeon complains, wondering faintly if Dewdrop can even hear anything he’s saying through the fluff of his pillow.
“Ah, the wonders of the first year scavenger hunt,” Dewdrop reminisces. “I don’t miss that shit at all.”
Aeon grabs his other pillow and throws it in the direction of Dewdrop’s voice, so far beyond tired and sore that he doesn’t care if it’s impolite. “Stop taunting me, I’m dying.”
“Aw, kid, it’s alright,” Dewdrop soothes, and Aeon startles when he feels his roommate’s hand rest gently on his shoulder. The pillow he threw at him gets placed next to his head and Aeon rolls over to see Dewdrop staring down at him with an expression full of pity, but that doesn’t stop Aeon from noticing the small smile quirking at the corner of Dewdrop’s lips as he fully takes in Aeon’s predicament.
“I’m one year younger than you, asshat,” he groans, sitting up to sling the backpack off of his shoulders and drop it on the ground. “I’m not a kid.”
Dewdrop suppresses a laugh, which Aeon quickly discovers is a preemptive one in preparation for a truly terrible joke that his roommate is about to impart onto him. “Feisty little baby child,” he patronises, patting Aeon on the head and pouting as he makes eye contact. Aeon glowers at him, but any malice behind the expression is tainted by his own suppressed laugh.
Is this what Rain meant when they said Dewdrop was capable of being a menace? Whether they were referring to this side of his roommate or not, Aeon can’t deny that he likes it. He knows the two of them have really only just met, but he wouldn’t have guessed that Dewdrop’s sense of humour would be like this at all. He’s fun.
They both bite back another round of chuckles as both their stomachs rumble, but Aeon’s laughter quickly fades out as he remembers that he has to move to get up and go to dinner.
Dewdrop, miraculously seeming to know exactly what Aeon is thinking, pipes up with an offer. “Do you want me to go down and bring you up some dinner?”
Aeon sighs, immediately tempted. He’s silent for a moment, weighing the benefit of not having to move versus the cost of putting the responsibility of his dinner on Dewdrop. He groans and stretches as he stands. “No, I s’pose I should head down. Thank you though.” He smiles appreciatively at his roommate and heads towards the door, opening it for him. “We can head down together though, if you want?”
[read the rest on ao3 !!]
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wigglebox · 5 months ago
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'he said now it [15x18] doesn't need to be addressed'
that's not what jackles said. that's like, a smallllll snippet of the entire thing. he essentially, in my opinion, said the Testament aka cas' Declaration and proof of love [i find it interesting he corrects himself from confession to testament by the way when we all call it the confession, he calls it a testament, which is astoundingly amazing] stands as it is, and that their love for each other is going to basically be understood when they're reunited. They don't need to have a sit-down chat or long-winded therapy discussion about their feelings.
We, the audience, also know where they both stand with each other. This concept that they'll get Cas back and he won't know that Dean loves him back is astounding to me. Jackles is saying essentially that they're each other's people, that they found each other, that they keep finding each other, and that when they reunite, both of their feelings will be understood.
And that dean understands. When they reunite, it will be understood that dean understands. He didn't say there wasn't going to be reciprocation, just that Cas' words don't need resolving.
Aka, what's changed from previous answers he's given? From "let's talk about that goodbye" to now? I'm being mostly serious when i say, i think they've outlined that scene or have a rough outline on how that scene is going to go and he's trying to give an answer without giving away the store lol.
I say this because this was a pretty detailed answer, in my opinion, and him calling Cas' words a testament instead of 'the confession' also makes me think there have been some conversations.
i know that assumption is wildly speculative because who knows where they are in the continuation process behind these scenes but given the fact that it's actually quite useless to even have a continuation unless they follow up the destiel arc and finish up that storyline, i do think it's been top of mind for everyone involved. Yes, including jackles. Don't even get me started on him correcting that fan who shouted subtext with text.
he was being thoughtful in his answer and trying to find the right words, in my opinion.
The half-jokey way I'm going to end this is: Dean is gonna run up to him and give him a big ol' hug n' smooch.
Joking... but also not joking at all haha.
But Dean's also a man of action and his love can be seen through those actions and if a man is going to hope universes and try to potentially jailbreak into The Empty to get me (if that's what they wind up doing which I thnk they are) that's love in my opinion as well. He's done that also twice in Purgaytory, ignoring an easy way out until he found Cas, putting his own well-being at risk, and also ignored a time limit and risked getting trapped in there because he couldn't find Cas so...
Suffice it to say, I also think in general, you just gotta give the man some faith and just see what happens.*
(*but also, it'll never be 100% how we wrote fics or speculated in our head, nor should it be; storytelling is an art and science, and you can predict some things, but you have to also go with the flow with others).
There's absolutely no hard concrete evidence anywhere that 15x18 won't have a follow-up in continuation, and no, Jackle's purcon answer doesn't fall under that either. in my opinion.
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triz-costa · 6 months ago
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Young Royals Fic Recs II
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Strings Attached by kuramasgirl17 (Chapters 18/18) (Canon Rewrite) (Part 1)
Duty versus love. Head versus heart. There have always been two parts to Prince Wilhelm: Wilhelm, the prince he was born as, and Wille, the normal boy he wants to be. Then he meets Simon, and suddenly, everything changes. Wille changes. So, he invites Simon to spend Parent’s Weekend with him at Hillerska, beginning a relationship that tests the boundaries of what it means to keep both parts of himself separate. But, when stakes become higher, and their feelings become stronger, can Wille reconcile the two parts of himself without losing Simon? - - - OR, a canon rewrite where Erik lives, beginning just before Parent’s Weekend, covering S1-2.
Tethered by kuramasgirl17 (Chapters 18/18) (Canon Rewrite) (Part 2)
Everyone has a choice. Or, that was at least what Simon believed before he met Wilhelm. Wilhelm should represent everything he detests – the monarchy, title, unearned wealth and privilege. But then Simon meets him, and he finds just how wrong his assumptions were. As he gets to know Wille, who’s just an awkward, endearing boy, Simon just. can’t. stay. away. So, when Wille invites Simon to spend the weekend with him, Simon learns there is one thing you can’t choose: who you love. But, as feelings grow in secret and promises can’t be made, is love truly enough to conquer all? - - - OR, Simon’s POV of the companion story, Strings Attached.
All the people are fake (young royals one-shots) by allofthestarz/@allthefakepeople (Chapters 13/?)
A selection of Young Royals one-shots based on tumblr ask prompts
Like the Open Highway by Ripki (Post S3)
“I’m keeping you,” Simon murmurs, grazing his teeth over Wille’s ear, “I’m keeping you forever.” In the immediate aftermath of the season finale, as they drive away from Hillerska, Simon is utterly, hopelessly in love.
Sorry about the blood in your mouth (I wish it was mine) by witchjeons
In the aftermath of the video, Simon falls apart. Wilhelm is there to put him back together.
The neon lights on your face and your body on mine by andycreations
What if the first episode ended a little differently and not so cliff-hanger-like? - There was a slightly glistening outline of his palm across half of Simon’s face as sweat collected around the digits of his fingers. Simon licked his lips in a sinful way, tasting the saltiness of the sweaty layer on his tongue, noticing how Wille’s gaze fell down on his lips. Goodness, so he noticed. -
Kiss me like you wanna be loved by Skamtrash (Erik lives)
Simon and Erik unexpectedly meet + Wille and Erik talk about Simon + the boys can't keep their hands off each other after dinner with Erik
We should escape for the night by Piebingo/@piebingo
By the end of the practice, he is confident that he will get into the choir, thus securing a place at Hillerska with Sara. The teacher dismisses them and motions for Simon to come and see her. As he makes his way to her, the girl who had been eyeing him earlier lets out a squeal. “Prince Wilhelm will transfer here next week!” She says, effectively creating chaos in the room. *** Simon and Sara transfer to Hillerska the same day Prince Wilhelm does. What happens when Wilhelm and Simon have their initiation at the same time?
Young Royals Watch the Show by emwrites19 (Chapters 4/8)
The morning following Wilhelm's whole... face butting a person on camera situation, his mother, father, and brother all are snatched up by a time-twisting, dimension-traveling girl who goes by the name Adahlia. She reveals to them that she's brought them all together to watch Wille's, and subsequently their own, future! AKA: A reaction fic where Erik is besties with Simon AS HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN, Kristina exists, and Erik doesn't die - or does he? - though he does feel extreme guilt for dying.
Rewinding Young Royals by At_the_Gates (Chapters 8/?)
Wilhelm had already been having a bad week. His black eye still stung from the fight at the club, and soon, he'd be attending Hillerska Boarding School for three fuckin' years. So, when he is seemingly kidnapped by crazy people who want him to watch 12 episodes about his future, it would make sense for his week to plunge from bad to awful. Except, there's something intriguing about the curly-haired boy that's supposed to watch the episodes with him.
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bryszket · 9 days ago
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MAEJ TIME. IT IS MAEJ TIME.
Social media is always fun, as I'll have to try to condense into two sentences why one of our books just HAS to be read by someone, so thank God for tumblr, where I get to have as many sentences as I want and go into the nitty-gitty a bit.
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I haven't talked much about publishing on here, but I started this project (aka tRaum Books) with a friend in 2021, as a labor of love and as a venue to put out the types of books that even indie queer presses (probably) wouldn't touch. Because they were too risky (in theme and/or length); because they were queer and/or trans in a way that wasn't necessarily validating or relatable, because they slipped between genres, or were written by someone with too low of a following to net a guaranteed readership. I've never embraced the 'publisher' role and to the end, consider myself an artist and writer: of things that are too X for this crowd, and not Y enough for the other. This is not meant to be a pissNmoan about 'genre', or readers who want clear signposting on what they are about to get into. I get it. Our money is limited, our time even more so, and it makes perfect sense that someone would want to dedicate their time to a book that can clearly outline what the experience will be. That just happens to not be the type of writing I produce or what I am drawn to. I like to be surprised and am often drawn to books that surprise me.
So that is the type of work I have sought to put out. The hard-to-pin-down. More accurately, I should say it is the type of work that has found me, because our press notoriously has never had an open call for submissions. Books just find us when the time is right.
So I had come to Dale Stromberg's high-fantasy MAEJ not as a potential publisher, but as a beta reader and I still remember vividly my first impression of being blown away by the sheer attention to detail, the pure CRAFTSMANSHIP of the story. As intricate and precise as one of those handmade wooden puzzle boxes. But I also remember another impression: a certain sorrow from thinking, man. There is nobody on earth who would ever publish this. Not because it isn't excellent, amazing, in turns difficult and also fun to read (MAEJ is all of these things). But because it requires an immersion and trust from the reader that I believe many (if not most) simply do not possess anymore. The most powerful publishers could weave their marketing magic and get people to buy it, but the amount of readers who would actually make it to the end (if we say a book being read, not just a book being bought, is the goal)--so, such a reader seemed rare.
More simply, I felt like I had been allowed to witness some rare endangered species of a book--the kind everyone online bemoans nobody publishing anymore, yet few would honestly want to confront.
Both a relic and a touchstone. A vociferously political book that didn't sermonize--the message was baked into every magical tile paving those fictive streets. I knew then that i wanted to try to help publish the book. If the author wanted to deal with small press, that is (which many times, let's be honest, could be bestowing upon a book's forehead the kiss of obscurity).
There is not much a tiny publisher like myself can bring to a book's release that the author could not do themselves (given some investment and time and oh yeah, patience). Much of us have limited reach, and again, MAEJ was not the type of book that I felt would automatically pique the interest of many of my followers. What I could do though is help the author along in what is sometimes so hard to do for your own fiction. I could go out and yell, yo, you should really really read this. If you enjoy high fantasy, an effortless gender subversion, and prose infused with a magical playfulness. If you like to try to recreate the reading experience akin to being ten again and curling up with a huge tome of an adventure, and letting the outside world slip away. YOU NEED TO READ THIS.
Those who push past the initial resistance will be rewarded handsomely by the final grand mosaic Stromberg creates of what seem at first a plethora of chaotic, colorful tiles. It is indeed a rare and complex, awe-inspiring thing of beauty.
Order your own physical or ebook copy of MAEJ. Grab a free ARC copy of the book. Add MAEJ on Goodreads.
I want to thank the author @dalestromberg for his patience with working with me. I know that dealing with me is often chicken-fried chaos, so thanks for coming along for the ride. I want to thank @zillanovikov. While she was not directly involved in this project, nobody can ask for a better writing and pub buddy and I'm really grateful to know her.
I want to thank @flameswallower for writing one of the best reviews of MAEJ ever. Not only are they an inspiring writer, but a vocal supporter of small press, and another author I am happy to have gotten the chance to work with.
And @baconorigami for all his support. <3
And to thank you, dear readers! To those of you who boost our posts, collect our books, leave reviews--engage. You make it all worth it. <3<3<3
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writingquestionsanswered · 1 year ago
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How do I make my writing less.. like I'm rambling? I speak and type in a way that is very much rambling but I want my writing (even if it's just a fanfic) to be more on topic ig?
How to Ramble Less in Your Writing
1 - Have a plan - Planning doesn't have to mean figuring out every last detail--creating scene lists, outlines, and timelines. It can mean that, and if that would help you, do it! But mainly "having a plan" in writing just means that you know the general plot. Who is this story about? What is the conflict? Why does the protagonist want to resolve the conflict? How will they go about it? What obstacles do they face along the way? Who or what placed those obstacles there? How will the character, their situation, or their world have changed by the end of the story? At the very least, having a beginning to end summary is a great way to format the answers to these questions and give you a plan to follow.
2 - Balance Exposition, Dialogue, and Action - If you find yourself rambling a lot in your story, you might be doing too much exposition, aka "explaining things." Remember that scenes (and your story in general) should be a balance of exposition, dialogue (conversation), and action (things happening). When you balance these things out in your story, you will find that you probably ramble less.
3 - Ramble First, Edit Later - Rambling in your writing isn't always a bad thing. For some writers, that's just part of the first draft process. It's sort of a "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" method of writing, but it works really well for some writers. Some of the best stories in the world were written that way. The key is to go back and edit what's there so you can take out the things that "didn't stick" and clean up the things that did.
4 - Start With a Mind Map - If you find yourself having difficulty staying on topic in your story, try doing a mind map before you start writing and let all those rambling thoughts come out in an organized way. This can help you see all those seemingly random connections your brain is making between elements in your story, which is what sends you off on these rambling paths in the first place. Not only does this let your brain get all those random connections out of its system before you start writing, it also gives you the ability to look at what's there and see if there's anything worth working into something more relevant and cohesive to the story.
5 - Break It Up Into Smaller Parts - Another thing you can try is to break your writing up into smaller parts, which has the effect of putting up barriers that keep you from rambling too far off course. Try to focus on writing a scene... know what you want to accomplish in the scene before you start writing. Figure out the beginning point, the midpoint, and the end point. Then, plot the path between each point. If you still find yourself rambling, break it up by point. Write from the beginning to the midpoint. Then from the midpoint to the end point. Breaking it into smaller parts forces your brain to focus on that smaller part rather than giving it the opportunity to run off into the wild.
Happy writing! ♥
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nanowrimo · 1 year ago
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How to Write Through Second Book Syndrome
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Second Book Syndrome is a unique experience that can affect any writer. Today, author Uju Asika talks about what she learned while tackling Second Book Syndrome and gives advice on navigating it.  There’s something immensely powerful about completing your first book. For a brief moment, you feel invincible. After all, pretty much everyone you meet thinks they have a book in them, but not many people actually sit down to write it.
I wrote my first book, Bringing Up Race, in the midst of a global pandemic. Writing my next book, a picture book for younger readers, was a much less stressful experience. So it was actually with my third book, aimed at grownups again, that Second Book Syndrome kicked in.
You’ve probably heard of sophomore album syndrome (see Lauryn Hill, The Stone Roses) aka the sophomore slump that, apparently, can happen to anyone from athletes to second year college students.
Second Book Syndrome isn’t talked about as much and yet it affects almost every author on some level. Whether you’re a million-copy seller, a mid-list author or a relative newbie, you grapple with the same insecurities and nightmare scenarios. How do I write something as good as or better than my last book? If my first book did well, was it just a fluke? If my first book sold poorly, is this book my last shot? Will it meet my readers’ expectations or am I going to get troll-bombed on Goodreads? Am I establishing an author brand or have I niched myself into a corner? Can I experiment with voice or will I get laughed at by critics? Do I even have it in me to write a WHOLE OTHER BOOK?
Now that you’ve finished at least one book, you might feel like you’ve got this shit nailed. But the tricky thing about writing is that every time you open a blank page, you are starting from scratch. And every time you face a blank page, you are forced to meet yourself there, again and again. No matter whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction. There’s no escaping yourself and that’s what makes it so hard, so vulnerable and potentially, so transformative.
My latest book, Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation, came out last month. Foolishly, I had it in the back of my mind that writing this book would be a relative breeze. In some ways, it was harder. I had so much Resistance — the negative force that pushes back when you try to do something that matters, as Steve Pressfield talks about in The War of Art.
I also had to deal with the impostor syndrome (a close cousin of Second Book Syndrome) that whispered in my ear that I didn’t have another book in me. That I had used up all my smart ideas and pretty words. That I should stick to short form content and leave the real writing to the professionals.
So how did I get over this? What can you do when you’re in the throes of Second Book Syndrome and feeling like you’ll never write another sentence again? Here are a few things that helped me:
Make a Plan
If you identify as a ‘pantser’ rather than a ‘plotter’, you’re probably shaking your head at this. But it doesn’t have to be a full proposal or outline. Your plan can be as simple as a journal entry, a short mission statement, a sentence describing your premise, or a note to self about what you’d like your reader to learn, feel and experience. Making a plan and reviewing it from time to time can help keep your project alive when you’re suffering from self-doubt, comparisonitis and other symptoms of Second Book Syndrome.
Give Yourself Permission
The only way to release yourself from the pressure of writing your next book is to liberate yourself. Give yourself permission to write badly. I mean, really really badly. Permission to write something that sounds nothing like what you wrote before. Permission to play, to dream, to procrastinate. Permission to research until your head is bursting. For every project, I always keep a notebook so I can write by hand and make a mess and scribble pages of absolute drivel. I can spend hours writing around the edges of what I’m actually trying to explore. I encourage you to start every new project by writing yourself a permission slip. When you give yourself permission, the words might stick and splutter for a while but eventually, they flow. After that, the magic is in the edit.
Drown Out the Noise
We’re surrounded by noise all day, from social media traffic to our own mental chatter to those Amazon reviews (gulp). It’s hugely distracting and can be a drain on your creativity and confidence. Look for ways to drown this out, whether that’s through meditation, writing retreats, long nature walks or journalling. My simplest trick is to put on some noise-cancelling headphones and turn the music up. This might sound counterintuitive but listening to music puts me in a headspace for writing without any filters. Also, as a mother who writes around her family life (the kitchen table is my office), I’ve used headphones for years to signal that I’m at work and to keep the cacophony of my kids at bay.
Get Drunk
When you have another book to write, it’s easy to feel lost at the beginning. What to write and how to say it? When this happens, I immerse myself in storytelling. The poet Charles Baudelaire famously said one should ‘Always Be Drunk’ and it’s a quote that I live by. I don’t mean Hemingway-style binges, I mean being drunk on stories. I consume books, podcasts, films, TV shows, songs, art shows, conversations, eavesdropping, everyday life. I feed my habit and my habit feeds my writing.
Focus on What You Can Control
Creativity is mostly trial and error. Art is subjective and you can’t control how your work will be received by an audience or by critics. Often, success hinges on an indefinable mix of luck, talent, hard work, timing, money, network, reputation and… did I mention luck? Through all this, the only thing you can control is how you show up. I do my best to show up for my readers in a way that’s engaging, impactful and entertaining — both on the page and in real life. Other than that, the rest is not up to me. All I can do is keep showing up.
Track Changes
When you’re editing a piece of work, it can be helpful to track changes on a document. But this isn’t what I’m talking about here. What I mean is keeping track of the changes that happen because you had the courage to put your work into the world. I screenshot comments from readers on social media who tell me my books have changed the way they think about race and identity. I save a file of testimonials from parents who say I’ve shaped how they talk to their children about these tricky topics. I also keep notes on what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown while writing a book. All this is a reminder that so much of writing (and reading) isn’t just about the product or the story but about who we are becoming through the process.
Lean On Your People
Probably the most useful thing you can do as a writer is to find your people and lean on them. Obviously your closest friend/partner/family member who enjoys your writing or offers great advice can be invaluable. But as a writer, your people are other writers and it’s essential that you seek them out. Follow #writercommunity hashtags on social media, join a writers’ group or membership, befriend other newbie authors when your book comes out. You need to be in community with other writers who get it. Especially when Third Book Syndrome comes knocking…
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NaNoWriMo Writers Board member Uju Asika is a multi-award nominated blogger, former journalist and TV screenwriter. She is the author of Bringing Up Race: How to Raise a Kind Child in a Prejudiced World and the picture book A World for Me and You (Where Everyone Is Welcome). Her new book Raising Boys Who Do Better: A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation came out on June 1. You can order the book for free worldwide delivery on Wordery: https://wordery.com/raising-boys-who-do-better-uju-asika-9780241608418
Uju is launching a creative writing service for developing and aspiring writers, learn more here!
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viperwhispered · 16 days ago
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Me: alright I should put together a rough timeline for Emi & Jamil. I'll just look at roughly when the books happen, outline the main developments going on between them, it'll be fine.
Also me: okay but just how many days did Yuu & Grim canonically spend in Scarabia, and when did the SDC training start exactly, and how long did it take, and what about the time between books 6 and seven...
(Aka this is my second evening working on this and here I am, poring over my screenshots, only at the beginning of book 5 so far. Help.)
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ranchthoughts · 1 year ago
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an impassioned defense of the Bad Buddy episode 5 rooftop kiss
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aka, last minute propaganda for the @bl-bracket best kiss competition.
Firstly, a literature review:
@kenmakaashi writes about the imbalance we usually see in long-term pining stories that is not present in this kiss (and how that relates to Bad Buddy’s overarching dismantling of imbalances).
@lurkingshan writes about episode 5 of Bad Buddy as a whole, as Pat realizes and re-contextualizes his relationship with Pran, and how the kiss catalyzes the rest of the series.
@miscellar and @aikinn write about the emotions Pat and Pran bring into the kiss, and how important the stubbornness of both characters is to their journey.
@telomeke-bbs breaks down the moment between the two kisses here, writing about how this represents Pran’s head vs. heart, and how he cedes to his wants, if only for a moment.
@neuroticbookworm writes about how the kiss perfectly encapsulates the emotions and experiences of Pat and Pran, and its greater resonance to Asian and queer Asian communities.
And now to add my two-cents worth:
There are a lot of dichotomies, opposites, tensions in Bad Buddy, and this episode rooftop kiss perfectly encapsulates all of them, while looking forward to the eventual resolution of these tensions through the rest of the show.
Firstly, the opposing trajectories of Pran and Pat's journeys to (queer) self-realization: Pran, who knows he is gay and has known about his feelings for Pat since at least high school; and Pat, who is just realizing he is queer and that he is into Pran and has been for some time.
The first few episodes of Bad Buddy show us more of Pran's story: we learn about his crush on Pat, we see how Pat’s casual compliments and downright flirtatious behaviour affected him, we watch him silently cry after Pat says he has a crush on Ink and then outlines all the reasons someone (Pran) should like him. Pran has been keeping his love for Pat, like a lot of his emotions, repressed and hidden for a long time now (see these posts by @lurkingshan (here) and @telomeke-bbs (here and here) for more on Pran's personality and emotional guarded-ness).
Episode 5 switches it up: now we get a closer look at Pat. As @lurkingshan wrote, episode 5 is about Pat realizing things – that Ink doesn’t like him; that, going by Pa’s Patented Four Ways to Tell if Someone Likes You, he probably likes Pran; that he is indeed jealous of Wai which confirms he likes Pran as not-a-friend. (see @grapejuicegay’s amazing post for why it took Pat so long to work out how he was feeling here).
In episode 5, we watch their two arcs collide: Pran continues to repress and not act on his feelings, while getting increasingly frustrated at the liberties Pat seems to take with them (Pran performing the song they wrote together in high school, and Pat being mad about that); while Pat has speed-run his realizations and is now full to bursting. In all the ways Pran is quiet and hidden, Pat is open and loud. Once Pat realizes he is in love with Pran, he can barely hide it. He comes close to spilling it in the scene where Pat fights with Pran and Wai outside the dorm (amazing meta on that scene by @shortpplfedup and @functionalasfuck here and here), and he lets it free up on the rooftop at the end of the episode, outlining their past history and what Pran means to him and confessing he doesn't want to be friends. Pran says "You have got to stop doing this to me" (Pat makes it so hard to stop loving him, to keep those feelings repressed and hidden), and Pat finishes his queer realization arc by kissing the boy he loves. Even the way the first kiss happens emulates their respective arcs and personalities: they get close to one another, in each other's space but not making a move, and then Pat is the first to break the tension and go in for the kiss. The hidden and the open collide.
We see this conflict, this tension between hidden and open, play out again in episode 8, when Pat keeps posting things on Instagram and toeing the line of secrecy and him and Pran fight about it, or in episode 9 where Pran indulges Pat and stages the public confession and claiming on the stairs (meta about that scene by @kenmakaashi here). These moments also exemplify the care and understanding Pat and Pran have for one another: Pat is willing to hide things and pretend to break up with Pran (firstly to get Wai to talk to him again and then at the end of episode 11 so they can hide from their families) to make Pran happier and more comfortable, and Pran is willing to be more open (allow Pat to post on Instagram, stage the claiming scene on the stairs, etc.) to make Pat happier and more comfortable - it's all about compromise, the middle ground. In the end, also Bad Buddy ends up somewhere in the middle between open and hidden: Pat and Pran are open about their feelings for each other and are happily in love, but they remain hidden from their family and friends, unable to be fully open.
Secondly, this kiss exemplifies the genre tensions inherent in Bad Buddy, between BL romcom and romantic tragedy. Over the course of the series, we the audience are not sure which genre, and specifically which genre-typical ending, Bad Buddy will follow. See my posts (here and here) and @chickenstrangers (here) on genre and tragedies and Bad Buddy.
Pat, over the course of episode 5, has realized he is in a romantic story. His interactions with Pran slide into context: those were tropes of the kind we see in romantic series (looming over someone, forced proximity, etc.). @chickenstrangers talked about this here: to Pat, this kiss is the classic confession kiss in a romcom or BL. After that type of kiss, the characters get together, the series will soon end happily (or there may be some episode 11 shenanigans before they ultimately reach a happy ending). Pat keeps the kiss meaningful and emotion-filled but short and sweet; to him, this will be the first kiss of many.
But to Pran, this is a different genre of story. Pran has known he is in a romantic narrative from the beginning (he’s had a crush on Pat since high school, if not before), but he doesn’t think this is a romcom. Pran looks at their family situation and recognizes another type of story: star-crossed lovers tragedies like Romeo & Juliet and Kwan & Riam. Pran says it himself, every time they are together, bad things happen (like Pran getting transferred). To Pran, this rooftop kiss is their last kiss, could only ever be their last kiss. Because of that, he can’t help but to lean into it, go in for a second kiss, to make it count. In this edit by @movementsofmylife they liken it to pre-nostalgia (“knowing you’re going to miss a moment once it’s gone and it makes you sad and desperate to hold onto or recreate it even when you’re still in that moment”). Pran thinks this is the closest he will ever get to having Pat and being happy because to him, the tragic ending to their story is inevitable.
In this kiss, the two genres Bad Buddy flirts with (BL and romantic tragedies – which will it emulate in the end?) come to a head. And it seems by the end of this rooftop scene that "romantic tragedy" might be the winning genre of the series: Pran walks away in tears, leaving Pat behind. For a moment, Pat was so caught up in the euphoria of being able to confess to Pran and having Pran reciprocate back that he forgot they live in a world with their parents, but Pran's tears, his leaving, and his avoidance of Pat through the next episode bring the barriers to their relationship back into focus. But there’s hope in this kiss too: Pran reciprocated. He’s spent half a lifetime repressing his feelings for Pat, he’s so good at denying his feelings… but we’ve seen how Pat is starting to wear on him. Despite it all, Pran can’t fall out of love with Pat, and despite it all, he can’t resist going in for another, deeper kiss. He might be able to walk away at the end of it, but we've seen the effect Pat has on him. Pat’s unrelenting good nature, the way he helps Pran at every turn (even when they are supposed to be enemies), and his sheer stubbornness and determination have gotten to Pran, and might give them a different ending after all.
In the end, Bad Buddy does end up somewhere between a BL romantic comedy and a tragedy: Pat and Pran are still together, but are trapped in a glass closet, still hiding from their family and most of their friends. It’s not a purely happy ending, it’s not a solely tragic ending, it’s somewhere in between, somewhere more realistic (there are a lot of queer people living in similar glass closets). Just like the rooftop kiss(es), Bad Buddy has something sweet, something hopeful, something joyful, meeting some melancholic, something fearful, and something hidden.
Finally, in the rooftop kiss scene Pat wears a shirt that says Baseball Mom, which is objectively hilarious but also deeply meaningful, and if that isn't the Bad Buddy Brand™ I don't know what is. See metas on Pat's Baseball Mom shirt by myself (here), and on Pat's shirts as a whole by @chickenstrangers (here), @thegayneurodivergentagenda (here), @respectthepetty (here), and @dribs-and-drabbles (here and here).
Bad Buddy is a funny show, but it doesn't hesitate to explore deeply emotional parts of the human (and especially queer) condition: intergenerational trauma (meta by @waitmyturtles), glass closets and homophobia (through a tale of feuding families), and more.
The episode 5 rooftop kiss scene brings together all the threads of Bad Buddy: the central characters, their personalities, and their history together; the external forces that threaten their love (their families' feud, their faculties' feud); the show's intertextual references to other narratives and genres (Romeo & Juliet/Kwan & Riam, BL, etc.); among others. I've focused here specifically on three opposing tensions in Bad Buddy (hidden vs open, romcom vs tragedy, and humour vs. emotional/allegorical meaning), and how this kiss scene shows them all as the opposing forces they are while hinting towards their future resolution, which is neither one nor the other but rather somewhere in the middle.
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And really, Bad Buddy overall is a show that refuses to do one or the other (the way it both subverts BL tropes and is a BL, or its handling of seme vs. uke, come to mind), instead finding a more realistic middle ground where real nuance and meaning lie.
vote for Bad Buddy in the Best Kiss poll!
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theharrowing · 11 months ago
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i'm boycotting hybe merch and i think you should too
listen: i'm not going to hold anyone's feet to the fire and say "boycott or else" and i am not going to unfollow or unfriend people, but i have been thinking a lot about this, and then i saw a post on twitter basically outlining everything that i have been mulling over & then some, and it has just been on my mind all day (and tbh for a few days) and i thought that maybe if i put these thoughts out into the world, it might get people thinking.
i also realize that these thoughts would have been better if realized before black friday and current merch drops, but it is what it is. i didn't even know they were doing another merch drop because i do not pay attention.
THE AFOREMENTIONED THOUGHTS; APOLOGIES FOR BEING SCATTERED:
we are witnessing the starbucks boycott working, and although it is yet to be stated whether that is making anyone on the upper level rethink their bullshit, they have been losing billions !!! of dollars.
i think people will be like "but i don't want to hurt BTS as people," and i hear that, but i also do not genuinely think a boycott would. they are literally fucking millionaires, and it is so hard to not get on my "i don't respect millionaires or believe they have the right to exist" soapbox when i do love them so much, but i also don't think they need our money, especially right now. especially because some (if not most) money can't go to them while they are in the military anyway (although i did see something about how the artist collection proceeds still might since it was initially sold before??? idk. still they are fucking millionaires.)
i think that what would be impactful would be for people to stop buying the merch for a while to send a message to hybe that we are not in support of zionists working with BTS. a romantic, faraway dream is for them to drop scooter braun's dumbass all together, but i do not genuinely think hybe or bang pd gives a shit about much beyond money, which is unfortunate. on this note tho, we could organize an email campaign??? i am more than down??? but it would depend on a lot of you participating. (if you're down tho i will type it up right away.)
do i think we need to boycott golden as a whole? no. i mean........i'm not buying the album because i have personally been more or less boycotting merch since the whole angel pt. 1 debacle, but i think that streams are fine bc they hardly bring in money anyway. but i am boycotting the justin timberlake and usher remixes because.......well, sorry but the favs are problematic.
[going to center myself and my feelings quick and i apologize...] i just cannot get through a day without sobbing uncontrollably about what is happening in gaza. and i cannot, in good faith, support zionists or people who work with them. this falls in line with BTS preaching for us to "love yourself, speak yourself." everything they have stated in UN speeches and in many of their lyrics makes me feel like the only thing i can do as a fan is stand up for injustices when i see them, and hybe working with zionists is a huge injustice. and if you disagree.......idk. i cannot sympathize with or understand you; this post is not for you.
i think it is a huge injustice to what BTS instills in people and makes them believe if we sit back while hybe does whatever the fuck they want without caring about the consequences.
(disney is also on the list, by the way, of companies that support israel. if you need illegal links to disney+ bts content, we can figure something out.)
also, i will say that while silence is violence and choosing neutrality is choosing the side of the oppressor, i wonder if the reason none of the guys are speaking out about the conflict has to do with their enlistment (aka something pertaining to matters i do not understand within the korean government) or within the company itself because they work with scooter et al (aka bang telling them to stay quiet.) whatever the reason is, i guess i am choosing the side of wishful thinking right now. i have absolutely no proof for any of these thoughts, but i do see some people angry at BTS for not speaking up, and while i agree that everyone should use their platforms, i am wondering aloud whether there might be a reason for it. this is not me making excuses for anyone, though........i just don't know. i have no idea.
SOME FINAL FINAL THOUGHTS:
at the end of the day, we can only do what we can. if you can only boycott so much, you can only boycott so much. it takes time and effort to radicalize to the point of cutting out so many unnecessary things what we deem as "necessary." but it is possible. your money does make a difference, and wouldn't you want that difference to be good? and if you do have a moment of weakness, it is important to continue to stay the path and do not let guilt make you feel one way or another. we all make mistakes but the important thing is that we try.
ALSO if you want cute merch, support independent artists!!!!!!!!! the BTS army is full of amazing creatives and your money can help them for a little while instead!!!
i might be missing a lot, like i said, my brain is super scattered. but if this resonates or speaks to you or there is more i should consider, please reach out.
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magpiefngrl · 7 months ago
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20 Questions for Writers
Thank you for the tag @hoko-onchi-writes! Great way to spend a lazy Sunday morning :)
Username: magpie_fngrl
1. How many works do you have on A03? 54
2. What’s your total Ao3 word count? 392,045
3. What fandoms do you write for? I've mostly written drarry. I'd started as a pynch writer (TRC) and lately I've written a bunch in other fandoms.
4. What are your top five fics by kudos? all drarry:
dirtynumbangelboy
The Miseducation of Draco Malfoy
The Full Monty
Through the Looking Glass and What Draco Found There,
9 ½ Days
5. Do you respond to comments? I do my best. I made a decision back when I posted a lot of stuff and got more comments than I could handle that I would only reply to the comments on the last chapter of a multi-chapter fic. Other than that, I try my best to reply to everyone.
6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I wrote a Major Character Death fic (The Death You Carry). Can't get angstier than that.
7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Most of my fics end happy, but now that I think of it they're mostly HFN in romance-genre speak. Happy For Now aka the fic ends with them as a couple, kissing or touching for example, the Ever After is implied but not explicit. Two fics which end with H/D living together, and thus more committed to each other, are Hush, darling and The Boy Who Died. These are also angstier than my other fics, which makes the happy ending sweeter imo.
8. Do you get hate on fics? Not hate per se. I've received demanding comments ("Can you write more? Another sex scene? And make it mpreg?") or comments like "I like your story but I can't read on because you have X topping". Not hate. There was a time, though, that I got several comments about how stupid/annoying/an arsehole Harry is, which reflect an attitude I used to see in fandom, where Draco is perfect and Harry is a bumbling fool and the minute he says something sharp to Draco he becomes an arsehole and should be screamed at. Needless to say, I hate this kind of interpretation. I deleted a couple of these comments, I just couldn't have them on my page. It was the reason I de-activated comments on all my fics for some time.
9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? The sexy kind, I hope LOL
Serious answer: I have written explicit sex scenes, although I tend to be more vague rather than write a play-by-play description of what is happening. I mean, there is some of that, but not as detailed as it can be. I don't know how to explain it better in English, sorry. Anyhow, I love sex scenes, I love reading them, I enjoy the challenge of writing them, and I think what I like best in what I read (and thus I try to emulate) is when a sex scene reveals the emotional state of these two people rather than just say whose dick does what.
10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? I haven't! A couple of years ago I got a few asks about wangxian and drarry meeting up and although it was fun to reply to the asks and imagine how it would take place, I don't think I'll ever write it.
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Someone screenshot dnab and posted it on instagram. The whole 40k fic. If there have been others, I don't know.
12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes, a few.
13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? I haven't and I'm not sure I could. I don't think my writing process would lead to successful collaborations. If I were to imagine it, the easiest for me would be that each writer has their own POV (I'd write Draco, the other person Harry, for instance) and we'd have a general idea but not a strict outline and we'd write it like a relay race: I'd post something, they'd write the next part, then me etc.
14. What’s your all time favorite ship? I tend to move on from fandoms, so it used to be pynch, then drarry, now wangxian. I don't have a lot of time for fandom these days so I'm not as obsessed with a ship as I used to be. I love all my babies equally.
15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I started a fic with a magical university of sorts, or rather 8th year but they'd be more like uni students than normal school students, and Draco was a Veela whose mate was Astoria. Not sure where it would all go, but well--it won't go anywhere now, because I have so many other WIPs that take precedent.
16. What are your writing strengths? I'm decent at dialogue and I've been told my fics have great atmosphere. Occasionally I write an unusual turn of phrase and people comment on that. My fics are fairly short, but I've been told that they have a lot more story than the reader expected because of the word count, and I think that's because I edit ruthlessly.
17. What are your writing weaknesses? Plotting is my main problem. I pants my stories and it takes me forever to figure out what happens next. I also lack confidence and doubt everything while writing, which isn't a writing weakness exactly, but it does affect my writing.
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? It's cool. I like it.
19. First fandom you wrote for? The Raven Cycle. I was mad about pynch.
20. Favourite fic you’ve written? Currently 9 ½ Days but I have a very, very soft spot for The Boy Who Died.
Tagging: @lettersbyelise @lucifergraced @coriesocks @wolfpants @julcheninred @nerdherderette @lqtraintracks if they wanna!
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