#also the middle gif reminds me of something from the craft and now i'm having Thoughts.

[stbot]

til death do us part: think pink!

[zepskies]

Hey Zep!

I love your writing, especially been enjoying the Soldier Boy series stuff and the latest with Smoke Eater!

(Btw are you taking inspiration from One Chicago (Fire, PD, Med) with it? If so kudos and I love it, big fans of those series myself 😊)

Anyway! I’ve really been enjoying your works, been pouring through them and the stuff you have on AO3. I also thought your tips for writing were super helpful!

I’m back to writing myself after a long ass break, but always struggle keeping inspiration so a lot of my work sometimes goes unfinished. I’d like to ask how you keep motivated and continue a fic even if sometimes you’re not into it? Do you have any tips or tricks?

Thank you and again, love your work!

Hey there, lovely!! ❤️

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked Break Me Down and are enjoying Smoke Eater too! ❤️‍🔥

(Oh yes, indeed I am! 😊 I love all things Law & Order and One Chicago. I based firefighter!Dean on Lt. Matt Casey in Chicago Fire, with a little Severide flair lol.)

Thank you again for reading my work, both here and on Ao3!! I'm also glad that my writing tips have been helpful to you in any way. I came back to Tumblr and writing in general after about a year break myself, so I feel you there.

I absolutely LOVE your question though...

Because it's something I still battle with myself. I think all of us writers and artists struggle to stay motivated, no matter how much we love our craft. I do, however, have a few tips that help me immensely.

5 Tips to Stay Motivated to Write:

Be organized. Create a realistic, attainable schedule. ✍️

My brain works in checklists, bullet points, very methodical. I can't write chapter five before chapter 1. I can't write a series (even a mini series or a long one-shot) without outlining first.

So my first step is creating a schedule for myself: from sketching the premise, to bullet points/outlining, to actually sitting down to draft, to then editing. When I'm working on a series, I write the first 3 to 5 chapters before starting post it.

This means I have a head start. I commit to writing a chapter per week after that until the series is done. This give me lots of time and wiggle room for editing before posting each chapter afterwards. For example, I wrote the first 5 chapters of Smoke Eater before I started to post. I'm now in the middle of drafting Part 19 out of 20 even though I just posted Part 11.

Now, this doesn't mean I don't slack off lol. If I don't follow these steps I lose my discipline. I can get lazy. (We won't talk about And So It Goes. 😅 I've been sitting on writing the last 5 chapters for a painfully long time.)

But I have other tips that help me get my head back into the game.

2. Revisit the thing that gave you inspiration in the first place! 🍿

Rewatch, reread, revisit the episode, movie, book, story, artwork that stroked your muse and had you daydreaming and brainstorming about the WIP you're working on. That can be a good way to revitalize you when you feel your motivation lacking.

3. Create a music playlist. 🎶

I love doing this, especially for a series. I often create a playlist of songs that remind me of the setting, the characters, the romance I'm trying to create. Whether it's the words or the tone/rhythm that get me going, music inspires me greatly.

(For Break Me Down, for example, I listened to songs like "All My Living Time" by Radio Company for the vibe of the plot, and oldies like "If I Didn't Care" and "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me" by Mel Torme for nostalgic 40s vibes/the romance.)

4. Go for a walk. ☀️

I walk for exercise, but it also gives me time to daydream and run scenes in my head while vibing to my music (sometimes looking like a crazy person as I nod and make hand motions lmao). This helps me clear my head, get some fresh air, then come back to my laptop with a little more pep in my brain, ready to write.

5. Encouragement and feedback from others. 💞

This really helps, of course. Whether it's someone you trust to read over your work, or seeing how people react to your initial chapters after you post them. Both can be very motivating to keep going, at least for me!

And I'll be transparent, I've gotten a bit fatigued while writing the back half of Smoke Eater. I have a lot going on at work and my personal life at the moment. But seeing how people have been commenting and giving feedback on each chapter -- the mystery, the connection between Dean and the reader, the various storylines happening -- it's been incredibly motivating for me to read those back and remember that people are enjoying what I'm coming up with. It helps give me the push I need to get the rough draft out.

And a rough draft doesn't have to be perfect on the first try. That's why it's rough. I call it the "throw up draft." Just get it on the page. The editing process is where I truly find the nuance in the dialogue, refine the plot, exposition, etc.

Anyway. I'm long-winded again, as usual. 😂

I hope this helps you! If you have any other writing questions just let me know. I love talking about this stuff! 💕

[share-the-damn-bed]

I always liked jancy a lot but s4 made me realize just how much I took them for granted. Without them together it felt… not right. Mixed with the fact they tried to push Nancy with Steve it made me again, realize how much more I love Nancy with Jonathan. So even though s4 did them so dirty it pushed them to just something I enjoyed to OTP status. It’s that saying that you don’t know what you got ‘till it’s gone. Unfortunately, a lot may not have seen it that way because they essentially forgot seasons 1-3 to where people completely forgot how well crafted jancy was so I feel like it could go either way in the fandom (either you appreciate it more or you forget).

Thank you for sharing your experience!! I've noticed similar thoughts from other fans (and some newer Jancy fans) and ultimately it's incredibly validating. Before season 4 it seemed like general fans were either in the jancy fandom or completely indifferent to them, even found them boring. Now, I feel like many people who didn't care about Jancy were very put off by the developments in season 4 (especially concerning the love triangle) and are like 'why would you ruin such a perfectly good thing? They were happy, we were happy, what the hell?'.

I completely agree that there are fans opposing Jancy simply because they've forgotten their overarching story or only recall bits and pieces (I'm not saying this is true for every fan who opposes jancy (they have their own reasons), but it is true for many). I hope that since Jonathan and Nancy are partnering up again in season 5, there will time for them to work out their unresolved issues on screen and remind the general audience why they work well together and why the majority of fans wanted them to get together in the first place.

Tangentially related, I think it's also important to note, for fans who think Jonathan and Nancy's relationship is over because of their unresolved conflict, a lot can change in a season. Take for example, Lucas and Max. Now, I don't ship any of the kid/younger teen ships, but I think it's a relationship that has been interesting to watch change through out the course of the show and watch how fan reception to this relationship has changed over time.

Despite their cute start in season 2, Lucas and Max's relationship was not serious in season 3 and was often was played off as a joke (breaking up and getting back together multiple times between seasons 2 and 3, Lucas doing things that upset Max in a funny way). No one in the fandom beyond Lu*max shippers thought they had serious endgame, life-long relationship potential. I recall other fans, possibly even myself, saying of the kid ships, it was most likely to be the one that didn't last (mostly when compared to Mike and Eleven). Season 4 completely changed that and gave them not only wonderful development but some beautiful moments which showed fans how serious and real this relationship and their bond is. Now, fans have changed their tune (except the Lu*max shippers who must be feeling very vindicated rn) and think they are the most likely to end up together along side Joyce and Hopper.

My point, that has nothing to do with your initial comments, Anon, but a point I feel the need to make regardless, Jancy's arc in season 4 feels set up, but nowhere near complete. They have a lot to discuss and work through individually and together (mind you in the middle of an apocalypse). Upon rewatches and closer examinations of certain scenes, I think the show gives us more hope than doubt. I think ultimately, the writers have set up a very real conflict for the two of them that, if resolved well, will allow each character to do what is best for them and allow them some happiness.

Am I naive enough to believe Jancy fans will get the Lu*max treatment in season 5? No. But I am naive enough to hope.

Like, if it's not them, why would they give us this?

[paperlovesadness]

Tag 9 people that you want to get to know better

Thank you so much for the tag @uhbasicallyjustmilex 🩵

most recent ship: Do I even need to say it? 👀

(oh god; the way I just fell into that gif hole and couldn't pick and just happily scrolled & scrolled & smiled & scrolled)

ship i’ve read the most of: huh! Hmm. I think it might be them at this point honestly 👀 otherwise - it could've also been Beth Harmon/Benny Watts.

Yes - Queen's Gambit fics... Was a thing in my life. I was in a deep dark hole at the time & that show just hit something in me - I grasped onto it for dear life as a form of escapism for months and it brought me back into fanfics after years & years.

wild card: figure skater ships? i don't wanna get into the specifics though 🙈 things have changed.

first ever ship: oh, we're going there are we 👀 there might've been earlier ones I can't remember. They were probably niche though. So I guess I'll say Skate (Sawyer/Kate from Lost - anyone remember that show?). But I think Suspian (Susan/Caspian from Narnia. Yep.) needs an honorary mention cause it's the first I got involved in to the point of making ship content - even if I didn't know that term yet (wasn't I such a fun kid?).

last song: I wanna be your girlfriend - Girl in Red

last movie: oh I've been bad at watching movies for a while now (shows seem... easier) - so it seems like actual movie-wise that's gonna be Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore a few weeks back (@kiray1991 👀)

currently reading: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (been on my shelf forever & was reminded of it by the trailer coming out. It seems like I've recently been unintentionally catching up on my older fandoms - with this THG prequel & the Fantastic Beasts movies). Also John Lennon: The Life by Philip Norman is one I've started; stopped for a sec and will be coming back to next.

currently watching: in the middle of Get Back - the Beatles docu-series. Had a bit of a break cause I like to craft while watching that one & haven't had motivation to do so lately. But can't wait to get back (pun not intended actually, but I'm still proud of it) into that one.

currently consuming: a bunch of meds, cause I'm sick atm :c. Also coffee.

currently craving: evenings with guitar & singing - cause this cold/tonsillitis thing has made me take a break for the last couple of days 💔 (also TLSP 3 is very much the correct answer here always).

Ah goodness, I feel like a looot of people in my Tumblr circle have already been tagged? I'm going to just try - but I'm so bad with remembering the @'s off the top of my head - also sorry if you get double-tagged:

@kiray1991 @homoirrealis @haemoglobinheights @maybemoonout @mileskanex @inourownshadows @the-thing-about-life-is @the-libertines & YOU. Yes, you. If you're reading this I really wanna see you do it!

[margseliserobbie]

How would you describe your partner to someone?

The best man I know. The best father I know. My everything. The love of my life. My best friend. My baby daddy. My husband. My Roo.

Sebastian is the softest, sweetest man in this world. He's so caring and thoughtful. He's a man who's so in tune with his feelings and isn't afraid to show it. His heart is worn on his sleeve. If you're lucky enough to be a part of his life, you've got the most loyal friend in your corner. He makes everyone around him feel so safe and loved. He's my other half, my better half. When I met him, I knew he was my soulmate. I had never met a person who was my male counterpart until I met him. We grew up so differently but also so similarly. We have the same values, the same outlooks on life. Our experiences had been so similar in certain aspects. It wasn't until we met one another that we knew we wanted this life: marriage and children. It takes that special someone to open your eyes to those beautiful things in life. Sebastian is the best father in this world, and it's a role he was always meant to have. Watching him with our children is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. We thought we knew love before we became parents but now? Nothing compares to the love we share for Axel, Piper and our little family. He's also the best actor I know and that was apparent from the moment I laid eyes on him in his I, Tonya audition tape. Seb puts his all into his performances and disappears into roles. He's so dedicated, willing to take whatever steps for his craft to make his performance authentic. He truly is one of the hardest working people in this industry. As much as I love singing his praises and hearing people compliment him and his hard work, Sebastian hates it. He's incredibly humble and modest to the point that reading something like this will make him shake and bow his head with a laugh as he tries to cover his face. It's adorable.

But if you wanted a fast round about Sebastian that's not so well known? He's the type to fill the freezer with my favorite ice cream just to keep me smiling but also get rid of it when I'm on a strict diet so I'm not tempted. He'll stop in the middle of a run for a hot dog despite his trainer giving him the glare. He loves peanut butter, but only the creamy, smooth kind. He's the type to help me pick a song to sing in my head before every red carpet event because red carpets make me nervous. Grocery store runs and everyday tasks are never boring with Seb. He's the funniest person and does humor with such ease, without trying too hard. If he's not working, he'll make me all fifty cups of tea I drink in a day. If he is working, he still finds a way to make at least two of my cups of tea for the day. That's Sebastian: he'll go out of his way for anyone he cares about. His voice does this cute thing when he tries not to laugh, but talk through it. He'll send me anything daisy or sunflower related because he knows daisies remind me of him and sunflowers remind him of me. He can be very superstitious about things, especially auditions. He is terrible at cooking (that's not even an insult because so am I) but he somehow lands roles where he's meant to be this great cook. Breakfast is the only thing we know how to make and he makes delicious eggs and avocado toast. He loves Leonardo DiCaprio. That's his boy. He's a City boy and isn't a big fan of LA. He's a terrible liar but that's because he has such a pure heart. He's very protective and wants to always ensure everyone is okay. His dream role was to play a rockstar and he nailed it. He always brings a jacket or wears an extra layer to parties/events because he knows I'll get cold. One of his favorite films is Titanic. One of his best friends is his mum and rightfully so.. she is amazing. He picks the best time inappropriate cards that never fail to make me laugh. Whenever he delivers a pickup line, he immediately has to praise himself for how smooth that was right after. He makes the killer playlists. He'll deny it, but he's a good dancer. And like I said, he hates attention so I should probably stop rambling on!

In summary, Sebastian Stan is amazing and you're missing out if you don't know him.

@sebastianseb

[stardewspellshed]

Bad Birthday Bouquet: A Stardew-based Techno Magic Curse

There's a guy I've known for years who's notorious for being a terrible person by... everybody I know who isn't terrible in their own right, honestly. There's a mile long list of reasons why he got to eat this curse, but the relevant one is that he's been mistreating a bunch of people and this is unfortunately not the first time this has happened.

And so when I'm out of all other options, I go for a curse. This one has worked swimmingly. This is a freakishly long post so it's under a cut for once.

What you need:

Some knowledge of energy work and poppets-- if you're unfamiliar these are pretty common concepts and there's many resources that can explain them to you.

Six Wilted Bouquets (Substitute with something else gross if you can't buy bouquets from Pierre's yet. Any hated item works. Void Mayonnaise or Rotten Plants would be my pick but your mileage may vary.)

Six tables for your bouquet (end tables work best)

Something to play Happy Birthday with

At least one light source that can be manually turned on and off by the player (like braziers, campfires, or fireplaces.)

A villager to represent your target-- you're going to be giving this villager the nasty thing!

(Optional) crops, fish, fruits, gems, artifacts, or other items with correspondences that match your intentions-- I picked kale for bitterness and catfish for drowning in his own negativity, but your items will vary depending on your desired results and personal associations.

(Optional) a notepad, paper, and writing utensil in a color you associate with cursing if you can't do or are just not great with visualization.

Timing

Cast on your target's birthday in real time, on the target's representative villager's birthday in game, or Fall 28 in-game. A waning crescent moon or total lunar eclipse in real time would probably also work in a pinch.

Pre-Spell Prep Work

Prepare your Bouquets by tossing them in a furnace with a piece of coal, or if you're using something else instead, craft that if you need to.

Also, if you aren't using Wilted Bouquets, you might want to do a bit of research to make sure they actually hate the nasty thing you plan on using since it's kinda missing the point to give Snails to Vincent or a Void Egg to Sebastian haha. I recommend using the Stardew Valley wiki (though friendly reminder not to do that if potential spoilers for patch 1.5 bother you since that JUST came out on console at the time I'm writing this) to check their hates. As an added bonus if you're like me and the kind of person who hates the thought of losing friendship points, this is a great opportunity to check what they love so you can stock up on stuff to fix it when you're done with the spell.

After that, pick a villager to represent your target. (I have a whole thing with suggestions for how to do that here if you're at a loss for who to pick.) I picked Penny to represent my target because other than the part where he's a heinous shitgibbon they've got very similar values, interests, and goals.

Setting Up The Spell

If you have a specific pre-casting routine (whether that's grounding, centering, meditation, warding, casting a circle, calling on deities or spirits for help, etc.), take care of that now.

Put down your light source inside a farm building then arrange the tables around them in a shape you feel is fitting-- I chose as close to a circle as I could get because that's the shape I most associate with birthday cakes. Leave space for one bouquet in the center or between your light sources, and if you're using extra ingredients set those up too. I felt it was best to set them up directly next to the bouquet in the middle, but that will probably vary depending on you.

Casting the spell

Turn your light on, then take a strand of energy and visualize it anchoring itself inside the thing to start things off. Play Happy Birthday while you bring the energy through all of the other items. Stop at each of the other bouquets, and say/think a reason why this person is getting cursed at each. If you don't have five reasons, something like "your behavior is messed up and you need to stop" or similar works.

Bring your energy through your correspondence items and for each, say/think, "for your birthday, in return for <insert the last straw that made you decide to do this here>, I give you <insert the intention this item is being used for here>."

End on the one you're going to give and say/think something summing up everything you've already said and making it very clear why you're putting this on them.

I said "<target's full name>, I'm really just sick of your shit. You are bigoted on so many different levels, two-faced, treat anyone you think is less than you like trash, have an enormous entitlement complex, and <something he did to one of my friends that they would like to keep private>. My birthday wish for you is that you get your head out of your ass. Apologize for your crappy behavior and stop doing it, or drown in misery and realizing how small of a person you actually are. Happy birthday!"

Let it stew as long as you feel appropriate, then figuratively blow out the candle by turning off your light source.

(If you struggle with visualization, plot out your layout on a piece of paper-- it doesn't need to be incredibly detailed if you don't want it to be, a bunch of Xes in a square will work.

Focus on your intent and emotions like discussed above, but do it while looking at the item you're going to give to your villager. While doing that, draw a line at the mark representing your light, and speak it into existence-- keep focusing on your emotions and intent and describe it connecting into the light source whether by speaking out loud or thinking it. Draw your line going through all of the other items while describing your energy the same way, stop on the other bouquets and correspondence items as described above, and end on the one you're going to give to your target just like you would otherwise. )

Deliver those nastyass flowers to your villager, then end the day. You are done!

Post Spell Procedure

I like to get a snack, stretch, and watch something silly to make me laugh and shake off any residual anger or sorrow from spells like this.

I also like to turn off my Switch and sound cleanse my whole space since I have a bell. I'd strongly recommend doing some kind of cleansing even if you don't sound cleanse.

(Note: ribbon dividers are not mine, I found them here. Please let me know if you know who actually created them!!)