#concerningwolves

[spideronthesun]

Yearly recount 2024

Thank you for tagging me @concerningwolves !

Rules: Do a recount of your year with the highlights, special moments, and goals for next year

Highlights & special moments

Joined writeblr. I don't really use social media these days, and I'm not active anywhere else. But I am happy that I found myself here after a long contemplation.

I wrote some short stories for Writemas! I was really busy throughout the last month that I wished I participated in it more, although I was glad that I was able to leave my mark.

Rewriting my story and adding more horror details to it. I have never thought that I would ever fall in love with horror that much, but here we are, 2024 was magical to me in a sense. And I don't think that I have ever loved anything more in my life. Horror gave me a second life, a new meaning, and was a very healing experience to me.

Finally got to read more! I am actually very happy about this, because I never discussed this in the blog before, but I have gone through a huge reading slump back in 2023, and I was struggling with finding a story I enjoy. I have read so many great books last year.

Goals for next year

I want to start querying Tales of the Oak and Lightning! Well, last year I didn't do it since I spent a lot of the time on rewrites, editing, and then even more rewrites that I no longer felt ready to start querying. Although, I still get all jittery while thinking about it, but I want to find someone who falls in love with my story and characters as much as I do, and I hope that someone reads my query letter, then read my opening pages, and they think to themselves, yes, I am in love with this story and I want to find it home.

Can't wait for Scareuary, yay! I'm so excited for it!

I want to write more short stories or try writing an essay sometime in the future. Guess, we will see about that and how it goes.

I want to make writing friends. Sometimes, I feel really alone, and I don't know how to approach people. I really struggle with that a lot. It also doesn't help that I have severe abandonment issues in my life, and I can't get close to other people because of this. I find myself to be very difficult to be around, and I don't want to cause any anxieties or upsets in other people's lives.

Tagging: @mrbexwrites @satohqbanana @melpomene-grey @alintalzin @angelfevr

@orphanheirs @authoralexharvey @cain-e-brookman

[fictionwriterthingss]

So you want to write a deaf/HoH character

Photo © Durgesh Kumar, all rights reserved

Admittedly, this isn’t something I’ve done myself. I’ve never written a deaf or hard of hearing character, but I’ve had people ask in a Discord server I’m in “hey, does anyone have any resources on how to write a character that is deaf or hard of hearing?” and I took the chance to find some resources for them – ones that turned out to be pretty valuable, and that I want to share here. 

I love when people include disabilities in their writing, whether visible or invisible. To me, it makes the characters feel more alive and adds another layer of depth to who they are as a person, even though they’re… not real. Adding that aspect to characters gives something for a group of readers to relate to, and can help them feel seen where they might not be seen otherwise. 

It can be difficult to write about a disability that you yourself have never experienced, and with the fact that you haven’t experienced said disability is something that can lead to stigmas and stereotypes that aren’t necessarily accurate, especially if you’ve only viewed what outside media has shown you, or what you’ve observed in public settings. Research is so important for topics like this, especially to find resources from people who do experience it on a daily basis, whether it’s something that has developed over time, or something that they were born with.

Without further ado, the resources I’ve discovered.

https://www.tfrohock.com/blog/2016/9/12/writing-deaf-characters - this blog by T. Frohock is very to the point. She begins by saying she doesn’t normally write “how-to’s”, but this one is an exception, and works to provide her own experiences, open about the fact she uses a cochlear implant to hear those around her – or not hear, if she chooses to “turn you off” in her “about” on her blog. She gives a short overview of types of hearing loss, and communication, and also recommends reaching out to an audiologist to learn more about the types of hearing loss. She also gives two links to .org websites if you’re looking for sources. She’s also written two companion pieces to this initial post. The first one is for hearing authors, and the second is about sensitivity readers. I’ve linked both of these in this section, so check them out as well if you’d like a more in-depth look at T. Frohock’s advice.

https://www.sfwa.org/2021/03/23/how-to-write-deaf-or-hard-of-hearing-characters/ - this post by Melanie Ashford on the sfwa website gives a good guide on how to approach deaf/hoh characters. Melanie herself is a hard of hearing author, so her advice is profound and solid, as she is a primary source on how to approach writing these characters. She makes a point in her introduction to say she’s been using hearing aids for 4 years (at the time of posting the article in 2021) and reminds the reader that everyone experiences hearing loss differently, and has different feelings about auditory assistance devices, such as the cochlear implants and how many people in the Deaf community believe them to be controversial and unwanted. She references the social stigma surrounding the Deaf community, and also reminds the reader that deaf characters should be just as well rounded as hearing ones. Though her article isn’t in depth, it’s a great guideline to follow.

https://www.tumblr.com/concerningwolves/168567651639/writing-deaf-characters-speech-is-speech - tumblr user concerningwolves posted this in 2017, and with more than 19,000 likes and nearly 14,000 reblogs, it’s a valuable resource for those who want to write HoH characters. Though a tad aggressive, concerningwolves makes it a point to be, well, to the point and separates their post into two separate posts. I’ve yet to find the second one, and honestly, digging through 7 years of blog posts to find the second one is a little overwhelming, but even this one post is a goldmine of do’s and don’t’s for this particular community.

https://deafaq.tumblr.com/post/190549529559/comprehensive-guide-to-writing-deaf-characters - deafaq on tumblr has a comprehensive guide to writing deaf/HoH characters. This blog in itself is not meant to be for writing help, but they had gotten enough questions about it to make this post back in 2020. Compared to concerningwolves’s tumblr post, this one has less than 2,000 likes but is still full of good and valuable information for the reader.

[sarafangirlart]

u are popular

concerningwolves tumblr com/post/762574734124843008/

Lmao, I never proclaimed myself to be an expert tf.

Sorry I pointed out something that the vast majority of Greek mythology fans who watched the show have pointed out already. Hera would never cheat, especially with Poseidon, end of story.

[yvesdot]

Tagged by @concerningwolves to post my top 5 films so people can vote on which fits my vibes... but I already did that, so instead I'll give the top 5 I find myself recommending most often and you can tell me which you'd expect me to insist we watch together.

[writtenwolves]

WIP Emoji Tag

Describe your WIPs using five emojis each, without giving the titles.

As far as I know I came up with this tag. Anyone/everyone is encouraged to try it out and tag me.

- ❄️🩸🔥✍️🖼️

-🕵️‍♀️🤟🛏️🏛️🎢

- 🍂⬛⛈️🐦‍⬛💗

Image of the emojis (for device compatibility) + tags under the cut.

Tagging: @peridotglimmer @oldshrewsburyian @duckprintspress @buildarocketboys @ghosthorse-tracks @electricbluebutterflies @writing-with-melon @somekindofflowergirl and @concerningwolves

No pressure. Just fun.

[chayscribbles]

last line tag (10.6.2024)

thanks @alecjmarsh for the tag! here's the last line i wrote for the gemini heist:

“You got yourself caught is what you did. Not to mention you put Illiana in a very risky situation by taking her out into the open. What if someone recognized her? How are we supposed to get into the Palace then?” Euna shrunk back, but Leo plowed on. “Did you think of that? Do you think at all before you do anything, Euna?”

tagging: @concerningwolves @ashen-crest @toboldlywrite @incandescent-creativity @xylophone-p and anyone else who wnats to do it!

[prettylittlelyres]

Heads Up Seven Up

Tagged by @aziz-reads - thank you!

Käthe is overhearing a conversation - about herself - that her parents are having.

"Every week that passes is another week that the rumours can twist and grow into something gnarled and horrible. Do you know what people are saying about her now?” I guessed Mama shook her head. “No, nor do I,” said Papa, “And that’s exactly the problem.” He and Mama came back into the parlour, and Mama sat down in her armchair again. “I’m sure you heard most of that,” Papa said, “But if you didn’t, the gist of it was that I am doing this for your own good. I want you to be happy. I want you to be settled and stable in a good marriage, where you can have children. Does that make me a bad father?”

I had to go with slightly more than seven lines for context!

Tagging @sleepyowlwrites @concerningwolves @ettawritesnstudies @ellierenae @teashoesandhair @abalonetea and anyone else who wants to join in!

[treesspeaklatin]

Mcspirk fic rec

constellation observation, by gold_rush (AOS)

Jim and Spock have been forced into a hostage situation. Bones nearly has a heart attack, while Sulu saves the day. High tension, noble sentiments, and a truly outstanding Sulu. Excellent fic if you want to tear your heart apart a little.

Inevitability, by DawnDust (TOS/AOS)

The triumvirate is held captive in a cell; only two can be freed and one must stay behind. Of course, McCoy finds a way to sacrifice himself. Characters and dynamics are perfectly IC. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Spock and McCoy, that sometimes tend to be a bit too sugary in fics. Here I felt they reacted exactly as they should have. There is feeling and there is something that could be love or friendship or just plain devotion.

The moon decends (And so to bed), by rustypeopleskillz (AOS)

An alien planet! A very cold room! Only one bed! What more could one want? Different ways in which characters experiment with physical intimacy, for example, which is exactly what happens here. Feel good fic, read for maximum squeals.

to watch his star go out, by concerningwolves (TOS/AOS)

Trapped on a nightmarish planet, Bones and Spock find common ground as they wait for Jim to come to their rescue. Excellent worldbuilding, high narrative tension, and great focus on the characters. Bones' voice is realistic and very human. Seriously, read this fic.

Hold on Tight, Never Let Go, by Alys_Brauer (AOS)

Bones is dying, Spock does his best to keep his mind together. Featuring a lovely mind meld between Spock, Bones and Jim.

[thatdisasterauthor]

THANK YOU. I was looking for something like this last year and could NOT find one I liked that did all the stuff I wanted, but this looks PERFECT.

It's fucking

here

i've finished it. i love it. i never want to look at another spreadsheet again (<- a complete lie).

Do you like tracking your words (or hours spent writing)? Do you like seeing statistics about your writing trends and habits? Do you like doing these things offline and/or for free, on something you can customise and fine-tune to your heart's content?

If so, then you may like this. A spreadsheet workbook that's compatible with Excel, Google Sheets and Calc (and possibly more, but I've only tested it in those three). Set it up (with the help of a very detailed instruction manual, if you need it) and then all you need to do is type your words written/hours spent and watch everything else evolve across the year. You can do a bunch of stuff with it, including:

Track your writing progress

Set, track and manage project goals & watch line go up a la NaNoWriMo

Separate writing into and compare by different project "types" (e.g., fanfic or original writing)

See different statistics about your writing habits, like:

Daily hours spent across the year

Daily and monthly averages

Top project and top month

Daily streaks, usual streak length and longest streak

See the linked blog post for a full "tour" + download links.

i love you all. merry crisis and happy writing <3

[writingingraves]

When Dealing with Wolves (The Wyrdseren #1) - Payhip

Been meaning to read this for so long and I finally did! I am very conflicted when it comes to this story. Overall though, I think it's solid.

Ramble incoming:

The beginning made me utterly confused but that confusion eased a couple more chapters in as I learned more about the world and characters. That chapter and scene where Rostfar made that child crawl over the threshold to test him will forever be my favorite. I also like Grey and Yrsa's; Aethren and Kristen's dynamics the most and the Lore is so interesting. The character arcs were well done and fun. What else? ... This is the first book that urged me to highlight parts (I loved/that spoke to me/that are great material). Simultaneously, it is the first to have me very frustrated in some parts but have that frustration only make me want to read more and make sense of things.

Writing wise, of course - it's so well done, intentional and has an easy flow.

@concerningwolves , I'm looking forward to the sequel. Great work.

[spideronthesun]

OC Ask Tag

Tagged by @mrbexwrites! Thank you a lot!

Passing the torch onto @concerningwolves @satohqbanana @melpomene-grey @alintalzin @angelfevr

@orphanheirs @authoralexharvey @cain-e-brookman

And here are the questions:

Who is the person your OC is closest to?

What's your OC's favorite season, and what about it do they like the most?

What's a completely random fact about your OC that no one suspects or you always wanted to bring it up in the story but never found a perfect scene to do it?

So, I've been contemplating on who should I select from my characters and I went with Nikolas! I've been talking about Adamas so much, yet I think I never mention his oldest brother nearly enough.

1) Who is your biggest role model growing up?

"For some reason, everyone always assumed that it's dad. There were days when I would seek out his validation since he always entrusted me with everything. I'd be the son he always comes to, and asks to help him. We always had a very strange relationship with each other, and to this day, I and my brothers talk amongst ourselves about this. He had his own unique way of showing love to all of us. Some of my brothers thought that I was more of a father to them than he was ever capable of being one when we needed him the most. However, the person I grew up looking up to was always mom. She was always there for us, and I often wonder if I made her proud with how I took care of my brothers. She used to always ask me to look after everyone if something were to happen to her, and sometimes I fear that I have disappointed her one too many times..."

2) What is a skill that you wish you'd spend more time on when you were younger?

"I don't know how to cook. I'm a terrible cook. I use so many spoons that Edvardas even once threw me out of the room. No one ever asks for my help because they know that even if I had the recipe sitting right in front of my nose, I would not be able to be of help in any way. I even once forgot that I left cookies in the oven and went to do something else, and 30 minutes later, Adamas came running to my room, screaming."

3) Savory or Sweet dishes? Why?

"Always sweet. This whole family runs on the sweets."

[snooeycatwrites]

OC in 15

What a busy week it’s been! It’s been mostly writing, but I’m still glad to have a moment to start catching up on some tag games.

Tagged by: @illarian-rambling (Thank you!)

This is my OC, Zaemes, from older drafts of my Raising Gods novel:

1 “What did Dad tell you? I bet he didn’t tell you that I want to stay with Mom. I am not going back to him.”

2 “Vakyetki. What did Dad tell you he sent you after me for?”

3 “Are you up here to spy on us? It wasn’t even Dad who sent you up here, was it?”

4 “Now that Ukel can’t enforce our blood oath, your promise doesn’t matter to you, does it? My sister wouldn’t use the suffix.”

5 “If we are siblings, here’s a free piece of advice – my dad is long overdue to do something rash. Do what he says and everyone we care about is going to be destroyed.”

6 “Spies don’t tell you who sent them to spy on you. Besides, Dad was the one who hurt me. He didn’t just bring me back different – he brought me back damaged. I never really believed that you were a spy of Ukel’s, so I don’t know why I accused you of it or ran off. Tell me why Dad sent you and what you intend to do about it, or never speak to me again. I can replace you.”

7 “Heh. You always were concerned with justice for an orderly type. Fine. Come along. I don’t want that murderous priest of Ovirin’s killing you too, or worse – my dad bringing you back from the dead when he does.”

8 “No. I’m not going to judge you on who you’re related to – you’re-”

9 “You, spying? Yeah right. I’ve already said that’s stupid, haven’t I? Forgive me. But you being targeted by the god you were always so loyal to? That’s unsettling. It was unsettling enough when I thought you’d merely accepted being turned into a priest over getting that big promotion to chief cleric to come looking for me. It’s just- It’s not the Kyetki I remember.”

10 “Do you remember that time you shouted at Akpotmer and he threw a burning stick of incense at you? Ha! He missed. And you didn’t back down.”

11 “Why do you need to keep a secret from Mom? I’ve already told her all about you. She knows you’re more naturally an orderly type, and she’s still been good to you, hasn’t she?”

12 “Not true! She does not hate you, idiot! People who hate you don’t give you shelter or a good night’s sleep!”

13 “I don’t know. It’s different every time, but I hope it leads to breakfast. You’re not scared of heights, are you?”

14 “Stop staring and get some food. I want to see if Mom’s up for visitors after this.”

15 “Dad brought me back to life, but he didn’t get all of me. There were parts of myself that I’d already lost to the mist, and he had to patch me up with fur and random bits of personality, so don’t expect me to act the same as you remember me. I can- Did you know Ukel wasn’t the only god to forbid bringing people back to life? Mom forbade it too. I can see why now.”

I have no-pressure tags for @concerningwolves, @ink-bunny-blue, and @jinnybinghamsghost. Anyone else who wants to do this is welcome. :)

[prettylittlelyres]

Heads Up Seven Up (writeblr tag game)

tagged by @snooeycatwrites - thank you so much for the tag!

This excerpt is from yesterday's work on my NaNoWriMo WIP, "Ladies Don't Write Music" (Violins and Violets series, Book 1).

Katharina has gone for a sneaky walk in the park with Johann, and the topic has... strayed a little from their usual music chat.

A flock of birds flew out across the path, making us both jump.

“Oh, pigeons,” Johann mumbled to himself, “I think they follow me wherever I go. When I left work today, to come to see you, there was a pigeon waiting for me on the front steps of the court.”

I regarded him suspiciously out of the corner of my eye. “They follow you?” I said.

He nodded. “I don’t know why. Maybe my sister has cast some kind of spell upon me.”

I laughed. “Louisa, cast spells? She thinks much too highly of you.”

He scratched the back of his neck. “I think she may send them as a present.” He grinned. “She thinks very highly of you, too, you know.”

Johann takes a lot of inspiration from a dear old friend of mine who became known as the Pigeon Lord after pigeons massed at his bedroom window one morning. As far as I know, he has been able to command them ever since, and I always say "hello" to him when I see a pigeon out and about.

I'm tagging @ettawritesnstudies @concerningwolves @teashoesandhair @writeblrfantasy @sweetwatertales @sleepyowlwrites and anyone else who fancies having a go!

And now I'm going to stop procrastinating and go and work on "Ladies Don't Write Music"!

[aesstog]

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A post shared by The Robin Hood Of Memes (@lostboykal.v2)

@concerningwolves to feed your current Skyrim obsession

[shayberri789]

@concerningwolves

Hey, don’t cry. Free online database of Japanese folk lore

[spideronthesun]

Heads Up, Seven Up

Thank you for tagging me, dear @melpomene-grey !

Rules: post the last seven lines you wrote, then tag seven people.

I spent my whole Sunday editing and going through the pages, so this is the from the chapter I last worked on:

“So, what are we going to do?” Nikolas reiterated his concerns. “After all, everyone has to be content with whatever we decide together.”   Everyone stared at Edvardas. The tension was palpable, adding a burden to his shoulders. Edvardas wrapped his arms around Adamas and Danielius, drawing them in closer, and then invited the rest of the brothers in for a group hug. The five of them held each other tightly, as if they had been in a shipwreck. “I am only doing this for you, since you’re a lot more important to me than you will ever know.”

Tagging: @aalinaaaaaa @mrbexwrites @satohqbanana @alintalzin @cain-e-brookman

@concerningwolves @angelfevr