#rmd writes

[rmd-writes]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Thanks @cha-melodius @hippolotamus @mammameesh @kiwiana-writes @happiness-of-the-pursuit for the tags. I'm sure I've done this before but I can't find it to see how long ago!

How many works do you have on ao3?

84

What's your total ao3 word count?

591,653 but that's inflated by a number of collabs, I think the number is closer to 400-450k

What fandoms do you write for?

RWRB, 911 LS and SC (rarely these days)

Top five fics by kudos:

Excluding any collabs (there's a couple in particular that are right up there)

Everybody needs good neighbours | RWRB | E | 14.3k | neighbours au

to the victor, the spoils | RWRB | E | 19.4k | lawyer au

yours for the afternoon | RWRB | M | 4.6k | coffee shop au

what, like it's hard? | RWRB | E | 65.1k | lawyer au, the prequel

I want you, I need you, oh baby oh baby | RWRB | E | 7k | college au

Do you respond to comments?

Yes, I try to! I'm not always prompt but I do respond to almost every comment

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Happy endings only here. I do have one unpublished Tarlos ficlet that's kind of a Queen Charlotte inspired future fic that is the saddest thing I've ever written which is the result of @howtosingit saying "whatever you do, don't think about X" which of course meant that I did and I wrote it in a fever dream, cried then buried it in my gdocs.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

All of them hahaha

Maybe the ending to what, like it's hard?

Do you get hate on fics?

I've gotten some strange comments but I don't know that I'd class it as hate, as such (thankfully)

Do you write smut?

nah yeah lol

Craziest crossover:

It's not a proper fic, but I wrote this in response to an ask about what would happen in Alex & Henry, David & Patrick and Carlos and TK all met.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not as far as I am aware!

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

yes and I love it! I've done collabs where we each write a chapter, one where we each wrote a chapter and then fully co-wrote the final chapter, a full co-write with @welcometololaland (that ended up morphing into each of us alternating chapters), and I'm in the process of another co-write with Lola atm.

All time favorite ship?

you can't make me choose

What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I don't like to say never, but probably the SC paint & sip au

What are your writing strengths?

based on the comments I get - smut with feelings, banter/dialogue, characterisation

What are your writing weaknesses?

World building, pretty metaphors, I'm far too fond of run on sentences to the point where if I was beta reading my own writing there are SO MANY sentences that need to be cut down so that the reader can breathe.

Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

If it fits the character, I love it! I generally ask a native speaker to help me with translations for accuracy

First fandom you wrote in?

Schitt's Creek

Favorite fic you've written?

I don't wanna choose

I've got no idea who's done this already but I'll tag @welcometololaland @everwitch-magiks @clottedcreamfudge @indomitable-love @three-drink-amy

@never-blooms @freneticfloetry @strandnreyes @heartstringsduet @reyesstrand

@indestructibleheart @orchidscript @maxbegone @carlos-in-glasses @beautifulhigh

and an open tag if anyone hasn't been tagged and wants to play 💖

[welcometololaland]

Are you ready to get (un)professional?

NOW COMPLETE

(UN)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | CHAPTER 7/7 | TARLOS | E

Please see enclosed the seventh and final chapter of the unprofessional professional services Tarlos AU by @rmd-writes and I.

Thank you so much to @celeritas2997 for beta reading and for supervising our spiralling! 1000000 fruit baskets for you.

Chapter 1 - Identify the Lead

Chapter 2 - Connect with the Lead

Chapter 3 - Understand the Lead

Chapter 4 - Close the Deal (Part 1)

Chapter 5 - Close the Deal (Part 2)

Chapter 6 - Always have a Contingency Plan

Chapter 7 - Epilogue

As it turns out, the gods of the subway system are smiling down on TK today because their usual train is running just late enough for them to squeeze on at the last minute. He tries not to be too smug about it as he watches Carlos lean against the door of the packed carriage as it speeds through the tunnels, pretending to read the news on his phone.  He’s only made aware of the pretending part when Carlos looks up at him after a few minutes and whispers, “So, when can I return the favour?” Cottoning on to the innuendo, TK tries not to look too pleased and begs his body to behave – getting a hard on around so many people would be kind of problematic. “Tomorrow night,” he replies. “I’ll be expecting something good because that floor wasn’t easy on my knees.” Carlos fixes TK with a challenging look. “I’ll think about it,” he says softly. “I have time tonight, while I’m home alone with nothing else to do.” “I’m ditching my mom,” TK murmurs, trying to keep his tone conversational. “I just remembered I have plans.” “Mhm?” Carlos hums, evidently trying to retain the veneer of being politely engaged. “With your di—” “TK.” TK snorts. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, baby.”

Continue on Ao3

[indestructibleheart]

I am still recovering from developing the correct questions to ask re the Big Secret Collab. But pretty please tell me more about the playwright/actor AU 💖

alexis-rose-can't-wink.gif

WELL... The working title for the playwright/actor AU is 'Breaking Character' because I like silly little rom-com titles—but it's entirely possible it'll change to a long-ass lyric. That's equally on brand for me. I did make a gif for the Tumblr post where that title has a yellow background like a Playbill, tho, so it might stick. We'll see.

Anyway, this is actually the first AU idea I had for RWRB after reading the book—but then life happened and other ideas happened and I got Distracted. 😅

The general gist is that Alex grew up on a coming-of-age sitcom (think Boy Meets World or The Wonder Years). As such, he's been having a hard time shaking that wholesome image and being taken seriously in the industry. His agent (Zahra, btw) gets him the script for an autobiographical play by this snobby British playwright, and Alex connects to this character for reasons he just can't put his finger on yet. He wants it. Bad.

But, when he auditions, Henry literally leaves the room halfway through his monologue. Super rude. Alex naturally thinks he blew it, but then his phone rings... and, y'know, Stuff and Things occur.

The first half is in Alex's POV, and then it switches over to Henry's halfway through. I anticipate that it'll have some epistolary bits in addition to pieces of Henry's play, which has big Fun Home vibes in terms of, like, the storytelling structure (there's a Young Henry, a Middle Henry, and then Present Henry—who Alex was auditioning for because theatre can do that).

Ask me about my WIPs

[hippolotamus]

nice ask week 💖

what is something you're looking forward to this year?

Hi Rae! Happy Nice Ask Week (ignore the fact that it’s nearly a week later). I don’t have a specific thing I’m looking forward to. More that I plan to take 2024 as it comes. To say Yes to more things I want and No to the things I don’t. To acknowledge and celebrate the fact that I’m alive. Hopefully that includes way more pocket friends, art museums, day trips and good books.

[sail-not-drift]

15 Questions for 15 Friends

Tagged by @rmd-writes (hi!!!)

Are you named after anyone?

My first and middle names come from my two great-grandmothers.

When was the last time you cried?

Last Tuesday, therapy fun.

Do you have kids?

“I don’t want somebody in my house” - Whoopi Goldberg (which means no kids)

What sports do you play/have you played?

I was the kid in little league softball who picked dandelions in the outfield instead of paying attention to the game. Other than that, nothing outside of gym class or camp, but I really liked volleyball and archery.

Do you use sarcasm?

Badly.

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

I don’t like this question, how should I know?? I notice that there’s a human I’m supposed to interact with I guess?? Hair maybe??

What’s your eye color?

Hazel

Scary movies or happy endings comedies?

Happy endings always (stealing Rae’s answer)

Any talents?

I’m really good at identifying movies or TV shows based on what actors are in them.

Where were you born?

New York

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are trying to regain interest in hobbies.

Do you have any pets?

I wish :’(

How tall are you?

5’4”

Favorite subject in school?

English and History

Dream job?

Running the mailroom on a tiny misty island with a shop cat and a bell on the door.

Open tag for whoever wants it :)

[reasonandfaithinharmony]

I can't choose, so dealer's choice for any of these please:

Carlos: do NOT say he ran

Carlos boxing

"I'll say, 'Hi, You're TK, I'm Carlos,and we're soulmates'"

TK telling Carlos he'll be his personal shopper etc inside the townhouse 😉

Thank you so much for the ask, @rmd-writes!

Alright. I'm going to do two scenes, one gif each. Which I feel is still within the spirit of the rules I put in place. (I mostly wanted to avoid doing longer sections for any scene because that would throw me into the decision-making paralysis that steals my creative energy in the first place.)

All of that said, I blame you for putting those specific scenes together in one list…

It was suddenly very important that I see these two moments next to each other. It couldn't be helped.

Unedited Gif Game

[kiwiana-writes]

first sentence: “fuck” (dealer’s choice of appropriate punctuation 😉)

“Fuck…”

“Best keep it down, love.” Henry’s voice is hot in his ear and his hand is slow and steady under the carefully positioned blanket. “We may be in business class, but we’re not alone — someone could still hear you.”

Alex whines in the back of his throat, helpless against Henry’s ministrations. “Better find a way to keep me quiet, I guess,” he gasps, and then two fingers from Henry’s free hand are being pressed into his mouth and fuck.

[Send me an ask with the first sentence of a fic and I’ll write you the next five.]

[reyescarlos]

thanks for the tag @carlos-tk 💜 here's a bit of from the university years of the college exes au

He comes over to Carlos slowly from the side, runs his hands from the center of Carlos’ back, letting them fan out across his shoulder blades before giving him a gentle squeeze. He drops a kiss on the crown of Carlos’ head, breathes in the scent of his shampoo and feels his heart tighten as it always does when they’re close like this.

“What’s going on in here?” he asks, ruffling a hand in Carlos’ curls and gently scratching his scalp.

Carlos laughs softly, more so lets out a puff of air. TK shifts to sit across from him, reaching for Carlos’ hands. His boyfriend offers them to him without hesitation though he doesn’t rush to speak. 

It’s one of TK’s favorite things about Carlos. He’s always deliberate with his words, keen to get his thoughts out just right to paint an accurate picture of what he’s feeling. Since they started dating, perhaps even since they first started becoming friends, TK has admired that trait. He himself doesn’t have much of a filter and often finds himself having to backpedal if he speaks too rashly in the moment. 

But not Carlos. He seems to have come out of the womb knowing the importance of words, of taking his time.

[firenati0n]

Chef Alex please Roop!

RAE HELLOOOO MY DEAR!! :) <3

eeeeeeeeee chef alex is an au of The Bear but a character study on alex and his motivations and neuroses and what happens when he comes back home to help run his family sandwich shop! i am so so excited it's going to be a lot to chew on for me and a whole new challenge!!!

the angst is family expectations / personal pressure related and it is so fun to explore bc carmy and alex are so similar and i think alex would really end up like carmy if he didn't have the right support system / people around him just based on how he pushes himself / seeks support and validation. it's so interesting to me bc alex and I are so so similar and i relate to carmy so much in so many ways too! can't wait to project heavily on my comfort characters lmfao

my two faves colliding yeehaw!

[SUMMARIZING MY WIPS BADLY ASK ME ANYTHING!]

[avacoleman]

Here's a bit more this week from the Firstprince The Vow AU. Still very much writing off vibes and little else, but at least I'm having fun! I hope you all will enjoy too

Alex hears the light tinkering of piano keys from down the hall. He halts in his writing, pen hovering over the page as his head tilts toward the music.

Henry isn’t playing anything in particular, just striking the keys at random and yet the sound warms something inside of him.

It’s almost as if he can hear Henry thinking, sussing out a melody all his own until he finds what it is his heart and mind are searching for in the music.

Alex’s eyes close as the opening notes of Your Song begin to play in earnest. A small smile tugs at his lips, an embarrassing sting of tears in his eyes that he quickly blinks away.

He listens on, rising to his feet without a thought and exiting the room, compelled as if by a siren song.

He finds Henry playing with his eyes closed, swaying to the sound his deft fingers are producing. Alex leans against the door jamb and watches in awe, completely transfixed as Henry works his way to the next and final verse.

As he hits that closing note, Henry takes in a deep breath, nodding to himself before opening his eyes.

Alex gives him a slow round of applause and it’s obvious from the way Henry jerks against the piano bench that he didn’t realize he’d had an audience.

“Have I disturbed you?” Henry asks, his hands falling away from the keys hastily like a child expecting to be admonished.

Alex shakes his head, quick to dispel any concerns.

“Nah, you didn’t. I needed a break from going over contracts anyway.”

Henry’s smile is self-conscious as he looks back down at the keys and clears his throat.

“Right. Well, glad I could assist somehow then.”

Henry looks up at him fully, his brows knitting together, the picture of perplexed.

“You wear glasses,” he says.

Alex laughs and touches his metal frames.

“Damn, we really have to go back to basics with each other, huh?” he muses.

It was meant as a joke, but from the way Henry’s lips pinch, Alex has half the mind to kick himself.

“Doctors are looking into how best to remove my foot from my mouth. Sorry,” he says.

This joke at least seems to land as Henry lets out a soft sound through his nose that Alex fully takes credit for as a laugh.

“Mind having some company?” he asks, probably pushing his luck with this small opening.

Henry extends a hand to the room at large, welcoming him. “Please.”

Alex pushes off from the doorway and steps further into the room, taking a seat beside Henry at the bench. He takes it as a good sign that Henry doesn’t recoil or seem uncomfortable at their closeness.

“You should keep playing,” Alex encourages, gently nudging his knee against Henry’s.

Henry smiles. “A personal concert?”

“For your biggest fan, yes.”

Henry searches his eyes and there’s a softness to his expression that, for one glorious moment, echoes with the sort of tender gaze Henry used to grace him with regularly.

[sznofthesticks]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the ask box for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you. 💖

oh thank you!

my cats

my latest fic (because bi buck + tarlos friendship. HELLOOO.)

my lovely internet friends

cooking

my newest tattoo, it's so cute it makes me smile every time i look down at my arm haha

[rmd-writes]

the key that unlocked me

RWRB | E | 3.7k

I saw this incredible art by @weighty-ghosts and was inspired to write some firstprince pwp for the first time in ages. Please take the time to click through and look at the art! It's stunning and V is so talented - be sure to reblog her work if you like it!

Something sharp presses against his collarbone – the key that Alex wears around his neck – before he rolls his hips and Henry moans. Alex lifts his head and grins. “You like that, sweetheart?” he asks knowingly, rolling his hips again. He’s got his arms braced on either side of Henry’s head, looking down at Henry with dark, sparkling eyes and his mouth curved into a lopsided smile before raking his lower lip through his teeth. Alex’s curls have fallen forward into his face and at this angle, so close, he’s devastating. Instead of answering him, Henry tugs at the chain around Alex’s neck with one hand, pulling him down for a kiss. He gives in, sliding one hand into Henry’s hair as he kisses him deeply, letting Henry take what he needs.

or, Berlin, from Henry’s POV

Read on ao3

As always, it takes a village, so thank you to @indomitable-love for all of her help (including unknowingly because it is her Henry pov fics I read when I need to remind myself what Henry feels like), @howtosingit for the most perfect title, and @welcometololaland just because she’s the absolute best. I’m so lucky to have all of you in my corner💖💖

[welcometololaland]

The first chapter will be posted Sunday, 13 August 2023.

Borne of our actual hatred of business development and networking events, @rmd-writes and I have created (Un)professional Services: 6 chapters and 60,000 words of corporate-Tarlos chaos, to be posted over 6 weeks.

This project was the result of many many hours of no one telling us "no", including each other, and the answer to everything being "yes, and then what if...":

There are hot people at networking events?

We make Owen the most chaotic he’s ever been?

Gwyn lives and roasts TK at every opportunity?

Carlos spirals like a zoodle?

TK has to endure seeing Carlos in a suit all the time?

A law firm makes corporate branded condoms?

Fire safety training is an ongoing and slightly unexplained theme?

Stay tuned to find out the answer to some of these and more.

A thousand forehead kisses and fruit baskets for @celeritas2997 for letting us derail the gc over this so many times and for beta reading!

Summary below just because we like to tease:

TK Strand has been an attorney long enough to know that networking events with accounting firms offer little more than terrible wine that he doesn’t drink, uninspiring small talk and a stack of identical-looking business cards.  Until he takes Nancy up on a bet and winds up having all of his preconceived ideas about business development being challenged by an accountant who is very far from boring. The Tarlos Professional Services AU.

[cricketnationrise]

nice ask week 💖

what is something you're looking forward to this year?

UNIONIZING BAYBEE

[hippolotamus]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! (ू•‧̫•ू⑅)♡

Hi friend 💕💖💕💖

🩷 Rainy days

💛 A delicious cup of coffee

🩵 Reading

💜 Having someone else clean my house

🤍 My kiddo

[mikibwrites]

Hey Miki! Love that you took the open tag! Tell me about “A bet involving two massive egos never ends well, but somehow they both win (firstprince)” please?

I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity sorry I just love your fics :)

I'm sorry I missed this a couple weeks ago! I'm always on mobile so I apparently missed several asks 🙃🙃🙃

The wip you're referring to is a firstprince au of one of my all time favorite movies, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days :)

Henry is a soft-spoken but confident author employed by a harlequin-esque publishing company, chugging away at churning out what he feels like are absolute shite bodice-rippers for profit like a content machine until he can find a way to publish his actual life's work, a deeply personal novel. But for now bodice-rippers pay the bills.

Alex is a charismatic advertising exec who is trying to break into a new market for which his boss and coworkers think he's ill suited, and of course he MUST prove them wrong.

Henry posits to his cubicle-mate Pez that if anyone actually did anything in these books in real life their partners would die laughing or run away screaming. Pez says he'll take that bet bc he thinks Henry could literally recite Shakespeare mid-coitus (complete with plastic skull held aloft) and his partners would eat it up.

Alex says he can sell anything, up to and including himself, to anyone regardless of their initial opinion of him. His coworker Hunter, who's a little jealous of Alex's rise to success, calls his bluff.

They happen to be caught in the same bar on the same night. Bets on both sides are set in motion.

If you've seen the movie, then you know this is where the chaos ensues :)

Ask me about my badly summarized WIPs :)