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Author Ann Lamott has a book Bird by Bird that talks about writing. In that book is a chapter called Shitty First Drafts and it basically says all of this. My English 102 professor uses an excerpt from that chapter and would tell us that he won't grade first drafts because they are allowed to be "shitty". So write on.

Just in case this needs to be said:

It’s the first draft. Use the word “suddenly.” Put as many dialogue tags and adverbs as you want. Say “he saw” “she remembered” “she felt” “they wondered” as many times as you need to. Put the em dash there, put in too many commas, use semi-colons with reckless abandon. Type in [whatever] instead of thinking up a title for something. Just write it. If you worry too much about the particulars, about all the advice posts you’ve seen saying whatever you’re doing is wrong or not good enough, you won’t get anything done. It will slow you down as you go back and try to reword what you just wrote to make it better, proper. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be done. And when you get to the end, you’ll find that all those “mistakes” are just clues for your future self to put together to make it all better.

Putting in adverbs and certain dialogue tags are a note for you as to who is saying something and how they’re saying it. When you’re editing, you can make sure it shows through the story instead. The word “suddenly” is a reminder to make things more abrupt. The first draft is just you mapping out where you want to go and how you want to get there. Don’t waste time trying to get it 100% right now, because then it will never get done. Don’t think too much– just write. Save the thinking for editing later.

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Rules to follow when at sea

The ship should be treated with kindness.

Not all waters are good.

Don’t look deeper than you absolutely have to.

A sudden shallow means something is beneath you.

Never sail alone at night.

There are things best left unseen.

Whales are wise. Do not anger them.

You are very, very small.

There may be eyes in the fog. Don’t make contact.

Some ships sail under no flag. They are not real. Not anymore.

Occasionally, you will get a distress transmission from the Atlantic. Don’t answer it.

The sound of motors in the fog is never, ever, a good sign.

Some lighthouses move. Don’t depend on them.

Make as little sound as possible whenever your chest feels strange.

It is entirely possible to lose time at sea. Do not worry. You will remember eventually.

If the water goes murky, leave the top deck.

There may be blood in the water. Don’t look.

If you startle at nothing, it was not nothing.

There are some kinds of fog your lights won’t shine through. When you encounter it, take a different route.

Some fjords are not for human travel.

The singing is most likely not sirens. Pray that is is not.

Never dive and expect nothing strange to happen.

If something feels off, check your ropes.

If someone shouts to you in the dark, do not reply.

Sometimes curious things knock on the hull. They will usually leave.

Nothing is ever entirely as it seems.

Moonlight on the ocean has a hypnotic effect. Don’t stare.

There will always be something watching from the coast.

When the sky turns strange colours, close your eyes. It is best not to see.

If your compass does not work, let yourself drift on the current. Something wants you gone.

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I just joined a DA shitposting group on Facebook and I just

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Allow me to say I’ll stand beside you. Against Corypheus, my countrymen, or spurious rumour. So long as you’ll have me.

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I decided to name some items today…

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You know Solas’ quest “All New, Faded for Her”. Well, this is what they ACTUALLY said.

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Herald "Can't Keep a Secret" of Andraste

Cole: I had these friends but I don't think they like me anymore, please don't look for them.

Inquisitor: *Summons war counsel* Alright nutsacks, we're looking for some missing kids.

Cassandra: Don't tell Varric I like his books.

Inquisitor: Hey dwarf, I know something you don't know.

Mother Giselle: I have this letter from Dorian's dad, don't say anything to him.

Inquisitor: Holy SHIT BALLS! Hey Deedee you gotta see this!

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Each Dragon Age protagonist summed up for your pleasure

Hero of Ferelden: One-tank army. Unofficial camp counselor who will make you get along or they’re going to turn this whole army around so help me– Eternally Sighing. Everyone is terrified of them (doesn’t matter if they’re dead, people don’t believe it. And are still scared.) Probably definitely fought a spirit with their bare hands. Loves their dog more than you.

Hawke: Literal definition of a walking disaster. Can’t make it five feet before they trip over someone else’s problems. Proudest Big Sibling™. Would probably have been in less trouble if they’d stayed home for once in their goddamn lives. Has definitely heard “…who haven’t you slept with, Hawke?” at some point. Accidental spark in a city full of dried tinder. Knows they don’t deserve the friends they have; loves them regardless. B I C O N

Inquisitor: *survives an explosion that rips dimensions apart* *walks out* “I’m the what of the who now?” Definitely Did Not Ask for This Shit. Definitely got lost in the Hinterlands at least twice and no they don’t want to talk about it. Walking embodiment of the I need an adult oh shit I’m the adult meme. Certified World Leader Hand-Holder. Sighs every time Andraste is mentioned. “Oshit I have a horse?” Surrounded by too many fuckable people. Is going to need therapy once all is said and done. No puns about the arm, please.

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It is really nice to see that you are active once again. How is life?

Yep, for now.  Life is pretty okay.  In between jobs, so I have plenty of time to revisit fandoms.  That’s pretty awesome, though it would be nice to be financially independent once again.  There had been a recent personal tragedy and a couple of things that I had to go through within the last couple of months (November was hard for so many reasons), but I’m bouncing back at least.  Here’s to hoping we can get through 2019 unscathed.

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Sketches of Cassandra

Because she had always fascinated me.  If I ever want to write her in one of my stories, I should get to know her better.   I will be adding onto this. I am only writing in between homework sessions.  Please tell me how I’m doing.  Good, bad, stop writing forever?

  Bristly, they call her. Sometimes they dare to say, ‘feisty’, these men her uncle would throw at her for marriage.  She made it plain that she was not nor would she ever be interested in marrying anyone.  At least not men such as them. She could only consider marrying a man who was like her brother, Anthony.  Brave, strong, kind, and loving… he was the epitome of a true noble.  Not these self-serving sycophants that only care for her name and family.  Would Uncle have been so desperate to see her wed if Anthony were alive?  She feels the cage becoming ever so small. (Inspired by party banter with Dorian. “Tell me, Cassandra: did your family throw suitors at you?“ “My uncle did, waves of them.” ) -6/5/16

Princess, they call her.  Correcting them would be a wasted effort. Besides, explanations of her lineage are tedious.  She throws herself into training and into her sparring.  Let them see that I am as much of a warrior as they are, she thinks.  Seeker Byron is watching and sees her take down three fellow recruits on her own.  After seeing his approval, she no longer feels what the others say matter.  -6/5/16

Hero, they call her.  There are claims that she single-handedly saved Divine Beatrix and defeated a horde of dragons.  She did not fight a horde. There were two dragons, but she was not alone in saving the Divine. The Circle mages helped a great deal.  Regalyan, more so.  She did not expect to find love after being sent to the Seekers of Truth, let alone with a mage.  She had hated all mages after the death of her brother. Regalyan had opened her eyes and given her a new perspective.  She was saddened when they finally parted ways, knowing they would not have many opportunities, if any, to meet again.  Already, the tale spread of her heroic deeds without any mentions of the mages that had helped. (Cassandra downplays it, but she was still a bad ass in Dawn of the Seeker) - 6/5/16

Brash, they call her. She is often criticised for her lack of thinking before acting. Maybe they are right, but there are times to think ahead and there are times where you must simply act. She will not deny that she lacks patience. She admits that it is not her strongest virtue. If something is to be done, she simply does it and deals with the consequences later. It is all in the Maker’s hands, and she has faith that her actions are guided by his will. (Not too sure about this one) - 6/6/16

Thug, he called her. The Chancellor with his condescending words and haughty manner. Because she did not bow and scrape before him. Because she believed their former prisoner to be their only hope in closing the Breach. She was fully aware of the possibility that she was wrong, but could she afford to gamble the world on such an assumption? Whatever this stanger was, they were the world’s only hope. Cassandra just had to have faith that the Maker will continue to guide them. - 4/28/17

Hard, they call her. They have many opinions about her character. People look at her and see the stern and unyielding warrior. What they don’t see is the soft heart that lies beneath all of that. She loved romance novels. She would feel warm inside when she saw older brothers play with their little sisters. She had a deep appreciation for the small comforts like a warm fire and a soft bed roll. Someone so hard and rigid would not have felt the warm loving affection for a handsome mage as she had for Regalyan. Her heart would not have broken when her beloved mentor and father figure was killed in front her, as Anthony had been. Hard? Only when she had to be, but she was a woman of flesh and blood with desires and fears like any other. Maybe one day there will be people who would realize that. 1/1/19

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Commissions (OPEN)

so cause I hardly use my personal blog these days lol I am gonna post this here and then reblog it there

But so I am about to be out of a job because I quit because my job was destroying me physically, stressing me out, and I was just becoming a very negative person in general and I decided it was time to seek out new employment.

BUT I do have bills to pay for so I thought why not re-open commissions until I can get another job since January isn’t exactly a high time for being hired around here (oof)

Methods of Payment:

Paypal

Ko-Fi

Policies:

I do not start working on commissions until at least half payment

I will send you an invoice via PayPal always. I only ask for half payment before I start working on your commission. If you want to discuss another payment method like a plan I’m willing to hear negotiations.  

I do not draw monsters or mechs. Humanoid characters is typically what I steer towards. 

If you have any other questions never hesitate to ask.

I always share process work with people I commission to allow for changes if they are necessary before I get too far ahead. This is a courtesy for my clients, but please be respectful when requesting changes.

To request a commission you can either send me an ask, message me here on tumblr, or you can email me at spikelikegwah@gmail.com

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➸ Cremisius Aclassi.

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