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Fanfiction Work-In-Progress Guessing Game

Send me a word, if it’s in my wip document I’ll answer your ask with the sentence that it appears in

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Take Me In Chapter 63: Love Abounding

Everybody gets hugs and kisses! And we all learn a little more about what it means to love :)

“Come on, babe,” Leyla said, once she understood what was going on. “Never turn down a free meal!” “Hey, how poor do you think I am?” Sam protested. “Just 'cause I'm not rolling in it like Mr. Moneybags over there....” “Ohhh, so this is a pride thing.” Leyla kissed Sam on the cheek, which made him look considerably more cheerful. “Just let me treat both of you,” Steve said. “I can afford it, and you deserve it.” Leyla grinned. “Can't argue with that! Hey, Sam, whaddya say we order a ton of lobster and caviar, and rob him blind! It'll be fun.” “That would take an awful lot of caviar...” Steve commented.

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Hugs <3 Send this to the first ten people on your dash, okay? (if you'd like)

We're giving hugs!

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Contrary to popular belief the biggest beginner's roadblock to art isn't even technical skill it's frustration tolerance, especially in the age of social media. It hurts and the frustration is endless but you must build the frustration tolerance equivalent to a roach's capacity to survive a nuclear explosion. That's how you build on the technical skill. Throw that "won't even start because I'm afraid it won't be perfect" shit out the window. Just do it. Just start. Good luck.

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WIP tag game

Tagged by @dairogo - I, uh...think I understand how this works???

Rules: You will be given a word. Share a snippet from a WIP for [that contains every letter in] that word, then tag some friends and give them a new word.

My Word: AGONY

WIP: Gonna share something from a scene I wrote for my FMA Foster Family AU because it may never see the light of day (because I started writing it and then realized it didn't include one of the characters it was supposed to a;ldkfj;dsljf;lskf)

“Nina?” she asked softly, moving slowly around the table into Nina's field of vision. “Hi there,” she said, setting her bag down on the floor. “My name is Gracia. I have something for you.” She pulled out a stuffed dog, white and fluffy with floppy ears. It was one of the toys they'd bought for the baby, but there were plenty more waiting in the crib, and this one was needed more here. Nina's big blue eyes followed Gracia's movements carefully as she held out the dog to her. After a moment's hesitation, she reached out and slowly accepted the stuffed dog, holding him close. Her little fingers sank deeply into the soft fur and squishy belly of the toy. “I also brought you something else.” Gracia sank into the chair next to Nina, watching to make sure she wasn't making the poor girl uncomfortable. But though Nina continued to stare at her, she didn't shrink back. So Gracia reached into her bag again and pulled out a little Tupperware container and set it on the table, pulling off the lid to reveal the chocolate chip cookies within. “Would you like one?” she asked, sliding it over. This time, Nina's hand darted out quickly, furtively, as if afraid she would miss her chance. She began cramming the cookies into her mouth, spilling crumbs all over the stuffed dog clutched in the crook of one arm.

Tagging: @bunnyscar, @stars-stories-songs-and-sehnsuch, @authortobenamedlater, @katarena, and @catkin-morgs-kookaburralover if you'd like to do this!

Your Word: TANGLED

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there's a character i've been having a hard time writing for, because i feel like i can't really grasp his personality. i'm not even writing in his POV, but he needs to be in some of the scenes of my fic and i want him to be as in-character as everyone else. what can i do to start to understand this character?

When I'm trying to get a handle on a character, I tend to rewatch their scenes. Listen carefully to how the character speaks - do they have a speaking style or choice of words that feels more "them"? Watch how they move. What gestures do they often use? What does their face look like when they're worried? confused? angry? in love? I find that getting their voice and their physicality right can get you a long way to feeling in-character to the casual reader.

Motivations might be harder to spot since they're internal. But that also means that you get to make your own decisions about why they do the things they do. What do you know about their backstory that might explain their emotional state? What do you know about their current relationships that might affect their decision-making? How do their goals and dreams move them down one path or another in their life? How do their failures prevent them from doing something they otherwise want to do?

Another way to get a better idea of the character is to read other people's meta posts about them. The great thing about characters is that everything about them is made up, so when you're reading those meta posts you might agree with some things people are saying and disagree with others. By picking through those different ideas, you'll find yourself gradually creating your own picture of this character and their motivations that will feel true to you.

What about the rest of you? How do you figure out characterization for someone who haven't written very much before?

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I aspire to be that consistent “updates every week” writer, but in reality I update whenever my brain decides it’s done. Could be the next day, could be next month, who knows

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4. What does it take for you to be proud of something you've written?

8. Which of your own projects have shaped your writing the most? In what way?

10. Which patterns keep popping up in your projects/characters?

12. Give three songs or images that fit . . . let's go with Sharon, if you have any.

16. To what extent do you research for your writing?

4. What does it take for you to be proud of something you've written?

Feeling like I left it all on the table. Like I gave it my all and didn't hold back. There are far too many times where I rush through writing something or decide it's just "good enough," and even though it's not a terrible piece of writing or anything, there's always that sense when I read it back that I could have gone further. Most of the time, I just can't be bothered to push a story to its full potential, or the full potential of my current skill, I guess. So when I do manage to do that, that's when I'm truly proud of something I wrote.

8. Which of your own projects have shaped your writing the most? In what way?

Predictably: Make Me Whole! Believe it or not, MMW was the first time I really felt like I put everything I had into what I was writing, and really made myself slow down and let the story breathe and described everything as much as I needed to, rather than rushing through and glossing over the boring bits to get to what I really wanted to write about. Because I wanted to write about all of it. And I had really clear images in my mind of how everything looked, and I wanted my readers to see it too. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to finally get to the point where I felt like the finished product was exactly what it needed to be, but having that experience has been really beneficial for everything else I write.

Another really important thing with MMW was how strongly I felt the need to write it. Never before or since have I felt such a strong conviction that I needed to write something. Even if someone else got the exact same idea, I wanted to write it, because I knew no one else in the world would write it exactly the way I would, because no two people have the same life experiences shaping their writing. And I had such a strong sense, even before I fully understood why, that God wanted me to write this story, like there was something important He wanted me to say through it. Having an experience like that will change you forever. I've been floored multiple times when people have told me how my silly little Captain America fanfiction has touched them. And in writing Whole Shards, in trying to do justice to this story that I truly believe God placed on my heart, I've learned so much about myself, about God's love for us, about how to be a better person. It might sound a bit cheesy, but it's true.

And on a lighter note, without MMW I would not have written Take Me In, which is by far the longest story I've ever written, and one of the most rewarding too :D

10. Which patterns keep popping up in your projects/characters?

One theme that comes up again and again is unconditional love. It's allllll over Whole Shards, of course, but really it's in almost every story I write in some form, because that's what compels me the most about my favorite characters and relationships. Characters who will give up everything for each other, who see the other person as their whole world...that's what I want to write about myself, both in fanfiction and original writing.

Other things I notice a lot are lonely little boys and characters who have some sort of "dark side," whether magical or just psychological, that manifests in them losing control in some fashion.

12. Give three songs or images that fit . . . let's go with Sharon, if you have any.

All of my Sharon songs are Staron songs, really, but hopefully that's okay - and I'm sure you'll understand that they're mostly specific to my Whole Shards AU, because I've done so much work on her backstory for that ^^' So here are three of my favorites:

"Enough" by Matt Sassano feat. Zahna - Ironically, the male vocals are Sharon and the female ones are Steve. This song is all about the reservations these two have about their relationship. Sharon is worried about being enough for Steve. He's so good, and she's so damaged. She's been abandoned before in the worst way, and maybe that says something about her. Meanwhile, Steve is afraid of giving his heart to her, with his history of relationships that have failed for one reason or another. Maybe that says something about him, some failing in who he is that means he's just destined to ruin everything.

"My Heart Just Knows" by SVRCINA - This one is about those first tentative movements towards each other, as they begin to open up to each other about their scars and the darkness in their past. They reveal to each other the burdens they carry, and in the face of a man who's so open and honest with her, all Sharon wants is to take on some of that burden, and let him carry some of hers. The song is also kind of about how...well, it's not love at first sight, not really, but very early on in their relationship, they can tell that this isn't just some fling all about physical attraction. There's just something that clicks between them, something that hints that maybe everything will work out just fine.

"I Have Always Been in Love" by David Hodges - The quintessential Staron song to me. (Actually, I just double-checked and sure enough - it's going to be featured in the next TMI chapter! How timely! :D) It's about my favorite kind of love story: the understated kind. The kind where true love isn't found in the big, dramatic confessions or angsty pining. It's found in the small, everyday moments where you're sharing a moment of your life with another person, and then you turn and look at them and realize, "Oh. I love them." And I think that's what truly endures through the years, even when you grow old. And that's what I see in Steve and Sharon's future. There are regrets and grief in their past. There are things that are less than perfect even now. But together...maybe they can make up for some of that.

16. To what extent do you research for your writing?

Kind of depends on how long the story is, I guess, and how tied to the real world. Most of the time, I don't bother with much research, more interested in just getting down the character interactions or whatever. But for something like TMI, I did a lot of research because it deals with things like prison life and the legal system, and I knew to do it justice even halfway, I needed to do what research I could. And then, just because I wanted to do right by the characters, I also ended up doing quite a bit of research into things like child abuse, various therapeutic techniques, and even cults (not because there are any cults in TMI, but because that's about as close as you can get to Hydra in the real world).

Writing Ask Game

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Instead of leaving 1 as an option for you to ask, I'm just going to list my current main WIPs here:

Foster Family AU (FMA fic) - modern-day AU where Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye become foster parents for the Elric brothers

Cosmic Eclipse (Sherlock fic) - Sherlock is blinded and has to learn how to continue solving crimes with John's help

Take Me Beyond (Captain America fic) - additional/deleted scenes from my fic Take Me In, mostly stuff that happens after the end; currently working on a very lovey-dovey Staron chapter ;)

The Other Side of the Coin (FMA fic) - genderbender where Ed and Al are girls and Winry is a guy; currently staring blankly at working on a chapter where Addie wishes people would still treat her like a girl even though she's a huge suit of armor

writing ask meme <3

give short descriptions of all your current WIPs.

give short descriptions of all the main characters for [WIP].

what makes you love writing?

what does it take for you to be proud of something you’ve written?

what do you think is the most important part of writing?

are your projects driven more by character or plot?

what books have shaped the way you think about writing the most? why?

which of your own projects have shaped your writing the most? in what way?

what are you best and worst at when writing?

which patterns keep popping up in your projects/characters?

give three songs or images that fit [WIP].

give three songs or images that fit [character].

describe your writing style.

what is your speed when writing?

what do drafting and revision look like for you?

to what extent do you research for your writing?

how do you determine what mood each project has?

how do what you look for in your own writing vs someone else’s coincide? how does your writing influence your reading?

do you plan out your projects? if yes, to what level? how well do you stick to your plans?

where do you begin a WIP? ex: a mood, a scene, a certain character dynamic, etc. does this differ per project?

what are the most important facets of creating a character, to you?

how much of your own self/experiences do you believe pours into your projects? if this differs per project, which projects have the most and least of you?

what do you do to engage with your projects which isn’t actually writing? ex: playlists, pinterest boards, etc. how much do they play a role in the development of your work?

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Bucky and a dog. Just something fluffy (literally!) to celebrate ^_^

Bucky's hand tightening around his brought Steve back to the present. “Sometimes I'm not sure I'm cut out for this,” he muttered, staring down at Mika, whose eyes had slid shut in a doze. “I mean...what do I think I'm doing? Hydra ruined me, so why do I think I won't ruin her? That's what Brad keeps telling me.” Steve covered Bucky's hands with both of his, but before he could do more than open his mouth, Bucky continued. “But I know both sides, don't I?” he said, and when he met Steve's gaze, his eyes were clear. “Hydra taught me with fear. You taught me with love. I know what they both look like, so I can choose the right path. Just like she can.”

TW: prison life

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Me catching up on Tumblr over breakfast this morning:

Oh my gosh, Pippi!!!!! ;alkjdf;ldksjfdskfjl I have no words, other than these are beautiful ;A;

The gold highlights in the first one, the way it's more about the movement and speed than anything else! And the gold, the gold, it's the light of hope and joy, so desperately needed after the hard road they've had to walk, and they're running, they're running to meet it!

And the picture of Winter in the rain, it's so soft. Grey, but not depressing. It so perfectly captures the wonder and peace Winter feels in that quiet moment. I love how you also had a few little raindrops splashing off his hands; I can almost hear the plinking sounds against the metal. You can almost imagine him beginning to relax, his shoulders lowering....

Okay, guess I had some things to say after all. Most importantly: Thank you! My heart is so full right now :')

As of today, it's been one year since I found @griseldabanks's wonderful Whole Shards AU! (Yes, I'm aware that July 3rd is an ironic anniversary to have with a Captain America fic. XD)

In celebration/commemoration/thanks/just-because-I-love-this-story-and-its-author, here's a few doodles inspired by the first instalment, Make Me Whole, which I'm re-reading.

Inspired by Chapter 7.

"Winter glanced over at him in the same moment, and a silent message seemed to dart between them.

Steve grinned and took off running as fast as he could. Winter fell behind slightly at first, but soon they were running shoulder to shoulder again. Sam, of course, was left in their dust immediately.

Freezing air stabbed through his lungs with every breath. His heart beat a crazy rhythm, keeping time with his feet pounding against the ground. All he could hear was the wind howling against his ears and Winter's heavy breathing beside him. The road tilted downhill, and they ran even faster.

He had never run with someone like this, pushing himself to his utmost extent but running next to someone who could match every step. Before, he'd always been too weak or too strong; he'd never met someone who was his equal. He hadn't even been able to do this with Bucky."

Inspired by Chapter 10.

"Winter cupped his hands together, letting rainwater collect in them, then cascade to the ground.

Slowly, as the rain continued to fall, Winter straightened up. His shoulders lowered, his head raised, and he looked around at the rain-drenched yard. Closing his eyes, he tipped his head back and turned his face to the sky.

The rain smoothed his hair back from his face. Water washed over his forehead, streamed across his mask, and dripped from his hair and his chin. Moisture beaded on his eyelashes like pearls."

More doodles may be coming if my brain cooperates. We'll see. :>

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Guess how I became besties with @sergeanttomycaptain and @rainintheevening? ;)

And let's not forget how I read @dairogo's fics, thought she was really cool and wished I could be her friend, and lo and behold, my friendship with her is the longest-lasting one I've ever had :D

Every time someone leaves a nice comment on one of my fics and I respond, there's a little whisper in the back of my mind that you never know, this person might be my next best friend ^_^

One of the coolest parts about being a fan of fanfic is you can actually contact the author. And they will respond. And then you can message them nonstop until they allow you into their lives and then you’re becoming their beta reader and suddenly you know multiple authors of all types of fiction books and fanfic authors who will drag out their deleted fics for you to read at a moments notice.

Anyway. Comment on fics and message authors. It’s absolutely worth it.

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Reblog and put in the tags your favourite character (s) that you’ve created.

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weary and wary are not the same word and have very different meanings and if i see one more person use wearily when they mean warily I’m gonna combust

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*This poll was submitted to us and we simply posted it so people could vote and discuss their opinions on the matter. If you’d like for us to ask the internet a question for you, feel free to drop the poll of your choice in our inbox and we’ll post them anonymously (for more info, please check our pinned post).

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I've noticed a lot of people advise writers to read their stories aloud. And I absolutely agree. But I've also mostly seen people mention it in like a 'you'll better notice where there are little mistakes, and where the phrasing is awkward' way. Which, again, is absolutely true.

But that's a 'read the story aloud to see what's wrong with it' advice.

And I think there's maybe an even more important reason to read your fic aloud.

It will show you all the things that are RIGHT about your story.

Because there inevitably comes a point where you've read your own story in your head so many times that all the words are a bland mush that will leave you convinced that there's absolutely nothing interesting or good in your writing.

And if you go back to it many months later, you might realize... oh, this is a pretty interesting fic. And that's because the brain has had time to forget every tiny detail of phrasing you came up with, and you can actually read it like a reader, not the author.

But that road takes months, and until then, you might be inherently convinced that the story is literally the absolute worst thing you've ever written.

But... WHEN YOU READ ALOUD, you automatically start giving the words inflection, inflection that, when you're reading something that you haven't written yourself, you kind of hear even when reading quietly. But for your own story, all that inflection and weight has been sucked out by way too many rereads while you were looking for grammatical errors. The fastest way to be able to see it again? To hear it.

Anyway, read aloud to defeat the monster on your shoulder telling you your writing sucks.