sugarpasteltmnt

[sugarpasteltmnt]

Yo. I love the neon void and the spin off! And speaking of the new series, will leo ever have the krang tail removed? I know it's basically attached to his spine, but it must serve as a reminder of his time with the parasite! Is there a mystic miracle in his future??

thank you so much!!! and it is something i've been thinking about. I like to think that Leo actually likes his new tail, since it's a permanent reminder that everything that happen... actually happened. That it wasn't just made up in his head. Like a grounding object. And it's his treasure from one of the rare times he managed to beat/get the upper hand on Krang One. It would be hard to let go of such a trophy right?

But, he is very aware that it unsettles his brothers. I didn't get a chance to mention it yet, but i like to think that Donnie or Draxum tried to remove it while Leo was in eepy limbo but couldn't. Leo can see their apprehension towards it, and that's enough to make him consider getting rid of it... if the opportunity presents itself.

[sugarpasteltmnt]

i made a rockanardo 🪨💙

he's precious i'm putting him in my pocket for luck

[sugarpasteltmnt]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

I'm a bit late but this is one of my favourite scenes!

Just the way Leo doubles down on the lie that he's dead

Also very fun looking back to this scene once Donnie actually finds out that Neon Void was Leo all along

HEHEHE yes get bullied Donnie i love torturing turtles 🩵

[sugarpasteltmnt]

WAAAA thank you all for the birthday wishes!!! i am hoarding all of these answers like a dragon thank you so much 💞💕💗🩵

[sugarpasteltmnt]

toot toot it’s my birthday! 🥳🥂🎂

[sugarpasteltmnt]

Hi, I'm someone who's interested in making a long-fic but just been struggling to do so. Alot of it just cause I really I'm not confident in my ability to write it well or that people will read it. Even though Neon Void was your first fic (I think) you managed to not only reach so many, but tell a story so deep and personal and moving that every time I re-read a snippet I find myself wanting to read a whole chapter.....and then the entire series.

If I can be so bold to ask, how did you do it? How did you take Neon Void and make it? What kept you from giving into the voices within and without that tell you to give up? How did you make sure the story was the best it could be. If you could go back, what would you do differently? What strategies would be best for someone who also wants to do a longfic?

Sorry if it's alot.

First, thank you so so much. It makes me super happy to hear that you thought it was moving and enjoy reading it!!

and don’t be sorry!! I’m super flattered that you wanted to ask me such a cool and thought provoking question!! Gunna hide most of this answer under a read-more as I get a little autobiographical, but in short:

You must be your own biggest fan

I’ll be honest— I had NO idea so many people would read my fic. The amount of positive feedback has blown me away and I couldn’t be more thankful for how nice the TMNT fandom has been to me (and my sister!!)

And you’re right! Neon Void WAS my first fic I ever published!! But I’ve been writing every day since I was a tween. I just love to write. But even then, I was nervous to post. No one except my closest friend had EVER read my writing before. I wasn’t sure if anyone would read it, or even like it since it was kind of a wacky premise.

But also in a way, it was okay if no one else read it, because I liked it. And that’s kind of the secret sauce to it all.

I have never, ever written anything this long before. Originally, TNV was going to be like, ten chapters max. I have no idea it would evolve into a nearly 30 chapter fic. And i think there were several factors that contributed to that.

First, I was utterly and totally obsessed with my own AU. When i started daydreaming about certain scenes over and over, i knew i had to write it. Being so invested in my own story was the biggest factor in actually finishing it. Which sounds so obvious, but the thing is I have a tendency to think of new AUs constantly. (Sometimes even daily.) The fact I kept revisiting this one was a sign that if i wanted to write it, now was the time.

Second, and this is piggybacking off of that last confession of always daydreaming new AUs, i knew i was on a personal timer. If i was going to do this, I had to make sure I did it. So i gave myself a goal of trying to post on a rough schedule to keep myself accountable.

(But remember!!!! It's just fanfiction!!! you never, ever have to put that kind of expectation on yourself! You don't need a posting schedule. You don't even need to finish. I personally pushed myself so hard to see it through because for years I told myself that if i was ever going to post fanfiction, i HAD to finish. It's okay if you don't!! I would never ask a writer or an artist to slog through something that doesn't bring them joy anymore. Because at the end of the day, fanfiction is meant to be fun!!)

BUT

Here's a bit of a confession. I didn't want to give up on it because it brought me a lot of joy during a rough year. I found myself sneaking on my phone at work to write a paragraph or two whenever I had the chance. I would think about it 24/7. I was in love with the story I was making up and looking forward to writing helped get through some not so Cowabunga times. I know posting your work is super intimidating-- and you might be tempted to stop-- but remember, if it makes you happy-- even for a while-- it's worth it. TNV was making my days a bit brighter even before I started posting it.

Which leads to my next confession-- and this is probably the biggest reason I was able to actually pull it off with a posting schedule:

I had already written 50%-60% of TNV before I even posted chapter 1.

And that was on purpose for several reasons. One, I was having so much fun planning easter eggs and planning long-term foreshadowing bits. Second, it was a test to see if this AU was really rotting my brain enough that I wanted to spend a lot of time writing it. By the time I had a lot written and scenes I was super eager to get to, I knew I wanted to post it. But having a bulk of it already written was a huge reassurance in trying to maintain my posting schedule. (But again, that was just my style! You can hit the ground running if you'd like, start and then pause for a while to figure things out-- whatever works best for you!!)

But even when i was insanely obsessed with my own AU, it still took a lot of time and energy to write. There will be times you will find yourself trudging through bridging scenes to get to the scenes you actually wanna write and it's sooooooooo haaaaaaaaard. BUT!!! It's worth it!!! Getting through it and seeing how it sets up the exciting part just right is soooooooo satisfying.

As for making sure the story was the best it could be??? I'm not sure!! Because there were definitely times I went whining to my sister and best friend about certain plot points or scenes, worried it wasn't good enough. There were a LOT of times a scene or idea just didn't feel right. Heck, a lot of chapters ended up in a different order than when I originally started writing!! The lesson I learned throughout the whole thing is that the original idea doesn't have to be absolute. Sometimes rearranging the scenes is just what you need!

But when i was REALLY struggling, I'd find myself referring back to the original source. It was what inspired a fanfic after all! Sometimes taking a step back and reevaluating each character's personality helped me shape the scene into something that felt better. Other times I had to step back and remind myself about what was actually important to the story. (Example: originally, I had no idea how to get Donnie to the hidden city by himself. At first I tried to think of some lore on the mask to give Donnie a reason to go investigating Void... but it didn't feel right. The mask wasn't important. Not even Void was the most important thing to Donnie at the time. Leo was. And that helped me sort of get rid of the loosey-goosey idea of giving a complicated back story to the mask that made the story feel muddled.)

But even then, I wasn't sure if certain moves were the best they could be! I was always worried (and continue to be) that I poured too much into descriptions, or spent too much time talking about emotions with too little action. Or that I overuse phrases. But so long as each chapter made me happy, I figured readers would enjoy them too.

If I could go back and do something different... I wouldn't have goofed with Leo's kraang parasite adaptation in Mad Dog Part 2: Prom. I was trying to make his parasite enter an obvious 'stage 2 boss battle' look, but later I realized I didn't like how I described it lol.

But!!! I will confess, I'm no saint-- when i started getting lovely comments, it helped pour gas on the fire to keep going. And that's why I'm so thankful for every comment or doodle or ask sent my way. You guys are amazing and helped me get the fire under my ass to keep going, even when things were really hard.

I know it sounds so corny and like a cop-out answer, but ultimately, it's YOUR personal investment in YOUR story that is the secret sauce!!! So long as your interested in it, it won't feel so impossible to write a long fic. There will be challenges (like there is with any project) but honestly?? If you're head over heels for your own story, it will be fun and fulfilling. Even if you don't finish-- so long as it made you happy, that's what matters the most. (Again, that's so cheesy... but just like Master Leonardo tells Leo, 'cheesiness makes the best pizza pies in life'.)

Thank you again so much for this fun ask-- and I believe in you! You've got this. Have fun, enjoy writing, and have confidence in your work, because it makes YOU happy, and that's the greatest thing a story could be.

[sugarpasteltmnt]

me every time there’s a shot of Radio City theatre during the Thanksgiving parade on tv

happy Leo destroyed the Krang Key once and for all day I mean Thanksgiving

[sugarpasteltmnt]

happy Leo destroyed the Krang Key once and for all day I mean Thanksgiving

[sugarpasteltmnt]

I’m loving Purgatory Paradise so far, the only complaint I have is that there isn’t more of it. One question I have though (and sorry if you’ve already answered something like this) is when Leo does eventually heal enough to go on missions again does he ever accidentally go “feral-Void-crazy mode” because all of those crazed instincts and tendencies couldn’t go away that easily.

i'm so glad you like it!!! i'd really like to write more but unfortunately i'm just swamped with irl things right now and haven't had any time to write anything 😞

and yes!! i like to think that eventually Leo is well enough to live a (mostly) normal life.

However... that part of him will never truly be gone.

[sugarpasteltmnt]

AHHHHHHHHH MY FUNKY LITTLE GUY!!! omg i love how you did his armor and his little tail masks and i especially love the one with him crying with a smile and his lil breakdown I LOVE HIM!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH AHHH 💞🩵💗💕❤️🩵💞💖

This absolute JUGGERNAUT of a spread is from @sugarpasteltmnt 's crazy good fic The Neon Void, which I've linked below!

I just gotta say, not only do I love fics like this one where Leo has a Bad Time, but I also adored how expressive he was?? My guy was crashing out every two seconds and the text really helped me picture how his body would flop around like a fish alongside his rapid mood swings lmao

(also the descriptions of his getups were very detailed and the artist in me very much appreciated it thank you pookie <3)

[sugarpasteltmnt]

Hi sugar, its me again, the artist of the boo and whatcha doin artwork. I love Neon Rain, and I always repeat the same song over and over again, when I read that chapter. The famous song that I like to repeat, is called Rain by Hollywood Undead. Thank you so much for making a series not only I enjoy. Thank you so much.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7LcqhoHYwrCN0PydCtAjqI?si=wVEup8eQS1SskNIwyYjdWg

Btw, you have to click the link twice for it to work and click spodify if it appears, if it doesn't work, then you can look it up!

Thanks again Sugar, and the community of NV for continuing the beautiful series

awww!!! thank you so much! i'm so glad you liked it!! and omg this is a great song-- into the playlist!! 💞

i really love thinking of amvs to songs and listening to songs on repeat during chapters so it makes me really happy knowing you liked the music pairing i gave the chapter ;w;💗

[sugarpasteltmnt]

AYO??????

I'M REALLY MAKING IT OMG!! That's the first scene I have for the animatic. It's being so funny to make it! I really enjoy drawing the scenes, but my favorite part of all this so far is the editing, I'm not going to lie.

Just wanted to see what would work better with the editing program. I really really like it so far. XD

[sugarpasteltmnt]

AHHH my spooky little guy!!! hehehe thank you so so much!!

Neon Void!!!!! Gosh I absolutely loved this fanfic and it’s currently one of the ones I’m rereading! If you haven’t read it I suggest you go check it out! It’ll be worth it! All credit for Neon Void goes to the amazing @sugarpasteltmnt

I had fun with this and I hope I did your Leo justice!

[sugarpasteltmnt]

Hello, i was curious if you were okay with binding/print your fic (The Neon Void specifically) :> (it's okay if not!!)

i'd be so HONORED!!!! !!

[sugarpasteltmnt]

hi sugar, it's me again, the one who made the boo, and whatcha doin scene but Im just on a different account of mine. I woke up during my slumber 😔😔, just to realize that everyone's so happy Leo's healing and he's back home etc, but everyone seemed to forget that HE LITERALLY ATE HALF OF A MUTANT WORM??????! And the fact that Warren is still in that little tummy of Leo's is just weird to me. But other than that.. awesome... moment I love void, and Leo! Byeee

there's a lot of troubling things Leo did and ate while running around but don't worry it's fine (...probably??)

(hoping to write some sweet comfort regarding Leo and food here in the future hehe)

[sugarpasteltmnt]

CASEY JONES JR IS VOICED BY SORA KINGDOM HEARTS????

[sugarpasteltmnt]

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