#2024writingyearinreview

[fili-is-gone]

2024 writing year in review

tagged by the one and only @persnickett 💛

I must be insane because I didn't actually realise I wrote that much until I made this post and it kept going and going and going... really put things into perspective! My ongoing wips, as well as my German fics, didn't make the list (might be doing a separate post for the German ones), still we got 24 fics for 2024. That's two fics per month 😳 granted, some of them are a total of 250 words and others sat in my Google Docs for three years before I finally got over myself and posted them...

January

The Runner and the Lover: Maze Runner (E)

Every time he closed his eyes, Newt's face surfaced in the fog, always hovering on the edge of his consciousness. There was something about him that Thomas couldn’t figure out—and if Thomas had learned anything about himself in the few days spent in the Glade, it was that he was drawn to things he didn't understand, driven by an inexplicable need to fathom them. And Newt? Newt was one of those things. or: Thomas’ curiosity once again gets the better of him and he sees something he’s not supposed to see. Luckily Newt happens to be around to help him understand it.

April

Before the Maze: Maze Runner, (G)

“I could tell him,” Chuck offered after a pause, his voice small. “When I’m there, with them. If you want, I mean. I could tell him.” Thomas shook his head slowly, a heavy sadness weighing his features. “No. He doesn’t remember me. And... neither will you.”

Elmhallow: HappyHead, (T)

It's their first night at Elmhallow. Kept awake by worry about Shelly and Finn, Seb hears noises outside and makes a terrible discovery.

August

loss of my life: Maze Runner, (G)

Thomas made it to Safe Haven, Newt didn't.

(basically loml but make it worse because newtmas)

September

I Kissed A Girl (And I Liked It): Maze Runner, (T)

Sonya didn’t worry about being accepted by her friends. She knew they’d support her just as she had supported them. But telling them she wasn’t who they thought she was—that was hard. They saw her as the token straight friend, the ever-loyal ally. Never one of them. Lately, though, living that lie had become suffocating. Everyone else was so open about their queerness, but Sonya felt like an imposter. What if she wasn’t queer enough? What if she was just imagining this to fit in? But no—her feelings for Harriet were real, as was the ache that came with them. Sonya knew coming out wouldn’t suddenly make Harriet fall in love with her. That wasn’t the point. She just wanted to be herself. And what better time to come out than Pride? (written for The Maze Women 2023, prompt: Pride)

Teardrops On My Guitar: Stranger Things, (G)

It’s late, but sleep won’t come—not when it’s either nightmares of Demobats or thoughts of Steve that keep him awake. On nights like this, when Eddie feels too much, he reaches for his old acoustic guitar stashed in the back of the van. He starts picking out the same chords he’s played a hundred times since that night he came home drunk from Steve’s. His fingers find the melody on their own, a song he’s never shown anyone. The words came on a night when he’d been too high, too heartsick to keep the tears at bay. Pathetic. But heartbreak? That’s rock ’n’ roll, isn’t it? The best songs come from suffering, and Eddie’s a master at that. He doesn’t need the crumpled napkin where he first scrawled the lyrics—he knows them by heart. or: Teardrops On My Guitar but it’s a song Eddie wrote about Steve

THE LONLIEST: Maze Runner, (E)

Sometimes when someone dies, their soul may latch onto a beloved object from their life, becoming inseparably linked to it. Just as a human's existence is defined by their heartbeat, the spirit's existence becomes tied to this object. or: you know how sometimes you masturbate about your dead best friend and accidentally summon his ghost? (i read this prompt under a steddie fic and thought this might be fun for newtmas too... spoiler, this wasn't fun, this was sad)

When You Call (I Answer): Maze Runner, (M)

Minho had a habit of calling him or Alby when he felt lonely, sometimes Newt too, though not since the incident. Lately, these calls had been happening more frequently, especially with Minho living alone in that big empty house, his parents almost never around. Gally always felt a mix of frustration and guilt when he thought about it—Minho acted like he had it all together, but when he was left to his own devices, things like this happened.

Every Night Has Its Dawn: Maze Runner, (E)

And Thomas—Tommy—was blue, a steady and reliable force, like the endless sky above or the rhythmic consistency of waves breaking on the shore. Newt had always been yellow, consumed by cowardice and jealousy. But together, they were green. Green like life, like hope, like the memories they clung to in a world so full of loss. As for what Teresa brought into the mix? Newt couldn’t quite tell yet.

Puzzle: Maze Runner, (G)

Newt found himself glancing over at Thomas every few minutes, watching him work with precision, his brow furrowed in concentration, his fingers moving deftly as he sorted through pieces. A smile tugged at Newt’s lips. He was so hopelessly in love. or: Newt needs to finish an assignment, Tommy is a distraction, so he occupies him with a puzzle.

For Whom the Heart Tolls: Stranger Things, (T)

“I just organised that shelf,” Steve said, his irritation mounting as Eddie slotted a tape back in the wrong place—upside down, no less. “So fix it,” Eddie shot back with a laugh, turning to grab another one. Steve clenched his jaw, barely holding it together. “You know what? Fuck you, Eddie.” Without missing a beat, Eddie smirked, turning to look at Steve over his shoulder. “Fuck me yourself, you coward.” or: just a normal day at Family Video turned Eddie Munson's personal hangout

Make Calm Your Tempest: Maze Runner, (T)

“Sometimes they do things to make me do the opposite of what they think, I think, they think, I’m going to do.” Thomas’ words came out in a rush, jumbled and frantic, like he was trying to make sense of them even as they left his mouth. His voice cracked with the strain of staying one step ahead of WICKED. Newt, standing just a few feet away, narrowed his eyes in quiet frustration, his jaw tight. He was tired—of the plans, the uncertainty, and especially the sense of being toyed with like puppets. “Just do whatever you bloody wanna do,” Newt muttered, his voice sharp enough to cut through the tension. or: a missing scene set between Scorch Trials and Death Cure

When Hope Felt Like A Memory: Maze Runner, (M)

The failed mission to save Minho ends with Thomas and Newt captured, restrained, and speeding toward WICKED’s headquarters. As the soldiers taunt them, Newt’s unshakable loyalty to Thomas turns into a fierce act of rebellion.

Something Sacred: Maze Runner, (E)

A floor below, Brenda suddenly halts mid-step, her mind racing with an impulse she can’t quite shake. Frypan, caught off guard, nearly stumbles into her back, his brow furrowing in confusion as he steadies himself. “What’s up?” he asks, and before Brenda can stop herself, the words are already tumbling out of her mouth. “I was just thinking… You want me to blow you?” The question hangs in the air for a long, stunned moment. Frypan blinks, his surprise evident as his eyes widen. “What?” or: After their heated fight, Brenda looks for Thomas and Newt, only to discover an unexpected moment of intimacy that forces her to confront her own feelings and the complexities of human connection.

October

Lessons in Resuscitation: Maze Runner, (G)

“At this rate, Minho’s a goner,” Gally's voice cut through the air. “Maybe Clint should pair you up with someone else, Greenie—like the dummy.” He smirked, his arms still crossed as he leaned against the Homestead wall. Minho sat up, wiping tears from his eyes. “Jealous much, Gally? Maybe you wanna make out with the dummy instead?” “Stop being such a pain in the shuck,” Gally shot back. “That’s enough! Minho, you’re clearly too alive to be resuscitated,” Clint said with a stern glance at Minho. “Newt, can you help our Greenie out?” Before Thomas could decide whether to be more annoyed at Minho or embarrassed by the idea of practising on Newt, Minho sat up, still grinning like he’d just won some kind of game. “Have fun, Greenie,” he said with a teasing lilt to his voice. “Try not to get too flustered.” or: In the Glade, a routine lesson on mouth-to-mouth resuscitation quickly spirals into an unexpected exploration of feelings when Thomas and Newt find themselves at the centre of a playful yet intense demonstration

black abyss: Maze Runner, (M)

And with his heart falling into a black abyss, Thomas pulled the trigger.

November

in sleep, though, he speaks: Maze Runner, (G)

Two years have passed since they arrived at Safe Haven, and Thomas hasn’t spoken a single word ...

how to save a life: Maze Runner, (G)

The one in which Chuck lives. And Thomas doesn't.

It Don't Matter (I'll take every part of you): Maze Runner, (E)

Newt pulled Thomas close, holding him as if the world might pull them apart. Their kisses were deep, heartfelt, but restrained—Newt never pushed for more, never crossed the fragile boundary they’d silently agreed upon. His lips moved with desperate tenderness, but his mind drifted, spiralling into thoughts he tried to ignore. His body betrayed him, heat pooling low. He could feel himself growing harder, could feel the way he was yearning for more. Yet he stayed still, as if any movement might shatter the moment. He didn’t dare let Thomas feel the full extent of his want—not when the weight of his longing was matched only by the terror of losing what they had. or: After nine months together, Newt suspects Thomas might be asexual and doesn’t want to push him into anything he’s not comfortable with. But Thomas won’t let Newt hold back on his account...

Reason to Believe (they might still have a chance): Maze Runner, (G)

Minho had always prided himself on knowing the people around him better than they knew themselves. It was part of being a Runner, he figured—observing patterns, noticing the details others missed. The Glade was no different. Every Glader had a rhythm, a way they fit into the controlled chaos of their strange little world. And Newt… well, Newt used to be an easy read. But ever since that day—the day Newt hadn’t returned from the Maze—everything had changed. or: early Newtmas through Minho's eyes.

Everything’s Meant to Be Broken: Maze Runner, (E)

Teresa’s grip tightened in Thomas’ hair, her presence relentless, her movements deliberate. Her voice, calm yet charged with authority, sent a ripple of strange desire through Thomas. Every word she spoke seemed impossible to defy, a shiver of command that crept down his spine and left him powerless to do anything but obey. or: Scroch Trials Betrayal Scene but instead of Aris it's Newt with Teresa. (And instead of betrayed, Thomas feels aroused. Oops)

December

keepsake: Maze Runner, (G)

Thomas kept Newt's jacket.

I Fell For Your Eyes (I just realised): Maze Runner, (G)

After breaking up with Gally a few weeks ago, Bren isn't in the mood to spend New Year’s Eve surrounded by happy couples. Seeking solace, they left their uncle’s apartment, only to unexpectedly run into someone who might just light up their night...

Tainted Saint: Maze Runner, (G)

Mary was only 21 when she committed herself to WICKED’s cause, brimming with a fierce, unshakable hope...

Did I do this right? I just copied your layout, Snick. I hope you don't mind 👀

tagging @go-catch-a-chickn @dont-bee-shy @koolwhipped @get-the-medjacks @pathsofoak @directionerplusgleek @victoriandrama

(I'm sorry if Snick already tagged you, this post took me so long by the end I forgot who was tagged before 😭)

[get-the-medjacks]

2024 writing year in review

✨tagged by the one and only @fili-is-gone ✨

I've never been the most prolific writer, but this year was when I truly got involved in the TMR fandom, so I'm a little sentimental. Nine fics in total and most related to some sort of fandom event

May:

I fear no fate (you are my fate) - Maze Runner, G

Mary's final thoughts before her death in the Scorch [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bingo, three sentence fic]

I'm hers and she is mine - Maze Runner, G

Miyoko had watched Rachel die and grieved the loss of the girl she had only started to love. Turns out, Rachel didn't die afterall. [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bingo, major character (un)death]

Oh, your love is sunlight - Maze Runner, G

Sonya is hurt and can't run the Maze. Harriet is supposed to take her place for the day. Sonya would much rather Harriet stay at her side. [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bing, "because I want you to"]

The Road Less Traveled- Maze Runner, G

My Mary Cooper Magnum Opus In a normal world, in a normal life, Dr. Mary Cooper and Ava Paige would have never met. But this was far from a normal world and a normal life. Or: Ava and Mary. How they met, fell in love, fell apart, and ultimately ended up on opposite sides of a war [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bingo, free space]

Home with You- Maze Runner, T

Beth doesn't know where she fits into life on Safe Haven, but at least she has her hideaway on the cliffs. As it turns out, she's not the only one who likes the solitude [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bingo, They Never Met in Canon]

If I fall (don't fall away from me)- Maze Runner, T

Janson, for being WCKD's head of security, was an absolutely awful shot. Which is unfortunate for WCKD, but excellent for Mary. [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bingo, canon divergence]

Lady of the Golden Wood- Maze Runner, G

Alejandra is temporarily abandoned by her friends at their local renaissance fair, which ends up being a good thing because she encounters the most beautiful woman in the world. [Maze Runner Rare Pair Bingo, Alternate Universe]

December:

Stars, Hide Your Fires- Maze Runner, T

Notorious thief, Aris Jones, is dismayed to learn that the man he's been pining over is a newly promoted police detective. Newly promoted police detective, Gally, has been handed an impossible case, the city's most prolific thief ring, the 21 Gang. After a chance run in at the Glade Café, sparks fly between the two and romance blooms. But can they each keep their secrets? [TMRSS 2024]

for the moon falls to the sea- Maze Runner, G

Death was inevitable, but inevitability did not erase death's sting. Or, in which Jorge dies a peaceful death on the island and Brenda and family mourn the loss of their father and grandfather

Fili I'm also copying your layout because I've never done anything like this before, I hope that's okay 😅😅

Tagging: whoever wants to join!