#I'M A WRITER

[frnkmush]

musician regulus black and painter james potter, for some reason.

regulus' tour and james' art exhibitions mean they haven't had much time together. coincidentally, they end up in some city at the same time, in the same hotel, and they make the most of it.

the next day, regulus has to make the crowd sing for him because he mysteriously mysteriously has a sore throat 👀👀

[chronicbeans]

Y'all Ready for my Hazbin Hotel Hot Take?

I have like 3 different hot takes for the Hazbin/Helluva series, but I haven't seen anyone mention this one, yet. You ready?

Hazbin Hotel is a poorly written, but still enjoyable series (so far).

I liked watching the show, don't get me wrong. That's why I said the show is still enjoyable. Just because I think something is poorly written doesn't mean I dislike it. In fact, far from it! I've watched a lot of movies I've thought (or even the majority of the people who watched it thought) was really badly written, but still absolutely LOVED it! So, even if something is not written well, it doesn't mean you should suddenly stop enjoying it altogether. So, I'll go into the reasons why I think it wasn't necessarily written well but still enjoyable to explain what I mean. It starts out with the criticism, then ends with me explaining why I still enjoy it and a small concept.

TW: Abuse, Mental Health, Criticism of Hazbin Hotel (I know very well some of you can go crazy about it), Talking about Valentino

I mainly just think, outside of the rushed pacing, the first season had a lot of serious topics that weren't treated with the proper care needed. Such as Angel's abuse at the hands of Valentino or the Exterminations at the hands of the angels. The story tells us "this is bad", but a lot of audiences will hear that and simply not process HOW BAD it really is supposed to be, a bit like being desensitized without actually being desensitized to the topic. This is why I think the term "show don't tell" is often used when describing this show's flaws. A lot of people don't actually feel the weight of what's happening if just told. As a writer, I can understand how difficult it is to get that balance of showing enough to convey the full impact, but not showing too much as to make the story uncomfortable to read, and I'd imagine it's a lot more complicated in animation where you are actually showing what is happening. It's just that the audience feels it better when showed. While I'm not saying things like Val's abuse towards Angel or a massive group of demons getting annihilated should be shown, there are ways to show things to convey the message that these events are horrible things.

An example I like to use is the original Mulan, where the scene starts as a musical then everything goes quiet when they see the destroyed village. You see the absolute tragedy that happened, know what it implies, and nobody has to say "wow this is bad". We see it on our character's faces, hear it in the silence, and the physical darkening of the area compared to the song just before makes it hit harder. While I understand that Hazbin is a musical, I feel like it doesn't understand that there's a place and a time for a song to say and not show, as well as a place and a time for it to ENHANCE the show don't tell.

I feel this is especially important to know how to balance that with heavy topics like abuse, war, death, etc. because of the aforementioned fact that people don't understand how bad the topic is if they're just told. They feel a detachment towards the subject unless they are one of the people who have been affected by it, and if it's done wrong it can come off as offensive or even mislead people on those topics. In order to get those who don't have those experiences you need to show it in a way that isn't too intense but isn't glossing over it. It's just that Hazbin doesn't do that. While I'm glad that they try, in my opinion, it just doesn't hit it correctly, especially with Angel Dust's abuse.

However, I do love a lot of things about the show. A few of the jokes got me to laugh (this isn't meant to be a backhanded compliment, btw, it's generally hard to get me to laugh even if I find something funny so it's actually a compliment). The art is very pretty, even if I think there's too much red due to my shade blindness. Many of the characters are fun, and even the ones I despise are at least tolerable. Especially Adam! He's an asshole, but he's a fun asshole, in my honest opinion. A character you love to hate. The only real character I kind of think isn't written that well (at least for the role that he plays and the writing surrounding him) is, ironically, Valentino. Aka probably the most hated character of the series so far.

Considering Val's actions being EXTREMELY deplorable, I don't understand why there's these times where they try to make him funny or seem more lighthearted. I did enjoy that time when Niffty tore off his fluff and ran off because it served as a refresher after the intense scene of Angel confronting him, but the other times are odd to me. He seems like a threat only when the writers want him to be a threat, when really, he should be a constant threat considering one of our main characters is constantly in danger of his abuse.

He wouldn't even need much of a personality change, either. His over reactionary personality and slightly erratic behavior can be TERRIFYING if the show treated it that way. Instead, while I was watching it seemed like it was treated as more of a joke. While being over reactive isn't something that makes you a bad person, being a bad person that is over reactive can be terrifying. As someone who has met a person like that, it feels like walking on eggshells and not knowing what you should say, what you should do to calm them down, and even if you should calm them or leave them be to calm on their own. Imagine if they had that scene where Vox checks on Val, but instead of Vox being extremely calm and composed, he's visibly trying to stay calm but is internally worried. It'd show that, while the other two Vees are condoning his actions and letting them stay, even they aren't sure if they're safe from his violent temper. It'd help imply just how bad his abusive actions are towards his workers and Angel if even his two colleagues - his EQUALS - don't feel completely safe.

Anyways, that was my rant/hot take. The show doesn't have to be exactly how I want it for me to like it. Hell, I LOVE it for what it's trying to do. I just have my own critiques on how some things are handled, and the hope that it'll keep striving to attempt to handle those topics better.

[weareallgonnaliveforawhile]

Mob Psycho x Saiki K Cross Over

Alright classic crossover, we all know the drill BUT the way it starts is different. Or should I say, the PEOPLE who start it are different.

I introduce you to what I fondly call the 'Teruhashi joins Spirits and such' au also called the 'Kokomi Reigen' au

Also, just like everything, I thought far too much about the intricies of this. Please ask me questions. In a rude way, nice way, secret third mental projection way, it doesn't matter, please question me.

I mean, either way even if you don't question me, I'm still gonna talk about this. As much as possible.

[potato-jem]

"let henry have long hair in the sequel" this! "we need long hair henry in the sequel" that! what about henry with a slutty little gay earring in the sequel (and also with long hair, you guys are so right)

[rainintheevening]

Every time I go to Staples to print something I walk past the display of fancy journals on my way to the back where the copiers are, and I stop to peruse the selection almost every single time, and sigh over some of the gorgeous covers, and today there was a really nice little one I had never seen before, and it was so HARD to leave without buying it. But what am I gonna do with ANOTHER journal???

[adharagranley-writer]

post-its are my best friend

[uwudonoodle]

Am I the only writer who doesn't like to listen to music while writing? It seems like everyone else has a collection of playlists to write to. It's weird, because practically every other minute of my life I've got headphones on to listen to something, but not while writing. Maybe it's because I'm a singer, so any song with lyrics I'm tempted to sing along, which is the ultimate distraction. I thought the solution would be classical music. I have a lot of movie and video game soundtracks, but even those are distracting to me.

Music is just so emotionally specific, and if the vibes don't match the scene I'm writing, it throws me off. I feel like I'd spend half my time finding just the right song, then I'd get sick of it because I'm not a fast writer. I also don't really want my favorite songs to become associated with moments of frustrating writer's block forever more. I prefer total silence, but have sometimes settled for white noise videos like "wind in the trees" or "afternoon rainstorm" to drown out more annoying sounds like construction next door. I've thought of getting some really good ear plugs to ensure silence no matter where I am.

Are there any other writers out there who crave pure silence while you're working?

[persephone-belladonna]

can you turn a liver into fabric or leather?

[notachamealeon]

I think if Damny Phantom ever got a reboot, they shouldn't reset everything to square one. Sure they could continue where the original series left off but there is a literally ghost of wibbly wobbly timey wimeys to cause irreparable shenanigans with and thus my idea is

Dan has broken out of his prison and is cause immeasurable damage to the ghost zone and human world. No ghost or ghost hunter stood a chance cause he grew stronger and gain new abilities, some even more powerful than the ghostly wail. Clockwork is forced to insert Dan back into the timeline to save all of reality and inadvertently sets the world back to episode one but in the modern day. Time is on a new course but the destination is still the same.

Bonus, Danny's ghost half can vaguely remember the previous version of the timeline so Danny dreams about his past life and his future self.

[wayfaringauthorofficial]

Maybe in another life,

you would have a heart.

Eyes wouldn’t pierce me like blades

I used to cradle in the dark

when you decide to grace my side of town again.

In another life, maybe you aren’t a liar,

a serpent wrapping around the hearts of girls

just to fill their veins with your venom.

Maybe in another life,

you’ll mean something more to me

than a waste of words on these pages.

[theworstofallpossibleworlds]

In this week's episode, A.J. made fun of the way Brian names characters in his scripts. It is the official position of The Worst of all Possible Worlds that these names are normal actually and the only reason Brian's plays have never been produced is because maybe they'd sell too many tickets and make people too jealous if they missed seeing them.

[autiezo]

Today, I felt that my writing and voice-acting was fucking useless. In my mind, everyone's art was great and mine was awful, because I'm actually a burden, awful and worthless so that will translate into whatever I create.

Then I thought about Harry Du Bois's goofy ass hyping himself so much to... paint a stickman on the wall. A 5-year-old novice drawing for the whole town to see. And I could see this man being so goddamn proud of himself, enjoying his work and feeling happy. Harry has many moments where he shit on himself, but he didn't do that then. Such a silly goober.

Because of the absurdity, I laughed so loud. But I knew HDB was right to be pleased. So I voiced my writing today.

I watched a video where Harry passed the Empathy check with Acele. About how we should do art, to fight against the dark. To show that we're alive.

My problem is that sometimes I don't want to be alive. But Harry has the same problem too, and he still believes in his bad art.

I'm going to finish making those little videos.

[majorsoapfan]

Finally made some long needed changes to my blog layout . . . except for my username, which I just cannot find a decent one.

Also just in case anyone notices on AO3 and gets confused . . . I've changed my A03 username to 'Majorsoapfan' too for now.

[insomniacirl]

/Genq

Hey guys, as someone who doesn't care to come first and is sitting with relatively comfortable grades (B's mostly) and higher in the subjects I actually care about- how do I deal with being moved down in the class I'm actually supposed to be good at and have always excelled at?

*Eye twitching*

[coffeedrgn87]

Navigating the Highs and Lows of Creativity: A Personal Reflection

My love affair with writing began in my early teens, an intimate dance with words that took the form of journal entries, poetry (I sucked at that!), and heartfelt letters to pen pals, my big sister being my most loyal correspondent. Then came the short stories, and eventually, the fan fiction. When I think about the fact that I’ve been part of the writing world—in some form or other—for over two decades, I always have to take a moment to digest the thought. It gives me pause; it is all kinds of mesmerising.

Those early days were filled with the thrill of discovery, but also the quiet anticipation of a reply that may never come—a pattern that, even now, defines much of my writing journey. And despite having this vast ‘experience’, I still find myself learning—learning how to write, how to edit. Like many writers around me, I post my work online. And yet, despite the countless hours I pour into my work, I’ve never quite grown accustomed to the silence that often follows. No matter how many times I tell myself that feedback isn’t everything, it never fails to disappoint when it doesn’t come. It always hurts, always makes me question whether I’m on the right path.

Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t an essay asking for more comments or wanting to increase reader interaction. This is me taking a moment to self-reflect because I know I’m not alone in this feeling. Every writer goes through this; we have the same experience each time we share our work with the world. Why is that? Well, writing is a deeply personal act—it’s not just an offering of words; it’s also a piece of ourselves—whether that’s a response to trauma or a way to process the myriad ways of life’s curveballs.

When that humble offering is met with silence, it can feel like a rejection of something much more profound than just our work—as if the very essence of our thoughts and emotions, laid bare on the page, were somehow unworthy of acknowledgement. It’s a rejection of the parts of ourselves we writers—unbeknownst to our readers—made vulnerable.

As an introverted, mental-health-battling coffeedragon (who prefers quiet spaces and small groups), I’ve learnt to be cautious about where I seek validation. I’ve been burned before, and the thought of reaching out to strangers for feedback is daunting—even after over two decades in the writing world. The scars of past experiences make me wary of exposing myself again, and yet the desire for recognition persists. It’s a difficult balance to maintain: the need for validation and the need to protect my inner self. This delicate balance between creation and recognition is one that every writer navigates, often in solitude.

But, as I’ve grown older, as I’ve matured, and got to know myself better, I’ve developed coping strategies. I remind myself of the importance of writing for the love of it. I indulge in calligraphy, curiously seek out ways to create captivating content, and celebrate my progress. Sometimes it’s as simple as sending a rambly message into the Tumblr void, creating a record of that day’s achievements. What I mean to say is, I focus on the joy of creation rather than the reaction of others. I know that I’ve grown as a writer, that my skill, style, and voice have evolved and improved over the years. I know that my work has value, even if it isn’t always acknowledged, because I choose to acknowledge it myself, because I choose kindness.

And yet, despite knowing all these things, it can be difficult to remember them in the moment. Especially when I’m riding the high of having created something special. It’s then that I always forget. In those moments of euphoria, when I’m positively buzzing with what I’ve accomplished and am eager to share it with the world, the lack of recognition stings even more. The contrast between the high of creation and the low of unmet expectation—however unrealistic—is jarring. And each time it happens, it becomes a little harder to persist, to not give up.

In recent months, I’ve finally allowed myself to admit that it’s crucial for me to have strategies in place that help me navigate these emotional swings. So, I actively choose to document my feelings. I remind myself why I’m proud of my work and what the process meant to me—and I keep these reflections close at hand so that they are available to me when I need them the most. I take time to understand on my emotions, actively allowing myself to process any disappointment I may feel, while choosing to revisit the joy the process of creation brought me. As a coffeedragon, I tend to celebrate with a mug of freshly brewed, steaming coffee, indulge in scrapbooking art or other forms of hands-on expression, and even take the time to meditate, read a book or story I love, or enjoy a bit of fan art.

Central to my survival as a writer is the resolve to keep creating, a practice that has become both my refuge and my resilience. Starting a new project while still riding the wave of the last one helps me maintain my creative momentum. Rather than sulk or even complain, I actively steer myself away from getting stuck in disappointment. Instead, I remind myself that I am my own audience, that I created something for my own enjoyment. To me, that is a significant achievement. My work brings me joy, and I relish celebrating that—even if my characters sometimes have ideas that don’t quite align with my initial plans. 🤣

Persisting can be exhausting, but each time I choose to continue weaving a jumble of words together until they create a story, I not only build resilience, but I also hone my skills. Does it make the lows less painful? No. But it does make me stronger, and it does keep me focused on what’s important.

So, I keep writing. I keep growing, and I remind myself that this journey is mine, and mine alone. Just as in those early days of writing letters, where I learned to find satisfaction in the act itself rather than the response, I now understand that my writing journey is a deeply personal one, worth celebrating regardless of who chooses to join me. Silence hurts—every writer feels this way—but it doesn’t diminish the value or the joy my writing brings me. And that, I believe, is something worth celebrating—whether or not the world chooses to join in.

[adharagranley-writer]

i'm not crazy, i'm just a writer