#Romance 'novel'

[sabo-has-my-heart]

Victorian Era Sabo 'Novel' Ch. 1

Lord Sabo is well known for his handsome looks, wealth, and almost angelic face, with women all across the city, and even those from far lands who desire to be wed to such a man. Yet, despite his status, he cuts down a horse for a mere vagrant girl. Now as a maid in his household, they must both attempt to navigate a bond unbefitting a lord of his standing.

artwork commissioned from @kwnblack

     Sabo looked off into the distance in boredom, his legs crossed and his head resting gently against his hand. More women were coming today with gifts for him just for the chance to fling themselves at his feet. As one of the most handsome and eligible men in the city, he had women of all kinds vying for his hand in marriage. Even some of the extremely wealthy women and a couple of foreign families had asked to see him. His parents reveled in it. Expensive gifts from influential families, his family name becoming respected in all the social circles, even respect from the royal family. While they wanted him to pick one of the rich foreign women that had asked for him at some point, they weren’t in any particular hurry so long as they got what they desired, he was still young, he had plenty of time to marry. 

     He, on the other hand, wasn’t quite so interested. Women throwing themselves at him simply because of his good looks. Gorgeous, wavy, blond locks, tall with fair, seemingly flawless skin, confident yet aloof, well educated and talented. His sword skills were legendary, and while they weren’t the most influential or rich family, they had plenty of money and a large manor. Old money from times long past. No, few men in the city were quite as desirable as he was. And it bored him. He’d never been interested in his family’s wealth, never cared for the women who only desired his looks, and downright despised those who spoke respectfully to his face only to spit curses behind his back. He preferred learning from his master, his skills as a fighter growing ever more fearsome, spending time in the library, surrounded by silence and hundreds of different worlds found in the pages of each tome, and when allowed, visiting the only two people he would dare call friends. More than friends really, they were like family to him. More so than those in the same house as him. 

     The young lord didn’t even bother turning away from the window as the head butler led a group of ladies into the parlor, the women whispering amongst themselves as they laid eyes on him. Sabo just sighed.

     “If you can’t gain my attention, then leave.” he said simply as he picked up a book. This had become one of his ways to get women to leave while doing virtually nothing. If they couldn’t pull his attention away from his book or pulled his attention away in an annoying manner, then he wasn’t interested. The girls talked amongst themselves for a few minutes before starting to approach him one by one. Each of them introducing themselves before trying to impress him. Some talked of their family’s wealth, others speaking of their own accomplishments, or how influential their families were. It all went in one ear and out the other. The closest one of them got was his eyes briefly flicking up for a second before returning to his book. Slowly, they began to filter out until he was left alone once more, only to come face to face with his parents.

     “Still didn’t meet any women you liked? That’s quite alright, there’s still the wealthy girl from the nearby city who’s interested. She keeps sending love letters and gifts.” his mother said, smiling at him as if she actually cared about him.

     “The woman from the far away country to the south is quite exotic and being one of the few families to bring such resources into this country would bring everyone so much happiness.” his father added, like he actually cared about anyone other than himself being happy. 

     “I’m still considering both, there’s also the Lady to the snowy north and the cousin of the prince to consider as well. Surely such a decision should not be made hastily.” he said, eyes still flicking over the pages. 

     “Of course, of course, and we also wouldn’t want to insult anybody by jumping into a marriage too quickly. Doing so would likely anger the other ladies.” his mother agreed, his father nodding his empty head. The both of them left the room, leaving him in peace, though it only lasted for a moment.

     “You should just hurry and marry one of those rich women. Who cares what they’re like, the girl from the south would bring us unimaginable riches.” an annoying voice called from the doorway. His obnoxious younger brother. Taken in when he was a child. He never understood why his parents took him in, nor did he care, the boy was a nuisance. 

     “If you think her wealth is unimaginable, then clearly you have little imagination. Leave me before I tell mother and father that you’ve been pestering me again. You might have a few ladies who desire you, but you’ve let it go to your head. Or have you forgotten how they took away all but your most essential maid privileges for a week?” Sabo asked, his eyes still on his book. His arrogant, stuck up little brother, as if having maids taken away was such a barbaric punishment. Stelly only huffed before turning and leaving, slamming the parlor door behind him. It was the one benefit he could find in marrying a woman from another country. He wouldn’t have to deal with his infuriating little brother anymore. Glancing back out the window, Sabo placed a bookmark between the pages before snapping it shut. A small trip out would improve his mood.

     “James, get the carriage ready, would you?” Sabo called as he stood up, heading for his room. The older man bowed to him as he passed.

     “Of course, sir. Is there anything else you need?” the man asked, following Sabo.

     “No, just the carriage.” he said as he headed up the stairs. He needed a cloak as well as a few other things. With how well known he was, he couldn’t be seen in the lower districts, but he preferred the artisans there. They weren’t pompous fools who made overpriced junk that could snap apart in his fingers. 

     Even his damned carriage drew attention from all around, those outside clearly muttering to each other the moment they saw the carriage and, more importantly, who was inside it. While he didn’t particularly care if people saw him or what they thought, the fact that they all stared and whispered was grating. Reaching a large building, Sabo grabbed the few things he’d brought. His cane, a golden dragon head as its handle and a purse containing his cloak and the money he’d need. 

     “Stay here and wait for me. I have business inside.” Sabo said before turning from the stagecoach. The boy just nodded, knowing that when Sabo said he had business, it meant he would be gone for some time. Entering the establishment, he smirked, while it looked like a place for the rich to gather, and indeed it was, there was a secondary purpose to this place. This place that seemed like another place for those of wealth and rank, a large room with plenty of plush seating where business deals could be made, marriages arranged, and documents finalized, a place with a secret yet famous back room. Every family envied those who could access the back room, a place thought to be one of honor and prestige. Only a pass phrase could grant you access. Yet things weren’t that simple. They couldn’t go allowing any old noble in by accident. A phrase would only grant you access to the even grander, smaller room in the back, a room of such luxury and excess as to make one fat just from walking through the doors. It was true that some such families gathered back there and the establishment made quite a large amount of money from them, but the true value of the establishment was yet one step further. Approaching a man behind a marble counter, he pulled out a handful of coins.

     “My lord. It’s good to see you again. The backroom as always?” the man behind the counter asked, taking the coins from Sabo. Hearing a familiar clink, Sabo smiled. 

     “A single room, actually, one where I may enjoy myself.” He knew the man was discretely weighing Sabo’s coins while carefully listening to what the boy said. Three special coins made to weigh just slightly more than most, a ‘gift’ for return customers of his kind.

     “Of course, may you find everything you desire in your room.” the man said, pulling out a key and handing it to Sabo. The blond chuckled and took it before heading up the stairs, the envy of every eye below him. Handsome, rich, influential, and not only allowed into the backroom, but personally known by those running the establishment. As soon as he entered his ‘designated room’, he breathed a small sigh of relief. With no one around to bother him, he could let the air of pompous lord fall. The room looked quite lavish, only making Sabo roll his eyes as he walked over to a cabinet. Kneeling down, he quickly unlocked the elegant wooden doors, pushing the back of the cabinet until it gave under his fingertips, falling to reveal a much less lavish room. Crawling through, he closed the cabinet doors behind him and entered the new room. As soon as he was standing again, he was pulling out and dawning his cloak and a black wig before opening the nearby door. For all intents and purposes, he was officially in a different establishment, one that not only didn’t cater to the ultra wealthy, but was rumored to be a rather seedy place, not meant for this area of the city. Heading down the stairs, he smirked, dark eyes peering out from under the hood of his cloak to scan over the room. It was true that the place was rather seedy, blackmarket deals, illegal transactions, and nobles looking to procure items usually not found in more reputable areas. Or nobles looking to go back and forth between the lavish upper streets and the dirty lower districts. Stepping out into the nearby alleyway, Sabo took the various twists and turns towards the lower artisan’s shops. This was one of the reasons for the location of both establishments. The seedier side had back alley paths that led where he needed. It wasn’t as quick as a carriage, but it was nice to feel the dirty, rough cobblestones under his boots again. It didn’t take him long to reach the various shops that he was looking for. He’d made an order weeks ago, one that should be more than finished by now as he entered the rundown looking building. A timid boy looked up from his work, hurrying over to Sabo.

     “H-how can I help you sir?” the boy asked, dusting himself off as he stood behind a counter.

     “I’m here to pick up a custom order, a golden dragon cane.” Sabo said with a chuckle, pulling the cane he’d been carrying out from under his cloak, “Like this one.” His ridiculous parents, buying such a flimsy, worthless cane. He’d come here on his master’s recommendation to get something better. The boy nodded and ran into the back room, likely to get his father or master, possibly both, as well as Sabo’s order. It didn’t take long for a large man to come back, wiping his dirty hands on a rag.

     “You’re the one who made the order?” the man asked gruffly. Sabo smirked and nodded, pulling out a slip.

     “As proof.” he said, handing it to the man, watching as he took it and nodded.

     “I got your order ready, since you’re one of Dragon’s boys, I added a few things. It ain’t just reinforced, Dragon don’t go messin’ ‘round with his students, I included a blade in it, ‘case you might ever find yourself needin’ it. I know people don’t got a lot of need for that stuff nowadays, but thought I might throw it in just in case.” he said, making Sabo smile.

     “I appreciate it. Here, for the trouble.” he said, pulling out a few extra coins and holding them out. The man just held up a hand and shook his head.

     “Nah, anything for Dragon. He’s a good man, looks out for those of us here.” the man said, all too happy to help a friend of Dragon’s.

     “I insist, my master is a good man, but he’s only one man.” Sabo said, setting the coins on that counter, his words firm. Staring at each other for a moment, the man finally nodded and took the coins.

     “Very well, your purchase.” the man said, handing Sabo the cane. Taking it, Sabo pulled out the blade, watching as it glinted in the small amount of light from the dirty window. It was well balanced and sharp, the head of the cane looked a little different as well. Gone was the plain dragon head with ostentatious horns. The one in his hand snarled, tongue flicking out as if the beast were ready to snap at his hand. Far more fitting. Nodding his head in thanks, Sabo sheathed the blade, hid the cane back under his cloak, and left. His master had been right, the craftsmen of the lower streets did better work. More concerned with the quality of their products than producing cheap pieces meant for mere decoration. With his business finished, he returned to his room at the establishment, heading up the stairs without a word and using the same key he’d used on the more ostentatious door, both locks being identical. Taking off his disguise and setting the new cane against the wall, Sabo quickly stuffed his things back into his bag before heading back downstairs, handing the man behind the counter his key. The man said nothing as he took the key, just smiled as Sabo left without a word. Nothing needed to be said, they both knew why he’d been here. Getting back into the carriage, the stagecoach soon had them moving again, heading back to the manor. He’d gotten what he needed as well as some fresh air, both improving his mood greatly. Unfortunately, it was time to return home. The young noble was suddenly jerked from his thoughts as the carriage lurched. He could hear the snapping of the reigns and the distressed whinnies of the beast. Slamming the carriage door open, he jumped out, about to demand what was going on when his eyes landed on a young woman. She couldn’t have been much younger than him, wearing little more than rags, her hair matted and face caked with dirt as she stared up at the horse in fear. Tears gathered in her eyes and she faced away, clearly ready to accept her death at the hands of Sabo’s thoroughbred.

The rest of this work is available for purchase for $25. Though it is currently (9/4/2023) unfinished. If you pay for it, all current and subsequent chapters will still be made available to you.

Edit: the $25 is for the rough draft and the advanced final draft pdf that will contain the artwork included in the pdf.

[theaftersundown]

the holy grail types of fanfic

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Other Words for "Look" + With meanings | List for writers

Many people create lists of synonyms for the word 'said,' but what about the word 'look'? Here are some synonyms that I enjoy using in my writing, along with their meanings for your reference. While all these words relate to 'look,' they each carry distinct meanings and nuances, so I thought it would be helpful to provide meanings for each one.

Gaze - To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration or thought.

Glance - A brief or hurried look.

Peek - A quick and typically secretive look.

Peer - To look with difficulty or concentration.

Scan - To look over quickly but thoroughly.

Observe - To watch carefully and attentively.

Inspect - To look at closely in order to assess condition or quality.

Stare - To look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.

Glimpse - To see or perceive briefly or partially.

Eye - To look or stare at intently.

Peruse - To read or examine something with great care.

Scrutinize - To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

Behold - To see or observe a thing or person, especially a remarkable one.

Witness - To see something happen, typically a significant event.

Spot - To see, notice, or recognize someone or something.

Contemplate - To look thoughtfully for a long time at.

Sight - To suddenly or unexpectedly see something or someone.

Ogle - To stare at in a lecherous manner.

Leer - To look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious way.

Gawk - To stare openly and stupidly.

Gape - To stare with one's mouth open wide, in amazement.

Squint - To look with eyes partially closed.

Regard - To consider or think of in a specified way.

Admire - To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval.

Skim - To look through quickly to gain superficial knowledge.

Reconnoiter - To make a military observation of a region.

Flick - To look or move the eyes quickly.

Rake - To look through something rapidly and unsystematically.

Glare - To look angrily or fiercely.

Peep - To look quickly and secretly through an opening.

Focus - To concentrate one's visual effort on.

Discover - To find or realize something not clear before.

Spot-check - To examine something briefly or at random.

Devour - To look over with eager enthusiasm.

Examine - To inspect in detail to determine condition.

Feast one's eyes - To look at something with great enjoyment.

Catch sight of - To suddenly or unexpectedly see.

Clap eyes on - To suddenly see someone or something.

Set eyes on - To look at, especially for the first time.

Take a dekko - Colloquial for taking a look.

Leer at - To look or gaze in a suggestive manner.

Rubberneck - To stare at something in a foolish way.

Make out - To manage to see or read with difficulty.

Lay eyes on - To see or look at.

Pore over - To look at or read something intently.

Ogle at - To look at in a lecherous or predatory way.

Pry - To look or inquire into something in a determined manner.

Dart - To look quickly or furtively.

Drink in - To look at with great enjoyment or fascination.

Bask in - To look at or enjoy something for a period of time.

[oddthesungod]

Windswept 🍃

[wotchernewt]

there's something kinda funny to me about certain ways scar tends to be drawn because it's like. okay imagine hypothetically you took a distillation of fanon scar designs and showed it to someone who's never even heard of a minecraft, and asked them what they think this guy might be like. we're ignoring context here, pretend we're showing them a ref sheet. and it's like, alright, here's a rugged looking buff guy. nice abs. lots of scars. he's got a smug grin on his face. very shirtless. he looks like the love interest in a bodice ripper. i bet he's got some dark angsty secret he keeps buried underneath that suave facade. but not buried too deeply, just enough to intrigue.

and then you go watch third life and he is like a cat whose owner keeps desperately trying to make him stop eating plastic.

[weirdsociology]

hey writers we have to talk.

if you've read any romance or fanfic in the past twenty years (i know you have), you know that there are a certain number of scents associated with hot dudes. you can probably recite the list of Things Men in Fic smell like in your sleep: leather, black pepper, pine, sandalwood, "something uniquely him", clean sweat, and if the character has ever fucking been within 50 yards of a firearm, something called "cordite".

here's the thing.

NO ONE SMELLS LIKE CORDITE.

cordite was a highly specific type of smokeless gunpowder developed in the 1890s by england specifically and used mostly in wwi.

if your good-smelling guy is not (a) english (b) using a very specific type of british rifle (c) dying in a trench in flanders, he does not smell like cordite. technically even if he does meet all those conditions he still doesn't smell like cordite because he smells like trenchfoot.

the point is, cordite is so far from universal that no one but the most hardcore gun nerds give a single shit about it. making your Sexy Hero smell like cordite is like naming a cassette-only bootleg live recording from the 1970s as your favorite grateful dead album. everyone at the party hates you immediately and knows you're doing it for clout. also, it's just factually... wrong. please stop. i know everyone else is doing it, but you can do the right thing here, i believe in you.

so what do people who are using guns smell like?

well if your story is set before the late 1880s, the smell of a fired gun is black powder, which, unfortunately, smells like seventeen flatulent cows have been shoved in a tire factory. trust me, you do not want your Hot Dude to smell like black powder. it's b a d.

if your story is set after the late 1880s, guns are using some variety of modern 'smokeless' powder - which speaking broadly doesn't really have a ton of scent when used. it does have some, but it's sort of non-descript: the best way i can describe it is the sweet, ozone, hot-plate smell of popping your car hood with a warm engine.

people who use guns a lot don't smell like fired guns all the time anyway, so while those scents might work in a fight scene, they're not realistic all the time. but there are some things that your Sexy Shootist will smell like basically 24/7 and that's metal and gun oil. metal you can go and sniff (i recommend non-stainless steel), but if you want a reference, most gun oils have a sharp, organic smell that's not dissimilar to canola oil but muskier and with a tang overtop. it's not unlikely leather is in the mix as well due to routine handling of leather equipment and gear. modern gear also tends to have a certain smell although it varies by production country and storage conditions - lots of opportunities there.

in conclusion: gunslingers and hired killers and military folks can be sexy and smell great on page, but i am begging you not to say "cordite" when you mean "gunpowder" ever again. we can do this. we are writers and therefore pedants. i believe in us!

[stjohnstarling]

Do you have any advice for writing romance in general? I can't figure out a plot without making the romance a background idea :/

Come up with a pair of people who contrast in a pleasing way

Make them really really really want each other

Give them a great reason they must not, under any circumstances, fuck

Write about the consequences

[goryhorroor]

my favorite genre of women is running from creepy castles/houses

[elumish]

I wish there was approximately 100% less biphobia in gay romance novels.

[amazon-dot-com]

hell yeah gamer grandma

[yeoldenews]

For all my fellow name nerds out there, I am very pleased to present the third annual "Gloyd Roberson Memorial List of Actual Human Children Who Wrote Letters to Santa in 1920s/30s Oklahoma".

These names aren’t all necessarily “weirder than Gloyd” but fall into three rough categories which I’ve dubbed: “that’s got a nice ring to it”, “if I used this in a novel it would be considered too unrealistic” and “you’ve got 5 seconds to name a character that lives in 1920s Oklahoma, GO!”:

Manford Armontrout

Buster Banks

Weldon Barnhart

Auvanelle Bartlett

Heartwell Bateson

Delbert Benson

Alchesto Blair

Garold Bowlby

Johnny Bristow

Eulalia Brown

Forrest Burns

Burley Bush

J. B. Buzbee

Claud Callaway

Carmelada Collins

Maudie Chipman

Arlee Chitwood

Vada Cockerham

LeRoy Cragar

Willis Cushenbery

Loralu Dean

Buster Boy Dennis

Opal Emberton

Luther Faulkenberry

Selwin Fite

Thornbrough Gaines

Dixie Lee Geist

Myrtle Goodpasture

Lurelie Greenwood

Oretho Gregston

Leola Gurley

Jewel Hunt

Woodrow Huff

Oveda Huffstutler

Jesse Leo Livengood

Imogene Lovelace

McJunior Martin

Junior Mayberry

Alesterine McBride

Bland McCraw

Grover McGee

Dorotha Mae McKeever

Odell McKerley

Verline McMurphy

Denzel Moon

Rex Murrow

Bobby Nuckolls

Cleotha Parham

Cleetus Penrod

Pearl Perkins

Cowell Peoples

Delton Phillips

Dilmond D. Postlewait

Darlington Potter

Nadine Pridemore

Waldo Proffitt Jr.

Harrel Quattlebaum

Roxy Rayne

Vinnona Revard

Wade Rigsby

Patsy Jo Sapp

Ellison Shaddrack

Opal Dean Schwennesen

Dillard Spradling

Erma Sternberger

Merle Sumpter

Hoyt Sweeney, Jr.

Stanley Swink

Claudine Thorpe

Tommy Threadgill

Sonny Boy Thurman

Tommy TIngley

Peggy Jane Tinker

Sammy Lee Truelove

Freeda Merl Tucker

Roscoe Vandolah

Otice Vanhoosier

Belva Jean Waddle

Taft Wake

LeRoy Welfington

Idabell Wheat

Ouida Wieder

Marjoria Worsham

Twila Zahniser

[theaftersundown]

fanfiction truly being the savior for everyones sanity

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

🐚⚓️🫧List of Random Things For Your Dark Coastal Settings | For Writers🐚⚓️🫧

Since you all loved the list of random things for Dark Academia, here’s a list of items, things, sights etc.. you might find in a Dark Coastal setting.

The Cliffside 🌊

Jagged slate-gray rocks jutting out from the churning sea

Swaths of wild, windblown grasses and mosses clinging to the cliffs

Crumbling stone ruins half-hidden in the fog

The eerie cries of seabirds circling overhead

Gnarled, salt-weathered driftwood scattered across the shoreline

The Cove 🐚

A small pebbly beach tucked into a sheltered inlet

Seaweed-covered tide pools teeming with mysterious marine life

Centuries-old fishing nets and lobster traps hung to dry

Weathered wooden rowboats moored at a rickety dock

The salty, briny scent of the sea lingering in the air

The Lighthouse 🗼

A tall, round stone tower with a flickering lantern on top

Faded nautical charts and weather-beaten log books inside

An antique brass telescope trained on the horizon

The heavy thump of the lighthouse bell in the distance

Coils of fraying rope and a tarnished brass spyglass on the windowsill

The Shipwreck 🛥️

The rusted, half-submerged hull of an ancient sailing vessel

Tangled knots of kelp and barnacles clinging to the metal

Fragments of shattered wood and twisted metal debris

The eerie, echoing creaks and groans of the wreckage in the waves

Fragments of weathered, sun-bleached bones glinting in the murky depths

The Coastal Cottage 🏠

A small, weathered wooden house with peeling paint

Tattered sheer curtains fluttering in the salty sea breeze

Shelves lined with antique glass bottles and driftwood sculptures

A wood-burning stove with a teapot whistling softly

The distant sound of foghorns cutting through the mist

The Shipwreck Cove 🚢

Jutting black cliffs, their bases strewn with the bones of broken ships

Seaweed-covered ribs of an old shipwreck, barnacles clinging to the wood

Rusted metal and shattered glass glittering in the crashing waves

Cawing of crows circling overhead, their shadows flickering on the rocks

The hollow, echoing sound of the wind whistling through the caves

The Seaside Cemetery 🪦

Rows of crumbling tombstones covered in moss and lichen

Twisted, windblown trees casting long, ominous shadows

The faint scent of night-blooming jasmine on the breeze

A rusted wrought-iron gate creaking open to the path

Fog rolling in, obscuring the distant sound of the surf

[hearmeoutworthypoll]

Wild, but also the books pictured:

A Soul to Touch by Opal Reyne

A Soul to Guide by Opal Reyne

A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne

A Soul to Revive by Opal Reyne

I’m Engaged to Mothman by Paige Lavoie

Titan: A Gargoyle Daddy Dom Romance (Romancing His Stone Book 1) by Jillian Graves

Enthralled (The Spider's Mate #2) by Tiffany Roberts

Bound: An Alien Romance Trilogy (The Spider's Mate Book 3) by Tiffany Roberts

Escaping Wonderland by Tiffany Roberts

Yearning for Her by Tiffany Roberts

Barbarian's Taming: A SciFi Alien Romance (Ice Planet Barbarians) by Ruby Dixon

The Dragon's Bride: A Deal with a Demon, Book 1 by Katee Robert

Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux

Her Soul for Revenge by Harley Laroux

[majunju]

"girlfriend" (more ab rielle here)