#admittedly i'm not as fond of this piece now that i'm coming back to it

[sacred-sketchbook]

SMACK!!

[onekisstotakewithme]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

I was tagged by the incomparable @remyfire (a few days ago now, sorry!) so thank you so so much for the tag!!

I think pretty much everyone I know/would tag has been tagged already, so if you haven't been yet, or if you just want to do this, please do! (Answers are under the cut because 20 questions take up a lot of space)

How many works do you have on AO3? 209, ish. (two fics still in the anon stage of exchanges!)

What's your total AO3 word count? 1,377,748 words! (so 1.3 million!!) 217k of that for this year 😅 but of course I haven't published everything I wrote this year so that number is a LITTLE low.

What fandoms do you write for? M*A*S*H and The West Wing, primarily.

What are your top five fics by kudos? Ties That Bind (Star Trek); a wild call and a clear call (that may not be denied) (Star Trek); Uncharted Territory (M*A*S*H); ye who are weary, come home (M*A*S*H); Beautiful to Take a Chance (M*A*S*H). so my readers like the spirk and the beejhawk (plus my M*A*S*H ensemble piece!) even if the actual kudos counts are probably pretty humble.

Do you respond to comments? I don't usually, and I should, but I get a little overwhelmed. I DO try and leave a thank you note in the end notes of each chapter though, because I love and cherish each comment.

What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I'm admittedly not typically an angst writer, so I had to think hard on this one. I go in usually for bittersweet or even happy endings... i guess probably 'a wild call and a clear call (that may not be denied)', if only because it's a pon farr fic and Jim and Spock are essentially 'mated' now, but uh. They don't end up together at the end of the fic.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Ah. see, this is more my speed. I like to think i write realistically happy endings... the happiest ending? I've written many (not enough 'happy endings' wink wink) but the happiest in context, I'd say, is the end of katabasis. a decision is made to keep going, to keep living. i also have a soft spot for you were meant for me (aka Peg sees Singin' in the Rain and decides to choose polyamory).

Do you get hate on fics? Not so far! But I also don't write particularly controversial subjects on a regular basis... I have had a few comments over the years that misunderstood what I was doing, but I'm reluctant to classify those as hate.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Uh. I write smut. I only publish some of it, because I'm so incredibly self-conscious about it. I want to write more, but I genuinely can't tell if what I'm writing is good/hot or not because I do not have the distance to do it. I'll write smut of all kinds (hell, I have a triad draft with everything from oral to pegging in it. it has not yet seen the light of day) but publishing it is another story. I really want to get better at it, but I have no idea how to get over myself. (it's the religious upbringing/repression/whatever but either way. sucks ass.)

Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written? I don't typically write crossovers! I have a few that have chewed on my brain for a few years but don't exist yet (M*A*S*H x Star Trek:TOS) plus a few I think would just be funny (Hawkeye running as a third party candidate in the 1998 election in West Wing). But I haven't. Anyway, someday I'm going to write that MASH/Trek crossover and then it's over for all of you.

Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not to my knowledge!

Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes! My fic "Here's Hoping We Meet Now and Then" (aka BJ gets everyone to help him with the goodbye rocks) was translated into German by my dear friend @vanillatumbleweedscoffee. You can find that translation here.

Have you ever co-written a fic before? I have! And tbh, I love the idea of collaborating more. (HMU). My friend (and beta) and I wrote a Charles/Donna fic back in 2020 or so, called "getting to like you (getting to hope you like me)" and I'm quite fond of it honestly. Plus a few verses that I've contributed to, but I don't know if those count as true collabs... More collabs!!!

What's your all time favorite ship? Ooh. Probably CJ/Danny, punnihawk (BJ/Peg/Hawkeye), beejhawk and Charles/Donna. No, I'm not narrowing it down any further. (Bisexuals? Choosing ONE thing? no.)

What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? Okay. Sad moment of truth: I want to edit and post "make of our hearts, one heart" so badly. But I got so burnt out in the process of writing it, and editing 125,000 words is a particularly daunting task especially considering I think I basically have to rewrite it from the ground up... plus also not knowing if anyone even still wants to read it isn't helping (but that might be all in my head.) Essentially, I want the 125,000 pound albatross removed from its place around my neck. But do I think I'll finish it? I don't know. It has the triad wedding, literally all the smut that's fit to print (pegging! oral! one of my favourite BJ/Peg scenes!)... idk. Is it defeatist? Yes. I want to. I just don't know if I can.

What are your writing strengths? Dialogue. I think I'm pretty good at getting the vibes of characters. I'm good at coming up with plot concepts, and pretty decent at description. I think I'm good at fleshing out character backstories and giving voices to underutilized characters (Peg, Donna).

What are your writing weaknesses? Smut. all the way down. (If anyone out there has read my smut and has suggestions on how to improve... hmu). I can fully admit that I struggle with finding what I write hot, I struggle with sexy descriptions and honestly I just feel very self-conscious about the whole process. But I want to get better at it. I just don't quite know how. Is this too honest?

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? The occasional phrases, sure, but the only language I know besides English is French and that's more of an "I can read it" than "I can write it" situation. So overall? no.

First fandom you wrote for? Lost. (lmao). Followed by Downton Abbey. All of them still linger in their terrible glory on my ffnet account.

(Part 20 continued in reblog)

[cuoredimuschio]

legally I’m probably supposed to ask for more sentences from the bang but you know I can resist line of apsides sooooo 🤲💕

lex!!! i happily excuse you from any legal obligation because i'm always thrilled to write a bit more in apsides, my beloved!!! thank you!!! 💜💜💜💜

here's a chunk from august, 1992:

The wind has adopted a bite, laced a chill into its gusts, but Eddie sheds his coat, tossing it in a familiarly thoughtless heap on the ground. He rolls up his sleeves, one at a time, imprecise, absent. There’s flock of bats where Steve’s work once was. One of many pieces of ink that now adorn Eddie’s skin. All in black. A lot cleaner and a thousand times better, admittedly, than Steve’s amateur doodle. “I still play, though,” Eddie says, yanking him back to the present. “Write a bit here and there too. There’s this, uh, little dive bar in town. Not a huge metal scene, but I grace ‘em with a taste of my unbridled talent every once in a while.” Steve scoffs, but it comes out smothered in the same fondness that stains his smile; he wipes it off on his shoulder.  “Jesus, good to know your ego’s still intact.” The last remnants of the sun are long gone now, but Eddie’s eyes shimmer with a light all their own. “Not just intact, baby. Inflated. Beyond belief.” Baby. The name dumps a heap of sugar into his blood, stirs a jolt into his heart. His chest pulls tight, the same way it had the first time Eddie let that little word drop from his lips, tucked away under the stars, barely a breath and almost lost in the breeze. He still remembers the smell of the ocean that night; it hung so heavy in the air, stuck in every corner of his lungs, the scent of the unknown, discovery, and the deepest shade of blue before black.

[egittae]

Dimitri still remained uncertain of what to make of the man's presence - they had spent some time together, now, had even perhaps come to be what one might have seen as friendly, but there was a tension that lingered that Dimitri could not shake. Not a strain, but a lack that left his mind wanting, searching.

He could not have framed it in any way that slotted into the bounds of logic, and he could not help but remain suspicious but...

The man was family, regardless of proximity. Main or branch house, or even some farflung bastard...Professor Lambert was Blaiddyd, and there remained few enough of them on this earth.

Even if he was unfriendly, even if the casual affection and the laidback manner did not put Dimitri at his ease, he would pay his dues to the blood that came before him, and would treasure the bond, however tenuous.

"Professor Lambert! It is a surprise and a pleasure to see you've attended this...well, I suppose it is not a mission nor a seminar in truth. But I am pleased to see you with us regardless." He approached with an extended hand, the appropriate greeting, he thought.

Then, a laugh. "Oh - you've already begun turning quite red. I'm afraid that's probably our lot as northern men isn't it! I hope that this is the extent of our suffering during our time here."

Meant in jest, but Dimitri still had a long way to go when it came to humor.

The pieces of cloth made it easy enough to spot who belonged to each team. By now he had already managed to spot all of his companions, flying the green banner of…the rat, which was quite the choice for an animal to represent them, but at this point the professor was no longer surprised by it, much less offended. If anything he found it a tad amusing, even more so when he was so used to seeing specific students and faculty wearing colors much different from the ones that signaled their allegiances back at the academy. His own Wolves included.

And one that seemed to undergo that color change was the prince of Faerghus, Dimitri. A sash of red contrasted with the blues of the kingdom in the boy’s summer outfit, the sight odd but at the same time intriguing enough to earn a small curious smile from the professor. “Dimitri! You seem to be in good spirits, that is great to see. Indeed, I too was pulled into this event…as a participant, which caught me off guard, admittedly.” He thought he’d be a staff member or something- as he was usually placed with the faculty. “But I shall not complain. We should simply wait and see what comes to fruition.”

He shook the offered hand without hesitation, his smile growing slightly more fond before a hearty laugh made its way out of it. “Ah…unfortunately there is not much that can be done to hide it, though thankfully a good friend of mine granted me mercy by applying some ointment to my skin to at least ease the burns.” Morion’s help did make things better- Lambert could only hope the sun didn’t fry him any more. 

“Haha, even if worse comes to take place I honestly think it will be more manageable than fighting against the Goddess’ light itself! This body of mine is doing its best to not become that of a fried shrimp.”

[trenchcoatsbi]

I'm going to fucking cry

I q!jaiden am cannonically death thanks to that fucking nuclear bombs

I'm so angry and so hurt and so confused and yet I know that its no one's fault is not cc!jaiden's fault god of course not is not her fault is no one's she has just been focusing more on her mental health which is amazing! But

I'm left there, I died, again I fucking died again and I will never come back and I could never meet my new daughter or be able to make new memories in a new island or see my team again I'm condemmed to be a ghost again meanwhile I WATCH

Meanwhile I watch everything go without me

Being death once in the same canon already hurted even if not as much anymore, now? I'm gone, again and the pain is back and maybe is a good thing, maybe is good that I am back with bobby and maybe there is a slim possibility I'll be able to come back as a ghost

Yet is not fair I didn't wanted to die not again

I wanted to live and be part of things along with everyone, everyone will forget me I know they will

-(cannon divergent llulah anon) jaiden qsmp⭑

sorry this took me a sec to get around to wacky shifts make it hard for me to reply to things sometimes anyway uhm i am not good at comfort, doubly so right now. I would like to say this much at least… I remember you, and will remember you. Perhaps it’s not much, this is coming from a very uhm canon divergent guy (as far as I know?) but as a federation spy in charge of surveilling the islanders for some time I grew rather fond of several islanders, you (Jaiden) among them. It was an honor to have known you even just in my strange distant way.

Admittedly most of my surveillance of you was on “orders” from Cucurucho… That damn bear loved playing favorites and would send me to keep an eye on you any time I was free. I would not say we were friends, but I like to imagine that we could have been. I know your friends (the real ones who got to know you) will mourn you. You weren’t like me, going about trying not to make an impact, hiding from people and planning to hurt them, you had people that loved you dearly. You had a life on the island and your absence will surely be felt.

I hope the afterlife is kind to you. I cannot say I know what it was like on the qsmp (can’t recall dying there in any way that matters so I don’t know what it’s like) but it doesn’t seem to be the worst? those things are complicated though so i cant say for sure. At least you’re with your son, reunited far too early perhaps, but that’s how the world works. I hope you rest well, dying and or dealing with death is never pleasant, all we can do is pick up the pieces, but we never have to do it alone unless we want to do so. Feel free to mourn here whenever you want. -K

[life-of-kalos]

I think you have some really good anatomy when it come to humans and pokemon, and really good skill when it comes to colors and lighting and even backgrounds!! I think something to work on however is consistency, i’ve noticed that your style can be super detailed one minute, or a different style the next, which is totally fine depending on how much time you have! That or it could be one rendered panel and the others are colorless. Some advice could be mayhaps simplifying coloring some asks if you’re worries about putting them out on time, or taking some extra time to ensure a style is consistent across a sequential set of panels? put your efforts into a style you can easily use for asks and save that detailed style for more important panels you want to emphasize! I hope this didn’t sound too confusing, art is hard, but don’t forget you’re doing great!! its all a journey!

You're so right. I constantly change my style. It's mainly because I'm not satisfied with how I draw now so every time I draw I try to change things up in a way I might like. I'm currently going through a "what do I want my style to be" kind of phase so things have been very all over the place. That's honestly why I'm asking for feedback OTL I really want to love my style but I get bored with it after doing the same one a few times lol and admittedly, I use this blog as a way to try new ones out.

I've only recently been testing waters with lighting. I used to only do clean line art with flat color and simple shades but It became boring to me. Now I've been trying messy lines with more detail coloring. I am quite fond of it but there's still a lot more I need to figure out.

I tend to do colorless sketches as a quick way to tell more story without taking too much time. And throw in a detailed piece when there's more of a tone I want to set. It may seem lazy but I really don't have time to color all of my sketches. And honestly I lose stamina after coloring one piece lmao. I haven't really stepped back and took time on this blog because I'm trying to tell a story within this decade haha I'm not very fast at drawing so I cut corners when I can.

But you're completely right. I need to focus if I want to improve. Find a simple style for asks that I can do consistently and experiment on the side. Thank you for your feedback!

[shadowsong26fic]

Coming Attractions (of sorts)

I know I basically haven't been keeping up with these this year--it's been kind of a slow writing year in general for me, which is part of it.

And normally at this time of year, I'm setting a number and picking a set of projects to work on for a fake/cheat NaNo but given the whole...AI-nonsense implosion that went on there...

Yeah, not happening.

But I do want to get back into more writing, because I miss it, even if it's been hard this year. So behind the cut is a bit of rambling about the following long-range projects I'm hoping to get more into as time goes on:

The Other Battlestar (BSG)

Papa and J----, August '34 (Les Mis)

Precipice

A handful of other miscellaneous AUs (mostly BSG)

My three main origfic projects (The Farglass Cycle/Feredar; Lux; Untitled Intrigues Story)

And also, as long as we're here, let's go ahead and do an Open Question Night! My askbox is always open, but I'll be keeping a semi-active eye on it and responding tonight. Anything I've written/posted about here or on AO3 is fair game. I do take prompts, but no promises on when I'll fill them, haha.

The Other Battlestar

So this is an AU that I technically started building the first time I was in the fandom, so like...twelveish years ago now? Haha.

The premise, essentially, is Baltar ends up on Pegasus instead of Galactica. Which means a lot of gaps to fill in, both in terms of getting the fleet into roughly the same position when everyone reconnects, and also, even with Razor filling in some gaps, there's a fair bit of 'how do I fill those six months' on the Pegasus side of things.

There are a few OCs involved in filling in those gaps--splitting Baltar's canon shenanigans across two people, one to do the Politics and one to do the Science. Politics is Vance Kimball; movie star/philanthropist, went to university with...I'm blanking on his name; Roslin's original VP pick; anyway the two of them were at an alumni event and got off Caprica together along with the Science person, who is admittedly the most self-indulgent part of this fic but I've decided to stop feeling guilty about my pleasures and honestly what is fandom for if not self-indulgence lol.

Also adding a few people on the Pegasus side of things--there's a Marine officer who grew up with Baltar on Aerilon; Daphne Reed who is the senior medical officer (Cottle's counterpart); and a Four with the civilian fleet who gets drafted to work under Reed.

I did also figure out how to keep Helo on Caprica so he can meet Athena, because they are important to me and see above about self-indulgence, and Fleet!Cavil and Vera (Tough!Six/Hooker!Six/Punk-rock!Six/whatever the cool kids are calling her these days) are probably going to show up once or twice.

So, yeah, the holdup here is...figuring out the best way to balance all the different threads, how much I actively need to rewrite vs. how much I can handwave, and so on. Even if I stop at the end of the Pegasus arc (which is my current plan; I have some vague ideas for where the second half of S2 and beginning of S3 might go but no Active plans at this point), I'm guessing this will end up being like. 150k? It will not be short, anyway. But it's been in my head for a long time and I'm very fond of it.

2. Papa and J----, August '34

So this (and its companion piece, Provenance) is something I was having a lot of fun with and just. Need to get back to, haha. It's outsider POV, an art history grad student named Ari doing some Research into a previously-undiscovered painting by Cosette (who is a moderately well-known painter). Obviously this is a post-canon AU where both Valjean and Javert survived the summer of 1832. I left off with Ari about to go to Europe to continue working there, going into museum collections and archives to try and a) identify J; and b) put a name to 'Papa,' now that we have his face. Anyway, I do plan to get back to this, just...again, slow year, haha.

3. Precipice

I will not quit this fic until/unless I entirely quit the Star Wars fandom which doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon (even if it's back-burnered a bit). So, yeah, even if it's been...::checks notes:: three years since I updated, I haven't forgotten this, it's too big a part of my SW fandom life for me to do that.

(For those who don't know, it's a 'the Republic falls but Anakin doesn't' AU, we've just reached about the timeframe of ANH where I left off)

4. Other Miscellaneous AUs

Just kind of rapid-firing--

The Selkie AU and Backup Plans AU I started with the Year of the OTP project back in 2023. They could go interesting places, and I want to explore them some more.

Acheron is another Les Mis fic, Groundhog Day loop for Javert, fun times.

Percussive Maintenance is the one where D'Anna accidentally unlocks Sam's memories what with all the concussing when they're trapped in the parking garage during Downloaded. It involves a lot of Sam talking to Philosopher!Cavil; I still need to decide whether or not I want to involve/reference the girls from Caprica-the-TV-series. I had a general outline going from Sam regaining his memories up through when they get back to the Fleet that I was hoping to do for GBB this year, but I didn't get enough into it to make it happen. Maybe I will moving forward.

Someday I'd like to get back to Serenissima (which was a Baroque/Renaissance Venice BSG AU)

I have some BSG crossovers floating around that I'd like to actively work on At Some Point (mostly Star Wars, though some of the self-indulgent Stargate crossover stuff I've done in RPs with a friend of mine is always percolating in the back of my head, lol; also the Wheel of Time stuff I started noodling with back when I watched S2 of that series is still interesting--maybe when S3 comes out or when I start my reread of that series)

Someday I'd like to get back to the Avatar Zuko fic or a couple other AtLA AUs I started working back when the fandom renaissance really picked up.

5. Original Works

The Farglass Cycle/Feredar is a fairly typical swords-and-sorcery type fantasy world; it's one of my oldest/longest-running projects and just sort of always a constant in the background of my writing universe.

Lux is the Apocalypse in SPACE. I think a lot of what I've written lately has focused more on the Horsemen than the original two main characters, lol (which would be Lux (Lucifer) and her human love interest Mariko). I still need to get around to fully explaining who Trixie Milton is, among other things.

Untitled Intrigues Story is technically a fantasy because it takes place on a made-up map. The pope/High Priest has sent his two sons as envoys to two rival kingdoms to try and prevent them from going to war, each of them ends up tangled up in the internal politics in different ways, and it's mostly about that. There's also some Politicking going on within the higher ranks of the church (this world is kind of modeled after late-Renaissance Europe soooo), which I find a lot of fun when it's. y'know. fictional.

...yeah, I think that about sums things up, haha. I'm not making any promises for when any of this is coming out, just...these are the sort of uppermost things in my mind for what I want to get more into working on in the next few weeks/months/through the end of the year and beyond.

[the-final-knight]

Knight Log, volume 2:

It has been a few days since I last wrote in this book, I have been very busy.

There is a plot to assassinate me, Drewp, and The Queen and I am trying to stop them. I think that ive come up with a unique and cunning plan though that may give me the advantage. I shant disclose it here as I fear I am being watched.

The assassin is very clever but some sort of moral code has kept them from killing me thus far. They left me quite wounded from our last battle but I did the same to them. Hopefully it shall be a little bit until our next battle.

The Queen has asked me to accompany her and Drewp to the capital city of Yevrin, which I find very exciting. We are, however, riding in a Zeppelin which I find a little daunting. It's been ages since I've been up that high and I am admittedly slightly afraid of doing again. The Queen has assured me it's safe though and I trust her.

On the subject of The Queen I must say I am quite fond of her. She is definitely the nicest ruler I have served under and she tolerates my slip ups. She's been incredibly kind to me and even went searching in the forest for me after a nasty battle with that assassin. My leg still hurts from that, and I have a limp from it, but luckily no one has caught onto that. A knight must be strong through their pain in order to succeed, that is the lesson I have always known to be true.

I have sparring with people and am beginning to learn ways of how to counter magic uses, these are the most important things I've learned thus far:

Never let them have use of their hands or mouth

Resist mind control

Analyze their movements to prepare for any spell they may cast

Thankfully I have yet to face a magic user who actually has intent to harm me, that's lucky, but luck always runs out.

And now for what is by far the most interesting thing to happen in my life.

Someone is... Trying to romance me. I know, it sounds just as crazy to me as it must to you, imaginary reader. They have been keeping their identity a secret so far but have given me the name Augustus to call them by. Now, this is between you, the book, and me, but this is truly the scariest thing to ever happen to me. Never has someone called me the things they call me. Never has anyone gone out of their way and given me something such as what they have.

They gifted me a golden Zweihander. Can you believe that? Neither can I. I don't even know what to say to such a lavish gift. Thankyou is certainly not enough I know that, but I also have hardly anything myself. Before I came to this island I had only the clothes on my back and a few silver pieces. Now everything has changed for me and people actually seem to care about me.

Needless to say it's overwhelming. But also intoxicating. The Queen said that their pattern of gift giving and masquerading follows that of an old Yervin play. And on the fourth day they will reveal themself. If that's the case I don't have much time to think of something to do for them in return. I don't have much to offer someone like that I think, I have no money or promise. I hope they'll forgive me for that, if not I suppose I can give them their sword back.

Alright I think that's a nice wrap up of the past few days, I'm obviously leaving stuff out because of how much has happened but yeah. Have a good day book, farewell.

Ps: I hope the Augustus will forgive me for threatening to slice their throat.

[druidx]

A Year of Writing - 2022 Writing Wrap-up

I quite liked doing the "Your Writing Year in Review" thing last year, so decided to do it again.

➼ Quick Stats

Total Written - 92,157 words Average Words/Work: 4,388 Started in 2022 - 33 works Finished in 2022 (started anytime) - 21 works Published in 2022 (started anytime) - 36 works Number of Works still in Progress (started anytime): 79 Mostly wrote in: August, October & Dec (4 works each) Longest work completed or added to in 2022: The Ruby Falls (181,884) Shortest work completed or added to in 2022: wip - elo the 'beggar' (96) Top Genres: Fantasy Top WIP(s): The Ruby Falls Top OC(s): Aderyn, Mio, Rowan, Caseswing

Below the cut: 2022's Plans, Work I'm proud of, Work that shows I'm still learning, Breakdown of 2022, Plans for 2023, ICYMI

➼ What were my writing plans for 2022?

❌ Finish The Ruby Falls by April, published by October

HAHAHAHAHAHA! 💀❌💀

✅ Finish some of the then-68 WIPs from 2021 and prior

I managed 7 - 5 Oblivion fanfics, and 2 Starbound fanfics. 7 is better than 0, so I'm counting this objective as completed.

➼ Work I'm most proud of

It's a tossup between Abecean Blue and Tales of the Starbound: The Barkeep's Tale. I'm fond of the descriptions and flashbacks in Abecean Blue, but The Barkeep's Tale shows just how much I've grown and learned as a writer.

The Barkeep's Tale was started in 2015, and while admittedly it was part of a NaNo and I knew then it wasn't perfect, I thought it was reasonably well crafted. But when I rewrote it - nearly from scratch - and read it back, I realised just how much I've improved - mostly in the last 2 years.

➼ Work that shows I'm still learning

The Need for What We Can't Have, Long Past Dawn, and Strawberry Fizz. I can't write men. I can't write gay men. I can't write romance between men! Why are men so hard? (puns not intended)

All of those pieces feel tremendously flat to me. The descriptions are fine, but when it comes to men emoting, the dialogue... I just don't feel there's the same pizzazz as if you asked me to write a feral she-goblin.

➼ Breakdown of 2022

There have been a lot of IRL things going on this year, and I just haven't felt as creative as I have the past few years. The trip to Iceland was inspiring, yet that and the trip to Denmark took huge chunks out of my year (both were nearly 2 weeks each).

That being said, when I look at my stats for complete fics over the years, I can see that 2022 was nearly on par with 2020, with 21 vs 27. And even though I finished more works in 2021, my word count was much lower. I feel like I'm now at a happy balance between word count and finished works.

I also feel like I'm finishing a lot more things recently, even if they are fanfic, where historically I was writing novels and then running out of steam on them. I'm not sure if I can apply that to the past novels I've never finished/ edited enough to publish. Honestly, I don't know what I want to do with them at all...

➼ What are my writing plans for 2023?

Post The Ruby Falls.

Finish stuff. Post more 'For Posterity' items. Study Romance? Read more.

IDK, everything beyond The Ruby Falls is flexible currently.

➼ In Case You Missed It

Here's the list of all my work posted in 2022 (including some older works), separated by universe.

Original Series - Astyria's Star

Summer Prose Challenge 1 ~ 450. At the abandoned council chambers at Gont Point, Astyria considers the perils the people of Ilma face due to the rising acid seas. Read on Tumblr

Summer Prose Challenge 2 ~ 680. A grandmother recites a folk tale to her grandchildren. Read on Tumblr

Summer Prose Challenge 3 ~ 490. Astyria’s nephew has to complete a school assignment. Read on Tumblr

Summer Prose Challenge 4 ~ 920. We join Astryia at a council meeting to hear the options for dealing with Ilma’s climate issues. Read on Tumblr

Summer Prose Challenge 5 ~ 1,120. A talk show host discusses the current climate issues on Ilma. Read on Tumblr 

Original Work - 'For Posterity' Items

The Web ~ 176. How the spider invited its web. Read on Tumblr 

Lost on the Moor ~ 206. A girl with paranormal powers is on Dartmoor. Read on Tumblr 

The Frustrated Writer ~ 853. A girl complains to the reader that she has writers' block. Read on Tumblr 

The Fox ~ 437. A girl meets a fox. Read on Tumblr 

When I am old... ~ 273. A description of a woman's old aunt. Read on Tumblr 

Hungry... ~ 546. A woman's sick husband bites her, and she becomes very hungry. Read on Tumblr 

England Expects ~ 247. An old man reminisces about people taking responsibility for their community. Read on Tumblr 

GM Mutated Cheese ~ 282. A young boy experiments with cheese. Read on Tumblr 

Closure for a Silver Shilling ~ 328. A gravedigger is having trouble digging a grave. Read on Tumblr 

Other Original Works

The Need for What we Can't Have ~ 341. A mining clerk considers his religious colleague. Read on Tumblr

Uncertainty in the Weather ~322. A farmer's daughter reminisces. Read on Tumblr

Starbound

While the Sun Shines ~ 850. Mio enjoys a picnic with some of her residents. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

A Place No Good Man Should Go ~ 420. Oganesson introduces Yasahama to the Black Market. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Tales of the Starbound: The Barkeep’s Tale ~ 3,240. Just a regular night in the Desert Rose; good times with good hooch and better company. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Tales of the Starbound: The Miner’s Tale ~ 3,380. The logs of mine guard Devon Parker, detailing a year and a half of adventure. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

The Temple of the Fading Light ~ 592. Mio investigates an ancient temple and learns the dark secrets behind it. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

The ‘Shroom Witch ~ 785. Mio visits an agaran witch for help destroying the Ruin. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

TESIV: Oblivion - Modern AU

Strawberry Fizz ~ 219. Martin and Baurus take a summer holiday. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Long Past Dawn ~ 646. Martin isn't fond of parties or unwanted female attention. Baurus has a solution... Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Self Indulgent AU ~ 8,274. The Hero of Kvatch is Martin’s Biological Child. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Spiritus Alco Custodiat ~ 451. A jest from Jena turns swiftly sour. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

TESIV: Oblivion - Vanilla

The Foundling ~ 700. Comic Script. Rhiannon's origin story. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Abecean Blue ~ 514. Martin extols the virtues of the Abecean Sea; After his death, Rhiannon goes for a dip. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Rowan Hunts ~ 1,803. Jauffre has gone missing; Rowan hunts him down and brings him back Read on AO3 or Tumblr

A Restless Pillow (Begets No Rest) ~ 1,650. Rowan is an insomniac due to too many people pestering xir in sleep. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Bring the Fire; Brave the Cold ~680. On a snowy day at Cloud Ruler, Rowan discusses the theory of magical fire. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

No Knight in Shining Armour, Xe ~ 4,780. What happens to Rowan between the end of the MQ and Accepting an Invitation. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

Per Necessitatem ~ 1,940. A description of Rowan performing the Dark Brotherhood's Purification Quest. Read on AO3 or Tumblr

[theatomichero]

a soft chuckle escaped him in response to the comment, further intensified when silas mentioned getting him a shirt with a rather vulgar print on the fabric. certainly something he'd wear on occasion when feeling especially frisky. "oh, so you're daddy now too? getting a little greedy, aren't we?" charlie teased, admittedly fond of the kink also. the term fit silas equally well as sir or master. his eyebrows rose up in mild surprise when the warlock shifted to be on top, a position familiar to both of them. now pinned against the bed, he smiled warmly and wrapped his legs around silas as if urging the son of hecate to breed him right there on the spot. however, their deep conversation wasn't quite over yet and certain topics still needed to be discussed. "i suppose that's true. another reason for me to come back in one piece, then." challenging the dynamic prior, he didn't ask for permission before stealing a kiss to silas' lips. if he was understanding correctly, boyfriends received specific types of privileges pets don't. the teasing and prodding earned an impatient moan from him. charlie was already filled moments prior to the bonfire, but the provocation made him want so much more. "i'm sorry," he replied, eyes locked with silas' gaze. "i thought all you wanted from me was a good time like everyone else does. so i never even considered you actually caring for me." with talks of feelings and complicated subjects out of the way, the couple could resume with what they do best. great mindless sex. the initial penetration caused charlie to arch his back, but he quickly adjusted to the intrusion. "yours. until my dying breath," he vowed, the words almost a repeating echo now.

Silas didn't mind the title. 'Sir' was a confirmation of his claim of Charlie. He knew if said that his lil prince would do everything in his power to make it so. It still made his cock warm by the name which Charlie was sure to feel as he held Silas in his hand. "Daddy's favorite little slut. I should find a t-shirt for you with that on it." His mind was starting to drift from the task at hand and more to the lustful things he could do to Charlie right now. Most of his agenda was done so no reason they couldn't drop the talking soon. Shifting himself to pushing Charlie on his back as he found the comfortable place between his legs. "I do remember you saying you couldn't commit to such a thing because of your trial. So I guess we'll both get out answer when you return." Was it manipulative to spy on the ones you care about? Maybe. Just as it was manipulative the way Silas slide his cock against Charlie's when he saw how hurt he was instead of apologizing for his actions. "You Americans..." He shook his head before looking Charlie dead in the eye. "...this term 'friends with benefits' seems so hollow where you come from. The first word of that is 'friends'. You were always more than some place to stick my dick, Charles. I've always cared about you. Even if I wasn't trying to commit to something more then. Stop belittling what you are or have been to me." Holli was to be his wife and Charlie his friend, who he cared for, that he spent time fucking whenever the mood found them. He cared for them differently, yes but it hurt to think Charlie believed he didn't care for him more than just the fucks. Things not working out with Holli just gave what he felt more space to grow. As he felt their need for words come to an end Silas gave one last confirmation as he angled Charlie and slide inside of him. "All mine."

[phantoms-lair]

Ahhh I'm extremely indecisive!!!

...

Okay lucky 74 go

(so this is going to take place before Steve found Bucky)

Steve didn't know what to think about the fact that he had living family in this time. He'd had no children himself, nor brothers and sisters. But he'd had a cousin out west who had a kid, who had a couple of kids, who had a couple more.

Family. And of course it was on his father's side, which he didn't want to think about. But he felt so alone in this day and age, so desperate for a connection.

But he was afraid. Not of the violence Joseph Rogers was capable of, he was more than a match for that. But...would he be Steve to them, or Captain America? Would they see him as a person or use him to prop up their family like the government had tried to use him as a propaganda piece.

So here he is in a suburb in the middle of nowhere, with what he's told is a nice but not too formal outfit, and a bottle of sparkling cider and a pie.

"You must Steve." A woman with grey in her hair opened the door. Come on in. I hope you brought an appetite."

"Always," He admitted. "I have a bit of an appetite."

His relatives shared a smile to themselves. before ushering him in.

"Norville and Scooby are running a bit late, I'm afraid. They were supposed to be helping Ruby with her puppies, but he and his friends always seem to get caught up in things." Scooby? The background information he was given mention the older child, but who was Scooby?

"So I heard you were planning on going to art school? Are you still thinking of going?"

Huh, admittedly his interest in art wasn't something he'd thought would get passed down. "Honestly I'm just trying to get my feet under me right now. No long term plans."

He could go back to art school. That had never occurred to him

"Like, sorry we're late." Norville skidded into the room with a large great dane on his heels. "Scoob and I were helping Ruby and-"

"You and your friends got caught up in another mess." His father's tone was fond, but exasperated.

"Every time." Norville groaned.

"Steve, this is our son Norville. Norville, this is your cousin Steve."

"Just call me Shaggy, Dad. No one calls me Norville."

Steve made a choking sound.

"Sorry, I spent the last few years in Europe. It, um, means something different there."

"Well that's in Europe." Shaggy said, with a determination on his face that said he was NOT going to be called by his given name.

Good for him.

"RI'm Scooby Doo."

And the dog talked. That was..a thing, but he'd seen weirder.

And none of them had made any mention of him being Captain America at all. Maybe this would turn out better than he thought.

[manicmarsupial]

So Close

Another piece of the size-shifter Hosea AU I'm working on with a friend.

Agent Andrew Milton closes in on the Van Der Linde gang.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Agent Milton was having a good day. He was getting closer to eliminating the Van Der Linde gang. Although he felt it was too lenient of him to offer Morgan his freedom if he turned in Van Der Linde. To be honest with himself, he would have ordered Ross to shoot Morgan had there not been a child going fishing with the notorious gunman. He would have concocted a story about a fight and Morgan was shot in self defense. Both he and Ross would be rewarded. He could honestly say he kept his promise that the outlaw ‘won’t swing’. That plan went cock-eyed as Morgan was unwavering in his loyalty, a fact Milton both admired and cursed. If Morgan hadn’t been so protective of the little child, Milton would have rescued the poor boy from a life on the run.

Milton’s informant within the gang wrote to tell him the next camp spot was in Dewberry Creek, or so they were trying to convince the leader. Not particularly fond of staying outdoors himself, but an easily flooded creekbed in the open seemed rather stupid. If Van Der Linde were to actually consider it, Milton would seriously doubt the man’s intelligence.

Fortunately, Milton decided to take a look at the place himself. Luckily he did, as it was empty. Another letter received from his informant told him Morgan and some other deluded soul by the name of Charles Smith had found another place nearby called Clemens Point.

In hindsight, it wasn’t the best idea to have a bloodthirsty idiot like Micah Bell as an informant. While he had managed to convince Der Linde to rob the ferry, he’d also massacred most of Strawberry just for his guns. Milton wondered if he should have tried to utilize one of the ladies of the night instead. They were just whores after all. Playthings to please the degenerates. He could get them out of that life. The more he thought about it, the more he mentally kicked himself for not coming up with that idea sooner. But what’s done is done.

Admittedly, there was a time Milton would have gotten as many agents as he could and stormed the campsite, but he was no longer young and stupid. He had a family. If he did a reckless assault, he’d lose his job and his family would have no income. Walking straight into the lion’s den was only risking his and Ross’ own lives. If the savages opened fire, he’d die with honor. He would get a posthumous award and the agency would provide for his family. That was the worst case scenario. Either outcome he was surely to go down in history for breaking up a notorious gang without bloodshed.

Once again, loyalty screwed him over. He tried to persuade Van Der Linde to come quietly, even giving the rest of the gang three whole days to split up and vanish. Van Der Linde was willing, but Milton and Ross found themselves staring down the barrels of a dozen guns. Admittedly, Milton blew his top. He’d been more than generous with his offer of freedom in exchange for Van Der Linde, but these degenerates refused him. Next time, he wasn’t going to be so forgiving.

The disappearance of Bronte was the least of Milton’s concern, though there were more Pinkertons in Saint Denis now. More importantly, the Van Der Linde gang was going to rob the bank. The actual city bank. Bell had told him it was going ahead. The old man was going to create a diversion, and while the local law was distracted, Dutch’s boys were going to rob the bank. As Milton wrote back to Bell, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t contemplate not sending the letter telling Bell to wear something that stood out so his men didn’t shoot him. Bell replied simply: “white suit.”

Luck was on the agent’s side. He’s seen the old man pass by. Although it went against every fibre of his being to let the dynamite explode, it was imperative he leave it alone otherwise all his effort would be for naught. At least the old man was considerate enough to set it off in an unpopulated area.

As Milton sees the old man undoubtedly making an escape, the agent emerges from the darkness of an alley, resisting a chuckle at the theatrical side of it.

“Well, as I live and breathe, Hosea Matthews, conman and the co-founder of the Van Der Linde gang,” he drawls, mocking a hick accent.

“Andrew Milton...I’d say it’s a pleasure, but I’d be lying,” Matthews replies with fake sincerity.

If Milton has to resort to shooting this man, he would almost feel bad about it. Shame such a talent was wasted with degenerates.

Whatever way this plan went, either Matthews would be dead or Van Der Linde soon would be. Without the leader, the gang would fall. If Matthews dies, Van Der Linde would be so overcome with grief that he’ll destroy the gang himself. It was too perfect.

Milton’s brought back to reality by a chuckle that’s not his own. Matthews shouldn’t be laughing, especially when a gun is trained on his back.

“What’s so funny?” the agent demands.

“You really have cotton wool between your ears, Moron,” the conman laughs, the sound slowly getting deeper.

At first Milton dismissed it as a trick of the light, but it wasn’t. With every step, Matthews was growing taller. Milton hurries to fire his pistol, only for Matthews to whirl around, clamping a serving tray-sized hand around the agent’s own. The now rapidly growing hand clenches tighter. Milton restrains a scream of pain as he feels his fingers contort and crack around the gun. He’s yanked up into the air, pain coursing through his arm.

“Who told you about us?” Matthews thunders.

The impressive buildings of Saint Denis barely reach the giant’s waist.

“If I tell you, will you let me go?” Milton pleads.

“I won’t kill you. Deal?” Matthews smirks.

Knowing that’s all he’ll get, Milton agrees.

“Micah Bell. Since Blackwater. Set up the ferry job to catch Van Der Linde. Promised I’d keep the bounty hunters off his back ‘til Van Der Linde was caught. Give him a blank slate in return,” out of sheer panic, Milton can’t form complete sentences.

Matthews scoffs; the gust is almost gale force for Milton.

“I knew that bastard couldn’t be trusted.”

“Are you going to let me go now?” Milton stammers.

“We had a deal.”

Matthews rolls his eyes.

“I said I wouldn’t kill you. I’m holding up my end of the deal.”

Dark fabric walls ascend above the agent as Matthews releases Milton’s crushed hand, dropping him into a pocket. He counts what’s left of his blessings that he landed softly as the darkness suffocates him.

“Now you stay right there, Andrew,” Matthews laughs, patting his pocket with his enormous hand, slamming Milton against the giant’s body.

He feels sick, both from the pain of his smashed hand and the sudden rocking motion. Matthews’ footsteps thunder along the streets of Saint Denis, no doubt causing property damage.

“Ah, Miss Roberts. Would you like a lift?” Matthews booms, presumably asking one of the trugs.

Milton feels the downward motion as Matthews crouches down, causing the agent to roll forward in the pocket. He tumbles back as Matthews stands.

Milton can hear the muffled faint screams, recognizing Henry McDavy’s scottish brogue yell “I resign my commission!” The screams get slightly louder, followed by a shattering crash. Milton jumps as there’s a loud bang like a boulder falling. He hears more screams as the pocket tilts.

“I’ve caught our rat,” the calm tone of the thundering voice chills Milton to the core.

“How’d you know?” Dutch’s voice sounds far away.

Milton is almost blinded as light streams in, only for the shadow of Matthews’ colossal hand to intrude. He shuffles back to avoid the reaching tree trunk sized fingers, to no avail as he’s grabbed around the waist. His struggles are futile against the immensely strong fingers. He glances around, catching sight of Bell in Matthews’ other hand, wrapped in a fist.

“You didn’t mention Matthews was a giant, Mr Bell!” Milton shouts.

“He’s lying,” Bell snarls.

Unheeding of the argument, Matthews drops both back into his jacket pocket.

“Time to go,” Matthews’ voice rumbles above like thunder.

Milton glares across at Bell, the throbbing pain of his damaged hand nothing compared to the anger he felt toward the hot-tempered outlaw.

“You didn’t think vital information like this would have been crucial to my investigation?” Milton snaps,

“I didn’t know,” Bell snippily replies.

“He’s not exactly invisible like that,” Milton retorts.

There’s a jarring motion as Matthews starts walking. Milton uses the momentum to punch Bell with his good hand. Bell predictably fights back dirty, but Milton has experience. The two continue fighting while being rocked about.

Bell had bitten Milton on the arm several times and nearly chomped his ear off. Milton retaliated by breaking Bell’s nose and knocking out some of the outlaw’s teeth. The agent staggers as a cool sensation and a feel of vertigo make him dizzy and sick. When light stings his eyes, his honed reflexes help him avoid the giant grasping fingers. Bell, with his frantic flailing, manages to sink his teeth onto one of the digits. The enormous hand quickly withdraws.

“One of them just bit me,” Matthews laughs, the resonating sound rattling Milton. 

He doesn’t have time to avoid the hand again and ends up enclosed in a fist. He tries not to vomit as he’s rapidly brought up to the immense, craggy face of Matthews. The giant gives a frighteningly large smirk before looking at some point behind Milton.

“Hey Dutch, got a present for you,” Matthews bellows, dropping Milton into Dutch’s waiting hands.

This was decidedly not a good day for Milton.

[iwantthemtostay]

I would like any and all morsels in the "Yeah. Yes." Scene from the royalty au

Thank you!! (I'm so relieved other people are also into "Yeah. Yes." because I was worried people might think it was a copout lol)

I'm pretty sure the idea of them sitting on a couch, Lexi bringing up the what if and him saying they couldn't but then 'yeah. yes.' and holding her hand is the reason I wrote this fic, lol. It would not let me go. Originally it was going to be inside, but then the rooftop garden came to me, and I think the visual for the original inside idea may have been slightly inspired by this Dan/Blair Gossip Girl scene which I only realised on seeing a gif of it recently.

To start with Fez coming up on the roof, he *is* a bit annoyed, but only because he's worried about Lexi as it's very unlike her not to be considerate and tell him what she's doing and then she apologises for that straight away and he has this rush of fondness for how caring she is to everyone.

Lexi remembering him sitting on the rooftop of his grandma's store has the same effect on him as him remembering she only wants her grandma's ring if she's really in love, they're both storing up every piece of information they learn about each other like little treasures not realising the other is doing the same

"Ion have so much, uh, bare skin." In the beginning of the fic Fez doesn't use slang around Lexi, he's very careful to speak like what he thinks a royal bodyguard should but as he grows more comfortable around her he starts slipping into it, especially when he is distracted by the fact he's talking about her bare skin (he's more attracted to Lexi in her Lexi clothes but this princess outfit really did it for him)

the stars feeling far away - constant, beautiful, eternal - who doesn't love a star motif? Lexi's ideal love feels far away and out of her grasp despite the fact he's right there

Lexi spilling the champagne was an excuse to get the glove off. I did play around with the idea of them holding hands with her glove on which I think would have maybe added to the forbidden feeling but @idontneedtobeforgiven was like 'they have to hold hands skin on skin' and this way it's more like the scene in the Age Of Innocence film (which I admittedly have not watched in full, I just loved the book and Edith Wharton felt perfect for Lexi's academic interest with all the themes of self-determination and fitting into a rigid way of upper class life)

she must sound like a poor little rich girl. I think Lexi really hates the idea of complaining about her life because she knows she has an insane amount of privilege but... yes she is living in the lap of luxury but it is not making her happy and she's putting a lot of pressure on herself. I think the relationship with Fez is a big source of support for her because he is around so much and is very much not interested in her as a princess or putting extra requests on her

What Cassie said earlier about Lexi liking being a perfect princess is in some ways true because she does want to do this right, but she's also a bit annoyed that she's always the perfectly behaved one so she has her moment where she almost pretends to be drunk so she can say what she wants to say

“Lexi.” It’s something like a plea, something almost pained. He does look away now. “We can’t…” While Lexi has acknowledged she's attracted to Fez to herself I don't think Fez has let himself think about it that way because this is his job and he can't risk a distraction that could put Lexi in danger. But when she asks him and asks him to imagine a different world of course he would? And he can't manage any more than "Yeah. Yes." because that would be to give away too much but the firmness of the Yes as opposed to just a Yeah which is sort of dreamy and tentative is very deliberate as he needs her to know that he would be interested in being with her in a world where he could be. The leaving his hand for her to hold is sort of to back this up and as a reassurance, but he doesn't want to take that step for her

A firework goes off in the distance and Fez stays and holds her hand. They've had their own metaphorical firework, and him staying is significant after her little Peyton Sawyer moment and also because he has had a lot of people leave and Lexi's own decisions to stay or leave are going to be a big part of the fic

fanfic writers: director's cut

[elenothar]

Hello hello! 11, 34 and 35 for the fic writer questions!

Hello! *waves*

... you really don't ask the easy questions, do you XD

11. Who or what do you find yourself writing about most?

In every fandom I inevitably glomp onto one character specifically, and that's who any fic I write will be about (there can be other characters, sure, but that one favourite always needs to be in there). At the moment that's mostly Shen Wei for Guardian, which I'm sure you all have already deduced ;)

As for the what... I don't think I've got that one thing I always write about, but quite often I'll have some sort of language thing in fic, even if it's just a minor point. Also couch cuddling.

34. Copy and paste an excerpt you’re particularly fond of.

Oh dear, oh dear, what to choose... From Intelligible:

“The place where I woke up is near here,” he says and only barely keeps himself from wincing. So they’re back to this: a truth, but not the whole truth.

Zhao Yunlan’s attention was already sharp, but now it cuts like a knife, peeling Shen Wei back layer by layer, so very gently that there isn’t any pain to distract from the terrible openness.

“You think this tree is there?”

Zhao Yunlan has always had a beautifully quick mind.

Shen Wei makes himself nod.

A breath hisses out between Zhao Yunlan’s teeth, but his touch is gentle when he taps lightly on Shen Wei’s jaw.

“Look at me?”

Shen Wei has never learned how to tell Zhao Yunlan no and have it stick, too weak for his smiles, his wheedling, his occasional devastating, vulnerable honesty. Too much of him still yearns to be the less burdened man Zhao Yunlan had once enchanted ten thousand years ago, who’d wanted to please Kunlun so badly and given so much of himself that Shen Wei is still finding pieces lovingly cradled in Zhao Yunlan’s hands millennia later.

35. Ramble about any fic-related thing you want!

Hmm, I suppose at the moment I'm thinking a lot about worldbuilding. Most of the canons I find myself drawn to are the kind of fantasy/scifi setting where there's a lot of room to play with concepts, from language to history to music to biology. (Not to mention that most canons are... holey when it comes to worldbuilding; admittedly, that's partly because a fully realised world would take hugely long to show and they want to have Actual Plot.) Guardian is a great example of this - they've got some interesting stuff going on re: Dixing, Haixing, Dixingren, Hallows etc but fundamentally we actually know very little and can only extrapolate from the (sometimes contradictory) crumbs of information canon deigns to give us. So much room to invent random cool shit!

More questions here

[tsarisfanfiction]

3. 14. J. U. 🙃

Sorry this is a bit late, rl slammed me kinda hard last weekend...

I'll admit I'm guessing which numbered ones you're referencing because there were two numbered lists on the same day, oops, but as one of them needed a specific fic referenced I'm hoping I've got the right list!

3) Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?

Hmm... there are a few tropes around that I'm less fond of - ABO springs to mind immediately, as well as coffee shop AUs - but honestly I am a big fan of deconstructing and twisting tropes so if given the incentive and requisite curiosity of "I wonder how this would go if..." I don't think there's any trope that I would say I'd never write (I once said I'd never write a genderbend, then one happened, so...) I'm less likely to write most romance-based tropes, though, mostly because romance isn't something I generally enjoy writing quite so much.

14) What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?

Oof, that's a hard one. There's quite a few I ignore for one reason or another, mostly because I've reached the point where I write how I write and throwing something different into the equation is just gonna mess me up, but I wouldn't necessarily say they're bad because what works (or not) for me doesn't mean it doesn't (or does) work for someone else. We're all unique people, our minds work in unique ways, and different tips and tricks therefore work on all of us.

One that has screwed me over a few times though is "write at least x words a day". "x" varies, but for me I find that if I can't write that day, trying to force it just makes me hate everything, and then I feel guilty for not writing anything at all and it can take me a while to kick myself out of that and remind myself it's supposed to be a hobby. It's not a requirement, or a chore. This isn't school, or a job. This is something I do in my free time and I shouldn't force it.

J:  What’s your favourite fanfic trope?  Have you written it?

Back in the trope questions again, I see. I should admit that I'm actually bad at these because I can never actually identify "tropes" on demand, if that makes sense. I know a few core ones, but for the most part it's more "what sort of thing do I like?" and yes, I definitely write what I like! Caretaker needing to be taken care of is top of the list, probably, and anyone who reads my stuff will be very familiar with that creeping in!

That being said, if I had to pick a trope I haven't yet written but would like to experiment with one day... Soulmark AUs. They fascinate me, although (like Hanahaki Disease, another one I love to read) there's a prevalence of it being romantic soulmates in almost all the fics I've read, and I have a definite preference for platonic soulmates. But then again, I managed to write a familial Hanahaki, so maybe one day I'll manage to write a soulmark AU that fits both the trope and my own desire for more platonic/familial love fics taking centre stage.

U: Is there a pairing you would like to write, but haven’t tried yet.

Eh, if I'm honest I'm less fussed about writing ships and more platonic pairings, or ones that could fall either way (see: CaeJose from JJBA, which is a fandom I have yet to write for at all). And when we look at platonic relationships, oh there's so many I'd love to dabble in at some point.

That being said, I have just remembered one bizarre One Piece kinda crackship I came up with a few years ago and thought that I might write it but so far haven't... (it was gonna be a Wano arc AU and I thought it up before Wano happened... we're now the other side and needless to say "AU" doesn't even start to cover it ahaha)

Oh, and how could I forget Kaito/Aoko from Detective Conan/Magic Kaito. Admittedly I have something half-baked sat in my drafts so technically I have written something for them, but I've not finished anything worth posting for them. Then again, I've also yet to write any Shinichi/Ran or Heiji/Kazuha, either.

40 Questions — Meme for Fic Writers

Fanfic Writer Ask Meme

[tuffdwightwest]

You Are My Best Friend Chapter 5

When they arrived back into the hall. Astrid and Heather had also returned and Tuffnut had quickly joined in telling stories that got most of everyone laughing. Snotlout stood away though still distracted and thinking over his feelings from earlier. Not just earlier but in general.

Even in their teen years growing up on the Edge. He had always been... fond of him. Perhaps even more then Ruffnut. Even flirting with Ruff he had always found Tuffs reactions kind of amusing. Plus the rivalry with Fishlegs had been fun. He thought about the other night though. Where Tuff said he didn't love Ruff. It was true... he didn't love Ruffnut. At least not like that.

But did that mean he loved Tuffnut? How long had he been harboring feelings for him?

"You seem distracted." Dagurs voice suddenly called. Jerking Snotlout out of his thoughts as he looked over at the Beserker king. Dagur was actually looking at him in a bit of concern but everyone else seemed to still be distracted with their own things. Which came at kind of a relief.

"Its nothing." Snotlout mumbled gaze immediately going back to Tuff which did not go unnoticed by Dagur.

"Oh, I know that look." Dagur stated.

"What? What look there was no look." Snotlout said hurriedly.

Dagur just hummed looking over at Tuff who was currently laughing whole heartedly. "He's not a bad choice honestly. Think he would be interested too. He gives off that... vibe." Dagur said.

"What vibe?" Snotlout questioned.

Before Dagur could answer though Hiccup called everyones attention. Dagur just squeezing Snotlouts shoulder before walking over to Hiccup as he thanked the Beserkers for their visit. Snotlout however found he had enough of socializing.

At least sober and seeing some mead next to him he didn't even care that it burned as he started to down it. Ignoring everything as he just focused on the hopefully blissful feelings it would give.

---------------------

Night fall was finally upon them as the night of partying started to come to a close. The mead had helped and the few others Snotlout drank afterwards. Meaning that he was plenty drunk throughout most of it. At one point he had stumbled outside to go piss when as he was returning he recognized Tuffnut. Sitting outside and just staring up at the moon. A troubled look on his face.

Against better judgement Snotlout stumbled towards the other. Practically falling into him. Not missing how it caused the other to jump but Tuff caught him anyway. "Whoa you're a few bottles down aren't you?" Tuff questioned. Helping steady Snotlout as Snotlout just sat down. Leaning against the twin as it just felt right.

"Yeah." He breathed out before breaking into a giggle. "Every'hing so swimmy." He mused. Tuff just gave him a small smile before looking back out at the entirety of Berk.

"I imagine." He flinched as he heard what sounded like a brawl start in the mess hall. Something that Snotlout caught and without filter immediately called him on.

"Y' so jumpy. What y' scared?" He teased.

Tuffnut just met his gaze for a moment before looking back inside. "I don't like it when people are drunk. It just... reminds me of bad things." He said cryptically holding onto his arms. "I honestly don't even like being drunk myself. I get too serious." He explained with an awkward laugh.

Snotlout just frowned. The energy felt different in this conversation. But he also felt like he couldn't keep up. His brain foggy and unable to focus. "Th'nk its funny." He just said instead.

Tuff just gave a small smile at that before getting to his feet. Holding out his hand and grabbing onto Snotlouts to lift him up. Snotlout gladly accepted the others hands leaning into him as he grinned. "I think you've had too much. You're practically on top of me." Tuff teased.

Snotlout though suddenly leaned all his weight on top of Tuff. Causing them both to fall. Snotlout standing over Tuff with a flirty grin. "Well I love being on top of you~" He teased. Looking down at the other.

Tuff still had an awkward smile on his face but as Snotlouts hand went to rest on Tuffs chest. He found his heart beating extremely fast. His whole body tensed. Neither of them moved at first, as if neither knew what to say. Without thinking though Snotlout suddenly leaned down pulling the other into a soft kiss.

Surprised by how soft the other was. Snotlout let out a happy moan as he attempted to deepen the kiss only to suddenly find him pushed away. Chastised he looked down at Tuff surprised to find tears in his eyes. Immediately concerned he cupped the others face for a moment. "Tuffy?" He questioned.

Tuff looked up at him as he said his name. "So you are aware it's me?" He asked a bit detached. Snotlout nodded not sure why Tuff asked that.

"Then why did y-" Tuff went to start again when Snotlout again just leaned down and kissed him. This time though he was pushed away much quicker and a whine escaped him.

"Stop it!" Tuff cried out. Kicking out from under Snotlout and getting up away from him. Immediately Snotlout grabbed his wrist though causing him to whip around and glare at the other. Snotlout just looked sad and confused though and perhaps that caused Tuff to soften even as he looked a bit wary.

"You're drunk Snotty. Maybe, I should take you back to your hut." He offered.

"Oh what we doin' there." Snotlout asked hopefully. Tuff laughed at that before reaching out and pulling the other to his feet. Being quick to stop him from leaning to completely on him.

"You are going to sleep and I'm probally going to go for a walk to forget this happened." Tuff admitted.

"Do y'u not like me? I really like y'. I thin' I want to be with y'. That always wanted t' be with y'." Snotlout admitted ruining it by again pushing past the little barrier Tuff made for himself. As he crushed the other against the stone. Rubbing against him with his obvious excitement.

Tuff for his self blushed but mostly just looked alarmed at the attention. "Get off." Tuffnut warned.

"Please. You are so soft and wa-" Snotlout didn't get to finish that sentence as suddenly Tuff reached out and decked the other hard. Enough to knock him out. Breathing heavily the twin looked down at the other. Not exactly meaning to knock him out but panicking due to the situation.

Bending down he pulled the other against his lap making sure he didn't badly injure him before sighing. "Maybe if you weren't blackout drunk I would have took you up on the offer." He admitted softly. Which was honestly part of the reason why he was resisting. Well that and he just despised drunk people. They were rude, pushy, got in your personal space and... reminded Tuff of him.

He wasn't the strongest and it would take a lot to drag Snotlout back to his hut. So getting up he found a wheelbarrel before bringing it over to Snotlout and lifting the other in. Wincing as he saw the bruise starting to form. Making sure he was secure though he just started to walk down the hill lost in his own thoughts.

So Snotlout for sure liked him. He wasn't so sure after the flight with Hookfang but this had proved it. Tuff though didn't know how he felt. Admittedly, he had had a crush on Snotlout. But it had started to fade after he kept not showing any interest. Even going after his sister which honestly had made Tuff quite jealous. So his old feelings about the boy had kind of faded. But after tonight and even a few nights ago. It seemed they were starting to return.

As they made it to his hut. He didn't see any of his family around which was kind of a relief. Spitelout wasn't the nicest man. Especially to Tuffnut. Having made his spite of the twin quite known. He had made it all the way to Snotlouts bed and resting the other on it. He tucked him in gently before smoothing back his hair.

Taking his helmet and setting it aside for him. Spotting a stuffie nearby he also grabbed that before handing it to Snotlout. Watching as he suddenly snuggled into it. Which was a good sign. Seemed he went straight from knocked out to asleep. He was viking, a drunk viking, Tuff expected nothing else. Hesitating for a moment after standing up he leaned down and kissed the other on the forehead. "We need to talk when you are clear enough to remember." He mumbled. Turning to leave only to spot Snotlouts mother watching him.

Eyes widening the two met gazes before Tuff muttered an apology and quickly left the others room. Moving quickly through the house and practically breaking into a run after he escaped the doorway. Once a good mile away from the house. He slowed down before sighing. Feeling tears threatening to fall again. Now that he was alone though he figured he didn't mind.

And collapsing the twin just let his emotions go.

Commissioned Piece by YumiKazahaya