#anyway the point is I'm failing my goal because I keep avoiding writing the story in favor of creating epic diary entries for each character

[princess-marths-princess]

I'm not doing NaNoWriMo officially this year But I got an account on 4thewords and decided to just try writing 30k in one month

And what I've discovered about myself is that I greatly prefer writing 1st person pov journaling style prose over like... writing an actual story OTL

Writing hard and cold. Channeling a dramatic poor little meow meow doing a soliloquy soft and warm.

[the-stove-is-divorced]

Op i have a question about your writing process

I'm trying to make a project rn, and one of the problem I'm stuck at is making characters feel more than just a few trait. Like, characterization wise, what I'm trying to do is make them more,,, humane??

I'm not sure how to describe it but in your writings, characters always feel like their own selfs? Like, they have words they repeat more than others, they notice certain things faster than other certain things, and even the way they talk is /them/

The way they anger or react to things and all of that is usually unique to their own selves and what I'm trying to ask is, how do you characterize your characters? How do you add more than one layer to them? What exactly do you ask yourself to understand more about these characters?

Just, how do you characterize?

(also bonus question how do I find a destination to my writing? Cause there is several ending in my mind and all depends on a specific character, so what one should I choose and why??)

I’m flattered I can hopefully be of assistance!! (*´▽`*) All of these are difficult questions, but I’ll do my best! And thank you kindly! ♡ This got long, but I wanted to make myself clear!

For characterizations, I think about a lot of things that I'm condensing into the main question(s) of:

How and how often do they get in their own way? What do they fear, what do they want, and how do they act upon both? Are they actually successful in both? Either one? Do they think they're successful in either? How do they cope with failure? With victory? What's their mood? And then how would that mood impact their goal, like how their fears will impact their pursuits of xyz.

"Want -> but fear -> so act" setups help me keep characters in character! Like how Mark wants to save lives, but he's scared of confronting his father, so he's convinced someone else should handle his Dad. MK also wants to save the day, but he's scared he isn't worthy, so he's trying to prove himself by dealing with the enemy (mostly) on his own. Steven 2.0 (more fear driven) wants to prove his way of thinking is correct, but is scared his way he's lived was never necessary, so he doubles down to avoid thinking he was wrong. This helps gives their general goals way more shape, as their fears narrow down their decisions, and in turn, makes them feel more human, especially when they make mistakes (getting in their own way)!

Wanting this, but they fearing this, so they do this, also what helps me just destinations! Imma use how much can you fit under your skin as an example again, considering it's actually completed! Keep in mind I am a "chapter by chapter with vague plot points or scene(s) in mind that are barely connected" kind of author, as I am not a detailed planner and will never be ＼٩(๑`^´๑)۶／

Anyways, MK's main problem is he doesn't think he's worthy (via above), and his mood is notably anxious (he has his worst enemy in his head), desperate (to somehow succeed in doing this on his own), and irritable (from stress), SO he's more prone to make mistakes (which he’ll beat himself up about) and thus get in his own way. Now we can guess where the story will go (failure and desperation), because as more things fail, the more MK will unravel, worsening his moods until uh oh! Breaking point. ٩(× ×)۶

It’s also way easier to guess where the story needs to end, emotionally, by how they start. If MK starts the fic thinking he’s not good enough/unworthy, he needs to remember that he always good enough by the end (for a happy ending at least). If he doesn’t depend on anyone to help him, he should succeed only because they are helping him (lesson learned, huzzah!). How this happens depends on how you set this all up and how much you’re gonna bring back. Like, in this fic, MK constantly compares LBD to ice, painfully cold, so by contrast he needs warmth, which meant I needed to bring in something to create that warmth, hence bringing in the trigun furnace in the last chapter!

In terms of specific narrative characterizations from pov, like what words they use, what they repeat, what they stress, paying attention to their dialogue and guessing what they would say, are much harder for me to explain tbh (″ロ゛) !!! I write dialogue by literally imagining whether or not I can hear them saying this (mostly, and I'll re-watch clips of them speaking to help with this). I also consider whether this character would be this honest? This blunt? Additionally, do they ramble? When do they ramble? Do they choose their words carefully, or more loosely? And internally, what do they misunderstand? What do they miss? Do their thoughts contradict their feelings/actions? Are they trying to convince themselves something? And again, mood! Do their fears/anger/pride get in the way of what they understand?

I think misunderstands, misconceptions, limitations help make them feel human. What do they miss? How do they limit themselves? What mistakes do they make? Which sounds incredibly negative, but I found it very compelling, haha! (///￣ ￣///) Failure and success are equally important for characters, especially what it takes for them to accomplish either.

I hope these are helpful? Again, I've never really reflected on my own process beforehand, and I'm certainty not an expert by a long shot! ヾ(。＞＜)シ A lot of my writing is constant re-working, rewording, complete overhauls and scrapped chunks, if not whole chapters. I pride myself on focusing on consistent characterization (on top of being very flowery and descriptive since it's what I would want to read), as it's infinitely compelling thinking about putting a mf in a situation. If they act out of character, why put them in this situation in the first place?

Again, hope this helps in any way possible! (´꒳`)♡ Please let me know if I need to elaborate on anything, I'll do my best. (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

[folliesandfolderols]

Writing prompts day 48

From this prompt list. If you've read this far, I'm not sure you need any explanation, but the short version is I hadn't written any fiction since 2019, I set a goal to write at least 150 words/day in 2024, and this list was my way to restart. Also I abruptly decided on day 2 I would write an entire Tim/Damian story connecting all the prompts, because I am Good at Judging My Limits. /sarcasm Anyway, I finished the rough draft a while ago and am now unlocking the old entries as I edit.

Read from the beginning here, or on ao3 here

Days 42-47 here

***

52. "I want you to say my name like that again."

***

For a long moment, Tim sagged into Damian's embrace, trying to catch his breath. However unintentional it might have been, having Damian's arms around him again felt like—

It felt like—

He tried to latch onto the concept it reminded him of, and his brain skittered away from the thought like a mouse when someone flipped on the light.

Well, it didn't really matter what it felt like, because Damian stepped away and he would have fallen if he hadn't fully expected the loss of support. Damian would've loved to have made him lose his balance as much as he made him lose his cool. Tim took a deep breath and made sure his face was under control before he turned around to face him.

"Well?" he asked.

Damian hid his own expression by stooping to retrieve his washcloth from where he'd dropped to the floor. "Well, what?"

"Do you believe me, finally? Or do I have to keep proving myself to you?" For some reason, the question made his stomach flutter.

Damian sneered. "Oh, I believe you. You've never been that good of an actor. I'm beginning to think you're simply pathetically deprived and that's why you can't seem to keep your hands to yourself. For someone who's so eager to get me to spread my favors around, you certainly are restraining yourself from doing the same." He picked up the soap as well and started rubbing it on the washcloth.

Tim shrugged. "I often don't practice what I preach. It's kind of a common failing around here. I've always been pretty monogamous, and pretty bad at pinpointing when relationship dynamics shift, plus Bernard and I were together for a long time. But right now there's not really anyone."

Damian froze, so briefly that Tim nearly missed it, and then began washing himself again. "I fail to see why you think your dreary excuse for a romantic history should interest me."

Tim laughed out loud at that. "Because you asked, even if you didn't do so directly. I speak 'saving face' as one of my first languages. Everybody raised rich does." It had been one of the things that drove Stephanie nuts. She was solidly working-class and blunt by nature besides.

Damian flushed dull red up his torso. "Be that as it may, clearly this was a foolish indulgence on my part and misguided self-vindication on yours. We have nothing in common."

"We at least have extreme sexual compatibility," Tim pointed out. "That's not as frequent an occurrence as you might think. And we must have other stuff in common too or we wouldn't both be here right now."

As if the words shattered the wall of Damian's usual reserve, his face twisted in clear bewilderment. "Then what are you saying? What do you want from me? I cannot comprehend the purpose of you leaving for months to avoid me and then returning to insist that yes, you did enjoy our time together, and I should have divined the truth of the situation though all evidence pointed to the contrary. If you're not lying, then what was the point?"

Tim struggled for the correct words. Not easy when he wasn't sure of the answer himself. He wanted to be right, and he wanted Damian to believe him, and he wanted to pull him into bed again right now, and he wanted to—

Basically, it kind of sounded, even in his own head, like he just wanted to jerk Damian around.

"I'm such an asshole," he said, voice shaky in his ears.

"Well, there's another point in the argument for our compatibility," Damian replied, but Tim didn't really process the words.

"I, um, I should go." He spun on his heel so quickly he nearly lost his balance and pushed the door open. That bizarre phantom pain was back again, radiating in spikes from his chest into each individual finger. He clutched one hand to his ribs, trying to press against the hurt.

Damian's voice followed him back to his own shower, which he hadn't realized he'd left running all this time. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You love to run away when someone points out your flagrant inconsistencies."

Tim knew he shouldn't answer, but he couldn't have Damian thinking it was somehow his own fault that Tim was a gross example of a human being. The hollowness in his stomach echoed through his words. "I'm trying to protect you. From me. I'm not . . . I haven't been a very good person, with you, lately." He scrubbed shower gel haphazardly across his body, trying to get through it as quickly as possible. "I'm really sorry." The apology didn't carry its usual burn. Probably because so many of his recent interactions with Damian had involved him expressing his regret.

Damian wrenched open the door and glowered at him, dressed in joggers and nothing else. "What did I say about using the paltry excuse of protecting someone who risks his life nightly from your feeble attempts at whatever the hell you think you're doing? Engage in whatever behavior suits you, but don't blame my fragility for it."

"I don't know what I want!" Tim exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "But I do know I don't want to make you pay the price for my indecision. So I'm just trying to get out of your sight. I would've thought you'd want that." He turned just enough to rotate the faucet off, then reached past Damian for the towel on the hook outside the door. He dried off quickly and wrapped it around his waist, noting with clinical detachment the quivering in his fingers. That was usually a sign that he'd pushed himself too far. In this case, though, he thought maybe it was a response to the agony vibrating through his cells. What the fuck was wrong with him? Maybe he should go see Leslie Thompkins?

Damian spoke over the deafening volume of his thoughts. "Don't presume to understand the things I want. Your deductive powers clearly aren't up to the task."

Tim paused in the act of rifling through his clothes one-handed, trying to find his underwear. "If they're not . . . do you want to tell me?" he asked.

Damian didn't answer for so long that Tim gave up waiting, finally finding his boxer briefs and pulling them on under his towel. He already felt exposed enough.

He dressed fully, sat down, and was lacing up his shoes when Damian broke his silence. "I am not certain of everything I want. But. Sometimes, I remember when I—that last night, the last time we slept together before you made your wish for detachment clear." His blush had returned, but he soldiered on with no other sign of embarrassment. "Do you recall?"

Tim flashed back to Damian's hands holding his hips still, his tongue working its way inside Tim while he writhed and begged for release. He flushed hot. "Yeah. It was pretty memorable."

"For me as well." Damian took a deep breath. "I want you to say my name like that again. That's one thing I know without any doubt whatsoever."

Sudden tears stung the corners of Tim's eyes. He pressed the heels of his hands to them, trying to get himself under control, and when he dropped his arms once more, Damian was gone.

days 49 and 50 here

[dreaming-twist]

2. WEB

Some random oneshot for TwstOBer ~ Enjoy please xD

“Sebek, you need to find some other hobby. Do you want to try playing with my PC?”

“Human inventions that have nothing to do with magic? Hmpf! Sounds disappointing.”

“Well, well, at least give it a try, okay? It maybe surprises you.”

“... If you say so, Lilia-sama...”

That was how it all began. A simple proposal from Lilia had been his first and until now last contact with that world. And he still didn't know how he had gotten to the point where he was right now.

That day, in Lilia's PC, he found a program on the web that caught his attention. "Pass on your thoughts or knowledge!" It said. Sebek arched an eyebrow, and ended up creating an account outnof curiosuty with the first nickname that came to mind (Best Bolt) until he came across a recording function. Then he realized what this must be.

“I understand. It should be something like a journal, but instead of writing it by hand, you speak directly to it. Interesting invention, not bad for humans...”

And then, after clearing his throat and hitting the 'Record' button, he began to speak.

“... Hello? ... I don't know how this works, but I will try to adapt. This is my first time using one of these... inventions. It's interesting, but... Hm? Wait, why is there a light that is blinking on the side? Okay... I'll try to fix it. I don't know how the recording is turned off...”

Sebek began to investigate what happened to the computer, and in that time he wasn't seeing suddenly the counter of 0 that appeared on the side of the recording screen went up to 1, then to 2, and thus it began to rise. increasingly.

Once he finally fixed it, he returned to his starting position.

“Done. It was not a problem for me. What could I talk about today... Huh?”

As he was thinking, he suddenly saw an alert glow red on the screen, next to a speech bubble. Sebek brought the mouse to it and opened it, finding the words: "You can talk about anything you want."

“I understand. It even gives you suggestions... What a useful program... I'll talk a bit about myself in that case.” Despite this, Sebek decided not to speak the names of anyone he named... for his own sake. He didn't want to be embarrassed later if he listened to his own diary... “Right now I don't live with my family, so to speak. It's not that I get on badly with them at all; I went away to study and to fulfill my duties and my work. So now I'm living somewhere else, surrounded by... ahem, people. However, the ones I am closest to are... the family of a person I have known since childhood.”

He leaned back in the chair.

“One of them treats me almost as if I were his son, and sometimes I think he cares too much about me and pampers me too much. He has taught me so many things, and I feel that every day I learn a little more from him. I respect him a lot... although he sometimes takes advantage of me and plays practical jokes on me. I don't know if he wants me to feel comfortable and enjoy all of this despite being away from my family... or he just wants to play with me. He left me all this... equipment to test it and 'have fun'. Hum. I think once again he was right. His advice is always helpful.”

He made a mental note that he should thank Lilia.

“And then there is... the one who is the only person my age who has always been by my side. He is a very decisive... person, and too calm, I'll say. That is what makes him fail so much in many things. However... he is the person I have been with the most since children, and despite his failures and the fact that we argue so many times... he is very important to me. We do not consider ourselves nor have we called ourselves 'friends' before, rather it is that in addition to being one of the same rank as me, he is my rival and someone I like to continually surpass. I think he may feel the same way.”

For some reason he was saying things that surprised even him. He had never spoken so openly about Silver. How was this happening? Was he so comfortable talking to himself...?

“And there is someone else, who is who I am doing all this for and for whom I strive every day. He is the most incredible being I have ever met. Always correct, with the greatest power I have ever seen, diligent, perfect... It is directly my reason for being, I am SURE of it. I want to become stronger for him and be by his side to serve him whenever he needs me. I'm lucky that someone like him recognized my worth. He is my role model... Although...”

He bit his lip.

“... I think I'm not good enough to help him, protect him, and still be worthy. But I will be. Not because I started showing results later than others am I going to give up. That is something I am not going to do. I want to make the world see that I can become the best in my course... No; the best ever. And prove that he was not wrong with me. It doesn't matter where you come from, whose son you are, or if your power came to light sooner or later... WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS YOUR PASSION, AND STRIVE EVERY DAY TO KEEP WALKING!”

After blurting that out with a big smile and clenched fists, he soon realized that he had lost his composure a bit. He returned to his starting position, clearing his throat.

“... Ahem. For now I feel like I'm on the right track to achieve that goal. The first step is to be the best in my course. Or so I think. The people I... hang out with, from the same course as me are... peculiar. There is one who seems to be pursuing the same goal as me. But he still has a lot left. I notice conviction in his words but I don't see any improvement in his studies. However, he is stronger than I expected at first, and he excels at P.E. There's another... thing who wants to become the best too, but... I'm not even going to talk about him. That one is a lost case. There are two more who instead appear to be quite normal, but one only seems to have an interest in one thing, and the other... honestly, I don't know what to think of him, but he's very strong. And besides the four of them there is a... person who does not seem to want to improve on anything at all. Or rather, he doesn't seem to have an interest in it. But he is not an idiot, rather he seems like one, and I have learned from other sources that when he proposes it to him, he is capable of being the best student in his class. Perhaps he is the most suitable to call him a 'rival' among them. Although as long as he continues to seem so bored of everything that comes his way, there should be no problem... He also shouldn't like me too much. Although he keeps talking to me. He is an interesting guy.”

Sebek then took a breath to talk about the last person he was missing, after talking about Deuce, Grim, Epel, Jack and Ace.

“And lastly there is this… ahem, person, that came along all of a sudden. They doesn't have the capacity to be here, but they somehow got in and we're on the same course. When I learned of their existence, I felt that I had tried very hard to get here, while they had a special ability, although not the one that everyone else possesses, was able to enter without problems. It was unfair. I have ever thought that they were making fun of everyone.” He paused. For some reason, even though he had blurted it out, he didn't feel good about himself... Was that the whole truth...? It was then that he recalled certain moments that he spent with them from then on. “... But they are very clumsy. I feel like I have to be there to hold them if they falls. Studying with them is not unpleasant, they are capable to follow my advice and understand things quickly. I do not dislike those who strive to achieve their goals...”

Another notification appeared on the side of the screen. Sebek stopped speaking, a half smile adorning his face, and looked at the message, taking advantage of the stop in his monologue. Would it be another suggestion from the program...?

“How beautiful is love.”

The boy jumped.

“WHAT?! NO!!” He yelled at the screen, totally flushed. “H-How can a program say these things?! This is a joke?!”

The notifications came out again and Sebek managed to read some.

“Program? What are you talking about man?”

“Hey, there is nothing wrong with you liking someone, I support you!!!”

“Is Story Time over? I was really enjoying listening to you, Best Bolt”

“I have become a fan of yours! Will you talk about more things another day?”

“Your words are very inspiring!♡”

“Best Bolt u r the BEST!”

Sebek began to check the screen, and saw that next to a symbol that represented an eye appeared the number "5000".

5000... eyes?

WERE THERE 5000 PEOPLE LISTENING TO HIM AT THAT TIME ?!

“Hey. Did you listen to Best Bolt the other day on this popular app with podcasts that premier live?” Ace asked, as he ate his burger.

Sebek stopped eating when he heard that.

“No, but I have heard people talk about him to class people. He seemed interesting” Said Epel.

“I had listened to podcasts, but few that talked about personal life... And he spoke so calmly and in such a sincere and focused way... I wish I could do something like that” Deuce commented. Epel smiled at him, he felt the same way.

“I don't know who you're talking about” said Jack confused. (Y/n) and Grim were just like him.

“He cut the recording suddenly the other day, something may have happened to his PC... But hey, if he comes back I'll let you know for sure.”

Sebek ate without saying anything, next to them, who were talking so happily about Best Bolt, until...

“Sebek, youuuu... well, I don't even know why I ask, in Diasomnia you all are very old-fashioned, right? You don't use technology much... except Lilia-senpai.” Ace started to say, looking at him.

Sebek tried to avoid him as best he could.

“HUH?! A-Ah... No, n-no, I don't have interest in that kind of human-made things...”

“Heee... Well, I'll let you know when Best Bolt comes back anyway. Maybe it surprises you.”

“Y-Yes, okay, thank you” He replied, looking away... where he met the watchful gaze of (Y/n), quite close to his face.

“Sebek, are you okay?”

That was the last straw. Sebek quickly rose from his chair.

“PERFECTLY! AND NOW IF YOU ALL EXCUSE ME, I HAVE TO GO SEE HOW THE YOUNG MASTER IS!”

And with that said, the boy ran towards the exit, while everyone else looked at him.

“... Hey now that I think about it, doesn't Best Bolt look a bit like Sebek? That way of speaking, and everything he said...”

“Ha, ha. Good one, Deuce.”