#i've got like 6 drafts for everything laying around

[mariposa-writes]

Good Sleep - LaMelo Ball

Summary: hate writing these, so just read and find out.

A/N: This man is the love of my life (and his brothers).

It was hard, dating an NBA player. Not that it was Melo's fault. He tried to make things as easy as possible. He called whenever he could, making sure to at least check in on me once a day.

It wasn't like I made things any easier. I took a lot of pride in my job and it felt like a lot of the time when he was home, I was busy working.

Which is what I am currently doing. Its around midnight, when I hear the garage open, I know it's Melo. His team was supposed to get back earlier tonight, but their flight got delayed due to weather.

After a few minutes he enters our room. I moved in with him a 6 months ago, since I practically lived there full time anyways. We both also thought it would be a good way to spend more time together.

"Hey, babe." He says walking over to me and giving me a quick kiss on the lips. He heads into our bathroom, getting ready to shower. He hates how he feels after plane rides, always complaining about being dirty. "What are you working on?" He calls from the bathroom.

"Just work stuff." I respond, not having the time to explain. I have to have these reports ready by Monday. I'm a CFO for a major clothing company in the US. We are currently working on expanding to European countries.

Melo showers while I work and before I know it he's climbing into bed. "Babe," He whines, "when are you going to bed?"

"I don't know, soon." I answer, dismissively. He frowns, looking up at me from where he's laying.

"You work to hard. Your not even 22 and your the CFO for a major company. I worry you're gonna work yourself to death." Melo's always hated how hard I work. We've been dating since we were both 19.

I was getting ready to graduate college, when he was getting drafted into the NBA. Being born a genius helped me fast track my schooling and career.

I started interning with the company I currently work at when I was 17, the summer after my junior year. I started working with them when they were just a start up, but in the past four years they have rapidly grown and I've been a part of the process the whole way.

This company is like my baby and I'm the one that has to track everything to make sure we are achieving our goals. I never intended on working here this long, but I love the people I work with (the pay isn't bad either).

They promoted me to CFO when their old one left to work for a bigger company. What an idiot, they didn't have believe in the company and soon ours will be bigger than the one they are working for.

Three hours later and I'm still working, Melo's passed out. After he fell asleep I headed to the office he set up for me, not wanting to wake him.

I have a blanket wrapped around me, with my headphones in and a cup of hot chocolate sitting on the desk. Once I get this done, I'll be on Monday and present to our investors I will be on vacation for the next 9 days.

I haven't told Melo yet, wanting to surprise him since our schedules rarely line up.

I look up from my computer, when I see the hallway light turn on. I take my headphones out, knowing it's Melo. He walks into my office, frowning. "Babe, go to bed." He groans.

"Ok, just give me a few minutes."

"Nope, you always say that and then a few minutes turn into another hour or two and then you're only getting like 2 hours of sleep before you head into the office." He walks over and shuts my laptop, before pulling me out of the chair.

I whine and protest the whole way back to our bed, but he doesn't seem to care. He makes me lay down and tucks me in like I'm a little kid, before climbing in bed next to me.

Once he's in bed his, arm wraps around my waist as he pulls me closer resting his head on my stomach. "Finally, I can sleep now."

"You've been asleep this whole time." I argue.

"Yea, but now I'll get good sleep. I only get good sleep when you're with me." I smile, even though he can't see me. I continue playing with his hair, before we both drift of to sleep in each other's arms.

[blu3-ja3]

Last one in the series! Woo Price! This will be a bit more backstory heavy for O'Connor. After this I've got like 6 little shorts so I can clear out my drafts to start working on the story!

!TRIGGER WARNING! Suicidal Ideations, Grief, Domestic Abuse

1) Coffee: Black with Two Sugar

I knew it was going to be a long day as soon as I walked into the mess. Usually the smell of coffee being brewed is the first thing you smell but not today. I walk towards Soap and Gaz who are currently at a table with the coffee machine gutted, electrics scattered across the table.

"What did you do to it?"

"I'm trying to fix it Doc, before Price walks in."

"What the hell happened to it?"

"Don't know, trying to figure that out." I shake my head and hope I can get into the kitchen.

They don't let me into the kitchen and refuse to brew just one cup of coffee. I'm heavily tempted to pull rank just to brew Price a cup of coffee, the man becomes a monster to work with if he doesn't get his coffee. And most days on base I'm the one who interacted with him the most. I step out to see the man himself standing next to the table with Gaz and Soap, Roach has joined them trying to fix the machine.

"Here." Ghost appears next to me, handing me a mug of black coffee.

"How di-"

"I know the Captain is a bloody bastard without his morning coffee."

"But how did you get into the mess?"

"My specialty is infiltration Doc... And I really don't want to deal with Price without his fix."

I thank the lieutenant and quickly make my way towards Prince. I can tell he's getting antsy already so I hand over the cup of coffee. I see the tension leave his body and I feel the men around me relax. Everyone has their creature comforts and for John Price it's a cup of black coffee with two sugars first thing in the morning.

2) What's Next?

I'm laying in bed as two people enter the room. These dumb feckin doctors have me positioned so that the side that was bandaged and basically blind was towards the door. I can't see who just entered my room. I hated this, I've asked them multiple times to change my rooms but they refuse. I can't really turn my head to look at who came in either so I just lay and hope they'll move to where I can see them.

I recognize my former CO instantly, he has more facial hair but I'd recognize that buckets hat anywhere. The woman I remember meeting a few times, Laswell, I never really interacted with her too much but she seemed nice enough. I don't understand why they're here but I'm sure I'm about to find out. Price leans over and whispers something to her before Laswell leaves the room.

"Hello Maevis... Would you like to talk?"

"I'm surprised you asked, most just coming in and start blabbing..." I see him nod before moving the chair to my right to a place on my left.

"Tell me, and be honest with me Maevis, how are you holding up?"

I bite the inside of my cheek as I felt tears well up. I've not seen this man for about a decade, not since I finished my divorce and was transferred to another team. Will was 8 when we last saw Price. But the first thing he does is check in, making sure I'm okay... He's still the same man who helped me through one of the hardest moments of my life. And here he is again. I let the tears fall as I speak.

"It's been hell, you know about Will? About what happened at Piccadilly," he nods sullenly.

"Yeah, know about it a little too well. Sorry I missed the funeral, I told you what I could, about where I was." I nodded remembering the note I received on my desk two days before the funeral.

"I held Will's funeral, Oliver and Da made it their personal mission to guilt me for everything they could think of. Had the nerve to demand that I not cremate him, demanded he be buried with Da's family. I told them about his tombstone that would be placed next to Ma's in Ireland." I reached up and held the green glass four leaf clover charm around my neck.

"After that I couldn't stay home, had to go, anywhere would do. So they sent me and my team to assist with refugees, they needed medical care and I was more than happy to help..." I couldn't look at Price, I knew there was pity on his face. I can't handle seeing that look anymore. So I look out the window, I'm not looking at anything in particular but it's better than seeing that look.

"Our tent was burned down, they attacked just us, going after the sick and injured. I survived, no one else did, a part of me wishes I didn't. I can't stand to sleep, every time I close my eyes I'm there again. And then the higher ups have to gall to promote me!"

"Really?"

"Yes sir! I'm Captain feckin' Maevis O'Connor! What a load of gobshite!" I felt bitter and sick when calling myself a captain. I don't feel like a captain, I couldn't protect myself, let alone those under me.

"They come to me asking a million questions and want me to retire. Don't want me anymore..."

"Do you want to retire?"

"Honestly? No, as soon as I'm on my own I know I'd eat a bullet. I know it's not healthy, but I didn't join this career because it was healthy..."

"I have an offer, I'm putting together a team and I need a second in command. I trust you Maevis, got a good head on your shoulders when you're in the field. And you're one hell of a doctor, I need a good doctor to keep these muppets alive."

"When do we start?"

"As soon as you're given the all clear, which will be in a few days yeah?" I nod

"Good Laswell will be here, she'll help with the paperwork of having you transferred and she'll debrief you on your team..."

"Can't wait Captain!"

Relief flooding my system. I'm going to be useful again, I can help again. And I'll be with an old friend. This will be good... The very thing I've hoped for but thought was impossible with everything going on around me. I have hope again.

3) Barefoot and Pregnant

I don't know where we're going, I'm just letting John drive. I'm in his truck, soaking wet and barely clothed. My face throbbed from where Oliver punched me, it wasn't the first time he'd laid his hands on me but something finally snapped. Maybe it was learning that he's been having an affair with my sister Bridget, maybe it was Da being right there when Oliver struck me and him doing nothing, maybe I finally realized that I'd end up like Ma if I stayed.

I walked to my office grabbed my phone and the divorce papers John helped me draft up and put together. I shoved them into Oliver's chest and left, walking out in nothing but my nightgown. I was so relieved when John picked up. He came right away, didn't ask any questions just helped me into his truck and drove.

"Whe-"

"Are you leaving him?" I nod in response.

"Maevis I need to hear you say it..."

"I'm leaving him John, I can't do it. I can't bring my baby boy into a world where I'm being beat by his father... I can't be my mother. I love her, rest her soul but I can't do what she did... If that makes me a coward so be it..."

"You're braver than she was, we're going to my place... I'll pop by the shop to get you something to wear for tonight. Tomorrow we're going to get some of yours and the babys things from Oliver... For now we're saying you're staying with Kinsey, I'm sure she'll be okay with that."

"Saying? Will I not actually be there?"

"No you bloody won't, you'll be staying with me."

"Lieutenant I can't I don't want to impo-"

"That's an order Sergeant. I don't want you out of my sight, Oliver is a violent man. And you're 8 months pregnant Maevis, you won't be imposing I've got a spare room and an office I don't use."

"What about-"

"I'm owed some leave I'm sure Kate won't mind."

"Thank you John."

"You're repaying me by leaving him Maevis."

"I am, I gave him the papers as I left."

4) A Comforting Talk

My leg is bouncing rapidly as John drives me to the cemetery. He told me to get into his truck and we had a day. He took me to get a bouquet of hydrangeas and forget me nots and then we drove towards Galway.

We stopped just outside the gates of the cemetery and he let me lead the way. It has been a bit since I was last here but I knew where to find his tombstone by heart.

I slowed a bit as I spotted the squared topped tombstone, my hands are sweating as I walked up, crouched down and sat on my knees in front of his tombstone. I can hear John walk up to me before standing next to me. Price sets something on top of Will's grave, I look to see a plane replica.

"Got you something Will, thought you'd like it. You always talked about flying that one."

Price stepped back standing behind me. He reaches down and pats my shoulder. I realized I'm crying slightly before I turned back to Will.

"We got you some flowers as well darling, talked to Jennifer and asked her what we should get you. She um said to get forget-me-nots... The um... florist said hydrangeas would go well so..." I swallow because it feels like my heart in throat.

We stayed for a bit while I talked to Will, about Jennifer his ex-girlfriend, about how his friends are doing, about everything I'm doing. Once I started I couldn't stop, it was cathartic. Eventually I said goodbye and walked back with John.

"Thank you"

"Anytime Maeve, it was nice to hear you were just chatting. Maybe next time we can bring the boys, I'm sure they'd like to visit." I smile and nod.

5) Paternal

"Go ask your mother, I will not give you the all clear if she doesn't..." I hear Price's smile as I walk into the rec room.

"What am I being asked?" I see the three younger 141 soldiers turn around towards me, all three giving their best puppy dog eyes. Price is standing next to Ghost who has his shaking head in his hand. I let out a deep sigh before gesturing for them to go ahead and ask.

"There's 3 extra rolls of duct tape from the move, we want to try something!" Roach is the one to ask... There's so much that could go wrong but it's been quite around here so I'm curious.

"And what is it that you're planning to do?"

"They're going to try and pin me 3 v 1, if they win I let them..." I hear Ghost take a deep sigh looking towards Soap.

"I let them duct tape me to their chosen surface... BUT IF I WIN!" All three look towards him as though they've not heard this part.

"If you win Ghost?" Gaz seems to be teasing the man with the prompt.

"If I win I'm duct taping all three of you and leaving you. You'll have to figure out how to get yourselves out."

"Deal!"

"Sounds Fair!"

"That's easy!"

All the men look towards me. I let out an exasperated sigh before saying yes. Immediately all three boys run over towards the ring with Ghost trailing quietly behind them. I walk over to one of the nearby folding chairs to watch, Price comes to sit down next to me.

The four immediately started fighting, and unsurprisingly Ghost was holding his own very well. The three younger soldiers aren't coordinating together just yet so Ghost isn't struggling.

"Why did I let you convince me to have kids?"

"To be fair I didn't think we'd have so many..."

"How did we end up as a married couple with 4 kids?"

"I don't know you're the one who had a kid first and was actually married..."

"To be fair my marriage was nothing compared to this one, at least we're both consenting to sleeping with others."

"What do you mean I've never slept with anyone else."

I actually laughed at how fake offended John sounded at that sentence. I watched as Gaz and Soap started using Roach as a distraction against Ghost, good strategy.

"John you forget, I'm the one who provides the whole base with condoms and lube. It's not hard to connect the dots when you come to my office and go to the drawer then Gaz is limping the next morning..."

I laughed even harder as John pulled his bucket hat down to cover his eye and cheeks with shadows. Ghost has picked up on the boy's strategy and has decided to go after Gaz and Soap.

"At least I knew I was gay and didn't deny it for years."

"I have no idea what you're talking about John!"

"Mhm, and I didn't have to watch you oggle every lady we interacted with for years!"

"I'm no better than a man!"

"Remember the first time you saw Kate in tactical gear?"

" I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS MARRIED! No one told me until after I started a hole in her shirt!"

"I'm almost positive if you asked her out Kate and Sarah would absolutely go on a date with you..."

"Kate has to deal with enough paperwork regarding internal fraternization I doubt she'd like more."

"She has more complaints about us being together than anyone else."

"Really?"

"Yes, some new private keep pestering her with complaints."

"I'm sure she's handling."

I look up to see all three of the younger soldiers finally pin Ghost. They all hop up and start celebrating as me and Price start walking over.

"Cheaters, you used Soap against me"

"All's fair in love and war LT!"

They all drag Ghost out of the ring and Soap kisses him on the cheek.

Don't ask me how but eventually, using all the duct tape, the boys manage to have Simon duct taped to the wall. He was so high up that his head was rubbing against the roof.

"Ghost do you mind getting the cobwebs in the corners?"

"I would if I could move my bloody arms Doc!"

He seemed very much stuck as he was wiggling like crazy. All three were laughing up a storm, Roach was rolling on the floor and Gaz was nearly crying. I smiled softly at the group that surrounded me. How lucky I am to have these people around me.

[t5u]

nishimura riki; photobooths (2)

(2/2) three words, eight letters.

previous part - (1/2) cotton candy.

pairing: nishimura riki x reader

genre: fluff, angst if you squint hard enough

synopsis: between two best friends who don't realize their feelings for each other just yet.

trigger warning(s): abit of swearing, ferris wheels?

word count: 1.7K

a/n: the ending to this im not really satisfied with but its been in my drafts for so long i've gotta just :D

~~

[6:55 PM]

it was starting to get dark, you were walking with a bunny plushie in hand that riki got for you at the balloon popping stall, and with riki walking right beside you of course. looking around to see whatever interested you both next.

for riki, he was just in his own world, going wherever you led him.

what was he thinking of? the moment you decided to name that bunny after him as soon as you had it in your hands with no hesitation, and that caught him off guard for a bit. now you're just going to have a bunny in your room named riki.

and of course, back at the cotton candy stall, when the lady called you both lovebirds, it made him feel a certain way.

that same feeling he gets every time you called him cute. or whenever you fixed his hair for him, whenever you brought him banana milk randomly, whenever you feed him random things, whenever he did something wrong on purpose just so you can do it for him instead.

that same feeling he always gets when he's around you.

his act of service, his constant teasing, his little gifts, his little notes he'd usually write you whenever he was bored in class, a lot of them contained with drawings of bunnies and funny looking strawberries cause he knew they were your favorite things, or just notes telling you that he liked your outfit that day.

the way he takes you places whenever he knew you were stressed or when you needed it, when he appears at your doorsteps whenever you texted him telling him that you weren't feeling your best, when he tries to compliment and make you feel better when you're down although he's bad it it, thats his love language.

yours was physical touch, like when you'd play with his hair, which he loved, when you'd drag him around by his hand or when you hug him when you're feeling down just for comfort.

your clinginess, like when you unconsciously hold his hand when you're in public places, when he's playing games with controller in hand but you're bored so you'd always end up laying on his lap, watching the screen although you don't understand anything that's going on, but since it's riki playing it, you're interested

your patience for him. he'd make mistakes and instead of getting annoyed over it, you'd calmly tell him to try again and would help him with it. whether with homework, cooking or anything you both decided to do together. or when he's feeling down and stressed, your arms and ears are always open for him. you're always there to listen and hug him whenever he needed.

your constant scolding whenever he purposefully did something wrong so that you'd do it for him instead, he'd enjoy it whenever you were mad at him just because he thought that its cute.

he loved everything about it.

he knew how you liked your coffee, what you wanted your pancakes with and how many you'd usually eat, your favorite colors. he knew when you'd get nervous just by how you fiddle with his hands, how you loved it when he'd comfort you by giving back rubs, hand rubs or head pats. just like you did for him. he knew every single tiny detail.

you don't know how much of an impact you took upon this boy, and he wasn't against any of it either as he loved every second of it.

whatever the other did, you both have no hesitations to give it a try too.

this was alot of emotions for a boy to keep to himself. it was the first time he felt like he wanted someone to know how much he liked them. which was why this whole date-like after school amusement park thing was a good idea. he was going to tell a girl that he liked her on her favorite ride in an amusement park, where it all started. he planned it all out 2 weeks prior.

why did it take two weeks when this whole idea popped into is little head in the span of 10 minutes? it's because he's nervous, he's never confessed to anyone, ever. and like the perfectionist that he is, he wanted everything to go as planned.

"riki look! a photo booth!" you pointed.

"y/n, no more pictures" riki replied, dragging his feet.

"i just want some pictures i can put in my phone case. its so blank right now, see?" you said, extending your arms and showing the back of your phone case directly at his face.

and with that he was already convinced, to miss the chance to get his face inside that clear phone case of yours? anything.

"didn't you just have a picture of that one k-pop idol you were obsessing over for weeks?" riki said smiling a bit, looking down at you.

"well yes, but i've looked at that same photo card too much it got kinda boring."

he remembered vividly how you were squealing at him over it about a week ago.

"alright, fine" he said in a stern tone, but was jumping around inside "but it has to be in there for at least 5 months".

"okay okay fine! let's take four sheets worth so we both got two sheets each okay?"

"alright."

and there he finds himself taking pictures with with you and riki the bunny in your arms. and that character hat he came to like because every once in a while you'd turn back to tell him that it looked cute on him.

riki being riki, he was awkward.

"smile a a bit won't you, nishimura?" you poked him, placing your chin on his shoulder staring right at him. he looked back down at you. gosh if he had to count how many times him heart rate accelerated today just because of one person.

snap

"alright just get your chin off me it hurts" he giggled and grabs you by your face to lift your head up

snap

"yah!" you tried grabbing his whole face too but it was more of a struggle with his hands blocking you view. at that point you both have forgotten you were taking pictures.

--

[7:15 PM]

you brought out your phone and popped off your phone case to settle the pictures in the right spot.

he really made to that phone case of yours, he thought.

popping it back on, you lifted your phone and started taking pictures of the view.

"y/n"

"hm?" you looked up, he was taking photos of the both of you.

"i'm sending these to my mom, she just texted me"

"send me them too"

after he was done, you handed your phone to him. "could you take a couple for me?"

he smiled, knowing what to do.

the lighting on your face was just perfect. and you couldn't look even more adorable with that bunny on your lap.

he started clicking, but of course, he couldn't miss this chance.

"here you go" he handed you back your phone

"riki these are all you!" you said swiping through them rapidly. he really just spammed the button didn't he

he laughed, "alright alright, i'll take you some" you handed it back but he brought out his instead

"no no, i feel like the lighting on my phone looks better, i'll airdrop them after"

smooth.

-

"i miss the feeling of being on ferris wheels" you said.

you knew damn well the last time you were on one was with him and it didn't end well.

"me too" he replied with a smile, looking back out to see the view.

nervously thinking of the right time to say the three words that he's practiced in front of the mirror in his bedroom countless times making sure he won't mess it up just for today.

the atmosphere was a lot different from when you both were last here, more lights, more lively, more stalls.

"riki?"

"y/n" he replied. you froze, not being able to mutter out your words. chanting in your head that it's now or never and that you can't keep chickening out when the timing is perfect. but nothing seemed to come out of you mouth.

three words, eight letters was all it took and yet it was so hard to say. being too scared of rejection, too scared of the outcome. you can't handle the thought of him ghosting you again. god knows whether or not he's going to ghost you or just cut you off for good.

it was just silence. you two were just looking in different directions, staring out of the ferris wheel.

again, you failed to say how you felt towards the boy. again, you tried changing the topic.

"people look like ants from up her-

"i like you, y/n"

"what?"

"i like you" he said, with no hesitation looking straight at you now but you were too nervous to look into his eyes right now. what the fuck.

"i do too riki"

"i don't mean it in a friendly way y/n." you paused to look at the boy, he continued, "i mean in way that means you make me feel things whenever i'm around you. i like you a lot, y/n"

"i like you too, riki."

your heart was thumping in your chest it felt like it was going to burst. you weren't on a roller coaster, it was just a ferris wheel but yet the excitement was incomparable. he confessed before you did.

thats when you realized that those pictures you took from the photo booth were also in his phone case.

riki was never the type to say or do these things, which took you by surprise. he just said he liked you.

like, like like you.

it was minutes of just looking around after that. to riki, this was new, never once in his life has he confessed and god if he was along right now he would be jumping around because he did it, and he didn't fuck it up.

"so, you wanna grab coffee tomorrow morning?" he said looking out

"yup"

"8?"

"yup"

he smiled looking down

the awkwardness was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

what mattered at that moment though, was that it happened, you confessed. or he did. after years, it finally happened and you didn't get rejected, which is a big relief. it wasn't all that bad after all.

character hats, cotton candy stalls, bunny plushies, photobooths and ferris wheels. three words, eight letters. it all worked out.

~~

previous

taglist (open!) @sunwoahkim @chanshyuck @squiishymeow @maiverie @thicccdiccdaddy27

[babbling-idiot]

Jerry Dandridge x reader

Warning: Non really

(This was something I've had in my draft for a hot second and to be honest, I'm not sure about it. I wanted to get something else out for jerry, again this is the 1985 version, love you Colin Ferrell but not today. I hope you like it and tell me what you think!)

When your friends had suggested going to the club, you had thought they were crazy. They knew you were only twenty and that meant that drinking was out of the question. They said that since you had gotten out of your crappy relationship maybe it would nice to meet someone. Maybe make new friends. Make new friends? That almost made you laugh.

You'll have fun they said, you'll meet someone they said. If only they saw you now. Leaned up against the stairs  going to the bar, just taking small glances at the couple's grinding up against each other. Suddenly, a man pulls your attention away. He was across the dance floor pacing, weaving through the crowd of people. Occasionally a woman would gawk at him, grabbing at his arms trying to get his attention. He'd spare a tiny bit before walking away. Then like he felt your gaze he looked straight at you. It felt as if his stare held some kind if power over you. You felt your legs behind to give out. You braced yourself against the wall, hoping your legs would listen to you for once and just keep stable. It felt like hours had passed, surely not. He held the seemingly intense gaze, until like a wave of relief he finally made it to you. The first thing you noticed about this mysterious man was his eyes. His eyes seemed to look directly into your soul. Knowing exactly what you wanted and gave you a look that said "I can give you everything". His wavy brown hair seemed to make his just alike eyes even more intriguing. But then, he smiled. Oh god! The feeling you got from that was enough to make your stomach flip in the most delicious way. He smiled and slowly brought his hand up to your cheek, gently grazing the back of his hand across it. He then took it back but kept his hand extended towards you "Would you like to dance with me?"

You didnt think dancing with a total stranger could ever be, at the least pleasing. The experience of dancing with him was unlike any dancing you had done with anyone else. It was sensual, the way he rocked his hips into yours, the way he would let his hands roam around your body. Mapping into memory all your curves. The way this man, this stranger held you, caressed your body as if he had done it many times before made you all the more curious as to who he was. All you needed was a name. A name to put to his face so that if you ever told your friends about this it would be embedded into your memory.

At the end of the night, you both somehow ended up back at his place. It seemed as though it was all a blur, you didnt remember ever drinking so why couldnt you remember. It angered you to no end but the next morning you woke up in what you supposed was the mans bed, he wasnt there. This didnt suprise you all to much. As you sat up, pulling the covers over your half naked body the first thing you noticed was that on the small cushion at the end of the bed, there lay all your clothes. Folded neatly and looked to be, fresh out of the laundry? Did he wash your clothes? Just as you were thinking this a man walks in. Not the man from last night but a different man. "Oh hello! I'm glad to see that you are awake. Jerry told me that when you awaken, to get you some breakfast before returning you home. I will take you per his request, he's out doing errands at the moment. Just come down when you are ready!" He says as he sits a small note on top of your clothes. Jerry. It suited him very well. To not have that man wait for you all day long, you got up and dressed. Pocketing the note for later, you made your way to the stairs. When you reached the bottom you saw the same man from earlier. "Ahh, follow me please." He says heading toward what you guess was the kitchen. Right as you entered, the small of food made it's way into your nostrils. Making you  sigh in content.

After you ate and was driven home. The first thing you did was look at the note:

'Goodmorning. I hope you slept well, I had some errands to run this morning. I am very sorry I was not there to greet you. I trust that billy took you home safely. Again I apologize for my absence, if it means anything, last night was amazing. I wish I could tell you in person. If you wish to contact me, here is my number. "Xxx-xxx-xxxx" Please take note that I dont get home most days until 6 or 7. I have very odd hours and work that is demanding of me. Have a wonderful morning and hopefully I'll see you again soon. -Love Jerry'

The handwriting alone made you smile. It was so neat and looked like what you see in old movies with the ink and quill. You grab a pen and paper and write down his number. You place it on your dresser and go to shower. You hoped that youd see this guy again. He just had something about him, an underlying mystery about him that made you want to know more and boy.....werent you in for a treat.

(Hey again. Please do tell me what you think about this, I just wanna know if its good or not and if I'm doing ok. Requests are always open and please remember to stay safe out there in the world. Have a wonderful day, peace!)

[michaelbjorkwrites]

Hi, Michael. Love your content! Thank you very much for sharing such useful advice. I've got a probably silly question. I wrote my first short story and it was well-received. The readers like the style & choice of words. However, I got into a slump. I can't seem to mimic how I wrote the first one. Everything else after that felt bland. I got many little ideas in my head but when I tried to put pen to paper, it seems boring. Any advice how to overcome that? And congrats on getting married!

Readers loved my first story. How do I recreate that success?

Thank you for the congratulations, and I'm glad you like my content! :)

Hearing your question, I think there are six pieces of advice I’d like to give.

1. Enjoy the success of your first short story (and all the successes to come)! I'm so glad your first story turned out well, and you should feel proud of yourself.

2. Know, however, that you won't always knock it out of the park with every story. Everyone writes a mix of good, bad, and middle-of-the-road stories -- and that's especially true when you're first starting out and trying to find your style (which takes time to develop.) It's awesome you were able to pull off a win on your first try! But know that the best way to write those kinds of stories more consistently is to just keep writing and practicing.

3. Part of finding your voice as a writer is learning what you do well. You mentioned your first story readers liked "the style & words," but did they say anything more specific about what they liked in particular? Go back through their feedback and identify specifically what they loved, cross-reference it with the things you loved from the story, and then pick one of those things to apply the next time you write. I'd suggest limiting it to one thing at a time; if you try multiple, you'll struggle to pull off any of them. (More advice on that can be found here.)

4. That being said, don’t let yourself get too caught up trying to recreate the magic of your first story. You're just starting out, so let loose! Experiment! Try different things and follow your interests! Don't constrain yourself too much right now, because the best thing you can do when you're first starting is to play around and follow your whims. Get comfortable with your storytelling chops, and you'll lay a strong foundation for your writing to come.

5. If your current stories feel bland, my best guess would be it’s because they may lack tension and clear character motivations. I mention both in tandem because they're interrelated. Try giving your characters clear, even competing motives in each scene (in other words, know what they want to accomplish and don’t be afraid to pit them against each other in small ways), and that will help create tension. Incorporating good stakes is another way to up the tension.

6. Lastly, remember not to fully trust your doubts as you draft. Sometimes when writing, the story will feel dull or the words will feel clunky -- but you're just getting caught up in your own head. So don't be afraid to push through the feeling, finish the story, and then look back on it a few days later. There will be two possible outcomes: either the prose will be better than you remember, which is great; or it will still be dull, but at least you'll have a draft in front of you and a clearer head for finding a solution.

I hope that helps! Feel free to ask any followup questions if I didn't cover everything. 

Best,

— — —

Hey there! My name’s Mike, and I’m a writer and copywriter with an MFA in fiction. For more tips on how to hone your craft and nurture meaningful stories, follow my blog.

Or check out all my answered writing asks.

[writeinspiration]

suggestions for a young writer? im 15 and i just started seriously writing about a year ago~ since then I've written mostly poetry but I really write other stuff like short stories or plays too! but i always have trouble making my ideas ideas into something and just deciding how or what i want to write. and i get so worried that i lose motivation! i think that i first want to tackle trying to make characters/a simple short story. advice, tips, or tricks? thank youuu!

Hi! I’m glad you’re ready to get started! Beingeager about writing is the best. Writing a poem is a lot like writing a shortstory, so you’re on the right track. Good writing is precise and almost lyrical.

It can be really difficult to maintain motivation.Most people will advise you to write every day, which is good advice, but it’sjust not always feasible. The more you write, the better you will get!

Personally, titles and concepts and characters areall equally likely to get me started on a project. A cool title might pop up inmy head, and then I develop what story and characters go with it. Or I’ll havea concept that I’ll develop and label. Other times, I start with a characterand figure out who they are and what they do.

Here’s my most popular post regarding charactercreation: https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/158687382194/how-do-you-create-characters-or-do-they-come-find

Keeping motivated can be really difficult whenyou’re unsure of your capabilities as a writer. But the more you wait to putyour ideas to the page, the harder it will be to pick things back up. Onceyou’ve gone a week without writing, one more day seems like nothing. One moreweek, one more month… where does it stop?

I’ve seen people suggest leaving off in the middleof a sentence. When you do that, you are setting up for success. You alreadyknow exactly how that sentence will end and where it will lead. So once you sitdown with it again, you can hit the middle of the sentence without staring at atotally blank page.

I have a lot of different posts and tags that mayhelp you out!

Writer’s block and depression (1), and again (2), and some pick-me-ups (3)

First drafts don’t have to be good. 

Write a whole bunch of crappy sentences if that’s what it takesto get a good one.

Don’t let it get you down. Just get it done.

Your big ideas are worth pursuing.

This post in particular will likely resonate with you and how you feel right now: https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/132168477614/ive-been-trying-to-write-for-years-unfortunately (full text included at the very, very bottom of this post)

More below the “Keep reading” line!

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Click here to get a random “Why Aren’t You Writing?” post!

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Useful tags:

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/search/young– stuff relating to young writers and characters

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/search/inspiration– inspiration

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/search/motivation– motivation

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/tagged/depression– depression

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/search/characters– everything relating to characters

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/search/writing+prompt

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– writing prompts

Specific posts that address some of your concerns:

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/144610505447/if-you-see-a-need-fill-it– If you see a need, fill it.

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/152075979524/fuckyeahyoungadultlit-tachycardiia– diversity in YA lit

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/132168477614/ive-been-trying-to-write-for-years-unfortunately– starting to write

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/131428782622/cliches-in-ya-romance– clichés in YA romance

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/131034862609/lizardpeopledearreader-honestly-if-stephanie– There’s always someone worse.

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/104205593649/jetpack-johnny-rose-for-a-tenner-actually– Curiosity is important.

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/23740953643/setting– starting with setting

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/151665809147/learning-the-essentials-of-plotting-your-novel– plotting

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/149405245039/i-have-an-insanely-bad-time-writing-dialogue-any– dialogue

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/169191903744/behind-me-is-infinite-power-before-me-is-endless– possibilities

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/167418537238/startledoctopus-ronibravo-i-started-writing– any reason to start writing is a good reason

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/96119396642/cranky-crustaceans-pupukachoo– Pixar’s rules for storytelling

30THNOVEMBER 2013

QUOTE REBLOGGEDFROM BLOTS& PLOTS WITH 105,191 NOTES

Young writers should read books past bedtime andwrite things down in notebooks when they are supposed to be doing somethingelse.

— Lemony Snicket  (via blotsandplots)

14THDECEMBER 2012

The question for each man to settle is not what hewould do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages; thequestion is what he will do with the things he has. The moment a young manceases to dream or to bemoan his lack of opportunities and resolutely looks hisconditions in the face, and resolves to change them, he lays the corner-stoneof a solid and honorable success.

— Hamilton Wright Mabie

7THNOVEMBER 2017

PHOTO REBLOGGEDFROM FIXYOUR WRITING HABITS WITH 2,493 NOTES

[Image transcript:The Rules of Writing

1: Write crappy first drafts.2: Words don’t bleed. Cut them.3: Write now. Edit later.4: There are NO mistakes–only creative opportunities.5. Don’t think. Just write.6: Rules? There are rules?]

Starting to write:

https://writeinspiration.tumblr.com/post/132168477614/ive-been-trying-to-write-for-years-unfortunately

deathtotheselfie asked:I’ve been trying to write for years. Unfortunately I’m very young and theschooling I’ve received on writing is nothing like I what I write about. I’monly 14 now, but little phrases and ideas bounce around in my head. Howeverwhen I write I feel like it’s not good or mature enough because of my lack ofexperience. I can’t tend to think of original plots as I’m just surrounded inother people’s work. Do you have any advice on plot development? And do youthink I should continue trying to write?

Hi! Your question makes me quite sad. If you liketo write, then you should pursue it. It’s that simple.

School doesn’t help much in terms of creativewriting. Over the summer, when I was little, my mom would make my sister and mewrite short stories. It kept me in the habit of writing even when school wasn’tin session.

(Wanna know a secret? I often got stuck halfwaythrough my story, so I’d coerce my sister into showing me hers. Then I wouldwrite the same events but in my own words. I did this for quite a while onesummer. Maybe two.)

Not only does school keep you ridiculously busy,but it also doesn’t like teaching creative stuff much either, because math andscience are deemed as more important than anything related to the arts.

All those negative voices banging around in yourhead along with all the good ideas you have? You need to learn to silence them.Those things are what you are being trained to think.

Here’s what nobody seems to know about writing:you have to start  somewhere. No one starts off as an amazing writer.

People expect writers to have this magical well ofintuition, but honestly, it just comes from practice.

You know that thing about practicing 10,000 hoursin order to become a master at something? It applies to writing, too.

Writers write.

You need to watch and write things down–what youobserve can be the basis for characters or plot or whatever. Eavesdrop on astranger’s phone conversation to get a peek into other people’s lives. Sit on abench in the mall and watch people go by.

Do you know how babies learn? They observe otherpeople doing things and then try to mimic them.

I don’t mean that fledgling writers are babies, ofcourse, but I mean that you can get your best work by reading other people’swork.

Figure out what you like to read, what you don’t liketo read. And then ask yourself WHY.

What is it about that book you hated? Was it thecharacters? The plot? The slow story-telling?

What did you love about that one book? How did itmake you feel? What parts made you feel that way?

I was in middle school when I began reading a Series of Unfortunate Events  (I’m25, for comparison’s sake). Do you know what my writing sounded like while Iwas reading those? Lemony Snicket. It wasn’t on purpose, but that’s just whathappened. (Also for comparison’s sake, I now have had a short story publishedin an actual anthology and completed a 60-page poetry collection as my creativethesis, as well as a book that I’m trying to get published.)

The more you read, the more you gain. If you readenough books, then you’ll have influences from all over that create a uniquewriter: you.

You are the sum of everything you have ever reador seen or thought about.

Yes, you’re a teenager. But that doesn’t stop youfrom observing the world and teaching yourself to understand other writers’work.

If you want to write something but are worriedthat it sounds too much like somebody else, then figure out why it sounds thatway. Is it just you that thinks it sounds that way? Or do other people tell youthat as well? Find out what it is that makes it sound like that. Is it thenarration? The plot? The themes?

Regardless of your answers, you are able to makeit unique to you.

You are a writer, and whatever you write will beyours and yours alone.

As far as plot development goes, I find thatoutlining helps. I don’t always keep to the outline, but askingyourself “Then what happens?” after each event that you write down is thebest thing you can do for yourself.

A plot is a series of events. If you know whathappens naturally after something, then you write that down. It also helps ifyou understand WHY something happens.

She goes to the mall.

Then what happens?

She ends up going home and crying in her room.

Why? What caused this? What physical actionscaused her to want to leave the mall? What mental actions occurred because ofthe physical actions?

She runs into someone she used to be best friendswith, and they get into a fight. This makes her feel disappointed in her friendbut also unsure of herself because she doesn’t know what she has done to makeher friend act that way. She places the blame on herself instead of on herformer friend. This is because she has been told growing up that everything isher fault and that her younger brother can’t do anything wrong.

See what I mean? And it’s okay to ask yourselfwhat you would do in that situation. But your characters are not you. Theyprobably won’t react like you would. And that’s okay and important.

As I told my students last year, ask yourself WHYand HOW after each sentence, after each paragraph, after each plot point, aftereach whatever. It will keep your story going until it reaches its naturalconclusion.

Okay, this ended up being way, way longer than Iintended it to be, haha. But I’m completely serious and obviously verypassionate about this. And I can say way more on the subject at the drop of ahat, so if you have any more questions, then just give me a shout. :)

Best of luck. And don’t stop writing.

I mean it. :)

[httydscenarios]

An Updated To-Do List:

Finish catching up Mala’s scenarios

Ryker’s scenarios

Krogan’s

Johann’s

Atali’s

Actually maybe start posting new content for all the characters, which would be a pretty rad change of pace imo