#motivate your local struggling fic writer to update by commenting on the thing

[catcorsair]

SO CLOSE to posting PART 6 y'all (and it's a good one, if I say so myself!)

(Now is the perfect time to catch up if you haven't, or start from the top 😁 These book length updates pile up on ya)

Obligatory Teeth link HERE

<3

[haematicmagic]

Oh no, i’m stuck at home! – a guide

So, i know that i’m probably telling this to the wrong people – most of us artists, poets and various fandom dwellers know how to keep ourselves occupied when stuck at home, but especially for workaholics, those with anxiety or those of us dependant on feeling productive to keep out depression (and for the normies), i feel like a extrended guide on how to be home properly could be useful.

By now, everyone has seen checklists on how to behave during quarantine and lockdowns enough to give us all a collective anxiety attack, but what, i feel, is neglected, is the fact that staying home spontaneously for 5 weeks, sometimes involuntarily, can be a terror in its own right.

So, from someone that has been sick for months with almost nothing to do, here are some tips and tricks to not succumb too much, if you’re the type for that

1. Stay active

Yes, i know, nobody is surprised, but its serious. Netflix and chill might keep you occupied for a few days, maybe two weeks, maybe the whole time, but if your mental state depends on feeling busy, stay active. if you have a local forest or park that you can safely visit, go, atleast every two days for atleast two hours. if you have a balcony, sit there.

2. Make your home liveable

keep your rooms ventilated, let sunlight in, take Vitamin D if you have it. Do workout at home if you can. Going stir crazy might not be an issue in your every–day life, but it gets everyone eventually. Eat your veggies before they spoil, eat regularly and with conscience. After work, if you must go, shower and desinfect your stuff, wear clean clothes even if you stay home and keep up woth your chores (if your mental state allows it, of course. There is another thing to be said about those of us that have a harder time to keep up with themselves in general, but this is mainly about not letting daily life disintegrate).

2. New content is your friend.

Podcasts, DnD online, Netflix or Prime from friends – if you’re like me, you most likely have a watchlist the size of east texas. I recently posted a Podcast Rec. List on my blog that has more than a year of pure audio content altogether, many of these are also great for falling asleep or on the go. For podcasts, i recommend Spotify if you have Premium or the Podbean app (which is free and allows you to download podcasts). The obvious big streaming sites exist and now is the time to share them with your friends, see if they have discounts or get those free trials. Also, your local news might have some free documentaries on their websites. There are most likely also books you haven’t read or reread. If you don’t know where to start, you might not like my taste but let me drop a few names:

Podcasts: Welcome to Nightvale, The Magnus Archives

Shows: Good Omens (prime), Preacher (prime), Umbrella Academy (Netflix), How To Sell Drugs Online Fast (Netflix), Obviously Supernatural and Dr Who for a rerun (on Burning Series.to)

Also, because i know Tumblr: If you are taking this opportunity to find every single slash fic on this planet and consume it, in gods name, appreciate the creators and writers that took the time to bring you content. Leave kudos, credit artists, leave nice comments, etc.

3. Do not despair.

Yes, the news are terrifying and staying updated is important, but your mental health is, too. I recommend „Squid“, an app that summarizes news around the world. They have a daily report function with which you can inform yourself quickly and hopefully without fake sensational headlines or panic. I also recommend „Good News“, a news app specifically for positive reports if you feel like giving up on humanity. I am not saying you should ignore the news or the reality of the situation, but the last days or weeks have been honestly depressing and if you already struggle with an outlook on life, dwelling in the bad will not help.

4. Socialize. No matter what.

Discord is free and they have extended some lifestreaming features to match the demand. Amino has communities for any interest with Chats, Voice chats, Community–made Quizzes and more. Mastondon is a (apparently) more secure twitter alternative if you dont wanna use twitter. Twitch has live streams to almost any topic (i reccomend the one that shows Bob Ross shows 24/7) and even a live stream can make you feel less alone. Scedule meetings with friends over there, regularly, just don’t succumb to the loneliness this situation might bring.

5. Learn

Sign up for Duolingo or take it up again and have an adorable owl threaten your family while learning some spanish. Get Mimo, an app much like Duolingo that teaches the basics of programming. Get into ASL, Write a DnD campaign, try that hobbie you haven’t had time for, write motivational messages for your friends that need to work, whatever it is. Try something new, if school or work aren’t keeping you busy enough.

Additionally, try to do physical stuff too. Get into knitting, sewing, wood carving, cooking, baking, prep meals, reorganize your room, paint your stuff, start a bullet journal, start a group, get addicted to tik tok, volunteer,

6. Sleep

Now, this is probably the most important point: Keep a scedule! Especially if school just closed for you and you aren’t already sick, just sitting at home, do not give into the temptation to live nocturnal. Yes, free time is fun, but dont cut yourself off. Get up at a reasonable time if you can, dress and shower and have a scedule. Try not to loose track of time and under/over sleep. If your body demands more sleep the first few days or weeks, that can be just stress compensation but try not to loose yourself too much.

7. Help if you can.

Still healthy and of good financial status or immune sytem? Others arent. Especially the homeless and unensured are at great risk. Find your local organization and donate your time or money if you can spare it. Try to support friends by informing them, keep unreasonable cases out of the hospitals and look after high risk people in your life (those can include but are not limited to: elderly, small kids, pregnant people, trans men/nbys that bind, those with autoimmune disorder, those with a weakened immune system, those in contact with a lot of people in their job)

Many organisations are also looking to either find shelter to animals or other people. If you can take them in, you are doing humanity a favour.

also, if you can, dont be that person to panic buy. This only forces other people into panic buying too. Buy reasonable amounts of what you need and be humble in your choices, if you can. Be mindful of other people. If you can afford/know how to cook at home, dont take the readymade meals from people that cant. In gods name, dont buy up food for people with special needs, like stockpiling gluten free flour just cause you’re on a diet and leaving nothing to those with allergies.)

8. Know your rights

Keep contact with others in your line of work and what procedures they are taking. Dont let anyone bully you into working in hostile environments, if you can. Find out how/when to take sick days for this and when/how your work or school will continue again. This is a special situation and in many cases, there are special rules implemented to help. Dont let anyone fuck you over.

[baby-come-bach]

All writing asks!

Oh daaaamn! Thanks, bro!! @brynhildr13 !!!!

In response to this post!

1. What is your preferred place to write (notebook, laptop, cellphone, etc.)?

~Normally I try to do everything on my laptop in Zoho’s Notebook app. I seriously love the app, and there’s a desktop and mobile version that will sync so if you’re on the go you can still edit your notes! If I’m ever stuck I’ll hand write in a paper notebook and that usually works really well for me.

2. When did you start writing?

~I started writing back in the third grade, when I wrote and illustrated a comic series called The Evil Substitute Teacher from Mars! Obviously it was of a third grade quality and I had no intentions of being a writer at that point, but it was the first time I seriously flexed my skills even though it was just for fun!

I started writing fanfiction in my freshman year of high school.

3. What is your favorite thing to write?

~I love to write stories that take characters through intense emotional journeys. I absolutely love quality character development when you can track it from beginning to end.

4. Fluff or angst?

~Angst. I have little to no interest in writing a love story or love encounters as the primary plot. It’s hard to emulate the kinds of emotions people feel during those encounters when I’ve had minimal experience.

5. How would you describe your style?

~Hmmm . . . I would say . . . healthily balanced between pragmatics and prose. I try to make things as literal as I can when there’s action happening, but when I describe character’s emotions I literally love to pour on the cheese.

6. Where do you usually find inspiration?

~In general, for overall fanfic concepts I’ll find it in the source material, in a detail that wasn’t well-expanded. For specific ideas within a story, and for specific language to describe something I’ll borrow from both the source material and other writers in canon-based fics.

7. Do you listen to music to help you write?

~Hell yes.

8. What’s the biggest “challenge” for you as a writer?

~I love to write and I mainly write for myself - meaning I write the stories that I would want to read. But it’s extremely easy to fall into the “Nobody else will want to read this/Nobody is reading this = it must be bad and I’m a terrible writer” mindset. Surprisingly, that hits me harder than comparing myself to other writers. I understand and embrace that my style is different and the way I tell stories is unique. I actually really love how I write in comparison.  I also struggle with pacing.

9. Where do you usually go to write (bedroom, living room, etc.)?

~When I’m at home, my bedroom. However, occasional changes in scenery do wonders for my inspiration, so I also love public libraries. When it’s very late at night (and it usually is because I’m a night owl to begin with and I work two jobs), I love to go to Denny’s. The people at my local Denny’s know me by name and I have the same server almost every time. They let me sit there for hours and hours (and if I do stay, I always leave a gigantic tip).

10. Can you give us a sneak peek of your current WIP?

~We’re mid-fight scene and this is unedited (I’m just really self-conscious lmao). It’s from my Dissidia fanfic, A Petal Among Thorns:

“’Cosmos's assassins!’ the Emperor sneered. He laughed, calling his staff from its resting place next to the throne. "I'm glad you could make it!" Removing Cloud first would be the most important thing. That, and deflecting Terra's magic. Cloud lifted his sword behind his head and slashed it down, and an arc of power careened off the blade towards him. The Emperor slammed the end of his staff into the ground and called a cluster of purple mines in its path. The Blade Beam collided with the mines and they detonated on contact in a cloud of smoke, the sound booming through Pandaemonium.”

11. How many stories have you written so far?

~18, though not all are complete.

12. What’s your favorite thing you ever wrote?

~In the first version of A Petal Among Thorns, I wrote a giant fight scene between a goddess and her warriors. It was intense and epic, and really maximized my skills at the time, and I loved every second of it.

13. How many chapters does your longest series have?

~Well, the new and improved version of A Petal Among Thorns has 45 posted chapters at 171k words, and I’m working on 46. The original Petal, which I finished, ended with 64 and had 108k words. Both are my longest so far. the most words, though, is Horrible Bosses with just under 200k.

14. What’s my favorite character/person to write for?

~This is so tough. But I think the Emperor for A Petal Among Thorns. He’s a classic kind of “Muahahaha” villain and I absolutely love getting into that evil headspace.

15. “OCs” or “Reader” inserts?

~If it’s an either/or question, then I say OCs. But nothing against Reader inserts. I love those, too. If it’s a do I read or write them question, then not really. I did one back when I was in high school. But I do read them and I support writers who do. There’s no such thing as cringe culture anymore so don’t let any elitists make you feel shitty for writing them.

16. Can you tell us anything about your current WIP?

~Sure. I’ve got four major ones:

1. A Petal Among Thorns (Dissidia Final Fantasy) - Cosmos just sent a group to take care of the Emperor since he’s been plaguing her and her warriors, but they’re caught unprepared when they realize he’s been secretly amassing power.

2. The Krypt (Mortal Kombat) - The group just found Master Hasashi and Kenshi, two out of the whole group they’ve been looking for. Their next order of business is to escape the spider caves, but it won’t be so easy.

3. Legends Yet (Final Fantasy XII) - Balthier and Fran are preparing to infiltrate the Archadian Palace to go after a special item. Little do they know the palace is more prepared than they thought.

4. This is My Punishment (Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus) - The Turks go looking for Vincent after he fails to report in. They confront Dr. Hojo about it, but he’s smug and disinterested.

17. How long was the longest fic you ever wrote?

~The longest COMPLETE story I ever wrote was the original A Petal Among Thorns with 64 chapters at 108k words. The longest INCOMPLETE story I have right now is the rewrite of A Petal Among Thorns with 46 chapters at 171k words. The most words I ever wrote was Horrible Bosses at just under 200k but with only 15 chapters.

18. What fandoms do you write for?

~Final Fantasy and Mortal Kombat and Hetalia are pretty much it right now, but a variety of FFs! I have written for Assassin’s Creed too, and Voltron, and I did one very self-indulgent Black Butler self-insert.

19. What is/are your favorite fandom author/authors?

~Poisonous Panda on AO3 (she used to have a tumblr but she deactivated for some reason), and Jaydee Grey on ff.net

20. Have you ever written an AU?

~No. All my stories take place in the actual world and parameters of canon. Although, I guess Petal could be considered one, since Rosa was never called to the cycles in any Dissidia game except Opera Omnia . . . ?

21. What’s your favorite AU trope?

~I don’t know if I have one. I read them but they’re not my go-to. I usually stick to canon stuff first.

22. A fanfiction cliché you can’t help but love?

~Hmmmm . . . I think descriptions of eyes. Not like, the word ‘orbs’ or anything, but the use of gemstones to describe color. I love the aesthetics associated with gemstones and their luster and how they shine, so if someone has “emerald green” eyes, or “amber” eyes, “crystalline blue”, etc. It makes me understand that their characters’ eyes are aglow with something, that they have character or passions or an ideas.

23. For how long have you been a fandom writer?

~I started my freshman year of high school, so . . . 10 years?

24. Have you ever had an idea for a story and forgot about it?

~No, I usually write stuff down right away. But as I develop my stories they rarely stay along the path enough to end up using the idea. Either the plot point is too out in left field now, or the characters are too far along in their journeys to make it work in-character.

25. What do you do to motivate yourself to write?

~Motivation? I don’t know her. 

In all seriousness, I have ZERO self-control, so I can’t bribe myself. I mostly use my own desire to see my stories finished, plus nice comments and reviews from users on AO3 and ff.net. They’re so few and far between that a single one can make my entire day.

26. How did you find out you like to write?

~I’ve always enjoyed telling stories, from the third grade up! Making my own comics, and novelizing games I used to play, like Pac-Man World 2! I sort of never stopped, but WHAT I wrote matured as I grew older and joined fandom.

27. Are there any writers (fanfiction writers or not) that have inspired you to start writing?

~No, I was writing in general before I knew what fanfiction even was. But what inspired me to start writing fanfiction in particular was reading a Dissidia fic on ff.net by the name of Slash and Burn, that hasn’t updated since 2011. Reading that fic made me realize that the stories and scenarios I was coming up with surrounding these characters I loved could be transcribed and posted, and that other people were doing it too! I simply started writing down what I already was imagining for these characters outside of the events that happened in their games.

28. What’s your favorite fandom to write for?

~Final Fantasy, hands down!

29. Describe your style in three words.

1. Balanced

2. Introspective

3. Natural

30. What would you say is the most ��famous’ fic you’ve ever written?

~Definitely The Krypt for Mortal Kombat on AO3. Writing for an active fandom is vastly, vastly different than writing for an older, stale one. The Krypt has the most comments and shares. On ff.net, it’s Horrible Bosses.

31. Blurbs or drabbles?

~Drabbles. Flesh it out more! I wanna be more immersed in whatever this is!

32. Have you ever written smut?

~I have written ONE SINGLE SHEEPISH scene in chapter 13 of Horrible Bosses. It was my very first attempt at smut and it is god-awful. Go check it out on AO3 if you want (and can withstand the second-hand embarrassment!)

33. How long does it usually take for you to write?

~LMAO that depends entirely on if I can get started for the day. If I can start and I can stay focused, I’ll easily write 3,000 words in one sitting. If I can start but I’m not focused I can usually still grind out anywhere between 100 - 500 or so words. But I’ll go days without touching Notebook if I can’t even get started.

34. What’s your favorite font to use when writing?

~I don’t put much stock in fonts but the one I’m using now on Notebook is Montserrat. I will change it every so often if I want something new though. Changes in scenery help my focus most times.

35. Which do you prefer to write: longer or shorter fics?

~Longer definitely. Shorter fics are easier but I love the challenges associated with aligning plot points with character development, as well as pacing.

36. how do you keep yourself inspired?

~My love for the fandoms I’m writing for usually does it. I love these universes and characters so much that I want to spend more time with them and watch them grow and change in ways that are or aren’t necessarily spelled out in canon. That, and the idea that since I’m writing stories I would want to read, then I’m the only one who can tell this story in my own way, so it has to be me.

37. Have you ever written something you didn’t like but posted anyway?

~Hell yeah. It be like that sometimes. Sometimes you stare and stare at a chapter and you absolutely hate it but you can’t figure out why and eventually you get pissed and say, “Fuck it, i have to post this to move on,” and you do. Specific examples for me are a few chapters in the new Petal.

38. What is your “strong suit” as a writer?

~I pride myself on my characterizations, to be honest. I feel like I have a good sense of who these characters are based on canon, and I can translate their reactions well to situations that test them.

39. What’s your favorite trope?

~I actually really, really love when characters are injured or slipping physically or emotionally, but they keep it to themselves for the sake of others. It can be for any reason - they don’t want to be a bother, they think they should be strong enough to handle it, etc.

40. How many likes do your fics usually get?

~Depends. The most I’ve gotten on anything was ~70 follows/favorites for Horrible Bosses on ff.net, and 128 kudos on The Krypt on AO3. Those are outliers, for the most part. My more popular fandom fics float around 20 - 40 kudos, my smaller fandom fics float around 5-10. The mean average for AO3 kudos across all my fics is 32, and the mean average for ff.net favorites is 14.

41. Have you ever used a prompt?

~No. it’s very, very hard for me to imagine characters into scenarios that I didn’t myself come up with?? I’m not sure why.

42. What is your weakness as a writer?

~Pacing.

43. Have you ever cried or felt any emotion while reading something you wrote?

~Yes, I cried when I wrote the aftermath of the large battle I talked about earlier, between Cosmos and her warriors in the first version of A Petal Among Thorns.

44. Have you ever done a collab with another writer?

~No, I’m too self-conscious.

45. One thing you love about fanfiction.

~I love how it allows fans to expand upon these worlds and universes that were created for us. I love how it allows us to demonstrate our love by interpreting things that were either not touched or not expanded upon in canon. It also allows me to express myself in a healthy and creative way.

46.  What’s your favorite emotion to cause on your readers?

~Nothing makes a person sexier than physical pain. But I also love anger and regret.

47. What’s your favorite thing about writing?

~See above. Writing fanfiction is another way that I express my love for something that matters so much to me, which are these pieces of media I write for. It also gives my daydreams purpose and doesn’t make me feel like I have to bottle them up!

48. Do you post your writing in any other platforms?

~Yep! AO3, ff.net! I’m Keyblader41996 on both.

49. What app/apps do you use to write (word, notepad, etc.)?

~I’ve got notes all over! I’ve got some in Notepad on my Mac, and I have some in Notebook by Zoho on their site and app, I have some in my paper notebooks, I have some in my college textbook margins and notebooks, etc. My favorite to use is Zoho’s Notebook.

50. One thing you don’t like about fanfiction.

~Thinly veiled, arbitrary and unnecessary bullshit that is masqueraded as “constructive criticism” when I didn’t ask for it, and when it’s easier for the commenter to just, idk, LEAVE THE FUCKING FIC?!?!?!!??!?!?! Rather than spend ALL that time just to be shitty???????????? get away from me.

51. Least favorite trope?

~I dislike time travel.

52. Favorite words to use when writing?

~I love facial descriptions and body language: He crossed his arms. Her eyebrows furrowed. She winked coyly. His fists balled at his sides, trembling. She jumped, clapping her hands enthusiastically. etc.

53. Least favorite words?

~I hate describing clothes and bodies/figures. Hate it.

54. Do you usually like what you write?

~It depends. I cycle through different phases. (1) This is great. (2) Oh god, what the fuck??? is this??? (3) I can’t even look at this, it’s so bad. *Stops writing for days* (4) Wait, why did I hate this so much? It’s a great starting point! (5) Edit (6) YESSS YESSSSSS YASSSSS!!!!!!!! (7) Post

I can start at any one of those numbers and go from there but it’s always in that order no matter where I start.

Thanks so much for asking me these!! I love them!!!