#someone please expand on this I’m not creative enough

[seldom-seen-kid]

We’ve never discussed this, but MCU’s Peter Parker canonically listens to Alt-J (see: Civil War, it’s playing on his headphones). Now. If he’s heard Left Hand Free and likes it enough to do a bouncy lil walk to it, I’m gonna assume he’s a fan, which means he’s probably heard Alt-J’s most popular hits. What I’m getting at here is this boy has almost definitely cried to Matilda or thought unspeakable things to Fitzpleasure. Iykyk.

[letsgetrowdy43]

I've never known someone like you—

Luke Hughes x musician!reader

I listened to “glue song” by Beabadobee (feat. Clairo) and that gave me the inspiration for the edit so enjoy!!

ynofficial and Rollingstone just posted!!

Liked by radvxz and 239 837 others

Ynofficial I met with @Rollingstone earlier this week to talk about my art, what’s coming next, and how I want to expand my creativity into different types of mediums!! Link is in my bio, please give it a read 🤎

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User64 bby you’re glowing!!

User20 dude you’re so well articulated! The interview was perfect

Taylornation we are obsessed with you 💜🕰️

Liked by Ynofficial

User48 no cause when she started talking about wanting to write a book and get more involved in the New York art scene I started shaking with excitement

User19 it would be so sick to see her involve herself in all sorts of creative scenes

Gracie Abrams I aspire to be you

Ynofficial I’m kicking my feet rn bae 🤭

Ynoffical just posted!!

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Ynofficial New York the last two nights have been literal dreams come true <3 New Jersey I’m on my way!!

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User29 they way I’ve never been so excited for anything in my life

Leithross you deserve it all!!

Ynofficial omg ily 🫶🏻

User40 THIS IS MY ERAS TOUR 😩

Jackhughes @Lhughes_06 so…. should we get tickets

Lhughes_06 yes.

User63 that was ominous…

Lhughes_06 just posted!!

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Lhughes_06 is this considered a soft launch??

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Markestapa since when??

Dylanduke25 the question you should be asking is WHO?

User73 we lost him girls 😔

User47 this post will be a conversation in therapy today!

Umichhockey very softlaunch 💙

NJdevils he learnt from the best ❤️

Dougieham are the girls fighting?

Jackhughes did she buy you that shirt 🤨

Lhughes_06 I actually bought this myself…

_Quinnhughes disgusting.

Ynofficial just posted!!

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Ynofficial so sad that my first tour has come to and end!! But I’m so excited to rest and get back into the routine of making new stuff for you guys!! Stay tuned <3

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User37 we love you ❤️

User19 watching you preform was such an out of body experience, you’re truly a talent

Ynofficial you’re gonna make me cry 🫶🏻 ily

xboygeniusx it was a pleasure to open for you!! Loved watching you grow as the tour went on 🖤

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Dylanduke25 JUST SHOW US HIS FACE

Lhughes_06 just posted!!

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Lhughes_06 dylan duke cracked the code

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Dylanduke PURR! I DID THAT

User28 I witnessed the revelation 😎

Edwards.73 I’m sorry what…

Lucafantilli he’s literally been gone a month.

Nicohischer congrats!!

User37 I was not expecting that. Like at all.

Ynofficial wait this is so cute 🤭

Lhughes_06 you’re cute

Ynofficial I’m gonna put my phone down and kiss you now

Jackhughes IM 😒 TIRED 😒 OF 😒 THIS

Ynofficial just posted!!

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Ynofficial I 🫶🏻 Luke Warren Hughes

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Lhughes_06 love you

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User92 I just know the booktok girlies are gonna eat this up…

User32 New Wag just dropped??

Ynofficial if anything I’m his sugar mommy

Lhughes_06 🤑💸

_Quinnhughes I don’t think you bully moose enough

Jackhughes agreed!

User48 MY HEART 😩

Dylanduke25 WAIT A SECOND YOU WENT TO THE B1G CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Mackiesamo may we please get a timeline of this relationship??

Ynofficial we met last year when he visited Jack in jersey… We got together last summer when I visited Michigan!

Dylanduke25 I can’t believe he hid this from us 💔

Elblue6 sending my love ❤️

[gutsby]

Guts you are a fucking insane writer and I'm so grateful we have you, like your works are absolutely incredible they are hot but also like lyrical.. so beautifully written.. you know? Thank you for sharing with us. do you have any advice for someone who has wanted to give writing fics as an outlet a try but feels like they're not creative or talented enough? Tips/tricks sorta thing? Love u madly deeply

FIRST, I LOVE YOU.

SECOND, thank you so much!!! I’m so so glad you enjoy my brainrot stories and I hope to keep them coming for y’all!! 🥹🩷🩷

THIRD, THAT’S SO EXCITING!!!! Fic writing (or any kind of creative writing, really) is the fucking best, and I’d be happy to share some tips!! Pick and choose whichever ones speak to you, but I hope these can be of some use 😩

No matter what you or anyone else says/thinks, YOU ARE CREATIVE AND TALENTED ENOUGH. Wherever your writing goes, whatever you choose to do with it, is enough. I know writing (and sharing your ideas) can seem daunting, but please don’t ever count yourself out of an opportunity just because you’re worried your work won’t be up to snuff!!

READREADREADREADREADREAD! READ!!! Not only fanfic, but flash fiction, short stories, novellas, novels, ANYTHING. I cannot overstate the importance of being an avid, active reader when it comes to improving your own writing. I sometimes struggle to find the time to read and write and work and live life, so I try to set reasonable goals. If nothing else, I read at least 5 pages per day of the book I’m reading, or I pick a short story and go with that. Lately I’ve been trying to expand the kinds of short stories I read, so I have a handful of websites to find what I like: (I’m on mobile so apologies if the formatting below is fucked 😭)

Project Gutenberg (good for finding classics and other popular stories)

The New Yorker (free 30-day trial and I think you get a few stories for free every month after ??)

Lightspeed (I’m not big on sci-fi/fantasy but trying to branch out!)

This loooooong list of literary magazines - not all are free, but many of them are

Write on the Tumblr app (or Notes). I may be one of the only freaks that does this, but I write every single one of my stories on mobile. I just prefer it to typing on a computer. It also may help with making the writing process seem less scary - at least for me, something I’m typing up on my phone doesn’t feel as “important” or intimidating as sitting down to stare at a blank computer screen or paper!

Find a beta reader/share with friends. I haven’t done this myself because I’m a PUSSY and still kinda scared to share my stories with people I know, but getting feedback from a semi-neutral third party can help improve your writing a ton! And also may be less scary than dropping your first fic to a whole online audience if you haven’t done it before !!

Follow whatever the fuck you feel inside at the moment and run. And run. And run. Seriously. I’ve heard this referred to as ‘pantsing’ (?), and it may not work for everyone, but I think some of my best stories came from a single dumbass idea (or even a line) that I let flow and grow and be whatever my brain wanted it to be. No planning or outlining. With ‘Cowboy Killers’ I just really, really, really wanted to use the line, “I’m gonna lay this motherfucker out” and have Reader throw a drink in Joel’s face, and that was it. No thoughts, just profanity and dumb, drunk antics. Don’t be afraid to start somewhere strange or random or really simple and build your story from there.

Speak your dialogue. Something that can be particularly tricky starting out is getting your dialogue to sound like real people are speaking it. You can have characters pontificating and waxing poetic all day long, but the truth is that most of us don’t talk in super long, flowery monologues. We use slang and sentence fragments and sometimes totally nonsensical sayings, and we struggle to find our words. Feature those things in your dialogue, and it should sound more natural, especially when you’re saying it out loud to yourself while you write.

I think this tip is from Stephen King (whose book on writing, cleverly titled On Writing, has some fantastic insight if you want more tips), but when it comes to picking an ending for your story, don’t go with the first one you think of. Odds are your reader is going to be thinking the same thing as you, and it’s nice to give them a little surprise if you can ;-)

There are SO many more pieces of advice you’ll glean over the years—just be patient with this process and with yourself and try to have fun with it!!! Alright shutting the fuck up now I hope this was helpful! Best of luck with your writing!!! 🫶🏼🩷🩷

[middlenamesage]

⭐️ Lesser known significations of each of the planets ⭐️

Please note that with these planetary placements, the sign gives info about the style in which you conduct yourself, the house gives info about where in life you’re conducting yourself, and the aspects give info about other flavors brought up into the picture, and how your relationship with a placement affects you and fits into the rest of your consciousness/life.

Sun

Can show where/how you like to be creative or your creative gifts. The 5th house and Leo also can show this, but I don’t seem to read enough that the Sun🌞, as our creative life force, often correlates just as directly to the type of creativity or relationship with creativity someone has.

Moon

Can show your relationship with emotional empathy; how much of it you feel, where it feels strongest, how you express it, and how it affects you (this last point being seen through the aspects to your other planets). I wish to clarify that emotional empathy is feeling other people’s emotions, and it’s not the only kind of empathy. Anyone can learn to cultivate intellectual empathy, and act on empathy. But I’ve chosen to bring the subject of emotional empathy up with the Moon because so often people think how much one finds themselves feeling for others is shown by the amount of water placements in a chart. But it’s the Moon itself that actually somewhat singularly shows the most about emotional empathy. Having planets whose core functions don’t relate to our feelings and empathy in water signs, isn’t necessarily gonna make emotional empathy strong for someone. But the function of the Moon itself is to feel and to support our close interpersonal relations.

Mercury

Can give indications about your sense of humor! Mercury rules over language and conscious thought processes, so it can say a lot about what a person processes as being funny, and in what manner they deliver funny insights. Mercury is the original master of wit!

Venus

Can show where you overindulge or what you are most greedy with.

Yes, the benefics can spoil, and they too can corrupt! One corrupted side of Venus is taking too much for herself possibly at the expense of others, and preferring a lazy and pleasurable lifestyle while never putting in the work. In some charts, at some times in your life, Venus’s placement can show where this applies.

Mars

Can show the way you break up with someone. 💔 While Venus’s function is to draw connections and support to us, Mars has the important function of keeping the connections we don’t want out, and severing connections that are no longer working. Mars’ objective is to assert individual will and this can require setting boundaries. Understanding your Mars can help you learn how to set boundaries and understand your tendencies when it comes to breaking up.

Bonus because I think it’s a really good one: Mars can show what type of exercise would be best for you, being the planet of action and vitality.

Jupiter

Can show where you overestimate your abilities or have blind faith in something, in some charts at some times. I’m choosing to cite a more negative side for both of the benefics in this post, as those sides aren’t always talked about a lot. Jupiter allows us to establish our beliefs, and gaining confidence in the way we view things is what creates the space for us to expand. But sticking by beliefs blindly (when it comes to either general philosophies or your beliefs about yourself!), without proper consideration for why you actually believe them, will not create any authentic expansion.

Saturn

Can show realms that at some points in your life you flat out avoid and/or dislike to the point of disgust potentially. This depends on what else you have in that house and how Saturn is aspected, but this has seemed to hold true for both myself at points, and a decent number of others I have observed.

Let’s be real. Saturn is not easy. He/she wants to build something long and lasting, but to actually do so can just seem so daunting. Especially when the limitations in the short term view can look so severe. 🪐 “Get bitter or get better” is a Saturn original line. And most of us have experienced feeling only bitter about our Saturn placement at some point.

Uranus

Can show where you operate for the greater good. Something I appreciate about Uranus (and want to give this shout out during the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction). Uranus doesn’t tend to need the individual accolades (depending how he’s aspected and placed). He understands he’s working to liberate a society and I think that’s beautiful. *Jupiter gushing*

Neptune

Can show where you feel like a victim or have been victimized.

I see Neptune as an outcast and misunderstood, it’s an energy some people might be inclined to try to take advantage of. But it’s for this same reason that your Neptune placement can also show where you have a very keen ability to sense, and want to support, others who suffer a similar predicament as you.

Pluto

Can show where and how you may try to control others. I don’t feel I read enough about this one, for how very common this expression can be at some points in our lives. Pluto is the subject matter that has been hidden from the conscious parts of our minds, specifically because we were the ones to bury it when we felt shame or fear for our power. Yes, Pluto is our power, but at the times that we can’t recognize this, a common reaction is to subtly try to control others in those realms. It can be so subtle and unconscious that we’re likely to not even recognize the ways we are acting or speaking manipulatively. Often the only way to fully solve this issue is to face whatever you blocked from your conscious mind and to learn to see any fears or shame you have associated with your Pluto’s placement, as actually sources of your personal power. 🖤

When you build a relationship with the planets, you’re building your relationship with yourself.

🌞💫🪐🌝

[wellthebardsdead]

Bingo.

This.

This was my experience with starfield.

It’s so, unbelievably boring. So much potential with space exploration and that’s coming from someone who hates sci fi, and they fucked it up. Just like they did with fallout.

Skyrim and the entirety of the elder scrolls works because as convoluted as the lore is, it makes, sense. It’s a cohesive story when you add the lines together with the dragon breaks in consideration. But not only that, the world building is key!

They have set a planet, a confined location on which a location takes place. That location, has lore, not only does that place have lore but it‘a people, has lore, the animals and plants have lore! The gods of that place HAVE LORE!

They have information, substance, CONTENT!

Starfield is BARREN and poorly written!! I found no enjoyment in the gameplay either!

I get wanting to expand beyond your bread and butter and what your audience wants creative wise, and Bethesda if you’re in need of writers hello- you’ve got a whole community here. But for fuck sake outside of the elder scrolls you guys are not only shit creative wise but also business wise!!

We’ve waited since skyrims release for another update! Eso is heavily lacking in substance and isn’t enough to account for it.

And each and every time Bethesda releases something else instead it’s a flop, it’s boring, it’s lacking in substance and creativity and after the duffle bag special edition, I’m not willing to give y’all my money anymore, the only reason I got starfield is because of a gift card, and I STILL felt ripped off.

Please, just put effort into your work Bethesda, because the communities done more than enough for you.

[yinyuedijun]

mao, hi! i feel like my tags under “translation” weren’t enough hehe so i’m sliding into your inbox rn with some bonus thoughts and compliments <3

you’re the “wise” mutual in my eyes and adore reading your posts — i feel like i can gain a better perspective on so many things (putting aside omegaverse /j !!! the lore bits were intriguing). english isn’t my first language so i was surprised that you use many specific phrases that only someone deeply interested in some topics would use, so it’s like +++extra wise because i’ve never used these words (i know the meaning, but that’s all).

and it’s so visible in your fic with aventurine. to write about certain situations with such detail, i don’t think i could come up with ideas like that. after reading “translation” my brain expanded lol especially since your take on cultural loss isn’t something i can relate to or find in my daily life, so it’s really interesting to learn more about it.

i hope you don’t mind me being so attentive to your blog lately — i’m here to absorb knowledge and appreciate your (online) persona <3

OH MANU!!!! T_T you are so sweet i cannot describe how this ask makes me feel. it's very funny that i am the wise mutual to you because i just feel like a silly little guy yapping into the void haha. but! i am also very happy to hear that i am able to provide some interesting perspectives for you, that you might not otherwise think about! thank you for engaging with my thoughts !!

i do have to say though, as one writer to another - i think the secret trick to writing very specific narratives has a lot to do with reflecting on your own experiences or perhaps special interests, and coming up with a story that is thematically shaped by those self-reflections. (at least for me it works like that idk i do feel like a very uncreative person....catfishing everyone into thinking i'm creative when really i am just writing stuff that is familiar to me LMFAO.) there will always be narratives that you can write that no one else will be able to, because the only person with your specific set of lived experiences is you!

and omg please don't apologize for all the interaction - i love being able to vibe with you and chat with you!!!! i am looking forward to chatting more with you in the future beloved <333

[ovaryacted]

Hey, I'm wondering - what do you consider as requests? Because it says in your pinned post that requests are closed, but you've been responding to quite a few detailed asks from anons that I'd personally count as requests (since they're asking you to write about a specific thing). So if you don't mind, could you tell us what's the line that we shouldn't cross when requests are closed? Like what counts as a request and what's okay to ask.

Hey there anon! Yeah, I figured me answering a bunch of asks would raise questions when I say requests are closed lol, I don’t mind clarifying this out!

So requests to me are when someone asks me to write out an actual one-shot or fanfic piece including ideas or concepts they want me to incorporate. So for example someone will send me an ask saying the following:

Hi! Can you write about Leon doing x,y, and z incorporating [concepts they want]. Thank you!

Obviously that’s a very general example, but if someone asks me to write a full fic out, that’s a request. If someone were to send me something like that (which I haven’t gotten yet), I won’t answer it cause chances are I’ll have a fic idea already saved that would have these things anyway, and believe me I have a lot of ideas. Getting requests also overwhelms me and gives me anxiety so I just decided to close them from the start.

All of these asks I’ve been answering are more so thirst messages or headcanon thoughts people want expanded on. For these asks, I can easily crank out 500-700 word responses, which come off the top of my head.

The answers to these asks for the most part don’t take much thought or energy (unless I’m really tired), hence why I answer them the way I do. Plus, my brain never really stops working, I’m always thinking about ideas when it comes to Leon so I don’t mind writing something without the strain of making a fic.

My own qualifications and thought process for one-shot/fics take a lot more energy and it’s far more extensive (brainstorming, outlining, formatting, making aesthetically pleasing, etc). For these asks, I don’t have enough creative juice to sit and write 2.0k words (usually my benchmark for what I consider a fic), so I shorten it down to something that’s bite-sized (for me because my actual fics are much longer). Sometimes, I end up writing more than I expected so these asks can turn into drabble pieces too (sometimes they overlap with analysis posts).

I also have analysis asks based on very specific concepts for Leon’s character, which involve a whole separate way of thinking. I actually do research and use my brain when making analysis posts, hence why I categorize them differently from everything else. (I use the ovaryacted thoughts tag for all character analysis posts).

I do have some asks that I haven’t answered yet because I’m saving them for a one-shot piece down the road. Though the person who sent me the message might not have explicitly asked me to do that, I found the ideas interesting enough to incorporate them in a fic I wanted to write anyway. I already have a very long WIP list and enough ideas to write the fics I want without needing to feed off of someone else’s brainstorm. So I just don’t take requests, but all of these asks are what I consider thirst posts and they can be sent at any time.

I’m sorry this was so long, but I have a lot of ways I differentiate the things I write cause this is just how my brain works. I hope this helps and answers your questions!

[mothuary]

MY RESPONSE WAS TOO LONG so im going to answer you in a text post lol.

Photo text: Anonymous asked: “can you share more about the Black Eagles 80s goth AU please? I’m curious as to how everyone fits in the AU”

Yes yes yes!! i can share more. i can OVER share.

so the AU it's centered around a venue in the city that edelgard starts up. Its kind of a combination gig venue/ club where they host live bands on weekends and spin records for most of the rest of the week. let me expand on the characters:

edelgard: she basically manages to get into a bunch of her fathers money and uses it to start a goth club. She does it because her dad also owns a venue, but hes not willing to support small acts if he doesn't think they'll bring a good crowd (and therefore money). She doesnt have like... tons of money from a business standpoint but its enough to get a small thing going.

Hubert: he's got a pet thing for chemistry and does photography and can make emulsion screens for t-shirts which help both the small bands and the venue make some extra cash. As always, a reliable assistant to edelgard who helps her run the place, encouraged her to do it, and can come up with really creative solutions to unexpected problems. He's also got a great pulse on the scene and is really good at scouting acts

Everyone else under the cut!!

Monica: Edelgards other assistant, has a huge crush on her. Doesn't really understand the goth thing but wants edelgard to think she's cool so she dresses up. She does the boring stuff like numbers and books and taxes, but shes really good at it and wants to help Edelgards dream so it works out.

Ferdinand: He works there, im thinking probably leads the tech or setup... but the music?? oh hes so into it. Romantic lyrics and glamorous theatrics? absolutely 100%. His family also works in entertainment (hence the stage skills) but he works with edelgard by choice because she lets him get on stage, which his family business would so not allow. He's not part of an act but he opens up for small gigs as a solo or fills in. He gets to be a rockstar for once and it is everything. Becomes fast friends with dorothea.

Dorothea: Shes scouted as a minor pop act and slated to get signed on to a record label but its nothing like what she expected: someone else writes her lyrics and she stands there and looks pretty. In order to explore her own musical inspiration, she starts writing for herself and perfoming here-- disguised in full batcave makeup with teased hair. its a journey of self exploration.

Petra: I think she would also be employed here! but not at first. She moved to [city] from a different country and found that she had a lot of trouble fitting in. After going to a club night, she met some of the regulars and found a group that didnt care if she fit in or not, as long as she had good taste in music. Introduces people to bands from home, they think its got a cool new sound. she picks up some of their music too. And maybe more than a little of the kickass style. This is the kind of place, she decides, that she wants to be a part of. She lends her strength to stage setup and helps as a security detail on occasion as well, but even when shes not working, shes often found in the audience, or hanging out in the daytime.

Caspar : Head of security! He walked in looking for a job when they were setting up the venue in the early days and after a brief deliberation over funds, the three heads of operations (lol) decided they could afford -- and ought to have-- a bouncer. He's a bit more into the punk side of the music scene but he learns to have a soft spot for crooning and synths. Plus, he found out his childhood best friend is a regular here, and this is a great chance to reconnect.

Linhardt: absolutely not employed. He spends so much time there like he really should just be working the merch table or something but he will not do it. Since he isnt being paid, edelgard tolerates his hanging about at ridiculous hours shooting the shit with Petra and Bernadetta, or reading Dorothea's lyrics and helping her pick out chord progressions. He has a really good ear for the mathematical side of music, understands music theory really really well-- but not creative at all. He can play bass, but only in a really textbook way and just cant get funky with it. Thats what he likes about hearing other people play. He will read books during club nights (but not at live shows). Hes in university and literally does all of his course reading at the club. Often found "stepping out for a smoke" (catching up with caspar)

Bernadetta: A very talented writer with an appreciation for old gothic literature. she writes poetry, and anyone who gets the opportunity to read it knows that they would make beautiful lyrics, but shes too embarrassed to share them. shes a regular and a genuine appreciator of the music. cannot play instruments. doesnt like to dance, just closes her eyes. She likes to hover near linhardt because she trusts him and his resting bitch face is a great stranger deterrent.

Byleth: idk i didnt get very far with them other than the idea that maybe they are the dj during weekdays. Since they understand everyones likes and dislikes so well, they play to everyone's preferences. Bad conversationalist and always saying cryptic shit. arrives when their shift starts and leaves when it ends. has a painfully normal day job.

Bonus: Jeritza is the lead of a band that plays here often. Mercedes comes to support him. She is so confident about being there that no one even questions her vibe. WAHHH this is so long LOL but i hope this is interesting to read!!! its got a lot of room for fleshing out but i just think its so fun and i want them all to be goth!!! heres a little doodle of linhardt, bernie, and petra hanging out in the stairwell to rest your eyes on after all that reading

[blackheath505]

[M4F] Fire and Blood | An ASOIAF AU

Hello! My name’s Rebirth. For a long while, I’ve had a love for A Song of Ice and Fire; I read the books, have watched the show and consume anything ASOIAF related. And I also happen to be very into roleplay; I’ve done it for five years, and I consider myself to be a literate writer, writing around four to five paragraphs per post. I’m looking for someone like this who has a love for A Song of Ice and Fire and is the same literacy as me. I want someone who is willing to put in the effort and go the extra mile, much like I am willing to do.

I normally make up plots with my partner in dms, but I’ve found it easier to have set plots with room to expand and explore. Recently, I’ve written a plot that is quite interesting, at least to me. I highly suggest that you read it all from start to finish. I don’t have any passwords or anything hidden in there, but I trust you’ll read it all if you’re interested. And if you have read it, you’ll see that I have no image for my character as I prefer descriptions of characters rather than an image of them.

I’m looking to do an OCxOC, MxF roleplay with me playing as the male and my original character, King Viserys whilst you play as your original character from one of the many great or minor houses in Westeros, or maybe your character is from Essos? I wouldn’t mind, get creative! My timezone is EST, so I’d prefer someone within the Americas. And when you send me a dm, make it into an introduction!! I cannot stress this enough, please don’t just come into my dms with a “Hey” or “Hi”. If I had by chance dropped a roleplay with or anything of the sorts and you’re interested in my ad and plot, send me a dm and we can try to work something new out. With everything that I can think of being said, here’s the the plot and I hope to see you in dms! Oh, and I only use discord when I roleplay, so please have it!

-

Fire and Blood

Plot made by rebirth5910/Blackheath505, please do not use it without consent and giving credit.

246 years after Aegon’s Conquest, his descendant Aegon of House Targaryen, the Fifth of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm was thirteen years into his reign when his third eldest son, Prince Daeron Targaryen married Lady Olenna Redwyne of the Arbor had married in the Red Keep on the second day of the fourth moon in 246 AC. The marriage was not one of love, many knew, but it had been one of duty. Many claimed that the night of the wedding was the first and last time Prince Daeron Targaryen and Lady Olenna Redwyne shared one bed. Though in that one night, a child had been conceived. One moon later, Lady Olenna announced to the realm that she was with child. Throughout the pregnancy, she had claimed that her child would be a girl, whilst Daeron claimed that the child would be a boy. On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth moon in the same year, a boy was born, whom Daeron named Viserys after King Viserys II Targaryen whose reign only lasted a year.

Viserys was born a healthy babe, having no deformities or contracting any illness in the moons that followed his birth. He had the silvery Valyrian hair of his father and his father before him, with plum colored eyes to accompany it. He was showered with love by his mother and kin, though he rarely received any from his father who spent most of his time in the courtyards, training with his friend Ser Jeremy Norridge. Daeron would not be a big influence in Viserys’ life as when he was four, his father died in a battle against rebels. With Daeron dead, Viserys was without a father figure until his grandsire, King Aegon, took him in as a ward. The young Prince gained many friends throughout his early years, mostly with the boys and girls at court. Most days he would learn how to read and write, read about his ancestors and their reigns and other things of the sorts with the Grand Maester at the Red Keep. At the age of ten, Viserys’ learning with books and quills would decline and his learning with swords and lances and maces would begin with his grandsire. Along with this, Viserys was also made the king’s squire.

Two years after Viserys became a squire for his grandsire, in 59 AC, the majority of the members of House Targaryen traveled to Summerhall for the summer, though only few would live to return to King’s Landing. The night of the Tragedy of Summerhall, Viserys had fled the burning castle with his mother Olenna, and his kin, Princess Rhaella Targaryen and no one else. King Aegon had died along with his son and heir, Prince Jaehaerys, his daughter and wife of Jaehaerys, Princess Shaera, and their son Prince Aerys and Prince Duncan Targaryen. In the span of one night, House Targaryen had lost five members, but had gained a single one from the tragedy. Rhaegar, Princess Rhaella had named her newborn son. By all Westerosi laws, Rhaegar was now King of the Seven Kingdoms, though once the remaining members of House Targaryen returned to King’s Landing, the late King Aegon’s small counsel had called for a great council in the Red Keep to decide the future king of Westeros. The great council lasted a week with both great and small lords attending it. The two main candidates of the great council were Prince Viserys Targaryen, a boy of ten-and-two, and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, a babe only a few weeks old. The lords and ladies of the realm had a choice to make. Would they rather have a newborn inherit the Iron Throne and not be able to sit it for many years to come, or a boy who could sit the throne in a mere few years and who had been the ward and squire of the late king? The voting was close, though Prince Viserys was ultimately chosen to be the next King of the Seven Kingdoms.

The day Viserys was decided to be king, he was crowned in the main hall of the Red Keep for all to see and pledge their fealty to the new king. King Viserys of House Targaryen, the Third of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. The crown placed upon his head was that of King Maekar’s crown, though a moon later, Viserys ordered for a new crown to be made for him. When the crown was finished almost a year later, it was a black steel circlet with yellow sapphires decorating it, much like Aegon the Conqueror's crown which had been lost to time. Viserys would not be able to wear his new crown, however, not until after the War of the Ninepenny Kings where Viserys personally traveled to Essos in order to fight the war despite heavily being told not to by his small council and regents. Though the young king insisted on it, saying “If I cannot fight alongside my men, then why should I be King?” He was only ten-and-three when he set sail with his men to Essos, and by the time he had come back, he was ten-and-four, though looking almost ten-and-six. In Essos he had been knighted alongside Tywin Lannister, one of his great friends.

With the last of the Blackfyre Pretenders dead and the realm in peace once more, Viserys donned his circlet with sunset sapphires decorating it, and set out on a royal progress across the realm with his mother and kin, going from King’s Landing to the Riverlands, the Vale, and finally the Reach, stopping at every castle along the way. When Viserys had finally made it to the Reach by the dawn of 261 AC, he traveled to Oldtown in order to visit the Starry Sept and the High Septon. By that year, Viserys was almost a man grown, being ten-and-five now, seen as wise and strong by those who personally met him along his royal progress. The young king would stay in Oldtown for half a year, enjoying the hospitality of House Hightower in the Hightower. In Oldtown, Viserys had come to be a good friend of Lord Leyton Hightower, and eventually named him Hand of the King, as that position had been vacant since the War of the Ninepenny Kings. With the convincing of Lord Leyton around that same time, the king called for a ball to be held in the Hightower in order to decide Viserys’ future wife. Ravens left from Oldtown all across the realm carrying an invitation to the ball. From Winterfell to Sunspear, lords both great and small received an invitation to bring themselves and their maiden daughters to Oldtown in order for Viserys to choose his queen.

On the last moon of 261, what could only be said dozens upon dozens of lords and ladies have showed up to Oldtown, with their maiden daughters in tow. Now with the ball being just days away, who will King Viserys choose as his queen? Will it be a woman of the North? Or possibly even a woman from Dorne? Or maybe from a different land entirely like Pentos or Lys? Only time would tell.

[kitsoa]

I need to vent and you seem like a good and kind and safe person to vent to especially because it’s about creativity and you’re a creative person, I’m sorry this is out of nowhere and I’m sorry if it bothers you.

I can’t get myself unstuck. I used to create so much. I used to write and draw, if not all the time then at least fairly frequently. But I can’t any more. And it’s not because of a writers block or lack of ideas. Far from it. I keep getting ideas but I just can’t write or anything. I can’t make myself sit down and do it. I know part of it is my current life situation but I’m so scared because this life situation is fairly stable and good except for the fact I’m not creative anymore. And I want to be creative but why the hell would I leave a good thing for it? Just because I feel like I can’t write? Can’t create? It feels like a stupid reason to leave but I miss creating so much. I feel like I’m holding my breath constantly. It feels like my wings are clipped, or that I used to have big beautiful wings that stretched out from my back but now I have to keep them folded in all the time and I just YEARN to stretch them again. But I feel like I don’t have the space. I want to have the space. I miss the me who creates but I don’t know how to get them back without shattering everything else. I don’t wanna break just to create. Not all writing has to be done in blood ya know

I’m sorry. This was too much but I had to say it to someone and you seem like a nice enough internet person who is creative and might get it. I hope I didn’t bother you.

Thanks for listening

Oh Anon. I really appreciate you sharing that. I'm not bothered at all. At the risk of making things about myself, I must say I really resonate with your feelings or I've had that kind of situation stall me too. This discussion off of your vent is unsolicited and I'll preface with an apology if I'm off base or burden your thoughts unsubstantially. Your honesty inspires me and I'm in my feelings with your plight.

To not create is truly painful and downright suffocating. While I don't know the exact details of your situation it sounds like you just don't have the energy to be creative anymore, probably due to the job/daily life just zapping you dry?

If that's so, please understand that you truly only have so much energy you can give to anything. Of course you are staring at a blank page. Of course your ideas are banging at you skull. It is not possible for you to expand past that energy threshold with something as sensitive and earnest as a creative endeavor. But you know this, you know the culprit and that's the real thorn here.

I might not be the best model for following the dreams-- abandoning the stability in the effort to retrieve your identity. I had dreams of the opera stage but decided before I even tried that I wasnt cut out for that life despite my euphoria performing. I became a teacher out of the need for stability and a clear route with my fine art pursuits. Of course I found purpose regardless but im always wondering if that creative outlet would have gave me more happiness. If I would have more opportunities to embrace myself. Because that will theoretically solve the problem. It's not the same because I found ways to channel that to something close to comparable. But the war between the smart choice and the heart choice is a tale as old as time.

Because damn I get it. The zen you get in the process of writing or drawing. The smile curling satisfaction as the work shapes up or you reread it and it's what you want and it's your imagination brought to life. I always say that I never feel more like myself than when I'm creating. I could just do it all day. It's an absolute vice anon. But it doesn't pay the bills or things just didn't shape out like that.

Often times this is a blessing. There are creatives who leave stability and prove that there is an entire world of problems with that shake up. But while your choice is something you will have to rotate and ruminate with based on your own power and situation, in the meantime you must find even the smallest relief for your painful creative rut.

If it is an energy issue, you could find that precious time and make a dedicated plan for that indulgence. I would write my fanfiction during my first year teaching on Saturday mornings. It was the only moment I could spare where the free time of the next day buffered my instinctual mental nagging. But on the other hand that can still feel too elusive.

I ultimately recommend shifting your creative outlet for a temporary amount of time. Because not all creative endeavors were created equal. For me personally writing is, by leagues, the most demanding creative art. Digital art is behind that, while sketching is the easiest route. My muse doesn't always want to draw but sometimes it's all you can muster. You may not have written that inspired moment down but you doodled an expression that moment invoked. It's small. It's not what you want. But you were able to do it amist that moment of breath. It might seem unsatisfying but your training that resistance so you can manage the more accurate and validating versions of expression.

Ahhh idk. I feel liike I'm just rambling off at you and I don't have the full story. Please feel free to disregard me. I really just feel my own struggles in your message. Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to address what I see in your heartfelt words. I wish for nothing more than your peaceful heart. Those creative wings still exist and you can make the space little by little to spread them. Give yourself grace and patience. While your long term needs are something only you can choose, you will always have something that gives you so much passion for living.

Your ability and desire to create is a treasure you can never lose.

[jonmcbrine-author]

My current WIP is set to be a full-length novel that is intended to be the first book of a trilogy - I have the titles and much of the overall story outline mapped out, but I feel apprehensive about revealing very many details about it. When does teasing information about a forthcoming release cease being a pragmatic part of marketing? At what point is it just being too precious about my oh-so-original idea?

There are legitimate concerns regarding withholding info about a book still in development - sadly, concepts, names, and designs can be stolen and it’s a difficult battle no matter how much of a claim you have. That said, do I really think literary thieves are out in the wild scheming on ways they can usurp my intellectual property? They’d have to be aware of me in the first place in order to lift any of my ideas. Being so guarded about my stories feels like such a newbie author thing to do, and it’s a tough habit to shake. So, one of the reasons I’m so coy about providing even the slightest tidbit of info about my latest novel is that, yes, I still struggle with the notion that some miscreant will think my idea is so brilliant that they just can’t resist swiping it. The more realistic reason is that it is still very early in the developmental process and things change. Chronicling the creative process can be fascinating, but at the end of the day, I want to avoid confusion about a piece of work that could undergo title changes as well as general story switcheroos.

As an admittedly vague example, as of this writing, I have introduced a major change in the narration - a different storytelling device than what I had originally conceived. This is something I decided that I will at least try - I have to see what it looks like, so-to-speak. It involves a bit of a time jump; a sort of past and present prism all told via first person POV. This idea could end up in the scrap heap, but it is too intriguing for me not to explore. One of my personal rules of writing is to find the most interesting way to tell the story, and if this particular idea that originated out of left field improves the book, then it is all for the better. After all, the only “real” rule of writing is to produce a story that someone enjoys. It’d be nice if it made money, too, but one thing at a time.

All this interior drama is unfolding within my mind palace, but to the outside world, no one knows much of anything and that is because of the aforementioned rookie preciousness. Ego also plays a factor, too. Strange as it sounds, I almost don’t want to rearrange my story’s structure despite its excitement because it deviates so much from what I said I’d do - what I said to myself, that is. The truth may lie in that my opening sequence has expanded into three chapters. The editor part of my brain demands I kill my darlings and only retain the key points and move the story along. Stupid logic.

The chapter consolidation may still happen, but I had one of those pesky ideas that seem too enticing to ignore. But much like the eclipse, I can’t help but think perhaps I should simply let logic takes its natural course and block out the bright sun of endless ideas. After all, the totality of my time that I can spend creating all of this is very limited and I don’t want to wait another twenty years for another completed book to resurface.

Alas, things are still looking sunny and the future is radiant with new possibilities. Maybe one day I will feel confident enough to simply post my new story’s details and watch with satisfaction as it gets ignored in the never-ending stream of social media.

Stay in the loop for more details by following Jonfcition Blog on Substack, Tumblr, and Medium. For more info about this and all my books, please visit jonmcbrine.com

The monthly Jonfiction Newsletter is released on the first Monday of every month only on Substack.

Unsecret Identity: Eric Icarus - Book One is available now from the Amazon Kindle store.

https://a.co/2XAtxvH

[kihaku-gato]

2023 was… a lot. We expected that I guess. My expectations bar feels like it keeps being lowered and I would not be surprised to 2024 grabbed a shovel to still dig under the newly lowered bar, but let’s hope it doesn’t.

Despite the ton of bad, I should not ignore the good;

Some friends I got to talk with more! And I got to see them develop their own new OCs while I simmered on some new ones of my own.

With a revisit I finished the story mode in Little Witch Nobeta not once but twice (second being Advanced Mode)! Not sure I could do Time Trials, but Story Mode alone satisfied much for me

I got the pruning blade onto every single apple tree in the home fruit orchard. Another year and hopefully all trees will be in routine pruning order!

Did my first successful fruit tree graft. I would love to do more if I can find some workable cases to do so.

Thanks to sis I got to get into thrifting. Not only have I enjoyed some badly needed mental stimulation from it, but also find various books that I’ve been after to finishing some of my specific Series Collections, and some other miscellanea and décor too!

I got to learn of artists and writers I was not familiar with before, I’ve loved seeing the creative angles I have either not seen enough of before or haven’t seen at all before till this point!

I finished reading 1 Manga series and 1 book series in my shelves which I had not fully read through before. They are staying on my shelves, they are in the ranks of Classics for me now.

Goals (or moreso- wishes with how goals go these days) for 2024;

More art; OC art, reference sheets, plant art, spec evo art, paleoart, I’m not picky, any or all of them. Doing fanart of other peeps’ stuff would be nice too

Try to make one polymer clay piece, doesn’t matter what it is, can be super simple

Try to compliment other peoples’ artwork more online? That’s a tall order but still something I wish to do more.

Get more decorum progression in my bedroom- something framed on the wall, some curtains, or another larger decorum piece added into the curio. Or even repair my older framed photos from college and put them up even.

Get gardening back in some order; get one of the gardens (the Neo Garden at least) back in order; weeding mainly but other things too

Ditto for houseplants; have more houseplants thrive not just survive. Get things repotted where needed. Maybe get some new stuff if the houseplants reach equilibrium.

Expand on pruning and maybe grafting; get more trees under the yearly prune (it’d be nice to get some of Uncle’s fruit trees done), do client pruning (and TRY to not undercharge again, find someone of similar career who can help judge on that or reference from?), maybe do grafting requests with scion material I may have access to

Read more, read through a unfamiliar/unread series from my bookshelves, maybe get more into reading fanfiction from AO3

Finish another game I’ve never completed. Hollow Knight is one to be one I want to get through- provided hands stop getting strained from the action

Less attainable (I had some of these last year which is why the bar is set to “IF it can happen”) wishes;

Getting my G1 driver’s licence……. Or just getting a new driver’s handbook to replace the lost one so I can at least read-study on paper for it

Visit friends??? Somehow??? Somewhen??? Please???

Buy some sort of merch from an artist I look up to. Or an art comm

Most attainable of the four- just wear some feminine stuff casually? Maybe get something from thrift to wear? Even just something really simple or gender ambiguous brooch or something??

Even if I fail at many, or worse, all of these goals in the coming 2024, I still pray and hope for good and better things for the New Year. Please some more good for 2024, please some good change. May more good people get the good things they need 2024.

[swynlake-rp]

August slipped away into a moment in time…

OTMS

MUN: L! Whether she’s making big, site-wide plot moves like with Eboshi and Hades or finding creative ways to spice up threads on the fly, L's ideas inspire all of us! Our members also shouted out her willingness to jump on opens, follow up on plotting, and try new things– we couldn’t agree more!

CHARACTER: DOLORES MADRIGAL! Between a fake dating plot, a secret identity letter-writing plot, and a family wedding on the horizon, Lo has been living her romcom dreams lately and we simply love to see it. As one member wrote, “It really feels like Lo's storyline has it all right now and I can't wait to see how it all crashes into each other.”

THREAD: CROSS YOUR HEART - SNOW WOLF! This one had all of us on the edge of our seats! L and L did an amazing job of building suspense and tension before the very scary reveal of what exactly was in that mysterious package. We can’t wait to see where this leads for the Hauntley crew.

TASK: TECHNOWAVE PLAYLIST BY LINS AND Z! This playlist was not only so creative, but it was also a true collaboration, creating a totally unique vibe! Props to L and Z for taking on a challenging task and knocking it out of the park.

Honorable mentions: Kristoff’s Country Roads! Our members loved to see how this task expanded what we know about Kristoff and filled in some more of his backstory. Great job, B!

BOARD UPDATES 

ICYMI – THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS IN TOWN: The Home Office of State Security’s Magick Inspection Division is conducting an audit in Swynlake! Their representative, Eboshi Kanamori, is interviewing the citizens of Swynlake and investigating the Board. So far, she’s done one big thing which is… 

REMOVE HADES ACHERON AS MAYOR! That’s right! Hades is no longer mayor – gasp! Eboshi is serving as interim mayor during the audit.

THE BOARD’S FOREST STATEMENT: Please read below for the Swynlake Town Board’s Official Statement on the strange activities happening with the forest animals: 

Thank you to everyone who attended the July Town Hall event, and especially those who raised comments and concerns related to the forest. We are aware that unusual wildlife activity has begun to impact local homes and businesses. While the reason for this activity remains unclear, local authorities are conducting an investigation and the Board will continue to work closely with forest stewards in order to determine the cause. In the meantime, please continue to report any concerns regarding forest animals to the rehabilitation center at Pride University, and contact 999 in case of emergency.

TASKS

SUMMER MEMORIES: Create a scrapbook of your character’s summer adventures! This can be from this year, or from sometime in their past. Include at least five pictures and write a 200 word description (or journal entry, or whatever inspires you!) to go with it. 

A LATE SUMMER’S NIGHTMARE: Write a self-para about a nightmare your character has had! (700 words) 

EVENTS

AUGUST 2 - 8: GREASE OPENING! Grab your leather jackets and poodle skirts and join the cast of Grease in celebrating opening night! The show will have its first performance on August 4th and run through the weekend. The opening night will take place after the first show has run, though feel free to also do behind the scenes stuff. 

AUGUST 9 - 15: SURPRISE ANNIVERSARY FLASH EVENT! Since we did a big AU in June, we’re shifting gears and doing a good ol’ fashioned in-canon flash event! Details to come. :) Canonically on Saturday, August 12.   

AUGUST 15 - 23: SIMBA’S BARBIE WORLD BIRTHDAY! It’s Simba’s birthday! His last one in Swynlake. :( Everyone is invited. (If you don’t think you know Simba well enough, I’m sure you know someone who knows him!!) Barbie themed, wear your best Barbie lewk. There will be dancing and merriment. More information to come! 

AUGUST 23 - AUG 29: CREATIVE ARTS SHOWCASE! Ashlee & Nemo present a creative arts showcase, including performances with singing, dancing, spoken word and poetry. Fellow artists have donated their art for guests to bid on. Cover is 10 pounds, and any proceeds from the show will be donated to the dance programs in Swynlake. Canonically on August 23, it will be held in Town Hall.

BIRTHDAYS

Characters:

Beck Brooks – August 3

Genevieve Davenport – August 4

Tony Rydinger – August 5

Hades Acheron – August 8

Eilonwy Llyr – August 8

Lightning McQueen – August 11

Ella Ashbourne – August 14

Simba Bonfamille-Lyons – August 18

William Clayton – August 20

Moon Yeongtae – August 20

Roxanne Martin – August 20

Phineas Flynn – August 28

Gabriella Krasimina – August 29

Mason "Dipper" Pines – August 29

Aurora Briar – August 31

[calling-miya]

The first question I usually ask myself is “Why am I adding this insert into the story?” Typically, the answer is because I, as both a writer and a reader, want to experience the world I’m putting myself (or a persona) into.

I also ask myself “Am I doing this for myself, or for a canon character?” This will determine how you write a certain way.

If you’re writing it for yourself, it’ll likely be more story focused. You’re hone in on that. I’ll use Silent Hill as an example. If you’re writing a self-insert story about Silent Hill, you’re likely to explore the actual town itself, what creative liberties you can come up with, what symbolisms you can draw from.

If you’re writing for a reader, you’ll probably want to write about someone with a “blank slate.” X readers are inviting a reader to take a place in the story, using their imagination. Nobody is going to read the same thing a certain way. That’s why it’s very important to:

a) Keep things as vague as possible. Don’t over-describe anything personal. Always allude, but never define. Defining is for characters.

b) Never force anything. When a self-insert is presented with a situation, you want to make it so the readers feel like they have a CHOICE in the matter. The decision is already written, but the reasoning can be imagined. The reactions of a self-insert are harder, because everyone reacts a different way. At that point, it’s important to go with your gut.

c) Only ever describe physical traits if it’s necessary to the story. If a self-insert struggles to reach the top shelf, don’t expand on it. Don’t say that they’re short, because what if the reader is tall? People will ALWAYS use their imagination to fill in the blanks and make it make sense for them. If the reader is tall, there’s another reason they can’t reach the shelf. The best part is that you don’t have to come up with it! You can use this to your advantage.

But, if you’re writing to focus on a Canon character (character focused) you don’t need to worry about these sort of things. Typically, you’ll self-insert a character to add another perspective to an already established character. If I’m writing a James x Reader story focused on James rather than Silent Hill itself, every action my self-insert will do will reflect a thought he has. Or offer ways to challenge him for his character to grow in ways Canon didn’t have. It’s quite literally like playing with dolls!

With enough practice, you can combine the two. It’s important to play with perspective, too. If you’re writing a self-insert to experience a story, then you’ll write it from that perspective. If you’re trying to give people entertainment by expanding upon an already established character, you can use their perspective, or adhere to their perspective through the insert’s.

Anyway, I’m really bad at explaining things. If you have any questions please let me know and I can try to explain better. I’m so passionate about self-insert stories because it’s such a beautiful commentary on the media itself as well as the human condition.

i've been writing x reader's for a long time, since i was abt 12. but idk, i've always got this weird uncanny vibe writing for a totally grey character and actually giving them personality? and tbh using things like "y/n" just really pulls away from the literature aspect imo.

i really wanna remake my old creepypasta x reader oneshots, and maybe do some silent hill or marvel x reader fics as well, but i want enjoy writing them and i want people to enjoy reading them.

long story short/tldr, does anyone have any tips, advice, or criticism? much appreciated <3

[alexlwrites]

Idol AU one-shot where soulmates can feel each other's pain after they... ahem ahem... make their bond official.

Cut to the boys leaving you, their soulmate, alone at home while you were having the Godzilla of periods, soon to find out the absolute shit of a mistake they made leaving the dorms that day.

I started writing these months ago and just found the doc... Should I finish it? Here's what i got:

---

Men are useless, you concluded while dragging yourself from the big kitchen to an even bigger living room, a blanket thrown around your shoulders and an ostensibly big tub of ice cream in your hands.

You had seven soulmates. Seven. Seven men who were supposed to be there for you and love you unconditionally. And yet not a single one of them managed to be home to support you while going through what could only be described as the world’s worst period.

You would’ve understood if it was a comeback week - having only officiated your soulmate bond a few weeks before, you had yet to experience those but you could only imagine how brutal they would be. But at that moment, their schedule was sparse and they still chose to spend their free time at the studio due to a burst of creativity on Yoongi’s part instead of staying with you in what you considered a desperate time of need.

One of them would do, you thought to yourself while you lied down on the sofa and turned on the TV. You didn’t need all seven of them to take care of you, although that was the ideal scenario. One of them to give you a back rub would suffice. A soothing hand placed on your lower abdomen would do. Instead, you had to resign to your hand pressing down on your skin and a marathon of couple goals videos on Youtube.

“Oh my god, imagine having an idol as your soulmate?” you mock exclaimed to the empty room “What a dream!” you waved the spoon at the couple with matching outfits on the screen “A dream, my ass. Gonna find myself another soulmate and then what? They are going to regret the day they left me home alone! I might even get a song after this…”

You mumbling was interrupted by the sound of your phone, the screen lighting up with a notification from the group chat you had with the boys.

Yoongi [2:00pm]: hey babe, are you feeling any better?

You [2:01pm]: I hope you lost all inspiration and I hope all your verses only rhyme with the word “farts”

Seokjin [2:02pm]: quick game change a word in a song title for “farts”

Jungkook [2:02pm]: war of farts

Seokjin [2:03pm]: magic farts

You [2:04pm]: seokjin farts

Seokjin [2:04pm]: okay your judgement is clouded by anger so I’m gonna let that one slide

You [2:04pm]: your face is clouded by anger

Seokjin [2:05pm]: that doesn’t even make sense. Cmon honey you cant be that mad

You [2:05pm]: yes i can im cutting the nipples out of all your shirts fuck off

[Y/N left the chat]

You were aware that you were being the slightest bit unreasonable. But your awareness did not mean you cared, so you threw your phone back onto the couch, screen down you wouldn’t see any upcoming massages. Curling into a ball, you felt the pain on you lower back fluctuate between bearable and absurd as you allowed yourself a moment of self pity and loneliness.

---

“We’re fucked” Yoogi announced to the room, Seokjin wincing by his side.

When they left earlier in the morning, they didn’t think you would be upset. Generally speaking, you were very understanding and reasonable, always sending them off to work with a kiss and a smile, always being there to comfort them when they came home exhausted. They should’ve known today was not going to be like that when you woke up with a scowl, hands clutching your tummy as you made your way to the kitchen to inhale an atrocious amount of food. When you didn’t say good morning, just sighed a breathless “yeah” when Jimin asked if you were okay.

They should’ve known you would be upset when they started getting ready and you looked up with big, glassy eyes and asked why they were leaving. Yoongi explained how they had some recordings to do and your bottom lip started trembling.

“Can’t you stay with me just for today? Please?” you begged, but they were already half the door, too focused on their obligations as artists and not enough on their duties as soulmates.

“Sorry, baby. We’ll be home later, okay?”

They should’ve known they were fucked when you frowned, eyes quickly becoming stormy as you dodged Taehyung’s kiss. “Whatever” you murmured, walking back into the bedroom and slamming the door.

There was no explanation for how oblivious they were to your state when you made your discountent clear as day, so there was no one to blame for the unsettling feeling of guilt they shared but themselves.

“Do you think she’s really mad?” Jungkook asked, nervously biting his nails.

“Maybe she’s just joking?” added Jimin, ever the hopeful.

Taehyung shook his head “She seemed really off this morning, I don’t think she’s joking” he said, still upset about how you stepped away from him.

Hoseok stood up, clapping his hands together as he started giving out orders “Well, then let’s wrap up as quick as possible so we can go home and try to save the situation as best as we c-WOAH”

Suddenly he was on his knees, clutching his stomach like his life depended on it. “Hobi!” Namjoon called, quickly kneeling beside his friend “Are you okay?”

“No!” wailed the other “What the hell is going on?”

Yoongi got up to call a staff member when his body decided to rebel against him, sending him stumbling back his steps back onto his chair, his abdomen on fire “Ow, ow, ow, what is this? What’s going on?”

One by one, the member started to feel it, an insistent pressure on their just under the bellybutton that expanded to their lower back. It didn’t give, simultaneously feeling like someone was pressing down on them or something was clawing its way out.

[blueprint-han]

[Image ID: A black picture with the title “HOW TO SUPPORT FANFICTION AUTHORS” written in bold caps lock, colored with a winter forest picture. End ID.]

Well, this post has been made countless times, but I’m making one too because I’ve seen a lot of people say they’re new to tumblr and don’t know the whole “reblogging is better than liking” rule and other stuff. So without any further ado, here are ways YOU can support the fanfiction authors. Now keep in mind this applies to almost every author out there, not just the stayblr fandom, so if you’re a silent reader (or even if you aren’t), I advise you go through this post. Warning, this is a fairly long post going into detail, so yeah. I still expect you, the readers to read this, and if you’re a writer, feel free to lmk if i’ve written smth wrong or if you want me to add something! ^^

In this post I’ll go into thorough analysis of the pros and cons of each of the methods listed here and how YOU as a reader can show the authors whose fics you read more love and motivate them to produce content.

WARNING; LONG POST! GOES INTO A DECENT AMOUNT OF DETAIL. NOT EDITED, EXCUSE ANY TYPOS.

#1 : LIKING !

I think this is basic common knowledge, and a lot of people tend to do this. When you like the post, the author sees it, you see it, and if the author has their liked posts accessible (which majority of the time they don’t), and if someone deliberately goes to check it, then they see it. See why so many authors say just liking does nothing? Only liking says “Hey, I’m gonna tell you your story is not that good by simply liking it and not sharing it with other people. :D”

♯ PROS:

You’re telling the author that you've read their fic, and either you’ve enjoyed it to a certain extent, or you’re just saving it to read for later.

Likes are seen by you, the author and anyone who has access to your likes (which, most people don’t).

♯ CONS:

If you ONLY like, you’re not really helping the author’s work reach a wide audience because this site isn’t Instagram. Reblogging is the only way people can SEE our works. I’ll cover more on that in the next section.

In a nutshell, liking is good! But you should most likely use it in a combination with the other stuff I’ve listed below, because just the like itself doesn’t really do much in giving the author any feedback or interaction on their fics.

To clear shit up; I’m not talking about those people who don’t read the story or appreciate it in the first place. I’m talking about those who appreciate the fic, like it, but don’t leave any sort of feedback to show that.

#2 : REBLOGGING !

This is SO, SO important. I cannot stress on this enough. Let me explain WHY so many writers stress on reblogging content: 

Tumblr’s tag system is inherently fucked up, and has grown more so over the year. I’m not kidding, at first, the fic either used to show up in the tags or it didn’t, but now, sometimes your fic can be REMOVED from the tags because of,,, idk tumblr tag shit. Anyways, as you can see, it’s very demotivating for authors at that point, because the major way for people to find their content and expand their blogs has been blocked.  

Due to this reason, tumblr authors need to RELY on you, their followers to help spread their works to a wider audience. Now again, before you get me wrong, I’m not saying you ae forced to rb our works regardless of whether you like them or not. BUT, that being said, if you DO infact like the story, there’s no harm in reblogging, right? By doing this you’re indirectly telling the author — “hey! :D I liked your fic! Which is why I am gonna share it to my followers so they can read it too :D” Trust me, you’re doing nothing but helping the people who produce content for you to read. Seems like a worthy cause to hit the reblog button, right? It’s only a one, or maximum two step procedure.

Leave tags in your reblogs! Trust me, as an author myself and as much as I know from all my author friends, we oft check the tags of your reblogs to see if you found any part amazing or even if you have anything to say about the writing we put so much hard work into. Even a key smash or a “This was so [insert adjective] 🥺” is enough to leave a smile on your authors face. 

♯ PROS :

You’re !! Sharing !! Your authors !! Works !! This leads to them getting more recognition, so for the content they’re so graciously providing for free, you’re promoting their blog and helping them expand it.

If the tags are being a shit, which majority of the time they are, then you’re literally making an author’s day by reblogging! You’re showing them that you, a follower and appreciator of their works are willingly sharing their content because it deserves to be seen by more people. Again before any dumb people decide to attack me, i am talking about people who like the fic but don't bother reblogging and are silent/ghost readers. I am not forcing anyone to read anybody’s work.

YOU’RE MAKING YOUR AUTHOR SO HAPPY WHAT MORE REASONS COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT !! 🥺

♯ CONS :

Literally none, because as far as I remember no author is against reblogging of their works. It’s quite literally the way this platform functions. Reblogging is IMPORTANT.

#3 : COMMENTING/SENDING FEEDBACK !

This kind of overlaps with the previous section, but THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT STEP !! When you leave feedback, you are directly giving the author something so much more valuable to them than high follower/note counts or money. Your feedback is literally our serotonin. I kid you not the number of times I’ve received a positive comment and smiled and it has made my day. There’s a reason youtubers (though not the best example, bear with me here because it was the only one I could think of) ask people to subscribe, like and COMMENT. The subscription is like a follow, the like is ofc like a heart, and the comment is equivalent to an rb with comments in the tags. 

You might argue and tell me that a comment is basically like an ask so the reblogging step isn’t necessary, but I’m sure 99% of you use YouTube and you know that more comments leads to people’s videos boosted in the stream/trending charts. This is what reblogging does. Reblogging shares the piece with other people like minded, which leads to a boost in reads. You are literally helping your author grow.

It’s quite literally the same thing as youtubers. Youtubers NEED validation to keep their content creation going, so do writers, so do other ccs on this site. This post is however, focused on WRITERS, so keep that in mind.

♯ PROS :

By doing this, you’re giving author valuable feedback! It’s similar to what you do in rbing with tags. Interactivity with their fics boosts their note counts and helps expand their audience, so srsly, now think of it: your one comment is playing such a massive role to help ccs create more content.

Imagine how much of a difference the note counts will be in when every person who simply likes after reading the fic, reblogs, leaves a comment and sends an ask. the note counts would be high on each and every fic, which is validation in itself, but your comments would inspire the writer so much more! Please, don’t skip the commenting part. Even a simple one like: “this is so cute!” is wonderful. 

♯ CONS :

Remember, if you’re gonna give constructive criticism (which I’m sure you all are smart enough to know if different from hate), make sure the author is okay with it. Authors need to be in a specific mindset and must be ready to accept criticism, so if you’re gonna give constructive criticism to them when they’re at a low point, it may demotivate them.

Just commenting, instead of reblogging and commenting in the tags/ reblogging and then leaving an ask in their inbox, while it gives validation in plenty, will not lead to the author’s work being spread. Therefore I suggest either reblogging and commenting in the tags or reblog and then leave an ask, or comment under the fic!

!! reminder; I am not saying that if you don’t rb and just leave feedback, your feedback has no value. We authors truly appreciate every bit of feedback, but this post is aimed to help you learn how to interact with and support authors, and make them feel more motivated, because the current scenario of liking and scrolling is taking a toll on their creative abilities. Take it from a person who’s been writing for a year.

#4 : COMMSIONING VIA THEIR KO-FI/OTHER APPS !

Before any of you attack me, let me tell you that this is not a step that is 100% necessary to do. ONLY donate if you can and if you genuinely want to, and if anyone is forcing you to pay for something against your will, you need to get yourself out of there.

Regardless, if an author has a kofi and you’re able to and you want to donate, you definitely should! It’s also a valid form of support.

#5 : ADDING THEM ON REC LISTS/ RECOMMENDING THEM TO REC BLOGS

This is such an underrated option, to be honest. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen my fic was recommended onto some rec list and it’s made me smile so hard. If you like some fics, create a rec list! They’re oft very popular amongst the fans too. Making rec posts is such a great way to share your favorite stories with others. 

Rec blogs! I’ve seen a couple going around, and needless to say they are a great way to get someone else to read your favorite author’s work whilst also giving them your own feedback. These blogs oft accept recs via a form or ask box, and they leave your feedback along with their own, or else they’ll oft tag the author in the feedback post, so look! You’re basically helping your author share their fic to many more people, because you’ve given them feedback and a reblog.

♯ PROS :

Validation! Feedback! Reblogs! More exposure! Helping a blog grow! Spreading love! basically a run down of the stuff I’ve said before!

♯ CONS :

Literally no con of this. Unless, a one in a million case, this author says they don’t like receiving feedback/being tagged, and I’m sure NO person has said this before, at least none that I’ve heard of.

#6 : FINAL COMMENTS; MISC !

When an author points out about how the interactivity is drastically reducing, don’t just give them blind apologies. Yes, you feel sorry for not interacting as much, we understand, but rather show that you’ll become a better content consumer through your actions. We need to see that we’re not just throwing words into a void and that people are actually trying to be better content consumers. 

Understand the fact that authors don’t get paid for this, and 99% of the time, these authors don’t take commissions either. They’re giving you novel worthy writings for free. Take Percy Jackson: You think the author would have felt motivated to write the subsequent parts, let alone two whole series based off of it if literally no one showed that they were interested? Rick Riordan has sales, he is being paid, there are millions of people and big agencies who provide him feedback. Now take that huge amount and simmer it down to an audience of maybe 10000 people This is what fanfic authors want. They don’t want your money, nor are they telling you to risk your lives for them. All they want is, a reblog, some tags, some feedback, some INTERACTIVITY.  A sign that they aren’t throwing fics into the void and that people actually like them, some motivation to continue. Seems fairly easy to throw an rb with some tags, right?

Don’t bother to tell me that we do this for ourselves and we shouldn’t ask for likes and reblogs and feedback, because 1) you are consuming the content that we “write for ourselves” and 2) writers post their content here for interactivity and feedback. We could just not post and write and save our fics in our dungeon drafts for years. But we choose to post to entertain the readers, the consumers. And we aren’t even asking that much in return.

Don’t give me the whole “I’m scared that authors feel that comments are annoying” excuse either because seriously this has been DEBUNKED SO MANY TIMES. Istg, in the nicest way possible, if you still think writers are annoyed by interaction and feedback, after so many posts, long rants have been posted as to how we’re not, then you must truly be living under a rock. There, I said it. Please stop thinking this way, I’ll say it again, AUTHORS ARE NOT ANNOYED OF FEEDBACK, COMMENTS, TAGS, REBLOGS. WE LOVE IT. Saying this is like saying that the audience in a theatre play shouldn’t clap when the play ends because the actors would find it noisy. 🤡

I’ve seen some people saying they have anxiety issues and such, so pls note that I’m not invalidating your condition. If you’re trying to be more interactive, I really appreciate it! If you can’t, that’s fine too. You’re trying.

But for the people who have no reason other than feeling lazy to rb and comment, your lack of interactiveness is not excused. Please. Tumblr is a reblogging site. If you’re gonna consume content like authors are some sort of machines, I encourage you to go get some more perspective.

This site is not Instagram or the satan bird app. Your likes are appreciated but frankly speaking, they do nothing to the author except tell them “Hey i read ur fic but i'm not gonna support u :D” and honestly, that is detrimental to their creative capabilities and mental health. 

DON’T FOLLOW AN ACC JUST TO MINDLESS RB THEIR SIGNAL BOOST POSTS AND THEIR REBLOGS OF GIFS AND NOT INTERACT WITH THEIR WRITING AT ALL ! Trust me, authors prefer a lower amount of interactive followers than a high count that doesn’t even give them any feedback. Again your follows are appreciated, but when you’re following, you know the type of content the author creates, so the author expects that the more followers, the more interactivity. These days, this is just becoming the opposite. So don’t do it! If you’re gonna follow to read, interact with their works. I promise, this will make both you and the author happy. A win-win situation.

In conclusion: SUPPORT YOUR FUCKING AUTHORS! THEY ARE NOT MACHINES THAT HAVE NO FEELINGS TO PRODUCE CONTENT FOR YOU! FICS TAKE DAYS AND DAYS OF PLANNING, PLOTTING, OUTLINING, WRITING, EDITING, MAKING TEASERS. SO JUST SHOW THEM YOU APPRECIATE THEM WITH AN RB. IT’S THE L E A S T YOU CAN DO.

I will be liking this post here written by the lovely @chaninfused​ and @scriptura-delirus​ . Please take time to read it because if you weren’t convinced by my arguments, you will see how much frustration we as writers face on a daily basis. Please, just show support. Here is the post by @stayndays​ about how to get more people to read your work, because it also has a note on reblogging. Please educate yourself, and put an end to this mindless consuming culutre and bring up some interactivity.

If you’ve read this far, I want you to go to two of your favorite authors and leave some feedback in their inbox, and tag me in it (either tag me yourself or ask the author to do so, they won’t mind). Show your writers that our words are taking effect and you are becoming better consumers. I mean it. I’m serious. I want every single one who reads this post to do this. besides valid reasons, if you’re lazy to do this, you’re a part of the problem. PLEASE get more perspective.

Also, feel free to add to this post! I’d love to read your thoughts too, remember to be kind though. And, if I think your rb is somehow contradicting my points and is bringing down the reason I made this post, I will politely ask you to delete your comment, because this post is about being truthful about the harsh reality of tumblr consumers and how we can change it. I’m sure none of you will let it get to that point, though. <3 love you guys. 💓

And, just a reminder, don’t just blindly like this too. Do what I said before, and while I am not forcing you, I’d appreciate your reblog, because seriously, it took me 3 whole days to write this, plus, I’m sure this will help more of your followers understand the fault in consumer culture. haha, that’s it! This post was way too long uff.

also, this is ur cue to not be stupid in my inbox. You have something to say? Think I worded smth wrongly? I’m sure it wasn’t my intention to do so, point it out with manners.