#the next fic update is projected to be around 10k words probably

[bluebunnysart]

Happy birthday to Teto!! I bought her a cake 'cuz of course I had to celebrate her birthday 🥰 The ice cream is shaped like her drill (hairstyle)! 😋😂 I was picking from what they had available and this is my rationale. ^^

It's too personal to talk about why I love Teto, but all I'll say is I first became acquainted with her when I became acquainted with Vocaloid, through Miku. Just like the way my own birthday cake was Chibi Miku-san, I loved seeing Chibi Miku's shenanigans with Chibi Teto, Chibi Neru, and so on. I always loved slice of life stories and I adored the effort put into releasing so many comics. Chibi Teto was pure and innocent but was super good at games, and Chibi Miku would have funny reactions to imagining stuff with her drills. 😂😂😂 (Like Miku needing to go to the dentist and Chibi Teto is the dentist or something and uses her drills, her hair, for a cavity or something xD)

It was unfortunate that Chibi Teto was allergic to puppies/animals, but rabbits are apparently fine for Chibi Teto, which is great news! xD I didn't even remember whether it was a rabbit or not, but I only brought that up 'cuz I viewed this Chibi Miku comic very recently, which surprised me. I was reading them like 10 years ago on my favorite cardboard website, haha. xD

Before I get on a huge tangent about that series, all I mainly want to say is I met Teto when I was 12-13 years old, and thanks to SV Teto popping up in my YouTube recs, we are reunited again!! I didn't have any of the plushies you see above until this year, but that's because I fell back in love with Teto very authentically and soon went on a plushie craze lmfaoooo

For Neru's birthday I made a drawing and for Miku's I had a cake and updated my fic (a couple days late). For Teto, however, I'm late with this upload cuz I was too busy going nuts over the Pokemikuteto collab, and now I have to be productive cuz I told myself I wouldn't let myself update my fic until I am. 😂😂😂😂 (Naturally the most human thing to do is procrastinate so ofc it's like this now....)

Funnily enough, I bought a tablet the day before Teto's bday cuz I thought it was a steal, price-wise, so here's a picture of my screen and a little bit of what I'm working on when I can. xD (Yes, it's Triple once more. It leans towards Neru x Teto cuz I'm trying to draw more Pink Teto now!) ^^ I will keep working on it seriously so dw, I am not jinxing myself and showing you another one of my 2 million WIPs. xD Everything Pink Teto, I am taking very very seriously actually. xD

I didn't buy a cake on Neru's bday cuz I can't spend that much all the time, but I definitely wanted to celebrate the character who brought me back to Miku and who I ship very ardently with Miku too lol.

Updates will be slow cuz I'm not a corporation/business and my moods fluctuate, but I just wanted to say that I AM working on stuff for Teto 'cuz I love her a lot~. I hope to draw more Pink Teto and maybe even share my headcanons, provided the fandom is not too hostile for me to do so. 😂

Happy birthday to my beloved friend and fave. 🥰🥰🥰🥰 I had SUCH a fun time cuz of the Pokemiku guest appearance and song. Thank you Teto for existing and coming back into my life. <3 Love you 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[thevioletcaptain]

Hi! I don’t mean in any way to pressure you but I was wondering if you’re planning on continuing your fic “fortress”? I’d love to see it continue🥰 again no pressure I just really like your works!

Hi anon! Thanks for the message :)

Despite the hellishly long gap between updates, Fortress is not abandoned, and I do intend to finish it. It's actually pretty high up on my to-do list right now, and will be the next major thing I post once As A Friend is done.

Here's the order in which I plan to post DeanCas fics/updates over the next few months -- with some vague spoiler-adjacent-but-not-really-spoilery details for anyone who wants them:

Chapters 5 & 6 - As A Friend Roughly 35k words in total, split over these final two chapters. This will see Dean & Cas return to the bunker, announce their "fake" relationship to Sam & Jack, and then [redacted because I'm not giving the whole thing away even though you already know it's gonna be a happy ending].

Chapters 8, 9, & 10 - Fortress Roughly 22k words split between these three chapters. Chapter 9 (the during chapter in which Dean is suffering) & chapter 10 (the after chapter which follows the first days of Dean living with Cas after coming home) have been ready for a while, but chapter 8 (the before chapter, which features Robin's party when they were 16 👀 a party which you might recall was mentioned by Cas during the previous before chapter) has been holding them hostage. So as soon as 8 is ready I intend to post all three at once.

Oneshot - Hearts Beating Life (Into Each Other) Roughly 25k words of canonverse fuck-or-die fic. In which Cas gets cursed on a hunt, and you'll never guess what Dean has to do to save him..... lol. It'll probably get split into two or three chapters for readability, but I plan to post it all at once. This is only one final scene away from being complete at this point, but I want to finish As A Friend & update Fortress before I share it.

Chapter 8 - Isosceles Roughly 17k words, because this fic refuses to let me be succinct. Dean & Cas discuss more almosts, the angels make contact, we find out exactly what Sam said to Dean in chapter 4, Claire [redacted] when [redacted], Mary and Dean bond over [redacted], and the search for Kelly Kline picks up steam.

Chapters 3 & 4 - Empty Heroics Roughly 20k words split between these final two chapters. In which there is bed sharing, a plan is formulated, and Nobody Dies. I realize that barely anyone even read the first two chapters of this fic, but I still really like it and want to finish it off, so it's the fifth thing on my to-do list.

Oneshot - As-Yet-Untitled Shrinking Curse Fic Roughly 10k words of canonverse established relationship PWP. In which they've been together for literally three days when Dean gets hit with a shrinking curse that won't wear off for a year, and comes up with a creative solution to ensure that they can still enjoy the physical aspects of their new relationship despite being small enough to perch on Cas' shoulder.

Chapter 1 - One More Chain Does The Maker Make Roughly 10k words, and the first of five chapters. The whole fic should come in around 50-60k words, and it's canon-divergent from 15.06. Featuring a lot of pining, and Dean working on Jesse and Cesar's ranch. I posted about it here if you want to know more!

The final 5 chapters of Fortress & final 3 chapters of Isosceles will come next -- likely to be about another 30k and 45k respectively, based on current word counts and what remains to be written.

At some point in between all of this I also plan to post some updates to The Coda Project (I've written at least half of each coda up to 1.12 Faith at this point, I just need to buckle down and finish them off in order so I can start posting them again), along with a handful of short tumblr prompt meme ficlets I've written recently -- specifically, those based on the following six trios of emojis: [🧪🧛🏻‍♀️💦], [🔮🛁🫂], [🤠🎶🌬️], [🪼👀🎨], [🥬🍅✨], and [🥶😶‍🌫️🤯], all of which ended up being significantly longer than they should have been, hence the delay in posting them.

...aaaand I realize that this is far more information than you asked for so I apologize. But thanks again for your message, and for reading. I hope you enjoy all the updates when they're posted 💚

[shadowsong26fic]

Coming Attractions!

First Monday of the month (and year. Thank every known deity in the universe.)

...ahem.

Yeah. It’s been a...well, 2020. But it is now officially a new month and year, and time for a Coming Attractions post!

The big news, obviously, is that I actually finished Precipice. \o/ ...well, the first seven arcs, anyway.

As I’ve discussed before, and explained in my very long author’s note at the end of the final chapter on Ao3, the next steps for this AU are a series of seven one-shots which will be released as ‘Preludes,’ covering the six-year timegap before Arc Eight. These mostly deal with Rebels characters (although I’m slightly rethinking one of them because I should probably include Mara Jade in it...), as well as Sidious’ fifth apprentice and possibly Maul.

I’ll also be starting the sequel, entitled either Protectors or Promises (it’s been Protectors for a while, but now I’m waffling? IDK). Anyway, that picks up with arc Eight, Escalation, six years after the end of Precipice. I’ll probably post a preview snippet sometime this month because Why Not.

There will be a hiatus (an actually Planned one this time, lol...). I’m aiming to start posting in April, but we’ll see how things go.

Anyway, moving on to other plans!

Other Star Wars Projects:

our faces like a mirror

I totally planned to start posting that this year <.< On the plus side, I don’t...think the Siege of Mandalore arc (or the stuff from the Mandalorian) really Jossed anything I had planned? Especially given the fact that it’s set from 5 years pre-TPM (I recognize that Lucasfilm has made a timeline decision but given that it’s a stupid-ass timeline decision I have elected to ignore it) to about 5 years post-TPM, so I wasn’t really expecting it to, but it was a vague concern of mine. Anyway, I’ll rewatch to be sure before I post, probably. But, yeah, I’m all the more excited about my girl Bo-Katan now, so hopefully I’ll get some momentum on this.

2021 SWBB:

I finally figured out a general shape of the plot, lol! And I have about...just under 4k of miscellaneous text in this AU (like, actual Story text, not just random notes and scribbles of which I have. A Lot). I need to get another 2k by Sunday, but that shouldn’t be a problem.

It’s going to be in four parts, plus prelude/interludes/coda, because that is the Structure that my brain at like 4AM gave me the other night, lol. While I don’t know the details, I have a general idea of What Happen in parts one, three, and four; except for tying in some Mandalore stuff and making some Decisions about who I want to draw in at various points. Part Two is also up in the air. I know how it needs to end to set up part three, but not so sure about what should actually go in there. Possibly I’ll end up cutting Part Two and just having a three-part story, but eh, we’ll see.

Anyway, I’m having fun with this, especially since I’ve discovered the Plot, so we’ll see how things go from here :)

Other SW Fanfics:

I am...hoping??? to resurrect Distaff and/or the Ventress outline at some point this year, because I’m very fond of those AUs and they deserve some more love. Possibly also another Devoted story. We shall see.

AtLA Fanfic Projects:

As I’ve mentioned a few times over the past few months, I’ve fallen back into this fandom (which was my primary fandom for...like...four to six years????) And I definitely want to write more in it. I’ve already done one AU outline, and I have plans for a couple fulltext fics (...discounting the super-self-indulgent crossover stuff I don’t super plan on sharing outside a very small circle lol). I don’t have much actual, uh, Text on anything yet, but I’m hoping to start posting one or more of those at some point this year, too.

Project One is an Avatar Zuko AU; Aang is around for reasons that do get explained in story; Zuko finds out a couple months before the duel with his father when accidental water or airbending happens (he’s in a sailboat, there’s a storm, I haven’t worked out the details yet). He decides That Clearly Didn’t Happen and proceeds to ignore it...until he manages to accidentally waterbend again when in the infirmary post-duel. At which point he decides he Does Not want to be just...used as a weapon. He figures he has about three and a half years before the comet, he can use that time to figure out what to do next; maybe come back with the comet and Prove his Worth at that point.

He goes to the WAT first, to see what he can figure out about airbending from any texts/mosaics/whatever that are still there; then he heads to the NWT; then he’ll probably pick up Toph because I love their dynamic. He plans to spend a year on each other element (not enough time for mastery but that comet deadline looms large). Obviously, over the course of those three years, his plans change.

And then things get thrown even more off the rails when Aang emerges from the iceberg before Zuko’s year of earthbending is up.

There will be a fair number of OCs hanging around (both to give him someone to talk to at the WAT and I think he’s going to learn from a less-prominent master than Pakku when he gets to the NWT), as well as Iroh trying to find his nephew, and various other familiar faces from the show.

Project Two is about Lu Ten, and a lover he had during the Siege of Ba Sing Se, and what happens to her (and her daughter) after his death. I’ve talked about that one in a little more detail in other posts, I think, hence the comparatively short summary, lol.

Original Stuff:

I am hoping to get more origfic posted this year than I did last year. I’ve got these universes I love exploring, and I feel like they should get more attention, lol.

...I think that about covers it! At the end of last year, I set myself some Goals, which were. Well. 2020 happened, soooo...

Anyway, because I am an Optimist, I’m going to set goals again for this year. And I guess go over how well I did on the ones I had??? A lot of my goals will probably be repeats from last year, because...yeah.

2020 Goals

1. Finish Precipice; complete Arcs 8 and 9 in Protectors/Promises/Precipice II; put out some level of Arc 7.5/Preludes content.           I did finish Precipice! I did not do the other things. 2. Write at least 10k of origfic content.           Not quite--I ended up with 8,129 words. 3. Start posting OFLAM           Nope, that did not happen. 4. Revive a semi-hiatused fic (i.e., Distaff; Auxiliaries; Phoenix!Verse; one of the BSG fics I keep meaning to go back to if I ever actually sit down and rewatch the series; if I add an actual sequel/companion to Deja Vu… that probably counts…)           Did not happen. 5. Finish updating Lux and Farglass Cycle archives; keep them updated through the end of the year as new content gets added.           Nope. 6. At least four AU outline installments of some kind; preferably including a continuation of Ventress and Her Tiny Time-Travelling Conscience and actually writing up the main part of Let’s Go Steal a Crossover; but any outline will count.           I did put up one AtLA outline, as mentioned before; and I also posted a massive timeline for the Jedi of Valdemar AU, but nothing else. 7. Complete BB submission and keep an eye out for other challenges/exchanges.           Did complete BB, and one giftfic exchange over the summer. 8. Write at least one holiday fic (Valentine’s Day; Mother’s Day; Father’s Day; Halloween; New Year’s; etc.) and post on the appropriate day.           Did not do the thing.

2021 Goals

1. Post Arcs 8 and 9 in Precipice!Verse as well as at least half of the Preludes stories. 2. Write at least 10k of origfic content. 3. Start posting OFLAM. 4. Revive a semi-hiatused fic; preferably Distaff; but Auxiliaries or Phoenix!verse or one of the BSG fics would also count (Serenissima, Other Battlestar, For Sorrow Sung rewrite...) 5. Start posting at least one AtLA fulltext fic. 6. Finish updating Lux and Farglass Cycle archives; keep them updated through the end of the year as new content gets added. 7. Find a title and set up an archive for Untitled Intrigues Story 8. At least four AU outline installments of some kind, preferably including a continuation of Ventress and Her Tiny Time-Travelling Conscience 9. Complete BB submission and keep an eye out for other challenges/exchanges. 10. Write at least one holiday fic (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween, New Year’s, etc.) and post on the appropriate day.

[angst-in-space]

july ‘20 writing progress

total words written: 24.7k

most words written in a day: 2,132

least words written in a day: 27

current yearly total: 128,245

projects worked on:

- mostly the sylvix forehead kiss fic, which is now officially called “cover my skin with your sunkissed light”, and edited/posted the first chapter! - also ended up working a lot on that klance Summer Romance fic i mentioned last month...i kinda want it to be a bit of a surprise tho so *zips my mouth shut* - worked a tiny bit on altea rising - alsooo started planning yet ANOTHER sylvix fic which is like a 50s-era spy/crime thriller au...

july goals:

- write 30k words for my camp nano goal! - definitely wanna finish a draft of the sylvix forehead kiss fic, maybe edit & send off to betas by the end of the month? - if i finish that, i do really wanna start my other sylvix fic (which we’ll call….the Dream Fic) - um. i know i say it every month but like. maybe work a tiny bit on altea rising?? and/or maybe red skies if i’m feeling extra spicy - oh i also might continue working on this like klance Summer Romance fic i started like a year ago and never finished, just cuz i figure it’d be nice to publish it before the end of the summer and i don’t think it’s gonna be that long but idk

august goals:

- finish writing the last chapter of “cover my skin...” and continue updating it every friday - as mentioned for my july goals i’d really like to finish/post that one kl fic before the end of the summer sooo maybe finish that up and get it edited/posted before the end of august but lol we shall see - start working on the sylvix Dream Fic - continue working on altea rising and/or red skies if i have time

notes:

whew what a month! i didn’t quite reach my camp nano goal of 30k words but i’ll still pat myself on the back for getting prettyyyy close. i will say though i feel like i kinda overworked myself during july and during august i think i will slow down a bit in terms of word count at least. there’s a lot of things i wanna work on but i also don’t want to burn myself out. 

anyway, the thing i worked on most this month was the sylvix Forehead Kiss Fic! it ended up getting to be so long i made the decision to split it up into five chapters. so i’ve posted chapter 1 and i’ve finished writing up to chapter 4 and am just starting chapter 5...so ideally i’ll be able to post a chapter a week for the next four weeks! i’m super excited about it and i’ve been really blown away by the positive reaction to the first chapter already, so i’m very much looking forward to releasing the rest of it! 

on the topic of sylvix, i also hope to start another fic for them this month...the one i have dubbed the Dream Fic which is basically this like dreamscape/alternate reality fic that also involves fake (?) marriage so hehe i’m really excited about it. and esp seeing the positive reaction to my first sylvix fic, i think/hope that people will enjoy it *fingers crossed* 

...in yet more sylvix news, as i mentioned i had an idea for this 50s spy au which i’ve written out a lot of notes about, although i have yet to compile it into a coherent plot/outline. this one is a bit more complex cuz it involves like plotting out a whole mystery which is NOT my forte but i will make an attempt *cracks knuckles* so i might try to plan that out a bit more this month. probably will not get around to actually writing it for a few more months tho. 

but also, klance readers don’t worry i have not forsaken you! i have been working a lot on that kl summer romance-y fic which i’m hopinggg i will be able to finish before the end of the month. it’s about 10k right now and i’m getting towards the end so *clenches fist* i will try to get it done! 

aaaand as usual i’m still way behind on my kl multichap fics (altea rising and red skies) buuut i have been adding to them....very slowly. with altea rising especially things have been a lil up in the air bc i have written a lot more of it...but what i’ve written of the so-called “last chapter” has gotten so freakin’ long i may need to split it up into several chapters so lol we’ll see how that goes. i would like to put some more work into it tho and try to come to a decision with how i wanna release the rest of it at this point. 

so yeah UH a lot to do this month (what else is new??) but i have a lot of stuff coming up that i’m very excited about!! :)

[ot7always]

A longer-than-I-intended writing update!

Since I haven’t given any updates besides a bit of anger and frustration at my laptop a few days ago, I figured I would give this tiny little update into what I’m up to.

Fractured

I’m currently working away at Fractured pt 3, which I would say is currently about 50-70% done depending on how I end up writing the next few scenes. I’m not very good at estimating length until I’m closer to done, so the range is pretty wide there.

I’m trying to give myself a bit more leeway in writing because I pushed myself so hard writing Quarantined Roommates. As much as I absolutely loved writing that piece, it was quite tiring to push myself to write at least 1k every night - and by every night I mean EVERY night until it was done. 

My daily goal for writing this next chapter of Fractured has been 1k/day, but I’m reducing that goal to 500-1k words per day because I feel like my brain deserves a bit of a breather. I’m on summer break, after all. But I’m still chipping away at that chapter every day, so that will be out before long.

My next “big” work...

In terms of other projects, after this chapter of Fractured I think I’ve decided to work on my Namjoon College!AU! If you liked the cute lighthearted vibe of Quarantined Roommates I think you’ll really like what I have planned for this one. With so much negativity in the world right now, I really can’t handle writing more angst on top of what’s in Fractured. Cute, smutty pieces seem to be my jam right now considering my enjoyment writing Roommate!JK, so my next oneshot will be similar in emotion, but of course with a different plot and characterization.

I also have some collabs planned for October/early November! As far away as that sounds, planning these types of things takes quite a while, especially when coordinating with other people. Odds are by the time I’ve finished this next chapter of Fractured as well as the above Namjoon fic, I’ll be fully focused on collabs, and Fractured where time permits. While I can’t reveal much about the collabs yet (whether it’s secret or whether it hasn’t been decided yet), I can say that one will be a Seokjin fluff/smut fic, but VERY different from my existing works.

So what is my posting schedule going to look like?

These estimations are going to be incredibly loose. Besides Fractured pt 3, I really don’t have a real outline for these works, and therefore these timeframes are based on an estimation of how long I think they’re going to be.  

I suspect that the next chapter of Fractured will be up by mid-August.

When I examine the fragmented plot points in my head, something tells me the Namjoon College!AU is going to be ~15-20k+ words. If that’s the case, this probably won’t get posted until mid-September, especially considering I’ll be going back to school full time in September. 

Collab fic #1 will probably be next. I don’t know exactly what this will be so it’s hard to estimate a timeframe, but unless something incredibly detailed comes to me, I doubt this will be more than 10k words. In which case, I can see it being posted in late September or early October. 

Collab fic #2 will be next, and on the bright side I already have this one plotted out loosely, and it will likely be around 5-10k depending on how writing goes. This one has a hard deadline of late October, and I can therefore guarantee this fic for the last weekend of October. Which, oh, would you look at that - is Halloween.

But... where’s Fractured?

As you may or may not have noticed, I haven’t planned for Fractured pt 4 yet. I actually already have very loose ideas of what will take place in part 4, but due to the heavy nature of that series I prefer to break up chapters by working on other projects. In the case of the piece I’m writing between 3 and 4, this is the Namjoon fic. Which, yes, will eat up a lot of my time because it’s gonna be long, but I’m going to write it because I’m excited and have a lot of ideas for it. 

I’ll be writing Fractured part 4 whenever I have the time, but I have to say that I don’t really like having multiple partially written pieces at once. Which means that I will probably be putting all of my energy into those collab fics, and only putting all of my energy into Fractured once time permits. 

I’d love to be able to promise a Fractured update between the other updates, but I don’t want to back myself into an obligation I might not have the time to fulfill once I’m busy with classes and other responsibilities. 

So in short, yes, Fractured MIGHT have a mini-hiatus from mid-August to late-ish-October, but then again, if time allows, I might be able to bust out part 4. Reading week is in October, after all. 

[paradisobound]

I Want It, I Got It: Chapter 1

Summary: Phil Lester was a worker for the BBC in London. Working in the advertising department, he was content being alongside his friend and fellow coworker PJ during every shift. However, the BBC is temporarily being used as a film set for a new movie staring Hollywood ‘It’ star, Daniel Howell. Being stuck as an extra on the set, Phil finds it’s hard to ignore the famous star. And maybe, just maybe, Dan finds it hard to ignore Phil as well.

Word Count: 1.8k (this chapter)

Warnings: Occasional swearing

Rating: Mature (for right now)

A/N: Ahh look at me. Starting another chaptered fic. Remember how I said a while ago that I hoped to have a fic to begin posting by Valentines Day? Well, this isn’t the fic. But I’ll take it lol I know I have a very bad track record lately of completing what I’ve started but I have 10k written on this fic already so I’m set for the next like five weeks which gives me plenty of time to finish the fic! Every one when I asked wanted this fic and I’m so glad because I’ve really grown to fall in love with it!

As always: I’m not an expert, nor a movie star or anything, so I’m not saying any of this accurate. I just thought this might be how it goes. But I hope you all enjoy it anyway! Happy reading!

Updates will be every Sunday at 1pm EST until I have the fic finished and then it’ll be twice weekly

**Masterlist | Read on Ao3**

“Dear Workers,

The BBC Studio will be closed for the next week to accommodate the filming of a new featured film starring Daniel Howell and Mimei Lake. During this time, you will have to work from home on any projects you may be in the middle of. A select few of you will be asked to work on the set as extras for the film. We’ll email those we selected by the end of tomorrow.

Hope this isn’t a hassle and apologies for any inconveniences.

Corporate”

****

“Did you read the new email?” Phil turned his head to his friend PJ sitting next to him in their office. “They’re actually closing down the whole building just to film a few scenes for one movie.”

Phil, coffee in hand and his laptop open to said same email, sighed. “It’s a Daniel Howell movie. Of course they’re shutting down the entire building.”

PJ rolled his eyes. Everyone knew of Daniel Howell. He was only the biggest actor in Hollywood right now. But that didn’t mean that everyone shared in on the fangirling when it came to his name being mentioned. “The BBC is gonna be untouchable all next week. I don’t even wanna know how many girls and guys are going to flock here to meet him.”

“He doesn’t do photos and autographs though?” Phil brought up, setting his mug on the table and shutting his laptop down. His work was nearly done anyway for the day.

“Still never stops the fans.” PJ says, tipping his head. “He’ll mention he’s in London on his Instagram or Twitter and then it’ll be over.”

Phil nodded. Yeah, that sounds pretty much correct. “Fair enough.”

“Who do you think they selected to work on set?” PJ asked. “I reckon they chose some of the interns because that they don’t have to pay them.”

“I hope it’s not me.” Phil says immediately. “God, the less I have to be here during this time, the better.”

“It’s gonna be impossible to even get here.” PJ adds. “They’re gonna block off all of the streets to accommodate Daniel’s massive trailer that he lugs everywhere.”

“I don’t even want to imagine.” Phil says. “I’d much rather just stay in my flat with Spike and work on my laptop.”

PJ nodded in agreement.

Just as PJ began to speak again, the door to their office opened and their coworker Gemma walked in, her expression giddy and a smile plastered on her lips. “Did you two see the email?”

Both PJ and Phil nodded.

“How are you both not more excited about this?” Gemma exclaimed. “Daniel freaking Howell is gonna be walking around our building! He could sit in your chair right now. Or use my office as a set. Or—”

“He’s just another person.” Phil interrupted her.

“But he’s not though!” Gemma shot back with a smile. “Oh, you two don’t get it.” She waved her hand and walked further into the office. She pulled out a chair at the desk next to Phil and plopped down.

“There isn’t much to get.” PJ countered. “He’s just a bloke who happens to be good looking and also a major celebrity.”

“So you do get it!” Gemma pointed out. “I really hope I’m one of the ones corporate selected to work on set as an extra. I would give anything to stand in the same room as Daniel Howell.”

“They’re probably just going to choose interns.” Phil says. “I doubt they’ll choose any of their paid employees.”

“I wonder if I email corporate if they’ll bump my name on the list and I can do it.”

Pj shrugged and tapped his pen against his forehead. “Doesn’t hurt if you really want to do it.”

“I’m steering clear of this building while he’s here.” Phil comments, picking up his now ice cold coffee mug and taking a sip, cringing at the taste of it.

“What do you have against Daniel Howell?” Gemma asks, folding her arms over her chest.

“He’s just another celebrity.” Phil says. “He’s pretentious and rude.”

“You don’t know that.”

Phil rolled his eyes. “It’s common knowledge.”

“What? That every celebrity is a dick?” Gemma asked, her voice clearly laced with tension. “Isn’t that a bit shallow minded?”

Phil shrugged. “Change my mind but until then, I’m gonna stand by it. I doubt any celebrity like Daniel Howell is down to Earth.”

Gemma scoffed. “Well, I for one think that it would be brilliant to work alongside him.”

Phil chuckled and took another sip of his cold coffee. He definitely didn’t want to work alongside Daniel Howell but he had to admit that it was endearing to see Gemma swooning over the actor.

Once Gemma left, Phil began to pick up his things and prepare to go home for the night. He stuffed his laptop in his backpack and then through in some of the folders he needed to complete the advertising project he was assigned to do for the BBC Radio 1 show.

He and PJ left the BBC at the same time and headed to the tube to go back to their flats. They lived in opposite areas of London but they saw each other often outside of work.

When Phil got to his flat and he opened the door with his key, he was immediately greeted by the excited yips of his puppy Spike. He was a ten month old Corgi that Phil adopted as a puppy. Spike kept him busy and less-lonely on nights where he wished he wasn’t thirty one and hopelessly single.

He bent down and scratched Spike’s belly as he rolled around on his carpet from excitement. Phil eventually stopped petting Spike long enough to go to the kitchen and check his food bowl and water. He knew his brother came over sometimes to let out Spike while he was at work so he sometimes fills up his food and water.

Today was one of those days. His food bowl was heaping over and his water was clean and clear. Martyn just came over not that long ago then. He made a mental note to text Martyn but in the mean time, he called Spike over to his door that lead to the courtyard and hooked a leash on his collar to take him outside one more time for good measure.

After being done, Phil let Spike go back into the flat. He immediately ran over and flopped onto his bed next to the couch and closed his eyes to take a nap. Phil sat down on the couch and looked over his phone, catching up on any notifications he might have missed while he was on his way home.

He saw a notification for an email and he sighed. It was probably some junk mail that some store was sending him. He got them a lot from Topman but to be fair, that’s where his entire wardrobe comes from.

He unlocked his phone and clicked on the email notification and waited to load it up. Once it did, he felt all breath leave his chest.

“To: Philip M. Lester.

Good Evening! If you have seen our emails from this morning you would have seen that the BBC will be closed for the filming of a feature film. Effectively 15th of January at 10pm until 9am on 25th of January, the BBC offices and building will be closed for filming.

However, after careful consideration, we would appreciate your help at the BBC during filming as a film extra. You should report to the BBC by half past 7 on the 15th of January.

If you have any question, email us back. This is part of your scheduled job and you will need to report when assigned.

Corporate”

Phil laid down on the couch and groaned.

Of course his luck would have it this way. Of fucking course this would happen.

***

“So we both got stuck coming didn’t we?”

Phil looked at PJ, his eyes still blurry from having to wake up so early. He didn’t even bother to put his contacts in today, he just threw on his glasses and said forget it.

“Guess so.” Phil says, standing beside PJ on the tube. Their stop was the next one. In the morning, they always ended up on the same tube before they got to the BBC. “This is going to be a disaster.”

“It already is.” PJ answers. “Did you go on Twitter this morning?”

Phil shook his head and pulled his phone out of his pocket. But he should have known he wouldn’t have any service while on the underground.

“It was a Twitter moment that Daniel Howell was spotted in London about to begin filming. He also tweeted, in true form, that he was going to be in London for a few weeks.”

“Oh great.” Phil said, rolling his eyes. “So what you mean is that the BBC is gonna be like impenetrable force?”

“Yep.”

Phil sighed and the tube stopped, the doors opening. They stepped outside and wandered through the crowds to the exit. Once they walked out of the tube station, it was over. They saw the crowds beginning already. Hoards of teenagers and even some adults all screaming and holding signs behind a barrier of police.

“Oh my gosh.” Phil exclaimed. “This is absolute madness!”

“Well, here we go, Lad.” PJ said, hooking his arm with Phil’s and yanking him across the street to the main entrance of the BBC.

They were nearly there when they were stopped by police, asking what they were doing. As soon as they both flashed their BBC badges, they were let inside to even more madness going on.

People were running around everywhere. There were sections of the building completely taped off and there were offices on the first floor that were being blocked by people in front of the door.

They continued walking inside and were greeted by a woman with a clipboard. “Can I get your names?”

“PJ Ligouri.”

“Phil Lester.”

The woman looked over the clipboard and smiled and looked at them both. “Welcome! If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to where you need to be.”

Just as they were about to walk and follow the woman, loud cheering and screaming began behind them, just outside the building. Looking out the door, Phil could see him.

Next Chapter

[sanvitheartificer]

Writing status updates as of September, 2019: 

Like many writers, I've struggled for a long time to write consistently. As of now, I've never completed a story that's more than one chapter that I'm proud of. In fact, I’d almost say I just straight-up haven’t ever completed a story that I’m proud of. 

Recently, I got tired of that, and started trying to write 200 words a day, a la a helpful tumblr post about Terry Prachett writing 400 words a day. It's been about a week, and it's been going really well! It's hard to say how much I've written exactly, since I've been doing it on paper, but every day I've sat down to write and I've written at least 200 words.

I'm starting with easy projects and low expectations. The fic I'm working on is a shorter idea -- I'm guessing it'll end up being maybe 10k words, but that could be wildly incorrect in either direction. I want to prove to myself I can write things I'm proud of, that fulfill my expectations of myself. So, on that note, I wanted to update you all about what I'm up to with my other WIPs and what you can expect to see from me. 

how seven idiots stole the light of creation -- This is what I consider my biggest WIP; I was incredibly excited to begin it and a lot of that excitement is still around. However, I'm really stalled on it. I made it scary, built it up in my head. It's still really important to me, and perhaps the story I most want to finish.  I would put it... it's either my next project after I finish this shorter story, or my second-next project after a WIP called “Lucretia the Evil Overlord” which I have not posted. I need to practice and get over a bit of my writing-anxiety before I dive back into it.  forgiveness, in seven parts -- This series is, tbh, too ambitious for me right now. It requires a command of emotions and angst that I just... don’t have. I have it all outlined, and if I ever feel like I can actually pull it off, I'll try and finish it. I think it’s... probably the fic I have that would be... the best? It’s hard to explain this, but I really think this is a stunning idea and with the right execution would be gutting and healing and very, very cool. However, right now I cannot execute it that well. So this one’s on hold!  Pokemon Balance: Bronze -- This project is kind of a strange one because it fits in a weird liminal space where it’s half art project, and half writing, and all something that doesn’t feel all that tied to a fandom and just feels more... personal? So this one, you can expect updates Sometime, when a bolt of inspiration hits me. It’s never going to be my primary WIP; it’s always going to be just slow, occasional, random updates.  fourteen-thirteen -- I’ll be honest, I have a bit more of this AU scribbled in a notebook, but I have thoroughly abandoned my brief fixation on Umbrella Academy, and am unlikely to push myself to refocus on it. So... probably abandoned forever, tbh, unless the wiles of inspiration turn in a strange way. But even then I doubt it would give me the focus to complete this.  The Woods -- This is an odd one. It was a comfort fic for a while, and I also have a bit more written for The Woods than I have published, and... I can see myself finishing it? I have a lot of it written out in my head, and the concepts are still comfort-concepts for me, so... maybe. Unlikely, and I don’t plan to write this, but I can see it happening, sometime.  (these fics are connected to my AO3, sanvitheartificer. If you want, you could go read them, although I guess ‘most of my stuff’s abandoned either temporarily or permanently’ isn’t the most intriguing message!) 

[hypermoyashi]

Writing Meme

I was tagged by @paperclippages and @quinnlocke !! Thanks a ton for the tags; I really enjoy doing these!

What is your total word count on AO3?

It’s sitting right at 79,600 believe it not. I really can’t believe I’ve written that much in the past four months. (With like 15k sitting in drafts, too.)

How often do you write?

Everday, with a few off days to recoup! I try to write between 800~1400 words a day, not including editing or outlining. Sometimes I write more or less than that, though. Depends on how I’m feeling that day.

Do you have a routine for writing?

Yes! Most of the time, I set aside time right after walking my dog to write. My process starts with brainstorming, which is basically just me getting an idea, putting it into this giant google doc I have for ideas, and then moving on. Sometimes they get written, sometimes they don’t. Next stage is outlining (only for multichaptered fics, though some of my one-shots did get an outline) and I try to have at least a few chapters figured out in advance so I can make sure I get pacing and foreshadowing done right. Then, when the time I’ve set aside to write comes along, I draft the next thing in my update schedule. Drafting normally takes a few days since my chapters are normally longer than 1.4k. After I finish drafting, I let it sit for a few days, edit, and then, if it’s a project that I have a beta on, send it to one of them. I like to give them at least 3-5 days before posting day to work on it, though with Mo, I generally give her 1-3 weeks. I edit according to the feedback I get, and then bam! I post!

What are your favorite kinks/ tropes/ pairings?

Kinks: UM. *cough* I don’t really talk about that stuff much, but (kiddies close your ears) overstimulation and multiple orgasms 

Tropes: Found Family, Found Family, Found Family, Found Family, Found Family, Found Family, Found Family, and Families of Choice. Oh, and did I mention Found Family?

Pairings: Ummm Soukoku, Sormik, SyaoranxSakura, OzxAlice, UtenaxAndy, CoconaxPapika, Yullen, and probably a whole bunch others I’m missing

Do you have a favorite fic of yours?

I really like Escapism, Beautiful Moon, and Petals and Thorns, for different reasons! Escapism is probably the most fun to write, Beautiful Moon was where I first dipped my toes into exploring some of the emotional depth of soukoku as a writer and not a reader, and Petals and Thorns is a 10k fic I did for an event centered around a female character, so like, I did it because I knew not a lot of people would and I’m proud of how it turned out.

Your fic with the most kudos?

Uggggh it’s Teddy Bear. That’s a one-shot romance fic that was the first thing I’d written in like a year, and I’m still mad at it for having the most kudos.

Anything you don’t like about your writing?

I find descriptions hard to write, and my wording and phrasing can be really awkward at times. Thank the stars for my betas, who tend to catch a lot of that stuff. I really appreciate them ;~; Oh, and I use a lot of telling over showing, and while I can do it decently, I’ve been trying to balance the two a little more

Now something you do like (about your writing)?

Character writing! I’ve always been good at exploring characters, whether through dialog or actions, at least from what I’ve been told. It’s my favorite thing to write, as well. As for other strengths, I’m not entirely sure, but I’m told my prose is engaging?

I’m gonna be tagging @iiinuuu @skeletoncloset @eegghhh @pinqqou and @exeron , if any of you guys would like to do this! Only if you want to, though!

[scarletjedi]

My wife, gentlepersons

Brig was already aboard the boat when Gimli and Legolas arrived, attending the rigging for the simple sail and making ready to depart.@brydylcai​: All of the writing asks because I worry you don't have enough to do

so. 

all the ones I haven’t answered yet. Behind the cut because long

1. Tell us about your WIP!

Heh, which one? I’ve started writing chapter three of We Are Made Wise because I’m finally getting over my block (I think there was a little burnout). I’ve just updated Old Man Luke, and Pineapple 2 is next. I’m almost finished with my next original short, I’ve figured out where to go next in my novel, and...yeah. :)

2. Where is your favorite place to write?

Where it’s quiet and I can focus. Sometimes that’s the living room. Sometimes it’s my office. Sometimes it’s the Starbucks on the corner. 

4. Do you have any writing habits/rituals?

Depends on where I am. I have to have some sort of ritual to get focused. In my office, I light candles. In the living room, I put on music. At the coffee shop, I have a snack. 

6. Favorite character you’ve written?

My original character, Jamie, from my book is a HOOT. He’s a gay Jewish teen whose convinced that *he* will be the one to capture definitive proof of the Jersey Devil. He’s the non-magical pov in the fic, and his voice is fun. 

7. Favorite/most inspirational book?

Well, on the one hand, I re-wrote the Hobbit, so that’ book is clearly an inspiration. 

8. Do you have any writing buddies or critique partners?

@brydylcai is my in-house sounding board, the same way I am for her. I don’t have a regular beta, but I’ve worked with several depending on the project/story, and they’re all lovely people. 

9. Favorite/least favorite tropes?

I love revelations/coming out stories. I hate deliberate misunderstandings. 

10. Pick an author (or writing friend) to co-write a book with

@brydylcai and I have discussed writing a book together already, so Imma go with her :)

11. What are you planning to work on next?

I have the doc with We Are Made Wise open, so either that or my next short, depending on if I write more tonight or wait until tomorrow. 

12. Which story of yours do you like best? why?

Comes Around Again is the one that earned me what little notoriety I have, and Old Man Luke is doing the same in Star Wars, but I’m most proud of Drowned in Moonlight. That fic was written to excise some grief over Carrie Fisher, and I think I did her proud. 

13. Describe your writing process

I’m tempted to say “Incoherent screaming into the void” but that’s a joke that’s been made before. My process. Hmm. 

I tend to write by the seat of my pants. I like to see what develops and grows naturally. Once I get to a certain point, I’ll stop and make a plot sheet/note page, but I usually have the rough shape figured out before I start to write. 

Once I have a draft, I’ll edit. Sometimes I’ll print and edit on paper. Sometimes I edit online. My original works tend to get more editing than my fanworks. 

14. What does it take for you to be ready to write a book? (i.e. do you research? outline? make a playlist or pinterest board? wing it?)

ha ha ha ha - My original novel has been 15 years in the works, and has gone through many drafts. It’s working now, but I need familiarity. So, I think what I need is research for context and an outline for plot, and a good enough knowledge to feel like I’m winging it. 

15. How do you deal with self-doubt when writing?

I put it down. If I’m not confident on one project, I’ll put it down and turn to another. (This usually means putting down my original work in favor of fanfic, because I’m more confident with that overall, but...). I know what sounds right to my ear, and if I’m not hearing it, there’s usually a reason. Distance/time often lets me see it. 

17. What things (scenes/topics/character types) are you most comfortable writing?

I’m a Jersey Girl, so I tend to set things in Jersey. I love dramatic conversations, so I’m comfortable there. Queer characters. 

18. Tell us about that one book you’ll never let anyone read

That I wrote? Or that I read? Twilight/50 Shades. 

19. How do you cope with writer’s block?

I beat it with a hammer unitl it’s writer’s pebbles. 

20. Any advice for young writers/advice you wish someone would have given you early on?

Write what you love. Write the truths that you know, and research to write the things you don’t know. Don’t be afraid to break your characters; you can put them back together in new and interesting ways. You’ll be given a lot of advice over the years--read enough to recognize what you like. Develop your taste. Take the advice that helps taylor your work to your taste. Reject the advice that changes it away. 

21. What aspect of your writing are you most proud of?

Subtle meanings and implications. 

22. Tell us about the books on your “to write” list

Here are 3:

a) The Lesbian Werewolf Romance Novel. 

b) The Teenage Zombie Novel. 

c) The American-Teenager-Falls-Into-Fantasy-Realm-and-there-are-also-dragons novel

23. Most anticipated upcoming books?

Jer Keene’s next book. I read the first as fic, and then read the novelization, and now I REALLY want to know what comes next. 

The Kingkiller Chronicles book 3

25. What’s your worldbuilding process like?

Seat. Of. My. Pants and flailing. Seriously, I write something because it sounds right, and then figure out how it works after. 

26. What’s the most research you’ve ever put into a book?

I wrote parts of CAA with the hobbit, the lotr, the unfinished tales, and the moves on and open in front of me. 

I became a pagan, and my research for that has influenced my writing of my book. 

27. Every writer's least favorite question - where does your inspiration come from? Do you do certain things to make yourself more inspired? Is it easy for you to come up with story ideas?

I mentioned I was pagan? My patron, Brigid, is among other things, a muse. She pokes, and I start thinking (or I think, and she eggs me on. I’m not sure of the order. could be either or both). But, most of my ideas come from things I read. When I want inspiration, I read. 

Ideas don’t come as easily as I would like, but the fact that I have several projects at once means that it comes easily enough. 

28. How do you stay focused on your own work and how do you deal with comparison?

I have a hard time focusing period, so that’s a challenge. I have put effort into being less jealous because it’s ultimately a useless exercise. 

29. Is writing more of a hobby or do you write with the intention of getting published?

I want to be published like JK Rowling or Stephen King - one thing that gives my financial security, or with enough frequency to do the same. 

30. Do you like to read books similar to your project while you’re drafting or do you stick to non-fiction/un-similar works?

tbh, i read mostly fanfic these days. Most Genre fic makes me angry because there’s something missing from the text. it’s usually women/gay people. 

31. Top five favorite books in your genre?

scifi/fantasy

a) American Gods - Gaiman

b) Foundation/Elijah Bailey mysteries - Assimov

c) The Hobbit

d) Guards!Guards!

e) Years of Rice and Salt

32. On average how much do you write in a day? do you have trouble staying focused/getting the word count in?

Depends. There are days i can’t get a word out. There are days I’ve written about 10k. It depends on if I’m having a good focus day. 

33. What’s your revision/rewriting process like?

long. 

34. Unpopular writing thoughts/opinions?

....like what?

35. Post the last sentence you wrote

““The things I do for the greater good,” Gimli grumbled, his frown softening as Legolas’s laugh rang out to echo through the cavern. “

36. Post a snippet

from Old Man Luke, chapter 11 (probably):

Obi-Wan stood just to the left of the closed door, hand stroking his beard ad the sight of those assembled. It took all of his focus to keep his eyes from growing wide, or let his hands tremble the way they wished to.

Before him, sitting at a conference table, was Asajj Ventress (scowling at the table like a chastised Padawan, though she had submitted to the indignity of the locking cuffs easily enough), and the adult twinned children of Anakin Skywalker.

Luke sat much as he had before, calmly and with no outward signs of concern, reminding Obi-Wan uncomfortably of his own master. Leia sat back from the table, her arms crossed and her expression sardonic. She, too, was apparently unconcerned, if outwardly exasperated, and Obi-Wan knew that if hadn’t already been told, he would be able to see the resemblance between father and daughter in a heartbeat.

Still, Obi-Wan had the distinct and uncomfortable sensation of not quite living up to her expectations.

The bulk of her resentment, however, was aimed directly at the only other occupant of the room—Anakin.

Their father.

Obi-Wan needed a drink.

37. Do you ever write long handed or do you prefer to type everything?

I write long-handed when I’m having focus issues. It’s slow enough to make me focus. 

38. How do you nail voice in your books?

I talk to myself. Out loud. Constantly. 

39. Do you spend a lot of time analyzing and studying the work of authors you admire?

When I read, I’m known to stop and think “that was a perfectly crafted sentence!” or “How did they do that?” 

40. Do you look up to any of your writer buddies?

all of them. They’re all awesome, though in different ways. 

41. Are there any books you feel have shaped you as a writer?

Harry Potter. I’m not sure how, but I’m sure it has. 

42. How many drafts do you usually write before you feel satisfied?

Depends on how fully formed the story was in my head before I started. Fanfic gets 2 - rough and beta. Original fic gets rough, first, second, etc

43. How do you deal with rejection?

Badly at first. Then it evolved into a desire to prove them wrong. 

45. First or third person?

Third. 

46. Past or present tense?

Past. 

47. Single or dual/multi POV?

Depends on the needs of the plot. 

48. Do you prefer to write skimpy drafts and flesh them out later, or write too much and cut it back?

the first is what I do. The second is what I’d like to do. 

49. Favorite fictional world?

A Galaxy Far, Far away. (Then Middle Earth). 

50. Do you share your rough drafts or do you wait until everything is all polished?

depends on the fic. I like to show things to @brydylcai, but only in the fandom’s she’s in. I have been known to invite friends into docs as I’m writing, so...

51. Are you a secretive writer or do you talk with your friends about your books?

I’m more open than I used to be about fanfic. I’m less talkative about my original works. 

52. Who do you write for?

She knows who. 

53. What is the first line of your WIP?

Of this chapter: “Brig was already aboard the boat when Gimli and Legolas arrived, attending the rigging for the simple sail and making ready to depart.”

54. Favorite first line/opening you’ve written?

my book begins with a ghost hunt. that’s fun?

55. How do you manage your time/make time for writing? (do you set aside time to write every day or do you only write when you have a lot of free time?)

I try to set aside time while not working, but i also tend to write in whatever little moments I have. Between classes, standing in line, etc. 

[poppyrainstorm]

writing update (08.13.20)

i kind of made an executive decision with have me/love me regarding my ao3 account, so i want to update everyone on what kind of writing will be coming from me in the second half of the year! essentially, i always viewed ao3 as a place for my finished, edited, long, “good” fics. things like turn, for example, would never have made it on there with that mentality, which is dumb because i really liked turn! who cares that it’s only 600 words! from now on, i’m kind of saying fuck it to that idea and posting whatever i want to my ao3! finally, i’m essentially only active writing-wise right now in assassination classroom and haikyuu!! fandoms. if this changes, please expect another questionably structured writing update. here’s what the next few months might look like; this is, of course, subject to change.

1. assassination classroom 

a) short fics

premise(s): these are just going to be a few more short oneshots similar to the ones i started releasing last fall, the most recent of which is have me/love me. these normally take me 2-3 days to write and edit per oneshot, so depending on how inspiration strikes me you should start to see a few more of these.

projected wordcount: 1-4k per fic

b) ocean’s eleven au (this probably won’t be this year unless i really get my shit together)

premise: in progress for the better part of 2 years now! i had originally planned it as a multichapter in 2018 but this was back when i was working on skies of black and gold (i was dumb enough to rope myself into one writing schedule but two was the limit). it’s an ocean’s eleven au starring karma and nakamura as george clooney and brad pitt. no, nagisa is not julia roberts. it ends differently. fight me. 

projected wordcount: hard to say as it is literally a baby and not coming any time soon, but probably around 30k minimum

2. haikyuu!!

a) your name atsukita au

premise: pretty self-explanatory! this idea literally would not leave me alone and i love atsukita with all my heart, so even if i don’t end up writing this for them i will be writing something for them. kita is mitsuha, atsumu is taki, no i don’t take constructive criticism. 

projected wordcount: 15-20k

b) track kiyoyachi canon divergence

premise: kiyoko never quit track but yachi is still karasuno’s manager. everyone else’s roles are the same, but we have track girlfriends and some extremely self-indulgent cameos. they make it work, because i love them and i miss writing girls. 

projected wordcount: 10k? not really sure, going to feel this one out as we go 

c) short fics (haikyuu!! edition)

premise(s): i actually have some of these already written! most are atsukita and kiyoyachi, because i love them both passionately. they’re soft and usually take place seasonally (one is about kiyoko getting a million mosquito bites with background 3rd year friendship during summer, it’s very gentle and features every mosquito bite hack i have ever heard of).

projected wordcount: same as assclass short fics

ok! my final note is just to please be patient with me! i’m going back to school again this fall (not in person, thank god, but it will still not be a fun time for me) and i have another long project running not on this account that i would like to wrap up soon, so we might just be seeing short fics for a while. but i really want to accomplish everything on this list, not overwhelm myself, and have fun doing it. the past few things i’ve written have made me really happy to write, and i want to keep that feeling going. i love you all, and thank you for supporting me <3 <3 <3 <3 

[thevalleyarchive]

Author’s Notes: A Warm Embrace Chapter 1, An End and a Beginning

Hi everyone! So I have a lot of thoughts about writing, both the process and the finished product, and I also have a lot of thoughts about storytelling.I always find that I have way more I want to say than can fit in the end of chapter author’s notes, so I decided to do this! I will be writing a post for each chapter of my fic, talking a bit about what I was thinking when I wrote it, what I wanted to accomplish, what I like about, and stuff like that. These will be free of any spoilers for future, unpublished chapters, but I will reference stuff that I’m setting up in later, already published chapters, since I’ll be playing catchup for awhile.

If any of that sounds interesting to you, or if it doesn’t and you want to block these posts, I will be tagging them with “A Warm Embrace”, “author’s notes”, and “critical role fic,” although that one is also what I tag my actual fic updates. With that out of the way, let’s get started!

Oh boy, I really did not know what I was getting myself into when I started writing this. Full disclosure: A Warm Embrace is far and away the longest thing I've ever written. Before I started it, I hadn't written any fic in around a decade, and my old middle school fanfiction.net account still lies moldering, stuffed full of long form fics that I abandoned before breaking 10k words. I hadn't even read much fanfic back before I started writing this, and certainly not any critical role fic. I almost didn't write this at all because of how badly I didn't want it to wind up another abandoned project, and I knew a premise like this needed more than a one shot to do justice. But that episode, Jester's conversation with the Gentleman, Beau's advice to her about how to approach it, and Beau's confession to Nott lit a fire inside me that I could not ignore, and when I saw a post commenting on how cool it would be to see what Jester would be like if she were raised by her dad, I couldn't resist any longer

This chapter was written as one long, uninterrupted stream of consciousness, with no real knowledge of where I wanted the story to go from there beyond some themes that I liked and a vague plan for chapter 2. In this chapter, Beau's entire world is in complete upheaval and she's very much dissociating wildly. I tried to steep the whole thing in a dreamlike, surrealist quality that reflects the way in which Beau's reality feels completely turned on itself. Every element here has some part of her psyche projected onto it - everything has an emotion, a motivation.

I tried to really ramp up this sense of reality coming undone when something that is genuinely outside of Beau's expectations of how the world works happens. The tavern being plunged into darkness really felt like something fantastical, impossible, something that firmly separated her from any sense of groundedness. Of course, we the audience know that it's just Jester amusing herself with Thaumaturgy.

Speaking of Jester, it's her kindness and generosity that really fuck Beau up in this chapter. Beau's subconscious is not nice to her - Jester's niceness breaks that schema. It confuses her deeply and forces her back down to earth, to a degree. It doesn't follow the dream logic that she's been able to impose on the rest of the chapter, and it forces her to start dealing with reality a bit. It gives her analytical mind a much needed jumpstart, but we don't really see the payoff of that until next chapter because of how incredibly drunk she is right now.

Some miscellany:

I knew from the get go that I wanted to explore Beau's drinking habits. Some of this is because of my observation that canon!Beau really, really wants Jester to get drunk with her, presumably to lower both of their own inhibitions enough that she feels comfortable testing the waters. The rest actually comes out of my frustration with Vox Machina, who never once seemed to really notice that Keyleth developed a serious drinking problem during the Chroma Conclave arc, or did anything to help her work through those underlying issues.

Tori is mentioned in this chapter, and once or twice later in the fic as well. She is only mentioned and not elaborated on because I don't like writing in blank spaces that I think canon is likely to fill. That particular hangup also influences how I write Mollymauk later, to some degree. On a related note, I was deeply frustrated that we got the name of Beau's actual go-to bar the very next episode after I published this.

Finally, I think this is a good spot to note that I literally picked the name for this fic when I went to post this on AO3 and realized that fics need titles. I didn't have a good one, but I'd used terms relating to warmth a few times, and I figured that was a running thread I could work with. I still kind of want a better name, but I think I'm probably going to stick with it, because Beau and Jester really just need someone to hug them tight and tell them that they are enough, that what they want is reasonable, and that they deserve to be loved and supported by people who will try to understand them.

That wraps up the first one of these! See you soon with the one for Chapter 2.

[shadowsong26fic]

Coming Attractions!

First Monday of the month (and year!) so it’s time for a Coming Attractions post!

(As a note, this post will discuss/reference certain EPIX/Rise of Skywalker spoilers.)

So, I didn’t get quite as much done this past month as I’d hoped overall--I’d planned to get way more Precipice done and get a bigger/better start on my Big Bang project, as well as more OFLAM, but the presents I was making for family members as well as a Secret Santa fic took up more time than I was expecting them to. Also, I. Uh. I found a Banjo-Kazooie emulator and my inner child became Very Demanding <.< >.>

Anyway! Specific updates:

Precipice:

I went into a fair amount of detail about the game plan for this fic here, and that’s still my goal. Hoping to get the next chapter out tomorrow? Fingers crossed…

SPOILER DISCUSSION

With regard to Rey’s parentage/Palpatine’s canonical son--as of right now, I don’t have any plans to include him in Precipice or any other projects I have going on right now. As with all my plans, this may change at some point--it’s highly unlikely for Precipice, specifically, given some of what I have planned for Lavinia; but I do have some AUs percolating where I could fit him in if I so chose.

The other reason for this is that, apart from Masks and Jedi of Valdemar, I don’t really have solid plotting out far enough to reach the ST? Rey’s background is definitely different in JoV (in that it’s…not actually relevant and probably won’t ever be clarified; but if it is, due to the way Palpatine is set up in that AU, her father can’t exist), and if I ever do get back to Masks!verse, I technically locked my canon as of TFA, but I may restructure or go in a different direction there as well.

But, yeah, apart from that--most of my projects center around the PT or inter-trilogy period, ranging into or shortly past the OT to deal with some of the aftermath/rebuilding, so it’s unlikely to come up. If I do end up writing something apart from the two mentioned above that gets into ST-era stuff, I’ll make the call on a case-by-case basis. Though I reserve the right to change my mind if/when we get supplementary material about Rey’s parents, depending on how much I like them XD

Overall, I guess what I should say is--generally speaking, I tend to work in a blended canon, particularly for post-ROTJ stuff, which means I use a lot of the political/social/general post-war how-things-worked framework from Legends, throwing in characters from canon because I adore them (and some Legends characters as well; at some point, I’ll put up the full JoV timeline which will demonstrate XD). So…yeah, case-by-case basis, like I said. Pick and choose, blended canon.

Mostly laying all this out because--well, if you’ve read my stuff/been following Precipice at all, I’m sure you can guess why. My overall EPIX reaction post is here if you’re curious, but I’m more or less planning to stick to my Star Wars “home,” so to speak, as I’ve already found it in terms of the things I write.

END SPOILER DISCUSSION

our faces like a mirror:

I really, really, really want to finally debut this fic before the Siege of Mandalore arc with S7 of TCW. Not that I think it’ll super Joss what I have planned? But I’d rather get it out there. I have a fair amount of material, especially for the first half, so I’ll hopefully be able to keep up a fairly regular update schedule when I get started? But we shall see.

Other Fanfic Projects:

I thought my Secret Santa turned out pretty well! And my giftee liked it, which is of course the goal XD There were a couple bits that didn’t make it into the final piece (including a point where Luke asked about his mother, but it got tangenty and threw off the rhythm of all three scenes I tried to fit it in, so).

Like I said, I didn’t get a whole lot of other stuff done last month, but for January, I’m hoping to work on my big bang project (I just need to figure out what Obi-Wan’s going to do; I’ve mostly got Anakin and Padme’s threads worked out, though I might shift some things around and I need to figure out a couple details on Anakin’s end. I thiiiiiink how I’m going to work on it is keep the three threads separate (though, because I’m me, I’ll be jumping around and not writing anything in order lol) and then figure out how to braid them together later, but we shall see.) I need to double-check the due date for the draft, but I should be able to get things done if I get my butt in gear.

So, yeah--given SWBB and my Precipice and OFLAM plans described above, I don’t think I’m gonna be working on much else this month, unless something really jumps out at me. Or I decide to fulltext anything I’ve been playing with re: some of the characters mentioned in the Family of Spies AU, which is always a possibility XD

So, to end the post--last January, I set up some Goals/New Years’ Resolutions! So, let’s see how I did and figure out goals for next year…

2019 goals:

1. Finish Precipice and at least one full arc of Protectors/Precipice II                …yeah, that didn’t happen. Whoops. 2. Write at least 7.5k of origfic content.                 Just barely made it with 7,681 words \o/ 3. Start posting OFLAM and/or Untitled ObiAniDala Epic AU                …well, I actually did end up using the Untitled Epic AU as my SWBB last year? (Which obviously eventually got a title, The Devoted.) I even did a companion piece! But that may be cheating, since when I set this goal, I was planning to set it aside and do something separate, lol… 4. Revive a semi-hiatused fic (Distaff or Auxiliaries or Phoenix!Verse)                …I don’t think I even wrote any content on those three this year, let alone posted/properly revived it, whoops… 5. Update Lux and Farglass Cycle archives, and transfer tumblr archive to DW                I didn’t finish the archive updates, but I did get a fair amount done, so yay! Did not transfer my tumblr archive, though. I should do that. Or at least re-download the backup… 6. At least four AU outline installments of some kind.                I got two? So…half-credit! 7. Complete BB submission, and keep an eye out for other challenges/exchanges/whatever.                As mentioned above, I did complete my submission, and I did a Secret Santa exchange! I possibly could’ve done more/kept a closer eye, but I did at least do something here, so, yay! Go me!

2020 goals (these will be…mostly repeats, lol…):

1. Finish Precipice; complete Arcs 8 and 9 in Protectors/Promises/Precipice II; put out some level of Arc 7.5/Preludes content. 2. Write at least 10k of origfic content. 3. Start posting OFLAM 4. Revive a semi-hiatused fic (i.e., Distaff; Auxiliaries; Phoenix!Verse; one of the BSG fics I keep meaning to go back to if I ever actually sit down and rewatch the series; if I add an actual sequel/companion to Deja Vu… that probably counts…) 5. Finish updating Lux and Farglass Cycle archives; keep them updated through the end of the year as new content gets added. 6. At least four AU outline installments of some kind; preferably including a continuation of Ventress and Her Tiny Time-Travelling Conscience and actually writing up the main part of Let’s Go Steal a Crossover; but any outline will count. 7. Complete BB submission and keep an eye out for other challenges/exchanges. 8. Write at least one holiday fic (Valentine’s Day; Mother’s Day; Father’s Day; Halloween; New Year’s; etc.) and post on the appropriate day.

[shadowsong26fic]

Coming Attractions!

No, I did not forget to do this! ...exactly...

I am super late again this month—buuuut I wanted to wait until I’d posted the delayed Precipice chapter, so.

Fanfic:

Precipice:

Sorry, sorry, sorry for all the delays in the last couple of updates—the last two weekends were super-busy, and then last week ended up being slammed at work and my brain just went pfft. Anyway, there will be another update this week/weekend (probably Rex and Leia), and I’ll hopefully meander back on schedule after that.

And I finally finished Commander! \o/ It was a fun arc. I’m very fond of that arc. But…yeah, it’s a long one, particularly given that very little in-story time passes. (Seventeen chapters to cover one very eventful week…)

So, yeah. Lessons is going to be a much quieter arc, something along the lines of Homecoming in terms of content/pacing. Resetting ourselves, establishing our new patterns, etc. Leia starts getting trained, Luke starts helping Mamma at work more, and bonding with Lavinia/actively being the human ray of sunshine he is. Probably Winter will turn up, too. I’m going to try and focus more on the Coruscant/Imperial Center thread this arc, particularly since Commander was so heavily about our Jedi friends…anyway, I’m guessing this will be a relatively short arc (8 or 9 chapters), and not much Drama/not very Plot-heavy. Other than Infernalis introducing himself. (He’s a lot of fun—there’s a bit I have half written where he’s all “yeah, I know Sidious is using me, but a) that’s what sentients do; we use each other and b) I’m using him too and c) I get to do ALL THIS AWESOME SHIT. So I kinda feel like it’s worth it.” Like…I don’t write unapologetic/Always Chaotic Evil/for the LULZ villains very often, but Infernalis is in that mold.)

Also! As of this Thursday, I will have officially been posting this behemoth for a whole entire year. I’m going to do a bonus fic (I’ll probably put up a prompt call post later tonight or tomorrow), and I’m hoping to commission art as well, either a full cover or one or more arc covers (for completed arc(s)). [Eventually, I probably will want ALL of the covers (i.e., main title/all planned arcs); but that’s a long range project because lol budget.]

ANYWAY if you have any specific requests for bonus fic and/or are interested in getting paid to draw pretty things/know someone who does this kind of thing and is open for commissions (since I do not know how to draw pretty things), let me know!

Distaff:

I FINALLY CONQUERED THE OPERA HOUSE \o/ ::throws confetti::

...heh.

Anyway, yeah. So, that’s moving again! Next chapter should not take nearly five months to come out, as it’s a lot less…mmmm…I’m trying to figure out how to word it. The Opera House was hard, because—look, it’s kind of dumb; Anakin is being really really dumb, we make fun of that scene for a reason, but it’s also one of if not the most important scenes in this entire arc? In terms of what Palpatine’s trying to do, I would argue that it’s even more of a key moment than the final revelation in his office some indeterminate time later, after Grievous is killed. Or, at least, it’s a bigger risk—once he gets Anakin past this point, the next one will come much easier.

Plus, you know, having to figure out an alternative Sith Legend™ to throw at her, since Plagueis doesn’t really apply. And Palps’s hand, so to speak, isn’t quite as strong as it is in canon (but, I mean, we’re talking if canon was, like, a straight flush, in Distaff he’s playing four of a kind or a full house; so still almost certainly a win). So there’s all of those factors to consider, too. (Also, it was his POV, which is…a fun headspace to get in, let me tell you, internet. Although whining about that at my ever-patient roommates did lead to me nicknaming him Skeev Palpatine which honestly I’m surprised I hadn’t thought of sooner.)

Buuuuuuut anyway. I make no promises for exactly when the next chapter will be out, but it definitely won’t take quite so long. Should be sometime this month. Fingers crossed, anyhow.

Masks:

…blaaaaaaaaaaaah. I don’t want it to die. I really don’t. On the other hand, I’ve got a whole lot of other projects ongoing, plus RL and all, plus I’m still having trouble getting into ANH!Vader’s head, so…ehhh, IDK. Essentially, I’ve decided that this is really super back-burner for the time being. Possibly I’ll do it in AU Outline form at some point, if I don’t manage a proper update, but for now, it’s on a vaguely-defined “if my brain cooperates” hiatus. I am (probably) locking canon for it as of TFA (meaning it won’t be as much of an In Spite of a Nail AU past that; and more just an…AU AU, if that makes sense?), though, because I like the plot I have. Though I reserve the right to change my mind on that after TLJ. Anyway, I’ll probably stop talking about this one (unless I use one of the spinoff versions of it as an AU Outline or something) until I actually write/post more.

Auxiliaries:

Update will be up very soon! Not a direct continuation of the last bit I posted, because I’m still working on that, but still something! (Ahsoka is involved because I love her.)

AU Outline:

…yeah, I dropped the ball on this one again. It was going to be the Mask of Zorro/California Gold Rush AU No One One Person Asked For, but I need to sit down and watch Zorro again to put that together, and I haven’t gotten around to that. Also, Ventress and her Tiny Time-Travelling Conscience were speaking to me. …well, less them and another thread of that same AU, plus a couple unrelated AUs... Anyway, I’m going to try and put something up sometime in the next couple days. It’ll probably be the continuation of the Ventress and Luke one but we shall see.

Original fic:

…yeah, I didn’t actually write any this month, lol. I’ll do better in October.

Miscellaneous Other Things:

[In a generic list format because why not]

- Epic Crossover RP OF DOOM! I’ll keep posting snippets from time to time, because it entertains me. And my RP partner and I think we’re funny/clever.

- NaNo is coming up next month! I’m probably going to do the same thing I did last year—set myself an ambitious Total Word Count goal for the month, rather than focusing on a single project. Possibly give myself a list of projects to choose from; probably set a minimum amount that must be on original work/not fanfic. More on that when we actually get close, probably.

- I’ll probably do another Open Question Night sometime halfway through the month, because those are always fun.

- …should I do something Special for Halloween? (Like I did holiday bonus fics for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day?) If I did, what would y’all want to see?

Goal Lists:

September Recap:

1. Keep up with Precipice updates.--not so much

2. Opera House.--FINALLY \o/

3. Another Auxiliaries snippet--missed

4. Work on Masks--missed

5. Another crack outline--missed

6. Update Lux and Farglass Cycle archives--someday I will actually do this

7. At least 5k on projects that are not Precipice--not quite, but I think between half-finished snippets and 3k worth of Distaff text I churned out, I got to like 4k or so?

8. At least 15k total on any/all projects--Not quite, no.

9. At least two pieces to Rainbowfic.--Nope.

10. Put some text down on something publishable.--Nope.

October Goals:

1. Keep up with Precipice updates.

2. Update Distaff.

3. Update <i>Auxiliaries.</i>

4. AU Outline--Mask of Zorro fusion and/or continuation of the Ventress one unless something New and Exciting comes up.

5. At least two pieces to RF.

6. Update the Lux and Feredar archives.

8. Write at least 15k total, at least 5k must not be Precipice

9. Write at least 10k on Precipice (bonus fic counts, meta/answered asks do not)

10. Put some text down on something publishable