#they are the pinnacle of the best friends to lovers trope

[euryleli]

Daily reminder that mike wheeler and will byers are best friends AND lovers

[doublerainbow-if]

Double Rainbow

Double Rainbow is a romantic coming of age interactive fiction set in the city of Paris, France. The story follows you settling down after traveling around the world looking for your soulmate for years.

Rating 18+

Content Warnings: Abusive childhood, toxic relationships, and forced intimacy/love

Your folks weren't the picture-perfect image of a soulmate couple growing up. The bitterness and resentment staining what should have been a pure bond. At least that's what you were taught growing up. You wanted to believe in that idea of true love, a relationship that will complete you. That is what anybody needs in this world, though that's another you were told growing up.

Then it happened, it finally happened. A fleeting encounter on a highschool trip to the Big Apple. A mere brush of skin and suddenly your world was exploding in color. However your vision bleed back to monochrome just as fast. It was fleeting but that colorful vision and feeling wholeness will always stay with you. It was the driving force behind dropping everything after high school and taking off to New York. You had to find them.

It has been years now. Far longer than you were expected with how hard you tried to find them. Traveling all over the world to find that special someone, to see in color once again. You had wanted to give up so badly but you can't. This was suppose to be everybody's destiny, your happily ever after. Right?

Though maybe you can stop. Just for a while. Rest and savor life. That's what Lee always say to you since they joined you on your journey. You have a lifetime to find them, why not live your life too? Which lands you on the doorstep of one Mx. Jean Connoly, one of the most prolific art curators in Paris.

Play as male, female, or non-binary along with transgender choices

Interact with eight different characters, each unique in their own ways in this world of soulmates

Customized your appearance, personality, and special interests as you finally settled in for the first time since high school

Figured what kind of artist you are in Paris, France; a painter, scluptor, photographer, and many more

Navigate your way in this world where soulmates are the pinnacle in society while navigating the dark side behind the modern romancization

Connect with different characters who may or may not be your soulmate. You'll never know until you take that leap. But do you want that soulmate? Will you throw away your life's dream for somebody that wasn't predestined? You'll decided.

Myrtus/Mrytle "Elias/Eliza" Kouris-Henderson

26|Male/Female|Greek American|Rejected

Your old childhood friend that moved away in your freshman year. They were your safe haven growing up, keeping you away from the abusive environment in your home and being your best friend. Sometimes you wished that they were your soulmate but they found theirs abroad and like that they were gone. Now they're back in your life, a chance encounter when you arrived in Paris. But they seemed different, more sullen and moody than you remembered. The flower tattoos growing on their arms though tore your heart open. Their soulmate rejected them.

Tropes: Childhood Friends, First Love, Slow Burn, and Reunion

Leandro/Leandra "Lee" Hale

27|Male/Female|Brazilian|Unclaimed

Your best friend you made in New York City who joined you on your journey. You met them within your first week of being in the Big Apple and they were so enthralled by your quest that they had to join you. You never ask them if they also did it to find their own soulmate but they seem pretty happy just traveling around with you. They always kept grounded when you gotten close to giving up or going off the deep end. You couldn't ask for a better friend. But sometimes you see a spark of something unfamiliar in their eyes, what is it?

Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Secret Pining, Partners in Crime, and Angst

Brendan/Brenda "Bree/Bren" Ferrell

26|Male/Female|Irish American|Unclaimed

The cousin of your boss Jean Conolly who seems to follow you around like a puppy. They have very demure personality quite unlike their cousin but their smile is a sight to behold when you can see it. You don't why they taken such a liking to you but they are such a sweet and kind person. They're one of the first friends you made in the city and you wouldn't give them up for the world. They do freelancing as a book illustrator for publishers who you always see sketching in their notebook during your weekly hangouts. You wonder if they sketch you too?

Tropes: Puppy Love, Flustered/Obvilious, They Love You First, and Workplace Romance

Jean/Jeanne Conolly

30|Male/Female|African French Irish|Rejected

Your new boss since you decided to settled down in Paris. They have such an expressive and free attitude that reminds you a bit of Lee. But what drew you in was their dedication to their craft. Just that passion for art and displaying amazing creations, it's just awe inspiring. Especially since they saw you, a vagabond who showed up on their doorstep looking for work, and quickly took you under their wing. But the flower tattoos shouldn't be on them. Who would reject such an amazing person?

Tropes: Boss/Employee Romance, Best Friend's Brother, Forbidden Romance, and Second Chance at Love

Vincent/Vincenta Voog

28|Male/Female|Vietnamese French|Rejected

Your coworker who has branded you as their rival since you started at the gallery. Their burning focus and passion for their art is only matched by their utter arrogance and contempt for you. You don't know why they hate you for so much expect for their contast efforts to have Jean focus only on them. But there is something that slips through their haughty mask. The deep loneliness flashing in their eyes when a comment unexpectantly cut deep and quick sadness when they see the black marks that stain their hands.

Tropes: Rivals to Lovers, Angst, Miscommunication, and Against Destiny

Collin/Colette "Cole/Coco" Woods

28|Male/Female|Canadian|Unclaimed

Your coworker who has taken to being a thorn in your side. The best friend of V, they made it their mission to make you the new target of their jokes and pranks. A lazy person who somehow manages to create amazing marketing campaigns, they're confuse you so much. Heavily charismatic and charming, they can draw to customers to them like flies to honey and sell snake oil without a sweat. But the soft smile at the end of the work day and their relaxing atmosphere make you almost forget their childish antics. Almost.

Tropes: Work Romance, Bad Boy/Girl, Friends with Benefits, and Slow Burn

Avery Suman Ragda Remington

35|Male/Female|British Indian|Unclaimed

Your companion when you eat lunch at the cafe near the gallery. You noticed them out of the corner of your eye as you pick up your lunch every day at the cafe until you bumped into each other quite literally. Their easy going but mature attitude and friendly smile on their face as they caught you before you fall, it was perfect balm for such a hectic day you had. After that day, they became your lunch buddy. Talking about anything and everyhting and just letting yourself relax as they had such a calm prescence to them. You don't know however that they're the benefactor for the studio you work at.

Tropes: Billionaire Romance, Secret Indentity, Meet Cute, and Age Gap

Kahula Lennon 'Aukai

25|Male/Female|Hawiian|Rejected

The hottest musician in the underground scene. They have a magnetic and intense personality that can draw anybody to them including you after one of their concerts. It was just one time thing that only happen because the two of you crossed paths that night and quickly moved on. But they popped up in Paris for a break from their tour and lasered in on you. Could you take chance with one who has dozens before and after you? Even one who rejected their soulmate in order to become the star they are today?

Tropes: Starstruck, Playboy/Playgirl, One Night [You get to decide what happened that night], and Forbidden Love

[tinykittendelusion]

Seventeen as Bollywood Characters

a/n: i keep seeing people do this on Instagram and Twitter and i wanted to try it too

tw: a bit of swearing.

Scoups - Ram Prasad Sharma (Main Hoon Na)

Okay so you remember how srk was all older brother in this movie yeah scoups for sure. Also I love the dynamics between Ram and Lakshman (Very scoups and dino also maybe mingyu coded) . Plus i just think he's a shy awkward dork in everyday life but would have this alt cool persona.Also him being an idiot in love? SIGN ME UP!

Jeonghan - Prem Sharma (APKGK)

Prem was a sweetheart in Ajan Prem ki Gazab Kahani. He is so jeonghan coded cause like he wants everyone to be happy duh he's the president of Happy club but he's also mischievous and just ready to bend the rules to make people he cares for happy. Comes off as this cocky idc person but is the biggest softie.

Joshua - Raj Malhotra (DDLJ)

Okay so you remember Srk with the ukele in the mustard fields YEAH THAT'S JOSH. Except he's most probably playing Sunday morning. He's the gentleman (Sometimes) who is a little crazy. Very Raj coded he's fun and flirty and funny but can also be serious if the situation demands it. A big family guy and your family's approval matters a lot. The only difference is that he'd charm your parents in seconds no Jaa simran Jaa for you your parents approved 10 mins after they met him.

Jun - Jai Singh Rathore (Jaane tu ya jaane Na)

Jun is a baby but ykw so is jai. Jai is the pinnacle of the imran Khan romcom universe he's sweet caring funny and wierd oh and also oblivious which also describes jun very well.Hes in love with his bestfriend (LOVE THAT HE CALLS HER MEOW MY CAT!JUN AGENDA IS WINNING)but doesn't realise that until she starts seeing someone else I love the jealousy and confusion .Plus this whole thing plays into my childhood best friends to lovers trope i see jun as.

Hoshi - Rocky Randhawa (Rocky Aur Rani ki Prem Kahani)

This Outfit Ik Hoshi would love it. Okay Hoshi is a himbo he's cute funny and a little bit dumb(lovingly) and that's very Rocky coded. Also I just see him as this doofus in love who will do anything and everything to keep you happy. also I just want him to say "handle with care I'm a fragile". Very emotionally intelligent.He may not know much about current affairs but he does know how to make you smile.

Wonwoo - Rohit Mehra (Koi Mil Gaya)

Okay hear me out on this one.I started thinking about parallels here but all began with that meme Maa mujhe sab dikh Raha hai but Rohit and wonwoo are pretty alike they are kind sensitive but confident people who love and care openly. He may be shy but he'll express his care and affection anyways. Also his jaadu is dino.

Woozi - Arjun Saluja (ZNMD)

They both are hot workaholics. Also just like Arjun learnt to live a little and enjoy life on the Spain trip I feel woozi did that during the Nana tour. They both can come off as the I don't like fun grumpy types but once they get into the mood of relaxing and having fun they become the life of the party. Both have that annoying friend who they hate lovingly (Hoshi and Imraan).

Dokyeom - Rohan Raichand (K3G)

This GIF is very Dk coded. I feel Raichand brothers are very puppy coded but they are puppies like dokyeom and not mingyu (I'm not making sense am i?). He's the younger brother he's hot he's funny and he's a tease. This is Also because I feel dokyeom and Hrithik Roshan just look alike. Also very emotional likes just keeping everyone happy. Boyfriend Material through and through.

Mingyu - Adithya Kashyap (Jab we met)

I know what you guys are thinking that Adithya is this quieter soft character whereas mingyu is a big happy clingy puppy. Ik but I also have a theory so basically we see Adithya being all sad because shit has happened in his life but after geet heals him he's this happy and joyful person which makes me think that it was how he was before he felt let down by everyone and that happy joyful persona he has is like mingyus mingyu is optimistic and kind and caring he also is emotionally intelligent and very aware of what people around him are feeling and that's very Adithya coded.

Minghao - Aman Mathur (Kal ho na ho)

Yes. Minghao has that I'll do anything for Love vibe. While aman may be more outgoing I feel at core that Minghao and Aman are same people. Also Minghao seems like the person who will fall for Naina but then help her call for someone else.Makes people delulu but are very anti delulu duo.

Seungkwan - Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (Hera Pheri)

Honestly at first i considered Meenamma(Chennai Express) or Poo(K3G) for seungkwan but then i remembered Baburao. I'll fight for the BSS X HERA PHERI UNIVERSE. Also I feel they both have the same level of sass. Also the way Baburao and Raju behave ? that's Hoshi and seungkwan right there. Fucking funny both of them.

Vernon - Ranchhodas Chanchal (3 Idiots)

Normally I'd say BSS are all the 3 idiots aka Rancho, Farhan and Raju but I feel Vernon is a lot more like Rancho. He's smart intuitive and loyal to a fault person. Also I feel the whole thought process that Rancho had for learning ? yeah that's Vernon he learns what he enjoys, he's chill he's laid back just like Rancho. Plus i think he'd also wonder whether the nose comes in the middle while kissing.

Dino - Lakshman Sharma (Main hoon Na)

Okay I present you this gif. The minute i saw it my first thought was how dino coded the character is. The character is this younger brother who comes off as this non caring idgaf about anything but having fun but is actually very sad emo at times which I feel is also dino dino does things for the plot but he's a very old soul at heart. Plus I love the dynamics between lakshman and ram aka scoups and dino so heheh ig?

a/n: Desi brainrot is here guys tell me what y'all think

[chemicalarospec]

while I am a big romance shipper, I gotta say the best relationship dynamic is definitely "best friends who kill each other" (although usually only one can kill the other due to physical constraints).

Although I'm aro, I really enjoy adding romance to a lot of dynamics, but this is the one where I think romance doesn't actually add anything to & it's better without. Like "love" is supposed to be emotional and big -- choosing something else over it is a common trope, the "sacrifice", and it kinda makes the relationship seem just romantic -- superficial. Killing your best friend is more fresh & original.

~

went looking for this post in my drafts (I did add to the above text) b/c of the last one I reblogged-- after some consideration I think the Deep, Subtextually Queer Yet Platonic Bond is the pinnacle of this trope. Zero romance but a little eroticism is OK. When I wrote the post above I was considering 'killing your lover' in an any gender relationship, including straight, and tbh it is a little cooler when it's gay (this is a biased impression btw, b/c of stereotypes regarding m/f versus same-gender relationships, as well as Man Kills Wife But Doesn't Want To, So Sad being an existing trope). Still not as good as best friends tho. They don't love each other in a gay way, but boy, are they committed to each other, known each other for so long and loved each other and they're going to kill each other, and one could headcanon gay if they want but for me they would never be attracted to each other like that; they're attached.

[cascadiiiaa]

Stella Sawyer.

She's our main character. She was born on January 26th, 1982. her parents both died in a car crash when she was 6 years old, so she and her sister live with her aunt in a nice big house in the nicest neighbourhood in Cherry River, 177 Maple Tree Way, right next to the Blue Wood Forest and Carver Lake. She was a ballet dancer for most of her childhood, and had a very traumatic experience, which changed her life and put her through a lot of emotional turmoil even years down the line. The biggest part of who she is is that she can communicate with dead people, see them, talk to them, dead people cling to her. This is a very difficult thing that she deals with, and is a big reason why she struggles with a lot of different addictions, she wants to keep the voices as quiet as possible, since having dead people constantly reaching out to her is a very stressful and overwhelming experience for her. Talking to dead people isn't the only extent if her power, she also has other abilities that she doesn't know what to do with. I'll expand on that more in another post. She's also a cheerleader!

she's very ambitious and driven, which can come across as stubborn, but she knows exactly what she wants to do and she never lets anybody convince her to do otherwise (except for a few people but i'll get to that later also). She's fiery and witty, known to be annoying and almost rude by people at her highschool that don't know her, but that's mostly because she's very sure of herself, and also isn't very aware of social cues. She would do anything for the people she loves, and she's wickedly funny. Kindness and love is at the heart of everything she does, even if what she does isn't morally correct, she's always doing it out of kindness or for the greater good of something. She's very misunderstood by a lot of people in her life, categorised as the pinnacle of an angsty teen girl, when she's a lot more than that under the surface and is really struggling with a lot of trauma and mental health issues. She's also very smart, not in a an academic way, but she's a great problem solver and very street smart. Creativity also goes into this, her creativity is one of the most integral parts of her personality. A few words i would use to describe her would be ambitious, fiery, witty, intelligent, aloof, creative, kind, and misunderstood.

Her best friend is Genny, who she's lived next to since she was sent to live with her aunt, and they've been best friends since then. She had a second best friend for a while, Jamie, but miscommunication and misunderstanding ruined their relationship for a while, before Jamie gets brought into Stella's life once again during the events of the novel. During this time where Jamie is brought back into Stella's life, their relationship is awkward and tense, a lot of things were left unsaid when they dramatically stopped being friends. Truthfully, they were both in love with each other and always had been, and once they start communicating properly their relationship develops romantically and intimately instead of platonically. They're also, Lesbians!!!! Their "trope" (ew), is friends to enemies to lovers.

Lastly, i'll describe her appearence! First of all, she's 16 years old.She is 165 centimetres tall, with long dyed red hair. she has big, round bright blue ice coloured eyes, and pale skin that's almost pale in a stark white way. she has an athletic body type, but she also naturally has a decent amount of weight on her. She dresses in a girly but dark and grungy way, also dressing very whimsigoth-y. Very 90s.

[phoenixlionme]

Fav Tropes and Why

All Loving Hero - Many people in the fandoms and IRL think someone who believes in kindness and love is “weak”. I call BS on that statement. It’s easy to believe being cruel and/or edgy is “mature” but it’s not. Willingly choosing to be good in a world where others tell you to stop is the pinnacle of strength and resilience.

Amazon Chaser - Seeing a (usually male) character be smitten with a female’s character battle prowess and/or fiery attitude is *chef’s kiss*.

Babies Ever After - What can I say? I love seeing my favorite OTPs having a child and/or children together. It makes me think back to the beginning and progress of their love.

Badass Family - The family that kicks ass together is the family that will ALWAYS worm their way into my heart.

Beware The Nice Ones - Seeing a normally nice and gentle character go APESHIT when pushed too far will never get old.

Big Brother (Big Sister) Instinct - Protective siblings for the win.

Bittersweet Ending - Sometimes you want a straight up happy ending but life doesn’t happen like that. In reality, the best you can get is half happy and half sad. It’s bittersweet for a reason.

Childhood Friend Romance - It’s just a sweet concept. Two people who have known each other all their lives, falling for each other, and then forming a romance is absolutely wonderful. Marrying your best friend and true love at the same time? PEAK ROMANCE.

Cool Big Sis (Bro) - Having caring, loving, encouraging older sibling figures is PEAK SEROTONIN.

Dark And Troubled Past - Hearing a person’s troubled life can better humanize them to the audience. Me included.

Feminist Fantasy - In short, this trope is about a fantasy and/or scifi story featuring a female protagonist and/or large female cast. And many of people’s favorite shows/movies fall into this category.

Handicapped Badass - I believe I was introduced to this trope when I was graced with ultimate presence of THE best earthbender of ATLA/Tlok, one of THE well-written characters in history (animated or live-action), and one my ultimate fav characters: Toph Bei Fong. She was a blind girl but she was able to use what people perceived as a weakness to be her greatest strength.

Hard Truth Aesop - Something needed in a lot of media. Sometimes the moral of a story isn’t as straightforward as meany would like it to be. It makes life more complicated and nuanced.

Interspecies Romance - I think my liking of this trope aka “Monster Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Romance” started with one of my favorite disney movies: The Beauty and The Beast (the OG one). Seeing a huge, monstrous being (who is ironically still quite good looking) having a tender and loving romance with their human lover is peak romance. Like Guillermo del Toro, I am all for monster romances.

Mama Bear - The woman who birthed you for roughly 9 months, is ready to go through all hell to protect you. Good parenting.

Papa Wolf - Similar to the Mama Bear trope, a dad going beast mode to protect his child/children is good parenting at its’ finest.

Platonic Life Partners - Despite popular belied, it IS possible for male and females friends to be and stay just like that: FRIENDS. And it’s not “lesser” than

The Reason You Suck Speech - Whether they’re the hero or villain, a rant meant to call them out on their shortcoming and how said shortcoming keep hurting the goal and/or other people is great. It makes either the hero grow or makes the villain get their final comeuppance.

Took A Level In Badass - Watching the progress of how a wimpy, unskilled character transform into a badass is freakin’ awesome. Either they become badass in skill, personality, and/or both are all equally awesome.

Watched It For the Representation - I don’t care what some pretentious, attention0-seeking jerks say...Hearing another person reveal how empowering and validating it felt seeing someone similar to them (i.e., race, sexuality, body type, etc.) is great to see.

[veneritia]

9 serial comics/manga that live in my head rent-free

Thank you @yvesdot for tagging me!!!

With the exception of one, all of these are manga/manhua that I've greatly enjoyed and have read more than once (yes, even the unfinished ones).

From the top left corner going across, we have Akatsuki no Yona, Lout of the Count's family, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne, Full Moon wo Sagashite, Who Made Me a Princess One Day, SPY x FAMILY, Fiancee's Observation Log of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess, My Dress-Up Darling, and Abandoned Empress. And because I'm extra, below the cut I'm gonna give a (very bad) explanation as to why I love them.

Tagging: honestly anyone who wants to have a go!

Akatsuki no Yona

Yona's character development is just *chef kiss* Seeing her grow not only as a person but as a princess, while on the run, is honestly so gratifying. The majority of characters are quite complex, with different goals, motivations, backstory, that all end up playing into each other. And despite the fantasy elements of four of the main characters having the powers of legendary dragons, very little of the story actually has to do with fantasy/magic. A lot of it is Yona learning what her kingdom is truly like, the people living in it, and how she could help make their lives better.

Lout of the Count's Family

Cale Henituse is so aroace. I love him. This man is literally manipulating the events of the world and gathering up as much power as possible just so he could avoid getting punched in the face. I honestly just love how little to no romance this story has. It warms my heart.

Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne

Mix Jeanne d'Arc, Kaito Kid, and heavy artistic licenses on Christianity and history, and you get this story. It's a fun magical girl manga starring a highly competent main character and an entire rivals-to-lovers subplot. That and it's written/drawn by Arina Tanemura whose works were basically my gateway into shoujo manga.

Full Moon wo Sagashite

Another work by Arina Tanemura! This one made me bawl my eyes out. It stars a young terminally ill girl who dreams of becoming a famous singer and finding her first love but only has one year left to live. She makes a deal with 2 death gods to fulfill her dreams in exchange for quietly coming with them once her year was up. It's heart-wrenching, it's beautiful, AND THE SONGS THEY INCLUDED IN THE ANIME ARE GOOD OK. Eternal Snow my beloved <3

Who Made Me a Princess

Just really, really beautiful art by Spoon and an amazing Father-Daughter story. Also every time Diana appears on screen I am swooning.

SPY x FAMILY

THE PINNACLE OF FOUND FAMILY COMEDY. You know how in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, they both had no idea that the other was an assassin? Take that plot and dial it to an entire family except for nobody (but the kid) knows and everybody is trying to figure out how to act like a Normal Family TM.

Fiancee's Observation Log of A Self-Proclaimed Villainess

An early subversion of the Villainess trope where the entire story is told from the Villainess' fiancee. It's fun, it's wholesome, Bertia is best girl. I've read this thing 3x and it never fails to make me laugh.

My Dress-Up Darling

A cosplay romance story! A girl who loves to cosplay enlists the help of a classmate who knows how to sew. I've learned so much about how much effort goes into cosplaying because of this manga, and wow I have so much more respect for cosplayers now. It features a very wholesome classmates-to-friends-to-lovers plot.

Abandoned Empress (derogatory)

But Maddie, you ask. Why put this on the list if you hate it? It's because Abandoned Empress is the equivalent of a squatter who WON'T LEAVE. I have very strong opinions on this manhua, and overall don't recommend it. It had a somewhat strong beginning but the ending absolutely ruined what goodwill I had for it. Don't recommend unless you want to be cursed with its presence.

[bookcoversalt]

Have you noticed the latest edition of Charlie Bowater can only draw one (1) face? She did The Princess Will Save You and Cast In Firelight both YA Fantasy set to be released this year. And they are how you say... the same fucking cover

Ah yes so you saw the same tweet I did

I know I literally just posted that we cannot outlaw book covers from looking like each other, but ! Oof!

The only thing that softens the blow here is that Charlie has improved at representing nonwhite features such that characters look like POC rather than tan white people, although,, that bar was low. Anybody remember the ACOTAR coloring book.

(Would you have guessed that 2/3 of these people are nonwhite? Or even that they’re supposed to be three different men? I guess all the men in Prythian have the same haircut?)

But that minor victory is mostly lost in the quagmires of the fact that Charlie’s style is to give everyone instagram face:

I wouldn’t even call this “Sameface” necessarily: that implies limitation, that an artist is only capable of drawing a single facial structure competently. Bowater is incredibly technically talented, she just chooses to give everyone catlike fae eyes and the cheekbones of a starving nymph. (My previous post on this here.)

But I don’t really blame her for that, or for these hilariously identical, nearly devoid of personality covers. Artists are allowed to do whatever they want. Artists who make art for covers are being art directed by designers and marketing teams who bear responsibility for how the finished pieces turn out.

No, this is our fault, as a community and an industry and..... society, kind of, for valuing character portraits that are “pretty” (“pretty” being an extremely loaded, culturally subjective concept) over art that actually Says Something About The Story. Bowater’s style happens to dovetail perfectly with what we currently collectively find pretty, and so we’ve put her art on a pedestal at the cost of everything else art can or should do for our stories.

And this is understandable: in contemporary western culture, pretty is a value unto itself. Seeing our characters portrayed as pretty denotes them as special, as smart, as powerful. It’s almost impossible to de-program ourselves from that reaction. There are approximately five kajillion studies on how beautiful people are at personal and professional advantages; how they’re perceived to be happier, healthier, more successful, and how those perceptions can translate into realities. (Nevermind how thinness and whiteness enter that equation, see above note about “pretty”.) I would love to see more “average” or weird- looking characters abound (and be accurately visually represented) in the YA/ Genre lit sphere, but for now... everyone is pretty.

Which sometimes means everyone is pretty boring.

But that’s just the specific, "What’s the deal with Bowater’s success in book circles and her style and all the sameiness” part of this equation. What if we backed up and asked: why character art at all? Beyond a question of “pretty”-ness (and general obvious Artistic Quality), why do we gravitate towards it, what's the purpose of it, how does it fall flat in a general sense, and how can it be utilized more effectively?

This is something I think about all the time. I follow writers on social media (because..... I am a writer on social media, regrettably), and we have an enormous collective boner for character art. “Getting fanart [of the characters]” is one of the achievement pinnacles constantly cited when people get or want to get published. Commissioning character art is something we reward ourselves with, or save up for (WHICH IS GOOD AND CORRECT. FREE ART IS GREAT BUT DO NOT SOLICIT IT. PAY YOUR ARTISTS). And like???? Same????? We love our stories because we’re invested in our characters. Most humans, even prose writers, are visual creatures to some extent, and no matter how happy we are with our text-based art, it’s exciting to see our creations exist in that form. So we turn that art into promo material and we advocate for it on our covers-- because it’s so meaningful to us! It goes with the story perfectly!! Look at my dumb beautiful children!!!!!

But on an emotional level, it’s hard to grasp that it only means something to us. Particularly when you take into account the aforementioned vast landscape of beautiful visual blandness of many characters (in the YA/ genre lit sphere, that’s pretty much all I’m ever talking about), character art can be like baby photos. If you know the baby, if that baby is your new niece or your friend’s kid, if you’ve held them and their parent texts you updates when they do cute shit, you’re probably excited to see that baby photo. But unless it’s exceptionally cute, a random stranger’s baby photo isn’t likely to invoke an emotional reaction other than “this is why I don’t get on facebook.”

Seeing art of characters they don’t know might intrigue a reader, but especially if the characters or art are unremarkable-looking, it’s doing a hell of a lot more for the people who already have an emotional attachment to that character than anybody else. And that’s fine. Art for a small, invested audience is incredibly rewarding. But like the parent who cannot see why you don’t think their baby is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY IN THE WORLD???? I think we have trouble divesting our emotional reaction to character art from its actual marketing value, which.... is often pretty minimal. This is my hill to die on #143:

Character portraits, even beautiful ones, are meaningless as a marketing tool without additional context or imagery. 

I love character art! I’m not saying it should not exist or that it’s worthless! Even art that appeals to only the one single person who made it has value and the right to exist. And part of this conversation is how important for POC to see themselves on covers, whether illustrations or stock imagery, particularly in YA/kidlit. I’m not saying character portrait covers are “bad”. 

I am saying that I have seen dozens and dozens of sets of character art for characters who look interchangeable, and it has never driven me to preorder a book. (Also one character portrait for a high-profile 2019 debut that was clearly just a painting of Amanda Seyfriend. You know the one. There’s nothing wrong with faceclaims but lmfao, girl,,,,)

I’m sure that’s not true for everyone! I am incredibly picky about art. It’s my job. There’s nothing wrong with your card deck of cell-shaded boys of ambiguous age and ethnicity who all have the same button nose and smirk if it Sparks Joy for you.

But if your goal is not only to delight yourself, but to sell books, it’s in your best interest to remember that art, like writing, is a form of communication. The publishing industry runs on pitches: querys, blurbs, proposals, self-promo tweets. What if we applied that logic to our visuals? How can we utilize our character design and art to communicate as much about our stories as possible, in the most enticing way?

Social media has already driven the embrace of this concept in a very general sense. Authors are now supposed to have ~ aesthetics. “Picspams” or graphics, modular collages that function as mini moodboards, are commonplace. But the labor intensity and relative scarcity of character art visible in bookish circles, even on covers, means that application of marketing sensibility to it is less intuitive than throwing together a pinterest board.

Since we were talking about it earlier, WICKED SAINTS, as a case study of a recent “successful” fantasy YA debut, arguably owed a lot of its early social media momentum to fanart.

(Early fanart by @warickaart)

The most frequently drawn character, Malachiasz, has long hair, claws, and distinctive face tattoos. WS has a strong aesthetic in general, but those features clearly marked his fanart as him in a way even someone unfamiliar with the book could clearly track across different styles. Different interpretations of his tattoos from different artists even became a point of interest.

(Art by Jaria Rambaran, also super early days of WS Being A Thing)

Aside from distinctiveness, it's a clear visual representation of his history as a cult member, his monstrous powers, and the story’s dark, medieval tone. The above image is also a great example of character interaction, something missing from straightforward portraits, that communicates a dynamic. Character dynamics draw people into stories: enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, childhood rivals, platonic life partners, love triangles, devoted siblings, exes who still carry the flame-- there’s a reason we codify these into tropes, and integrate that language and shared knowledge into our marketing. For another example in that vein, I really love this art by @MabyMin, commissioned by Gina Chen:

The wrist grip! The fancy outfits! These are two nobles who hate each other and want to bone and I am sold. 

In terms of true portraits, the best recent example I can think of is the set @NicoleDeal did for Roshani Chokshi’s GILDED WOLVES (I believe as a preorder incentive of some kind?): 

They showcase settings, props, and poses that all communicate the characters’ interests, skills, and personality, as well as the glamorous, elaborate aesthetic of the overall story. Even elements in the gold borders change, alluding to other plot points and symbology.

For painterly accuracy in character portraits on covers, I love SPIN THE DAWN. The heroine looks like a beautiful badass, yes, but the thoughtful, detailed rendering of every element, soft textures, and dynamic, fluid composition form a really cohesive, stunning illustration that presents an intriguing collection of story elements.

The devil isn’t always in the details, though: stark, moody, highly stylized or graphic art with an emphasis on textural contrast and bold color and shape rather than representational accuracy can communicate a lot (emotionally and tonally) while pretty much foregoing realism.

The new Lunar Chronicles covers are actually the best examples I found of this (Trying to stay within the realm of existing bookish art rather than branch into All Art Of Human Figures Forever):

Taking cues from styles more typical of the comics and video game industries.  (Games and comics, as visual mediums, are sources of incredible character art and I highly recommend following artists in those industries if you want to See More Cool Art On Your Timeline.)

TL;DR: Character art and design, as a marketing tool (even an incidental one) should be as unique to your story and your characters as possible, and tell us about the story in ways that make us want to read it. I tried to give examples because there are so many ways to do this, and so many different kinds of art, and I could give many more! But I’m bored now. So to circle all the way back:

These are not just bad because they look like each other, although that is embarrassing and illuminating. These are bad covers (although,,,,, PRINCESS is the far worse offender, at least FIRELIGHT suggests a thoughtful cultural analogue) because a desire for Pretty Character Art overrode the basic cover function to tell us about the story. We get no sense of who these people are, what their relationships are, what these books are about beyond the most general genre, or why we might care. The expressions are vague, the characters generic-looking, the compositions uninteresting and the colors failing to be indicative of anything in particular. 

They’re somebody else’s baby pictures.

(And yes, that’s the CRUEL PRINCE font on PRINCESS. I better not have to do a roundup post but it’s on thin fucking ice.)

[likerealpeopledo-on-ao3]

2020 Creator Tag Meme

rules: it’s time to love yourselves! choose your 5 (or so) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world in 2020. tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

I was tagged by: @unfolded73 @fishyspots @middyblue

1. The More You Know, M, 72380

I was incepted to write this fic when I said to Distractivate, “I should write an enemies to lovers Trivia AU,” and before I knew it...I was writing a trivia AU. I started the doc January 2. So. Wow. And my apologies, I couldn’t make them enemies because I am soft, soft, soft, and frankly, so are they. This fic fought me a lot. I was in a ton of physical pain because of a nerve problem, the pandemic started, blah blah blah...I wrote some of my favorite things. I could not have done it without Distractivate and @vivianblakesunrisebay and @this-is-not-nothing and probably scores of other people listening to me whine and helping me with ideas. But also thank you Noah Reid for taking a picture holding a fish and then later eating a burrito on a roadside with gusto because without those, Musician! Patrick would never have visited that taco stand, or needed to do origami. The response was OVERWHELMING and I may never see it again but I really truly appreciate every comment and every kudo and every rec anyone ever made. That story is and was a labor of love and I miss playing trivia as much as I miss bringing that world to life. And I was lucky enough to be gifted a podfic as well.

2. This Must Be The Place, E, 11508

So. The entire time I was writing TMYK, I had a playlist of eighties and nineties songs that I felt like Patrick was into and loved. There were also more recent songs but This Must Be the Place and Handle With Care were, like, the Pinnacle of the love story I was writing. And I had a place in TMYK where Patrick and the Senior Center (the SC Squared) would perform a medley for David a la Open Mic. But it ruined the momentum of my ending. SO. I cut it. And let’s be real, I had a lot of trouble writing it. So. I CUT IT. Flash forward to me being stuck on a different WIP (still stuck) and getting a prompt from TINN about Patrick performing for the one year anniversary of the Art House. WELL. The coda was born and I got to go back to the world I loved and use that origami for (spoiler alert).

3. Five Ways to Ruin a First Date, T, 6830

I have fest fears so I didn’t think I was going to participate in Frozen Over this year. But at 2:00 am a week before the deadline, I decided that an only one sled fic was the trope for me. I don’t know if I was right haha. BUT! Once again I was aided and abetted by the best friends and betas a girl could have and me, notoriously slow writing me, got it done. Not to toot my own horn but I am pretty happy with Patrick’s list of dates. Which I may make a series someday because I could make these idiots go on cozy first dates for the rest of time. And I guess I could let them date past that too. Also, no matter what, these two want to kiss.

4. I Think We’re Alone Now, T, 3306

I have a real tendency to make a joke become a reality. I co-wrote this fic with the delightful @rockinhamburger and it is criminally under seen. Yes, it is dialogue-only. Yes, it is a play off of Buffy. Yes, there is banter and kissing and canon. I wrote some of my best jokes for this fic and Rockinhamburger killed it with backstory and tenderness. Go and read this. You will not be disappointed.

5. I am working on two WIPS currently and brainstorming a couple joint ventures with some friends so hopefully 2021 brings more of David and Patrick into our world. I am hoping to have a new multi chapter sickfic posted in January and what I call Air!Pat will be out...soon enough 😂 Please tell Patrick to cooperate; he is kind of stubborn.

Thank you everyone for your kindness and generosity!

I’m tagging: @vivianblakesunrisebay @sullymygoodname @rockinhamburger @this-is-not-nothing @thegrayness and @high-seas-swan

[puffy-shirt]

Hi! I was browsing the DA tag and saw your new Wardens. Have you decided on their personalities, classes/specializations, or romances yet? C:

Eyyy! Thanks for asking :) I know you asked abt my new wardens, but I haven't actually talked about a lot of my older ones either! So I'm using this as my excuse :P

-Ro Surana: Female/Elf/Mage (Sword); Arcane Warrior/Shapeshifter(Spider)/Battlemage ♡ Alistair

Dog: Dog

Ro is my oldest and most beloved warden. She is loving, smart, and has a great sense of humor, but above all she has a strong sense of justice and a fire in her heart. Her and Alistair are married im Redcliffe after the blight and they stay wardens together. If they find a way to rid themselves of the taint, they have a daughter together 🥺💗

-Helena Cousland: Female/Human/Warrior (Sword and Sheild); Berzerker/Champion/Spirit Warrior ♡ Zevran

Dog: Prince

Helena is one of the youngest (in terms of her age) of my wardens and one of my favorites! The loss of her family is a horrific event that turns her temperament angry and spiteful. She can't stand alistiars constant jokes. She can't stand Leliana's piousness. Basically she can only stand her dog, and zevran (who she has a tumultuous but overall loving relationship with). After the blight she stays with him, but they never marry.

- Persephone Aeducan: Female/Dwarf(Noble)/Warrior (Greatsword); Champion/Templar/Guardian ♡ Gorrim

Dog: Aeducan

Persephone was a born leader, and player in the game of politics. She is wicked intelligent and cunning. Her and Gorrim have a long illicit relationship and they just adore each other. Pers is just... absolutely heartbroken when Gorrim tells her he is married. She knows they still love each other and always will. After the blight she returns to take her rightful place in orzammar, gorrim along side her. I have two minds about her ending tho... half of me headcannons that gorrim lied about having a wife, believing that was the only way persephone would let him go so that he wouldn't burden her. In that scenario, they return to orzammar together and resume their relationship - now open about it. In the scenario where he was truthful, he never really loved his wife, but they all follow Persephone to orzammar. There, there is a lot of pining for each other and persephone keeps him on a tight (metaphorical) leash.

- Mason Cousland: Male/Human/Warrior (Dual Blades); Templar/Champion/Guardian ♡ Anora

Dog: Hound

Mason was designed to be the pinnacle of the noble character trope. He is the noble prince, the righteous king. Him and Alistair are best buddies. However, Mason decides the right thing to do is spare Loghain and give him a chance at redemption. He is HEARTBROKEN when this causes his best friend to leave. Mason marries Anora, and I have this entire story written out (in my head) about their relationship and how they fall in love after the blight. They have two children, and Mason is beloved by all as king.

- Rose Amell: Female/Human/Mage; Blood Mage/Spirit Healer/Keeper ♡ Alistair

Dog: King

Rose is... hmmm... I really love her, but ultimately she is a coward. She wants to do the right thing, but is soft. Ultimately her fear of failure causes her to turn to blood magic, as she believes that is the only way she would be able to beat the darkspawn. She sees Alistair as her knight in shining armor, and stays his consort/lover when he becomes the sole ruler of fereldan.

- Ariya Tabris: Female/Elf(City)/Rogue (Dual Blades); Assasin/Duelist/Shadow ♡ Alistair

Dog: Mutt

Ariya is my chameleon character, originally from the elder scrolls universe, that I've come to insert into every rpg I can hahaha. She is a sourpuss who can't say anything that doesn't come out as sarcastic. She also struggles a lot with addiction problems to both alcohol and lyruim. Her and Alistair get together, however he leaves her to become king. This obviously upsets her, and when morrigan tells her of the ritual, she decides not to tell alistiar about it, a decision she regrets for the rest of her life. She intends to sacrifice herself at the battle of denerim, and is horrified when alistoar beats her to it.

- Lienna Mahariel: Female/Elf(Dalish)/Rogue (Archer); Ranger/Assasin  ♡ Tamlen

Dog: Vhenan

One of my newer ones! I wanted to make a spicy ass elf maiden who was inseparable with her lover Tamlen until the blight. She is definitely anti human, and refuses to hang out with the human members of the party. She starts to develop feelings for zevran, but feels too guilty about it to follow through with the relationship. In the end, she sacrifices her life to end the blight.

- Dorrien Tabris: Female/Elf(City)/Rogue(Sword); Bard/Duelist ♡ Zevran

Dog: Nelaros

My youngest both in age and when I created her! She is a hopeless romantic and falls in love immediately and often. In her story, she has love at first sight with her betrothed, Nelaros. In her version they actually get married and are well into the celebrations when the wedding is interrupted. She is heartbroken at the loss of her husband. Her moms side of the family is from antiva, and she was trained to Duel with a rapier. Her main talent is song though, and her and Leliana are bffs for LIFE. Her whole thing is that there is this big ol love triangle between her, alistiar, and zevran. She falls in love with Alistair immediately, who takes a but longer to develop feelings. Meanwhile Zevran falls head over heels right away for Dorri, and he slowly grows on her. Ultimately, when she realizes Alistair is destined to be king, which means they could never truly be together, she chooses to be with Zevran. They marry and have a child after the blight.

[dusk-writes]

hoooo boy. I’m probably gonna get hate for this (bc i’ve heard the stans of this fic are Like That) but here goes anyway!! & I’m also…. really hoping you asked me this in good faith, @parttwoelectricboogaloo, because I’m Not Here to Start Shit (ie, important disclaimer that this post is NOT an attack against the author or anyone who likes the fic, & i won’t tolerate stans being rude/shitty in the replies).

anyway, tl;dr: the author took a CANONICALLY strong & independent character (Remus) & reduced him to someone who literally cannot function without a romantic love interest (either Sirius or the OC) by the end of the fic– his arc is essentially a downward spiral over the course of which he loses any shred of agency & becomes unhealthily clingy/needy instead.

Remus in Actual Book Canon is clever, competent, intelligent, and incredibly self-sufficient– while That Fic characterises Remus as the sort of person who literally whines & begs his lover not to break up with him (and I’m entirely unable to understand where OP got this characterisation from, bc it doesn’t remotely resemble Canon Remus from the books).

…like, Remus’s character in the final chapters of a/t/y/d is strongly reminiscent of Bella from Twilight– and I shouldn’t need to explain why this is Not A Good Thing. you know that one super icky section where Edward buggers off & there are several completely blank chapters with only the names of months at the top, to show how she literally Cannot Exist without her hot boyfriend & nothing else going on in her life is even worth mentioning…? This fic, similarly, has Remus fall into a deep depressive state after Halloween 1981 (including problems with addiction & substance abuse) from which he needs to be ‘saved’ by a Man, which would justifiably have everyone up in arms if he were a woman (except in some ways it’s even worse to shove Remus into this role, bc he’s a grown ass man and not an immature hormonal teenager). I definitely don’t dispute that Remus was very messed up after the war, and of course it would take time for him to recover from that trauma, but this is something he Can & Should be able to work through on his own!! Having another character (especially a love interest) swoop in to pick up the pieces for him strips Remus of his agency, & I’m really not about that.

Point 1: if a trope is gross & misogynistic when applied to a female character, it really should not be applied to a gay man, either. And, on that note, portraying one half of a gay ship as the ‘soft emotional vulnerable one’ (especially when this is not a canon trait of the character) is in fact super problematic; it’s literally a homophobic stereotype.

Point 2: Romance is not a cure for mental illness!!! And any romantic relationship where one partner contributes all of the emotional labour is Not Healthy.

Canon Wolfstar is beautiful because Remus & Sirius are equals who perfectly balance each other out, whose lives are both improved by the other’s presence while each still existing as his own independent person. they’re so close and vibe so well together that even after 12 years apart they barely need to speak out loud to understand each other. The author of a/t/y/d, meanwhile, is on the record as saying that Sirius & Remus ‘don’t really understand each other’, and injected their own OC into this role instead (which… Big Oof).

And for the record, I want to be 100% crystal clear that I’m NOT saying no one should ever read this fic, or that enjoying it makes you a bad person!! (we’re all still fans of HP & wolfstar in spite of JKR being a terrible racist terf, after all). But please, if you enjoy this work, do so while being conscious & critical of its flaws, and stop holding it up as the Pinnacle Of All Literature, or even the Best Fanfic Ever (remember that Perfect Flawless Media Does Not Exist!! flaws are normal, & they don’t mean you can’t/shouldn’t enjoy things, but it’s important to be aware & respectful). Because yeah, as a mentally ill queer dude, there are a Lot of unfortunate implications in this fic that make me very deeply uncomfortable (and friends who are POC have voiced discomfort regarding that aspect as well, though I’ll leave it to them to elaborate if they choose to). Again, you’re absolutely free to enjoy this fic & rec it to others, & it’s not my intention to stop you– but it is Not good rep of mental illness & disability, or of queer men (another side note: writing a character who explicitly & consistently IDs as a Gay Man throughout his adult life, only to have him marry a woman as the ultimate endgame ship, is also Very Squicky). I’m just. Really Tired.

in closing: It’s 2020 & We Are Past The Need For Gay Men Cast As Sexist Female Character Tropes & Presenting Toxic Unhealthy Relationships As Romantic. thank you for coming to my ted talk, and have a lovely day, friends ♡

[artificialqueens]

Something Just Like This, Chapter One (Trixya) - Calliope

a/n: hello hello hello, this is cal, the writer of cirque d'amour and I'm back back back again! (with a slightly different pseudonym)

this fic will be the slowest of slow burns if y'all can handle that, with the beloved friends to lovers trope; however, that friendship will always be a little blurred...

I'm actually quite nervous to post this! I do hope you enjoy it.

*TW: MILD MENTIONS OF UNDEREATING/OVEREXERCISING

---

Trixie is sweating.

Trixie isn't quite used to the sensation - the fire on her skin, the rush of blood throughout her veins, the protest of every single sinew - and to be beetroot red in front of a wealth of fit strangers.

Trixie could hardly care, though; her mind was in a thick fog. She'd force-fed her thick thighs into some loose leggings, had pulled a baggy t-shirt over her head, and lost herself in arguably the healthiest form of self-punishment. Trixie was by no stretch interested in becoming a gym bunny - but today, she needed the release.

Trixie cranked the height of her treadmill up higher, feeling her muscles screaming in protest. She ignored their pleas, puffing out laboured breaths as she increased her speed. Her neighbours, all buff and beautiful, paid her no attention, and that is exactly what Trixie needed - to be ignored, whilst she punished herself.

Her music was cranked up as loud as her broken iPhone would allow, and she pitifully replayed Ed Sheeran on a loop as she climbed. Every time her mind dare wander to the forbidden fruit she had just tasted, she would stubbornly shut her thoughts down.

Trixie was not a home-wrecker. Not, of course, on purpose, anyway.

But despite telling herself on a loop that this was the truth, Trixie couldn't help but feel like she was, at the very least, being white-lied to.

A bead of sweat trickled from Trixie's pounding temple, which she quickly dashed away with a feeble hand. Her insides felt weak, and she couldn't quite decide whether that was from lack of food and forced exercise, or because she couldn't help but think about what happened only two days before.

***

4 years earlier

K: hi :)

Oh for the love of all things, what am I doing?

Trixie rubbed a weary hand across her face, pressing sharply into the cheeks that poked out from under her skin. Her phone vibrated a second time, a new message waking her phone from its momentary sleep.

Trixie glared at it as though it was betraying her, and she silently turned her phone face-down against her desk.

Trixie had joined a dating site. A dating site named Brenda, no less. She uploaded her cutest photos; where her tiny cat Kim were pressed against her cheeks, or the one where she were her skinniest; make-up painted and hair in perfect ringlets.

This was not her current reality, though: Kim had stubbornly ignored her all night, probably judging her every move, and Trixie had gained a little weight. It was okay, though, because who wanted to date someone who had their spine on show? Damn, fuck. Be friends with . Not date.

The thing is, Trixie wasn't looking for love.

A third buzz from her dormant phone jumped Trixie from her fervent haze, and she snatched it into clawed hands.

Pearl: I can't come this weekend - gotta work. sorry

Trixie's baited breath shuddered from her lips, the familiar feeling of upset creeping at her insides. This was the very first message she'd received from her long-distance girlfriend all day, and hardly a pleasant one at that.

Trixie lay her phone flat against the desk where she was perched, and drew her legs up onto her computer chair. She hugged her knees tightly to her chest, her chin resting somberly against the soft fabric of her Disney pj's that were littered with tiny grey thumpers.

No, Trixie wasn't looking for love. Her heart was occupied; occupied by someone far away, someone who had stolen her heart at a time she thought she needn't have one. Someone who was now so distant, not only in a physical sense, but miles apart emotionally.

Trixie couldn't understand it. Her and Pearl were a match made in heaven; even their astrological signs had aligned, making Trixie think that the very stars wrote out their love in ageless constellations. Pearl would smoke a short blunt, her arm wrapped tentatively around Trixie's small shoulders, and they'd play old runs of GTA on her dusty PlayStation 2. Pearl would cook beautiful dinners for her, vegetarian of course, and let her watch reruns of Barbie's Dream House, despite her disdain for its childish backdrop. Pearl would fuck Trixie into oblivion, tending carefully to all of her kinks and indulging full-heartedly into every single fantasy that Trixie had ever had.

Would. Pearl would do these things. But not anymore.

Trixie carefully plucked her phone back up, turning it over in her hands for a few hesitant moments before finally unlocking it.

T: hey :)

Trixie felt a prickle of guilt gnaw away at her bones as she pressed a thumb to the "send" button on the Brenda messenger. No, she thought. I am doing nothing wrong. I'm just making friends.

She turned her attention to the pitiful thread of texts from Pearl.

Trixie: okay… I could come to you? I don't mind hanging out at your flat while you work.

Trixie knew that Pearl's reply may not come for hours, days even. She heaved a shuddering sigh, forcing herself to her slippered feet in search of her grumpy cat.

Her phone buzzed against the thick of her thigh from her pocket, and she snatched it up immediately, hoping desperately for Pearl's response.

No, it was the girl from Brenda.

K: how are you doing? I'm not very good at this malarkey, but you seem cute, so… here I am

Trixie snickered slightly, deciding to inspect this person further.

She thumbed at her profile picture to get a closer look - she was butch, but softly so, with dirty blonde hair that was religiously scraped back throughout all of her profile photos. She seemed cute, though, Trixie thought. She had piercing green eyes and Trixie swore she could spy a chiselled abdomen beneath her plain t-shirts.

T: thank you, that's sweet! you seem cute too, is that a guitar I spy in one of your photos?

Trixie knew this game she was playing was inherently dangerous. She knew that she was projecting dissatisfaction from her current relationship, and seeking some form of, well, anything , from anyone . Still, she couldn't help but feel a thrill when a second message - from a different girl, no less - brightened her dormant screen. Another butch, with thick, jet-black hair, and piercings on her lip, offending her with the opening line of "hey there ;)".

Still, this fruitless back and forth with cute, eager bachelors certainly beat her usual evenings of misery; overeating, overthinking, and waiting for a call from Pearl that would never come.

"What's up?"

Trixie nearly flung her phone from her palms with fright, her hair whipping her pink cheeks as she spun on her heels to greet the intruder, fist raised with a warning.

Of course, it was only her roommate, Blair - a boy who, despite creeping past the age of 20, looked like he belonged in a primary school. His deer-like legs stretched below him, and in his tiny arms lay a bag of what could only be Chinese takeout.

His sculpted eyebrows raised in wonderment at his roommate's defensive stance. "Trix, hun - - - are you alright?"

Slowly, deliberately, Trixie lowered her raised fist, choking back a fit of laughter. "Jesus, fuck, Blair. You scared the living daylights out of me."

Blair carefully laid the takeaway bag onto the dining room table. "I was singing as I came in. How did you not hear that?"

Trixie audibly groaned. "Show tunes?"

Blair grinned, all teeth. "What else?"

"What did you bring me?" Trixie asked, trotting excitedly over to the dining room table towards the source of the delicious smell.

"Sweet and sour tofu," he shrugged, heading for the kitchen to retrieve some cutlery. "I figured you could use some cheering up."

Trixie could've kissed him right there and then. "You are the best housemate ever."

"I know!" Blair sing-songed in response from the kitchen, the tell-tale sound of clattering telling Trixie he was picking out plates. Trixie thought for a moment.

"Wanna watch Chicago?" she called out, already knowing the answer.

Blair's boyish face appeared in the doorway at once, his cheeks flushed red and his bright blue eyes wide. "Of fucking course! "

Trixie chuckled. Blair was the pinnacle of the gay stereotype, she thought, listening to her friend hum along to an 80's power ballad she had forgotten the name of.

Trixie was in such high spirits that she almost forgot the back-and-forth she was having on Brenda, and the reason for it. That was, until part-way through the film, and a mouthful of crispy tofu, her phone buzzed angrily against the countertop.

Both Blair and Trixie startled, and Blair's carton of seaweed went flying across the room, littering the hardwood floor with tiny, crispy sprigs.

"Fuck sake!" Blair exclaimed, throwing his hands up and staring with dismay at the mess.

Trixie shot him an apologetic glance, before throwing herself at the vibrating phone.

Pearl.

"H-hey, baby!" Trixie babbled into the mouthpiece, clutching the phone as if it were a precious gemstone. Blair rolled his eyes to the heavens with great exaggeration, and Trixie promptly gave him the finger.

"Hey," Pearl's voice, deep and soft and laced with sleepiness, was like music to Trixie's ears. The mounting unread messages from Brenda now evaporated into nothingness.

"How are you doing, I---" Trixie stumbled around the coffee table in her haste to reach her bedroom, the spilled seawood crunching beneath her bare feet. Mouthing another "I'm sorry" at Blair, Trixie managed to reach her bedroom, and collapsed onto her bed, clinging the phone to her ear with desperation. A smile crept against her dainty lips. "How are you?"

"Tired," Pearl muttered, though Trixie could hear the smile in her voice. Trixie's heart fluttered.

"All done in the studio?"

"Just about," Pearl mumbled boredly. Trixie's heart sank at the pause that followed; hollow and vast.

"Listen," Pearl's voice was slightly muffled, and Trixie knew immediately that she was rolling a cigarette between her perfect teeth. "I got your message, and I appreciate the offer, but I'm doing overtime at the bar. There'd be no point in you coming down this weekend. By the time I get back home, it's late, and then I'm back in at 10 in the morning."

Trixie nodded somberly, feeling utterly stupid for allowing herself to feel a flicker of hope that she might see Pearl this week. Or this month.

"Trixie? You there?"

"O-oh! Y-yes, I'm here…"

"Oh, come on, Blondie," Pearl's words were blown out in exasperation, and Trixie could visualise the tendrils of smoke rising from her nostrils like a dragon as she smoked. Trixie wasn't sure why Pearl had christened her with the nickname "blondie", when she herself was also a pale, silver-blonde. "Don't give me that sad, sad voice. You know I have to work."

Trixie could feel pricks of upset choking up her throat at the bemused tone from her girlfriend. She shook herself slightly, forcing a shaky smile despite it not being visable. "No, no, of course. I get it, it's fine. What about a call? A video chat?"

Pearl hummed against the cigarette in her mouth, and Trixie knew at once that she was to be further let down. "Probably not, babe. I'll be tired. I have music to make."

Trixie nodded again against the handset. At least, she thought with a tiny glup, at least Pearl had called tonight.

"Well---" Pearl blew out smoke again, and Trixie swore she could taste it. "I need to go… love ya."

The call went dead in her hands, but Trixie still cradled the phone to her ear, as if in doing so would bring Pearl's voice back. She thought bitterly about how they used to spend hours on that very phone, talking about everything and nothing at all. Trixie continued to listen to the tone of the terminated call, and she couldn't help but think it sounded like a flatlining heart.

[writtenbyhappynerds]

FF102, Unit 7: That Good Emotional Shit

Some tropes and cliches work for fanfiction. Some don’t. You’ll see lists on Tumblr and Pinterest of whump prompts or cliches to use. Some of them are not worth your time. Others, that we will discuss, are. We’re going to rapid-fire this chapter. We’ll take a trope/prompt/cliche and explain why it works and in what context it works best.

          A good cliche or good trope allows the audience to see the growth and development of a character. We have talked negatively of twin OCs and evil twins because those characters are always the exact same as their cast counterpart, just louder. A good cliche or trope will push your characters into development. An evil twin doesn’t do anything for your OC. An OC who’s been written as calm and in-control finally losing it and snapping? That shows the audience the OC has been pushed over the emotional edge. If the cliche can develop a character, it’s a cliche or trope worth using.

          Angst and angst-fics are so popular because they are pure character development. They are a character coming to terms with themselves and getting past an event that continuously haunts and guilts them. It’s all character development, and we as an audience like to see that kind of journey. There’s nothing wrong with angst fics, and light angst in your own stories is good because it shows not only development for the character but more realistic consequences for a character’s actions. We’ve talked about realism before, and fanfics that aren’t rooted in reality will let horrors, trauma, and death roll off the back of their OC like it’s a Tuesday at Wendy’s. Life isn’t like that, and angst fics lean heavily into the recovery and grieving of loss. It’s what makes them compelling because we see how damaged a person can become, and how strong they are to heal themselves.

          Fluff tropes or whump prompts work especially well if the character has been penned as someone who doesn’t trust others or struggles with being vulnerable. Seeing two people dance drunk in their kitchen, sick prompts, and scenes where one character has to be vulnerable works when that character isn’t comfortable there. It creates inner conflict with the character having to trust other people, and having to rely on others. It creates an exterior conflict where the character is incapacitated or becoming open with others. These fluff prompts can work when they’re placed later in the story. They can appear more organically if they’re used as a tool for character development and not an AU in a piece that is already fanfiction.

          The Editor is a big fan of opposites attract. We’ll also combine this with enemies to friends to lovers prompts, which are popular for a reason. They are filled with character development. Being able to look past your hatred and find the beauty in someone you previously despised is a major representative of growth. It shows us how a character can mature and learn to let go of the past and be open to the future. Brooklyn 99’s Jake and Amy is a great example of friends to lovers, but beyond romantic interest, this works for companionship and friends as well. Look at Zuko and Aang’s relationship in Avatar: The Last Airbender. The growth and maturity from these two characters were monumental; it showed the ability to forgive and to be kind and to take the traumas of your past and not let them define you. Zuko is a fantastic example of character growth, and his entire arc can speak for the development that comes from being an enemy to a friend.

          The Editor also likes slow burns. I do too, primarily for the realism they present. To quote Frozen, “You can’t marry a guy you just met!” Love takes time and effort and work. It takes so long for feelings to fester and grow and blossom into something more, that stories, where two characters fall in love in a matter of days, seem unrealistic. Not only that but in the real-world relationships like this are unhealthy and create characters that are co-dependent. Slow burns don’t have to go from hatred to love either. It can just start at indifference. If you look at Percy Jackson, Percy and Annabeth didn’t even kiss until the end of the Last Olympian. They had a friendship for 4 years before that, and in that time were able to figure themselves out before figuring out a relationship. That really represents the pinnacle of slow burns: we don’t want a character’s entire story or history to be tied to some other person. Slow burn fanfic lets the character blossom as a healthy individual and figure out who they want to be, before merging their ideals and their life with someone else. It’s realistic, and the time it takes for two characters to come together only lets your heart grow fonder. Your audience will feel more emotionally connected to these characters because they will have seen them go through so many personal struggles. There’s nothing wrong with taking your time. We want to see it.

          I am a slut for hospital prompts. The hurt/injury cliches, where the character collapses and ends up in the hospital for an extended period of time. It’s sometimes not realistic but that’s some good shit right there. What can make these prompts especially juicy, is if the character is written as a strong or capable character. Seeing Sam or Dean Winchester end up hospitalized hurt the audience more because we know those characters A) don’t get hurt that bad that often and B) Have never relied on hospitals unless it’s really serious. So, when they did turn up in the hospital we knew that the stakes were increased and that the situation was dire. It offers tension, and it can show you how human even your strongest characters are. You can’t re-set a broken leg on your own. You can’t fix a bullet wound by yourself. So seeing these characters have to acknowledge that they don’t have all the answers and can’t fix themselves. It shows the audience how false a character’s confidence or competence can be.

          I personally like little-kid prompts or genius little-kid tropes. That isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it has to do with little children being poorly written. Usually, this trope is used so the writer doesn’t have to stress about writing a realistic child. If they make the child a genius they can have it brought up to the same speed as the adults. However, writing children is easier than you think (See unit 5) and a super-genius child can be smart, but not wise. What I mean is that a genius child needs to pick a struggle and commit to it. They can’t be both book smart and street smart because they still don’t have the life experience that adults have. So you can have a genius mathematician child, but that kid isn’t going to be of much help in your detective fanfic where your OCs are supposed to be busting drug rings, because what child knows about that? Now, you could have a child know about the criminal underground because maybe they’ve grown up in it and worked as a mule, but that child isn’t going to be a mathematician like the other kid. You need to pick a side of the line, and there are so many ways for a person or a child to be a genius. What makes it realistic is picking just one. Look at Damian Wayne. He was a child prodigy in combat. He was gifted because he had tutors and masters who taught him for his entire life. But he knew so little about the outside world and how it worked. He was gifted but sheltered. Jason Todd is the opposite. He was a street rat, who had an innate knowledge of the criminal underground but didn’t have as much of an opportunity to learn through academic outlets. He knew the streets but didn’t get to learn the books until much much later. Each picked a struggle to start out with. That’s not to say that you can’t expand their range of knowledge later on, but it comes with time is the key note: if your character starts out knowing everything there’s nowhere for them to go.

          Speaking of little kids, the outcast/weird kid making a ton of friends is often used, and it’s an oldie that’s been around since The Lightning Thief. What this prompt represents is the ability of a person who doesn’t fit traditional molds to find their place and their happiness in the world. We all like content that makes us feel less alone, and prompts like this can even be cathartic for the reader to remind them that they themselves are not alone. Your writing should mean something to someone up to and including you, and these prompts warm us up and make us feel like somewhere there’s a place for us. No one likes to be alone.

          What you should take away from this unit is that predictability is okay as long as it’s done well. Cliches are not going to kill your narrative. Tropes and whump prompts are not bad, they just need to be executed in a way that makes us feel like it’s genuine character development and not an out-of-body experience. We want to see development and growth because that truly shows progression not just of time but of a person, and if you can execute it well, you can pull off just about anything.

          Next week we’re discussing research, and diving deeper into how you should be researching your settings, flaws, and how you should study your own field of work. We apologize for the delay. Unforeseen circumstances came up that life never prepares you for, and the Big Sad came over me for a while. We’ll see you next week!

Xoxo, Gossip Girl

[marvellouslymadmim]

Tropes!

tagged by @room-on-broom (thanks, love dove!)

Slow burn or love at first sight?: My number one used tag on AO3 is slow burn. I know what I’m about, son.

Fake dating or secretly dating: But like...both is also good.

“Oh no, there’s only one bed” or long distance correspondence: Why is this even a question, we all know the right answer here.

Hurt/comfort or amnesia: Listen. HC is where the rubber meets the road on all relationships, regardless of dynamics or type of love (platonic/romantic/etc). And I am an emotional excavator, so I go mad wild for this shit.

Enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers: Both? Both. Both is good. Entirely depends on the dynamic.

Mutual pining or domestic bliss: Both? Both. Both is good. Domestic bliss that comes from years of mutual pining is thE PINNACLE.

Smut or fluff. I feel like the “or” should simply be an “and” here. Tender and dirty for the win, yo.

Fantasy au or modern au: Most of the stuff I stan is already sci-fi/fantasy, so I like seeing them in “our” world.

Alternative universe or future fic: It really depends on how well done it is, but I’m usually pretty hesitant about most AUs. 

Kid fic or road trip fic: Ok, this one’s tough. To read? Generally roadtrip because I work with kids all day erry day and a LOT of writers do not correctly write children and it really just kills it for me. To write? Depends on the pairing and their dynamic.

Canon compliant/missing scenes or fix-it: I mean, aren’t missing scenes basically a type of fix-it? For me as a writer, fix-its are extremely canon compliant, with just a wee bit of wiggle room. But if I have to choose...fix-it. Fuck canon, never met her.

Reincarnation or character death:  Neither? Neither. Neither is good.

One-shot or multi chapter: DePeNdS oN tHe StOrY, love.

Time travel or isolated together: With the exception of Dr. Who, I’ve never really been drawn to the idea of time travel. Often because it’s used as a deus ex machina bit. 

High school romance or middle aged romance: LOOK. Don’t gimme that “i’m 16 i don’t even know what I want/like yet” BS. Gimme the “I have loved before, I know what I’m getting into. I have waited and wanted and pined for you and I’ve got both feet solidly on the ground as I choose you, again and again, every day til the end, amen”. Gimme the “we have worked for this, we have failed for this, and we have chosen to keep going.” GIMME THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM WHO UNDERSTAND JOY AND COMPASSION AND LONGING AND THE SHEER SEDUCTION OF A GLANCE *screams into infinity*

Arranged marriage or accidental marriage: I can do both but there’s so much more awkward comedy in ye olde What The Fuck Did We Do Last Night?

Sci-fi au or magic au: Witchy shit, all day erry day.

Neighbours or roommates: Neighbours. I have had multiple roommates and never wanted to sleep with them, so I always go “yeah, no, not tracking for me.” The girl across the courtyard though...

Body swap or gender-bend: Neither concept is one I actively seek out, as reader or writer. Though there have been some good pieces I’ve read featuring those concepts. 

Angst or crack: But only if the angst is productive (i.e., it establishes a character’s backstory aka motivating principles, it allows another character to provide comfort, it brings forth growth in a healthy way). I actually WISH I could write crack because those are always the stories that have me cryign with laughter and I cherish them so deeply.

Apocalyptic or mundane: I mean...I could do both, depending on the day and the mood I’m in. But I do love little quiet moments. That’s where love is made, man. In the mundane. 

I tag @twtd11 @cassiopeiasara  @culturepopper @carissa190 @saltbroom and anyone else who wants to play!

[to-a-merrier-world]

Trope: This or That

@kirazalea​ tagged me, thanks!

slowburn or love at first sight (slowburn just has so much emotional build up and it’s good for the soul)

fake dating or secret dating (it’s about the forced physical intimacy for the sake of the cover and the ~pining~)

enemies to lovers or friends to lovers (i love friends to lovers, but there’s just so much flavor in enemies to lovers asldkfn)

there's only one bed or long-distance correspondence (a gay staple trope if there ever was one)

hurt/comfort or amnesia (*chef’s kiss* truly the pinnacle of fanfic tropes)

fantasy au or modern au (this only really applies to ones that aren’t already modern lol)

mutual pining or domestic bliss (if it doesn’t have pining what is the POINT)

smut or fluff (but...but what about both... at the same time.. who doesn’t love sweet and spicy)

canon-compliant (or divergent) or fix-it (really depends on the fandom, lmao)

reincarnation or character death (it’s about ~soulmates~)

one-shot or multi chaptered (always a slut for long fics, even if my all-time fave fic is a oneshot lmao)

kid fic or road trip (listen.... i like seeing characters being responsible and vulnerable and loving and stories that involve more than one kind of love...it’s abt making a family...)

arranged marriage or accidental marriage (married pinging it top tier, and i stand by that)

college romance or middle aged romance (forever and ALWAYS, love is not just for the young and dumb, sometimes it’s for the old and dumb)

time travel or isolated together (i love time travel fix it aus, but 2 people stuck together is just so classic and perfect)

neighbors or (oh my god they were) roommates (roommates just provides so many more opportunities for romantic and sexual tension.... neighbors makes for really good enemies/rivals to lovers tho)

sci-fi au or magic au (i’m always gonna be just a little bit more of a magical fantasy slut than a sci fi slut)

body swap or gender bend (tbh not super into either of these lmao)

angst or crack (ALWAYS angst is the best PART)

apocalyptic or mundane (it’s a good plot device man, like you can get ‘have to stick together to survive’ and ‘roadtrip’ and ‘only one bed’ and all kinds of trope, plus the inherent romance of ~saving each other~)

tagging @lookforanewangle @arkadraws @bosstoaster and anyone else who wants to do this!

[flutiebear]

because I am traaaaash for memes:

Rules: Bold your fic preferences because why not, gotta choose one (near impossible, but go with your first gut instinct), and tag someone.

slow burn or love at first sight while I’m down for lust-at-first-sight, I’ve never really been able to buy into love-at-first-sight fake dating or secret dating Fake dating is probably my favorite trope of favorite tropes. Secret dating is usually just a recipe for shame and heartbreak. But FAKE DATING, oh, it’s just so delicious. enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers This should surprise nobody that I am all aboard the friends-to-lovers train. oh no there’s only one bed or long-distance with correspondence Tough call! They’re both great! But if you force me to choose, I think epistolary romance wins by a hair. hurt/comfort or amnesia OBVIOUSLY

fantasy au or modern au coffeeshop AU bakery AU college AU workplace AU secret agent AU musician AU teachers AU goofball fuckabouts AU gimme gimme gimme that sweet sweet modern AU

mutual pining or domestic bliss the best thing on earth, the true pinnacle of human achievement, is when two dumbass characters are in love with each other and refuse to believe the other dumbass is dumbass enough to be in love with them back

smut or fluff but I’ll take fluffy smut!

canon compliant (missing scenes) or fix-it fic In other fandoms, I would have said canon compliant. But DQXI makes some pretty egregious mis-steps that can only be fixed via the power of fix-it fic!

alternate universe or future fic She says, even as she is writing a longfic future fic. one-shot or multi-chapter As much as I adore longfic, with a full-time job and kiddos and stuff, I don’t have the bandwidth to curl up with a 100K fic as much as I’d like, so I’m much more likely to opt for something 10K or less. kid fic or roadtrip fic I’m not really a fan of either, but I’ve read some great road-trip stories over the years, so let’s go with that. reincarnation or character death [pleads the fifth] arranged marriage or accidental marriage I don’t really know what ‘accidental marriage’ is, like, how do you just trip into a marriage? But arranged marriage can be nice, if done well. high school romance or middle aged romance I am so over teenagers. Gimme people with mortgages and wrinkles and 401ks falling in love, please. time travel or isolated together (cabin in a snow storm, desert island) I really, really, really love stories about time travel. Really, really. neighbours or roommates Oh my god they were roommates, it never ever gets old.

sci-fi au or magic au Despite being big into Dragon Age and Dragon Quest, I’m not actually a huge fantasy fan. Magic feels like too much of a ‘cheat’. A good sci-fi story warms my heart, however. bodyswap or genderbend your name. has completely opened my eyes to the power of body swap, though I do like a good genderbend as well. angst or crack I also like angst, but good crack is tougher to write, and I appreciate it when it’s pulled off well. apocalyptic or mundane I’m bored with apocalypses. I’d rather read 3,000 words of your character paying their bills, I guess.

tagging: @nedryn-laughs @anytaintedcreature @thechavanator @omgitsaddyc @sumbril and whoever else wants to do it, opening it up to all y’all!