#this was in my drafts for so long it's crazy

[twosides--samecoin]

Free yourself of your ego so you can put your nose to the grindstone and do the real work.

I see so many writers who seem to think that they're supposed to get it 100% right on the first try, and that's just not how storycraft works. Most of the books in publication today have several rounds of drafts where the manuscript is passed back and forth between the editing team and author. If your fave author needed an editing team, you're allowed to have a shitty first draft.

If it fails to meet your expectations, use it as a learning opportunity. Open the document side by side with a copy of itself and make changes on the new copy. Learn from what disappoints you.

& it's never about "failing to do the story justice", it's more often than not about a ton of other preconceived notions about writing or self-esteem/self-imposed limitations. It's often about protecting one's inner perfectionist and/or gifted kid who will feel an earth-shattering pain if something they put into the world reflects poorly upon them.

But you have to allow yourself to draft. You have to spend time with the work and form a relationship with it. You have to be willing to learn your bad habits and edit your own words. You must learn to wait a day to fix issues before you post. Leave your worries at the door. Turn your focus toward improving the skill of writing.

If you'd accept, "Oh, right, you can't paint a Rembrandt when you're just starting out - that's a really crazy expectation to have on a beginner painter", then that same understanding and grace can and should be applied to storycraft.

It's also just not that serious. The edit button exists for a reason - I went back and edited the first 115k of Long Time Running earlier this year and am about to go back and edit more, because my skill grew and I keep noticing little things I can improve.

This is not a zero-sum game: the story is something you build toward over time, not something that happens immediately.

The most frustrating experience as a writer is having a clear vision in your mind of the story you want to tell but being too afraid to put pen to paper for fear of failing to do the story justice. I’m so scared that my actual execution will fail to meet my expectations that I’m paralysed to even start.

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine Sanji Flirting With You While He Waits On You

OPLA Sanji X FemReader

Rating: G

Warnings: Flirting

Word Count: 800

(A/N:) It feels so good to be writing again! It has been crazy around here and it's just going to get worse with the holidays coming up! I hope to write more soon as my drafts are so full of ideas so keep an eye out for more stories to come, cause just because I haven't been writing much doesn't mean that I've quit! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess

The Baratie was the talk across the span of the East Blue and you had been dreaming of the food for weeks. With a reservation made in advanced you counted down the days until the moment finally arrived. The doors opening before you, beckoning you inside with an extravaganza of wonderful and delicious smells. Lead to a table closest to the kitchen, the host left you with a polite smile and promising your waiter would be with you shortly. Despite dining alone, you dressed nicely and put a light layer of makeup on. You enjoyed looking nice and you didn't let your relationship status keep you from wearing things you enjoy or eating at restaurants like the Baratie. Despite the host's promise it was taking a little bit for your waiter to make his way to your table. The place was busy and you could wait patiently, though you did wish they would at least bring you some water to sip on.

Taking in the extravagant decorations that surrounded you, you didn't pay much attention to the commotion going on in the kitchen until a loud clatter caused you to jump. Out from the swinging double doors a young blond haired man stomped out with a large mustached man following right behind. Feeling a little guilty you couldn't help but watch the scene play out. Both men continued to shout at one another before the younger one tugged off his apron and tossed it at the older chef. His hands in his pockets he ignored the enraged shouts coming from the head chef. The other patrons quickly turned away so you took that as your cue to do the same. You watched the blond talk with the waiter before he nodded and headed in your direction. You gulped, suddenly dreading being there as you didn't want to make him mad. You could tell he was still seething but as he got closer to your table his shoulders relaxed and he grinned brightly at you.

"Welcome to the Baratie madam. Pardon the rough housing, but we hope it doesn't frighten you away. Can I start you off with something to drink?"

You couldn't help but gap in awe. How he could go from enraged to a perfect gentleman astounded you. He waited patiently before you were finally able to speak.

"A-a glass of water please," you answered a bit flustered.

"Absolutely. Any preferences?"

"No just water please."

"As you wish," he winked. "My name is Sanji by the way and I look forward to serving you for as long as you need me to."

You couldn't help but smile as he walked away, leaving you feeling giddy and excited to see what else he could flatter you with tonight.

Moments later he arrived with your water and set it before you with a flourish that had you smiling.

"Now could I start our lovely guest off with something delicious like our lobster bisque? Or would the madam prefer something sweet to go along with her personality?"

"Let me ask you this," you smirked. "Is the bisque as smooth as my waiter?"

Sanji chuckled, "Not quite. You may be the smoothest one here darling."

Not sure how you could top that you just cleared your throat and threaded your fingers. Giving Sanji a small smile, "The lobster bisque sounds wonderful."

"As you wish," Sanji winked again and took your order to the window.

Your cheeks were warm and your heart was light as you hummed thoughtfully to yourself. Not long after Sanji returned setting a bowl of perfectly made soup in front of you before sitting another plate with a large slice of chocolate cake and he topped off your water glass.

"But I didn't," you begun to protest.

Sanji shushed you immediately, "On the house love. And maybe after the lady takes her time enjoying her food, she could join me for drinks afterward?"

You seemed to think about if for a moment, enjoying watching him squirm just a little bit. "Since you brought me free cake, I think I could manage a drink or two with my handsome waiter."

Sanji bowed gracefully, "Take your time to enjoy your food and I look forward to later."

"Me too," you replied to his back as he walked away."

You came to try the amazing food at the Baratie and wound up with a date with one of handsome waiters. You couldn't help but feel like you had won the day. Savoring your meal you counted down the seconds until you could be whisked away with Sanji and you hoped that it wouldn't be the only time you got to spend with him. Baratie may have found their most loyal customer in you.

[riordanverse-madness]

Sadie: I desire moisture.

Carter: Please just say "I want water" like a normal person.

[sea-webs]

"I don't know who I want to be, anymore."

Oc - Cirque | The Dragon Chosen by the Shadows |

| mary oliver / franz wright / chelsea dingman / mary oliver / sue zhao / can't find :( / can't find :( / i am a dog. i have blood all over my teeth. - sciencedfiction / little weirds - jenny slate / the unabridged journals of sylvia |

[slavhew]

jakey + dirkjake sandwiched between my organic chem notes. a poem in there somewhere

[al-luviec]

something simple to try to get out of art block (it didn't work)

[scrollonso]

strollonso and their little touches

[kindahoping4forever]

Bts of the boy EP visuals via lamajamakeup

[whosthere54]

Thinking about the duality of endstone reset Icarus “I don’t need to be fixed” Morningstar and third reset Icarus “after learning about me not being, entirely, me I need to work to fix everything I do wrong and fix myself to make up for the fact that it’s me” Morningstar

Just thinking about in the first reset Icarus when under corruption would always insist that they don’t need to be fixed. That this is how they were and nothing could change that. In the third reset, Icarus generally keeps that same mindset- but theres also that theme of fixing. Of them needing to be fixed because something was wrong with them. Of them needing to be fixed because their eye wasn’t *theirs* and that blood wasn’t theirs and-

And their death- being something fixing them. Fixing- getting rid of- the problem. Because they were a problem, and they were supposed to fix those. Icarus’s whole thing about fixing everything they’ve done just proceeds to extend to themself- thinking they need to be fixed that they’re broken or wrong because something in their head doesn’t seem to be quite right even if you ignore the eye not being theirs.

I just. Care. About Icarus and thinking they need to be fixed in particular.

[atti-rambles]

i can't BELIEVE dungeon meshi is making me think about a divorced man... what fiction does to a lesbian with father issues... i need to go to a bar with that guy, i NEED to call his ass old as hell okay

he is the older coworker like 2 times older than me i bitch about customers with okay. i literally thrive in those relationships. i NEED to get advice from him while i slowly decrypt his vague mentions of his live.

[lovesickeros]

lord its so dark in here the sahara desert of tsaritsa content you are like a shining oasis. your characterisation of her compels me & mihoyo would be hard pressed to top it imo.!! caaaaan i humbly request yr thoughts on her first meeting w a reader of any kind, or maybe even multiple kinds (sagau, sagau god au, isekai, etc) if you so desire...

it really is like a desert here. being the fan of a character we aren't getting until the last damn nation is driving me up a wall but i will persevere bc if nothing else i support morally bankrupt women in media. we r in a severe drought over here but i do my best. unfortunately nothing i say is ever coherent so pull out your translation notes its abt 2 be messy

also this got out of hand but thats bc first meetings w the tsaritsa are tricky to write + a LOT of her characterization lies in deeper exploration then just surface level yknow...NOT A DIG AT YOU this is just my excuse for rambling. gently pats the tsaritsa she can hold so much complexity i do not have the word count to delve into it completely :]

gonna talk cult au for a bit here though because that's 99% of my content. and honestly? she thrives in sub au's of the cult au like villain au + imposter au. it's basically made for her. i mean, early days, the imposter au had been going around for a little while but one of the first few ideas was the Fatui taking reader in so like. it kinda technically actually was. pretty sure cult au Tsaritsa popped up because of the imposter au. a lot of it's writers kinda left though which. man am i getting old or.

anyway.

there isn't much of a chance her first impression is all that positive. at best it's usually neutral, imo, but rarely if ever positive. specifically because i view the Tsaritsa as someone who isn't as fanatical as most of the acolytes typically are towards the creator. she's not exactly going to worship the ground you walk on unlike a certain geo lizard. which is partially why i think she thrives in the sub au's i mentioned.

imposter au, for example. she meets you at your lowest. there's no gaudy extravagance or pampering from the acolytes waiting for you because your own acolytes have turned on you. for all intents and purposes you aren't a "god" at all. which is why i don't think she meshes well with normal cult au reader. the Fatui are made up of outcasts, basically, and imposter au slots right in just perfectly. you're weak, at your lowest, when you meet the Fatui in the imposter au. and the Fatui can help you, too.

a mutual exchange, really. the Tsaritsa sees a tool she can use to one up the rest of the nations and especially Archons, and she has no qualms about you using her and the Fatui in turn. you both want something out of it, after all. whether you just want to be safe from the rest of the acolytes, or you want revenge, or whatever else..she'll give you the power to fulfill it, and she gains the strongest piece on the chessboard when all is said and done.

the best way i can describe the first meeting is "practical", i suppose. she sees an opportunity in you. the ultimate gamble. because if she "saves" you, and you dont trust anyone else because they tried to kill you, well..she holds all the cards, doesn't she?

but the Tsaritsa, imo, is just as capable of being just as fanatical towards you as anyone else. she just won't worship you as the creator. but as yourself? clawing your way back to your divine power and taking back what belongs to you? the Tsaritsa is, to me, a character who's character flourishes in long-term fics more because she changes a LOT between "just met reader" and after having been with reader for some time. she's practically apathetic at the beginning but a lot of her character, in my characterization, shines through LONG after the first meeting.

[cherryrollarts]

So, with advice of the dead And a halo over my head At last "Honey, I'm home!" Three voices come all alone

[cnl0400]

I understand why they didn't introduce Michael in the past but I think we needed more people suspecting MC was Not From Here™, they should have played More with the idea that anybody could unmask MC/Solomon true motives and Michael already knew, It would have been better for him taunting MC with the idea of telling the truth to everyones else unless they stop making pacts with the brothers (Bcuz y'know, thats what Nightbringer wants, Right? And whatever he wants must be... Not good?)

In earlier seasons the tease the idea of two Rings of Light existing in the same timeline, can you imagine the interactions?

Michael: Wow MC! that's a pretty ring you have there!

MC: ... Yeah...

Michael: It looks identical to the one I have here, see? *Flashes His own Ring of Light to MC*

MC: Ah... *Gulp*

[jellyfishmakeoutparty]

my autism is a perpetual motion machine of small joys and minor inconveniences and embarassments. a shark swam next to me at the beach and I was so happy I ran out of the water throwing my arms around screaming “SHARK!! SHARK IN THE WATER!!” .. this does not transfer over well to the average beachgoer.

[brrrkdslek]

MY MISTERESS </3

wooyoung giggled excitedly as he rode the elevator upwards to your office, he'd plan to surprise you since you were getting off work early. he bought your favourite flowers and even dressed nicely to see you.

wooyoung had to be the luckiest boy in this entire country as an independent and rich woman like yourself would go for a guy like him, he was over the moon during the first few dates. and it lead to more.

the security guards didn't even bother to glance at wooyoung as he came all the time, so often some people thought he was your intern or something. he jogged and felt his heart race upon nearing your door. he held the handle and took a deep breath before pushing it open, smile dropping as he sees another man inside, holding your hand and saying nice words to you.

you weren't smiling, he noticed. but yet, he couldn't stop the bubbling thoughts in his head, does she not want me anymore? am i not good enough? was i just her entertainment? do i mean nothing to- "wooyoung." your calming voice never failed to send shivers down his spine, he looked around, "he's gone now, you can come here."

you patted your lap as wooyoung regained a small smile and walked over towards you, shoving the flowers in your face, "surprise! i got them for you since i knew you were getting off early today!" your smile only grew wider upon seeing his lovely grin. "oh, i'm so pleased my love." taking hold of the bouquet, you took a deep whiff and sighed before placing it onto your desk.

wooyoung then settled on your lap comfortably just like how he did so many times before. you held onto his waist as your lips connected. wooyoung hoped you couldn't hear how loud his heart was beating, but he couldn't help himself, you were just so, so intoxicating. he whimpered as you slid your tongue into his mouth, as if you were fucking him. did you kiss that guy like that too?

suddenly, wooyoung pulled away. his hands on your shoulders were slightly trembling as his eyes grew red, "is something the matter, woo?" did you call him nicknames too? "i-i... uh-" wooyoung took in shaky breathes as he averted his gaze, constantly blinking away. did you care for him like that too? you nervously cupped his face and looked into his eyes, "wooyoung, talk to me."

he gulped, "who... who was the guy just now?" oh. you put the pieces together, "some client that was trying to win me over, why?" you giggled at the thought of wooyoung being jealous, you know he is and you've seen his cute pout and glares but nothing could've prepared you for what's next.

"do you... not want me anymore?" although it was just below a whisper, you heard it. and god, the tears forming in his eyes stabbed at your little heart. "what?" you were so shocked, how could he think that? "i-i promise i'll do better...!" wooyoung holds both your hands as tears streamed down his face, "i-i promise..! so please, don't leave me, mistress." he couldn't help but sob pathetically.

you immediately pull his in for a gentle and soothing kiss, one of reassurance, proving to wooyoung that he's yours and you're his. pulling away, wooyoung hiccupped as he looked down in shame, shame of what he said, shame of doubting your relationship over some guy. "i-i'm sorry..." you shushed the boy, "no, it's okay." you pull him into your chest and carded your hands through his hair, "i'll never leave you wooyoung. you're one in a million and i'm so lucky to have that."

wooyoung exhaled into your chest, "i should be the one to say that," he tilted upwards to look at you and you thought your heart exploded at his pretty glossy eyes and dusted cheeks, "you're so strong and independent and, and rich. but you still went for a guy like me..." you kiss the tip of his nose, "i will, i will choose you in every lifetime. in every scenario i'd still choose you." wooyoung never blinks as you looked at him with such love, such care. "do you know why?" he shakes his head, "because i love you, woo. you're special to me and you're my everything."

wooyoung couldn't help but get emotional again, clinging onto your neck as he sniffled, mumbling apologies and i love you's as he pecked your cheek and neck every now and then. checking the time, you realised you could get off now since you didn't have any more clients until late tomorrow. "c'mon woo, let's go home. you can cry more in the car." you teased.

wooyoung only whined and shook his head, arms still tightly caging your neck. you sighed before holding his thighs, picking him up with ease even in high heels. picking up the bouquet and your purse, you left the office after locking your door and waving goodbye to your bodyguards who were trying their best not to burst out laughing. "baby, can you hold my purse? otherwise i'll drop you."

passing your purse backwards, he took it into his hands and nuzzled into your neck, intoxicated by your sweet fragrance. the elevator dinged as you got on, pressing B1 for the parking lot. "do you like this perfume?" wooyoung only nodded as he tightened his legs around your hips, "my baby." you kissed the side of his head as you got off the elevator, walking to the car in long strides.

"woo, you have to get off, i need to start the car." the boy whined as he shook his head, tickling your neck. you rolled your eyes, "if you don't get off, i won't watch that movie with you anymore." wooyoung climbed off after that, eyes still red and puffy from all his crying as he got into the passenger seat. no, his seat. he watched from the rear mirror as you wrapped the bouquet as to not crush it before putting it into the trunk.

the car ride home was quiet as neither of you decided to talk, wanting to leave it until you arrived home. however you had a hand on his thigh the entire time, and was slightly brushing against his crotch.

-

"ah!"

moans filled the bedroom as you pounded into wooyoung's ass. your nails digging into his hips as you continuously thrust your own forward, making him cry out.

you paused for a moment and flipped the male over, making him land onto the pillows with a plop. you smirk as you run your hands over the dark purple spots on his skin, and your red lipstick that smudged most of his face. wooyoung whimpers and leans into your touch, "m-mistress, can i cum? please?" he jolted when you fiddled with his nipples, "i- ah! i really wanna cum..."

"you'll cum when i'm done showing you my love, since you don't believe me." wooyoung whines when you reapply your red lipstick, "i-i believe you...! so please, mistress let me cum!" wooyoung whimpered as he bucked his hip at nothing, precum dripping from his cock and onto his stomach as he twitched painfully.

you smack your lips and check yourself out in the mirror on your vanity for a few seconds before turning back to the boy, nearly laughing at the tears that were forming in his eyes. you got up and straddled his hips as wooyoung let out a high-pitched moan. he gripped your hip as you tutted, "ah, ah, ah. if you move even an inch, you won't get what's next."

wooyoung deflated back into the mattress as you brushed your hair back, "do i look pretty?" wooyoung's eyes sparkled as he admired your perfectly red lips, "the prettiest..." you chuckled and leaned down to peck his nose, leaving a small red lipstick print on his nose.

"can you fuck me now...?" you laughed, "yes, of course."

[nachosncheezies]

People like Bill Jr. got all kinds of things wrong about Scully but probably none moreso than thinking it was tragic that Mulder was dragging her along on some descent into madness, when actually the real tragedy was how few of the people she loved ever realized it wasn't a descent.

(It couldn't be bc 1. it's not madness and 2. she was already there.)