#windwardstar

[writer-and-artist27]

Tagged by @windwardstar.

…Thankie, Osie. I needed this to take my mind off the lack of sleep.

Tagging: @teddog, @partialdignity, @abalisk, @shinyvivillon, and @lovingempress. Only if you want to.

[siarven]

Saw this post by @doppelnatur how dandelions are pretty good trans symbols and got inspired! Happy pride everyone 🏳️‍⚧️

[typicalopposite]

Oh wow! Hey, Hi– um… How are ya?!

I have so much on my plate with asks I still need to get to and two WIPs (plus a couple things not currently being posted) I’m working on that I don’t think I could ask for prompts or anything. Maybe I’ll think up something for if I get to 500 🫶

Sooo instead I will give you some sappy sappy word vomit below the cut👇

I just hit 400 followers <3 which might not be a huge number compared to other blogs on this app, but it is leaps and bounds more than I ever thought I’d have. Especially since, when I first joined I only expected to lurk around other peoples posts… maybe share a few… mostly because I have never been much of a blogger— I have tried in the past, and it never stuck (first time for everything I guess)— but also because I’m extremely introverted, and as much as I would LOVE, and desperately attempted, for it not to bleed into my online persona… it did, regardless. BUT, somehow as quiet and kept to myself as I always wind up becoming in the fandoms I’m a part of… I still have managed to meet some TRULY amazing people through them!

@scripted-downfall wench, angst queen you are so important to me and I hope I’m lucky enough to keep you a part of my life forever! 🫶

@onthewaytosomewhere MELZZZZ! Always a shoulder to vent on about my stressful stressful life! My smut writing mentor 😂 I luv you!

@bucksxkinard and @somethingaboutfirefly tumblr besties!!! You two inflate my head so much about my writing but you have no idea how appreciated you are!

@30somethingautisticteacher @judymarch15 @sunnywithachanceofbi @nine-one-wanton @herrmannhalsteadproduction my golden girls 😂 giving me a little bit of everything: feelings(Hannah) rarepairs(Judy) angst(Chrissy) smut(Jo) memes (Kay). And don’t get me started on how you each interchange these and so I’m just fed for daysss! (Plus, Bucks dreams, come onnnn) It’s an honor to be a part of that *said in Tommy’s voice, of course*

@girlwonder-writes you found me and brought me into your amazing accepting community. And your ability to flesh out OCs (Olivia my beloved she is so mean to you, lol) and your encouragement for us to show our OCs love! 🫶

And to all of you other amazing people— @witchy-writer-lady @thecadenceimperfect @windwardstar @adinarj @luainthewild /@meraki-yao @hgejfmw-hgejhsf @priincebutt @thinkof-england @tailsbeth / @shawnaise @taste-thewaste @piratefalls @mylucayathoughts @mattdoestevan / @bidisasterevankinard @kinardsevan @kinkley-are-adorkable-flirts @mmso-notlikethat / @babyspacegay @kiankiwi @lissa612 @lightfiretomypaperwings @o0anapher0o / @racerchix21 @rdng1230 @bangpop91 @itsametaphorok @cinderellarhea / @banxnq @marvelousbuckley @do-androids-dream-ao3acc @theotherbuckley — I could literally name off so many of you who interact with me, include me in your tags, or even just like and reblog my rambles… and I am so sorry if I missed you in the tags so just sending this out to everyone! THANK YOU 🫶🫶🫶🫶 You all have given meaning to a depressingly lonely life. You will never understand how you changed it; changed me! 🫶

[thetragicallynerdy]

First Lines

I got tagged by @dragonmuse to share the first line of my last ten fanfics - thanks for the tag, friend!! I did this back in the winter (which can be found here), so I'm only going to be sharing things posted since it was last done!

1) the colour in my world (is you) - Jim/Archie/Olu/Zheng, soulmates AU.

The first time Jim sees colour, they are twenty-four years old. Twenty-four years old, and alone in the Republic of Pirates, seeking a man so they can end his life. Revenge is an old story, for both Jim and the whole goddamn world, but that does nothing to diminish the potency of its call.

2) my heart is a gate (waiting for you to find your way in) - Jim/Olu, rated E.

The stranger is back. The one who keeps watching Oluwande even closer than they watch the room.

3) no adventure too small - Jim/Olu, mice sized people AU.

“This is dumb.” Oluwande sighs and follows Jim through the grass that towers over them, kicking at loose dirt as he goes. “Of course it’s dumb, it’s Stede.”

4) it never goes away (but it'll all work out) - Jim/Olu, Jim-centric long-term concussion/disability focused fic.

There is no easy start to this story. We all know how it begins – you are called into your captain’s quarters, invited to join a new crew. Before you can even give a proper answer, you’re hit on the head. You’re knocked out. You’re dragged below decks, locked away.

5) flotsam and jetsam (chapter 11) - Stede & Jim friendship ficlet.

“I wanted to show you something.” Stede says it like it’s a confession, or a secret, voice hushed, excitement in his eyes. The kind that always reminds them of a child showing off something precious they found. It’s the sort of delight that feels like it has been long since burned out of Jim themself, but they can’t deny that it’s nice to see in others.

6) being sick (in love) - Jim/Ed/Stede, sickfic.

When Jim's temperature hits 102.2 they start to get worried. They feel like absolute shit, and they're due for another round of Tylenol which should help bring it down, but they've seen enough of the bad medical dramas that Oluwande likes to be just a little terrified of their fever spiking too high when they're all alone.

Tagging, if you feel like sharing!! @mithrilwren, @zombiethingy, @alfalfairy, @bringinghometherain, @windwardstar, and @yerbamansa. I can't remember who else likes being tagged in these sorts of things - so if you see this and want to do it, consider yourself tagged!! (Or feel free to drop me a reply or a DM and i'll add you to my "likes to be tagged" list!)

[langwrites]

Tag Game: find the word Tagged by: @windwardstar Rules: find the words in your WIP and post 'em.

Words: Top, Stone, Glare

Tagging: whoever feels like it.

new words: Out, Crow, Walk

WIP: It Don't Bite--YES IT DO Word: Stone

Kei’s vision blurred even as she stared at the window and her own stone-faced reflection.  Isobu’s eyes, staring back in real life and in her head.  You already know I will accept no new jinchūriki after you, Isobu said, his mental voice dropping to a whisper. This is merely an extension of that certainty.  Well, we can certainly say we’ll never have to face the music alone. Kei wiped at her eyes with one of the overlong sleeves. Futilely, thanks to the lenses of the domino mask and the earlier application of spirit gum. But it let her summon enough control to blink back the pooling tears before they could make wearing a mask even more inconvenient.  No, never alone. 

WIP: A Ninja's Guide to Gotham Word: Glare

Hayate let out a wordless groan, hand still up because the dust was still airborne. “Do you have to do this now?”  “When else?” Obito asked, but he got off the couch and shook off the dust like a dog. His pockets and pouches, loaded down with supplies not stowed in Kamui, smacked against him as he moved.  It somehow made the cloud of rotten detritus worse, and Hayate slid off the counter so he could curl up on the barstool next to Akaboshi’s and hide his face in his folded arms. He glared in Obito’s direction the whole time he approached. If not for the dust, Hayate might bare his teeth in a wordless biting threat. Obito could grow back about half his fingers anyway. 

WIP: part of an Among Lions smut scene set in the distant future, actually, but this part is sfw. Word: Top

“You would know best,” Lambert agreed, lying down next to her after a moment to consider his options. Propping his head up on one hand, he decided to clasp her nearer hand in a way that left their fingers intertwined. “Are you planning to fall asleep like that?” Aversa turned her face toward him, otherwise refusing to move. “Atop the sheets and while excluding you? Never. But if you try to wrap me up like a recalcitrant cat again, I will complain.”  “Noted.”

[glacier--freeze]

[ID from alt: a sketch of a pigeon resting with its head pulled to its body, labelled, "loaf," an arrow with "I approach" and then a sketch of the pigeon with its head extended and tail feathers pointed up called, "suddenly long." (image description by @windwardstar). End ID.]

The pigeon I worried earlier in the garden

[writer-and-artist27]

tag game: wip across-word

tagged by: @windwardstar (thankie Osie)

rules: post a sentence that starts with each letter of your word

(WIP: Passing Days - the currently in-progress Day 82/Chapter 96)

my word: cloud

C: Coming from the Master who had Fully Ascended every single Servant who had come into her contracts, the idea of Vy not meeting the goal was unfathomable.

L: Like she meant business.

O: “Ortlinde, Hildr, Thrud. Please inform Master I will be out late and to not worry about me. I will need to resolve something on my own.” 

U: “Uh… Well, the penguins and polar bears are at least cute! Not to mention the demonic plant bulbs made for some nice decor in the ice flower garden!”

D: Drip, drip, went the first few droplets slipping out past the shadow of Vy’s hat and falling onto the iced pavement.

Tagging: @partialdignity, @abalisk, @teddog, @tackypies, @fiannalover, and anyone else who'd like to do this. It's just for fun.

Your word: Star.

[typicalopposite]

last lines

thanks for the tag @30somethingautisticteacher 🫶 and @windwardstar

from angst fic

“Of course I still love him… I’ll always love him,” Buck says, and realizes that it’s possibly the first time he’s said it out loud since the break up…

and tagging @onthewaytosomewhere @do-androids-dream-ao3acc aaaand @girlwonder-writes +anyone else who wants to participate 🫶

[thetragicallynerdy]

Last Line Challenge

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you like).

 I got tagged by @zombiethingy, thanks so much friend!!

“Comb your hair, you look like a muppet.”

Tagging, if you're interested! @windwardstar, @bringinghometherain, @mithrilwren, @alfalfairy, @dragonmuse, and anyone else who'd like to join!!

[writer-and-artist27]

[Image Description: A picture of a watercolor sketchbook page next to a Togepi plush and a 6 well watercolor plate. The page has a Togepi waving at the viewer, a pink heart and a yellow star coming out of its right hand. Above the Togepi's head are three watercolor roses - yellow orange, and magenta - and a smaller purple flower, with the words, "Happy Birthday Osie. From Vy." The drawing's date, "8/7/2024" sits on top of its left horn. End Description.]

It's a day early, but I wanted to draw and paint something. So.

@windwardstar. Happy birthday. I hope it's a good one.

Thank you for staying with me another year. I'll keep doing my best.

[typicalopposite]

First Lines Tag Game

Tagged by: @windwardstar (yessss plz tag me in all the things! 💕💕)

Rules: post the first line(s) of your 10 most recent wips

Everytime I Try To Fly (I Fall) - (BuckTommy) - Buck looks at his hands.

Over the Rainbow - (BuckTommy) - Buck sits on the edge of the toilet, his leg bouncing nervously, his hands sweating; he’s pretty sure his heart is about to beat itself out of his chest.

love you out loud - (BuckTommy) - With Tommy… he’s so confident… he’s interesting… “He has a cleft…” Maddie finishes her dramatic retelling of Evan’s coming out to her.

Untitled Witcher Fic - (Geraskier) - Life has been peaceful.

(A Better Man Is) Who I Am With You - (BuckTommy) - Tommy thinks about the past few weeks since the wedding.

Daniel is Bucks gaurdian angel fic - It’s been a week… Mom and dad are too lost in their grief and Maddie had to go back to school, so there’s no one available to comfort Evan’s cries.

rewrite the stars - (FirstPrince) - The weather in Windsor in April is cooler than in the states, but the sun is bright and pouring out onto the crowd and the playing field, and Alex can’t help but wonder; in all the visits he’s had to the country, he’s never seen it rain.

premonition - (FirstPrince) - Alex has been aware of the significance his dreams hold for a while.

Three Nights (Three Days Sequel) - (FirstPrince) - It’s funny how life repeats itself.

Kiss The Angel - (Destiel) - There’s a loud splattering sound behind them that causes everyone to turn around.

omg that was a lot 😂😂 now for the tags! @onthewaytosomewhere @scripted-downfall @30somethingautisticteacher @girlwonder-writes @do-androids-dream-ao3acc @tailsbeth-writes @luainthewild @taste-thewaste aaanddd @meraki-yao 🫶

[aqueerfishtheyis]

@windwardstar

@captainkurosolaire

[thetragicallynerdy]

AO3 Fic Meme

Thanks to @dragonmuse for the tag, this was fun!!

Rules: go to your AO3 account and find the following:

What ratings do you write most of your fics under?

Explicit (33), Teen & up (16), Mature (14), Gen (8)

What are your top three fandoms?

Our Flag Means Death (TV) (38)

UnDeadwood (31)

Critical Role (2) (altho I think one is a double tagged UDW fic still, so main CR is tied with Leverage, also at 1. Those are also the only 4 fandoms I've written for, so.)

What is the top character you write about?

Jim Jimenez (36) and Clayton Sharpe (27)! Big surprise there XD

What are your top three pairings?

Matthew Mason/Clayton Sharpe (20)

Tied with Oluwande Boodhari/Jim Jimenez (also 20)

After that it's Blackbeard | Edward Teach/Jim Jimenez (15)! Coming in hot with the rarepair for the last one XD

What are the top three additional tags?

Smut (22)

Hurt/Comfort (21)

Oral sex (18)

Does any of this surprise you?

LMAO not really! Oral sex as a top tag made me laugh, I wasn't expecting that but it's not surprising per se. I was a little surprised hurt/comfort was so close to smut, because I think I write a lot more smut than I do whump or hurt/comfort these days - but I suppose a lot of my smut also includes hurt/comfort??

As to characters and ships and fandoms - not surprised in the least. I've only really written a lot for two fandoms, and I have an extremely clear favourite character in both.

Tagging, if you feel like doing this - @alfalfairy, @skollwolf, @thewollfgang, @windwardstar, @bringinghometherain, @mithrilwren , @kawaii-queen-kaiju , @candyfloss-esophagus ! And anyone not tagged who sees this and feels like sharing, please consider yourself tagged!

Note: I now keep a tag list of folks who have told me they'd like to be tagged in writing/author games! If you'd like to be added onto the list, or taken off the list, please let me know!

[writer-and-artist27]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

Tagged by: @windwardstar. Thankie, Osie. (一一)7 Questions and answers put under the cut.

--------------------------

How many works do you have on ao3?

Um. (goes to check) 14.

2. What's your total ao3 word count?

1,084,241.

...That's bigger than I thought.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Currently, Fate/Grand Order and related. Trying to get back into Naruto for specific reasons. Still slow at that one.

4. Top five fics by kudos

1. Passing Days 219 2. Civilian Pianist 200 (which is amazing to me considering how it's incomplete and not fully matching the FFN version yet) 3. The Sea and Stars 88 4. Seaside Sibling Train 83 5. The Girl Singing Alone 68

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes. I do. I do my best to get responses out within a day or two, but sometimes, work, people, and a mix of both make it so replies are delayed. Also being used to some comments being a mix of "why didn't you write this" and "read this to like this one character better." Damn it Fate fandom.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Uh. (stares at AO3 works) Some short stories in Small Sparkles that involved Tomoko nearly dying or actually dying? That's really it. Angst is why Lang told me to cut down the old Danganronpa crossover way back and I'm glad I did.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Maybe all of them? Because I do want to keep giving happy endings. Least I can do.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

(stares at all the previous anons and guest reviewers who tried to get me to like Wodime and LB7 onwards for Fate/Grand Order) Yep. That's why my AO3 works are all locked to registered users only. Keeps the bullcrap out.

9. Do you write smut?

No. I tried once, didn't get into the actual act, only implied it, and immediately mentally combusted afterwards. Friends were very nice in encouraging me and being supportive.

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

No. Thank goodness for that.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No. It'd be nice if someone did. I remember back when I was exclusively writing Civilian Pianist in my college days that someone asked about translating it into Spanish. Never saw more than that. Don't remember if they even got around to it.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

If you count me asking Os/@windwardstar and @langwrites for help in writing Kei and co in The Sea and Stars, yes! Also, there was Silent Feathers. Kinda went places.

13. All time favorite ship?

(squints) ...Do I gotta choose? Because I don't have an all time favorite.

14. What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

...Civilian Pianist. I really want to go back to it, I do, but a combination of Boruto sucking ass whenever I try to look up reference, family deaths, and my own changing writing style means I'm floundering a bit. Still want to go back. I mean that much.

15. What are your writing strengths?

Per @partialdignity and @lovingempress, last I checked - fluff, exploring emotion, and hurt/comfort. Which I'm more than happy with considering I wanted to write for all three.

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

Fight scenes (thanks for passing your weakness down, Lang), angst, and occasional bouts of witty banter. Still working on all three. Some of my best Fate chapters I wrote from the memories of toxic work environments, racist things people have called me on public transit, as well as uncomfortable real life things, and I think it says something when my partner has to call me and distract me with talk about Kamen Rider to get me out of the dark corner because I can dive deep.

17. Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I've been trying to use that sort of thing more in Passing Days since the little bits of Vietnamese I sprinkle in make Master Vy - and by extension the Chaldea I write for - so much bigger in how the Servants try to interact with a Vietnamese Master. It helps me look up and practice saying the accents I've always struggled learning with my parents when I was little too. Still a work in progress, though, but it's fun!

18. First fandom you wrote in?

Yugioh GX. On a word document that's long been deleted because old family laptop, middle school me writing, and being very embarrassed by it.

19. Favorite fic you've written?

Honestly, it's coming up to Passing Days even though I've poured a lot into every story I've written. Because Fate/Grand Order has so many characters, shaped up by the story and my own experiences playing through the story - writing out things that could've happened or interactions I wish could've played out help me challenge myself. Push me outside my "fluff/comfort" bubble.

Because not everyone takes nicely to the tiny stubborn Vietnamese girl who wants to fight for her family. It's a good personal challenge.

20. Tagging: @partialdignity (who was mentioned earlier), @abalisk, @teddog, @tackypies. And anyone else who would like to. This is for fun and totally optional. :)

[writer-and-artist27]

Tag Game: WIP Wednesday

Tagged by: @windwardstar. (Thankie, Osie.)

Rules: post something from a wip and tag people?

Something from Passing Days since I've been slowly working on the most recent chapter while on the trolley to cope with the cold winter.

Tagging: @partialdignity, @abalisk, @teddog, and maybe @tackypies? Only if you all want to.

---------------------------

Achilles took a breath, ignoring the questioning looks of both Arturia and Chiron to instead curl his fingers.

I don’t want to stand around and do nothing again.

It was why Achilles couldn’t help but find delight in hearing what followed. All it took was a small curl of his knuckles against Vy’s exposed sides, and the little Master rewarded him with a very loud, very high-pitched squeal of surprise. Hell, Achilles felt himself grin in joy even when Vy jumped away from his side to nearly bump into Robin, cheeks flushing a bright, bright red as she hugged her exposed middle. “Wh-Who tickled me?!” 

“Uh,” Robin said blandly, catching Achilles’ eye and proceeding to cough unconvincingly. “I didn’t.”

Achilles grinned again, ignoring Mash’s slightly offended glance in favor of exaggeratedly taking a step forward. “Oh, so you’re ticklish, Master?” 

Vy flushed a darker shade of red, immediately taking a step back. “N-No, I’m not.”

“Looks like you are~!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

[writer-and-artist27]

11 Questions Writer Ask Game

Got tagged by @windwardstar.

(ｏ＿　＿)ｏ Thankie, Osie. Beloved friend. I'll do my best.

Rules: Answer the 11 questions of the person who tagged you, make up 11 questions, then tag 11 people to answer them.

1. How is your writing going right now?

Right now, I feel like I'm in a funk. I'm able to write things if it's to help others, but when it comes to my own writing for myself, it's mostly... well, dead at the moment. I think it's from the recent family death that my writing's slowed down. I want to hope the unconscious grief can pass.

2. Give me a song that gives you vibes for your wip? (If too hard, just a song you've been listening to a lot lately. This is literally just me trying to get new music to listen to and your excuse to ramble about writing stuff.)

The Things You Mustn't Avert Your Gaze From and Hitorime no Tomodachi Ni, or in English, "My First Friend" for all my WIPs. Because they capture the soft feelings I try to write for in the first place, to illuminate the dark.

3. Do you have any headcanons for your wips that you can't/won't include for some reason? (If do, why?)

I... think I have a couple. And those are because of (1) lack of energy to write them, (2) they cover territory I have yet to experience in life, and (3) I'm honestly concerned I'd start crying if I write them because of how emotionally invested I get into writing in the first place for specific characters.

4. What's a scene/character/plot/thing you're excited to get to write in your wip?

When I do go back to S&S and CP and Naruto stuff? A lot of things post-Kannabi. Including Team Minato being kids. They deserve more time to have fun as kids.

For Fate/Passing Days stuff? Including some of the older memories I've had from playing the game, such as bonding with older Servants through Tumblr bond level stories again, or even when I Grailed specific Servants (looking at Shiki, Musashi, Skadi, Melt, and Astarte, especially). Even more character-driven, Bond 10 specific chapters when I have the energy for them.

5. Is there anything you have to make a specific pass in editing for?

By "pass", do you mean "excuse"/"look the other way"? Because if so, it's definitely repeating/filler words for me. I know I use a lot of "only," "sometimes," and the like in my first drafts, and when writing the first draft of a scene out from my head, I've been trying to forgive myself more in not having more detail-oriented words to get the thoughts out.

6. How many rounds of editing do you usually do?

1-2. Basically first one being while I write it or right after I finish the chapter. Second being if I allow myself to sleep on the doc and come back to it the next day. Or that second round is me actually reading the published version on AO3 to check for typos and the like.

7. Biggest challenge(s) with writing (in story or out of it)?

My main thing's really all out of writing for me: Just trying to find the right words to articulate what I see in my head. Because imagining any kind of scenes playing out like anime isn't always easy to write out. Fight scenes are the worst offender. Same thing with emotional stuff, at least to a smaller extent.

8. How do you utilize your non-writing writing time?

Reading manga/light novels, as well as rereading previous source material to keep the ideas fresh. I even make it a personal policy to take three books with me in my purse on my work days so I can read/refresh on my breaks.

9. How do you personally define a good or bad day of writing for yourself? / what does it take to feel like you've made decent progress?

A good day of writing for me is writing more than just a few words/sentences. A bad day would be if I'm unable to come up with anything and just sit there, staring at the same words and wondering how to continue.

10. Do you write in discrete units of time/schedule or is it just whenever you have time?

It's just when I have the time. Since I take the trolley to and back from work (which is about one hour and 20 min one way already), I've been trying to write more during those moments when I can.

11. What are your current wips? (+ short description if u want)

Civilian Pianist (CP) - Currently on idea hiatus, but wishing to go back.

The Sea and Stars (S&S) - Also on idea hiatus, because fight scenes.

Passing Days (Fate) - Ongoing, just slow updates (about once a month) due to energy and some things in FGO hitting worse than others. Some part of the fanbase is definitely a big factor. Had to let go of some friends and be civilly distant with others with how big and picky the fandom is. Can count on one-two hands the number of people I can share my ideas with without worrying about backlash or anything.

---------------------------

My questions:

What is one habit you picked up in your daily life because of writing?

What's your ideal writing space? (Desk? Out in nature? Just curious.)

What's the topic you've had to do the most research in to write?

What's a concept you liked at first when seeing it in consumed media, but found yourself not liking when trying to write it later on?

Have dreams inspired you before?

What's one piece of a positive review that someone gave you that actually stood out to you?

Any concepts you'd like to try your hand at in writing?

What's the easiest genre to write for?

How do you handle writer's block?

What's the word count on your longest story? How did that happen?

Who was your first writing inspiration? What about them (or it if said inspiration isn't a person) inspired you?

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Tagging: @partialdignity, @abalisk, @teddog, and anyone else who'd like to try this? Only for fun, though.

o(_ _o)ノ☆ Now to bed with me because it's 10:02 pm when I post this.