#wip: guild story

[sleepyowlwrites]

it comes to me, I don't go to it, and it grows in dead soil

last line tag! from the illustrious @oh-no-another-idea and @crypticcodexcreations

Guild Story d0 - house of favors

"I'm here with an offer."

Marz spits blood out from between his teeth; he doesn't have the breath for it, so the blood drips down his chin in a sorry representation of his full self: he is falling, and he cannot stop it. When his back meets frozen ground it's with a thud that aches less than it's meant to. His limbs are gone, phantoms lying still out of the corner of his eye. Marz peers up at the figure standing above him.

Her violet hair cascades down her back now that her hood is gone. With eyes unshadowed, her face is not that of a monster but of a god, still permanent and unholy and striking. Within seconds, though, she is crouched at his side, not so tall and imposing, with slender fingers that grasp hold of his chin with ordinary strength.

"You are dead," the immortal sorceress states. "Your body cannot hold you here, but I can. I am here with an offer: live, and serve me, or die, as your body has."

Marz stares at her in silence, unable to speak. His body is dead, after all. Only his thoughts remain. The immortal sorceress flicks the fingers of her other hand, unlocking something previously bound, for suddenly Marz can connect his mind to his mouth.

"Yes," he says at once, as soon as his tongue moves. "Yes, I'll serve you. I don't want to die."

"Good." She places a thumb between his eyes.

There's nothing- and then Marz screams.

@zmwrites @zonnemaagd @mel-writes-with-her-dragons @ashen-crest @writerfae OR ANYBODY

[quibbs126]

Oh yeah I just remembered, so I was going to make the Cookies in the Guild Statue into actual Cookies, and I draw them out, but I couldn’t figure out the colors for them

I wanted them all to look unique and distinct in their color schemes, but I ended up having too similar of colors when I kept coloring them

The one I do know is that I want the knight character to have dark blue armor, like the Bear Jelly Black Knight decor (and also blue eyes and possibly bright pink hair). Other than that I’m not sure. Any advice for colors?

Oh yeah, and here were some colors I had planned out for them, but I’m not sure I’m keeping other than the knight

[lightthewaybackhome]

It's always a good sign when you are having an absolute blast writing a scene.

[whomerlockwood]

Oh no, there is a Rytlogan story itching beneath my nails for a few days now... throwing a few snippets at ya: AU - no Dragons (but Sylvari still exist - how? - because I said so); human race enslaved not just by Centaurs and Krait, but by Charr as well; Asura did not stop experimenting on Sylvari side-plot; Destiny's Edge era (except they all meet under different circumstances)

main plot, but without trying to tell you too much: Ascalon.

[druidx]

Well. I finally finished it (for given values of 'finished', ofc).

Draft 1 of The Ruby Falls finally has "The End" written at the bottom of it.

No more Q.Q from this author... at least until I come to editing XD

[laurahepworth-author]

“I eat fish, Mother! I don’t marry them!”

-- Out of Her Depths (Guilded Kingdoms Book 2)

One of my favorite lines so far from my Little Mermaid retelling 😂. I'm having a lot of fun putting my own twist on this tale.

[runningthrough-if]

[ demo ] [ pinterest ] [ characters ] [ masterlist ]

P L O T

Welcome to Landry’s Rowe.

Founded in 1733

Population: 3,667

After being let go from your job only a month prior, you’ve headed off on a ‘horror’ road trip across the United States with your best friend. Visiting the most disturbing locations in the country should have incited something within you right? Fear, joy, anxiety, anything.

But the trip is coming to an end and it’s been…well, a bust. Nothing has pushed your overwhelming numbness to the side. God, you’d give anything just to feel a sliver of an emotion.

Until it happens.

Landry’s Rowe wasn’t even a town on your list; it was just a place to stop for a burger.

‘Running Through the Trees’ is a wip, southern gothic interactive fiction with elements of horror, mystery, and romance. It is rated 18+ due to themes that may be disturbing to some readers. ‘Running Through’ explores themes of gore, violence, sexual content, drug use, cults, spiritual psychosis, complex human relationships, etc.

If you're interested in cults, creature features, mysteries, and morally gray characters, this may be for you.

F E A T U R E S

Customize your MC. This includes: name, appearance, gender identity, pronouns, and more!

Make choices that matter. Your choices change the story and the route you end up on.

Use your former in game job to progress the story. You were previously either an archaeologist (at a metaphysical museum), an archivist (for occult books), or a college professor (folk-tales and their lore).

Explore the three completely different routes within the same story. There’s a hunter’s route, protector’s route, and cult route.

Build a romantic relationship with 5 different romance options or form a purely sexual relationship with 1 option. While there are element of romance within this game, you do not need to interact with that element to enjoy the story.

Read a story about main characters who are slightly older. Everyone is between 28-35.

Build relationships with a variety of side characters.

Do some slice of life things, such as: foraging, gardening, tea making, etc.

R O M A N C E

Silas Barclay Jr., He/Him, 28, Hunter // “They’re dangerous and therefore, they must be taken out.”

Silas Jr. is the youngest, and only living, son of head hunter and guild leader, Silas Barclay Sr. His mother, Sylvia Cass, disappeared a month after his birth.

The Barclays are one of the three founding families of Landry’s Rowe.

Silas is truly hesitant to become a hunter, but those around town would never be able to tell. He pushes his own feelings aside for the sake of family legacy.

He’s known for his brash attitude, frequent bar fights, and founders family ‘get out of jail free’ connections.

Only romanceable if you choose to pursue the hunter’s route. Choosing the protector’s route or the cult’s route will lock you out.

Nell Valez, She/Her, 30, Witch // “They’re confused and scared, but they can be helped without bloodshed.”

Nell runs the local coven, under the guise of a reformatory school, alongside Natalie Van de Ber. The Van de Bers are one of three founding families of Landry’s Rowe.

She is fiercely protective of her home, her coven, and her relationships.

She is known for her gentle demeanor, botanical knowledge, and ability to think/act quickly under pressure.

Only romanceable if you choose to pursue the protector’s route. Choosing the hunter’s route or the cult’s route will lock you out.

Ellis/Eve Van de Ber, Gender Selectable, 32, Bartender at Graves

E has been a bartender at Graves since their 21st birthday. That night they strode behind the bar and demanded the owner, Abraham Barclay, show them how to make a whiskey sour.

They’re insecure about their current state of life, but it’s easier to take a shot and make a joke than it is to go to therapy.

They’re known for their sarcastic comments, charming smile, and all those rumors surrounding their shady family dynamics.

Only romanceable if you choose to pursue the hunter’s route. Choosing the protector’s route or the cult’s route will lock you out.

Orson Barclay, He/Him, 29, Owner of Able & Poe

Orson Barclay is the only son of Raven and Savannah Barclay, who passed away during a routine boating tour at the Vonn Swamp six years prior. After their passing, he took over Able & Poe and pushed aside his efforts of becoming the Landry’s Rowe librarian.

He is the cousin of Silas Barclay Jr.

He’s known for his quiet demeanor, endless thirst for knowledge, and natural fishing skill.

Only romanceable if you choose to pursue the protector’s route. Choosing the hunter’s route or the cult’s route will lock you out.

Vernon/Verena Hart, Gender Selectable, 31, Your Best Friend

V has been your best friend for as long as you can remember (since you two grew up beside each other).

They work as a freelance, and pretty popular, photographer with a niche in unsettling or haunting imagery.

They’re loyal to a fault, a bit impulsive, and always down to have a good time.

They’re romanceable no matter which route you choose.

V is asexual. Please keep that in mind during their route.

Cash/Cassandra Landry, 35, Cult Leader Pastor of Weeping Willows // “They’re powerful which means we should be controlling them.”

C Landry is the youngest child of Wilson and Ruby Landry, who were killed during a community outing ten years prior. They both died of a gunshot wound to the head, but their killer remains unknown.

Their 3 sisters each moved away the moment they turned 18 (prior to their parents' death).

The Landrys are one of the three founding families of Landry’s Rowe.

C runs Willow’s Rest, a church and community center, nestled between Vonn Swamp and Perla’s Bed & Breakfast.

They’re know for their charismatic personality, religious rants, and the polaroid camera they constantly carry.

Only romanceable if you choose to pursue the cult’s route. Choosing the hunter’s route or the protector’s route will lock you out.

Their ‘romance’ is not a true relationship, but rather a strictly physical relationship.

[planchettewrites]

Remy LeBeau (Gambit)/AFAB!Reader

DESCRIPTION: You find out about Bella Donna Boudreaux, and you are not happy about it.

CONTENT: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Threats of Breakup, Mentions Remy's Past (*Using the Original X-Men Animation Series as Ref.)

A/N: This is not my favorite Remy work I've done, but I think it's still pretty good. This is pretty heavy hurt/comfort, and the ending is a little rushed. TBH I wanted to just write this and get it over with. WIPs can only have such a long shelf life! I may eventually update this later.

848 words | Safe!

"Remy…" You walked cautiously into your and Remy's shared bedroom in his apartment near the school, anger bubbling inside you. In your hand, you held a letter from some woman named Bella Donna Boudreaux. The letter was old, at least five years old. You found it while cleaning out one of Remy's closets, finding it in a box on the top shelf when it came tumbling out of the closet. "What is this?"

Remy, who was reading, immediately shot up. His black and red eyes looked at you with so much shock. He looked like a man who got caught. “Ma chérie,” he started.

"What is this, Remy?" you shot, effectively cutting him off. "Who the fuck is Bella Donna Boudreaux?"

"Chérie, it's not what you think." Remy stood up from the bed and began slowly approaching you. 

You weren't stupid; you could read what the letter said, and that letter painted a rather different story than your current reality. "I think it's exactly what I think, Remy. What the hell does 'I'll forever be your wife' mean, then? Remy, we've been dating for three years, and this letter is five years old. Are you married?" you roared, your anger almost unmanageable. 

Your mind was racing with every possible answer that Remy could've given you, and none of them were positive explanations. Your relationship with Remy was the best you ever had; he was kind, generous, and giving, and overall, he was a spectacular partner who always put your needs first. You loved Remy more than you could fathom; this letter was heartbreaking.

Before he could answer, you began to read some of the letter to him. "Remy, mon amour, I miss you every day. Every day you are gone is like a stab in the heart. I still remember the day I last saw you; you looked handsome as ever, mon cœur." you stopped reading the letter and threw it on the bed. "What the fuck is this?"

"Darlin', that's all old history, Bella Donna is…"

"Your wife, apparently, Remy." you began to tear up. Nothing shattered your heart like reading that letter did. You had read through the entire thing before you confronted your boyfriend, and you knew a love letter when you read one. You started shaking your head, putting your palm up to your forehead. "I can't fucking believe this."

Without even noticing, he got closer, Remy turned you around and gently pulled your hand from your head. His face portrayed an emotion of hurt. As much as you wanted to scream at him, tear him apart, something in you knew that he had some proper explaining to do. "Darlin', listen to me. Please."

You sighed roughly, continuing to shake your head. "Fine. You better have a great explanation for this, Remy. Or I'm done."

He sighs. Remy knew this day would come eventually—whether it be when filing for marriage paperwork or when his past eventually bubbled up to the surface. If he was honest with himself, he completely forgot about that letter; it was shoved in that box with the rest of his past in the Thieves's Guild. Looking at you, his heart was breaking. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt you. 

"Well, darlin', it starts back in New Orleans. The long and the short of it is that Bella Donna Boudreaux was a member of the Assassin's Guild, and I was a member of the Thieves's Guild. We were arranged to be married in an attempt to unite the guilds. Gambit didn't love her, so he walked away from the altar. Bella Donna wrote me that letter as a last-ditch effort to get me back. I don't know how she even found my address, but she sent it. I forgot that I even kept it. I promise I didn't marry her, mon amour. I don't love her. My heart does not belong to another; it only belongs to you." He held you steady in front of him, and he watched how the tears forming in your eyes began to roll down your cheeks. 

Remy pulled you into a tight hug as you cried. "Shh, don't cry, chérie, Gambit's right here."

"Don't ever fucking scare me like that." you cried. Right now, you hated yourself. There was no way you could deny what you read, but you trusted your boyfriend with every word he said. Remy wasn't one to tell you a lie. Ever since you began dating, he has been nothing but honest and upfront with all that he said. "M’sorry, Remy. I'm really sorry."

Gently letting go of you, Remy cupped your cheeks and placed a kiss on your forehead. "No reason to apologize, mon amour. You were scared, and that situation seemed nasty. I understand."

"I was just so worried that you were keeping something from me, especially something that would change our relationship."

"I know, chérie, I know." He cooed, pulling you back into the hug. 

You sighed, letting the anxiety go. “Please forgive me.”

He smiled. “Gambit forgives ya’, chérie. Of course I do.”

[stories-from-the-sword-coast]

Hello Adventurer!

Welcome to the Guild of Storytellers, 

Here is where we aim to share some of the greatest tales Faerûn has to offer. 

This is a place for lovers of fanfiction to recommend their favourite stories to other Baldur’s Gate Bookworms, in the hope of spreading some positivity and to shine a light on some of those well-crafted tales that don’t always get the attention they deserve - or just to share something you love and talk about it with others!

It goes without saying, but if you enjoy any of the fics you find here, please let us know why! You can either comment on the fic, or drop us a message and we can start a discussion! Stories were always meant to be shared.

The stories can either have been published here on Tumblr, or on AO3.

The rules are - 

The work you recommend must be someone else's (for this reason, we won't accept anon recommendations. If you wish to remain anonymous then you can say in your message and we'll publish it as a separate post)

You must label it appropriately 

You must only be positive - this is not a place for critiquing, it is a place for sharing and boosting people’s hard-crafted work.

Please use the below format

Title: Author: Rating:  Length: Complete or WIP?: Pairings: Warnings: Excerpt:  Why you love it: 

Link to Fic:

[the-obnoxious-sibling]

Do you have any shuggy fanfic recommendations? I already read and rearead (and reread) yours one piece ff…

i can certainly give you some recs!

everything's hosted on ao3 and set in the one piece universe; i do read modern/mundane AUs but i'm always really picky about how an author adapts a ship's canon history into an AU, so i've yet to find one that really grabs me except that one college AU i forgot to save a link to… i hope i'll find you again someday…

for all my life i’ve watched from afar, i’m too afraid to try by Badopportunities - complete, 18k

this is probably my favorite shuggy fic i've read so far. a canon divergence in which shanks hunts down ace instead of whitebeard to warn him off the blackbeard hunt directly, and just so happens to find ace while he's hanging out with buggy's crew. love the outside POVs on shanks & buggy before their history was common knowledge, love their dynamic while trying to keep that history secret, love the optimistic way the story ends.

uncharted waters by vestigialmoods - complete, 41k

a long, multi-POV sorta kinda get-together—this one written after we knew the warlord system was being dissolved but before we learned about cross guild. buggy tries to figure out what to do now that he's lost government protection; shanks is encouraged to go for what he wants for once, instead of passively letting fate decide his path. features very fun characterization for both crews, and a really well-crafted scene that deals with phantom limb pain and sexual tension simultaneously.

in the deepest depths i lost myself, i see myself through someone else by Badopportunities - WIP, 36k

it may be gauche to rec multiple fics by the same author but Badopportunities has yet to steer me wrong! this is set during the timeskip, while buggy is searching for an island to claim as his warlord base of operations and shanks is trying to look after former whitebeard territories. they clash. uses one of my favorite lines for a childhood friends-to-lovers ship: one of them says he's single because he's having trouble finding a partner with “similar life experiences.” iykyk

currently incomplete at 4/5 chapters, last updated in 2022… but they just posted a new chapter of their other shuggy wip (which i also recommend, buggy time travels and saves ace & uta) this week, so it feels like anything's possible!

I'll See You in My Dreams by doublejoint - complete, 4k

shanks keeps dreaming of being older, on a ship with only buggy for company, wearing matching rings and sailing for who knows where. i love how efficiently and effectively this fic explores his thoughts on these dreams over the years—are they visions of the future, his secret desires, bad gas? the ending is very sweet.

We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together (and other lies Buggy tells himself) by Transformatron - complete, 11k, explicit

i am not much for smut (being ♠️🏳️‍🌈 and all), but occasionally one gets in the mood, and this fic has some intense emotions to go along with the intense, kinda kinky smut. shanks has found out about cross guild and comes to see buggy, not convinced that this is a safe, sane, and consensual situation buggy's found himself in. they fight about it, and then… 😳

there is background established buggy/crocodile/mihawk, but crocodile and mihawk aren't present for the explicit portion of the fic.

i like lipstick on my neck by kiriya - complete, 20k, explicit

if i'm recommending smut-with-feelings, i have to rec this fic. genderbent butch/femme shanks and buggy run into each other in east blue, post-roguetown and pre-canon, and spend three chapters bickering, drinking, and… you know. absolutely fantastic characterization, buggy is an awful little gremlin and shanks likes her very much despite herself.

i don't know if the fic was inspired by this art or if the art was inspired by this fic, but either way… if you read the fic you should look at the art. that butch shanks is just. absolutely inspired.

[sleepyowlwrites]

hey, this is an ask! (hoping your brain hasn't defenestrated itself)

Nari was a lot to take in, and this was coming from someone who had five siblings. Marz simply nodded to most of the things she chattered on about, confused but also grateful that at least it was also keeping Pellor's mouth shut. He wasn't sure what he could've possibly done in that last two hours to have so badly offended the other lad, especially since they'd exchanged exactly two sentences since Pellor had arrived at his house that morning.

"Are you ready? Let's go."

And Marz had only said, "Alright," and swallowed down his apprehension as Mareye waved at him encouragingly.

Nari had moved on to the order of bedrooms at the House now, so Marz started actually listening. Apparently there was no order. Pellor seemed particularly irked by this.

He said a second thing to Marz. "Don't mistake this as a sign that there's no seniority. Apprentices who have been here longer get more respect."

Marz decided to not point out that this was just the way of any apprenticeship, anywhere.

- 173 words of guild story for you, Lacelight

[jazaesis]

hiiiii hey oh my god. i followed a reblog here and like?? i'm kinda in awe icl,,, i've just read through your long post about your main ocs and they're so. fucking cool. the art and their stories. sticking around for sure!!

found you thru a reblog of your new mirialan oc,,,and slay, obvs, can you tell us anything about them yet?

^^

Thrilled that you found my little blog!! And thank you so so much!! 🤲💛

My mirialan guy! His name is Seban! He’s a queer temple guard during the clone wars and later a member of the Guild of Force Users.

He was held prisoner for many years by the Empire who sought to extract the Jedi’s secrets from them. He becomes partially deaf from their methods and spend many years after wondering the galaxy without his memories before seeking out a new path in the force.

[+ wip of his back tats]

[pirunika]

Masterpost try #368

last updated: 31.8.24

Tags :

#sudraws #my writing #xx #music #photography etc.

Art Blog @mandoart

A03 (being revised)

Fave LIs in no order bc why not :

Lann (Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous)

Heinrix (Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader)

Alistair, Fenris (Dragon Age)

Garrus, Jaal (Mass Effect Trilogy)

Danse (Fallout 4)

Torian, Aric (Swtor)

Elliott (Stardew Valley)

Astraeus, Alain, Reiner, Nav (Lovestruck)

Liod, Andvari, Chris (Romance Club)

Asra, Julian (The Arcana)

Jumin Han, Zen (Mystic Messenger)

Lucifer, Mammon (Obey Me)

Hanzo (Nightshade)

Raze honestly all 3... (Demonheart)

Ernol, Haron (Ebon Light)

M, A (The Wayhaven Chronicles)

Lady Argent, Herald (Fallen Hero)

Blade (Shepherds of Haven WIP)

Laurent all of them (Perfumare WIP)

O, G (Infamous WIP)

Other Games I Play/ed

Dragon Raja Mobile

Sims free2play, mobile, 3, 4

Black Desert Mobile

Fate Grand Order

Cookie Run Kingdom

Eldarya

Lovelink

MeChat

Blush Blush

Choices

Ikemen Sengoku

Samurai LBP

Saints Row

Elder Scrolls Online, Skyrim

Dungeons & Dragons Online

Lord of the Rings Online

Guild Wars 2

World of Warcraft

Slay the Princess

Fear & Hunger

Cultist Simulator

Samurai of Hyuga

Blood Moon

Tin Star

Relics of the Lost Age

Soul Stone War

Tally Ho

I, the Forgotten One

Fields of Asphodel

Playlists :

Astraeus (Astoria Fate's Kiss - Lovestruck)

Astoria MC (aka Eos just below)

Sails in the Fog (Romance Club)

Shepherds of Haven WIP IF

Infamous WIP IF Band

Mason (Wayhaven Chronicles)

Some main-ish OCs/MCs :

Vorawin'ther Vandree 'Vora Winter' (Neverwinter/1/2, Pathfinder Wrath of the Righteous — a drow in one and dhampir in the latter) #oc: vora, #oc: vorawin'ther 5"

Ayka Delgerdzaya Aeducan (Dragon Age Origins) #oc: ayka 4'7"

Nino Balkish (Star Wars the Old Republic, Chiss Mando Bounty Hunter) #oc: nino 5'11"

Emija Prizrak (Star Wars the Old Republic, Chiss Republic Trooper) #oc: emija 5'3"

Berra H'akan (Star Wars the Old Republic, Cathar Mando -by birth- Bounty Hunter) #oc: berra 4'11"

Kartili Kelborn (Star Wars the Old Republic, Twi'lek Smuggler mando ) #oc: kartili 5'6"

Yvadin Stagard (Star Wars the Old Republic, Twi'lek Bounty Hunter) #oc: yvadin 5'2"

Lirash Paaran (Star Wars the Old Republic, Togruta Bounty Hunter) #oc: lirash 5'7"

Koalcha (Star Wars the Old Republic, Chiss Imperial Agent token male oc) #oc: koalcha 6'6"

Eos Eremenko surname might vary (MC of Astoria Fate's Kiss / Lost Kisses, various other interactive fiction, Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader & my WIP interpretation of the titan goddess with the same name) #oc: eos ...

Ela (The Arcana, Fictif & Choices stories + the MC of the WIP IF Perfumare: Amalgam) #oc: ela 5'8"

Eve Mac Diarmada (Obey Me / Nightbringer, my interpretation of Eve!) #oc: eve 6"

Others :

Star Wars Clan H'akan (original Mandalorian clan settled on Werda, led by Danyal H'akan - also the father of Berra) #clan h'akan

Star Wars Clan Strillir (also my Mandalorian clan on Werda, led by Sidar Strillir) #clan strillir

ASOIAF House Dawnbreak (a semi-noble household) here

Cultist Simulator (Follower) OC here

My Writing :

Homecoming, gen but Lucifer being Lucifer (OBEY ME)

My Moodboards, Edits :

SHEPHERDS OF HAVEN MC TEMPLATE

SHEPHERDS OF HAVEN MC MOODBOARD

BLADE X MC MOODBOARD

BLADE X MC MOODBOARD 2

ASTRAEUS X MC MOODBOARD 1

ASTRAEUS X MC MOODBOARD 2

ALAIN RICHTER MOODBOARD

[fanaticsnail]

I have a question about your WIPs of a different kind: how do you not lose sight of all the WIPs and ideas when you write so many at the same time ? And what is your progress when crafting a Story (multi chapter or one Shot) in general? If its okay to ask?! To some, there work progress is very personal so i get If you don't wanna answer it 😊

Because i am over here like:

And I wanna cram all my initial ideas in one thing and then there is the next Idea and I get overwhelmed and then i forget little details and scenes i was so proud of. And then i am to overwhelmed to write anything down 🥺 or i wanna sleep and the ideas come to me just then and are gone the next morning haha 🥲

And you are more like this with your writing✨:

Also your recent WIP-List is soo exciting

Have a beautiful start of the day, Snail✨🍀i will go to bed now!

Oh no, believe you me -> I am exactly like that. My writing process is not pretty and all of my thoughts are maddening. Thank you for asking, I'm happy to show you exactly how my brain maps out if you like!

A glimpse of my writing process:

Snail: "Oh, I have this idea. I wonder what it would look like if I just..." writes a small introduction, gets overcome with the thoughts, watches it play out on my screen the longer I write, letting the words take over, surprised at the scenes coming out, genuinely shocked by the plot like watching a movie for the first time, nodding along and wondering how the hell that happened, writes a one sentence conclusion.

Snail: "...oh, but I can't just leave it there. I should just-." keeps writing, oh no now it's a lengthy series, playlists and soundtracks propel me to keep going, freaking out about the word count now, keep writing until satisfied with the conclusion.

And then it sits in my documents until it happens again for another fic. The amount of ideas I have for myself is insane, and I try to find the time to add a little bit per day for one or the other. Then I go through it and read it a bit later and format it then and see if I can get more giddy emotions to come out of it while editing.

Then there's the fics I haven't written that play out in my mind like a little story when I drive (obviously focussing on the road too) like the Cabaret at Baratie fic I've been attempting to write and map out for a few months now. I keep getting side tracked because I want you to not only have a "why choose" between Sanji and Zoro, but imagine it being the Heart Pirates, Cross Guild, Kid-Pirates, it just never ends.

Here's my current unhinged docs (I have blurred the ones that are a little incredibly NSFW).

When the ideas come to me at night, I usually text myself a note in the middle of it so I don't forget. The Apprentice with Mihawk and When You Had The Chance with Beckman were fics that came from the middle of the night prompts.

I'm also lucky enough to have some beautiful mutuals who chat to me and listen to my unhinged ramblings and add little points to spur me on. Chef-husband has also been on the receiving end of such ramblings. I also keep asks and requests in my ask box until I form something cohesive, which is why it takes me so long to answer some things.

SO TO SUM UP: I am exactly like this too.

How I think I write:

How I actually write:

[polutrope]

End of Year Fic Recs

Thanks @sallysavestheday for starting this template, and for the tag!

Recommend up to 5 series or multi-chapter fics from 2023 that everyone should read (multi-year WIPs count, if the last update was in 2023).

Recommend up to 5 single chapter fics/one-shots (long or short) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Recommend up to 5 fics NOT from 2023 that everyone should read (oldies but goodies).

Recommend up to 5 of your own fics (completed or WIP) from 2023 that everyone should read.

This was so hard. I need time for ten more rec lists because I read so much good stuff this year. If you are not on here but I commented on your fic this year, know that I sincerely wanted to put you on here. If you are not here and I didn't comment on your fic this year, please help me find it next year!!

Multi-Chapter/Other

Such a Marriage by DifferentSong (M, 29k, WiP). f!Maedhros/Maglor. Beautiful and unique treatment of these characters and relationship in the years after the second kinslaying. If you’re uncertain about this ship but curious, I highly recommend giving this story a try. 

Droit du Seigneur by destinedatoms (E, 6.4k, WiP). Various elven kings hook up with their mortal vassals. Each chapter is so funny and hot, and features povs from very underwritten female characters. 

Loyalty: A Tale in Three Voices (not rated, 10.1k, WiP) by @grey-gazania. Caranthir, Uldor, Easterling OFC. Compelling story, characters, and incredible worldbuilding following three unique POVs as an alliance is forged between the Easterlings and Feanorians. Great use of first-person. 

Price of Eternity (series) by Encairion (E, 1.83 million, WiP). The novels and stories in this series are not going to be for everyone. They tackle basically every difficult topic you can imagine. They include takes that would probably make some of my mutuals torch the swanships. But Encairion does it all so skillfully. She’s like an artist who has mastered the techniques (i.e., the canon) and then does something radically original that only works because she has that foundation down. Some of her characterisations rewired my brain. I’m still far from done reading the series, but it’s truly a monumental achievement and so worth diving into with an open mind.

Celegorm by @dawnfelagund (reference work). Dawn’s bio of Celegorm for the Silmarillion Writers’ Guild is meticulously researched and engagingly written. Definitely worth a read for any fans of the Fëanorians or just how Tolkien’s characters evolved over the course of the legendarium’s development.

One-shots

The dining room by @ettelene (T, 8.8k). Ettelene kills it with group scenes and dynamics and this riotous fic about a Feanorian family dinner at Formenos from Celebrimbor’s POV showcases it beautifully. 

Against His Wisdom by @melestasflight (M. 3.7k). Fingon/Fingolfin. A stunning, insightful look at the complexities of this relationship. Melesta handles the nature of the relationship so artfully. As always, their prose is so satisfyingly economical and impactful. I know the pairing may make some wary but I really encourage people to give it a try.

stardrop by @welcomingdisaster (T, 0.7k). Daeron/Maglor. I almost wept when I read this fic because it's so perfect. Lena somehow managed to get everything I love about this ship into 700 words. Doom, deceit, cultural misunderstandings, telling the narrative of your own life, immortality/mortality… if you want to know why I love Daemags, read this. 

As Little as Might be Thought by @imakemywings (T, 2.9k). “Kidnap fam”. Rocky is a master of the argument and this spat between Maedhros and Maglor over the peredhel’s upbringing showcases it. So much characterisation and complicated relationship dynamics packed into this short piece. 

Memories, Like Grains of Sand by @cuarthol (G, 1k). Elrond & Elros. cuarthol wrote some beautiful, complex works this year but this short piece stood out for me. The peredhel twins return to Balar and try to piece together their memories of Sirion. Showcases cuarthol’s talent for little moments of intimacy that will make you cry, not because they are particularly tragic (though they may be), but because they feel so real.

Oldies

Maglor and Daeron Sing the Blues by Voidflower (G, 5.6k). Maglor and Daeron meet in the Mississippi delta in the 1920s. I want to pour this fic in a crystal glass and sip on it on a rainy evening. Gorgeous prose and deeply satisfying character dynamics. 2018.

Dancing with my punchlines by LiveOakWithMoss (M, 321k). I know this Modern AU is fandom-famous already, but by god there’s a reason. I could not put these dramamonsters down. It was funny, it was touching, and it was spicy. I want to rip this fic open like a bag of chips and shovel it into my mouth in great handfuls. 2016. 

What We May Become by @naryaflame (M, 8.8k). Caranthir/Finrod. Narya’s prose is delectably crisp and sensuous and I just loved reading this well-constructed nonlinear story of a fascinating rarepair. 2020.

The Redemption of Daeron by Rhunedhel (T, 7.3k). Daeron/OFC. I actually just found this and have not actually finished it, but I’ve read the first two chapters and it’s such a beautiful alliterative verse poem (!!) and original story of Daeron among the Avari. 1997.

An Education by @i-am-a-lonely-visitor (M, 49.4k). visitor has some of the most scrumptious, clever prose and most memorable characterisations I have read in the fandom and this first installment of his Elrondverse covering the early years is bursting with peredhel coming-of-age delights. 2021.

Mine

Scorched (E, 4.9k). Elrond/Maedhros, Maedhros/Maglor, Elrond & Elros. A psychosexual unfamily drama on Amon Ereb. Really enjoyed the experience of letting this tale unravel as I dipped into the minds of all four characters. 

First Contact (T, 2.7k). Daeron/Maglor. Post-canon (they both sail). Daeron meets Fëanor. It’s a silly bit of sitcom, but also it’s about healing. 

Who By Fire (M, 4.9k). Amrod/Fingolfin. A deep dark dive into the psyches of two hurting men in the early days of Fingolfin in Beleriand. 

If You Are the Healer (E, 4.6k). Maedhros/Maglor. Liege/vassal dynamics and heaps of angst surrounding Maedhros’ decision to abdicate to Fingolfin. It’s fucked up, but they love each other. 

Everlasting Darkness (E, 10.2k). Earendil/Maedhros, Elwing/Maglor (also Elwing/Earendil, Maedhros/Maglor). Canon divergence shitshow where Maedhros and Maglor are released from their oath on condition that they serve Eärendil and Elwing. My first fic of 2023, and it set me careening off the rails. No regrets.

[Bonus fic under my pseud: Played (E, 12.1k) by disastrousexpense. Maedhros/Maglor, Fingon/Maedhros. Absolutely off-the-rails smut between two asshole brothers in Valinor. It was SO FUN to write.]

Tagging the people tagged already and @curufiin @elentarial @lightqueer @searchingforserendipity25 @ladysternchen @tethysresort if you'd like to share your recs!

[ettawritesnstudies]

Hi Etta! Sorry if you already mentioned this, but where/how did you find your editors? (If you don't mind sharing)

Don't mind at all!

I know there are companies like Reedsy and the Writers Digest which have databases of editors, but that seemed really overwhelming. At the end of the day, the best way to get resources is to network (make friends, and hope their mutuals like you too).

Last year, I did an interview for Amanda Auler on Instagram and she boosted my account, so months later I ended up doing an interview for Addison Horner. He does editing for indie authors, so I asked him for a sample edit and liked it, but I wanted to get other points of comparison first, so I asked around and came up with a short list of editors. I contacted them, and when I had enough to compare, I ended up deciding I liked Addison best and drew up a contract with him. God moment that I found him so quickly.

But if I had to give this advice to someone else I'd recommend following these steps:

Read books in your genre. Read INDIE AUTHORS in your genre. Review their books. Follow them on social media. Be a friendly fan but don't make it weird.

Indie authors are one person publishing teams desperate for engagement and positive attention. They will thank you for your help and be willing to pay it forward when the time comes.

Once you have a handful of books you like that have similar vibes to your book, flip to the acknowledgements and find the editors name.

Google the editor, find their site, submit your inquiry, email works better than a form.

If you can't find the editor online, DM the indie author and ask "hey I really liked your book and it's a good comp title for my WIP. Who's your editor and what was your experience with them like? Do you mind pointing me their way?" Follow the author's advice. Repeat as needed.

(I've only ever received nice responses to this, don't be anxious. If they don't reply they're probably just busy, not annoyed).

When you contact editors, ask about their availability, rates, and be specific about what type of editing you need. Ask for a free sample edit. Mine were 250-2500 words.

Supply details about your WIP. Mine looked like this:

Title: Runaways

Genre: Middle Grade Portal Fantasy. I'm not labeling it as "Christian Fiction" as religion isn't a focus point of the story, but there are significant underlying Catholic themes.

Premise: When Cecelia goes missing one stormy Halloween night, her older sister, Hannah, must venture into the faerie courts to learn the truth about their past and bring her home. (Linked WIP Page with additional information)

Length: About 86,000 words, 180 pages (Times New Roman, 12pt, double spaced, standard 1in margins formatting). 21 chapters with an epilogue

Style: 3rd person limited, present tense. 3 POV characters: primarily Hannah at first, and then Cecelia and the third added later, alternating.

Status/Timeline/Availability: Currently with a 2nd round of beta readers, and I'll be getting feedback by March 31st. After editing the draft to reflect their feedback and doing my own line edits, I'll be looking for a line/copy edit around April/May or early summer.

Types of edits needed: As I understand, every editor uses "line" and "copy" edit slightly differently, but I'm looking for a combination of both styles if possible: checking for internal consistency, logical choreography, adequate descriptions, minor plot or worldbuilding errors, as well as language concerns like cutting crutch words, making sentence structure more dynamic, choosing the right verbs, etc. Developmental editing not needed. Waiting to do proofreading at the moment

When perusing at the editors site, look for credentials/certifications, their backlog of works, and testimonials

If you don't have enough options following this method, join some discord servers! I'm in a local NaNoWriMo group and a Catholic Writers Guild called Inkwells and Anvils which were both useful. I think there might be some writeblr ones as well. Find the critiques channel and send the same information there^^

Compare sample edits. Who respects your voice? Who supplied the most insightful comments? Do you vibe over email? Are they willing to do a stylesheet? Do they like your book? Can you set up a 15 minute zoom call to see if you vibe and discuss details?

Look at prices. My rate is $.015 a word but that's pretty cheap for the industry. Most of the rates I saw publicly were between $.02-.03/word for line editing.

Pray/sleep on it

Once you pick your best option, set a date to send them the manuscript, sign contracts, and make payment.

Send a polite email to the other editors and say "I regret to say you're not quite the right fit for this book, but I appreciate all your time, help, and advice! I hope to work with you in the future" or something along those lines. Don't burn your bridges.

Celebrate!

This whole process took me a couple weeks, everyone was very punctual and professional and friendly. I ended up going with Addison not only because he was the cheapest but also because he made 3X the number of comments as any other writer, and his comments were specific and useful. He understood my characters immediately, I think in part because his writing style is similar to mine, based on his debut novel, Marrow and Soul. We're both Christians who like YA dark fantasy. It's a good match. He's still taking clients for later in the year if that's your vibes. I also worked with Amber Burdett and Sariah Solomon, who were both lovely.

I wish you the best of luck finding an editor who fits your story! I hope this was helpful and not overly long.