#you have no idea how long ive been waiting to share this chapter with y'all!!!

[wolfsbanesparks]

Pretty Little Thing Chapter 22

Hey y'all!

Happy Valentines Day! I have decided to celebrate by breaking your hearts with the next chapter of Pretty Little Thing!

I can only say one thing about this week's chapter: 👀 today's the day you learn the truth.

[viraaja]

Hi! Random question, but do you have a specific writing process you like to follow? Your stories always have so much depth and are so well written; I was curious if you had methods of outlining, drafting, and editing that you’d be willing to share?

Heya! First, I'm sorry it took me several days to get to your ask! It's been crazy round my parts, but I finally have some breathing room :)

Fair warning, I'm obsessed with Meta, whether that's writing or gaming or analyzing data at work...this post is going to be Long.

So I have two very different approaches to writing. Either super-planned or complete wing-its.

I actually think I prefer my wing-its; probably not super helpful but there it is. Which are my wing-its? The Things We Deserve, Severed, Atomic Number, and we have stars for eyes (and holes for hearts).

Terms of Surrender, however, has been planned down to the scene. Granted, it's surpassed 250k, and there is so much juggling my brain can accomplish with that much plot. I followed a four-act format as far as action/plot goes - but the action/plot has never really been the focus of TOS - it's been the emotional journey.

There's an eastern approach to storytelling called "Kishōtenketsu" which on the surface appears as Western storytelling, but when you delve into it realize that most often these stories contain no actual physical conflict. It's the emotional journey the character goes on, which may not have a clear resolution or impact on their setting or world.

Now, I'm no scholar - I read about Kishōtenketsu when I first began plotting out TOS and it definitely influenced me, but by no means can I say I set out to write a story representative of it. But the idea that a story's conflict could be the emotional journey struck such a deep chord with me that I ran with the concept and it has been the foundation of my approach to writing TOS. It's also a four-act structure, which already aligned with what I had in mind and I quickly adapted (aka, likely butchered) Kishōtenketsu into my planning.

As far as my technical approach, I have about three different types of outlines. One main outline with all the major story beats. Individual chapter outlines broken down by scene. And then for each chapter I have an emotional outline, which is essentially where Hux's headspace starts in the chapter and where he ends up, fleshed out for his scenes, so I don't loose track of how I want him to react to the events in each.

The Four Act structure is:

Act I: At the end of the act, the "hero" has to choose between his flaw and an opportunity (Chapter 4, Hux admitting his desire for Poe, despite his guilt for SKB and feelings of worthlessness)

Act II: The Hero-ally confrontation, when the hero has to face his flaw (Chapter 15, Hux confronting his desire for forgiveness of his guilt by giving himself up to the NR to stand trial for SKB)

Act III: The final resolution of the hero's flaw allows him to enter the ring against his opponent. (Chapter 19: Hux finally absconds his guilt in favor of his own happiness)

In Kishōtenketsu there is a twist here, which is obviously his (spoiler redacted).

Act IV is how he will approach this twist. Following this structure, he should have all the tools he needs to overcome it...I suppose we'll just have to wait and see ♥♥♥

So that's it! This was such a fun ask - I love talking stories with people, and I am always fascinated by people's approaches to writing.

If any of my writer friends see this, I want to ask the same of y'all! @vodkertonic @sourlander @queenphasma

[remeny-writes]

Roses are red, Violets are Adored

I’m so sorry for the wait! Enjoy this pointless filler chapter! lol

Chapter 161

Adore’s Point of view

I smiled as I waved goodbye and clicked the off button on facetime. I yawned again. I guess I should take the time well I know Violet has company to have a nap. I put the computer on the table and stretched out on the sofa bed. Then I rolled on my side and fell asleep almost as soon as I hit the pillow as they say.

I woke up four hours later. I hadn’t meant to sleep so long but as I turned to say sorry to Violet for oversleeping I noticed that they were sound asleep on their bed. I didn’t know how long they had been asleep or how I hadn’t heard them come in but I did notice Lucy reading the book she was reading last night.

Lucy noticed I was awake mostly because Lucy notices everything. She smiled and pulled out her phone.

Lucy-good morning sunshine!

Me-why y'all keep stealing my line?

Lucy-sorry not sorry!

Me-sometimes, I regret showing you season five of drag race. You’ve picked up way too many of Detox’s catchphrases

Lucy-You never let me have any fun! I’ve had it, OFFICIALLY

me-you are totally incorrigible!

Lucy-I know and you know that you love it!

Me-I totally do! I am so glad that I’ve met you.

Lucy-I am glad I met you too! Not many people can say that they have shared a room with two internationally famous entertainers! And more importantly awesome people!

Me-we are not really famous, we are GAYmous!

Lucy-very funny you!

Me-how long have they been asleep?

I looked at them again and sure enough they were hooked up to their afternoon chemo. The remnants of a lunch tray were on the table, a plastic dome over the plate

Lucy-about an hour and a half

me-and that they ate something? Sorry I know that you’re not responsible for them. I’m just wondering cause you seem to notice everything

Lucy-yeah I think they ate most of the sandwich and drank an ensure and I think they had a bite or two of the jello or whatever it is. Mystery gelatinous substance… it could’ve been pudding. I don’t know.

Me-you didn’t eat?

Lucy- I wasn’t feeling up to it. I’m gonna order something later probably. I think my body is preparing itself again for more chemo. :(

me-oh that sucks! I’m sorry babe. At least you aren’t alone.

Lucy-I’m kind of used to being alone but it’s nice to have company. Well hopefully… I mean who likes company that ralphs a lot?

Me-I don’t mind and I’m pretty sure Violet doesn’t either!

Lucy-that’s good. I will order something in a bit. As I think you noticed yesterday, I’m a little thin.

Me-thin? You? I hadn’t noticed.

She looked up at me and I smiled.

Lucy-you’re so full of shit your eyes are brown!

Me-Aw you noticed my eyes! How is the book?

Lucy-just as addictive as yesterday! thanks for closing the book and saving my place last night.

Me-no problem I know how frustrating it is when you lose your place in a book!

Lucy-you like to read?

Me-well I haven’t before but I do now. We haven’t really been your roommates for too long but Vi and I often take turns reading Harry Potter books out-loud.

Lucy- awww that’s so fucking cute

Me- yeah it kinda is, isn’t it?

Lucy- totally. I gotta go to school soon, are you gonna be ok by yourself because I can stay here.

Me- oh no you don’t Missy! Did you get all your homework done?

Lucy- yep.

Me- good!

Lucy- yep lol

Me- smart-ass

Lucy grinned widely from her bed.

Lucy- YEP!! Have you eaten anything today?

Me- nope not yet. I’m not really hungry.

Lucy- too bad, so sad, go get something while I’m still here. There is gingerale and chocolate milk and cheese and crackers in the little caregivers kitchenette. I know because I sneak in there sometimes. I mean I know they are an adult and don’t need someone with them all the time but it’s no fun to wake up with no one to talk to 

Me- true, ok I’ll be right back.

I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. There were some sandwiches in the back so I grabbed an egg sandwich and a can of gingerale. It was nice, there was a bunch of good Samaritans who came by every few days to drop off some food for the parents and other caregivers. What they brought tended to vary depending on who was preparing the food. I didn’t often take advantage of it because I’m not a parent. I don’t have a child that I can’t be away from. Me not being away from Vi was as much for my comfort as it was for them.

I tried to think the last time I ate, it was last night with my Mom and even then, I didn’t eat much I just wasn’t hungry. I was averaging a meal a day and a shit tonne of coffee and I knew I needed to start eating more regularly. I just didn’t really want to. I knew people were worried about me but I wish they wouldn’t because Vi should be getting people’s attention, not me. Plus I have my hog body to nourish me when I forget to eat.

I went back to the room just as Lucy was getting ready to head out. She was using her crutches, her oxygen backpack looked bigger than her.

“Hey do you need me to carry your books?” I whispered.

“Aw so gallant! No I just have to take this,” She whispered back, holding a slim folder. “I have another set of books in the classroom.”

“Oh that’s a really good idea!”

“I thought it was too when they suggested it when I started to use my crutches. I tried using a bag but it threw me off kilter too much. The folder is pretty light and I put my work into a binder I keep there in my cupboard.”

“You guys got it all worked out!”

“I think we got most of it so far.”

“Good. I’m glad you can go to school now.”

“Oh me too, I hadn’t been to school since I was 12 before they pulled me from the compound.”

“Yikes.”

“Amen to that! Bye Danny, you eat that!”

“Yes Mother!” I said, saluting her and she giggled quietly.

I folded in the sofa and sat down with a soft ooof, I unwrapped the sandwich carefully, opening the ginger ale. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was, I downed almost all of the can and then buried my face in the pillow and let out a huge burp.

I held my breath. Vi slept on. Whew.

I nibbled on the corner of the sandwich, I ate around the crust first. It tasted like cardboard in comparison to my Mama’s sandwiches but nothing could really compare to them. I got most of the way through the first half but I just couldn’t finish it. Maybe my stomach has shrunk? Is that possible? I threw the rest in the bin and downed the rest of the ginger ale. I should have gotten some water from the water and ice machine. I really should take better care of myself but I didn’t want to leave them alone in case they had a nightmare again. I wouldn’t forgive myself if that happened!

Of course, once I started thinking about how thirsty I was, it got so much worse. Luckily, Matt peeked his head in. He went to leave again not to wake them but I flailed my arms wildly and padded over to the door in my sock feet. I stepped just outside of the room.

“Hey Matt, Vi had another nightmare last night so I don’t want to leave them alone but I feel like I’m super dehydrated so can you sit in here for a minute while I go get water in case they wake up?”

He smiled, “Of course I can! Hold out your hand for me?” I gave him a weird look but put my hand out palm side up. He chuckled, turned it over and gave it a pinch, my skin stayed up like a little tent until I pulled my hand away and rubbed it. “You are definitely dehydrated, get some water in you. If it doesn’t help, I’ll break the rules and put an IV in and pump you up like a water balloon. Ok?” I smiled and nodded and he slipped into Vi’s room.

I almost ran to the kitchen, I pulled the biggest Styrofoam cup I could find and filled it with ice water and grabbed a straw and was about to leave then I grabbed a second cup. I was REALLY thirsty and I did NOT want an IV.

When I got back, Matt was just finishing with disconnecting Vi’s chemo, he wiggled his fingers at me in a wave as he left the room.

I sat down and downed half of one of the cups, then held my head, rolled on my side and tried not to groan as I was attacked by a vicious bout of brain freeze. Well that was stupid!! When it subsided, I sipped a bit more. Then I picked up the latest Harry Potter book, curled up on the sofa and cracked it open and minutes later I unintentionally fell asleep again!