yowlthinks

[yowlthinks]

dearwriters Masterlist

After some years running this blog, I've decided to accumulate some of my posts I often reference in this little master list. Enjoy!

General advice (editing, research, plotting, etc.)

Newbie Writer Tips

ADHD writing tips

Revision Masterlist

How to research

Plotting Tips

How to outline (The Murder-Board-Method)

Creating Subplots

In defense of plot structures

About orginality

Staying motivated

About pacing

When to start/end a scene

Free writing advice resources

Character (creation, development, etc.)

The Minimalist Character Sheet

Character Creation pt. 1 (GMC)

Character Creation pt. 2 (wants&needs)

Character Creation pt. 3 (flaws & consequences)

Character Voice

Code-Switching

Fixing a bland protagonist

Morally grey characters

Worldbuilding

Description-Tips

Creating depth

Creating a Magic System

Specific advice (tropes, scenes, situations, identities)

Screaming into the tumblr void is not diversity research

Asking a random person on tumblr to give advice on an identity that isn't theirs is not research

Writing (slow burn) Romance

Enemies to lovers

Panic attacks

Writing horror (general)

Writing horror (the uncanny)

Writing horror (disgust)

Fight Scenes

Publishing:

Traditional publishing is a team project

Pen Names

Turning Fanfic into original fiction

[yowlthinks]

Good god, THIS!

It is like globally it is viewed as both a cult, and a taboo, and some sort of success marker, and an end all be all, while in reality I don't see what all the fuss is about. You want it and have it with enthusiastically consenting adults - good, happy for you, I am not particularly into it - also fine.

To be finest, I think there is some positive movement in that direction as Gen Z is both more openly queer and more accepting of queer people and relationships, and is feeling less pressured to have sex (at least as self reports go, maybe the previous cohorts just inflated the numbers). Once again, the kids seem to be allright.

i walk a fine line between “i’m asexual and i hate how much the world revolves around sex” and “sex is way too stigmatized and people should be able to be more open about it if they want to”

[yowlthinks]

got thinking about crowley and aziraphale’s relationships with mortality and the physical body because they’re emotionally attached to earth but their bodies are a renewable resource they can shape however they like while retaining the memory of their old bodies, and it came out as this

[yowlthinks]

My own HC is that Niko gets transported into the dimension native to the Dandelion Sprites. Remember how they screamed that they are gods? Well, let us take them at their word: they are gods from a world that has changed and is now longer hospitable to them. It used to be perfect for them, just the right size, the right climate, right symbiotic relationships with their worshippers, but then disaster struck (did they mess up? Did someone else mess up their world? Are they climate or political refugees? Are they opportunistic explorers?).

So they end up in our dimension, have a few adventures, get trapped in a jar, get released, the whole Niko situation happens, and then... then through the magic of the Talisman and their bond and (reluctant) affection for Niko they save her the only way they can: by brining her back to their dimension, where they are gods abd have more powers and can take care of her.

And from there on she builds her life on what turns out to be a different timeline (how does time work for transdimensoonal beings anyway?) till she becomes who she becomes and meets the boys again.

i dont know the exact specifics for a lot of peoples ideas about what happens to niko at the end of the show (in a lot of fics she's jsut dead for real, which i understand because its hard to write! but also sad) but ive been ruminating on it lately. i kind of really like the idea of her becoming a witch? like making a deal similarly to how esther made a deal with lilith and then going from there. maybe with a lesser entity (something to do with the talisman she got from mick?) or even the dandelion sprites (although i also have a fun idea involving the dandelion sprites being her familiars) so as to explain why shes in the fuck of nowhere. the ideas also very dependant on hwo exactly witches work in the dbd universe, but i always enjoy interpreting them as more inhuman beings rather than just 'people who know magic'.

also i think she'd get really into it and dress up for the role and this is actually just a long winded way of me saying i want to draw niko sasaki in a witch hat

[yowlthinks]

Perfection

Employer: “Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?”

Me:

[yowlthinks]

“What happened to your hair, mate?”

“Well, there has been a slight magical mishap. Nothing to worry about. I mispronounced a spell. It should be only temporary. And what happened to your face?”

“Uhm ... you know the potion we got from that barber down in Brixton back in ’97 for getting rid of that infestation of cursed lice? The one we weren’t sure what it’d do? Well, I found it in my backpack, and ... I guess now we know what it does.”

“Charles?”

“Only temporary, as you said. Just ... don’t look too closely at my hands, yeah? And my feet.”

“Charles!”

Inspired by some recent developments.

[yowlthinks]

I'm so glad to see AO3 making it absolutely clear that none of these things are allowed to even be HINTED at.

Here's some of the language from the new post about AO3's police on commercial promotion:

-

There is a wide variety of things that are not allowed under AO3's non-commercialization rules.

Any other language which one might interpret as requesting or having requested financial contributions, whether for yourself or others. This covers indirect references, euphemisms, or other language intended to get around the TOS. Some examples of this include:

Thanks for the coffee!

My ☕ username is the same as my username here

This chapter is brought to you by my patrons

You know where to find me if you want early or bonus chapters

Check out my Twitter to learn how you can donate to me since I'm not allowed to discuss it here

If you want to hear more about my ideas, talk about fandom, or find more of my stuff for a coin, visit my Tumblr

Solicitation is not allowed, whether it's for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

[yowlthinks]

Ah, this is so perfect

Day 3: A case/bag of tricks backpack

[yowlthinks]

I have no strong feelings about Hamilton the musical one way or another, but the sentence "I wasn't aware that was something a person could do" is such a perfect way to precisely express the kind of "not judging, just baffled" response people sometimes inspire in me with their antics and activities.

[yowlthinks]

I just turned this blooper into a gif and realised that aside from the obviously iconic "I'm free!" I'm also completely in love with George's adorable little skip-run back to the starting position ✨

[yowlthinks]

Dead Boy Detectives Fic Recs Part 13

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 Part 7 | Part 8 | Christmas | Part 9 | Part 10 | Collection | Part 11 | Part 12

Sorry I've been MIA, lots of life stuff going on. 😅 But with all the latest Netflix bullshit, this feels like a good time for another list. I know we're all upset about the cameo. Netflix has been messing the DBDA cast around and exploiting our fandom, which is rage-inducing.

So it's a good time to remember the true beauty of fandom: we don't need canon! Keep reading, keep creating, and keep showing love to the fandom. You're all amazing. ♥️

Jigsaw Hearts (The Frayed Edges) by avoiceofnerat

Charles accidentally winds up in a parallel universe and goes to the Dead Boy Detectives for help. He finds Edwin and only Edwin. I'm honestly shocked there aren't more "the boys never met" AUs in this fandom. Seeing Edwin running the agency without Charles is interesting as the gaps he leaves become clear. The whole fic is giving It's a Wonderful Life vibes, and for a Charles fan (me!), it's very satisfying. The last few chapters have also given us parallel universe Crystal, and I'm excited to see where the fic goes!

Interview With the Ghost by ghostinthelibrary

Superhero Charles AU with Edwin as a rookie reporter getting the opportunity of a lifetime to interview mysterious local vigilante, The Ghost... This one is so much fun and makes brilliant use of canon, turning Charles' canonical ghostly abilities into superpowers and Edwin's sacrifice/Hell backstory into a traumatic kidnapping and The Ghost's very first rescue! Plus they're still best friends, so there's mutual pining and secret identity shenanigans too.

It now also has a prequel about Charles gaining his powers and saving and befriending Edwin at school. I highly recommend both!

reel me in, I'll take your lead by dear_monday

After surviving a near death experience at school, Charles signs up to be a psychopomp (guide for newly dead souls) with the Lost and Found Department. Luckily, he has a friend and mentor in his attractive (and weirdly familiar) colleague, Edwin Payne. This fic has such an interesting concept, fantastic worldbuilding and afterlife lore and flirts with the Red String of Fate trope in a (for me) really novel way. And I'm always here for @dear-monday's Eldritch!Edwin agenda. 😂

the narrative can't doom me because I can't read by Chrome

Apart from having a brilliant title, this is a fun fic about the boys being caught in a witch's spell that forces them to play out famous stories. I love how the fic (and Edwin) weaponises Charles' canonical immunity to tragic narratives to pretty much do what it says on the tin. 😂

bring your chains and fall into my arms by Cesare

The boys are caught escaping Hell and, while awaiting their ultimate fate, Charles suggests loopholing their way out, starting with the virginity clause of Edwin's demonic sacrifice... This is essentially Fuck or Die, but with heart and an extremely satisfying conclusion.

thirty-five degrees to true north by shadowquill17

Alive/Aged Up AU with 20-something Charles flirting with Crystal in a bar... until her equally attractive adopted brother Edwin arrives. This one's cute with some lovely Actual Siblings/Mean Girls Crystal and Edwin and disarmingly charming Charles winning them both over (though not in a threesome way, to be clear 😅).

give me a call if you ever get lonely (i'll be like one of your girls) by purposefullyinlove

Celebrity AU in which Actor!Charles agrees to appear in a sexy dance sequence with his best friend, Pop Star!Edwin and has a sexuality crisis about it... in front of a live audience at Edwin's big show. The story beats of this one are so fun with the friends to lovers and feelings realization/bisexuality crisis on top of the Everyone Can See It as their fan bases fervently ship them through snippets of social media posts. I'm on tenterhooks!

Forget You by tragedy_machine

Pop star Charles releases a new song and an interview hinting at a lost love, inspiring Edwin to finally find out if his school friend and ex-best friend might have been singing about him all along... I am weak for this trope and @tragedy-machine packs in plenty of yearning/mutual pining and a satisfying pay-off.

This Angry Heart by FlynnReminisce

When his father dies, Charles has mixed feelings. This is a great character study about Charles processing his grief and anger and coming to terms with his childhood abuse. Also featuring a tragic teddy bear of projection and Edwin and Crystal being supportive.

Eulogy by Ice_Elf

Early friendship fic about Charles deciding to attend his own funeral. It's sad and giving kind of queer-coded vibes, as every hint of Charles' personality is stamped out at the funeral. But fresh-out-of-Hell Edwin trying his best to be comforting is precious and his titular eulogy is lovely.

Calon Lân by emryses

Edwin's remains are uncovered at St Hilarion's causing a media sensation and plenty of angst for Edwin. I love this trope and the author pulls it off well. This is also a continuation of the author's Edwin Family Feels fic and digs further into their Payne family lore as Edwin's descendants claim his body and Edwin (resentfully) attends the funeral.

you're the other half (the only thing that makes me whole) by halffulljampot

Soulmates AU! Soulmate Identifying Marks (names) are here joined by the concept of Summonings: usually one brief meeting with your soulmate, magically summoned to your side in your hour of greatest need. Obviously, this has interesting implications for Payneland! Loved the lore and the Payneland is so sweet, though Charles still manages to break his own hearts for a few chapters. There's also some really cute background Palasaki. Recommended!

The Case of the Enchanted Suitors by Fire_Bear

ReverseVerse/Dead Girl Detectives fic about Edwin being apparently cursed/bespelled to attract every man in his radius.... except for Charles. I do enjoy this trope and I love to see some role reversal with the Ghost Girls and Alive Boys! Lots of fun details and a good time all round.

The More They Stay the Same by Asidian

Another love spell fic, this time with Charles being struck by a cupid's arrow that's supposed to induce desperate love and physical pain if the feelings aren't reciprocated. Luckily, Charles seems mysteriously unaffected... Again, this trope waters my crops and this author's writing is always a treat.

Delectatio Morosa by edmcmayonnaise

Five times Edwin experiences lust and/or love for Charles and assumes they're Best Friend feelings, plus one time he understands what he's feeling. I love a 5+1 fic and this one's shaping up to be sweet and tender.

Special Friends by Alexander_Writes

Victorian AU about the boys moving to Paris to escape the heightened homophobia after Oscar Wilde's trial. This is mutual pining turned coming out and getting together, with Edwin wearing a dress to go out to a queer bar. Read this for a fascinating dose of historical underground queer culture!

(all of a sudden) I'm the man of my dreams by ObsessedWithFandom

Short and sweet canon-compliant first meeting fic but with transmasc Charles. Interesting ghost lore about gender presentation and promising potential for compulsory heterosexuality-related angst further down the line. I would love more of this AU!

@avoiceofnerat @ghostinthelibrarywrites @catalists @codenamecesare @shadowquill17 @coraline-piange @ice-elf @emryses @halffulljampot @fire-bear @asidian @edmcmayonnaise @neitherthehoneynorthebee @tumblerislovetumblerislife @wordsinhaled @whatthehorsedoicallthisblog @guardianspirits13 @shazziez @tessaaaaa @icurlybooks @tigerliliesandcherryblossoms @khorazir @lavenderlovers-stuff @kuwdora @bibliomancer7 @many-gay-magpies @neurodivergent-fangirling @c-rowland @northern-light @littlepocketuniverse @fairandfatalasfair @e-payne @atlantis-is-burning @writerofstuff @movie-watching-monster @not-the-living-ghost @sasakisniko @great-exhibition-of-1851

[yowlthinks]

[yowlthinks]

Ok, but that last one, that is where the beginnings of the idea for Mrs Victoria Buys a Brothel came from! Which you should totally read because it is excellent!

I made printable Good Omens coloring books with my fanart.

They're downloadable PDFs that you can print at home, and color at your leisure.

Available on my etsy:

(all reblogs are appreciated!!)

[yowlthinks]

I think this smile screams "omg, he loves me! Actually, genuinely loves me, and this is the best person I know! And we are fine, we will figure it out, and maybe I should think about it a bit more, and omg he loves me, Edwin is in love with me!"

A few close-ups of Charles's expression in that scene™

[yowlthinks]

Spok is such a bitch and I love him for it

STAR TREK - S1E15 Shore Leave

[yowlthinks]

Sorry, not sure how to add a pic in the comments, but they are approximately at the blue dot

This might be a bit of a weird question to ask online however

I'm going to London soon to see Nye, however, before the show we are going to St James' park to visit the good omens bench (which is so exciting oh my god)

However, whilst we're not on an EXTREMELY tight time schedule, by the time we reach London we won't have all the time in the world to spend before we have to head back to the theatre

Therefore I just wanted to ask if someone could give me a rough idea of where to find THE bench at St James' so I can ensure I have enough time

I'm very nervous about this trip so I just want to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible, so excuse all of these silly posts I may be putting out over the coming days haha

[yowlthinks]

So, no DBDA cameo in Sandmann s2 after all. I am so disappointed, Netflix really messed it all up.

On the plus side though, I have finished off my fic, so... here is a bit of shameless fluff

https://archiveofourown.org/works/68461826