“You, didn’t have to get me anything,”
Leviathan drawls out each of his words, dragging it across his tongue like it’s something foreign as his expression shifts. “Because you remembering my birthday is more than enough, so just, you being here with me is a gift, itself,” the tips of his fingers burn once he holds the gift. It felt warm.
“Since to me, you’re...no—you’re my best friend for a reason, okay?”
i hate having to ask for help once again but i can't even buy food for myself and my family lately, we've got many bills to pay on utilities and i currently have no job, we're truly desperate! please if you can spare something even less than a dollar it would mean the world to us! if you can't donate please just reblog this post!
Idia froze before the sides of his lips lifted into a smile that reached his eyes, and though the sight might've been scary for others—the way his eyes crinkled with the light kissing his face made the sight for you instead so warm.
Xiao paused, pursing his lips before saying, "please don't do this again." His eyes meet yours. "Okay?" Though he said nothing else, the way Xiao held your hands was more than enough.
The boy's eyes shut close, opting to press a kiss on your forehead instead because nothing else need to be said—he couldn't understand your sadness, but he knew he needed to stay right beside you at this very moment.
Soulmate AU with Jamil Viper, except you’re not meant to be.
The mark on your back is not his, it's not the same as his, but he knows who it belongs to that it makes Jamil want to laugh—it was Kalim's. There was no mistaking it, yet Jamil's arms continue to wrap around your waist, holding you tight because he knows he can lose you anytime (and it felt unfair because why does a mark have to dictate who you belong to be with? And why does it has to be with Kalim of all people)?
Soulmate AU with Idia Shroud, except it’s not working.
People say your soulmate is the one that's guaranteed to make you happy, and many agree, but you don't. You can't understand what they mean by that when everything you do never seem to reach Idia. No matter how many steps you took toward him, he still feels far away. Especially with the looming door he always seems to greet you with—and there's nothing about that makes you happy at all.
I’ve been seeing a few cases of this happening, and I wish I didn’t have to make this post, but I am imploring all of you, all of you…
Please please please do not cancel and/or ask for a refund of a commission, be it art or writing, just because the artist or writer in question is Filipino. Our current situation is distressing and anxiety-inducing, and canceling commissions will only add to it. There is even the possibility that if another Marcos sits on the presidential seat, Paypal can pull out of the Philippines and prevent us from making transactions with people from other countries. We need all the help and support that we can get, whether through sharing information, through monetary support, and other things.
I will put this in the main Twisted Wonderland tag so that this gains more exposure. Please also reblog this around or even share to other social media platforms and share this to all other fandoms.
I’ve been really fired up about what @renniecirque has been posting about recently, and I want to do everything in my power to help promote inclusivity in the TWST fandom, as well as every other fandom that people write for. So below, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of literary elements I use in my writing that make writing for characters of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, races, and appearances much easier and much, much simpler.
1. Second Person Perspective
Alright guys, this is a big one, and the quickest way to make a big immediate change in your reader inserts. In my opinion, this should be the standard for all reader insert writing, and I’m surprised by how little I see it. I acknowledge that people may use first and/or third person for preferential or stylistic reasons, and that’s okay. But if that doesn’t matter as much to you, then I highly recommend switching to second person in all your works.
How to use:
Address the reader with you/yours pronouns when writing the narrative. It’s genderless, easy to stick to, and most importantly, it creates a genuine connection between the real-life reader and the person they’re acting out in the story! In my experience, all of the best reader inserts are written in second person.
Even if it’s an explicitly stated reader insert, hearing the word “I” used when referring to the reader can create this sense that you’re reading someone else’s experience. And that’s not the point! You want to enable your reader to immerse themselves fully into the story and without feeling awkward or like they’re intruding. I know it may be hard to get away from writing in first-person if that’s what you’re used to, but I can promise that even with a little bit of effort, it can be easily fixed. It’s also a helpful exercise for writing in different perspectives!
This also makes it unnecessary to use pronouns for the reader at all (except when they’re being referred to in dialogue—but you can easily work around it by avoiding pronouns altogether when referring to the reader, and when it’s necessary to make that distinction, call them by name). You’ll find this will be a lot easier to differentiate the reader’s actions versus the characters’ actions. And it also makes it unnecessary for you to use placeholders for names like (y/n), MC, Yuu, etc in every other paragraph, so the writing overall looks more cohesive and professional.
This is also done in mainstream visual novels such as Obey Me!, The Arcana, and Twisted Wonderland. The player hardly ever gets referred to by specific pronouns in favor of the characters calling them by name, and even with specific pronouns, the default is they/them. Personally, I always use gender neutral terms in my writing, as sparse as it may be. Because the great thing about it is that it can apply to anyone and everyone, since it’s neutral!
Overall, this is the quickest and easiest way to make your writing more inclusive!
2. Forgo Descriptions of the Reader
I am a huge advocate for a person’s appearance, gender, and inherent personality traits not having any impact on whether or not it’s possible for them to be loved, especially in a reader insert fic. But descriptions are everywhere—how can you get away from the age-old sea-blue eyes, the ivory skin, the voracious curves that have become the cornerstone of all your reader insert stories? Well, I can promise that it is indeed possible.
How to use:
I get it, you’re used to describing the immediate features of a character you’re introducing, which is expected, and what you should be doing! But it can be off-putting to a potential reader to read that the person they’re supposed to be has traits that they don’t have. However, the use of second person perspective as described previously does a good job of getting rid of that need for you! The reader already knows what they look like, how they act, you don’t need to tell them. By all means, keep descriptions of other characters—they’re necessary for development and visualization. But by using second person, you implicitly establish that everyone already knows what you look like, act like, etc; and even if they don’t, it’s not told from their perspective!
But say you still want your reader to have certain features—an attractive face, a timid demeanor, a charismatic presence—as it has an impact on the plot. There are ways to do that without stating those exact things specifically. Show, don’t tell! I know you’ve probably heard this from English teachers, journalists, and writing advice articles, but in practice, it can make or break your story. Don’t say that they’re pretty, show people in the halls pausing to take a second glance at them as they pass. Don’t say they’re shy, show their reluctance to speak up in class. Don’t say they’re charismatic, show the way their friends’ faces light up when they enter a room, the way their peers stare in rapt attention when they speak. This not only makes it easier for the reader to better imagine themselves in the scenario, but it strengthens your writing overall.
3. Labels and Tags!
While I may be a huge advocate for gender neutral defaults and ambiguous descriptions, I’m also a huge advocate for writing whatever the fuck you want. You wanna write for a reader with specific characteristics? Do it! A certain scenario that only applies to a niche group of people? Have at it, my dude! And if a person doesn’t like it, it’s not your problem; they can keep scrolling. But guys, I genuinely cannot express the importance of telling your readers what they’re getting into before they start. This is the internet, and anyone can post anything—trigger warnings and SFW/NSFW tags exist for this very reason. Once something is read, it cannot be unread. But labels and tags aren’t just important for explicit scenes or abusive relationships in a story; the little things matter, too.
How to use:
Include gender of the reader, even if it’s just implied, in the title or description. This kind of goes without saying—if it’s a male reader, tell people it’s a male reader. If it’s a female reader, tell people it’s a female reader. If the reader is gender neutral or gender is not mentioned, tell people it’s gender neutral! And yet, all too often I see people posting fics centered around an explicitly stated female reader without tagging it as such. It really is a simple thing to add, and I promise, it won’t effect the views and popularity of your posts; if a person doesn’t like it to begin with, they’re going to keep scrolling. More than anything, this saves the reader from having to start a fic only to be put off by the wrong pronouns, and (if used with the previous two devices) it saves the writer from having to add in gender-based terms. You could also skip specific labels and just include the pronouns used when referring to the reader.
Include if there are explicitly stated features. If you’re writing specifically for a certain group of people with specific traits, tag it as such! And if the specific trait doesn’t have an impact on what happens on the story, I promise you, it does not need to be included at all.
I’m sure there are plenty of other things that people can do to promote inclusivity, but I’ve found these three principles to be the most effective while also being the easiest to remember. And even if you’re not used to writing in second person perspective or without explicit descriptions of the reader, there’s no harm in trying it out! If you decide you don’t like it or it’s too difficult, you can simply stop. In the long run, it will only make you a better writer.
I would apologize for this being such a long post, but I’m really not sorry; I could talk rhetorical analysis and literary devices all day. And if you scrolled this far, I can only assume you do, too. I’m afraid that Roy Peter Clark (a renowned journalist and the author of Reading Critically and Writing Well, which I highly recommend) has entered my bloodstream directly, and I simply cannot shut up about this kind of stuff. I may not be a professional, but writing has been a passion of mine for years, and these things are just my take on ways to improve your writing.
I’d love for this post to be reblogged as many times as possible, especially if your platform is heavy on fanfiction writers. Inclusivity will never not be important.
Feel free to comment your own advice or ask questions!
➜ The reader's gender-neutral, I think nothing mentions their appearance, and Azul's part leans towards comfort more than fluff (Azul touches on his insecurity).
It's been a while since you started dating, and surprisingly you two haven't had your first kiss yet. However, that's going to change today when he takes the initiative to ask you if he can kiss you. (Jamil/Idia/Azul/Deuce)
JAMIL VIPER 168-206 WORDS
Almost everything then sounded loud. You couldn't think: the sound of the electric fan running, trying to turn a page in your notebook, was so loud, and the clock ticking felt like it was right beside your ears— yet nothing was as loud as your heart. Its actions were as loud as the sounds it made by pounding against your chest, leaving no room for you to properly process what the boy in front of you said.
So you breathlessly ask Jamil to repeat his words again, and his eyes crinkle at your question, softening before doing so. His words then clicked in further, and warmth began to seep through, a type of warmth that feels ticklish. (You couldn't tell if it was just a bundle of nerves or giddiness, or maybe it was a mix of both). But before you could give him an answer, Jamil had already reached for your cheeks, pressing his lips against yours for the first time.
Which you, of course, didn't mind
(And you realize you weren't nervous. You were giddy, excited to finally kiss Jamil as you smiled through the kiss, refusing to let him pull away just yet. Not like he plans to stop so soon either anyways).
IDIA SHROUD 156 WORDS
Although the aircon was on, the room still felt too warm thanks to the heat emitting from Idia. His appearance reminds you of those fire fairies in the kitchen that would help keep the campus warm; his hair was as warm and red as theirs— but the deciding factor wasn't even that. It was the incredible heat you felt just by touching Idia's hand, his hand that also resembled the color of warmth. He was red all over, and the sight made you feel brimming with love for him.
So not letting another second pass, not letting fear take hold of you and Idia to take back his question soon; you tell him that yes, he can kiss you. And Idia doesn't let another second pass either to make you second guess your reply since as soon as you said yes, the room became even warmer, especially with the nervous yet giddy smile adorning his lips.
AZUL ASHENGROTTO 216 WORDS
Though the boy in front of you looks composed— his hands contradict what he wants to show you. They were trembling, and his hands desperately held onto yours because this question wasn't as light as the way he delivered it. It wasn't just a question for your permission; it was a silent call for your assurance.
Azul needs you to tell him you love him. That you aren't lying, that you don't see him as a disgusting octopus, and the idea of being with one isn't grossing you out, and that wasn't the reason you weren't kissing him anytime soon. And you understood that's the intention behind his questions right away when Azul tries to calm his shaking hands by squeezing yours, or how Azul's eyes weren't meeting yours. So without question, you squeeze his hands tighter before letting go, letting your hands hold his cheeks as you press your lips against his, not planning to pull away soon even if you run out of breath.
You gently kiss him, letting your lips stay on his without moving, silently wishing that Azul gets what you're trying to say through this kiss; how you do love him and that you would love to kiss him, that you love just the idea of having your lips against his.
DEUCE SPADE 179 WORDS
Something gets caught up in your throat as you look at Deuce: a familiar feeling wiggle itself inside again, a feeling you've felt at its fullest when the boy in front of you asked you out in the same place you're standing in right now. And comparing that day to now almost felt just the same— it was like you were reenacting it, which reminded you again why you love Deuce. So your eyes soften, watching in amusement as he fumbles through his words, assuring you that it's okay if you don't want to do it and that you guys could take your time.
And like before, he does a little squeeze that should've been to reassure you, but it was more for himself, causing you to break into a goofy smile as you squeeze Deuce's hand back. You then interrupt his rambling, saying the same old words. And the boy shows you a familiar sight: a lovestruck gaze with a huge ounce of relief; it was the same expression he showed when you said yes to his confession.
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