I love my new home so much. Can I still call it new? I've been here six months and one week as of today.
But I do! Love it! I keep worrying about annoying my bestie because I constantly am sending her photos and videos like "look how perfect and beautiful this place is" and I basically never shut up about it. I walk around every day awed at how lovely it is, and how much like a dream it feels. In my youth—sixteen, seventeen years old—I wrote a livejournal entry about my ideal living situation. "I can live in a shoebox if it has a view," I said (more or less), and in my minds-eye, I saw this place. Like, the one I'm living in. This cute top floor historic apartment, tucked away in the corner, with a view of the city, and all day sunlight filtering through the windows, and a desk where I would sit and write, or draw, or write diaries like this.
And it's real. I'm here!
It's so quaint and pretty and unique that passersby are constantly stopping to take pictures of it, which I find very charming. And, man, don't even get me started on this neighborhood. It's so fuckin cute. When I lived in Tokyo, I love-love-loved the combination of old and new at every corner—hundred year old temples next to gigantic glass high rises—and I lamented how we didn't really get that in the US. And we don't. Except here! This is one of the very few pockets of any major city where the two blend.
I didn't think I'd be able to find something like this in the US, and certainly not for a price I could afford. But I can afford it. It is, in fact, the most affordable apartment I've had in Austin. Isn't that crazy? And I could even go without a car if I really wanted (and I do want. But...well, there are challenges to that lifestyle...).
I have a new neighbor moving in today and she seems nice, too. One of the many things I love about this old Victorian is that it's not for everyone. Someone wanting a rooftop pool and pilates studio and concierge wouldn't so much as glance at this place. But other artsy weirdos that value "cottage life in the city" wind up here, and we're all kind of on the same wavelength?
Anyway, I'm talking about how much I love this place to say: summer is brutalizing me in a way that idk how to tolerate. I'm on the top floor of this Victorian that was built in 1891 and it still has its original windows. My unit faces southwest. I get beautiful, unrelenting, absurdly hot sun from sunrise to sunset. My migraines—which all but disappeared from December to June—are back with a vengeance. I'm so uncomfortable. There's central AC, and it does work well, but I paid $200 for electricity in June, and this unit is 650 square feet. 💀
Summer is so oppressive and cruel fr. I could see myself living in this home for the rest of my life, but fuck. These summers.
This is a test blog post—as in, me testing typing—using one of the four (4) keyboards I purchased to try to figure out which I liked best. I wanted something silent, satisfying (aka mechanical, with real feedback when you hit each key), pretty (aka any color other than white, black, or pink), small enough to fit on a tray with my mouse, and priced under $100.
(I lied, btw. I actually purchased nine.)
None of these four (that I narrowed down to) satisfy every requirement—except the under $100 part. They're all under $100. So now it's a matter of what feels the best to me while I'm working.
Right now, I'm typing on the typewriter keyboard option. It's very loud, so it doesn't succeed on that first point. But it's incredibly satisfying. Almost as satisfying as my Epomaker Galaxy 100 (which is an all-metal keyboard with Wisteria switches, so it sounds and feels very luxe). It's very different from that keyb, though. It's clicky. Like a typewriter.
This one is also probably my favorite visually, because it's so unique, and the color has not been replicated anywhere. (This rosy brown is stunning and I LOVE the brown metal. The plastic case is cheap-feeling, but you wouldn't know just by looking/typing.) It's also bigger than ideal. It's small enough to work, though. Bonus: it has a slot for an iPad, so if I ever, for whatever reason, wanna post up my iPad whilst I work... I can. (I probably won't, though. This'll be computer-use only.) My typing errors on this were marginal. I can confirm it's very satisfying to type on.
Ooh, also, this one also has lights that sparkle as you type. Fun!
This next one, Hexgears, is incredibly different but somehow also wildly satisfying to type on. The keys are plastic, but slick? It's the smoothest-feeling keyboard I think I've ever touched, which is crazy. It's also got a pretty satisfying-feeling feedback with its clicks. It's not silent, though. Not at all. It's actually pretty loud.
It's also the smallest of this group and satisfies my "takes up less space" requirement the best. Visually, it's bland. It's just black. But the body is brushed metal, which is cool.
The biggest drawback, however... The ? key is in the wrong spot. I'm researching right now to see if I can remap the keys to move it, because this position makes no sense, and I won't be able to look past that if I were to keep this one. Even with the smooth, soft feeling, even with the size being perfect—it doesn't matter if I can't ever ask a question without faltering. And I ask a lot of questions in the books I write! My characters are constantly asking each other dumb shit! That's practically my brand.
Research complete: there is a way to customize the keyboard...for PC users. I do have a PC, but I'm not busting it out for this guy. (It probably would only work on my PC anyway, if I made changes.) Boo hiss. I guess that knocks this one out of the race. Too bad.
Alright, we're onto number three. CHERRY. And honestly, she's probably the winner? I'm reluctant to say it outright because I like the other keyboards a lot, but CHERRY hits the mark on the most stuff outta everyone here. She's small (second smallest) and fits where I need her. Her colors are perfect—beige, brown, and pink (okay, nearly perfect. If that pink had been green or burgundy...), and her keys are satisfying but quiet. She'd definitely be the quietest keyboard I own if I picked her.
Her keys are soft/smooth, similar to the Hexgears keyb. Satisfying to finger. (lmao). The only thing I can ding her for is that her keys are not Mac-swappable. There's a big fat (ugly) Windows key. Again, I have a PC, but I will use this keyboard for that computer so infrequently that I'd rather have an option/command key. That is a solvable problem, though, and it's actually very solvable, because CHERRY is also the cheapest keyboard on the list.
See what I mean about her probably being the winner? There's almost nothing wrong with her. AND she was cheap. C'mon.
Alright, and now we're onto the keyboard that's fucked me up. Because, honestly, CHERRY would be the easy pick here, but then I typed on this one, and I'm like. DAMN. This is the NUPHY Node. And it's a silent keyboard. But like, actually silent. CHERRY is quiet. This one is mute. And it's still got the feedback I'm looking for, where typing feels...good? Solid? It's kind of like typing into tiny little pillows. But here's the issue with this guy.
It's ugly! I WEEP. IT'S UGLY! It's gray with bright color bonus keys and it's so ugly. It's also the largest of all the options I'm looking at today—larger even than the typewriter. If nothing else, the size may knock this one out despite it being my favorite to type on, because the mouse is nearly impossible to use with it on my lap board.
It also has Mac keys, which is crazy. Stock Mac keys? Who knew! Sigh. I really like it. WHY. Also, cool bonus: the volume adjuster is a touch-panel. Like, you stroke your finger across the top of the keyboard and it adjusts the volume. Such a cool, luxe feature.
And finally, about the Node: it's the most expensive keyboard here. Go figure.
And the final one I'm testing today. The Lofree Lite. Technically, visually, this is the most luxe of my options. (And it should be—it's $90.) The box it came in was luxe. The accessories it came with are luxe. The weight and texture of the keyboard is luxe. It's just all around a very nice keyboard.
It's probably one of the least satisfying to type on as far as these goes, but that's only because some of them are SO satisfying. It's probably just SLIGHTLY behind CHERRY as far as satisfaction goes. I will say, as I've typed this up, I've hit a LOT of errors. I think the keys are highly sensitive. Maybe too sensitive for my typing style? Having to go back and delete Fs and Gs because my pointer finger grazed them will drive me nuts.
Also, unfortunately: it's pink. Now, it is a pretty pink. They call it Flamingo and I think that's accurate to the real color of flamingos—it's not hot pink, or baby pink, or pepto. It's verging on neutral. Which is nice. The gold rolly adjustment bar is a nice touch, too. And it's got the Mac keys. We love Mac keys.
Size-wise, it's not perfect. It also doesn't leave much room for my mouse. Like, it's workable, but not super ideal. I wish it was almost any other color. (It does come in white and gray, but between those options, pink is the best one.)
Damn. This really is a tough call. Part of me wants to keep the typewriter for the novelty. It's so different from the others that maybe it could just be for-fun. Of all the ones I tested just now, it was the most seamless typing-wise. I had the fewest errors. I think that's because it's not low-profile like the others—I'm used to typing on a taller keyb like this one.
So let's sidebar this one for "secondary consideration." Like, maybe I'll just keep it AND something else.
These ones serve to satisfy my "silent/small" desire.
Look, none of them have the perfect look. Which makes me think I should go with the one that feels the best to write on, right?! Which, going by that alone, knocks Lofree out, because I keep mistyping on it. Even though it's pretty, and the most expensive-feeling/expensive-looking option, I think there are just too many misses unfortunately. Especially since the CHERRY comes so close in typing-feel to it.
But CHERRY and Node are very different typing experiences. The Node wins on that front. Easily. Like, I like typing on the CHERRY. But if I had to sit down every day and type for hours, the feeling of the Node wins. CHERRY's got that size, tho. She's a skinny legend, and tbh, the whole reason I'm even here, testing out one million keyboards, is because I wanted something that fit more nicely on my little lap board. I want to be able to use my mouse comfortably. And the price? C'mon. That price!
Here's where I've narrowed it down to.
I keep the typewriter and CHERRY or...
I keep Node.
Two keyboards for the price of one (like, literally; the typewriter + CHERRY is the same price as the Node, because the Node is expensive). In a way, this is the question I find myself asking in life, too. Do I want two nice options or one very fancy satisfying option? Do I want to order pizza twice a week or go to a nice restaurant once every other week?
And the winner is:
CHERRY and typewriter. I sorta kinda called it from the beginning, huh? I really like pizza.
An update a little bit later: I wound up breaking CHERRY. I tried to swap the switches. You cannot swap the switches. That's my bad.
I repurchased the Node and I'm very pleased. It really is so satisfying to type on—even if it's not the prettiest keyboard I've owned. Being able to write thousands of words while tippy tapping on a soft quiet cloud will work out for the best, I think.
Anyway. I actually purchased the darker version, because the light gray was just...so hideous. This dark gray is preferable. I also slapped on some CHERRY keycaps on the keys that fit it, ha.
Another unexpected update to my keyboard journey: I found a mechanical keyboard at Goodwill. Randomly. I bought it without looking it up, because it was so cheap ($9), and I figured I could scavenge it for parts at the very least.
It's my favorite one. Of course it is. I spent hundreds of dollars testing keyboards but the one lil trash board no one wanted at a thrift shop is my favorite. C'est la vie.
This is a Z-99 with greywood switches. It's both creamy and clicky and the texture of the keys is chef's kiss. [ deeeeep sigh. ]
This is a test blog post—as in, me testing typing—using one of the four (4) keyboards I purchased to try to figure out which I liked best. I wanted something silent, satisfying (aka mechanical, with real feedback when you hit each key), pretty (aka any color other than white, black, or pink), small enough to fit on a tray with my mouse, and priced under $100.
(I lied, btw. I actually purchased nine.)
None of these four (that I narrowed down to) satisfy every requirement—except the under $100 part. They're all under $100. So now it's a matter of what feels the best to me while I'm working.
Right now, I'm typing on the typewriter keyboard option. It's very loud, so it doesn't succeed on that first point. But it's incredibly satisfying. Almost as satisfying as my Epomaker Galaxy 100 (which is an all-metal keyboard with Wisteria switches, so it sounds and feels very luxe). It's very different from that keyb, though. It's clicky. Like a typewriter.
This one is also probably my favorite visually, because it's so unique, and the color has not been replicated anywhere. (This rosy brown is stunning and I LOVE the brown metal. The plastic case is cheap-feeling, but you wouldn't know just by looking/typing.) It's also bigger than ideal. It's small enough to work, though. Bonus: it has a slot for an iPad, so if I ever, for whatever reason, wanna post up my iPad whilst I work... I can. (I probably won't, though. This'll be computer-use only.) My typing errors on this were marginal. I can confirm it's very satisfying to type on.
Ooh, also, this one also has lights that sparkle as you type. Fun!
This next one, Hexgears, is incredibly different but somehow also wildly satisfying to type on. The keys are plastic, but slick? It's the smoothest-feeling keyboard I think I've ever touched, which is crazy. It's also got a pretty satisfying-feeling feedback with its clicks. It's not silent, though. Not at all. It's actually pretty loud.
It's also the smallest of this group and satisfies my "takes up less space" requirement the best. Visually, it's bland. It's just black. But the body is brushed metal, which is cool.
The biggest drawback, however... The ? key is in the wrong spot. I'm researching right now to see if I can remap the keys to move it, because this position makes no sense, and I won't be able to look past that if I were to keep this one. Even with the smooth, soft feeling, even with the size being perfect—it doesn't matter if I can't ever ask a question without faltering. And I ask a lot of questions in the books I write! My characters are constantly asking each other dumb shit! That's practically my brand.
Research complete: there is a way to customize the keyboard...for PC users. I do have a PC, but I'm not busting it out for this guy. (It probably would only work on my PC anyway, if I made changes.) Boo hiss. I guess that knocks this one out of the race. Too bad.
Alright, we're onto number three. CHERRY. And honestly, she's probably the winner? I'm reluctant to say it outright because I like the other keyboards a lot, but CHERRY hits the mark on the most stuff outta everyone here. She's small (second smallest) and fits where I need her. Her colors are perfect—beige, brown, and pink (okay, nearly perfect. If that pink had been green or burgundy...), and her keys are satisfying but quiet. She'd definitely be the quietest keyboard I own if I picked her.
Her keys are soft/smooth, similar to the Hexgears keyb. Satisfying to finger. (lmao). The only thing I can ding her for is that her keys are not Mac-swappable. There's a big fat (ugly) Windows key. Again, I have a PC, but I will use this keyboard for that computer so infrequently that I'd rather have an option/command key. That is a solvable problem, though, and it's actually very solvable, because CHERRY is also the cheapest keyboard on the list.
See what I mean about her probably being the winner? There's almost nothing wrong with her. AND she was cheap. C'mon.
Alright, and now we're onto the keyboard that's fucked me up. Because, honestly, CHERRY would be the easy pick here, but then I typed on this one, and I'm like. DAMN. This is the NUPHY Node. And it's a silent keyboard. But like, actually silent. CHERRY is quiet. This one is mute. And it's still got the feedback I'm looking for, where typing feels...good? Solid? It's kind of like typing into tiny little pillows. But here's the issue with this guy.
It's ugly! I WEEP. IT'S UGLY! It's gray with bright color bonus keys and it's so ugly. It's also the largest of all the options I'm looking at today—larger even than the typewriter. If nothing else, the size may knock this one out despite it being my favorite to type on, because the mouse is nearly impossible to use with it on my lap board.
It also has Mac keys, which is crazy. Stock Mac keys? Who knew! Sigh. I really like it. WHY. Also, cool bonus: the volume adjuster is a touch-panel. Like, you stroke your finger across the top of the keyboard and it adjusts the volume. Such a cool, luxe feature.
And finally, about the Node: it's the most expensive keyboard here. Go figure.
And the final one I'm testing today. The Lofree Lite. Technically, visually, this is the most luxe of my options. (And it should be—it's $90.) The box it came in was luxe. The accessories it came with are luxe. The weight and texture of the keyboard is luxe. It's just all around a very nice keyboard.
It's probably one of the least satisfying to type on as far as these goes, but that's only because some of them are SO satisfying. It's probably just SLIGHTLY behind CHERRY as far as satisfaction goes. I will say, as I've typed this up, I've hit a LOT of errors. I think the keys are highly sensitive. Maybe too sensitive for my typing style? Having to go back and delete Fs and Gs because my pointer finger grazed them will drive me nuts.
Also, unfortunately: it's pink. Now, it is a pretty pink. They call it Flamingo and I think that's accurate to the real color of flamingos—it's not hot pink, or baby pink, or pepto. It's verging on neutral. Which is nice. The gold rolly adjustment bar is a nice touch, too. And it's got the Mac keys. We love Mac keys.
Size-wise, it's not perfect. It also doesn't leave much room for my mouse. Like, it's workable, but not super ideal. I wish it was almost any other color. (It does come in white and gray, but between those options, pink is the best one.)
Damn. This really is a tough call. Part of me wants to keep the typewriter for the novelty. It's so different from the others that maybe it could just be for-fun. Of all the ones I tested just now, it was the most seamless typing-wise. I had the fewest errors. I think that's because it's not low-profile like the others—I'm used to typing on a taller keyb like this one.
So let's sidebar this one for "secondary consideration." Like, maybe I'll just keep it AND something else.
These ones serve to satisfy my "silent/small" desire.
Look, none of them have the perfect look. Which makes me think I should go with the one that feels the best to write on, right?! Which, going by that alone, knocks Lofree out, because I keep mistyping on it. Even though it's pretty, and the most expensive-feeling/expensive-looking option, I think there are just too many misses unfortunately. Especially since the CHERRY comes so close in typing-feel to it.
But CHERRY and Node are very different typing experiences. The Node wins on that front. Easily. Like, I like typing on the CHERRY. But if I had to sit down every day and type for hours, the feeling of the Node wins. CHERRY's got that size, tho. She's a skinny legend, and tbh, the whole reason I'm even here, testing out one million keyboards, is because I wanted something that fit more nicely on my little lap board. I want to be able to use my mouse comfortably. And the price? C'mon. That price!
Here's where I've narrowed it down to.
I keep the typewriter and CHERRY or...
I keep Node.
Two keyboards for the price of one (like, literally; the typewriter + CHERRY is the same price as the Node, because the Node is expensive). In a way, this is the question I find myself asking in life, too. Do I want two nice options or one very fancy satisfying option? Do I want to order pizza twice a week or go to a nice restaurant once every other week?
And the winner is:
CHERRY and typewriter. I sorta kinda called it from the beginning, huh? I really like pizza.
An update a little bit later: I wound up breaking CHERRY. I tried to swap the switches. You cannot swap the switches. That's my bad.
I repurchased the Node and I'm very pleased. It really is so satisfying to type on—even if it's not the prettiest keyboard I've owned. Being able to write thousands of words while tippy tapping on a soft quiet cloud will work out for the best, I think.
Anyway. I actually purchased the darker version, because the light gray was just...so hideous. This dark gray is preferable. I also slapped on some CHERRY keycaps on the keys that fit it, ha.
This is a test blog post—as in, me testing typing—using one of the four (4) keyboards I purchased to try to figure out which I liked best. I wanted something silent, satisfying (aka mechanical, with real feedback when you hit each key), pretty (aka any color other than white, black, or pink), small enough to fit on a tray with my mouse, and priced under $100.
(I lied, btw. I actually purchased nine.)
None of these four (that I narrowed down to) satisfy every requirement—except the under $100 part. They're all under $100. So now it's a matter of what feels the best to me while I'm working.
Right now, I'm typing on the typewriter keyboard option. It's very loud, so it doesn't succeed on that first point. But it's incredibly satisfying. Almost as satisfying as my Epomaker Galaxy 100 (which is an all-metal keyboard with Wisteria switches, so it sounds and feels very luxe). It's very different from that keyb, though. It's clicky. Like a typewriter.
This one is also probably my favorite visually, because it's so unique, and the color has not been replicated anywhere. (This rosy brown is stunning and I LOVE the brown metal. The plastic case is cheap-feeling, but you wouldn't know just by looking/typing.) It's also bigger than ideal. It's small enough to work, though. Bonus: it has a slot for an iPad, so if I ever, for whatever reason, wanna post up my iPad whilst I work... I can. (I probably won't, though. This'll be computer-use only.) My typing errors on this were marginal. I can confirm it's very satisfying to type on.
Ooh, also, this one also has lights that sparkle as you type. Fun!
This next one, Hexgears, is incredibly different but somehow also wildly satisfying to type on. The keys are plastic, but slick? It's the smoothest-feeling keyboard I think I've ever touched, which is crazy. It's also got a pretty satisfying-feeling feedback with its clicks. It's not silent, though. Not at all. It's actually pretty loud.
It's also the smallest of this group and satisfies my "takes up less space" requirement the best. Visually, it's bland. It's just black. But the body is brushed metal, which is cool.
The biggest drawback, however... The ? key is in the wrong spot. I'm researching right now to see if I can remap the keys to move it, because this position makes no sense, and I won't be able to look past that if I were to keep this one. Even with the smooth, soft feeling, even with the size being perfect—it doesn't matter if I can't ever ask a question without faltering. And I ask a lot of questions in the books I write! My characters are constantly asking each other dumb shit! That's practically my brand.
Research complete: there is a way to customize the keyboard...for PC users. I do have a PC, but I'm not busting it out for this guy. (It probably would only work on my PC anyway, if I made changes.) Boo hiss. I guess that knocks this one out of the race. Too bad.
Alright, we're onto number three. CHERRY. And honestly, she's probably the winner? I'm reluctant to say it outright because I like the other keyboards a lot, but CHERRY hits the mark on the most stuff outta everyone here. She's small (second smallest) and fits where I need her. Her colors are perfect—beige, brown, and pink (okay, nearly perfect. If that pink had been green or burgundy...), and her keys are satisfying but quiet. She'd definitely be the quietest keyboard I own if I picked her.
Her keys are soft/smooth, similar to the Hexgears keyb. Satisfying to finger. (lmao). The only thing I can ding her for is that her keys are not Mac-swappable. There's a big fat (ugly) Windows key. Again, I have a PC, but I will use this keyboard for that computer so infrequently that I'd rather have an option/command key. That is a solvable problem, though, and it's actually very solvable, because CHERRY is also the cheapest keyboard on the list.
See what I mean about her probably being the winner? There's almost nothing wrong with her. AND she was cheap. C'mon.
Alright, and now we're onto the keyboard that's fucked me up. Because, honestly, CHERRY would be the easy pick here, but then I typed on this one, and I'm like. DAMN. This is the NUPHY Node. And it's a silent keyboard. But like, actually silent. CHERRY is quiet. This one is mute. And it's still got the feedback I'm looking for, where typing feels...good? Solid? It's kind of like typing into tiny little pillows. But here's the issue with this guy.
It's ugly! I WEEP. IT'S UGLY! It's gray with bright color bonus keys and it's so ugly. It's also the largest of all the options I'm looking at today—larger even than the typewriter. If nothing else, the size may knock this one out despite it being my favorite to type on, because the mouse is nearly impossible to use with it on my lap board.
It also has Mac keys, which is crazy. Stock Mac keys? Who knew! Sigh. I really like it. WHY. Also, cool bonus: the volume adjuster is a touch-panel. Like, you stroke your finger across the top of the keyboard and it adjusts the volume. Such a cool, luxe feature.
And finally, about the Node: it's the most expensive keyboard here. Go figure.
And the final one I'm testing today. The Lofree Lite. Technically, visually, this is the most luxe of my options. (And it should be—it's $90.) The box it came in was luxe. The accessories it came with are luxe. The weight and texture of the keyboard is luxe. It's just all around a very nice keyboard.
It's probably one of the least satisfying to type on as far as these goes, but that's only because some of them are SO satisfying. It's probably just SLIGHTLY behind CHERRY as far as satisfaction goes. I will say, as I've typed this up, I've hit a LOT of errors. I think the keys are highly sensitive. Maybe too sensitive for my typing style? Having to go back and delete Fs and Gs because my pointer finger grazed them will drive me nuts.
Also, unfortunately: it's pink. Now, it is a pretty pink. They call it Flamingo and I think that's accurate to the real color of flamingos—it's not hot pink, or baby pink, or pepto. It's verging on neutral. Which is nice. The gold rolly adjustment bar is a nice touch, too. And it's got the Mac keys. We love Mac keys.
Size-wise, it's not perfect. It also doesn't leave much room for my mouse. Like, it's workable, but not super ideal. I wish it was almost any other color. (It does come in white and gray, but between those options, pink is the best one.)
Damn. This really is a tough call. Part of me wants to keep the typewriter for the novelty. It's so different from the others that maybe it could just be for-fun. Of all the ones I tested just now, it was the most seamless typing-wise. I had the fewest errors. I think that's because it's not low-profile like the others—I'm used to typing on a taller keyb like this one.
So let's sidebar this one for "secondary consideration." Like, maybe I'll just keep it AND something else.
These ones serve to satisfy my "silent/small" desire.
Look, none of them have the perfect look. Which makes me think I should go with the one that feels the best to write on, right?! Which, going by that alone, knocks Lofree out, because I keep mistyping on it. Even though it's pretty, and the most expensive-feeling/expensive-looking option, I think there are just too many misses unfortunately. Especially since the CHERRY comes so close in typing-feel to it.
But CHERRY and Node are very different typing experiences. The Node wins on that front. Easily. Like, I like typing on the CHERRY. But if I had to sit down every day and type for hours, the feeling of the Node wins. CHERRY's got that size, tho. She's a skinny legend, and tbh, the whole reason I'm even here, testing out one million keyboards, is because I wanted something that fit more nicely on my little lap board. I want to be able to use my mouse comfortably. And the price? C'mon. That price!
Here's where I've narrowed it down to.
I keep the typewriter and CHERRY or...
I keep Node.
Two keyboards for the price of one (like, literally; the typewriter + CHERRY is the same price as the Node, because the Node is expensive). In a way, this is the question I find myself asking in life, too. Do I want two nice options or one very fancy satisfying option? Do I want to order pizza twice a week or go to a nice restaurant once every other week?
And the winner is:
CHERRY and typewriter. I sorta kinda called it from the beginning, huh? I really like pizza.
hello! i read your blog post update about your writing journey. could you explain a little more about what you mean by "big stories?" curious about what that looks like to you.
Hi there!
(This ask is in reference to this blog post over on my site, just as an fyi.)
I have a tendency to write "big stories" with my original work, and it's a curse I'm determined to break with my first (likely-to-be) self-published series, Noble Fates & Fortune.
Big stories: books about the fate of the world. Or universe. Stories that feature gods. Stories about infinite cosmic power. Wars are waged. The plot is an intricate web where one action is connected to an outcome that happens 500 pages later. See: The ACOTAR series, Blood Over Bright Haven.
Funny enough, my favorite types of stories to read are not big stories. In fact, historically, I don't like big stories. I much prefer more character-driven, "smaller" books. I still love magic (or sci-fi magic) and almost exclusively read speculative fic, but my favorites are the stories about one person living their one life with magic involved. There can still be stakes (and there should be, if it's a good book), but the stakes are personal, not world-ending. See: Piranesi, You Weren't Meant to Be Human.
To talk specifically about Noble Fates & Fortune...
My first draft of Noble Charms was a straightforward, cozy, non-dramatic "small" fantasy story about two people that met after college, hated each other, and slowly became friends over 10 years. Then that friendship turned to more and caused them some terrible stress (with a happy-ever-after, of course). It's still fantasy because one of the characters is an elven bard and they live in a city brimming with magical technology (ghost footmen trail on carriages, potion-sellers set up stands near the park, etc).
But then.
I got the idea that my two main characters could be reborn gods who loved each other in their previous lives. (I'm actually keeping this element, but it'll never be explicit in the text.) That spiraled into a very long, elaborate, intricate plot about how the gods were killed by The Vampire and reborn as mortals and... It's honestly a good idea. I like this story a lot. But it is a lot. This concept changes these romcom stories from cozy and soft to big, world-ending sagas.
I worked on this concept, this Big Story, for nearly six months before deciding to walk back to the cozy side. Noble Charms is not going to be a love story within the story of the Death of the Gods. Noble Charms is just going to be Noble Charms.
I don't know if any of that makes sense, though I hope it does!
FWIW, I have several "big stories" on the docket to draft. Snowspring, which will likely be my second self-published series, is incredibly Big. I am who I am... But I'm trying to let myself write a lil more cozy, too.
your account name is visible when you visit someone's profile on tiktok. every visit. tiktok will notify the person that you visited their profile. they will see your username. it's an automatic thing that tiktok does, showing visitors.
and if your username hasn't changed since they last spoke with you, then this user will know that you, this person that they know, are visiting their tiktok profile (over and over again).
(you could just follow the account instead of lurking on their page every few days to see their new vids btw! that would be slightly less unusual)
PARENT: I got "rubber duck" for my child's "bath" and she loves it.
AUTISM RESPONSE: Rubber ducks and other rubber bath toys can accumulate mold on the inside because of small holes underneath where moisture becomes trapped. The mold often goes unnoticed because it's not visible from the outside.
CORRECT RESPONSE(?): That's nice, I am unaware of how mold could impact this situation.
Well, it's been a few months since my last diary entry. Hi everyone!
Moving really kicked my ass. It's been three months and I'm just now finding myself in a creation mindset (though I have tried, repeatedly, to create anyway—with some success, since I've been drawing consistently). I also have struggled with direction for my "writing career" (which feels cringe to even discuss, ngl). I know I don't love self publishing as a process, but it's the path I've committed to, and I have second-guessed myself every step of the way. Because I don't like it.
But just because I don't like it right now doesn't mean that there's not potential to love it, and where it will take me, in the future. I cannot manifest a writing agent, a publisher, and a book deal out of thin air. I have to walk into the world they belong to, and try my best to create something that will resonate with people. Resonance is the important part. All I can do is try.
So now I sit here, writing this diary in my cozy little writing nook. It's a small room (9x7 feet) off my bedroom in the new home. It has wrap-around windows and a view of a hundred year old oak tree and the high rises downtown. I built in a wraparound desk along the walls in here and it feels surreal sometimes when I sit down and get to writing. Like, this is kind of what I'd always dreamt of. When I was little, then a teen, then a young adult.
Adult me did it! Neat.
Anyway, I'm hoping to share some of Noble Pursuits soon. I'm gonna try to lock in on a fast draft of it, so that I may publish the whole book by September 1st. (You heard it here first. My...tentative debut novel pub date. Aah.)
Thank you so much. I was legit just telling my bff the other day that I draw purely for the love of drawing because basically no one ever sees my art when I post it... Getting this message really does mean a lot 😭
