๐ pumpkin: do you have any favorite brainstorming techniques? how do you like to gather ideas for your wip?
i literally lay in bed and act out ideas to myself, have conversations between characters, and write down notes to remember if i especially like the scenes. i like to call that sandboxing.
sometimes i can write things without sandboxing, like internal monologues and setting description, but i always have to act out dialogue and action scenes, sometimes several times just to narrow down quality and rework dialogue and direction.
๐ leaves: what does your editing process look like? how does your wip typically change as you work on it?
i try not to edit until at least a few days have passed (for shorter works), sometimes even more than a week or two (especially for longer works). i read through it or put it into text-to-speech readers and listen for flow and pacing.
i tend to edit for big-picture things first, like plot and conflict. aka, can i summarize my story easily? if not, then i need to work on that. then, ideally, when I'm satisfied with what i have, i edit for big-picture continuity, chapter/scene flow, and i rework the beginning and ending (if necessary). i usually deal with grammar editing during all of these stages, which isn't ideal, but it kinda just... happens right now. do as i say, not as i do, yadda yadda.
โ coffee or tea: describe your OCs favorite place to relax.
as a stag spirit, Exim is naturally most at home and relaxed in any secluded nature setting: forests are its favorite. it also likes rain.
๐งฅ warm coat: share a happy or fuzzy scene from your wip!
Fizzarolli was shaking and overwhelmed. His voice was raw. He was still crying. It all felt good in the moment, and then the drop came quickly. He couldn't quite breathe until he was cuddled up in the blankets and in Exim's arms.
He could hardly stop crying enough to speak. But a trembling and tearful (and very serious) "fuck you" emerged from his quivering lips. Exim kissed his forehead and he only sobbed harder, if that was even possible. Exim rubbed his back. "Breathe slow for me," it said. "One deep breath in, and hold it."
Fizzarolli tried and barely held it for long. His heart was beating so fast, his stomach turning every which way. He knew he was okay, but his body claimed otherwise. This was always the hardest part. And the most rewarding. Ozzie was great at it. Exim had a different approach. Fizzarolli and Exim were still getting used to each other on this particular front.
"One more time," Exim said calmly, hand still warm against his back. Its hand rolled forward over a shoulder and onto his chest. It slowly calmed the restrictive anxiety that was trapped there. "Look in my eyes. Breathe in with me."
He did. Deep, familiar green eyes helped him breathe in slower this time, deeper too. Slowly, his eyes became more and more lidded, his breath calmer, his chest less jumpy and tight. Breath after breath they did together, until it kissed him, and he could finally welcome it back in without anxiety. The kisses were shallow and gentle, sweet and forgiving. He loved those kisses. He loved the way Exim's lips felt, how he nearly got energy from them, healed from them every time they touched him. All over, his body tingled with warmth and afterglow. All he wanted was to be swaddled like a baby and held. And Exim did just that. Wrapped in a blanket, he lay against Exim, purring very quietly and tiredly, as Exim rocked them both sleepily.
Nothing stirred them except the smell of Ozzie's breakfast on the grill. And when they both opened their sleepy eyes and met gazes, all Fizzarolli could say was in a gentle whisper.
"Fuck you."
He said it, meant it, but his soft gaze could not leave Exim for a moment. He was almost smiling, but he was too weak. Exim almost smiled too. Its eyes only looked back into his. It nuzzled his forehead, and both their eyes closed affectionately.
"Asshole."
Exim replied quietly. "If I tell Ozzie you're still being ungrateful, he'll come in to fix you."
"I know." He wasn't worried. Exim wouldn't do that to him. Not right now anyway. It was only the wonderful warmth for now.
Saying thank you was not his strong suit. But he certainly showed it.
๐ apple: let's talk about friendship in your wip. do you have any favorite friend/platonic dynamics? any friendships gone sour?
i really adore writing Ozzie and Fizz's friendship. their silliness with each other comes out in all aspects of their interactions, from sex to everyday actions.
Exim and Fizz also share a type of bond akin to friendship. Exim is more protective and comforting toward Fizz, but still in a platonic and alterous sense. Exim is a really healing force when it comes to Fizz's bodily self-loathing and trauma, although both Exim and Ozzie are good with Fizz on that in their own unique ways.
Exim and Asmodeus are on-again-off-again friends and enemies, maybe even rivals. They don't rival each other for Fizz's affection, but they are cautious of each other at times and both want the best for Fizzarolli. They don't always see eye to eye, and although that doesn't automatically cause problems every time, it definitely can create rifts between them. They're two very powerful entities with a lot of wisdom and knowledge. Of course they'd watch each other carefully.
๐ป ghost: can you tease some wip ideas that have been haunting you/something you want to write in the future?
the fizzeximodeus gang crashing a goddamn wedding.
it tickles me to write Helluva and Hazbin crossovers as well, and i do wonder how Exim and Alastor would react to each other, being deer spirits/demons. somehow i definitely see that first meeting happening at the wedding. but we will see. it's always the aros that explode the world when they meet
๐ฅง pie: let's talk about food in your wip. are there any special recipes or traditional meals? do any of your OCs cook or bake?
Asmodeus enjoys cooking and baking, although he's no expert at it (he wants to be at least competent at it, which he is, but he can be hard on himself for making mistakes).
๐ moon: do any of your OCs have dark backstories or secrets they're trying to keep?
Exim has a somewhat dark backstory, but not really all that dark when you consider that these are demons we're talking about. Exim technically isn't officially a demon, although you could consider it one if you wanted. Without spoilers, a better term for it is "spirit," but that tells you next to nothing.
bottom line though, Exim does have some stuff going on and is not so open about it until it's sure it's safe to divulge.
have any questions or thoughts of your own? feel free to comment, reblog, or send an ask! i love talking with people about HB and my fic ideas!
