#insanemreads

[jojen-hewitt]

For @insanemreads for the Valentines @aftgexchange​ 💖 

I went with the Magic!AU prompt because I can’t resist an excuse for glowy magic effects and Andrew in a big hat!! So here’s half-elf Neil and dark mage Andrew practicing some illusion magic probably at midnight on a rooftop. 

I’m so extremely sorry it’s late! But I hope you enjoy it. 

Happy late Valentine’s!! :D

[flintandfuss]

hmm...how about 8 and 10 for the fic asks? :)

🧡Thanks for the ask, M!

8. What is a scene you wrote that you are most proud of?

I really like the infirmary scene in chapter 1 of all the devils are here. I drove myself crazy thinking about how to drive the action without doing the characters a disservice, how to hit the emotional beats and set up the emotional journey, how to keep everyone in-character and the dialogue snappy, and on and on

I solved zero of these problems, but when I got down to writing everything just . . . fell into place. Like the boys were directing the scene and I was just making it sound good

10. When you write fics, how much of canon are you willing to ignore/skip over?

One of my favorite things about writing AUs is finding ways to incorporate canon in new and interesting ways. This gets me into a loooooot of trouble with canon-compliant or canon divergent fics, because I’ll find myself frantically flipping through pages at 3am to figure out what color shirt Penny was wearing in that one scene, only to realize I’ve burnt myself out and the fic isn’t fun anymore

I’m trying to be chiller about canon, I swear

[flintandfuss]

How about 20 and 26 for the WIP writing asks?

thank you for the Writer Ask 🧡

20. What’s a common writing tip that you almost always follow?

Read voraciously. I don’t have as much time to read as I used to, but anytime I’m stuck I pick up an old favorite novel, dive into a new world, or even take some time to meditate on poetry. It reminds me why I love language and stories, it gives me something to aspire to, and sometimes it even reflects back my own skills as a writer. It’s a great way to develop your skills when your brain is blinking a blank cursor or your head’s a jumbled mess (exercise is also good for this but much less fun)

26. What is the worst writing advice in your opinion?

There is so much advice out there that sucks the joy out of writing. Don’t use adverbs, only use “said,” never use “said.” At the end of the day, writing should be fun, or cathartic, or whatever you need it to be. And half the time stomping all over the rules is what makes you amazing

I’ll never forget one college professor who spent an hour telling us why you should never do *blah blah writing "rules”* in a novel, except ... er, JK Rowling did and it worked out okay for her. But don’t do it!!

Basically, just go ahead and toss out any advice that hangs over your head or makes writing a chore

[flintandfuss]

Hi! 8, 9, and 29 for the fic writer asks?

‘I 8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

“It’s just another battlefield. A means to an end. We could solve your mother’s murder, Baz.” His knee bumps my thigh. He’s leaning closer, eyes alight. “We could solve a thousand murders and save a thousand souls.”

I sneer. “Did your Mage teach you that?”

Snow squares his shoulders. His jaw juts towards me. “Yeah. He did.”

“The ends always justify the means if you have the moral bludgeoning to back up your bad decisions.” 

Fun answer: I'm still rubbing my hands together in sadistic glee over that bit of Mage shade

Writerly answer: I have so many fic ideas, but every time the cursor blinks up at me in gdocs, I’m reminded all over again how new I am to this fandom. When I wrote this piece of dialogue, Simon and Baz (and this small piece of their dynamic) just sorta clicked. I found their voices in a way that felt organic and that’s such an incredible feeling

9. Which fic has been the hardest to write? I already wrote about why ‘all the devils are here’ is giving me trouble, so let’s bitch about my other WIP 😅 I 100% started writing ‘as fate would have it’ because I adore Penny & Baz’s friendship and couldn’t get the idea for them as roommates out of my head. It turns out that is...not an actual plot. So I’m taking a step back to let it marinate. The story will be more tender and tasty when I’m done. (I’m so, so sorry for pushing forward with that mistake of a metaphor)

29. If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose? Wow, don’t hold back, haha. I’ve been ruminating on this one all day and I’m still struggling to find an answer. If push came to shove, Hang the Moon by @captain-aralias comes to mind, if only because the universe has so much story potential left. But I wouldn’t trust myself to touch that masterpiece, honestly

[flintandfuss]

How about 20, 29, and 30 for the fic asks?

Thanks for the ask! 🥰

20. Have you ever read a fic more than once? What is it about that fic that made you read it again? Yes! If there’s a fic that hits all my buttons, I’ll reread it over and over (or forget it exists, randomly remember a scene that stirs a mighty need, then drive a bunch of fic finders crazy trying & unearth it again). A fic that sticks with me usually features A+ characterization & the right balance of humor and feels, but if an introspective/angsty fic really hits me in the gut, I’ll reread it when I’m feeling strong

29. Do you download fic? I download long fics so I can read them on the go (and save my poor eyes the strain). It’s pretty much the only thing I use my kindle for anymore, lol

30. Tell me something else about your fic reading! Anything you want! I used to vary my reading a lot, but lately, I tend to get hooked on a trope, devour 10 fics in a row, then move onto the next trope. If it ain’t broke 🤷🏻‍♀️... on that note, someone needs to write 9 more andreil marriage of convenience fics please 😇