#mammameesh

[kiwiana-writes]

Hi MJ...I have a question and I don't know your protocol so I'll ask it here instead of DMing you. How scary is your Santa Clarita Diet AU?

I have a very weird gauge of horror that's connected to trauma that I won't infodump on you in your ask box. ]

For reference, I have not seen Santa Clarita but loved I Zombie.

Oh my gosh you're so welcome to ask this publicly or privately!

So, the best way I can describe the tone of this fic is "black comedy". The people-eating of it all is off-screen, but referenced: there's talk of Alex being covered in blood, and the upcoming part three has Alex joking quite a bit about the practical realities of killing and eating people. But the whole thing is treated pretty unseriously overall -- I said in the notes of part two that the MST3K mantra is in full effect here, and I described it to a couple of friends as "Extended moral quandaries are OUT, horny zombie sex is IN". Both Alex and Henry roll with Alex's zombieism to an absurd degree.

Personally I think the hardest-to-read part of it is the depiction of vomiting in part one; if you want to skip that and just have a general sense that Alex Throws Up, Like, A Lot, it's the section that starts with "It comes back up with a vengeance around 2am" and goes through to the next horizontal rule section break.

But I am also admittedly a horror fan so anyone who's read it is MORE than welcome to slide into the replies and correct me if you think I'm misrepresenting anything?

[welcometololaland]

Do you have any advice for writing rivals to lovers?

Thank you so much for asking me this! I never knew people were interested in my writing "technique" (I put that in quotations because most of the time I don't know what the fuck I'm doing), but I'm flattered and I'm very eager to help anyone with what personally works for me, if the people are interested!

I think I would caveat this answer by saying that I don't usually write true enemies to lovers, more rivals to lovers or adversaries to lovers/not-quite-enemies-but-almost to lovers. I mean Alex and Henry I wouldn't classify as true enemies - more like mutual antagonists to lovers - that's very much my niche. I think the job becomes a lot harder if one character has clearly been a massive asshole to the other - I don't really do much of that! But as far as mutual antagonists go...please see below lol.

I think the #1 thing that makes a fic/story like this is PACING. believable pacing is so key. the "detente", the softening, the "oh" moment can't come too soon. I think I love the rivals/almost-enemies trope so much because it allows for a true journey. A mutual exploration by each character of the other - seeing that perhaps their initial judgements and beliefs about that character were incorrect, that the character is likeable (indeed, loveable!) and that maybe (against their first impression) they find that person attractive! SHOCK! Along the way, both your characters can experience significant personal development.

The easiest way for me to slow the pacing/build a believeable softening is to put the characters in various Situations with a lot of dialogue. Make those fuckers talk to each other. Make them argue! Make them snarky! Build the banter! Have one of them find that they actually maybe agree with the other (even though they WONT admit it) OR that they find the other funny. The best part of rivals to lovers/enemies to lovers is the spark connected to the arguing and the banter. I won't be swayed on this belief lol.

Other tips:

1. Know where you want the "oh" moment to fit, and spend a lot of time describing that moment for the POV character.

2. Make the situations a little ridiculous. Stuck in the elevator is a classic. Same goes for a storage closet, but it could be ANYWHERE. They're stuck in a common situation and they need to work with each other to cope with it/get out of it.

3. Everyone loves the "it's unfortunate they're so ATTRACTIVE" angle 👀👀👀.

4. Not necessary but my personal favourite: a side character be a little shit about it (see: Nora from RWRB).

5. Speaking of side characters, make sure you make your POV character spend enough time with side characters. This helps with the pacing and can be invaluable for signposting to the reader.

6. If one character is a stubborn little prick, make sure you develop their character as you develop the relationship. no one wants to root for an asshole, and no one wants the other character to end up in a shit relationship. Remember that the two characters need to BUILD TRUST AND RESPECT with each other. This is PARTICULARLY where it's a true enemies to lovers. You need to make sure you sensitively resolve the enemies part otherwise the reader will be like...why did they end up together again?

7. Make sure the reason for mutual antagonism is believeable, and that you adequately expand on this so the reader is aware of it (even if it reveals itself over time).

I hope this is helpful! Again, I'm no expert. It's just what works for me 💜

[hippolotamus]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love❤

Hi there! Oof this is always tough, picking 5 of my children like this. Okay here we go:

Whatever may come (your heart I will choose) - my Eddie fic about my very special marshmallow's journey of self love and self discovery.

My Favorite Color is You - artist!Buck my beloved

Warm Hellos and Our Last Goodnights - cw: MCD Maybe it's a bit morbid but I'm really proud of this David/Patrick fic

High Like Heaven - The David/Patrick summer camp au that makes me misty about s'mores

Feelin' Warm in the Wintertime - A short original work that I'm always happy to boost

[mammameesh]

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Rules: post the top 5 works you’re most proud of that you released in 2022 (not necessarily your most popular), your top 4 current WIPs that you’re excited to release in the new year, your top 3 biggest improvements in your writing over the past year, your top 2 resolutions (ways you wish to improve your writing/blog) for the new year, and your number 1 favorite line you’ve written this year!

Tagged by @lizzie-bennetdarcy I'm in a funk today so MAYBE this will help?

5 works (in no particular order)

Kinktober 2022 This was my 2nd "fic" in the SC fandom. I wrote it to prove I could write it? I did SO much research on this series in a very short amount of time. YAY For hyperfixation!

Not like a "Sleepover" Sleepover I think this fic will always be special to me because it's my first in the SC fandom.

Trunk or Treat I really just wanted to make a cheesy Halloween fic because I don't watch horror, and horror is hard for me to write. People loved me including Teal Pumpkin and Friends: That is LITERALLY part of my everyday (or every year) life. It's had to put into words how encouraging that is?

Boxing Day Texts I started writing Ruth, and then really liked writing Ruth?

Underwater This is the Patrick Drabble that got away. Patrick has been 'sitting' with me lately, telling me to be brave. Until then, I thought I would tell his 'orgin' story the way I saw it. Underwater flows (XD) nicely into two Wips in that series.

Shake it Off and (probaby) Edge of Midnight. That's all I can give you on those for now.

Five Nights at Rays and One day away. Someone tell this fic to write itself. I actually do think I know what happens in the last chapter. I also started writing it M and then was like Explicit that.

A grinder/crack fic?

MAYBE one Autistic fic. I feel like I need someone to hold my hand for that to happen because writing is typically my escape.

Three big improvements?

I can now write a drabble in about 100 words

I think its getting easier to write Alexis/Moira ?

It's getting (easier) to write poetically?

Two Resolutions

Write in one tense, please?

Write one multi chaptered fic

One Line. Why does it have to be one? Here's one that is on my mind right now.

Bravery is its own reward.

I never know who to tag on these things @tyfinn, @apothecarose, @carolrain, @beaiola, @statueinthestone if you want to play or just tag me because then I can go back and read your fics XD

[rosedavid]

25. Rec a show for me to watch?

i'm not sure what you've seen, but here are some of my favorites i watched for this year:

-heartstopper

-speechless

-good girls

-the dropout

-abbott elementary

-never have i ever

-under the banner of heaven

[hippolotamus]

Hippo, I'm really curious does the tag list work for you? Is it something new? also (present emoji) sorry I'm lazy.

Hi there! I'm kinda new to testing out the interact to be tagged type posts for myself. (I'm assuming that's what you were referencing) I think most folks tend to do that when they're closer to publishing, I just got ahead of myself. So, short answer.... maybe?

No need to apologize for laziness. Work smarter, not harder and all that. I'll even throw in a bonus sentence 😉

“Is there anyone here you haven’t offended yet?” Chimney quips as they enter the main room for the night’s festivities.

send me a 🎁 and I’ll write five sentences of what I’m working on and share one

[hippolotamus]

🎁🎁

Hi, friend! Certainly not the worst of it but gonna throw yours under the cut... just in case.

For all his bossiness, Patrick still takes the time to carefully fold all of David’s clothes, laying them neatly across the loveseat. It affords David the opportunity to admire the delicious curve of his ass, the way his muscles flex with every footstep, and each scar decorating his skin.

[hippolotamus]

∞

Hello, and I'm so sorry. Playlist gave you In case you don't live forever by Ben Platt

We, we've only got so much time / I'm pretty sure it would kill me me / if you didn't know the pieces of me are pieces of you / I've waited way too long to say / everything you mean to me

PUT A “∞” IN MY ASK BOX AND I’LL SHUFFLE MY MUSIC PLAYER AND GIVE YOU MY FAVORITE LYRIC FROM THE SONG THAT COMES UP.