#only a boy

[riddellwrites]

Has it really been five years?

I got a review the other day, begging for an update. These are nothing new, though I wish I had a better response for them. Although the intent is to return, I don't have a real timeline yet. I'd rather be honest and tell you all, "I don't know," than fail to meet a random deadline.

Can't believe it's already been 5 years since the last update.

So here's a quick check-in: - The rest of book three has been fully outlined, chapter-by-chapter. It's really more of a complete rough draft that needs a prose edit before it's ready to go. - Book 4 is in the early stages of outlining. I haven't gotten far into it yet. The original version is my main project, and I am making a little progress every week. It's got a beginning and an ending. I'm outlining it by plot beat now, and have the rough "year 1" major points complete. I'm now going through and arranging it by chapter and figuring out all the "in between" moments.

[argido]

Merlin, Draco and Hermione Illustration to Only a boy by  RiddellLee

[musebunny]

Hii,

I read Only a Boy on ao3 sometime last year and it literally opened my eyes to the potential of crossover fics. I'm one of those peripheral fans who hasn't read or watched any of the canon stuff, but just lives off of the fandom work, so I usually avoid crossovers to limit the number of references I won't understand. But I was on the hunt for a Merlin-centric fic and gave it a try on a whim. Then, if I remember right, I spent two nights without sleep reading what has become one of my top 5 fics (top 3 even??).

I'm sending my ask to thank you profusely for your story (and also for the sequel), but I also wanted to ask if you were alright with people printing and binding personal copies (ie. not for profit) of the fic for themselves.

I've been hand binding sketchbooks on and off for a little while, and I saw a tiktok of someone's self-bound versions of their favourite fics and thought that trying my hand at fic binding would be a fun project for this summer.

I just wanted to ask bc I heard some authors aren't okay with personal prints, so just let me know please; I'll always love the story regardless.

Oh, wow thank you so much, I'm touched! Yeah, I'm okay with you making a personal print. It's fanfiction so like, it'll never become a book in any other way than in someone's personal library, and dsjhalfjla; honestly what an honor.

I cringe since I desperately wish to edit the story (amazing how much one's writing changes over a decade) but it's a slow project that doesn't have a deadline. I plan to work on it in earnest after I've finished my original manuscript.

[bi-any-chance]

yes I’m too scared to say this on my main account but I actually previewed one of your books and it was pretty trash lol (also kind of clearly a rip off of they both die in the end)

Idk as a gay dude I was definitely disappointed

I'm assuming this is about Only a Boy lol?

Well I'm sorry you were disappointed but we all have different opinions 🤷 I am personally pretty happy with how the book came out, and while looking back I'd probably make changes, that just shows me that I've grown as a writer :)

Now as for calling it a rip off? I think you meant to say a rip off of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda 💀 (That book was my inspiration for the anonymous note passing thing lol)

Regardless, I am sorry you didn't enjoy the preview. I know how it feels when you get let down by a book. I'll send good vibes your way! 💙💙💙

Thanks for giving the book a chance anyway! :)

[mqlhdrkhmae]

Don't you ever read a fanfic so good that you just replace or add it to the canon.

Like, the characters take a different path. They are better or worse. The world expands on another direction you didn't know you needed. And it it's a crossover, you get to like relationships you hadn't thought about before. It doesn't need to be a romantic relationship, maybe it's a friendship so pure.

You see so much more, that when it's over you miss it. You really, really do and it's only one fanfic. No more content. So you end up wishing for fanfiction based on that fanfic you learned to adore.

[princesiddie]

youve witnessed a rare lapse in my attention wherein ive accidentally called link a man rather than a boy. for those of u who hate that i do that this is 4 u

[poems-she-wrote]

He thought of himself as a monster, but he was only a boy the world labelled before he got to speak. Because actions define who you are right?

p.s.w // he never got to explain