I think I started writing sometime in middle school. Maybe around 6th grade? I literally just decided one day after watching some show that I wanted to write a fix-it fic and that's where it all began I suppose! I didn't start writing things with my own characters until around when Covid hit though. Fun time to start writing, huh?
Are there different themes or genres you enjoy reading than what you write?
I love mysteries, but I'm terrible at writing them lol. I also enjoy thrillers and historical fiction, but again they're not really my cup of tea when it comes to writing them.
Is there a writer you want to emulate or get compared to often?
Not in particular, but I take a LOT of inspiration from the writing styles of my friends and the way they do storytelling, but I love the fact that my writing voice is unique and different from that of other people! It's one of my favorite things about creating.
Can you tell me about your writing space?
Honestly my writing space is anywhere I have my computer lol. I write the most often at my desk in my room, which has a nice lamp, one of those Jesus minifigures, a paper crane and origami lotus flower that were both made for me by a friend, a calendar, and an analog clock. It's a bit messy but it works.
Other times I'm just writing in a coffee shop, a library, or more recently the student center at my college.
What's your most efficient way to muster up a muse?
Wish I could tell ya lol. It comes and goes. I literally haven't touched my main WIP for 3 months prior to coming back to tumblr and starting to get back into it. But I think the most common thing is when I hear a song or see a pin on pinterest that fits a character and I start thinking about said character.
Are there any themes in your writing? Do they surprise you?
There is a LOT of generational cycles/trauma/sin scenarios, as well as mirror/parallel characters and arcs. A lot of found family, Chosen One and Hero's journey sort of timelines. There's probably others but I can't think of them rn lol. I'm not really surprised though since these themes were in a lot of the stuff I read and watched growing up, and a lot of it hits close to home.
What is your reason for writing?
I write because I love to write. I love telling a story, going through the creative process, and making something. It's fun, relaxing, and rewarding even when it's a bit stressful at times.
Is there any type of comment you find particularly motivating?
Literally anything honestly, but I love when someone says "tell me more" because then I know they're interested and it makes me want to make more to give them and show them.
How do you want to be thought of by your readers?
I want to be thought of as just someone who wrote a story that stuck with them. Someone who wrote at least one character that they related to and/or loved.
How do you feel about your writing?
I struggle with imposter syndrome and comparison almost daily, but I've felt a lot more confident and happy with what I've written recently. My confidence and contentment with what I write has only grown since I first mustered up enough courage to share my work with others here.
Is your writing influenced by what you think others might enjoy, or do you write purely for yourself? Or is it a mix of both?
I think I almost always write purely for myself. I used to worry about what I thought others would like, or what people irl would think about what I write, but I've stopped worrying about that and I don't put pressure on myself anymore about it. I write when I want and I write what I want and that's ended up being some of my best work thus far.
And bonus questions!!!:
What genre do you want to get better at writing?
I think I can improve in just about every genre, even my current WIP's genre, but I'd love to improve in the mystery/thriller department just because I love reading that sort of stuff and I'd love to be able to write it as well!
What tense/POV do you prefer to write in and why?
I always write in 3rd person, though whether or not I write in limited or omniscient I think depends on the scene I'm writing. I think I tend to write in 3rd person limited because I like to zoom in and focus on one character and their perspective, thoughts, and actions and have one character be the star of the scene!
What's your dream writing space, if you could design one any way you want?
Ooh this is my favorite. My dream writing space would be a cozy room filled with bookshelves with every book I could want, with a comfy window seat in a window nook with an amazing view of nature outside, a really soft armchair with a lamp and a cozy blanket and pillow, and a desk tucked in the corner with a typewriter, and then an endless supply of coffee, tea, and coffee shop music.
Thanks for the tag, @the-golden-comet!
(And @the-letterbox-archives tagging me when I was almost done here, haha)
Heads-up! Long post!
How long have you had your writing Tumblr/Writeblr? A fast and loose estimate is fine!
Two months ago to the date actually??? Or, at least, that's when I first uploaded a story here. My first actual Writeblr post was me hopping in on an open tag on the 6th of June, haha.
I thought it was just a month, but looks like the summer's gone by in a flash! 😭
What led you to create it?
So, I'm a writer on Tapas! I'd been attempting to social network on other social medias (twitter and bluesky) but wasn't getting anywhere, didn't like the general formats, and uh... I'm sure I don't have to explain why I don't want to touch Twitter with a 10-foot-pole anymore. Let's just say, if you haven't seen, it's just as bad as (if not worse than) everyone says.
Anyhow, I'd seen lots of Tumblr short stories on other platforms and started investigating what it's like here. Didn't know what "Writeblr" was or that it even existed, but eventually stumbled into the field after posting my short story. Thanks, @darkandstormydolls! ❤️
What’s your favorite thing about the Writeblr community?
How supportive everyone is??? Like omg you guys are so sweet, idk how to take it. Also I love seeing how much passion everyone else has for their writing, haha.
What’s one thing you’d like your mutuals to know about you?
Uhhhh, I think I'm pretty open about the things I'd like people to know about me, haha. I never mean to offend, so if I accidentally say something wrong, please tell me! I'm autistic and very dumb.
Is there anything you’d like to see more of on your dash?
I'm ngl I keep meaning to build out my followed tags for my fandoms, haha. The only fandoms I really see things for are TMAGP (10/10, TMA is my obsession. I am obsessed. It is one of my Special Interests and I love it with all my heart) and House of the Dragon??? Except I'm not even a fan of HotD??? So that's kinda annoying, haha.
(Aka, my fandom stuff, but that's on me.)
WIP it Good
Which Works-in-Progress (WIPs) or writing projects are you noodling about, lately?
Rising From the Ashes, tragically. (Because it's one of the LAST things I should be working on right now, haha.)
Otherwise, I'm of course always obsessed with the Arcane Rifts. Then I force myself to be obsessed with Sun and Shadow, though it's slowly growing on me, haha.
How long have you been working on them?
Haha, so I've historically jumped around a lot in working on different things, so these are approximate guesstimations!
Rising From the Ashes has likely had 3 or 4 years put into it/the characters. If you include the Calamity Crew (which overlaps with it in the timeline and originally ended up merging with the cast of RFtA), I'd say definitely 4 years!
The Arcane Rifts has had 5 years put into it.
Sun and Shadow is very new; I'd say it probably only has about 4 months of work in it? It's part of why I'm less interested in it, haha. Less I've put into it and less I'm attached to.
Do you remember what inspired them/what got you started?
Oh... oh dear. How could you ask me this??? 😭😭😭
Rising From the Ashes has existed since, I think, 2016. It started (tragically) as an RP starter on Google+. I wish I was kidding.
To those unaware of how it worked in that space (and likely similar ones to this day), you'd post a starter and people would join in with their own characters. 99% of the time, they'd drop out before long. However, I'd work out details of the characters in the process and carry that info over into the worldbuilding. I eventually stopped RPing with the masses and settled down with a single "partner" who I'll call Kris.
She's the one who stole my docs.
The Arcane Rifts technically originated as another RP starter? It never got attention, though, and instead my ideas for it simply carried over into the worldbuilding in general.
One of the characters of the original starter was important in the worldbuilding. It was not a character you see in the early books of tAR, though, so don't bother trying to figure it out. But, since he was so important, his origins were also important.
The Arcane Rifts started in 2019, as I wanted to make a story building out said character's origins. It was originally going to be a duology, the first book being Gene's backstory and the second being how Gene and The Other Guy's lives intertwined. (No, they were not gay for each other! 😂) It's since changed a lot, and focuses basically exclusively on Gene, haha. The last book in the series will probably be focused on the other character, though!
Sun and Shadow started for a romance novel competition on Tapas which has since ended. I didn't get to finish it in time for a lot of reasons, but I primarily cite stress and exhaustion from working full time at a physically-intensive job. It grew shockingly quickly and I had some fans donate to me related to it, so I'm kinda forced to work on it, haha. Dw--I like it! It's just harder to work on for a number of reasons, haha.
How much time, in your best estimation, do you spend thinking about them?
Tragic, the questions you're asking me--
It depends, haha. I'm autistic and hyperfixate a lot. Also, for one, that's a suuuuuper vague question??? Like what do you mean "how much time"--how much time within the day? How often in general? Idk, man, haha.
I think about the Arcane Rifts a LOT!
I've put an incredible amount of time and effort into it, and I'm in love with 90% of the characters there. Even the background characters have had a lot of work put into them, getting relatively fleshed-out backstories to make their motives understandable (even if not agreeable!), and I love them all so much, haha.
Except Katerina. She's a bitch.
I also think about Rising From the Ashes a good amount, and it's invaded my brain again lately, haha.
I took a step away from RFtA and basically all of my other stories late 2021 when Kris (my ex-writing partner) and I had a falling out. It was incredibly difficult for me emotionally to look at anything I worked with her on, and obviously RFtA was a huge one (actually, tAR was the only thing of my early works she had nothing to do with). Since early this year, I've finally been able to work on it again and it's been incredibly fun removing her stuff, actually!
I think all that is a good part of why I keep randomly getting obsessed with it again, haha. It's like looking at old friends (the characters, not Kris) and being all "omg??? I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN FOREVER??? PLEASE TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!!!" except it's removing Kris's stuff, haha.
I think about Sun and Shadow a lot more than you might expect with how much I talk about not preferring it, haha. I love the characters! Crow and, actually, Valyarus especially. They're both super interesting characters, and I'll randomly find my brain working out scenes between characters interacting with them.
(The problem with SaS is that, as a book, it's incredibly different from my usual works. It's a small cast of Frey/Crow and technically Daleira, while most of my stories focus on larger casts. It makes for a VERY different experience, and so it's a lot harder to work on)
When someone asks the dreaded, “What do you write about,” question, what do you usually say?
Actually, I've got a ready answer for this one! Until SaS, I was dedicating my time to the Arcane Rifts and had prepared the answer:
Percy Jackson meets Lord of the Rings in a steampunk fantasy world full of ✨mysteries waiting to be uncovered✨
(I'd say the "mysteries waiting to be uncovered" part ironically/accidentally mockingly most of the time, whoops, haha. I always feel awkward advertising my works.)
It was awkward when people would get actually interested in it from there and ask more questions, haha.
To clarify: that's my tagline for the Arcane Rifts! The story has gods and demigods messing with mortals, using them as their playthings and being REALLY immature babies because they don't really face consequences for their actions like PJ. Then, it's a lot more "grounded yet fantastical" like LotR, where magic is kinda infused with reality and yet you still have issues like starving to death and whatnot.
Let’s Rotate Blorbos
Name any characters you created. Side characters, protagonists, antagonists, characters who’ve never been written, the first original abomination you ever pulled from your ass; whomever you’d like!
UHHHH THERE'S A LOT TO LIST???
Try this for a taste! These are just the guys I've gotten colors for!
Freya, Crow, Daleira, Valyarus, Grimnir, Soren, Gene, Tazin, Mislav, Adilzhan, Ludmila, Rada, Caspar, Nikolai, Gennadi, Oska, Rieka, Liesel, Carmin, Nora, Sammy, Kieva, Caron, Varik, Elazi, Riaan, Roman, and Tiberius!
(Though Tib is getting a name change sooner or later)
Who’s the most unhinged?
Unhinged in which way? There's a lot of options there, haha.
I'm going to give honorary mentions to Valyarus, Gene in the later books, Tazin, Rieka, Gennadi, and Tiberius ! (Why does it not surprise me that most unhinged characters are from tAR? 🤣 Also I swear it's a coincidence most of the unhinged characters are red.)
(... Probably.)
In general, I'd say that, incredibly ironically, the Existence of Order is the most unhinged of all my characters. She's just incredible at hiding it.
(Tbf half of the Existentials probably belong on the "unhinged" list anyway but eh. They still don't compare to Order!)
Who comes the most naturally for you to write?
I'm going to give this as a tie between Gene and Sammy!
Gene has my 'tisms and just about all of my trauma, so we have a lot in common, whoops, haha. Also there's a... very specific detail about his character that makes him easier to write in general. It's just a major spoiler. 👀
Similarly and actually identically to Gene in some ways, while Sammy has a lot in common with me, he's also incredibly perceptive! (Although we don't share that fact.)
Due to the way I write, their analytical natures allow for them to spit straight facts about the worldbuilding and the people around them rather than beating around the bush, haha. Both are highly investigative, try to learn and understand everything around them, and notice small details other characters wouldn't! It makes it much easier for me to write, because uh... well here's an example of what my outlines look like.
Long story short: I include a lot of detail which I then transfer into the POV's character narration, cutting out details which they wouldn't notice or think about, haha. In Sammy's case (which that scene has Sammy as the narrator/POV character), very little information gets cut out because he's so perceptive!
(Here, as a treat--have another example!)
(In this scene, Nikolai is the narrator. Even the outline gets "filtered" to mirror the characters' way of thinking--like it's Nikolai himself seeing Caspar as "doll-like". The crossed-out stuff is details I most likely won't mention, but noted for myself, haha. I do the same thing if/when including details about the motives and thoughts of non-narrator characters.)
Do you ever cringe at them?
Gene and Sammy?
A B S O L U T E L Y .
Gene is a wreck in basically every way and desperately needs help (that he won't get until he meets Dimitry). As much as I love him, there's a lot of moments where you just can't help but wince and be all "shit, did you REALLY have to do/say that?"
Sammy on the other hand? He's a terrified, control freak manipulator who panics the moment he feels like he's losing control of a situation. It can be painful to watch, even if simultaneously fascinating.
How much control do you feel you have over your characters? AKA, do they ever “write themselves,” refuse to cooperate, or do things you didn’t expect? To what degree? Are some less cooperative than others?
I explicitly go out of my way to add backstory to and develop each and every one of my characters until they "write themselves", haha.
I want my characters to feel like real people, so I do my absolute best to make them as real as possible. (That's part of why tAR is so massive...)
Special shoutout to Dimitry here, btw. Dude COMPLETELY screwed over the planned and intended from the earliest days path of the Arcane Rifts. I've mentioned before that Gene is villain-coded, yeah? Want to know why?
Because he was MEANT to be one! Then Dimitry had to come along, be the sweetest, nicest fucking person around to Gene while he was going through the worst part of his life, and keep Gene from slipping off the deep end!
MITRY, YOU PIECE OF--
Do you enjoy people asking questions about your characters? And do you have a preferred means of receiving said questions? For example, as Asks, as replies, as reblogs, as tag notes, as comments on AO3, etc.
I absolutely love, love, love!!! people asking questions about my characters!!! 🥰
I would absolutely prefer them as Asks sent to me, and especially would prefer if separate subjects/questions were sent in separate Asks! Like, say you were going to ask me about Gene and Dimitry. I'd rather two separate Asks, one asking for whatever you wanted to know about Gene and another for whatever you wanted to know about Dimitry, haha. However, if you wanted to ask a single question about both, that obviously is fine as a single Ask!
On writeblr engagement
What makes you want to follow another Writeblr account? Do you follow ‘em as you see ‘em, or take time scoping out the blog to make sure you align with its content? Do you follow based on WIPs, or vibes?
I definitely scope out before I follow, yes.
I choose based primarily on the personality of the person behind the blog, but the WIPs/vibes can also have an influence on my decision, haha. I'd rather follow people with kind/supportive personalities, and I'll eventually start liking their stories even if they're not initially my thing!
What makes you decide against following?
Bigotry. Moment I see it, I'm on the lookout for even the slightest hint of more and, if I see it, I'm OUT!
(That includes things like: homophobia, transphobia, TERFs, ableism, racism, xenophobia, etc.)
Also, while I include angst in my stories, the people who are big on "I have nothing but bad stuff in my writing and I'm proud" are, uh... not on my "follow" list. While they can write what they want and enjoy it, grimdark is not my thing. Angst is best in moderation and I very purposely control the amount of it in my life.
(Also Kris's--my ex writing partner's--obsession with "grimdark-ness" is a good part of why I'm so ecstatic to remove her stuff from my writing. Yes, I've tried it. For years. I hated it. Please and thank you. Also note that I proudly call myself an evil writer, so it's not like I don't love angst, it's just--moderation. Seriously.)
Do you interact with non-mutuals often?
Yes! I think a good 50-30% of my interactions are with non-moots, haha. I go out of my way to try to support my moots, but I'll definitely share support with anything that catches my attention, no matter who it's from!
To be fair, though, I think a majority of non-moots I interact with are on my mental "probably going to follow soon" list. I can be slow to make decisions, haha. It doesn't help that I try being active with my moots, so I'm trying to avoid growing that list too quickly!
Do your mutuals’ characters occupy space in your noodle?
Haha, depends what you mean by that? My brain is definitely too full of my own characters to have any space for anyone else's, but I definitely do think of others' characters at times! There's plenty of y'alls characters I really like, haha.
Just... omg, my hyperfixated AuDHD brain refuses to focus on anything except for the Hyperfixation of the Moment™.
This was a huge one! Hopefully I'm not screaming into the void with this one, or you guys enjoy finding out more about me and my WIPs.
If you're curious about the reason this is labeled Writer Questionnaire 2... well guess what!
Tagging (gently! This is a lot, haha): @honeybewrites @yourpenpaldee @paeliae-occasionally @mysticstarlightduck @illarian-rambling @.darkandstormydolls (tagged you earlier in the post haha) + open tags!
Thank you for the tags @wyked-ao3 here, and @thatuselesshuman here and @nczaversnick here. Y’all are great! 💛✨
How long have you had your writing Tumblr/Writeblr? A fast and loose estimate is fine!
I’ve had this blog since….end of April? Early May?
What led you to create it?
When I set up all my socials, I wanted to use this as a way to build a writing community, share my stories, and exploring and sharing the ideas of other likeminded individuals.
What’s your favorite thing about the Writeblr community?
How kind and welcoming writeblr is. The community is supportive of everyone’s stories and OCs, and everyone has some wonderfully unique and fascinating characters.
What’s one thing you’d like your mutuals to know about you?
You are always. Always. ALWAYS welcome to tag me, message me, send asks, interact with me. I absolutely endorse the engagement and excitement in this community, and even though I may miss a few tags, just know that seeing you tag me to see your stories brings the biggest, goofiest smile on my face. Thank you for being you and sharing your creative minds with us 💛✨
Is there anything you’d like to see more of on your dash?
Kindness, support, and creative stories. Keep writing, keep inspiring, keep on keeping on.
WIP it Good
Which Works-in-Progress (WIPs) or writing projects are you noodling about, lately?
Your Wish Is My Command is my current WIP at about 75% complete. I have a little bit to share from Tenshito as well, but the latter will have to get majorly cut down and restructured before it’s ready ✨
How long have you been working on them?
Planning and ideas began a couple of years ago. Writing them down? For YWIMC since early May, and Tenshito since 2020 (took a hiatus to focus on work and big life stuff, like moving twice and getting married)
Do you remember what inspired them/what got you started?
My love of storytelling, video games, and Disney. I wrote and published Peter Hart based off of a few of my favorite video games 🏴☠️💛✨
How much time, in your best estimation, do you spend thinking about them?
All the time. At least once a day, if not more. My stories help me get to sleep…when I eventually GET to sleep 😴💤
When someone asks the dreaded, “What do you write about,” question, what do you usually say?
BL romantasy novels. It encompasses every person asking, and umbrellas many subgenres.
Let’s Rotate Blorbos
Name any characters you created. Side characters, protagonists, antagonists, characters who’ve never been written, the first original abomination you ever pulled from your ass; whomever you’d like!
Oof that’s a big list. Let me just do major protagonists/antagonists from stories: Peter, Benjamin, Davey, Ali, Noah, Tenshi, Itazura, Yoji, Tyr, Gustav, Jak, Johnny, Nathan, X, Ollie, and Callum
Who’s the most unhinged?
Peter 🏴☠️💛✨
Who comes the most naturally for you to write?
Peter 🏴☠️💛✨
Do you ever cringe at them?
Sometimes….depends on what they do. I never cringe at my stories, but sometimes my characters make choices that personally make me go “😬”
How much control do you feel you have over your characters? AKA, do they ever “write themselves,” refuse to cooperate, or do things you didn’t expect? To what degree? Are some less cooperative than others?
(Slowly looks over at Peter)
Peter: …..What?
Do you enjoy people asking questions about your characters? And do you have a preferred means of receiving said questions? For example, as Asks, as replies, as reblogs, as tag notes, as comments on AO3, etc.
Oh always!! ALWAYS!! Any method is absolutely fine and encouraged by me, but I ALWAYS love when people leave AO3 comments on my stories 💖💫✨
On writeblr engagement
What makes you want to follow another Writeblr account? Do you follow ‘em as you see ‘em, or take time scoping out the blog to make sure you align with its content? Do you follow based on WIPs, or vibes?
I scope out the content before I follow for sure. Because I write adult fiction, I look through posts to make sure that our interests would align, and that the blog mentions an age that is 18+. If I am ever uncertain or have a suspicion beyond a reasonable doubt that the blog is run by a minor, I won’t follow them (and unfollow if I get suspicious of their posts)
What makes you decide against following?
I use discretion on age, politics, and religion before following. Any homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise hateful conduct gets automatically blocked. The world needs more kindness and uplifting of one another. We need to bring each other up, not tear each other down.
Do you interact with non-mutuals often?
I try to! Usually in the form of reblogs and ask games. My pile for work and tumblr keeps stacking though, so I find myself getting very busy very often (and that’s a good thing! ✨)
Do your mutuals’ characters occupy space in your noodle?
All the time, every time. To name a few mutuals: G.J, Jamie, Gioia, Casper, Tobin, Jay, Wyked, Gina, and Jev have characters that are my current hyperfixations. But there are SO, SO many that are so interesting that I want to learn more!! ✨
Thank you so much for tagging me, you two!! Going to alert the tag list on this one 💛✨
✨Tag list for writing snippets below. DM me if you’d like to be added 👇✨
Tag List for writing tidbits (lmk if you want + or -)
Thanks for tagging me @willtheweaver! I'm kinda late with this but here we go.
I'm putting this under a read more just because it's a little long, but there are only 11 questions so it's not that bad. I just don't want to clutter people's dashes.
When did you start writing?
Oh wow. Honestly I'm not sure when exactly I started, but a lot of my early memories are of my mom reading to me, me reading myself, or writing silly little stories. However, I didn't seriously start writing until I was about 10 or 11.
Are there different themes or genres you enjoy reading than what you write?
Absolutely! I love a good psychological thriller or mystery as long as I'm not the one having to write it. I'll also read a light romance on occasion, or maybe dive into a heavier sci-fi than what I usually write.
Is there a writer you want to emulate or get compared to often?
Not really, no. While there are people whose skill level I aspire to one day achieve (especially when it comes to descriptions, I still have a lot to learn there) I definitely wouldn't want to be compared to them. Inspired by, sure, but to me the beauty of writing is that everyone has their own voice. Where's the fun if I try to sound exactly like someone else? If I ever started to be confused with someone else I think I'd be devastated because that would mean I've lost my voice.
Can you tell me about your writing space?
It's a little desk in the corner of my room. Sometimes I'll take my laptop and chill in a recliner, but otherwise most of my serious work gets done at that desk. I have a window by me to stare out of, and a bunch of little fidgets and knickknacks distract me.
What's your most efficient way to muster up a muse?
I wish I could! Ideas just sorta happen whenever they feel like it. I've found inspiration from phone wallpapers before. My tried and true method to keep myself from drowning in a sea of WIPs is to not do anything with an idea for a couple days. If I keep thinking about it and building a story, that's when I decide to make it a document.
Are there any themes in your writing? Do they surprise you?
Angst, hurt/comfort, and dry humor or sarcasm (not really a theme, I know, but it's always present in my writing). I'm not surprised at all because they're some of my favorite tropes/themes to read, so of course I'd have to write them myself.
What is your reason for writing?
Easiest question here. It's because I love it! I love crafting little worlds and then sharing what I created, it's just so much fun.
Is there any type of comment you find particularly motivating?
Any comment makes me happy, but if I really had to choose, I'd say unhinged comments are some of my favorite to get. I'm ecstatic whenever people say something on my work, but there's just something magical about being told that they're eating it like candy or screaming incoherently.
How do you want to be thought of by your readers?
Either as that [insert some type of writer here] writer or just someone who was a tiny ray of sunshine on their day. I share my writing because it makes me happy and I hope others enjoy it as well, so if someone reads my story and it cheered them up, that's the best thing I could ever hope for.
How do you feel about your writing?
Imposter syndrome still exists, unfortunately, but I'm definitely proud of my improvement over the years. It's not always easy and sometimes I think something is terrible, but then I remember how far I've come.
Is your writing influenced by what you think others might enjoy, or do you write purely for yourself? Or is it a mix of both?
I write for myself. If it's not something I would enjoy reading, then why would I suffer through writing it?
Zero pressure tag for: @ieppiq, @sunflowerrosy, and @space-writes and of course open tag.
Also for funsies, if you want here are some bonus questions:
What genre do you want to get better at writing?
What tense/POV do you prefer to write in and why?
What's your dream writing space, if you could design one any way you want?
When did you start writing? I remember scribbling stories in my little notebooks when I was in third grade. But I didn't take writing seriously until I was around 11 or 12.
Is there a writer you want to emulate or get compared to often? Not that I can think of.
Can you tell me about your writing space? Honestly, I don't have a proper writing space. I should create one, but I live in a small trailer and don't really have room. Most of the time, I sit on the couch in the living room, dim my table lamp, grab some snacks, and start plugging away.
What's your most effective way to muster up a muse? Mustering up a muse is usually what trips me up. I've learned that if I try to force myself to write, it shows in my writing. Sometimes, listening to a playlist or creating mood boards helps. I need to find a calm place before I write, because if I'm too emotional, it won't work.
Are there any recurring themes in your writing? Do they surprise you? Found family, hope, angst, healing. None of them really surprise me, as they all reflect my life in various stages.
What is your reason for writing? To quell the buzzing in my head, to connect with others and form friendships, and to make others feel seen, heard, appreciated, and loved when they read my stories.
Is there any specific comment or type of comment you find particularly motivating? I appreciate all comments (as long as they aren't rude), but whenever someone tells me that my writing evoked some kind of emotion, I feel proud. I want my writing to reach people, I want it to make them feel and think. And, of course, I love it when someone tells me that they loved it.
How do you want to be thought of by your readers? That is a really good question, and honestly, i am not really sure how to answer. I want to be thought of as someone who puts emotion into their writing, as someone who is just a good person and easy to talk to, and someone who is willing to help others. I don't ever want my readers to think that I am above them or that they can't talk to me.
How do you feel about your own writing? Overly critical at worst and ambivalent at best. But I'm working on being kinder to myself when it comes to writing. I don't think I am a bad writer--just "mid", as the kids say.
When you write, are you influenced by what others might enjoy reading, or do you write purely for yourself, or a mix of both? If you had asked me this a couple of months back, I would have said that I was influenced by what others might enjoy reading. And to an extent, that's still true. However, I have reached a point now where I write purely for myself (and my partner). Some of my ideas are pretty out there, and I understand that they wont be palatable for many people. But I want to make myself happy, and writing the things I like is what does that for me.
Thanks for tagging me! Sorry it took me two freaking months to answer it.
Novels. My stories are already long for that word count, how am I supposed to write a short story?
What genre do you prefer reading?
I am not a picky reader when it comes to genres. I've literally retyped this section five times. Please just accept this.
What genre do you prefer writing?
Now that's easy: fantasy! I have a long list of ideas to write about and exactly one is realistic fiction. TSP is the only true sci-fi one I have because it's breaking my brain. I also didn't mean to make it sci-fi but I had so many scientists I kinda accidentally realized I did when I was in high school. I need some element of magic, usually, to write a compelling narrative. I don't know why.
Are you a planner or a write-as-i-go kind of person?
I've slowly become more of a planner as time has gone on. But I also plan and write as I go. Whatever I'm feeling, but I usually need an outline or I feel like bashing my head in. So planner.
What music do you listen to while writing the story?
Songs with words. I just throw on a playlist of random songs and I'm good.
Fav books/movies
I don't have a favorite book, honestly. Idk the books that come to mind are like The Martian and Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda. So I'll go with my instinct.
Movies? Oh I've been debating this one for years but honestly it's probably Megamind.
Any Current WIPs?
The Secret Portal is the main one! Also working on School of the Legends when I can. Everything else is just an idea.
If someone were to make a cartoon out of you, what would your standard outfit be?
Plaid flannel overshirt, tank top beneath, jeans, airwalks.
Create a character description of yourself.
I don't know why but this genuinely makes me uncomfortable. I have to pass, sorry.
Do you like incorporating people you actually know into your writing?
I can't even describe myself! No!! But I won't lie that I have based characters off people, but I always try to make them distinctly not them.
Are you kill-happy with the characters?
I once was but now I can't do it. It's a problem. I don't know who to kill anymore.
Coffee or Tea while writing?
Coffee by default, if those are my only options, but I usually just write with water.
Slow or Fast writer?
Short term? Fast. Long term? Slow. I breeze through my writing sessions with ease. But like motivation and planning slow me down.
Where/who/what do you find inspiration from?
Me. And also the shows I watch.
If you were put into a fantasy world, what would you be?
I don't care just allow me to teleport.
Fave book cliche?
Ugh I don't know because most cliches work only in certain circumstances. I lose my shit at Checkov's guns does that count?
Least fave book cliche?
Hmm. I don't like love at first sight, I'll be honest. Like immediate crushes or attraction I've learned to live with because I realize me being acearo-spec means I'll never understand it, but I prefer slow burn romance.
Fave scenes to write?
Character driven scenes. I like conversations.
Most productive time of day for writing?
Evening. Probably will be early afternoon soon with my schedule.
Short stories, novels or poems? What genre do you prefer reading? What genre do you prefer writing? Are you a planner or a write-as-i-go kind of person? What music do you listen to while writing the story? Fav books/movies Any Current WIPs? If someone were to make a cartoon out of you, what would your standard outfit be? Create a character description of yourself. Do you like incorporating people you actually know into your writing? Are you kill-happy with the characters? Coffee or Tea while writing? Slow or Fast writer? Where/who/what do you find inspiration from? If you were put into a fantasy world, what would you be? Fave book cliche? Least fave book cliche? Fave scenes to write? Most productive time of day for writing? Reason for writing?
@plussizeappreciationfics is a versatile author with multiple fandoms who has carved out a niche on Tumblr. She has something to please every fan, so you need to check out her masterlists ASAP! Yes, she has more than one because she has written so many fics. We’ll get to that in a minute, but we’re thrilled that she took some time to sit down with us and talk about the wonderful world of fanfiction.
Okay, so first we have got to talk about your masterlists. You have a ton because you have written over 450 fics at this point. That is super impressive! How do you find time to write so much?
I strictly plan when it’s time to write, the fact that I can type very quickly really helps me when I sit down and think about the fics I’m going to write.
Usually authors have a specific list of fandoms and characters they will take on in order to give themselves some limits. You will write for any fandom. Why did you decide to do this, and do you ever find it hard to keep up with all of the different characters people request?
I decided to write for any fandom because so many people unfortunately can’t find any fics about their favorite character/person. I had that problem too and told myself that once I’d have the courage to start my writing blog, I’d make it as inclusive as possible.
It’s not really hard to keep up with the characters that people request. I know 95% of them, and the other 5% I just google and search for enough content to be able to create a mental image of them and their personalities.
Obviously you’ve made plus size and POC fics your niche on Tumblr, which we think is awesome. Why did you decide to go in that direction?
I’ve decided to write for plus size and POC because I could never find enough of those fics when I wanted to read some. All the reader-insert fics always...
i’ve been tagged by @ink-and-petrichor for this one, so thanks! raine seems really chill, and i totally understand what she means by just being on her own and watching the stars and feeling the wind on her face in the silence -- honestly, could use some of that right now myself.
ANYWAY. i’ve done this before for Zhen & Lu, Ren, Jia & Jun, and Shou & Teng, so i’m up to my last two characters, and they are...
the Yus.
Yes, so there’s Yu(f), the girl who’s obsessed with work, and Yu(m), who I dub as ‘The Stoic One’. So let’s get to know them!
I’ll be using the set of 15 questions that is more appropriate for my story!
rules: answer 15 questions as either yourself or one of your OCs, then tag 15 people.
1. What is your full name?
Yu(f): Yu
Yu(m): Yu
Yu(f): Don’t get mistaken though, i’m on the fourth tone, like ‘Jade’. That guy’s on the third tone, like ‘Rain’ or something.
2. What does your name mean?
Yu(f): Are you seriously wasting my time with these questions right now? Didn’t I just answer that?
3. What are your nicknames / other names?
Yu(f): (gets ready to walk off)
Yu(m): Yu. Just sit down.
Yu(f): I’m not your dog, you don’t tell me what to do!
Yu(m): Yeah. You really want to prove Zhen right? That you can’t get your ass off of work for even 30 short minutes?
Yu(f): (... slowly sits back done) Fine. You’re convincing her to cook for me after this.
4. What’s your gender?
Yu(m): (holding a hand up to the other Yu) Yeah, I’m male, she’s female.
5. What’s your sexuality?
Yu(f): Seriously, are they allowed to ask such questions?
Yu(m): We were warned.
Yu(f): Ah. Fine. Okay, I don’t really know okay? Maybe I’m straight. Maybe I’m bi. Maybe I’m just someone who’s trying to finish the paperwork that’s piling up on my desk because guess what? No one does any work around here! And guess who’s left picking up the slack?
Yu(m): ... You caught her on a bad day. Anyway. I’m likely straight, but don’t really care either way.
6. Where are you from?
Yu(f): We. Don’t Know. That.
Yu(m): We aren’t really supposed to know.
Yu(f): That’s the whole point, isn’t it? We aren’t supposed to know anything about our pasts. We aren’t supposed to remember. We are dead and all those are bygones now -- it doesn’t matter. You are starting to sound like Shou.
7. How old are you?
Yu(f): I don’t know. But if I had to guess, I’d peg myself as around the same age as Zhen. 21 maybe? 23? Who the hell knows.
Yu(m): I should be older. Maybe 25 - 26. Teng’s still the oldest among us, though.
8. Any special talents?
Yu(f): Huh.
Yu(m): ...
Yu(f): I mean, dear ol’ Yu here has the tendency to trip over his own feet and accidentally slice himself open on any surface he happens to fall on. Don’t judge him by his stoic good looks -- he’s a dork.
Yu(m): I-I.. It’s not like I... sometimes, sometimes it’s like... my feet moves and --
Yu(f): -- yeah and the air comes over and trips you over. Sure. You don’t have to keep up your ‘cool’ facade with us. We all know it’s garbage.
Yu(m): It’s not! A facade!
Yu(f): Anyway. I guess my greatest talent is somehow still staying sane despite living right beside Zhen and her kid. And now Shou too, apparently. People like to say I’m impatient, but can they withstand those three chaos of human beings? Huh, yeah. I thought not.
9. How do you look like?
Yu(f): How narcissistic do you want us to be, to describe ourselves?
Yu(m): She’s not good-looking. Traditionally, I mean.
Yu(f): He only can say that because he’s gotten big-headed from all the talk about ‘that cold, dark and handsome guy’ from the ‘Noisies’ but honestly. He’s standing beside Teng all day. It’s not difficult to be considered attractive.
Yu(m): There’s Jun too.
Yu(f): ... Fine, but Jun is a menace to society and everyone knows that. It’s like, do you want that pretty, delicate-looking boy who picks your pockets and threatens your children, or that ~~ unknown brooding handsome man ~~ who, as far as they know, has no odd quirks to speak of?
Yu(m): I have no.... quirks.
Yu(f): Sure. You know you only speak to me ‘cause you can’t speak to anyone else.
10. What’s your aesthetic?
Yu(m): She’s messy hair. And coffee. And work. A lot of coffee, and a lot a lot of work.
Yu(f): I’ve already said it earlier, didn’t I? He’s that nasty brooding literature-character types that people just love to fawn over. People are just so desperate and lonely here, they’ll grab at anything. He even stands sullenly in the corner of the room! He’s got all the traits down! He pretends like he doesnt know what ‘trope’ he fits into but he knows it and he knows it well. Don’t be fooled.
Yu(m): Hey! I... I don’t... uh... don’t besmirch my good name!
11. Who’s your best friend?
Yu(f): Best friends don’t exist around here. We might get whisked off anytime, what for make friends?
Yu(m): ...
12. Would you ever get a piercing / tattoo?
Yu(f): Who’s to say I don’t already have one?
Yu(m): ... You.. you do?
Yu(f): Ha. You wish you knew.
13. When are you happiest?
Yu(f): When people can just stop bothering me for one second and let me finish my work. And when people actually does all the proper paperwork and licenses for their shops. Yes, I am specifically referring to Zhen, my neighbour Zhen, who lives right beside me, the inspector who goes around checking for shop licenses when she has none. Yes, ZHEN. Z-H-E-N.
Yu(m): Are you admitting that you have been letting her go all this time?
Yu(f): ... No. No, I’m admitting to nothing. I’m just saying, she needs to get her paperwork done and filed. And I have been lenient towards her, because I’m a nice and charitable person.
Yu(m): And that if you close her shop, you might incur the wrath of everyone in town?
Yu(f): ... I don’t care about their wrath.
Yu(m): So you care about her food.
Yu(f): What’s with the interrogation? I want to invoke my right to a lawyer!
14. What’s your biggest secret?
Yu(f): ...
Yu(m): ... Yeah. It’s been bothering me. That day. With Jun.
Yu(f): I told you, it was nothing.
Yu(m): It doesn’t seem like you.
Yu(f): Like I said, I’m a kind and charitable person. You don’t know anything about me. What about you, huh? What’s your problem?
Yu(m): I am fine.
Yu(f): Bullshit.
Yu(m): I am. Truly. Fine. I don’t know why people don’t believe that.
15. Do you have a sidekick?
Yu(f): I wish people just get out of my way.
Yu(m): ... I guess. I am the sidekick.
Yu(f): Ha! Yeah! To Teng! That’s hilarious
Yu(m): I’m not proud of it.
Thanks for the tag! Now i’m tagging back @bahay-kubo @klywrites @insearchof-solace @kidsarentallwrite @aslanwrites @xiuguri @quilloftheclouds @esoteric-eclectic-eccentric @pen-for-sword @rhiannon-writes @radley-writes @kaigods @lady-redshield-writes @dcdarrells @gettingitwrite
