#as long as it’s one consistent pov of your focus character :)

[ixhkor-and-ambrosxa]

Hey #GreekMythology tumblr, I want ya’lls help on something :).

So, I’ve been thinking about starting this massive project. Like, would take years and years work of writing and research and sheerly finding the time and motivation for. And as I was thinking about the specifics, I thought: why not bring others into it as well? Because as much as I am interested in a lot of Greek Mythology, there are things that are simply not my interests and might cause writers block and my goal for the project would to be as fun as possible. So, here we are.

What is the project exactly? Well, hopefully, it’ll be a long Ao3 series/fic focusing on the individual perspectives of various figures/events in Greek Mythology arranged in (semi/good enough) chronological order. I personally intend to write for Poseidon in his/my version of the Titanomachy and (maybe) some events that follow, if you want a little bit of an idea on what I’m talking about.

The limits on this are almost completely free, all that I ask are that each of your submissions are one POV only (and by that I mean your main subject’s POV). Why do I say this? I say this because that is what I want this project to look like. It doesn’t matter if it’s First, Second, or Third POV along with all the other variants of those three, my main focus is on the individual experiences of these individuals. Kind of like character studies, if you know what I mean. I’m intending for it to be mostly formal but I will absolutely accept crack admissions that I will probably put into its own series to Separate the Vibes for whoever comes by :).

Ultimately, this is a completely open-ended project that has absolutely no deadline. I’m about to go to bed so I can’t go into too much detail, but if you want to DM me or send any asks, I am completely okay with that and we’ll all flesh out the specifics we go :).

What is my overall purpose? Not only is this project made for my own individual purposes of learning more about the gods and other Greek Mythology writers, but it’s also the chance to spread the word of other writers. I know how hard it is to get specific audiences, especially when you’re shy, so this is a chance for your work to be stumbled upon. Each post on the eventual Ao3 fic will include your socials, how to find you, and your other general works on either ao3, tumblr, wattpad, or other :)

Can you participate even without socials or a tumblr page? Yes you absolutely can :). My asks will always be open to anons and I will do my best to give credit when I eventually post everything :). If you want to post multiple submissions or simply just want a trackable (between works) name to your writing, just sign something at the end. It could be a name, it could be a potential username, I don’t mind at all :)).

How do I submit things? Well, the best way would be to DM me :). I have a personal writing email separate from most things that would be perfect to either share a google docs with or to just send a copy-and-pasted copy of it. Otherwise, I take asks. None of them will be posted unless asked or we’re ready to so it’ll be safe to just drop them off in! It’s also where I take questions :).

Any other things to note? I’d really appreciate some other moderators and editors :). There’d only be like two or three of each and we’d have to know each other decently well before officially starting, but some help would be appreciated! Also, I’d like to keep a working ‘spreadsheet’ of who’s working on what just for people to see what’s going on :). Maybe some people can collaborate or it’ll encourage those niche writers to write :). A third thing is that most questionable stuff is accepted. I’d personally rather not handle all those things other than posting it so it might be a while until I can officially accept (consensual and/or graphic) ✨spicy stuff✨ but, other than that, I’ll take any of it (also, it’s Greek Mythology, almost all of it already happened). If someone’s willing to take over the ✨spicy stuff✨ then please DM me so we can work out the details and see if it’s a nice fit :)

Honestly, that all should be it. The main point is that I’m trying to start up a long-term project on Tumblr and Ao3 about what is essentially Greek Mythology character studies that not only allows for mass communication across a wide audience, but also (hopefully) gets some recognition for the smaller writers :). Feel free to DM me or send me asks with questions but for now, I shall sleep

Tagging: @bluebellstudio @thirteen-deaths-later @0lympian-c0uncil @happyk44 @h0bg0blin-meat @sworeontheriverstyx @deathlessathanasia @gotstabbedbyapen. Sorry if I tagged you and you want nothing to do with it, I just wanted to get it out there /pos /gen

#ya know this is the one time I regret deleting all my old accounts :/ #I had such a large (ish) following on my old tumblr (neptunes-sea-of-writing btw if you recognize it) #that it’s kind of intimidating to restart again :( #need to do it tho. i just gotta #but I haven’t really written- #anyway that’s not this post’s problem #tagging everyone to try to get it out there #even if you aren’t interested #it’d be appreciated if you share anyway to get to a larger audience :) #i just. wanna build that community and know more things #as much as I’d love to tackle this project all on my own #I know I can’t and it wouldn’t be beneficial for me #but since a large portion of it is gaining knowledge #why not ask it from others? #tagging everyone to get it out there #also the general tag is going to be: #Neptune’s Big Ass Greek Mythology Project #bc why not :) #but seriously #consider it if it’s your thing #and if it’s not that’s fine #I remember being a small writer so intimidated to find people #and I’m feeling that feeling once again having started my entire platform over again :) #we’ve all got this. we’ll make it work /pos #greek mythology #also #you can write for absolutely any fandom #idc #as long as it’s one consistent pov of your focus character :) #also I’m like incredibly sleep deprived and tired rn ive been up since four am and its nine pm rn

[rainbowmoonstonestories]

A Bounty As Boundless As The Sea | Chapter 4

Chapters: 4/? Fandom: One Piece (Liveaction 2023) Rating: Explicit Relationships Dracule Mihawk x F!Reader Characters: Dracule Mihawk, Original Characters, Akagami no Shanks, Roronoa Zoro , Perona. Warnings: Mention of blood and physical torture, violence, 18+ content (minors DNI), explicit sexual content, POV switching. Summary: Constantly evading capture due to a bounty on your head, you were forced to embrace the life of a pirate, despite your initial desire for a thrilling adventure and a simple exploration of the world. One fateful day, the Marines dispatched Dracule Mihawk to hunt you down, plunging you into a game of hide and seek with the formidable Warlord of the sea throughout the East Blue. However, to your surprise, the man proved to be less bloodthirsty and hostile than you had anticipated. His piercing, hawk-like eyes, shimmering with a deep golden hue, left an indelible impression on your mind, while his apathetic yet self-assured demeanor ignited a newfound sense of intrigue within you.

Credits: The divider was made by firefly-graphics.

Tagging: @gg-trini, @commanderfreethatdust, @canthebest1, @shakysif, @i-am-vita. If anyone else wants to be tagged in the future chapters, feel free to drop me a comment!

Read on AO3

Concerned about losing track of Mihawk as he might return to the Grand Line soon enough, you resolved to embark on a journey towards Loguetown. What you encountered there, however, was a chilling indifference, leading you to believe that the Warlord no longer had any use for you. However, he soon proved your assumptions wrong. Quite emphatically, at that.

Warning: This chapter includes detailed smut! Also, it's LONG!

Another trio of weeks elapsed.

Given your recent near-deadly encounter at a public tavern, you heeded Mihawk's counsel to maintain a low profile for a while. Although his suggestion didn't explicitly call for seclusion, you opted to utilize this period for rest, expanding your knowledge through reading, and documenting your thoughts in your journal.

You found yourself penning about him as well, crafting lines dedicated to the Warlord with a fluidity that surprised even you.

Isaiah, who had granted you permission to stay in his headquarters, observed your intense focus on your writing. On several occasions, he enquired whether a certain man had captured your affections, but you consistently denied his suspicions and deflected the conversation, even as your cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Isaiah wasn't easily deceived, grinning knowingly at your denials, yet he refrained from pushing the topic further. Your lack of interest in pursuing a physical relationship with him was apparent, but he accepted the nature of what you shared as purely platonic with a hint of professional dealings.

There was a time when you found it nearly impossible to keep your eyes and hands away from Isaiah. Now, however, whenever he was near you, your mind would replace his image with that of Dracule Mihawk. And you were completely overwhelmed with mortification.

The reality was, you were wrestling with understanding your genuine emotions. The magnetism that had drawn you and Mihawk together that day was indisputable, but while your feelings might run deeper, his cold demeanor following your intimate intercourse left you hollow.

Indeed, there was a glimmer of concern he had shown before departing, cautioning you to be careful in the open. But a part of you couldn't shake off the suspicion that it might have been a courteous way to conclude things with you, once he had received what it seemed every man desired from a woman like yourself.

On numerous occasions, you wished you had reigned in your impulses, choosing patience over the hurried act of ensnaring him in your allure. Even if you weren't the instigator, you had indeed tossed the bait right in front of him. The last thing you wanted was for Mihawk to perceive you as a woman of easy virtue, engaging in fleeting affairs with various men wherever you went. Regrettably, it might already be too late to clarify that misconception.

And yet again, you were clueless about his whereabouts.

Until Isaiah inadvertently let it slip.

"By the way, have you heard about Dracule Mihawk? The word on the street is that he's no longer in the Grand Line and is now hanging around in the East Blue.”

You almost choked on your drink when he casually dropped the Warlord's name into the conversation over dinner one day.

"Is that so?" You queried, clearing your throat. "What could he possibly be doing in the East Blue?”

Isaiah shrugged. "I've got no clue. Though it's pretty remarkable when you think about it, given that returning from the Grand Line is considered practically impossible for most pirates.”

You managed a nervous smile. "I suppose the title of 'strongest swordsman' isn't for nothing.”

"Oh, absolutely. But get this: rumors say that he traverses the seas on a tiny boat, featuring what appears to be a throne on the deck.”

The mental picture this conjured had you internally chuckling. However, it only reaffirmed the majestic aura you had always sensed from him.

"How can a single man possess such strength?" You mused aloud.

"It's quite the mystery. He truly seems to be from another world. Of course, I always take gossip with a pinch of salt, but we've all come to realize that in these waters, anything is possible," Isaiah replied.

You nodded absentmindedly, your thoughts wandering as you pondered the circumstances. Mihawk had originally come to the East Blue to track you down under the orders of the World Government. What could be holding him in the East Blue now, given that his mission to chase you had been disrupted? Was there a specific reason compelling him to remain rather than returning to where he belonged, something completely unrelated to you?

"They say he never lingers in one location for too long, and those who have attempted to monitor his movements have either been defeated or simply lost his trail. That man is inhuman, I tell you," Isaiah added.

There was nothing inhuman about Mihawk, at least not in your perspective. If anything, he was an honorable man, adhering to the code of the swordsman and conducting himself with integrity. He was a living enigma, and for some reason, you were drawn to unravel more.

"By the way, have you heard about Dracule Mihawk? The word on the street is that he's no longer in the Grand Line and is now hanging around in the East Blue.”

You almost choked on your drink when he casually dropped the Warlord's name into the conversation over dinner one day.

"Is that so?" You queried, clearing your throat. "What could he possibly be doing in the East Blue?”

Isaiah shrugged. "I've got no clue. Though it's pretty remarkable when you think about it, given that returning from the Grand Line is considered practically impossible for most pirates.”

You managed a nervous smile. "I suppose the title of 'strongest swordsman' isn't for nothing.”

"Oh, absolutely. But get this: rumors say that he traverses the seas on a tiny boat, featuring what appears to be a throne on the deck.”

The mental picture this conjured had you internally chuckling. However, it only reaffirmed the majestic aura you had always sensed from him.

"How can a single man possess such strength?" You mused aloud.

"It's quite the mystery. He truly seems to be from another world. Of course, I always take gossip with a pinch of salt, but we've all come to realize that in these waters, anything is possible," Isaiah replied.

You nodded absentmindedly, your thoughts wandering as you pondered the circumstances. Mihawk had originally come to the East Blue to track you down under the orders of the World Government. What could be holding him in the East Blue now, given that his mission to chase you had been disrupted? Was there a specific reason compelling him to remain rather than returning to where he belonged, something completely unrelated to you?

"They say he never lingers in one location for too long, and those who have attempted to monitor his movements have either been defeated or simply lost his trail. That man is inhuman, I tell you," Isaiah added.

There was nothing inhuman about Mihawk, at least not in your perspective. If anything, he was an honorable man, adhering to the code of the swordsman and conducting himself with integrity. He was a living enigma, and for some reason, you were drawn to unravel more.

Dodging the truth was pointless, and you ultimately acknowledged to yourself that your intimate experience with him had been truly extraordinary. His muscular physique was firm, his skin smooth yet offset by the rugged texture of his palms. His scent was exotic, his gaze a piercing gold, and his lips flawlessly sculpted. The pleasing contour of his Adam’s apple was particularly captivating.

One would need to exercise restraint in order not to be swept away by those enchanting details.

Not to mention the manner in which his lips gently pressed against yours, the interplay of your tongues, and his dexterous fingers tracing patterns on your body, externally and internally…

Interrupting your suggestive train of thoughts, Isaiah continued. "Apparently, he was sighted in the Polestar Islands a few days ago.”

Your eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Polestar Islands? Isn't that where Loguetown is located?”

"Yes, that's the one. It's a very affluent place, excellent for striking a few deals, especially with all the pirates that dock there to replenish their supplies for the Grand Line.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

He chuckled. "It is indeed. The Marines maintain especially strict surveillance over there," he elaborated. "I've paid a visit to Loguetown a couple of times; it wasn't too bad, but I always felt watched.”

Suddenly, a thought dawned on you. "Polestar is very close to Reverse Mountain, right? If the Warlord is there, it would seem he's about to return home.”

Presuming he hadn't already left…

Your heart seemed to weigh heavy, causing a painful constriction in your chest.

“Perhaps.”

If Mihawk had decided to depart the East Blue, your chances of encountering him again were practically nil, at least in the near future, as long as he stayed in the Grand Line. It was treacherous even for a fully manned crew, navigating it alone would be an impossible feat.

And so, with Isaiah fast asleep in his room that subsequent night, you scrutinized the East Blue map by the light of a lantern. Isaiah's abode was situated near Mirror Ball Island, which meant you were not too far off from Loguetown, though reaching it would still take some time. For all you knew, Mihawk could have already departed and journeyed to the Grand Line, or he could potentially leave long before you managed to get to Polestar.

However, that wasn't the sole issue.

Considering your current predicament, going to a city heavily patrolled by the Marines might not be the wisest course of action. With a large number of pirates docking there simultaneously, they might be too preoccupied to detect your presence if you wore a convincing disguise. But were you truly prepared to gamble with your safety, especially after all the measures you had taken to preserve your life?

While being a wanted pirate put you at risk everywhere you went, Loguetown was the epitome of venturing into the lion's den. What could you possibly hope to achieve by seeking out Dracule Mihawk, especially when he likely only viewed you as a fleeting amusement?

You were bereft of any assurances; there was no guarantee that you would find him there or even if he would show any interest in seeing you.

Yet, by some unfathomable logic, you found yourself incapable of stifling the longing to see him once more. Maybe for the last time before he disappeared into the vast expanse of the Grand Line.

Undoubtedly, it was a seemingly terrible idea, one that could possibly evolve into a wellspring of remorse. But the constant pursuit and hiding had exhausted you, with the ever-present threat of a blade at your throat each time you ventured out. If obtaining strength was the requisite sacrifice for the liberty to journey and endure, then you were prepared to take any measures necessary.

The next day, your sea route was set, the disguise ready and neatly tucked into your bag. You purposely left Isaiah oblivious about your destination, fostering uncertainty about your intended journey's conclusion.

Under a cloudless sky and across a peaceful sea, your ship subtly rocked as you progressed. There was an unmistakable unease within you concerning the endeavor you were embarking on. The risks were great - there was not only the possibility of completely missing Mihawk but also a substantial hazard of being apprehended again, and potentially, confronting execution.

You were gambling everything on a man you had been with only once and knew little about, a man who probably didn't regard you with the same high esteem. So, why were you devoting your time to this undertaking? Why would you expose yourself to such danger just for another chance to see him?

If your family and friends had been aware of what you were doing, they would have berated you for your thoughtless and utterly reckless behavior.

Becoming a wanted criminal meant that you were solely reliant on your own judgment, making your decisions in isolation, devoid of any guidance. Prior to setting sail into the open sea, each of your steps was accompanied by your loved ones. They had been there throughout your growth and maturation process, providing comfort, imparting lessons, and lending support.

You had it all, truly, yet somehow it didn't seem sufficient. It never was. Because you were looking for something more, something capable of disrupting your humdrum existence.

You led a prosperous life, encircled by people you cherished, bustling about in the family tavern. Admiring the glistening sea from a distance frequently felt like one of life's grandest joys, yet it was laced with a touch of sadness. Doing the same tasks repetitively for years had started to feel incredibly stifling, and the tales from customers only fueled your curiosity about the world beyond your homeland. Something was beckoning you, and you felt compelled to heed its call.

You had taught yourself navigation, and even trained to become a competent fighter, using weapons you barely knew how to wield. Despite the hardship of being robbed, seized by the marines, tortured, and pursued, those trials had given you something valuable in return. You had evolved, matured even more, and discovered a wellspring of courage within yourself that you never knew existed.

Although you could hardly recognize the person you had become, there was a sense of pride in what you had achieved.

And now, as you stared at the map unfurled on the table in front of the couch, you couldn't help but laugh at the paradox of your predicament. You had been the one evading Mihawk, and now, you were embarking on a quest to seek him out.

The day your ship docked at Loguetown, your heart pounded so fiercely that it felt difficult to swallow. You slipped into the outfit you had meticulously prepared—baggy trousers, sturdy boots, a couple of leather belts, heavy gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt that was intentionally a bit worn. In an effort to further conceal your feminine features, you wrapped your chest with bandages to suppress the contours of your bust. Your hair was tucked away into a bandana, large enough to envelope your entire head.

Using makeup strategically, you simulated dirt smeared on your face. As your reflection stared back at you from the oval mirror, you felt confident that any observer would perceive you as a young lad.

As long as you sidestepped any potential trouble, maintained a low profile, and kept a considerable distance from the marines, there was a possibility for you to leave Loguetown without any harm done.

For a solid two hours, you practiced the appropriate speeches, and gestures, perfecting the craft of convincingly masquerading as a cabin boy. The moment you entered the city, you let yourself stride forward and absorb its vistas.

Truth be told, as you crossed the threshold under the 'Loguetown' sign, you were seized by a wave of exhilaration. After all, you had arrived at the most renowned place in the entire region, the very spot where the legendary Gold D. Roger met his end. You hadn't been particularly interested in pirates and their storied past, at least not until you left your homeland.

With a bounty now associated with your name, you had to submerge into the role, to a certain extent, emulating their attitude. You held no interest in the pursuit of the One Piece or the allure of reaching the Grand Line, yet you could not deny the captivating charm of the tales spun around these pursuits. They were nothing short of fantastically entertaining.

To say that Loguetown was beautiful would be a gross understatement. Its robust architecture was breathtaking, exhibiting perfect alignment and perpendicularity in its porches. You even managed to visit the very place where the former King of Pirates had been executed, joining a throng of curious tourists staring in awe at the barren scaffold. The plaza was incredibly expansive, far exceeding the scale you had seen in pictures and conjured in your imagination.

As you ambled through the town, you crossed paths with several marines on various streets, but none of them appeared to pay you any heed. You made pit stops at the numerous shops sprinkled throughout the many corners, amassing fresh supplies for your voyage and acquiring a selection of intriguing collectibles as mementos of your visit. You dared not try on the array of gorgeous clothing articles on display, as doing so risked compromising your disguise and revealing your true identity.

Discovering a wall plastered with wanted posters, you promptly identified yours amidst the myriad of other displayed names. Cautiously ensuring you weren't observed, you scanned your surroundings and bided your time for the perfect moment to act. With a quick, practiced movement, you tore off the poster and crammed it into your bag, walking away with your well-rehearsed masculine gait.

As dinner time neared and your stomach issued a growling protest, you decided it was time to treat yourself to a well-deserved break. You secured an open spot at a table beside the window, placing an order for a refreshing beverage and your favored dish. Things were proceeding so seamlessly that you began to wonder when the next hiccup would inevitably surface. Moreover, the primary purpose of your visit to Loguetown had not yet been fully verified.

Just as you were on the brink of giving up, a voice behind you uttered something that instantly perked up your ears.

"I'm tellin' ya lads, that Warlord's gonna lose his precious title sooner than he thinks. And that ain't all.”

Warlord…

His companions let out a robust laugh. "You sure are a brave one, captain.”

"Sure am," the man responded with confidence. "You think I'd skedaddle if I met him face to face? I know he's here, lurking somewhere. And the moment I lay eyes on him, hah! I'll claim the title of the world's strongest swordsman.”

Did he truly think he was strong enough to conquer the formidable Hawk-eye? You didn't need to glance at him to know he was signing his own death warrant.

Your lips spread into a joyful, amused grin. "Good luck with that."

You hadn't meant to provoke him, and indeed, your comment had inadvertently emerged a tad louder than you had intended. You couldn't resist, the compulsion to deride his arrogance coursing through your veins.

Why couldn't you just keep to your own affairs?

"What the hell did you just say?" the man retorted sharply.

Well, it was too late to retract your words now.

Taking a deep breath, you swiveled in your chair, draping your right arm over the backrest and spreading your legs in a casual, masculine posture.

"I wished you luck, mate," you answered, lowering your voice. "We're talking about Dracule Mihawk here. Haven't you heard the tales they spin about him?"

Now that you caught sight of his face, you knew your suspicion was accurate. The sword in his holster paled in comparison to Mihawk's blade.

The pirate's face split into a madman's grin. "Why, are you scared? Can't blame ya, lad. A scrawny runt like you surely has a long journey ahead.”

You arched an eyebrow at the taunting crew, eyeing them all with a hint of pity. "I certainly have no intention of getting bisected prematurely.”

"Aww, did you hear that? The little whelp is playing chicken.”

The more they cackled at your expense, the greater your pride swelled at the success of your disguise.

"Where's your mommy, kiddo? Did you get lost?"

You shrugged nonchalantly, crossing your left ankle over your right knee. "Nah. I'm just sitting here, savoring my meal, and conjuring up the image of your pathetic face at the moment of your defeat. That is, assuming your head will still be attached to your neck.”

Shit.

You had to curb your tongue given the sharpness of your reply, which predictably ignited a flame of anger on the pirate's face. The captain rose menacingly, peering down at you with furrowed brows and eyes ablaze.

It was crucial for you to steer clear of any potential trouble, and baiting that pirate was nothing short of inviting it.

“You little-”

Fortunately, his attention was diverted by another member of his crew who rushed in, hastily murmuring something into his ear. You watched as his expression morphed from one of contempt to satisfaction, his pupils expanding and gleaming in the warm tavern lighting.

"Heh, it's your lucky day," he declared. "Seems like I've got something more important to attend to.”

He gripped the hilt of his sword, still sheathed at his side, and tossed a handful of coins onto the table to cover the crew's drinks. "I've got a Warlord to take down, and a title to seize.”

Upon hearing that, your back stiffened and your eyes widened in surprise. You needed to make your decision promptly, grabbing the chance before it slipped away.

He knew where to find Mihawk, which implied you needed him.

Without allowing yourself a moment to think it over, you too laid down money next to your empty plate and pushed back your chair. Before the pirates could disappear from your sight, you bolted after them through the tavern's door, shouting at the top of your lungs with such force that you could practically feel your throat chafing. Masking your true vocal pitch proved to be harder than anything you had ever done.

“Wait!”

The men stopped and pivoted to face you, the captain examining you with a disinterested look. "What do you want?”

You were stringing together one audacious move after another, and this time, you needed to choose your words cautiously to avoid exacerbating the situation.

"Let me accompany you," you proposed. "I'd like to witness the fight firsthand.”

"And why should I allow you to tag along? Go back to your baby bottle and head to bed," he said dismissively.

Once again, you brushed off the sniggers and jeers from his crew, pressing your lips together and bowing before them.

"My apologies, sir, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm just a cabin boy... I've got a lot to learn.”

Yikes, your performance was so believable that it made you wince.

"The truth is, I aspire to be a formidable pirate one day, just like you," you fabricated. "But they don't let me do much on board, you see. All I do is scrub the deck and serve food. No one takes me seriously.”

If there was one thing you had gleaned about these individuals, it was their love for flattery, as it served to amplify their egos. In fact, the captain appeared notably gratified as you dared to peek up without breaking your bow.

Scratching his stubbled chin and pursing his lips to one side, he mused, "Well, your mommy did teach you some good manners, after all.”

You rolled your eyes, clenching your fists and beginning to feel a dull ache in your back.

"I s'pose I could let you watch. After all, there's no better lesson than witnessing a good combat.”

Ugh, thank the heavens.

"C'mon lad, move that puny backside of yours and keep up. Or else I'll leave ya behind.”

“Yes sir!”

You quickly moved toward the compact group of pirates, placing yourself squarely behind the captain, resting your hands in your trouser pockets. It was all too simple to lose sight of the role you were supposed to play, reason why you exerted every effort to shroud your feminine persona. They were oblivious, giving you friendly pats and sharing unasked-for advice on how to court a lady. The thought of their reactions, should they discover the secret you were disguising beneath your clothes, was something you could only speculate about.

You were uncertain of your destination. The crew ambled through the city, navigating hidden paths and narrow alleys, until urbanity was nearly out of sight. As you ventured further, you neared the second section of the archipelago, a natural enclave encircled by the soothing whisper of the ocean.

This was hardly surprising as Mihawk appeared to be quite a private person, showing no particular affinity for large gatherings.

The captain incessantly voiced his strong desire to claim the Warlord's title for himself. He sought to inspire fear in his adversaries and carry out illicit operations without the nuisance of marine intervention. Should he triumph over Mihawk on the battlefield, he could aspire to usurp his position and negotiate a pact with the world government.

You had to force yourself to hold your tongue to refrain from voicing your rebuttals, as you walked alongside the pirates in silence, harboring a deep-seated conviction that they might not survive this adventure.

Your primary focus was on the path you were treading, committing every twist and turn to memory.

The captain halted so suddenly that you collided with his back, causing a mild pain to shoot through your nose. You rubbed the affected area to alleviate the stinging sensation, your eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as you emitted a soft grunt.

And then, the pirate spoke, his voice haughty as he addressed someone who was lying down in the sand some distance away.

"Heh, look at you, lounging so comfortably atop your damn pedestal.”

You shifted to the side, striving to get a clear view of the man's target. True to expectation, Dracule Mihawk was sprawled out in a large, vacant space in front of a rudimentary bonfire. One arm served as a cushion behind his head while the big hat covered his face.

You swallowed, your heart pounding unyieldingly at the mere sight of the man you were looking for. Mihawk appeared unperturbed and relaxed, barely stirring in response to the pirate's words.

"I challenge ya, Warlord. Engage me in combat, and let's determine who truly merits the title of the most formidable swordsman to ever exist!”

Mihawk raised the brim of his hat using his middle and forefinger, offering a sideways glance, his lips pulled into a discernible frown. He let the hat fall back into place, then gracefully elevated himself into a sitting posture.

He didn't even need to utter a word; it was evident that he had been enjoying a peaceful nap, one that the fool had chosen to disrupt.

"Lazing around, are we?" The pirate continued his taunt. "My apologies, princess.”

Your teeth gritted in growing anger, despite none of the vitriol being directed at you.

Slowly, with an elegance that was distinctly threatening, the Warlord rose to his feet, gripping his sword as he did so.

"Another insect aspiring to be crushed, I see.”

You stifled the laugh that instantly bubbled up in your throat, upon hearing Mihawk's casual, calm, yet distinctly derisive tone.

"Wha- I am no insect, you bastard!" The pirate's voice rose several octaves. "And I'm here to prove it!”

You were forced to step back to evade his elbow, which swung dangerously close to your cheekbone as he drew his sword from its scabbard. The entire crew rallied around their captain, and you prudently moved aside, folding your arms and assuming the pose of an intrigued spectator.

"Have it your way," Mihawk declared, effortlessly raising his dark blade as if it were weightless.

Everything unfolded so rapidly that your mind struggled to keep up. The captain lunged at his adversary, his blade cutting through the air and missing its mark with every strike, while Mihawk evaded them with ease. The Warlord's sword wasn't even raised; it hung loosely in his hand.

Eventually, Mihawk used the giant sword to parry a strike and thrust the pirate back with such force that the man skidded several feet away. Mihawk had barely moved, and no pressure had been applied to the weapon. It was as though he was wielding a psychic assault.

Yet, the man proved to be quite resilient, adamantly refusing to back down in the face of his obvious disadvantage. He attempted another attack, seeking to outflank Mihawk, only to be tossed aside like a ragdoll, spiraling through the air before landing heavily on his back.

Eventually, the other pirates joined the fray, assisting their captain to his feet and brandishing their own weapons. Guns, rifles, blades of varying lengths. Yet nothing managed to even graze Mihawk as he deftly parried every bullet, every slash, every kick or punch.

You leaned against a tree, a smug expression on your face as you observed the spectacle unfolding before you, anticipating an imminent retreat. One of Mihawk's assailants was launched so high that he was literally propelled off the cliff, his scream reverberating over a considerable distance until the distinct splash indicated his inevitable plunge into the water.

Finally, wearied by the racket and thoroughly bored, Mihawk lifted his sword above his head and struck the ground with such force that the entire area quaked and roared, causing you to stagger on your feet. As comedic as it appeared, the entire crew was sent sprawling in the sand, the sound of cracking bones reverberating in your ears. One by one, they rose on shaky legs, clutching at bleeding noses or broken limbs. As the crewmates began to flee for their lives, the captain mustered the strength to point a trembling finger in Mihawk's direction.

"I-it's not over, Warlord," he stammered out a threat. "Soon, you wretched bastard. Soon, you will be wiped from the face of this earth!”

Mihawk offered no response, merely gazing at the man without a hint of concern, and returning his sword to its place on his back. The pirate, now isolated, whimpered and staggered through the vegetation and rocks, nearly colliding with a tree due to his unsteady footing.

In the end, their conditions were much better than your predictions.

Silence surrounded you as you shifted your attention back to Mihawk, who was evidently studying you thoughtfully now. Your eyes locked, and for a few moments, you found yourselves in a mutual, contemplative stare, enveloped in absolute quiet.

You unfolded your arms, pushing off from the tree and daring to walk toward where he stood. Mihawk watched you, tilting his head slightly to the side, clearly recognizing something familiar about you.

In his presence, there was no need to maintain your false identity. So, you halted before him, mere inches separating your face from his.

Without so much as blinking, he reached for the bandana you were wearing, catching the edge of the cloth above your forehead and pushing it back. Gradually, your hair was set free, cascading down from its restraint.

He looked at you, holding the still-knotted bandana in his closed hand.

"Fancy meeting you here," you declared, a grin spreading across your face.

His lips thinned as he exhaled through his nose, handing you the piece of cloth and stepping back. "What brings you to Loguetown?”

His lack of apparent joy at seeing you caused a painful squeeze in your chest.

"I've made a deal with a merchant in Syrup Village, and I heard that what he's looking for can only be found in this place.”

The speed at which you could fabricate a plausible tale was quite impressive, if you did say so yourself.

"I highly doubt that you'll find anything in this part of the island.”

Right, that wouldn't justify why you arrived there with those pirates. You had to come up with another convincing explanation.

And you did.

"I overheard them talking. That pirate mentioned that he wanted to duel with you, and I thought it would be fun to watch. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Mh.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“Should I not?”

“I have no reason to lie.”

Mihawk continued to stare at you, his liquid gold eyes seeming to penetrate your very soul.

"This is not a safe place for you," he stated plainly.

“Hence the disguise.”

"You would need more than that.”

"I've been wandering around for half a day and no one has been the wiser.”

“I have.”

“You don’t count.”

While it was unclear whether he derived any enjoyment from this verbal sparring, you found it quite amusing.

"Why?" He inquired.

"I didn't even try with you. And besides, you are you. They don't bestow the title 'hawk-eyes' on the basis of mere whimsy, do they?”

“Point taken.”

You chuckled, running a hand through your hair to smooth it out. Mihawk cast a glance at the setting sun on the horizon, its beautiful orange hues highlighting the perfect contours of his nose, lips, and chin. In a way, it felt like a recurring scene, a déjà vu, something you found yourself experiencing repeatedly with him.

You undid the bandana's knot and tied it around your wrist for safekeeping. You also took off your gloves, tossing them into your bag, when amidst the multitude of supplies you had acquired, something caught your eye.

The flask of Loguetown's finest wine.

You retrieved the bottle and removed the cap, making yourself comfortable on the sandy terrain, not too far from the cliff's edge to fully appreciate the view. You could feel Mihawk's watchful scrutiny, observing you in silence, yet making no move to join you.

While not entirely surprising, his overt show of indifference was disappointing and difficult to endure.

"I'm genuinely surprised to see you," you confessed, attempting to spark a conversation. "I thought you had returned to the Grand Line by now.”

You heard the sound of his footsteps behind you, his coat rustling in the breeze. He returned to his previous spot by the fire, reclining on one side. "I have a few matters to attend to.”

For a moment, you were gripped by the notion that even your presence there might be immensely bothersome to him.

You took a hearty swig of wine, your jaw tightening. You didn't want to think of him as just another man, playing with your emotions only to cast you aside when you ceased to be useful to him. Was his act of saving your life previously just a ploy to secure adequate compensation for his service?

If that were the case, Mihawk might be a man of honor on the battleground, but as a person, he would be undeserving of any praise.

You did your best to deny it.

"Is that so? Are the marines constantly breathing down your neck?”

You waited, listening to the crackling sound of the fire as he stared into the flames, seemingly entranced.

“Sometimes.”

You could feel your blood boiling, coursing through your veins like lava, corroding your nerves.

"Is this a regular occurrence? Having to fend off pirates who aspire to claim your title?”

Mihawk merely moved his eyes, but within a second, his attention was refocused back to the fire. "More frequently than I'd prefer.”

You had feared this could happen – that he might stop sparing even a single word for you unless absolutely required. But now, with the confirmation of his aloofness towards you, the only thing you wanted to do was to withdraw, overcome by shame.

You were an adult woman, and never before had you succumbed so rapidly and completely to the charm of a man. Not even for Isaiah. How could you have acted so thoughtlessly, so childishly, so incredibly naive?

"I can imagine," you managed to utter, hoping for a reply that might disprove your assumptions. However, your hope transformed into pure dejection when he calmly folded his hands in front of him, demonstrating complete apathy.

You sealed the bottle, stood up from the ground, and dusted the sand off your trousers and boots. In a sudden surge of anger, you tossed the flask towards Mihawk, who caught it with a quick and smooth movement, though evidently taken aback.

You couldn't even pinpoint the motive behind your action, apart from a raw urge to fling something, anything, at him out of pure resentment.

"It's wine," you stated, pulling your hair back and covering it once more with the bandana. You tightened it so much that it almost caused discomfort at the back of your head, but at that moment, you couldn’t have cared less. "You can keep it.”

Mihawk's eyes narrowed, examining your every move, and taking note of the nervous manner in which you pulled your gloves back on.

"What is that?" He questioned.

“What do you mean?”

"You are mad.”

So, it seemed he was still capable of acknowledging your existence after all. But you had already hit your breaking point.

"Am I, really?”

As the sun descended beneath the line of the sea, your face was swallowed by shadow, adopting a gloomy expression that twisted with sudden disdain.

"It's getting late now, I need to leave.”

Grasping the strap of your bag, you spun on your heels, not waiting for his retort. "Safe travels, Warlord.”

A part of you longed for him to call your name, something you realized he had never pronounced aloud. You wished you were mistaken, that you hadn't wasted the past few days traveling for naught, but he didn't halt you. He didn't follow you. He wasn’t interested in making an effort.

In the end, he truly didn't care.

Admittedly, you weren't anticipating him to sweep you off your feet and kiss you the moment he saw you, but you were somewhat hoping for a more gentle consideration.

As difficult as it was to come to terms with, no matter how much your intimate encounter had been a delightful experience for you, it probably didn't leave a lasting impression on Mihawk.

The way he gently traced your scars with his fingertips, a touch that remained etched in your memory, suggested a certain tenderness. He had comforted you, aided you in his own distinct way. Could it all have been an act? Was every move, every utterance, a calculated performance with the sole intention to seduce you?

You couldn't completely rule out that possibility. Because there you were, right in front of him, within his reach, yet all he managed to do was to lie beside the fire, drained and indifferent.

Having to suppress your tears as you made your way back to the center of Loguetown left you feeling feeble, pitiful, and insignificant. How did you come to be so fascinated with such a cold man? What did you even see in him, beyond an attractive physique to derive pleasure from? He used to be your hunter, relentlessly pursuing you. Merely because he chose to let you be, purely out of curiosity about what might become of you in this world, you shouldn't have let your guard down.

Mihawk was playing with you out of boredom, and you had no intention of being a part of his game.

A game he was likely already weary of, in any case.

"A good man, you say?”

“Yes.”

"Don't be naive. I operate by my own rules, at my own pace. I can remove anyone without needing a particular reason, and I won't hesitate to topple those who dare to oppose me.”

In that moment, you couldn't help but think lowly of yourself. Mihawk had deceived you, big time. It wounded you more than you thought it would, but what happened had happened.

You'd be lying though, if you claimed it didn't shatter you.

That night, you spent a solid three hours submerged in the bathtub, chastising yourself for your illogical irrationality. The urge to cut your losses and depart was strong, but you were determined not to let everything be rendered futile because of one intolerable fool.

No, you wouldn't grant him the satisfaction of victory. You would remain in Loguetown for another day, adapting your disguise, perhaps to one that would enable you to procure those clothes you fancied. Your ship was quite nondescript, devoid of any distinguishing signs or flags. It was improbable that anyone would single it out and identify it as yours among the myriad of vessels berthed in the vicinity.

The skin on your hands was starting to prune from the prolonged exposure to water, and the once delicious warmth was now giving way to a more tepid temperature. You stepped out of the tub, inadvertently splashing water onto the floor, and swathed your body in a soft towel. You let it soak up the dampness as you aimlessly wandered around your cabin, simultaneously devising new plans for the upcoming days by making notes and markings on the map.

By then, you were well-acquainted with 98% of the East Blue, keenly aware that your available hideouts were dwindling and the necessity to don a disguise was becoming increasingly frequent. You couldn't rely on Isaiah's hospitality indefinitely, and you were still unable to get in touch with your family or return home.

Venturing into the Calm Belts was not a journey you could undertake solo, given its notorious reputation for harboring dangerous sea creatures. Despite the knowledge you had accumulated through your studies and adventures, your navigational skills weren't as refined as they needed to be, effectively confining you to one region. A few months of travel couldn't hold a candle to years of journeying.

With a worn-out sigh, you moved behind the bar counter to pour a strong glass of rum, potent enough to shake up your senses. It wasn't exactly your preferred beverage, and you only turned to it during the most difficult moments in your life.

You downed it in one swift gulp, experiencing a fiery burn in your throat and esophagus, and a startling effect on your mind. You grunted and gasped for air as you doubled over, hacking a few times, and nearly felt your legs buckle beneath you.

If anything, consuming it only served to intensify your discomfort.

You let the internal fire die down, casting an empty gaze at the couch where you and Mihawk had once sat together. Great, you thought to yourself. Now even your own place was conjuring up memories of the Warlord, precisely when you needed to erase any trace of ever knowing him.

Tightening the towel more securely around your body, you gripped the glass and moved to the sink to wash it. You stayed there a bit longer, letting the coolness of the running jet engulf your hands.

And then, courtesy of your honed instincts and intuition, you felt that something was not quite right.

You stayed motionless, your ears straining to catch any noises, any subtle changes in the air. On the surface, one might assume that everything was proceeding as usual, that all was as it should be. But the more you scrutinized the situation, the stronger your conviction became that you weren't alone in that cabin.

Somehow, goosebumps prickled at the back of your neck, ignited by the eerie perception of being watched by something, or perhaps someone.

You allowed the sink to keep running, while discreetly opening the drawer in front of you to grab the gun you maintained there as a secondary weapon. You released the glass, and with your hands still wet, you whirled around, the pistol loaded and aimed.

Your finger was poised on the trigger, ready to discharge. But the moment your gaze met those unique golden irises, belonging to only one man in the entire world, your heart skipped a beat.

"Mihawk, what the hell!”

You had taken care to secure the cabin door before withdrawing to the washroom. How had he managed to enter so seamlessly without even damaging the handle? As you glanced at it, all seemed to be in perfect order, as if untouched.

Isaiah's theory about Mihawk not being human was starting to seem incredibly plausible. He was something beyond ordinary.

"I could have shot you," you cautioned him, exhaling a long sigh of relief and returning the gun to its place in the drawer.

He was as impassive as ever, not even exhibiting a single twitch. “That remains to be seen.”

"What are you even doing here?" You questioned him, folding your arms in annoyance.

His level of self-control was admirable, considering you stood practically nude before him, clad only in a towel that barely reached your thighs. His gaze steadfastly remained on your face, never once straying lower.

However, you were uncertain if you regarded it as positive, or found it extremely demoralizing.

"I believe our discussion isn't concluded," he stated.

Puzzled, you arched your eyebrows. "Huh?”

"When you departed earlier, there was something you intended to tell me.”

"You’re wasting your time, then. I have nothing to say to you.”

“You are doing it again.”

Pressing your lips together, you waited for the water to taper off until just a few droplets fell, punctuating the silence.

When he didn't add anything else, you took the initiative to speak. "Doing what, exactly?”

You noticed his expression of impatience, despite his exterior of calm and composure. He looked up and tensed his jaw, apparently irritated by something you had done.

"You're employing that tone of arrogance,” he responded.

"So you walked all this way to my ship and broke into my cabin, for what? Just because you noticed I was having a bad day?”

You had no idea how to interpret that at all.

Eventually, he ceased being evasive. "If you have a problem with me, Cutthroat, speak frankly.”

Oh, now he had really done it. Using the appellative from your bounty poster was certainly not the smartest move.

You despised that name. The existence of a bounty on your head was loathsome to you. The label of being a criminal and the constant need to flee was something you abhorred.

"Screw you. That's not my damn name.”

Even though you had bid him goodbye earlier, he hadn't budged an inch. Hours later, he intruded into your private quarters demanding an explanation, and you couldn't decipher whether it was driven purely by self-interest and ego, or if there was genuine concern at play.

Again, he barely blinked, showing no disturbance to your outburst over the nickname he chose to use.

Feeling exhausted, mentally drained, and at a loss for words, you pinched the bridge of your nose. "Look, if you don’t mind, I'd really like to get dressed and go to bed. Can we reschedule this conversation, or whatever it's supposed to be?”

You held the towel firmly with one hand as you moved away from the counter, purposefully bypassing his eyes as you walked past him.

You couldn't even reach the nightwear spread out on your bed because he wouldn't allow it, gripping your upper arm with such force that you were rendered immobile.

"Are you serious right now??”

You tried to extricate yourself from his hold, but it was akin to battling against a boulder. His face was so stern it was almost frightening now, and that only served to stoke your own anger even further.

You wished to keep it to yourself, because what would you gain from admitting that you had hoped for something he couldn't offer you? Yet he persisted, he encroached upon your privacy and even dared to restrain you. What had you left to lose?

"You want to know what my problem is? You are the problem, Mihawk. I was right there with you, yet you made me feel like I was invisible. The thing we had last time, what was that about?”

Now it was he who looked at you with a bewildered expression. "I'm fairly certain that both of us are aware of what transpired.”

You growled in frustration. “Well of course. But the question is, what did it mean to you?”

"What significance are you looking for?”

The lump in your throat resurfaced. "I don't know. We had fun, no doubt, but if you’re under the impression that I'm some sort of plaything, you're seriously mistaken.”

“I never claimed you were.”

“No, but your actions suggested it.”

He paused for a moment, his lips slightly parted. Damn it. Why did they have to be so perfect and inviting…?

"I'm not the type who flits about with men on each island,” you emphasized.

"If you were, I wouldn't be interested. You're making assumptions based on nothing.”

Your arm relaxed under his hold, your shoulders sagging. Had you perhaps grossly misjudged the situation, forming your own conclusion and seen only what your selfishness permitted?

Or were you simply too scared of your own feelings, too lacking in courage to confront him directly?

"I carefully choose my allies, and I don't permit just anyone to hover around me.”

Mihawk had explicitly stated that he operated solely on his own terms and by his own rules, indicating his non-acceptance of any external pressure. His interest in you was genuine, but concurrently, he wanted to be the one holding the reins, the initiator of whatever was brewing between you, whenever and only if he felt so inclined.

You had approached him at the least suitable time, exactly when he was craving a moment of solitude. He wasn't indifferent, he simply needed patience and rest.

"I don't hover around you," you clarified. "I have more important things to do than just latch onto a man.”

His hold on your bicep eased, but not quite enough to let you go. "That's how it should be. Now, have you managed to shake off your sour temper?”

Ugh, he was so exasperating.

"Keep pushing like that and you'll get more than just a sour temper.”

As he raised his head slightly to look at you with a hint of dominance, you noticed his nostrils flaring and his pupils dilating. You felt it again, that potent allure towards him, the physical need that engulfed you from within.

"Get against the wall.”

You blinked once, then twice, followed by a third time in quick succession.

“I’m sorry, wha-”

"Comply with my instructions.”

You swallowed, not from fear, but because of the evident desire detectable in his voice.

Mihawk removed his hat and set it on the counter stool as you retreated, stepping back one foot at a time. He trailed after you, keeping his fingers clasped around your upper arm, until your back came into contact with the wooden wall and a soft gasp escaped from you.

Your faces were so close that you could feel his breath, slow and warm, brushing against your skin. In contrast, your own breathing was turning more rapid and shallow, with your heart hammering fiercely in your chest, the towel adding a bit of tightness.

"I'll say it again," you murmured. "I'm not a diversion, Mihawk.”

“And I’ll repeat it as well: you wouldn’t be worthy of my time if it were any different.”

You recognized that it wasn't exactly a declaration of love, but the realization that he wasn't simply exploiting you, that he had chosen you, and only you, for this shared pursuit, was enough to offer some solace.

And so, you graced him with a content, satisfied smile, before crashing your lips onto his, your fingers weaving into the back of his hair. The kiss was fervent, your tongue instantly seeking entry, the tip engaging with his. Mihawk pressed you more firmly against the wall, at last releasing your arm.

He devoured you, his mouth wide open, skillfully and ardently maneuvering over yours. His taste bore a hint of wine, suggesting that he might have partaken of the one you had given him (or more accurately, hurled at him) back in Loguetown. You didn't put up any resistance when he grabbed your towel, roughly yanking it off you. In an instant, you were totally exposed and available for his gaze, and you reveled in the sensation of his skin under your palms.

His mesmerizing golden eyes held your attention as he gracefully retrieved his sword. With great care, he disengaged it from its resting place on his back and lodged it strategically by the bathroom door.

His coat slid off his shoulders as your hands ascended, but didn't fully drop. Nonetheless, the fact that he never wore a shirt made the sight all the more tantalizing. You were ravenous, desperate for him and his touch. You leaned into Mihawk, pressing your lips to his once more. The coarse texture of his beard gently tickled your chin.

His hands traced a path down your scarred back, finally coming to rest on your hips. There, they clutched a generous portion of your flesh, holding you securely. With every subsequent kiss, your moans magnified in volume, and as he began to rhythmically press his pelvis against your core, his eagerness for you became unmistakably clear.

He was rock-hard, impressively so.

"Mihawk, please," you implored. “Make it quick.”

"You seem rather impatient," he noted.

"Yes, well. Unless you've stashed another sword in your trousers, I'd argue you're in the same boat," you retorted.

In response, he only hummed, a silent admission of your assertion.

"There's no need for another sword when I have Yoru," he declared.

Raising an eyebrow at him, you questioned, "Yoru? You've actually given your blade a name?”

"Yoru is not just any blade."

With a smile, you playfully teased, "Doesn't the saying go that named swords are cursed?”

"That's mere chatter. Nothing but a joke."

He guided his lips down to your neck, gently caressing your skin and sending shivers rippling through your entire form. His right hand meandered down to his belt, leisurely unfastening the buckle holding it in place. At the same time, his tongue darted out to flirt with one of your now perked and overly sensitive nipples, causing your eyes to close involuntarily as your nails dug into his back in a state of ecstatic surrender.

All the while, Mihawk diligently worked his trousers down his legs, just far enough to allow his arousal to spring forth, standing proud and rigid.

Diverting your eyes away from his hardness proved futile as he wrapped his roughened fingers around the flushed and velvety tip. A steady pumping motion was established, the soft sliding sound of skin on skin resonating in your ears. It was an intensely erotic scene, and incredibly beautiful to behold.

He was a masterpiece.

"How much longer is this going to take?" you griped, your tone resembling a child voicing discomfort.

"Come now. You surely don't want to rush through this, do you?" he queried.

He was intent on taking his time, to tantalize you, to revel in the sight of you squirming because of him.

"Careful, my dear. You don't wish for me to go hard on you, trust my word," he warned.

"I beg to differ, because you already are.”

He paused momentarily, looking at you with a "seriously?" expression in response to your less than stellar attempt at humor.

At that, you simply chuckled, bestowing a gentle peck on his cheek.

"Whatever. You can break me for all I care," you declared defiantly.

As he nipped at your throat, your back reflexively arched, a shiver of anticipation running down your spine, adding another layer of excitement to the already electrifying atmosphere.

"Mh. Hopefully it won't have to come to that.”

His hardness twitched and bobbed as he gave it a final stroke before releasing it. He then grabbed the back of your thighs, hoisting you up from the floor as if you were feather-light. You looped your arms around his neck for support, burrowing your heels into his legs.

"You truly want this," he asserted.

"You don’t say. As if you hadn't been planning this from the start," you shot back.

"You have a sharp tongue,” he commented, his tip grazing your entrance.

"Don't act like you don't enjoy i-ngh!"

Your words were interrupted by a sudden intake of breath. He penetrated you without any prior preparation, stretching you to an almost unimaginable extent and giving you time to adapt to his size. Just like the previous time, he didn't impose himself upon you, nor was he in a hurry to find his own pleasure before you were fully prepared.

In retrospect, it seemed ridiculous. All the negative thoughts you harbored before he came to you, the resentment you felt towards him for his perceived carelessness, were all grounded in a misconception of his true character.

And now, you were beginning to seee him for who he really was.

To him, principles and honor were paramount. It seemed as if the same ethical code he followed as a swordsman was also applied to your intimacy. He was exceptional in all aspects, fueling the certainty that you craved more of his presence in your life.

Praise the day he was dispatched to locate you in the East Blue.

It's fascinating how circumstances can transform within a matter of minutes. One moment you were feeling as low as a crestfallen dog, the next, you found yourself entwined with him, with his manhood embraced by your warmth.

You claimed his lips again, fervently, holding the kiss until he established a rhythm of steady movements. Your back slid up and down the wall, your chest undulating. His pelvis executed precise thrusts, back and forth, repeatedly, the pattern soon enhanced by a swirling motion, hitting just the perfect spot within your walls.

It was overwhelming, all-consuming, and yet, you craved for even more.

Even amidst the physical activity, Mihawk's breathing was remarkably controlled and composed. It gave the impression that he was only showcasing a sliver of his actual strength to you. As you raked your nails down his spine, his coat slid further down his arms. He barely reacted, taking deep breaths and swallowing hard to keep his primal instincts in check.

"I'm not as fragile as you think," you whispered into his ear, teasing the outer edge with your tongue. "Please, don't restrain yourself on my behalf."

If anything, your words prompted Mihawk to slow down the act. He looked at you with a pair of astonished eyes, deep and darkened with hunger.

"You aren't aware of what you're asking for."

In reaction to his words, you gifted him another smile. It was authentic, tender, sweet, and filled with affection - a type of smile he had never truly witnessed before. You cradled the right side of his face in your hand, your thumb gently caressing his cheekbone.

The feeling of his beard against your palm, somehow, imparted a sense of true vitality in you.

“Then let me find out,” you countered.

He hesitated, examining your face for any signs of doubt, yet he found none. With newfound reassurance, he resumed his deep thrusts inside you, amplifying the speed and vigor as he continued. Responding to his movements to the best of your ability, you struggled to keep your legs from wavering. On numerous occasions, he had to lift you higher with his hands and hips, yet you were so deeply immersed in the moment that the knife pendant grazing your skin with its edges barely registered.

They weren't sharp, but the continuous contact and pressure were causing reddened areas on your skin.

The scratches forming did not elude Mihawk's notice. The Warlord briefly took his hands away from you to remove it, letting it fall onto your rumpled towel on the floor before continuing.

"There's no need to be brave," he admonished, "If you're in pain, don't keep it to yourself.”

The level of consideration he was extending to you was genuinely touching and unexpected.

You shook your head in negation. "I assure you, I wasn't in pain. Nothing could compare to what I endured at that Marine base.”

Your expression darkened at the mere mention of your past, but Mihawk didn't allow you to linger on it. Instead, he moved forward again, swiveling his hips, delighting in the moan that escaped your lips as he cupped one of your breasts with his hand.

Time appeared to stand still as Mihawk relentlessly drove in and out of you. You could feel your climax building up in your lower belly, threatening to break free. His low, barely audible groans were utterly intoxicating, and the way he peered into into your eyes with his wild, fervent irises sent shivers of ecstasy coursing through your limbs.

Mihawk was gaining as much pleasure from the act as you were, evident by the way his manhood throbbed inside of you. Your clitoris was pulsating, teetering on the edge of climax. It was tantalized, enticed, but left completely neglected.

It was too much, too exquisite, too fulfilling. No man had ever achieved this level of perfection during lovemaking; none of your past partners had demonstrated such wonderful pelvic rotation or precision.

As though intuiting your needs, Mihawk subtly moistened his lower lip with his tongue, trailing his mouth along your jaw and halting at your earlobe. "Touch yourself," he commanded.

Your heart seemed to leap into your throat and then plummet into your stomach, only to start pounding rapidly and erratically in your chest. His demand was intensely personal, even somewhat embarrassing. But despite the heat spreading across your cheeks, you found your hand instinctively and obediently drawing a path from just below the curve of your breasts, down to your navel.

His thrusts had once again slowed down, allowing him to watch you with complete attentiveness. Your fingers trailed lower, reaching your pubic bone and forming a 'V' shape with your fore and middle fingers. They hovered around the sensitive bud, not directly touching it.

You used your other hand to alter your position, securing a firmer hold around the back of his neck, right at the base of his spine. You manipulated your fingers so that they brushed the sides of your clit, teasing it, but not fully providing the stimulation it craved. You knew you were on the right track when Mihawk's hips gave a sudden jerk, his arousal quivered against your core, and his knuckles turned white around your knee, holding it up.

Eventually, unable to prolong the anticipation any longer, you caressed your clit with the tips of your fingers, using the moisture pooling there to facilitate your ministrations. Mihawk's appreciation was expressed through another low hum. He resumed his thrusts, but his golden irises seemed to be more centered on your spectacle rather than his own nearing release.

"Harder," he instructed, his voice holding a hint of frustration.

A smirk appeared on your lips as you tightened your walls around him. Your fingers quickened their rhythm, propelling you closer and closer to the electrifying climax you were yearning for.

"Just like that," he urged you. "Let me see how good it can be.”

All it took was a final push against your sensitive spot, combined with the ideal stroke from your own fingers on the tiny nerve ending beneath the hood. Your climax was beyond anything imaginable, utterly transcendent, causing you to moan out his name. It made you twitch and claw at his skin anew, projecting a breathtaking vista of a starry sky behind your closed eyelids.

Above everything else, you could assert with certainty that it was the most intense, most earth-shattering orgasm you had ever experienced.

As soon as you descended from your height, Mihawk braced his palm against the wall, supporting you and flexing his legs to deliver a few more forceful pushes into you. He grunted in your ear with the ardor of a lustful beast.

Your muscles were ablaze, your nerves shrieking. But you wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.

And when he reached his completion, you found yourself soaring to the pinnacle of bliss for the second time. His eyes remained locked onto yours, unflinching. His lips were parted, teeth nearly gritted but not quite meeting, his neck was strained.

You coupled like there was no tomorrow, akin to two birds of prey in the throes of their mating season.

Wow. Just wow.

As you attempted to disentangle your legs from his waist, he had to sustain you with his arms to keep you upright. You murmured an apology, pressing against his chest and finding it incredibly difficult to extricate yourself from his hold. You expected him to leave you there, collect his belongings, turn away and exit. However, this time, things took a different turn.

He kept looking at you, his gaze entrancing, hypnotic. Your eyes landed on his lips, and when you moved to claim them for one final kiss, he didn't pull away. Your lips connected in a soft, open contact, the tip of his tongue meeting yours midway, tasting it, merging with it.

If anyone had asked you to describe it, you would have found it impossible to put it into words.

You concluded the exchange by capturing his lower lip between yours, softly nibbling on it. With your legs now able to support your weight again, you picked up the towel from the floor, also gathering the cross knife that Mihawk had dropped. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, you draped the towel over your front and handed the weapon back to the Warlord, which he promptly accepted and secured in its place.

As he straightened his coat, you headed for your clothes strewn across the mattress. Mihawk had tactfully turned away to provide you with some room and privacy, and a smile crept onto your face as you shed the towel completely, beginning to dress in your nightwear one piece at a time.

You were incredibly tired by now, stifling a yawn, and unceremoniously flinging yourself onto the bed. Any formalities with him had long since vanished.

"I've got a variety of drinks in there if you'd like something. Feel free to make yourself at home.”

Mihawk swiveled towards you, his customary stoic expression reassembled, observing as you stretched out your arms and comfortably nestled against the pillow. You were so visibly exhausted, fading into sleep, that your mind was starting to switch off.

There was only one thing you wished to express to him, and you aimed to do it before you were too fatigued to string together a comprehensive sentence.

"And Mihawk," you started. "Thank you for seeking me out.”

You didn't know if he had heard you. You couldn't even ascertain if he was still in the room. He was so stealthy and cunning that it wouldn't surprise you if he had already slipped out without you noticing any sound.

Yet there he was, silently observing you as you drifted into peaceful slumber, and the soft lighting highlighted your delicate eyelashes.

And just as he was about to replace his hat and retrieve Yoru before making his departure, something guided his hand in a different direction.

An intuition urged him to remain, at least for a little while longer.

You roused in the middle of the night, discovering the lights in your cabin completely turned off as darkness shrouded everything around you. It took a moment for your eyes to adjust, as you rolled to the other side and blinked away the grogginess.

When you noticed a form taking shape beside you, suggestive of someone sleeping next to you, you squinted in confusion. For a moment, sheer panic seized you, worried that a bounty hunter had managed to track you down in Loguetown's harbor and was about to attack you in your vulnerable state. But then, catching sight of that familiar nose, those lips you had tasted time and time again, the distinctive beard with its sharply pointed sideburns, and the cute mole on his left cheekbone, your heart softened and found tranquility.

There was Mihawk, lounging in your bed fully clothed except for his hat, his boots still on and neatly crossed off the mattress. His position was unconventional, more a diagonal slant, but you could sense the warmth radiating from his body, and hear the gentle cadence of his breathing as air flowed in and out of his nostrils. His arms were crossed over his chest, with the golden knife he wore suspended to the left as it hung from his neck.

Had he opted to stay as a form of safeguard given your status, or had he merely decided to rest considering the late hour? Regardless of his reasoning, it was nice to share the presence of another after such a long period of solitude. Isaiah had never had the opportunity to spend an entire night with you, as you would always dress and sneak away as soon as his eyes closed.

Drawing nearer to Mihawk, you scrutinized his features, softly running your hand over his clothed shoulder, until you succumbed to sleep once again.

The next morning, all that remained on the other side of the bed was a note, written in flawless calligraphy, which read: "I'll see you around.”

Evidently, Mihawk wasn't quite ready to return to the Grand Line just yet.

And you couldn't have been more pleased about it.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 (currently reading) Go to Chapter 5 (coming soon) ->

#opla mihawk #opla mihawk x reader #dracule mihawk x reader #one piece liveaction fanfic #opla fanfic

[dragonfly0808]

Can you give us any clues on what your novels about

Uuuuuhhhh…

Well, there’s a large cast: 11 very important characters, 5 get consistent POV’s with the others getting very occasional POV’s, like once or twice in the first book

It should be 4 books long

There are 2 types of magic. There are witches who do spells and rituals and all types of magic and there are ‘REDACTED’ who can only do Elemental Magic, Elemental Magic is viewed as smth more natural and isn’t even really considered to be magic

there are 4 countries NOT based on the elements, instead based on 4 different cultures, 3 of which I feel are never really shown in media but I find interesting

First book is a bit of a fetch-quest/mission focused book to set up the dynamics as well as the world and what the rest of the series will truly be about

trickery and mayhaps even… betrayal

Every country has a different view of witches and the main problem the series will be focused on, with characters from different countries often bumping heads due to their drastically different upbringings and views of magic

main couple will be Ace

one of the characters who will get occasional POV’s book 1 but get more attention as the series goes on will be transgender

gay/lesbian disaster siblings who are kinda the most competent

Generational trauma/ past generations failing the present ones is a theme

complex villains. Like, one of them is 100% a villain, they made those choices, but then the others are like… are they villains though?! Are they?!

Heavy focus on friendships, yall know how much i love my platonic relationships

childhood friends/crushes to strangers to wary teammates to friends to best friends to lovers pipeline (not the ace couple)

tragic characters. Cause yall know I love my tragic characters

I started working on the story on my first year of high school, 4 years ago. I’d had and have had other ideas for novels but this is the one that I know I want to be the first to publish cause I just love it so much. And a LOT has changed of it over the years but I really hope I do get to publish it in a year or two? Not even sure anymore but I am on draft 5 or 6 and I am getting close so close to finishing it and I have the main ideas for the other books, I just have to polish it up

Let me know what you think of that vague list!

#winx club #winx q&a #writers #writer things

[em-writes-stuff-sometimes]

Hello) I have long wanted to ask where your story is heading? the next chapter will be the last and it feels very domestic. Will there be some global story development outside of Dragonstone in the future? or will we be immersed in a small daemon's family? and will there be a long gap of time between this and the next part? will dance be mentioned in your work? wow, that's a lot of questions 😂 sorry! I can't wait for new masterpieces from you ❤❤❤

Heyyyy, nonnie! This is a great question!

I am ultimately heading towards the Dance, but I've been separating these fics out into instalments for a couple reasons - one, I'm VERY shifty at long-term commitments and for some reason having three/four 10-chapter fics is more manageable in my brain then a 40+ chapter long single fic. Two, because I switch POV modes out (i.e. all Daemon, all Babey, alternate Daemon and Babey etc.) and it feels more consistent to have this broken up into separate parts.

My vague plan is as follows:

Prequel fic, short, exploring Episodes 1-5 with Babey addition

Short fic about claiming Athfiezar - might collapse into above

Daemon-centric 'courtship' fic DONE

Reader-centric consummation/early marriage fic DONE

Smut instalment for early marriage DONE

First pregnancy arc IN PROGRESS

General domesticity instalment fic (similar vibes to smut one), inc. more pregnancy (not main focus)

Character study instalment; one-shots of different character POVs reacting to Babey/Daemon

Lead-up to Dance fic (Episode 8 onwards)

Fic/s detailing Dance and aftermath (this could be multiple)

Overall, it'll essentially read as a "complete" life story of Babey, from youth to post-Dance era, if that makes sense! I'm not crystal clear on the time jumps if any, but I don't want there to be a significant shift like in the show; major events (like more kids lol) are things I want to incorporate, so we'll see how that goes.

Of course, some of this is definitely not set in stone, but I hope this serves as at least a partial answer to your questions, nonnie!

#fanfiction asks

[fireflywitch]

Hi! California Show Your Teeth absolutely blew my mind, it’s awesome! Like every character and the world itself is just so layered and captivating and feels so alive! It’s such a cool AU, thank you for writing and posting something so amazing. Not to mention all your other stories! You’re seriously one of my favorite authors in this fandom.

I also wanted to ask, if you want to answer, what’s your process for writing these super detailed and amazing stories?

oh :')))) thank you so much! that really means a lot <3

i.....love outlining. love love to outline. and usually, for larger works like this, i keep running lists of plot related to character growth (ex: will struggles his sexuality/powers), plot outside the pov characters' control (agents kidnapping will's friends), and plot within the pov characters' control that *ideally* links to their growth (will successfully teleports and helps his friends) - combining these helps form the basic structure of the plot! then you multiply that by the 12 pov characters dhfjzhdgfvjz

i also spend a lot of time, especially with so many characters in this one, figuring out who is with who, what they're doing, and which dynamics i want to focus on. that usually sparks more threads to pull at. also, their cars! i had a whole list of where everyone's cars were, who was driving which car, who was watching baby nick (sorry holly), why certain parents weren't looking for their kids, etc. i think that def helps add to the realism and layers

and (probably most importantly), i fully complete my fics before publishing. it's tough, because you don't get any feedback, but it lets me keep everything very tonally consistent, allows better foreshadowing i think , and even though I write chronologically, the first chapter probably changed the most from beginning to end, just because i figured out where i wanted to go!

anyway, that was a very long answer, but plot/outlines/fitting the puzzle pieces together is usually my favorite part, and i'm in the thick of it for the sequel right now -thank you again!! <3 <3

#firefly asks #thanks anon! #california show your teeth #<3 <3

[unlikelysaintdelele]

Just gonna post a snippet of my lil Amren theory because I'm getting lowkey annoyed by certain parts of the fandom on their theories of who they think the next ACOTAR books are about.

First and foremost, an SJM interview that I've posted before:

Pay attention to the blue.

"based after and before ACOWAR."

and now I'd like to bring your attention to an interview that came with certain versions of ACOFAS (I don't recall which, maybe hardback, but that info isn't relevant to the theory so moving on...):

"through a course of events that I'd love to tell one day"

"I've got an idea for a prequel that takes place a long time before the events of Thorns and Roses."

The fact that she mentions wanting to write Amren's backstory and follows that up with discussion of an ACOTAR prequel (and then follows THAT up with discussing her future novels) makes me suspicious in the best way possible.

On top of that, she's been really vague about the last novel. I know she says she's keeping herself open to ideas... but she's lied to us before in order to steer clear of spoilers. For TaR, she hyped up Tamlin and lied through her teeth about how she felt about him and Feyre. She knew from the beginning that Tamlin wasn't Feyre's endgame and she still didn't gush about Rhys in the early days because SPOILERS. This woman is a planner. She doesn't outline her stories, but she KNOWS what she wants to happen and makes it work.

Back to the ACOFAS interview, there's a portion where she talks specifically about Elain:

"everything I did during those weeks became research for her book."

She has mentioned an Elain spinoff before in this interview:

"[Feyre's] sisters come back in the later books, and I’d love to write their own spin-off books one day."

With only two novels and one novella left, I'm seeing a lot of people map out the books like this: ACOTAR 5 = Gwynriel, ACOTAR 6 = Elucien, and the second novella is Mor x Emerie. Which is understandable considering that, in the interview I first listed, SJM stated "each standalone will follow a different romantic pairing". But she also mentioned that she has five ships to choose from for the sixth novel. FIVE. This makes the mapping I've seen so far hard to believe because Elain is just not involved in five ships.

SJM has wanted to write an Elain spinoff for a while and she knew who the first two novels following ACOWAR/ACOFAS would be about, which leads me to believe Elain's book is next since that is the only character who has been confirmed by SJM as someone who will get a book so far.

I also don't think the second novella will focus on a couple. I think it will be more similar to the first novella in that it will be multiple POV's.

Now I bet you're wondering where Amren fits into all of this...

Well, Elain's story is obviously after ACOWAR, but Amren's backstory is before. And if anything, Amren's backstory could open the door to future connections and stories... Crescent City is an obvious one by now. But let's not forget about SJM's Twilight of the Gods WIP.

Amren arrived to Prythian while it was still forming, which was thousands of years ago... and consistently throughout SJM's novels, the Fae (and other supernatural beings) are settlers that arrived to their respective worlds thousands of years ago. There's also some CC2 spoilers I've vaguely heard about that lead me to believe these are connected in some form.

Based on what I've mentioned above, I think one of the books will focus on Amren, or at least provide more detail on her backstory in relation to the histories of the separate SJM worlds.

This makes my mapping of the future ACOTAR books: Elain, ???, and Amren OR Elain, Amren, and ???.

#sjm #sjmaas #sjm fandom #sjm universe #sjm multiverse #sjm books #acotar #acotar series #a court of thorns and roses #thoughts are being thunk #this isn't even the full theory #i've got a whole powerpoint being drafted out #i've got a google doc filled with ramblings #pro elain archeron #acotar 5 #amren acotar #elain acotar #elain archeron #twilight of the gods #acotar theory #i'm gonna go pass out now #no more after midnight theorizing

[elizmanderson]

Hi again. You made a few posts about first drafts being ridiculous and cleaning them up later. And I desperately need more writers talking about the writing process as they are writing it (like 'making of' posts/ videos, any creator who does those gets me obsessed with them)

Anywho, I was wondering how your revision process looks? How different is your first draft from your last and how did you make the decisions of what to cut vs what to expand on?

I know for myself, my MC is a constant-overthinker and all of faer POV is stream-of-consciousness, and fae goes on a LOT of unnecessary but characterizing tangents that I don't know how to work with, given the corner I wrote myself into.

TLDR - Any info about your revision process would be much appreciated.

Thanks :)

hello and thanks for asking!

first of all, in case anyone is curious about the original post, it's here. also, there are many ridiculous things in this draft of NettieWIP, but that post was brought to you specifically by this line that I wrote even though it's completely tonally wrong for both this book and this character lmao

okay, revisions. this is gonna get long, but I'm breaking it up into sections that will hopefully be helpful.

general process

so the first thing is, my revision process and how much I cut or add is different for every project. but here are some general principles I follow. keep in mind that ymmv with any and all of these! you have to find what works for you. this is just what works for me.

1. finish the draft first

I will never finish a draft if I'm focused on editing while I go. I've been hardcore resisting with NettieWIP because I keep having ideas about how to make it better mid-draft. but I know if I don't finish the draft as-is, it's not going to get done.

2. let it breathe before diving in

sometimes I have the urge to rush right into revisions after finishing a draft, but I do force myself to wait at least a month or two before returning to it. it gives me the emotional distance I need to be able to make decisions about what to cut, no matter how much I like things that don't serve the story.

(again going to have to fight this urge hard with NettieWIP in particular lol)

3. read it before diving in

the one thing that stays consistent from project to project is that I always do a full readthrough before I start revising. highly, highly recommend this regardless of what else works for you! reading through my entire manuscript gives me a big-picture view of the whole story and how all the parts work together (or not), as well as what the problems are.

note: when I do my readthrough, while I do make general notes of my thoughts, I do NOT focus on line-level details or edits. which brings us to...

4. fix big things first

okay jk actually this stays consistent from project to project, too. when approaching revisions, I always start with the biggest changes and work my way down. line edits are the last thing I do, because I figure it wastes my time and energy otherwise. what if I put all this energy into line edits or scene-level changes only to cut half those lines or scenes later when I make structural changes?

5. this is the time to plan!

I'm a plantser, which is somewhere halfway between a plotter and a pantser. while the amount of planning I do before a first draft varies, I always dedicate time to planning before revising. the exact process varies, but it's kinda like this.

read the entire manuscript, making note of plot holes and problem areas

brainstorm potential fixes and where they might fit in

write an outline, synopsis, chapter map, whatever (for me it's usually either a synopsis or chapter map because I simply cannot with outlines)

6. start rewriting

...and as discussed in a different post earlier, I always start the new draft in a new document! you never know when something from an earlier draft could come in handy.

7. use beta readers

I typically do a second draft on my own, because I typically have at least some idea of what needs fixing when I'm done with a first draft. I bring beta readers in once I hit the point where the story's cohesive but I know more work needs to be done, but I'm not sure what that work is.

you specifically asked how I decide what to cut vs. what to expand on, and beta readers are one important way—especially for what to expand on. while I have a habit of overexplaining in many areas, things in my head frequently fail to make it onto the page.

(I think this is because things are obvious to me bc I thought them up. but readers cannot see inside my head, so they may be confused or think a character or plot point is underdeveloped even though I have a lot more information about it mapped out internally.)

if readers feel like information is unnecessary or overexplained or like I'm patronizing them, that's a potential area for cutting. if readers are confused, lack insight, or feel like a reveal came out of nowhere, that's a potential area for expanding. that said...

parsing beta feedback

while outside feedback is important, it's at least equally important to be able to decide what feedback to listen to and what feedback to ignore! not all feedback is good feedback. and even feedback that's technically good may not be good feedback for your story.

for example, I had feedback on the manuscript that's now on sub that was drastically different than the rest of the feedback I received on that same manuscript. I love the beta who gave it to me and I respect their opinion a lot, so I took this feedback seriously. but I couldn't make it work, felt deeply frustrated, and spiraled a bit over my ability to write a book even though it was far from my first.

then I got into Author Mentor Match which I applied to mostly because I need some guidance re: this feedback. my mentor basically said, "I think this is good feedback, but I think it would change this book into a pacier, more action-packed book. and I don't think that's the kind of story you're trying to tell."

and my mentor was right! I think this friend and I are simply interested in different kinds of stories. so as much as they love my stories and as great as they are at giving feedback, their feedback may not be a good fit for me.

usually, I like to look at patterns of feedback.* the more readers agree that a plot point is weak or a reveal doesn't have enough build-up, the more likely it is that I really do need to worry about that.

BUT if a single reader's feedback makes me go oh and I really vibe with it, that's also good feedback to listen to! as long as you know what the heart of your story is, you can follow feedback that helps your story do more of what you want it to do and do it more effectively.

*in my experience, patterns are most helpful when your readers share aspects of your identity. for example, I'm neurodivergent and queer. when most of my readers were neurotypical and straight, I'd get told "this doesn't make sense" "no one thinks/feels like that" "this is unrealistic." and I'd be told that by multiple readers, so I'd decide that meant I had to change the story, even though something deep down told me I was wrong about that, that my betas were wrong about that.

now, most of my readers are neurodivergent and/or queer, so they understand when my characters do or think or feel certain things. and at the very least, they never tell me a character is being "unrealistic" or assume that characters' feelings aren't based on things I have really felt. so particularly for marginalized creators, patterns of feedback may NOT be helpful if your readers do not share your marginalization.

examples of changes to my drafts

cutting and combining

The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher was drafted over a year and a half as part of a last man standing-style writing challenge, so the first draft was 160,000 words. it was pretty obvious I'd have to cut SOMETHING, since I was planning on querying agents.

(recommended for adult fantasy if you're seeking trad pub as a debut author: 120k max word count. better to be lower if you're writing contemporary fantasy, while you can be on the high end if you're writing epic fantasy. other subgenres may fall in between.)

I cut...a lot, in some cases through actually cutting while in other cases combining things. for example, there's a scene now where a dragon attacks Detroit while Our Heroes are delayed there. It used to be separate scenes: Edna & Co. delayed in Detroit, with not much happening except the reason for the delay, and a later scene where they came across a random dragon attack elsewhere. additionally, the secondary antagonist runs around with an old friend who used to be two separate characters: the character he is now, and another old friend of theirs who was just sort of a generic asshole who didn't serve much purpose in the story.

thanks to cutting and combining scenes and characters this way, the story moves along faster, the stakes involved in those scenes and characters are higher, and everything is more tightly tied together. when I finally queried, Remarkable Retirement was down to just 98,000 words (published at 99,000 words).

similarly, in the book now on sub (Buried Things aka GroundskeeperWIP), I cut most of a short chapter from the antagonist's POV. I tried it as a prologue but didn't like that I don't do prologues in general although I know some folks love them, then tried moving it later but didn't like that either, and finally ended up just using bits of it that I felt were particularly useful in a chapter focused on a different character. I also cut a chapter from the POV of a friendly ghost/wingman from beyond the grave (but have it saved in case a future editor's like "you know what we need—")

worth noting that Buried Things wasn't massively overwritten. I think the longest draft was 104k or 106k, while it's on sub at about 90k (and the entirety of the last 4,000 words I cut from it was through line edits, not plot changes). however, both chapters stalled the story without adding much. what they did add, I was able to incorporate into other chapters instead.

expanding

while Remarkable Retirement's need for cuts was more obvious, some things were also expanded upon, especially with my publisher! my editor felt that the romantic subplot needed a little more build-up—not in terms of what happens or how it happens, but in terms of making it clearer why these two people start to have those feelings. similarly, a friend who read Buried Things thought it was great overall but that a particular character wasn't fleshed out enough.

in both cases, I think it was that instance of "things in my head do not always make it onto the page." when my friend had questions about the character in Buried Things, I had answers; those answers just weren't on the page. same thing with the romantic subplot in Remarkable Retirement. so it was a matter of taking what was in my head and making sure it actually came across on the page, although in other cases I may realize I don't already know that stuff and need to brainstorm to develop it more.

both together

in the case of NettieWIP, even though I'm not done drafting yet, I already know some stuff I'll need to cut and expand on! I find I'm repeating myself a lot in this draft, plus it's very dialogue heavy. so I'll need to cut back on some themes and emotions I keep bringing up, as well as trim down the dialogue and let the murder investigation not be entirely conversation.

conversely, there's virtually no setting description or atmosphere, so those are things I'll want to expand on in revisions.

tl;dr: in conclusion

okay this got really long because if you get me talking about writing it is impossible to shut me up, but here are the major takeaways for everyone playing along at home:

my general process: (1) finish the draft; (2) let the draft breathe; (3) read the entire draft; (4) focus on big-picture changes first; (5) plan your revision/rewrite; (6) rewrite/revise; (7) use beta readers

knowing the heart of your story helps you figure out what to cut, what to keep, and what to expand on

knowing the heart of your story helps you figure out what feedback might be useful and what feedback might not be right for this book

it can also helpful to look for patterns of feedback, but this is mostly helpful when your beta readers share your identity, particularly if you are a marginalized creator

thanks so much for giving me an excuse to drone on and on about writing your question!

#answered #writing tips #writing process #revision #writeblr #e's writing #the remarkable retirement of edna fisher #groundskeeperwip #nettiewip

[swordsmans]

hi! can you explain a little more about what you mean by writing warmups and puzzles? are they practice?

yes! they're practice!!! this started getting long so i'll put more info below a cut, but basically: exercises help with creativity, puzzles help with form, and i learned to do this by mimicking fan-artists.

imagery exercise - basically, describe a really vivid environment in extreme detail and try to evoke emotion and character ONLY with objects/scene. think "howl's room" or "howl's bathroom" from howl's moving castle. describe the objects/environment of a single still "image" or moment and try to paint a character picture from it. this is one of a few exercises i use to practice avoiding reliance on internal monologue or narration to portray emotion/character (which helps keep characters out of The Void in "real" stuff), because you can't use dialogue or internal narration. Scene only, baby!

sense exercise - try to focus entirely on one non-visual sense in a single moment in time for as long as you can (touch, taste, smell, sound); the imagery exercise covers the "visual" sense. basically, try to paint an emotional picture with something other than visuals or explicit emotions (e.g. no "this smell makes me sad", explain the smell itself, etc. etc.). the "touch" version of this exercise is great practice for bringing physicality into your writing, too, if you feel like your characters are talking but not interacting.

dialogue exercise - start a conversation in the middle and try to give context only through dialogue, no info-dumps allowed, making it as realistic as possible. the conversation itself doesn't matter so much as practicing natural speech patterns and conversation flow. think about how conversation flows when you are talking to someone IRL and try to mimic that instead of trying to write "story dialogue". (i probably do this exercise the most frequently because i find it the most entertaining; it's great for practicing comedy!)

metaphor puzzle - this one is for practicing emotional lyrical writing the same way the imagery exercise practices physical lyrical writing, this time with a focus on consistency. basically, take an abstract image and use it as the baseline for a much larger, longer metaphor and make word salad about it. the most important part about this is going back to the beginning after you've finished to make sure your metaphor stays consistent the entire time. if you start off talking about the body and randomly switch to an ocean metaphor halfway through, figure out how to turn the ocean back into the body.

line puzzle - like the metaphor puzzle, this one is about staying consistent/concise/impactful. basically, take a line that doesn't sound exactly the way you want it to (maybe it doesn't have the right punch? maybe its flow is off?) and pull it out. then rewrite the sentence in as many different ways as you can possibly think of. change words, change the order, condense or expand as needed. this helps practice "honing" your language.

voice exercise - simple and straightforward; pick a character POV you don't normally work with and try to write something entirely in their voice. this often involves a very short "research" portion where i go back and read dialogue, etc. from that character beforehand, but not always.

outsider exercise - also known as "voice exercise 2". write a scene, internal monologue, observation, etc. of your character(s) from an outsider's perspective. the outsider character itself doesn't matter at all and should basically just be a vessel for their observations, because the point of this is to help you work on external character traits/behavior. basically--no matter what your character is thinking or feeling internally (and no matter how your character interacts with their friends or w/e) how does the world see that character with little/no prior knowledge. this is really helpful for establishing consistent character behavior without leaning on the "crutch" of internal monologue or narration. it's essentially the character version of the imagery and sense exercises.

ouroboros puzzle - basically, write a full-circle "piece" that ends where it begins. you can either start in media res and mess with time, put your character in a "habitual loop", go totally abstract with it, whatever. this one is hard to explain, but once you get the hang of it it's really fun and can help you work on adding temporal depth to your stories. like, it helps you work on the sense of scale/time before and after your story's physical boundaries, if that makes sense. the best example i can offer is that i once wrote a short horror piece about a possessed victorian lady who keeps killing every priest who tries to exorcise her because she doesn't understand that she's possessed, but i had to convey the "loop" of that through one interaction with one priest.

AU prompts - also straightforward, pick two characters and write an interaction with them in an AU setting while trying to keep them as close to their "actual" character as possible, and/or use an AU setting to tease out a part of their character that is harder to address in canon. This works for both fanfic and original stuff too! this is basically an alternate version of the "voice" exercise for characters that you are more familiar with and want to poke around with at an intermediate level.

read "regular" books a few times a year - okay, okay hear me out. even if you read like four non-fanfic books in the entire year, i cannot stress enough how exposure to different writing styles can help break you out of rut. i'm not even saying literary fiction or w/e here, it could be anything fiction. just immerse yourself in someone else's writing style for a bit because it can absolutely help get you out of your own head. fantasy/scifi is good for action, mystery/thriller is good for plot structure, romance is good for dialogue, horror is good for emotion/voice, etc. etc. also, it's fun! and i swear to you no "regular" book is going to be more time consuming than the 80k fanfic you can chew through at 2:00AM.

so, yes, they are basically practice! i have spoken about them before, but looking back it's usually in the same breath as other writing stuff (specifically re: the 250k+ fic). essentially whenever i am feeling bored or stuck (or like i want to write but don't have any ideas), i will pick an exercise to keep my brain "in practice" even if it doesn't amount to anything. they're not "stories" so much as ficlets. usually they're between 200-1.5k words, but i have had some go on for much longer if i keep poking at them for a few days. pretty much everything under 20k on my ao3 was once a warm-up/puzzle/exercise that i thought was decent enough to post, including the last two chapters of "harbor lights". almost all of them usually get scrapped, though.

if you've been around for a hot minute, you know that i didn't have a lot of so-called "formal" training until i was in my mid-twenties, so most of what i learned about "the writing process" actually came from mimicking fan-artists! drabbles and ficlets were basically it on livejournal, and i watched my artist friends on dA/tumblr doing doodle warmups for years. it's really helped a lot over the past 10+ years. i tried to take the same philosophy of like "lighting practice" or "background practice" or "perspective practice" along with like... fic prompt challenges or w/e and apply it to everyday writing, and these are some of the prompts/exercises that i've come up with.

of course, you can find a million different lists of fanfic or original writing exercises online, but i sometimes struggle with stuff like that because i think that's because most of what's out there are more prompts than exercises. personally, i do feel like i get more creativity out of flexing my technical muscles. i know i'm not breaking new ground here, but i think you are never too good or too experienced to stop practicing!

so, yeah! _(:3 」∠)_

#sorry this is long! #and sorry for the delay #thank u for your question asldkfj #i assume this is in reference to the little zoro piece i added to hylianane's post #last night #it's always fun to talk about this stuff #esp since i will probably never resurrect the old writing blog #lemme know if i should move the read more if this is still too long #answers #writing refs #writing #gyro.odt

[hollywoodsargeant]

That's a lot of questions, but in my head, they make sense together, sorry

7. 14. 15. 36.

get to know your fic writer

7. How do you choose which POV to write from?

i will be so real for the most part bc i write a lot of pwp/smut it tends to be whichever driver involved i want to fuck less. that's why nearly all of my loscar is oscar pov... and ik the whole apex predator series is liam BUT! major outlier lick the wrapper is logan's pov. on that one it just lit didn't work from either other perspective so

but for like. boyish. which is pov alternating. i tend to pick whichever of the two of them i think makes more sense in my head? some of it is obvious like Well of course if oscar isn't in this scene it can't be his perspective. but for the stuff with both sometimes i do think about it from both and pick the one i prefer and sometimes it's kinda just an instinct. but i do try to keep it. relatively even. idk how successful i am lol

but example the scene where logan breaks his wrist i knew i wanted it to be more about oscar witnessing his friend getting hurt and less about logan actually getting hurt. so it's oscar perspective bc of the context i wanted to put the scene in. THIS IS A REALLY LONG ANSWER i apologize

14. How do you write emotional scenes? Do you ever feel what the characters feel? Do you draw from personal experiences?

if it's an emotional scene i can draw from personal experience with then i will. Example. boyish again. all the shit from logan about dalton going to college and how weird it is is pretty much just things i thought when my sister started college. i also literally almost cried in the car then pretended i wasn't going to. really all the sibling stuff is personal... so emotional scenes yeah from experience when they can be. if not then i do try feeling what the characters feel. i will cry while writing

15. How do you write smut scenes? Do you get very visual or detailed? How important is it to be realistic?

sometimes i write them with my eyes closed i will be so real. but i probably do get? visual? idk i try picturing things in my head then write what i like off that. sometimes the writing process is staring at my screen for several minutes trying out 19 different ways to get from point a to point b and choosing the best. sometimes i already daydreamed the whole fic when i was supposed to be doing something else. it is not a very consistent system i am fucking around and finding out

and i don't really harp on realism. maybe it shows. there's definitely a line where you read something and it's just ??? well that's plain ridiculous or impossible. but like. it's fiction. idc if it's not the most accurate thing in the world i am just here for a good time

36. How do you write kissing scenes?

with agony. Joking. i think i focus more on the character's thoughts during than the actual act of kissing. kissing scenes are def something i've seen a lot of writers complain about/struggle with and i do not disagree... i've written a lot of them in my life but i still don't really know how to. FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT!

#ask #ask game #sorry all i do is fuck around and find out #motto to live by

[moriavis]

First Lines Tag Game

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 posted fics and see if there’s a pattern!

Once again, I've been tagged by the lovely @incorrectcoldflashblog Thank you!

For the sake of this one, I"m going to ignore the kiss prompts I've been posting on tumblr and look at my last fics posted on AO3.

Each breath Leonard took burned in his lungs, acrid with smoke and the sharp chemical tang of plastic and electricity. the sun shines through (Coldflash)

Leonard had to admit it— he loved everything about how crazy the world had become. Adrenaline (Coldflash)

Shawna Baez didn't necessarily have a particular fondness for Central City, all things considered. Jello Shots (Iris/Shawna)

Catra was never at her best when she butted heads with Adora. Tangled (Catradora)

Barry cast another anxious look over the bed, reaching out to adjust the pillow beneath the curve of Leonard's back, and Leonard couldn't help but smirk, flexing his hands just so Barry would lose his focus and double check the long coils of red silk currently binding Leonard's wrists above his head. In Silk (Coldflash) Holy run-on sentence, Batman! JFC.

The moment Barry Allen walked into the board room, Leonard's attention was fragmented. a little give and take (Coldflash)

Barry let Leonard pull him onto the dance floor and take the lead, the familiar warm affection filling him as Leonard rested his hand against the small of Barry's back, guiding him further into the crowd. Reception (Coldflash)

Eobard couldn't say when it changed. Ouroboros (Eobarry)

Electricity crackled over Barry's skin, and Leonard sank his teeth into Barry's bottom lip, shuddering as sparks ignited everywhere they touched, stinging Leonard's fingertips and tongue before grounding in the button on his jeans. Kiss Kiss (Coldflash)

Bill tossed back his scotch and wiped his mouth against his forearm, turning his attention to the left where the TV was playing the news, the sound lost beneath the bustling of the bar. Agree to Forget (Holden/Bill)

This is actually pretty interesting! I generally start sentences with the name of my POV character at the beginning of the story, but I didn't realize I did it so consistently. Also, things that are smutty start off with longer sentences. I wonder why that is!

Tagging: @saekhwa @scheherezhad @kisahawklin @sperrywink @sproutwings @qlala and anyone else who wants to do it!

#random memes #my fic #coldflash #catradora #multifandom

[onaperduamedee]

Hello! I watched the wot show and liked it but I’ve been really curious about all the complaints that people made about how the plots don’t fit with what happens later on in the books. My assumption is that it’s not that major a thing but is just the critique people latched onto and repeat. But as you’re now a way through the series and I appreciate the thought you put in, would you say this might be a problem or is it overblown that some later plots can’t be salvaged already? Is part of it true

Hello, that's a really interesting question!

I’m trying to keep this vaguely spoiler-free with the exception of elements from The Eye of the World and The Great Hunt covered on the show, but this still got long.

I do think it is overblown, but I also liked the changes made, so I might not be the best judge here. I'm trying to approach your question from the angle of what is there and how it affects the story.

From where I stand in my reading, the majority of the changes in the show can be categorized in:

moving forward some arcs (dagger theft, visit to Tar Valon),

new material introducing important groups and dynamics early (Aes Sedai, warders),

plainly streamlining those THICK books (cutting the 14578 villages Mat and Rand visit, merging certain elements)

To me, those changes will serve the story going forward, both in terms of pacing and clarity, and do not affect the core of later arcs. The plot points still happen, just differently or later. The complaints about some changes are honestly hair-splitting, like making the girls ta'veren or Lan not being stony enough: it’s POV adjustment, not plot-damaging.

Some important discarded encounters will obviously come up later when there is more time. I get the frustration of fans who wanted to see those relationships play out now instead of new material (Nynaeve/Moiraine dance battle, how I mourn you), but I disagree shifting them around altered the story. The Eye of The World consists of A Lot of traveling and encounters, with a clear focus on Rand, despite the established five main characters. I think these changes allowed the show to lay the groundwork more evenly, particularly for the girls. 

Now, the biggest change that could affect storylines soon is Moiraine being cut from the source. It could change her arc significantly, short and long-term, but I don't see it as a major hurdle since Moiraine gets a meatier arc that is thematically relevant to book 2. I have qualms about how it could make later arcs redundant, but the execution will do a lot of work here. Mirroring is good in a narrative. 

Another aspect is Siuan/Moiraine potentially affecting their respective story. It may require some reshuffling/cutting characters, which will happen anyway with so many side characters gallivanting. But I'd absolutely argue their love life is not the most important element on their gripping journey in the books. Also, although I loathe admitting it, being together now does not necessarily entail being together always: there's wiggle room here, even if I don't want it.

Giving Perrin a wife only to kill her is dumb, but does not really change his later arc, come on. It will certainly add a certain weight to the story, like with Siuan and Moiraine.

Overall, I find the criticism all the more unfair that fans admit the first book is not representative of the rest of the series (it’s mainly Lord of the Rings references with more innkeepers and jugglers). To me, there's a fair margin of improvement in the books, pace-wise and story-wise. If fans come from the books thinking not one line should be rewritten, of course they're not going to enjoy the show doing away with dated or slower elements. I do. Ultimately, we don’t know how the story will be told: even if certain plots seem barred to them now, it may not be always so.

I hope I answered your question and I profoundly thank you for asking it because I could talk about these books/this show for hours.

#remblai #rescribo #wheel of time #not really meta but hey #I'm not kidding everyone in my family and among my friends and at work knows I am reading these books because I cannot shut up #obviously it's got something to do with the length of the series but also I have many thoughts and no one here has read those books #also shoot me but I don't think damaging certain storylines would be such a bad choice #and certain things in the books don't even fit with other later things because the writing process is like that #lore will shift #it's no big deal #I wonder if my perception will change now that I've read the books #it didn't bother me that much with Rings of Power and His Dark Materials

[star4daisy]

🦈 🎬 👑 for the ask game <33

heey thanks for asking hon <3

🦈 Which character is the toughest to write?

hmm i think reg cuz i had a specific idea of him before I entered the fandom and by reading so much fics on his pov I sometimes struggle with the characterization I'm gonna use for him and sticking to it

🎬 If a movie or show were based on your fic, which fic would you choose and who would you fancast?

THIS IS SO HARD FOR NO REASON LOL I think I'd go with either compass or power over me cuz they'd be the most aesthetically pleasing, i don't have fancasts for them but I'd have to go with Michael Cimino for James even tho he doesn't look like how i imagine him, kahlil beth for Evan, for Barty maybe Freddy Carter cuz he's got that weird haunted face, very wide eyes and I liked how he looked with blood on his face lol but if it was Compass cuz its a band au I'd choose Damiano David for him for sure, reg would be timmy just cuz idk the name of the other guy i ac see him as (but also they all look so young and i imagined them looking older on power over me)

👑 Do you like writing short fics or long fics?

I wish I could be the type of person who writes long fics, like I've got plenty of ideas that are, but I struggle so much with sticking to only one idea and being consistent on my writing that recently I've decided to focus mainly on my short fics so I can actually finish them and maybe write the longer fics on the side and only post them once they're mostly done (which I struggle to do too) so currently I prefer short fics heheh

#i ramble way too much lmao #alex tag #ask games #daisy's letters #asks #my fics #writer asks #fanfic ask game

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

Hi! Do you know any good media/writing sources with androids/robots or any writing advixe about it? I’m planning on writing an original fiction story that has two of the major characters as robot/androids, with one being a POV character, and I was wondering if I could see examples of how other people have done it.

…Actually, on that note, do you have any advice on how to write aliens? This is a really weird book.

I love your and Vinelle’s works - they’re really good and every time I think about How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love the Bacchanals I just sigh in awe of how awesome it is! Have a great day!

Ooh, look @therealvinelle, praise!

Writing Advice in General

The thing about writing is it isn't like art.

There are no guides on how to write specific characters the way there's guides on how to draw certain animals, people, objects, etc. If there were, I wouldn't trust them, as they wouldn't be written by anyone who has any idea what they're doing.

Writing advice kind of starts and stops with classic prompts, breaking down stories into the traditional structures (hero's journey, three-act tragedy, five-act tragedy) and noting well-known writing techniques.

And this is because what you're asking is what I'd call... advanced.

You're at the point of creating your characters to tell a story and want very specific things. You have to come up with what that is and why that works, people can't do it for you.

My Two Cents: It Might Not Matter

The thing about both robots and aliens is they're all over the place in terms of characterization. What you do and how you do it is dependent on what story you want to tell.

There's works where robots are very benign and essentially human, works where robots are not benign but essentially human, where robots are benign but not human, and where they're malicious evil.

Similar with aliens, some works have incredibly human aliens (in both appearance and behavior) some have wildly different aliens.

My point is that you can get away with almost whatever characterization you want, so long as you're consistent and it aids your story your readers will not care.

Whenever I do it, personally, I think of characters being informed by their society as well as... we'll call it biological imperitive. Machines are created to serve a person (one that may not align with human values/traditional human desires), aliens will have their own psychology that will greatly inform who they are and what actions they take.

Think at a base level what the characters want and value and that will inform both what they do and how they communicate.

Things with Aliens and Robots

If you're looking for examples though I suppose I can list out a few.

Alien (great inhuman/malicious aliens as well as androids, highly recommend)

Prometheus (the film by Ridley Scott) (great human/malicious android, less aliens)

I, Robot (the book) (not the best writing or the most interesting but Asimov laid the groundwork for thinking about robotics in science fiction, everyone has some nod towards Asimov and it's good to at least know of)

Blade Runner (great very human robots who aren't quite up to snuff)

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (not as much focus on the robots but one should always read PKD)

Ex Machina (the android and what they know is the focal point of the movie)

Casshern Sins (the entire cast is androids)

Pretty much anything by Philip K. Dick (not all his stuff is about aliens and androids but... it comes up a lot and it's very good)

The Left Hand of Darkness (the aliens are very human in this one but it shows a lot of nuance of a very different society and what that would mean for the aliens)

The Host by Stephanie Meyer (yes, bear with me, Wanda's very human but the aliens are very well thought out and make a lot of sense)

Dune and Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert (not on aliens, really, but Paul gets very out there in terms of his visions and it's very good at looking at why cultures develop certain ways due to environment and terrain)

And I suppose I'd be remiss/a coward not to note that I've written several fics that star inhuman/alien/robotic characters so you can see at least how I've done it.

The Seventh Seal (starring essentially an alien/android)

Of Shepherds and Kings (starring the personification of a nation)

Morilden (starring essentially an alien)

October (starring essentially an alien)

Finishing the Hat (starring an alien god)

The Wasteland (starring essentially an android)

Light and Shadow of the Distant Sun (starring an alien)

Most things I write have aliens or androids, actually.

#writing #writing advice #recommendations

[jmrothwell]

🐙 🎶!!!

Heya!!! ^_^ Thanks for the ask!!

(Snippet Ask Game)

🐙 share a snippet where the character is being a brat/smartass

From: As Good as It Gets (The potential Reggie POV follow up to A Matter of Time)

“Hey man.” Reggie greeted plastering his best smile on. “Why so grumpy?” “Got stuck with a writing partner in Humanities.” Luke mumbled, eyes still looking off at nothing. “The world must surely be ending.” Alex said full of sarcasm as he joined them at the table. “Luke Patterson, actually having to work with someone on a group project, say it isn’t so.” Luke shot a quick glare and not so subtle middle finger at Alex before his eyes focused back into the middle distance.  “Who is this poor soul so that I may extend my condolences?” Bobby said as he sat down.  “Some new girl who transferred in today.” Luke pouted. “That her there in the flannel.” Bobby asked, using his chin to point in the same direction Luke had been consistently scowling in.  Reggie followed the gesture and caught sight of a familiar plum colored flannel. He hadn’t noticed all the black striping that’d been added to the back of it before. Oh, she was new…and sitting alone. That had to suck. So, Luke hadn’t just been staring off into the distance. He’d been staring at her, which was…something. Reggie’s never seen Luke focus on anything that long that wasn’t music related in, well, ever.

🎶 share a happy moment. ANY happy moment. You must have ONE.

From: A future installment of A Matter of Time

Julie’s foot taps so furiously that she’s bound to create a hole in the floor. The movement of her leg causes her to bounce in her seat. Not that she notices, vibrating with nerves as she is. “Jules, I swear, if you don’t stop I’m going to accidentally poke your eye out.” Flynn says with a long suffering sigh. “And none of us want that to be how today goes.” “Sorry.” Julie says, crossing her ankles behind the chair legs, hoping that will help.  “You’re acting like you haven’t done this already.” Carrie laughs as well as she can through the pins she has gripped between her teeth, her hands preoccupied with the strands of curly hair she has. She’s been working to pull Julie’s hair back into a braided updo, beaded floral accessories woven into the curly strands, while Flynn works on Julie’s makeup.  They could have easily hired someone to do all this, but Carrie and Flynn insisted. Their last chance to pamper her like this, according to them.

#snippet ask game #thanks for the ask! #send asks!?

[rueririn]

where do you get inspiration for fics?is it not difficult to write so much ?Do you ever have any trouble finding the character “voices” when writing your fics? Got any tricks on keeping it consistant between chapters, or for fic that end up taking a long time to write?

Rather than 'how do I get inspiration', it's more like I can't... keep them contained?? The plot bunnies breed in my head. I give them a nice little lawn to wander about (empty google doc with a single string of bullet points and gifs for enrichment) and every time I revisit it for a change of pace, I throw more stuff in there. It's to avoid burnout, so I just... let it all build up. It is pretty tough to find my way back to fics with the right channel in my head, but it's also... in a way, pretty simple for me-- I just reread my own fic, or rewatch the episodes. I hyper fixate easily once I get into things, and then suddenly while I'm writing one Pokemon fic I need to write one for every single Pokemon region. A new OC is born when I rewatch a show that I haven't written an OC fic for yet. They stare at me from behind the crib I've locked them in, judging me.

I guess it helps to keep less of a 'am I consistent/writing it well' mindset and more of a 'what do I want to see next?' because if I'm going to see a certain scene happen, I'd rather focus on getting there, rather than reconsider how the entire story is playing out and doubling back. I do not have time to regret my life decisions, I do that enough in real life.

Honestly I think it's difficult for everyone to have a consistent chapter quality in long running fics with long chapter publish gaps. I sometimes think that's the fun part of them--- coming back to chapter 1 to see how far I've come. But honestly, I don't think readers really care all that much to a degree? If the grammar is right, it's good enough. Unless there are glaring plot holes or a whole pov change in writing style, they'd hardly notice the change between chapters. I do rewrite fics that I feel have too glaring of a difference in writing styles or if I want to go a different direction than before, but otherwise, I just build upon what I already have and power through. Whether it becomes a good fic or not, I'm proud of its fruitful run.

I always want to believe I'm writing as the currently best version of myself-- so, I'll never be able to perfectly imitate the writer I was back when the previous chapter came out. But I'm still the only person that can write like her. So, at that point, I'd say just write anyways. I don't think anyone has any business judgementally scrutinising your personal writing growth in a few thousand words. That's the job of the you of the future.

Some things in our writing are unconscious or instinctive to us, so we can't really tell our own writing quirks on our own. The easiest way to keep it all consistent is to have the same passion you had when you wrote the previous chapter. As long as you want to see it happen, you'll always be writing it well. If you force yourself to get the chapter out, it'll always show between the lines.

[fromtheboundlesssea]

The whole HOTD tag anywhere is just such a big irritation to me. I'm literally clenching my fists in anger. Its like people are so awestruck by targs that they're going crazy hating and calling out the Greens while ignoring all the horrible shit the Blacks have done.

I'm not on either team. They both suck but the one-sided hate is really destroying the whole experience.

I think it was smart of you not to post live during the episode. It'll help your sanity in the long run.

All this Rhaenyra and daemon support is really making me like Alicent even more even though her righteousness and hypocracy is also unbearable.

Its so irritating to not be able to discuss the show online because people refuse to have any understanding for the Green's POV.

If this ask makes no sense, Its because I am so frustrated.

I think the biggest issue with the show is that it assumes I will be on Rhaenyra’s side so it doesn’t really focus on her or her people (he sons especially). They depend on people caring either because they are Targs, because she would be the first female queen, or because they read the books and know she is in the right.

But that’s isn’t what the show is doing. It’s putting all its focus and character development with the Greens so it’s easier to get behind their actions (not Aegon’s obviously) because we saw and understand their journey. Their arcs are consistent and memorable.

The same cannot be said for the Blacks.

#keep the asks coming #house of the dragon