tales-and-thoughts

[tales-and-thoughts]

How to show emotions

Part VI

How to show bitterness

tightness around their eyes

pinched mouth

sour expression on their face

crossed arms

snorting angrily

turning their eyes upward

shaking their head

How to show hysteria

fast breathing

chest heaving

trembling of their hands

weak knees, giving in

tears flowing down their face uncontrollably

laughing while crying

not being able to stand still

How to show awe

tension leaving their body

shoulders dropping

standing still

opening mouth

slack jaw

not being able to speak correctly

slowed down breathing

wide eyes open

softening their gaze

staring unabashingly

How to show shame

vacant stare

looking down

turning their head away

cannot look at another person

putting their head into their hands

shaking their head

How to show being flustered

blushing

looking down

nervous smile

sharp intake of breath

quickening of breath

blinking rapidly

breaking eye contact

trying to busy their hands

playing with their hair

fidgeting with their fingers

opening mouth without speaking

Part I + Part II + Part III

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#writing advice wednesday #show don't tell #words & synonyms

[tales-and-thoughts]

"We've never met before" - Good Omens Fanfiction

Fandom: Good Omens

Relationship: Crowley / Aziraphale

Summary: 1601, London.

Aziraphale and Crowley made it through the horrendous 14th century, but their situationship has taken a serious hit. They are slowly reconciling, but it won't be another 100 years until they are back where they left off. That at least is Aziraphale's impression. He quickly reconsiders when Crowley presses him to a wall in a public alley before getting down on his knees.

Or: Crowley shows Aziraphale a secret garden of delight and what snakes can do with their jaw.

Words: 5,757

Rating: Explicit

Status: Finished (Part 3/14 of a series)

Warnings: No Warnings

Tags:

Porn With Plot, Porn with Feelings, Aziraphale Has a Penis, Crowley Has a Penis, Sexual Content, Sexual Tension, Smut, Blow Jobs, First Time Blow Jobs, Public Blow Jobs, Deep throat, Missing Scene, Episode: s01e03 Hard Times, Canon Compliant, POV Aziraphale, Aziraphale Loves Crowley, Awkward Conversations, London, Elizabethan Era, Scene: Globe Theatre 1601, Historical References, Idiots in Love, Ineffable Idiots, Author's overuse of nature similes, How to make a Deep Throat sound poetic, Adding another layer to The Wall Scene in s1, Elizabethan Era clothing is NOT made for this

Click here to read on AO3

#tuesday boostday #fanfiction #good omens #crowley #aziraphale #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #series #author: becci barnes #rating: explicit

[tales-and-thoughts]

writer struggles #01

#meme monday #writing meme

[tales-and-thoughts]

Snippet Sunday #020

from "We've never met before" (Aziracrow, E, 5.8k)

“It’s nice to see you again,” he said, trying to convey a little bit of his contentment of being around Crowley again. He was glad they had run into each other here, especially since they hadn’t seen each other for quite a while. Aziraphale had gotten used to their rather frequent catch-ups every other decade. The taciturn responses he got now were irritating, but maybe the demon was in trouble he couldn’t talk about. Surely that would pass. “And it’s nice to see you’re doing some good,” Aziraphale continued thoughtlessly, just wanting to fill the empty space between them with words. "Not only covering miracles on my behalf. I mean, you were helping that boy, that was nice of you too.”

Aziraphale had no time to reconsider his attitude towards the stealing part, because for once Crowley reacted fiercely to his words. The demon grabbed the sleeve openings of Aziraphale’s doublet and pulled him to the side. Stumbling, he was pushed into an alley, before feeling a brick wall pressing hard in his back.

“I was NOT helping him,” Crowley growled, his face very close to Aziraphale’s. “I tempted him. Very different thing. Are we clear?”

Crowley’s sudden anger brushed over Aziraphale’s lower lip like a sharp breeze. Their noses almost touched and for just a second Aziraphale was sure, Crowley would kiss him. He didn’t know from where that thought emerged with the tension between them at its peak. Nothing about this situation indicated anything romantic, but Aziraphale supposed he wouldn’t mind it either way. 

But Crowley just stared; neither kissing him nor letting go of his doublet. Aziraphale stared back into the dark void that was Crowley’s sunglasses and saw himself in them. His own startled reflection masked every trace of the eyes behind the shades. Crowley never took them off. Even when they had been drinking themselves senseless in Aziraphale’s tiny flat and Crowley had crashed on his bed afterwards, he had left them on. Like so often, Aziraphale had to imagine the eyes that were glaring at him from behind the barrier. 

Read the full story here

#good omens #good omens fanfiction #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #writeblr #creative writing #aziraphale #crowley #excerpt #fanfiction #oneshot #becci barnes #snippet sunday #author: becci barnes #rating: explicit

[tales-and-thoughts]

#writing meme #meme monday #fanfiction

[tales-and-thoughts]

Snippet Sunday #019

from "Nipped in for a quick temptation" (Aziracrow, E, 6.8k)

“You haven’t yet told me what you were sent here to do,” Aziraphale said in between two grapes. “Usually you’re not that bothered by quick temptations.”

“Well,” Crowley said, his face darkening. “Usually the targets of my temptations are still alive when I get there.”

The grape Aziraphale had been picking up, fell back in the bowl as he looked at Crowley with wide eyes. The demon took another generous swig of wine before telling the whole story:

Hell had sent him to tempt none other than Emperor Caligula. It had been claimed to be neither a fancy nor a difficult job, with the Empire’s leader being told to be a temptable eccentric. But not all titles were smoke and mirrors, so albeit short of a challenge, the job held quite some prestige. With great illusions and a witty scheme, Crowley had manoeuvred himself right into the Emperor’s private rooms, only to find out Caligula had been assassinated almost three months ago. 

“Oh yes!” Aziraphale remembered. “That was quite a big deal actually. I helped him out with a couple of his ambitious projects - a little miracle here and there - while I was ensuring the Empire prospered. And the people used to love him, too! Although he did make some questionable decisions in the end.”

Crowley groaned. “Hell never checks their records anymore. Temptation Distribution Office is overworked. Papers stack.” Another mouthful of wine stopped him before he started ranting on about Hell’s incompetence. “Whatever,” he shrugged it away. “What have you been up to? Besides eating and drinking.”

By the sound of it, Aziraphale had visited every single building in Rome. He listed several theatres, libraries and arenas with all their respective merits and specialities. While not exactly up Crowley’s wheelhouse, those were all still fairly ordinary leisure facilities, and he could see why the angel gushed about them. The conversation got a little more absurd when he started talking about public bathing houses, comparing the sizes and temperatures of different pools he had been to. His stream of words abruptly stopped just before he could elaborate on an establishment Crowley was at least 80% sure was a renowned brothel. His eyebrows were somewhere close to his hairline, uttering the unspoken question, but Aziraphale just smiled knowingly and kept his silence.

Read the full story here

#good omens fanfiction #writeblr #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #excerpt #creative writing #fanfiction #aziraphale #crowley #oneshot #good omens #becci barnes #snippet sunday #author: becci barnes #rating: explicit

[tales-and-thoughts]

Don't censor your thoughts

When drafting, not every piece of writing you do has to serve your story.

Every element you write builds out your story world, even if it doesn’t make it into the finished product. You’ll edit later, so let your thoughts run wild with your first draft.

#quick tips #writeblr #saturday content

[tales-and-thoughts]

do you ever find yourself bedeviled by writing ideas that are the equivalent of finding a single carrot in your fridge. your brain goes "we should write a pirate story" or "we should write a parisian thief caper" and you ask, "all right, what do we cook with that, then?" and it says "no other ingredients (:"

#writeblr #relatable

[tales-and-thoughts]

"Nipped in for a quick temptation" - Good Omens Fanfiction

Fandom: Good Omens

Relationship: Crowley / Aziraphale

Summary: 41 AD, Rome.

For more than two millennia Crowley had managed to stay out of Aziraphale's way. But after a failed temptation Crowley's mood is at rock bottom and he accepts Aziraphale's invitation to Patronius' new restaurant. Just like expected, spending time together surfaces some unspoken things and it takes a bitter confession, a stuttered request and a naked statue for them to start sorting it out.

Or: The night Crowley learns, that Rome has taught Aziraphale how to do remarkable things to ... "oysters".

Words: 6,785

Rating: Explicit

Status: Finished (Part 2/14 of a series)

Warnings: No Warnings

Tags:

Porn With Plot, Porn with Feelings, Crowley Has A Vulva, Aziraphale Has a Penis, Ancient Rome, Hedonist Aziraphale, Remarkable Oysters, Patronius' Restaurant, Crowley is a Mess, Crowley Loves Aziraphale, Bottom Crowley, Top Aziraphale, Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Simultaneous Orgasm, Missing Scene, Smut, Canon Compliant, Occasional Latin because I can, Historical References, Idiots in Love, Ineffable Idiots, Author's overuse of water similes,, Aziraphale is Not Innocent, Aziraphale has a naked statue of himself, Crowley is Bad at Feelings

Click here to read on AO3

#fanfiction #good omens #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #crowley #aziraphale #rating: explicit #smut #author: becci barnes #oneshot #series

[tales-and-thoughts]

Got a new blog post for ya! Struggling to write your fight scenes? Here’s what NOT to do.

#writing advice wednesday #fight scenes #action scenes #writing advice

[tales-and-thoughts]

The Very First Page

Inspired by and with art made by @snootflake

Fandom: Good Omens

Relationship: None

Summary: His limitless imagination is what gave the red-haired angel his nickname: The Artist. So when a certain quadrant of the soon-to-be-universe is in need of some colour, upstairs send him to complete the job. A few brush strokes and 3,000,602 concept pages later, they will call him the Star Maker.

Words: 1,355

Rating: General

Status: Finished

Warnings: No Warnings

Tags: Star maker Crowley, Angel Crowley, Before the Beginning, Nebula, Creation of the stars, Alpha Centauri, Outer Space, Inspired by Art

Click here to read on AO3

#tuesday boostday #fanfiction #good omens #crowley #artist: snootflake #author: becci barnes #rating: general #oneshot #fic with art

[tales-and-thoughts]

It’s been slow going recently, but at least it’s something.

#writing meme #writeblr #meme monday

[tales-and-thoughts]

Snippet Sunday #018

from "Might as well get comfortable" (Aziracrow, E, 5.4k)

In a knee-jerk decision, he got up from the bags and sauntered across the room. “So,” he said, stretching the vowel and letting it get caught in the tension between them. “Any plans for the night?” He lifted his chin with a cheeky smile, donning his best temptation face.

Aziraphale either didn’t notice or chose to ignore it. “I was planning on just waiting it out,” he said flatly and something about the indifference stung Crawley.

“On that little stool?” he teased. “Whew, you must be really meaning to punish yourself for your sins.”

“Well, what’s your suggestion then?” Aziraphale asked and Crawley noticed the impatient annoyance in his voice with delight. The angel was better at masking it, but he also wasn’t keen on spending an entire night doing absolutely nothing.

“Dunno,” Crawley lied. “But I figured with one temptation already accomplished, I could as well do with another one.”

The emotions, ever so readable on Aziraphale’s face, cycled rapidly through rejection and indignation before they landed on careful curiosity.

“Like what?” he asked, unsure if he was already committing a sin just by considering.

Stepping into Aziraphale’s personal space, Crawley leaned down, bringing their faces even closer together. “Have you ever tried to make an Effort?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

Aziraphale didn’t flinch or retreat but his eyes narrowed in confusion. “I… all the time. I believe. I take my duties very seriously.” He squared his shoulders and Crawley smirked. The angel not getting his suggestive hints was adorable as always, although he still hadn’t figured out if he did that on purpose.

“I mean an Effort down there.” His eyes darted down to Aziraphale’s lap. The angel followed his gaze and when he finally got the hint, he quickly looked back up, aghast. “No! Why should I?”

Read more

#writeblr #creative writing #fanfiction #good omens #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #excerpt #rating: explicit #oneshot #becci barnes #snippet sunday

[tales-and-thoughts]

Fic Rec Friday: #026: if you have a minute, why don't we go?

by cupidsstarlight

CLICK HERE TO READ ON AO3

Fandom: Good Omens

Shipping: Aziraphale/Crowley

Summary: "Run away with me." "What?" "You heard me, Aziraphale." "Crowley, you're drunk."

what happens when Crowley shows up, drunk and pleading, to the bookshop. inspired by Somewhere Only We Know by Keane.

Published: 2023-08-20

Words: 4,440

Status: Finished

Rating: Teen and Up

Warnings: No Warnings

Tags: Angst, Running Away, Pining, Author's Overuse of the Word Angel, Season/Series 01, Begging, Song: Somewhere Only We Know (Keane), Drunk Crowley, Crowley is a Mess, Author's Overuse of Italics, POV Alternating, Sad Ending, Alpha Centauri, Memory Related, Kneeling, Betrayal, Sort Of

#good omens fanfiction #good omens #fanfiction #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #fic rec friday #author: cupidsstarlight #rating: teen #oneshot

[tales-and-thoughts]

Heads up, 7 up!

I got tagged by @oh-no-another-idea (ages ago, I'm so sorry, this has been quietly snoozing in my drafts) to share 7 lines of my writing.

From The Very First Page (Good Omens, G, 1.3k) :

He shook the unwanted thought away as he snatched a little tin can out of thin air. He was here to make it look pretty. That’s why he was the Artist and not the Inventor. Inventing was for upstairs. The light of three thousand pre-aged stars blinded him, as he opened the lid of the tin can. He grabbed a handful and sprinkled them over his piece of art, letting them settle wherever they felt best. Another dash of stars he specifically placed into the foggy clouds, where they twinkled mysteriously from behind the stunning colours.

I'm leaving this here as an open tag for you, and anyone else wanting to participate. Feel free to comment, if you want to be tagged by me in the future😚

#tag game thursday #tag game #heads up 7 up #writeblr #excerpt #open tag #fanfiction snippet

[tales-and-thoughts]

"Might as well get comfortable" - Good Omens Fanfiction

Fandom: Good Omens

Relationship: Crowley / Aziraphale

Summary: 2500 BC, Job's Cellar. The tempest is raging outside and two entities are locked up together in a cellar: 1) A very temptable angel that has already sinned once tonight 2) A very bored demon that is barely holding his emotions together What could possibly go wrong?

Words: 5,404

Rating: Explicit

Status: Finished (Part 1/14 of a series)

Warnings: No Warnings

Tags:

Porn With Plot, Aziraphale Has a Penis, Crowley Has A Vulva, Crowley is a Mess, Crowley Loves Aziraphale, Vaginal Sex, Smut, Job's Cellar, Bildad the Shuhite, Riding, First Time, Making an Effort, Ox-Ribs are a Metaphor, Loss of Virginity, Topping from the Bottom, Missing Scene, Canon Compliant, Protective Crowley, Virgin Crowley, Virgin Aziraphale, Crowley's Name is Crawley

Click here to read on AO3

#fanfiction #good omens #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #crowley #aziraphale #rating: explicit #smut #author: becci barnes #oneshot #series #writeblr

[tales-and-thoughts]

5 Essential Tips for Mastering Scene Writing in Your Novel

There's many parts involved when writing a scene. Knowing how these different pieces work together may help you move forward in your novel. NaNo Participant Amy de la Force offers some tips on brushing up your scene writing knowledge. Scenes are the building blocks of a novel, the stages where characters spring to life, conflicts brew and emotions run high. Mastering the art of scene writing is crucial for any aspiring writer, especially in the lead-up to NaNoWriMo. But what is a scene, and how do you effectively craft one? 

What is a Scene? 

A scene is a short period of time — in a set place — that moves the story forward with dramatic conflict that reveals character, generally through dialogue or action. Think of writing a scene as a mini-story with a beginning, middle and end, all contributing to the narrative. 

Why Scene Writing is Your Secret Weapon in Storytelling

Well-crafted scenes enhance your story to develop characters, advance the plot, and engage readers through tension and emotion. Whether you're writing a novel, short story or even non-fiction, scenes weave the threads of your story together.

Tip #1: Scenes vs. Sequels

According to university lecturer Dwight Swain in Techniques of the Selling Writer, narrative time can be broken down into not just scenes, but sequels. 

Scene

The 3 parts of a scene are:

Goal: The protagonist or point-of-view (POV) character’s objective at the start of the scene.

Conflict: For dramatic conflict, this is an equally strong combination of the character’s ‘want + obstacle’ to their goal. 

Disaster: When the obstacle wins, it forces the character’s hand to act, ratcheting up tension. 

Sequel 

Similarly, Swain’s sequels have 3 parts:

Reaction: This is the POV character’s emotional follow-up to the previous scene’s disaster. 

Dilemma: If the dramatic conflict is strong enough, each possible next step seems worse than anything the character has faced.  

Decision: The scene’s goal may still apply, but the choice of action to meet it will be difficult. 

Tip #2: Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Scene

In Story Genius, story coach and ex–literary agent Lisa Cron lists 4 questions to guide you in scene writing:

What does my POV character go into the scene believing?

Why do they believe it?

What is my character’s goal in the scene?

What does my character expect will happen in this scene?

Tip #3: Writing Opening and Closing Scenes

Now that we know more about scene structure and character considerations, it’s time to open with a bang, or more to the point, a hook. Forget warming up and write a scene in the middle of the action or a conversation. Don’t forget to set the place and time with a vivid description or a little world-building. To end the scene, go for something that resolves the current tension, or a cliffhanger to make your scene or chapter ‘unputdownable’. 

Tip #4: Mastering Tension and Pacing 

A benefit to Swain’s scenes and sequels is that introspective sequels tend to balance the pace by slowing it, building tension. This pacing variation, which you can help by alternating dialogue with action or sentence lengths, offers readers the mental quiet space to rest and digest any action-packed scenes. 

Tip #5: Scene Writing for Emotional Impact

For writing a scene, the top tips from master editor Sol Stein in Stein on Writing are:

Fiction evokes emotion, so make a list of the emotion(s) you want readers to feel in your scenes and work to that list.

For editing, cut scenes that don’t serve a purpose (ideally, several purposes), or make you feel bored. If you are, your reader is too. 

Conclusion

From understanding the anatomy of a scene to writing your own, these tips will help elevate your scenes from good to unforgettable, so you can resonate with readers.

Amy de la Force is a YA and adult speculative fiction writer, alumna of Curtis Brown Creative's selective novel-writing program and Society of Authors member. The novel she’s querying longlisted for Voyage YA’s Spring First Chapters Contest in 2021. An Aussie expat, Amy lives in London. Check her out on Twitter, Bluesky, and on her website! Her books can be found on Amazon. Photo by cottonbro studio

#writing advice wednesday #writing advice #nanowrimo #writeblr