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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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After over a month on hiatus, Chapter Ten is up on Ao3! I apologize for my absence. Life has been hectic lately.
Feedback is always appreciated and encouraged!
-Andy
9/8/20 11:51
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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"...three days, tops. Deal?"
"Four." Taka insisted.
"Three."
"Four."
"Three."
"Has anyone ever told you that you argue like a child?"
"Two!"
"Fine, three days. No more, no less." Taka sighed. Toru fought the urge to stick his tongue out.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself. I'm only trying to help you." Taka said, clearly trying to keep a small smile off of his face.
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One of my favorite scenes so far, featured in chapter nine. In fact, I've uploaded up to chapter nine on Ao3 under the same name and title. I started this a few days ago, and didn't announce it first because I wasn't sure if I would leave it up. But after reaching over 100 hits in 5 days, I'm excited to see where it goes! The story is here on Ao3, and I'll be closing the Google doc link soon. Chapter ten will be here shortly, as well!
As always, constructive feedback is fully welcome and much appreciated!
-Andy
07/29/20 1:21 am
(Quit judging my sleep schedule, I'm trying my best here)
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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I'd like to give a huge thank you to those who started reading my story today. It means a lot to me. I've been waiting for this to crash and burn for a while now, but this gave me hope. I was in the middle of finishing off a chapter when I started seeing viewers at the top of the doc, and I can't tell you in words how amazing that felt. Terrifying, but amazing. Thank you all so much!
I've also come to the realization that I'm an idiot. I could have been posting this on Archive, chapter by chapter. I might start doing that soon, I might not. Thoughts?
As always, constructive feedback is welcome and appreciated!
-Andy 07/20/20 10:21 pm
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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As of just now, my computer (and Spotify as a whole???) is broken. I'm working on getting it back in order, but it isn't cooperating well. In the mean time, here's that list I promised, that no one asked for :)
My main work is a long Toruka fic (currently) called Keep Your Enemies Close.
It tells the story of a Tokyo detective with a troubled past and a shadowed future. His mission since joining the force has been to track down the man who killed his father, a reigning yakuza leader known only as Moriuchi. In doing so, he finds himself mixed up with Moriuchi's opponent, who could turn out to be an unlikely ally.
This story has multiple supporting documents, which I use for character design, experimental changes, visual guides, and creative planning. The first draft of this story was created circa May 8-16th, this year, and my current work currently sits around 25,000 words. I'll be sharing the link as soon as I can get my computer to stop fighting with me.
A tiny side project I started working on for about a week, there's Play With Your Heart.
This one isn't Toruka, but actually features a Toru/Tomo pairing. Since everyone loved my Toru/Tomo dynamic in the early chapters of KYEC, I figured I'd write them their own short story. It never really took off. I fell in love with KYEC and hyperfocused on it for weeks. Play With Your Heart is a wholesome little story about Toru and Tomo sharing a hotel room on tour, and Toru finding out that Tomo is afraid of the dark. Cuddling ensues, mixed feelings, lots of staring during rehearsal, and finally a happy ending. This isn't finished yet, and I'm not sure it ever will be. That's up to you. If it's something you're interested in, let me know and I'll gladly pick it up again.
I've also been contemplating writing a little bit more Toru/Tomo, ooc akin to their characters in KYEC. I'm not sure how I would make it happen though. Tomo is so pure, it's hard for me to place him into scenario's that conflict with that image.
As always, feedback and constructive criticism are always welcome. I love to write, and anything that would help me improve is much appreciated.
-Andy
07/16/20 4:31 am
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Here's a picture of Taka I use to keep his character straight (not at all straight, of course. Just to keep him on track in my writing. I don't want him going soft too soon). I just did a bit of editing with it, and I like the visual effect.
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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Someone please do remind me not to write when in a bad mood... This prologue is so violent... Oops?
On another note, I'll probably be posting my work list soon, if anyone is interested. It will include titles and descriptions of my current projects, as well as the link to my main doc and its supporting docs. Let me know if this is something I should do. I feel like it's about time, with how much I talk about it all.
07/10/20
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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By Artemis' grace... I've seen these mistakes too many times. Please be careful with your tags! They're very important! You never know what might trigger someone if they stumble upon it without proper warning.
A little PSA for people who use AO3…
Gen refers to fic that is not focused on romance. If your fic is not a romance fic, please give it this tag.
Other refers to fic that is focused on romance, but is not specifically male/female, male/male, or female/female (like an OT3 (ship involving 3 people), a ship involving characters that are not male or female, etc). IT IS NOT FOR PLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS. IT IS FOR ROMANTIC ONES. please for the love of all that is holy do not tag your family-relationship-centered fics as “other” you are going to give people a HEART ATTACK.
“Character/Character” is for romantic pairs. “Character & Character” is for platonic relationships like friendship, family, etc. Please do not tag family-centered or adult-and-minor-centered platonic character relationships as character/character for the love of all that is holy
The E rating is for smut and literally nothing else (unless you have other unusual reasons to rate it E–I’ve seen people apply it to non-smut fics as a deterrent to keep minors away from it, but keep in mind it’ll make it so people who are trying to avoid smut will not find your fic). Your fic that has a lot of graphic violence but no sexual content does not need an E rating.
The M rating is for fics that would basically be rated R if they were movies, and may contain graphic violence, some sexual content, and generally more serious subject matter than you would typically show a teenager. However, if your fic is almost entirely smut, please just give it an E rating.
Also, when you post a fic, you WILL want to give it a rating, or else AO3 will assume you’re probably posting smut and will warn everybody who clicks on your fic that it may contain adult content. If you don’t want that on your fic that contains no adult content at all, please just give it the proper rating instead of not rating it at all.
this post brought to you by PLEASE LEARN HOW THE TAGGING SYSTEM ON THIS WEBSITE WORKS YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE EVERYONE A HEART ATTACK
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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I've realized something lately in my writing that bothers me. For a while, I spent a lot of time changing major elements of the plot, and adjusting older chapters to accommodate for the changes. Because of this, it doesn't flow as organically as I'd like, and a lot of newer information seems improvised. I've been trying to come up with a solution other than starting over a 25k+ word work, and all I can come up with is writing a short prologue to back up some of the newer plot points. Does anyone have other suggestions? Will this work? Advice is always welcome.
7/8/20
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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Something I focus on a lot in my writing is not using the same words and phrases too often. If my character has specific mannerisms/actions that come up a lot, I try hard to find new ways to describe it each time, or to at least cycle through the descriptions I've already used.
For example, one of my characters often wears a very plain expression. I describe him sometimes as bored, uninterested, unfazed, nonchalant, expressionless, stoic, it all depends on the situation. When I feel like it's starting to get repetitive, I try describing something else. His tone, his body language, other characters' reactions to him, etc. His general character description is consistant, but there's still always room for variety in the wording.
Speaking of which, the number of times I used the words "character," "describe," and "description" in this post is already bugging me. I'm leaving it this way, however, to show you how annoying it can be to see the same word used too many times in writing. It isn't nice to look at, after a while. Keep it unique.
-Andy
Post Scribet... You'll know him when you see him. You may not like him right away, but that's what development is for :)
7/2/20
41 Emotions as Expressed through Body Language
Found Here x
41 Emotions as Expressed through Body Language Unique 
This list, while exhausting, is soooo not exhaustive; it barely scratches the surface. And each entry could easily become cliché (if it isn’t already). But, it should be enough to get you started. Want more? Start watching people (not in a creepy way), and take notes of what they seem to do when expressing different emotions. Your repertoire of expression will double in no time. PS—do not use these for actual, real-life body language reading; you will fail. These are strictly novelistic.
Awed  -Slack -jawed, raised eyebrows, staring  -Frozen, slack body language (Self? What self? There is only Zuul.)  -Take a step back and put a hand to his heart
Amused  -Smiling and throwing back her head laughing  -Slapping her thighs, stamping her feet, clapping her hands  -Shaking her head (That’s so wrong!)
Angry/Aggressive  -Sharp movements, like shaking a fist, pointing, slashing, or slamming a fist on a table  -Flushed face, patchy red blotches  -Tension in neck—chords standing out, veins throbbing—and jutting or tucked chin  -Arms akimbo, or clenching fists  -Entering someone else’s space and forcing them out  -Poofing up with a wide stance (I am big! Very big!), arms wide (Bring it!)  -Lowered eyebrows, squinting eyes  -Teeth bared, jaw clenched, snarling
Annoyed  -Pressing lips together into a thin line  -Narrowing eyes sometimes with slight head tilt (Why do you still exist?)  -Rolling eyes, often paired with a long-suffering sigh
Anxious  -Fidgeting, such as tearing grass into little pieces, playing with a ring, or chewing on a pencil  -Biting lower lip, swallowing unnecessarily  -Quickened breathing or holding breath  -Darting eyes  -Pallor, sweating, clammy palms  -Unusually high-pitched, “nervous” laughter  -Hunched shoulders  -Pacing
Attentive  -Slow head nodding with a furrowed brow  -Leaning forward, toward the speaker, and sitting up  -Taking notes  -Looking over the top of her glasses
Bored  -Resting his head on his palm, peeking out between the fingers, maybe even slipping so his head “accidentally” hits the table  -Tapping toes, twirling pencil, doodling, and otherwise fidgeting  -Staring out a window, or at anything remotely more interesting (Which is everything …)
Confident  -Arms clasped behind body  -Head lifted, chest out, standing tall  -Walking briskly and making firm, precise movements
Confused  -Tilting head with narrowed eyes  -A furrowed brow  -Shrugging
Contempt/Superiority  -Lifted chin (The better to look down the nose.)  -Pursed lips, sneering, slight frown  -Circling a shoulder, stretching her neck, turning away—anything to indicate she doesn’t see the person as a threat or worthy of her attention  -Grabbing her lapels, or tucking her thumbs in her waistcoat (See this clothing? It is much nicer than yours.)  -Dismissive hand-waving
Cynical/Sarcastic/Bitter  -Twisted lips or a half-smile  -Sneering, sometimes with shaking the head and other defensive body language  -Pressed lips with a slight frown  -Eye rolling
Defensive  -Crossed arms, legs, crossed anything, really (Well, maybe not fingers … or eyes …)  -Arms out, palms forward (Stop!)  -Placing anything (sword, shield, book, backpack) in front of her body
Disgusted  -Crinkling his nose  -Curling his lip and/or showing the tip of his tongue briefly  -Flinching back and interposing a shoulder or turning away  -Covering his nose, gagging, and squinting his eyes shut—hard—for a moment. (It assaults all the senses.)
Displeased  -A plastered-on fake smile (You suck; but I can’t tell you that. So here: a fake smile! Enjoy.)  -Pouting or frowning (I’ll cry if you don’t give me what I want—don’t test me, I will!)  -Crossed arms and other defensive/frustrated body language (I will not let that terrible idea influence me!)
Distressed  -Wide eyes and shallow, rapid breathing  -Beating the walls, or huddling into a corner  -Clasping hands over his head protectively  -Rocking himself  -Handwringing  -Running his hands through his hair
Earnest/Passionate  -Leaning forward, nodding, wide eyes with strong eye contact and raised eyebrows  -Hand on heart, or presented palms-up, or otherwise visible  -A double-handed handshake (I really want to make sure you understand me!)
Embarrassment  -Blushing  -Stammering  -Covering her face with her hands or bowing her head (I’m so embarrassed, I can’t look!)  -Difficulty maintaining eye contact, looking down and away
Excited/Anticipation  -Rubbing hands together (I can’t wait to get my hands on it!)  -Licking lips (It’s so close I can taste it!)  -A vigorous, pumping handshake (I can’t wait to get started!)  -Jumping up and down (Look at me being literal here! I am jumping for joy.)  -A wide and easy grin
Flirty  -Eye play, like winking, looking up through the lashes, over the shoulder glances, and eye catching   -Preening, like hair flipping or smooth, clothing straightening, spine straightening, etc.  -Striking a cowboy pose, with his thumbs gripping his belt tight
Frustrated  -Shaking his head (You are so wrong!)  -Massaging temples (My brain—it hurts.)  -Clasping his wrist in his opposite hand, behind his back (Bad arm! No biscuit.)  -Running his hands through his hair (All this frustration is making my hair mussy. I can feel it.)  -Grabbing onto something like armrests, or white-knuckled interdigitation (Restrain yourself!)
Happy  -Smiling and laughing  -Eyes and nose crinkling  -Swinging her arms, spinning loosely, dancing, jumping
Impatience  -Quick head nodding (Get on with it!)  -Toe/finger tapping (Hear this? These are seconds. Wasted. Listening to you.)  -Sighing, checking the clock/sundial/freckles (Time. It is moving so slowly.)
Jealous  -Tight lips, or a sour expression  -Narrow eyes locked on the perpetrator, to the point of a stare down  -Crossed arms, and additional frustrated, angry, possessive, or bitter body language
Lying  -Scratching their nose, ear, neck, miscellaneous part of face  -Sudden change in behavior or demeanor, including shifty eye contact, lots of long blinking, shrugging -Ill-timed smiles or laughter (This is how I normally smile, right? Right???)  -Additional anxiety body language  -Shaking head no while saying “yes” (I can’t believe I just lied.)  -Licking lips, covering mouth, touching mouth, etc.
Overwhelmed  -Both palms to forehead, fingers splayed (This gives me a headache.)  -Covering eyes with one hand (If I can’t see the world, it can’t see me …)  -Eyes wide and staring into space, hands gripping the table in front of her (… Woah.)
Playful/Friendly  -Winking  -Waggling eyebrows  -Tiny shoves or nudge
Pleasure  -Head tilted back, lips parted slightly, eyes wide or closed  -Slow, languorous movements, stretching (such as arching her neck or back)  -Slight flush, quickened breath and pulse
Possessive  -Handshake with arm clasp  -Putting hands on or around someone’s shoulders, neck, waist, back, or even just the wall near them  -Standing in someone’s personal space, body positioned toward that person  -Any one-sided act of intimacy, like running a knuckle down someone’s cheek  -Staring down any who get too close
Proud/Dominant  -Chin up, chest out, shoulders back  -A painfully hard handshake that not only squishes the bones, but also forces his hand on top  -Leaning back with his hands behind his head, and his feet up  -Strong, unblinking, focused eye contact
Reluctance/Resistance  -Arms crossed, sometimes with fists (Not happening.)  -Dragging feet (But I don’t wanna!)  -Pinching nose (You want me to do what now?)  -Clamping hands over ears (La la la la!)
Sad/Upset  -Droopy body (and anything held, like a sword), bowed in shoulders, wrapping arms around self  -Slow movements with hesitation  -Bottom lip jutting out and/or quivering  -Crying, sobbing, body shaking, sniffling, wet eyes
Secretive  -A tight-lipped smile (My lips are zipped.)  -Hiding her hands in her pockets (What has it got in its nasty little pocket?)  -Looking away
Scared  -Hunched shoulders, shrinking back from others (Don’t hurt me!)  -Wide eyes and lifted eyebrows (The better to see them coming.)  -Shaking, trembling, or freezing  -Rocking from side to side, sometimes holding self (It’ll all be okay, self, it’ll all be okay.)
Shame  -Slumped shoulders (Don’t look at me.)  -Trouble meeting your gaze, looking down and away  -Burying her face in her hands or bowing her head (I can’t face the world right now.)
Shocked  -Hands covering her mouth, or mouth hanging open, sometimes with a gasp (If I had words, I would be saying them.) -Freezing and staring with wide eyes and eyebrows raised (Diverting all resources toward staring.)  -Smacking a palm into his forehead (Clearly, my head isn’t working right, or I wouldn’t have seen that)
Shy  -Avoids eye contact, or has only fleeting eye contact (Eye contact means you might speak to me.)  -Keeps a fair distance from everyone, and will back away if someone steps closer (Space invaders!)  -Folded arms, head down, and other defensive body language (If I make myself small, they can’t see me.)
Smug  -Slight, close-lipped smile (occasionally one-sided) and sometimes one raised eyebrow (I know something you don’t know.)  -Chin slightly tucked, Mona Lisa smile, raised eyebrows (I know better.)  -Finger steepling (I am so smaaaht.)
Suspicious/Skeptical/Disbelief  -Narrowed eyes, sometimes with a sidelong glance or raised eyebrow (Perhaps if I look at it out of the corner of my eye, I will catch it unawares.)  -Rubbing his eyes (I can’t believe what I’m metaphorically or literally seeing!)  -Shaking his head (I��I don’t believe it.)  -Blowing out cheeks (Well , I don’t know …)
Tired  -Rubbing his eyes, eyes staring into space, raised eyebrows (Raising my eyebrows helps keep my eyes open.)  -Yawning and/or stretching (I am tired—see? Tired! Too tired to care!)  -Almost nodding off and jerking awake (Cannot. Stay. Awa—snnnnurzzzz.)  -Gritting teeth to stay awake (Cannot—yawn—dang it!)
Thoughtfulness/Thinking  -Steepling fingers (I will think better if I center myself and focus.)  -Pinching nose, sometimes with closed eyes (Focus, focus—I just need to focus.)  -Tugging on an ear (This will help me remember!)  -Stroking a real or imaginary beard (People with beards look smart.)  -Furrowed brow, narrowed eyes, sometimes tilted head and pressing lips together (I can’t see it—I will try harder!)  -Resting his chin on his hand (Thinking makes my head heavy.)
Triumphant  -Hands clenched and held above head while grimacing (She is invincible!)  -Head tilted back with a yell (She is fierce!)  -Arm pumping in the air, jumping (Woohoo!)
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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“Toru, it’s Tomo. You’re late. You know what that means. I’ll have an iced green tea with honey and boba, the captain wants his coffee black with two sugars, Min wants a uh… what was it you wanted Min? Ah... A rose green tea with strawberry poppers, strawberry jelly, and extra sugar. Damn, that’s a lot of sugar. Anyway, good luck, order boy.” The usual bright smile on Tomo’s face was audible in the voicemail.
-Main work, chapter two
I wanted to maybe start posting quotes I liked from the story, just because some of them are pretty fun. Nothing that exposes the plot though, even though I really want to :(
Fun fact, Tomo wasn't meant to be a big part of the story. He was meant to show up as a background character in the first chapter, and not much else. Some friends who were reading along at the time damn near rioted to have him included more, because he was such a wholesome character. We see a lot more of him throughout the existing chapters now. This may or may not have to do with the multiple threats made upon my life when I mentioned him not being important to the story.
Send help.
6/30/20
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to-tokyo-and-back · 4 years
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I did the thing, I guess. I made a separate blog for my writing. I'll probably make a list of things that I'm working on at some point, but right now I need to get used to this being a semi-public thing first. I'm nervous as fuck.
But hey, here's a couple of pictures I've been using for character reference in my main story (I change the title so often, I won't bother trying to use one here. I'll just continue to call it "my story"/"my main")
I'm a big fan of blonde Toru and badass Taka. Tomo is his usual wholesome teddy bear self, and Ryota is about as OOC as it gets. Tbh they're all pretty OOC, but hey, they fit well together. I'm having a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you have as much fun reading it.
-Andy
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6/29/20
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