angieowlie

[angieowlie]

[angieowlie]

Happy 2024!~!! ☺️

Hope your new year has gone off to a kind, gentle start <3

This year my main goal is to pace myself. In all aspects of life, including writing, working, exercising, and resting. I've been thinking a lot about what I want my day-to-day life to look like, and I've drafted a rough schedule of what I would like to follow.

I feel as though the stress of the holidays has fallen away and, with it, the emergence of the bright new start of January have slowly eased away my winter blues. I feel safe and rested and ready to write regularly again, to come back to where I left off and return to the story like returning to a warm group of friends. I've been allowing myself space to write little drabbles of whatever comes to mind, not thinking too much of grammar and wording, only of creating a small piece of happiness before I start the day.

Despite the (freezing) weather that is Canada, I've been bundling myself up and driving to my favourite park and making sure I get out of the house for a breath of fresh air, even just 15 mins. Slowly, it's begun to do wonders for my mental health and I feel myself, well, feeling like myself again.

Working from home is amazing, but sometimes you feel trapped by the walls of your room and the walls of your mind. That's why I've been coaxing myself to go outside, even just for a bit, because it does help. I often worry about wasting gas or catching a cold or what-have-you, but all of that pale in comparison to looking after my mental health.

I realized last year that, because I've gotten to know my bbs more now, I actually feel like redoing parts of vol 3's plot XD So that's what I'll do after finishing up my current task of editing vol 2 draft 2. I also want to start brainstorming vol 4, mostly because I've been editing and rewriting since September of 2022, and, creatively, I am yearning to write something new X'D It's fulfilling to go back and polish up a draft, of course, but I do miss the magical feeling of coming up with something new. The excitement and wondrous joy of discovering where a new plotline will lead to, you know?

Towards the end of 2023, I began reading The Creative Act by Rick Rubin and, oh my goodness, it's now my creative bible (after Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way Every Day). It's filled with such gentle words of wisdom and, like, permission to just create and have fun.

I also reread the first 2 volumes of The Dangerous Convenience Store, and my most joyous discovery is that the fandom has nicknamed Gunwoo as "Ah-juicy" 🤣 I have the Mandarin version from Taiwan, so I had no idea what the English fandom was up to. That being said, still no word of the other volumes being translated in Taiwan 😭 pLEASE put me out of my misery, I need to know what happens next!!

I also started watching (of all things) All Creatures Great and Small, and it is just the wholesomest show ever! (The 2020 version.) Peaceful village life and cuddly animals~ Sigh~ Yes please~

Anyway, I hope this year you read and write and create things that make you happy! And look after your mental and physical health. And drink lots of water! And look at stars. And laugh big deep belly laughs. And accomplish one goal on your list (you can do it! 💕)

Until next time, here's to more magic 🧚🏻‍♂️✨✨

#writing #personal #progress 🦉 #happy new year!

[angieowlie]

Today marks 5 years of writing! 😄🎉

It's been 5 years since I posted my first piece of writing and embarked on this journey of becoming a writer! Oh, and what a journey it's been. 5 years of writing consistently, of discovering the wondrous magic of creativity (and things about myself!), of practicing the craft, of honouring the ebb and flow of the creative spirit. I'm so grateful for all of the love and support you guys have shown my fics! Thank you for witnessing me :) I can't wait to share my original series when the time comes!~!!

Here's to more magic! <3 🧚🏻‍♀️✨

#writing #progress 🦉 #writer life

[angieowlie]

Write your story however it comforts you.

"But that writing video said..."

"But then readers will..."

"But this trope should..."

"But that famous author said..."

Write your story however it comforts you. 📖✨✨

#writing #writing encouragement #writing motivation #writing positivity #✏️✨✨

[angieowlie]

Writing Progress #18 🪶

Sooo a couple weeks ago I finished writing Vol 1 draft 2!! 😆

AAAHH it was such a beautiful day. The night before whilst in the shower, I was struck with THE cutest way to end the book and gaaah I love it so much! 😆 I had a really good writing session that day as I finished the draft. A couple days before - as I was nearing the end - I got really emotional. I was crying a lot because I didn’t want it to end...I just felt so happy with this draft. Isn’t it weird how you want something to be over and done with, but once it’s happened you long for it to go on, instead of ending? T0T

Anyway, I had a celebratory quesadilla from Chipotle 😂 (Not dim sum this time, lol.)

Right now I’m taking a writing break~ I actually wrote a list of stuff I wanted to do during this time (including, but not limited to, rewatching Banana Fish 😂💔)

I haven’t done much writing since, just a drabble here and there. Strangely enough, I had thought this break would be a fun and relaxing time to rejuvenate and refill the creative well. But I’ve actually been stressed as HELL 😂🙂 Work has been super busy, there’s some family and friends stuff going on, the weather is HOT as shiz, and I realize now that perhaps my daily routine of writing in the morning before everything else has been what’s keeping me anchored all this time. Huh 🤔 Perhaps next time, for the next writing break, I should still do some light writing in the morning, something unrelated to the series, but make myself sit down and write nonetheless.

Anyway - I’ve done some fun things that weren’t on my list, too!

We went to watch Elemental, and lemme tell you, I cried so much, my eyes were so dry up till the next day. It was so good, my god 😭 The crap marketing did not do it justice at all!! I also couldn’t stop staring at Ember’s nose the whole time because it kept flickering because she’s made of fire 😂

(Side note: that attack on AO3 had scared the HELL outta me. But I’m glad things are okay now!! We will not be brought down so easily!!)

I’ve also been making space to prioritize reading. It’s been good. I’ve been finding a lot of titles I’ve never heard of before, sampling on Amazon first before borrowing from the lib. Something I’ve started doing is going to the lib on Saturday morning and just sitting there reading for like an hour or so. I find that blocking off a chunk of time and just, like, read uninterrupted REALLY helps to get yourself immersed into the story. So yeah, haha. I think that ’bout sums up what I’ve been up too.

Oh! One last thing. Today’s actually the 2nd anniversary of the day I started to seriously write this series 😸 (At this point I have so many anniversaries to celebrate each year, but whatever 😂 Romanticize your milestones, yo!)

#writing #progress 🦉 #writer life

[angieowlie]

Starting my 8th writing notebook! 🥰 I love how the cover is filled with books =)

Half of the notebooks I’ve been using were from Oomomo, lol. Who knew they had such cute ones?

I’m very proud of the writing progress I’ve made since starting this series in 2020 ^^💙 Can’t wait to share it when the day comes aaaahh

Also, lil update on writing progress - I’m SUPER close to finishing Vol 1 draft 2! I pulled through from that slump I was having (thank god!) I’ve got two more chapters to write - and then it’s done!! :’D (and then it’s dim sum celebration time :D)

I’m thinking maybe I’ll show it to the friend (who’s into vtubing) for feedback after another draft or two 😸

#writing #cute notebooks #writer life #progress 🦉 #✨✨ #can one ever have enough notebooks?

[angieowlie]

6.4 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

#yugioh #yugi #<3

[angieowlie]

Writing Progress #17 🌥

I finally gave in and took a break from writing. I hadn’t even realized I’d been burnt out.

Gosh, I don’t even know where to start this entry. So many thoughts are jumbled in my mind. I just want to share how I’ve been feeling.

This isn’t the first time I’ve taken a break from being burnt out. I always hate doing so. It feels like I’m wasting time and slipping behind. It’s scary. Wasteful. Unproductive. But I did it anyway…and it’s been deeply healing.

I stopped writing last Thursday. Thursday was a weird day. I met up with the lovely friend who is into vtubing and we had a wonderful sushi lunch. I told her the writing woes I’ve been facing and she - in that comforting no-nonsense way I’ve come to admire - shared some advice. The more you reread your writing, the worse it seems. A draft is not supposed to sound good. Instead of emulating your favourite book and author, write in your own style. Sometimes you need feedback from someone else. And when asked if she would be that person - Haha, sure!

It was on that day, as things tend to feel after sharing one’s troubles with another, I realized how much I needed a break. So on that day, I fearfully closed my notebook and put it aside, guiltily saying goodbye for now. I took to reading, reading novels, reading picture books, watching movies, watching Disney, finding comfort in the little things. I went to Costco with my mom. I bought some blackberries. I savoured each berry, delighted in their juice, crunched on the little seeds. I wrote a drabble about my bbs and blackberries.

Slowly, slowly, I felt the numbness and dread slipping away and replaced with glowing hope. Just try. Just try again. My mind whispered. When I did bravely reach into the writing part of me and tested my energy and began gently brainstorming, I found peace. That sickening dread was gone. There is only gentleness and curiosity. What can I make, what will I discover, where will this lead. Hope.

It feels almost a relief to not hurry into my chair every morning these last few days. Instead I let my mind wander and float and play and take things gently by the moment. Let the ideas come. Let the magic brew. Let the writing reshape back into love.

I’m almost there, just a little bit more. I can feel it, I’m almost home.

#writing #progress 🦉

[angieowlie]

FINALLY got this and it is magnificently gooorgeous 😭✨

I love the fact that it rhymes! The art is beautiful 💙

I mean- *wheezes* THEM!!

So glad to have this in my collection 💙 It’s got such a beautiful message, and I really wish schools and libraries and bookshops had a book like this when I was a kid. How I wish kids back then grew up with books that showed them all types of love. But alas, so grateful to the author for writing a book such as this, with such tender, pure, beautiful true love 💕 I’ve already read it multiple times heehee. I’ll be saving up to get the sequel soon!!

#books #prince and knight #love the art <33

[angieowlie]

Mega BL Haul ❤︎

Recently I went to Taiwan and, of course, I had to load up on some BL! 🤩 I’m so excited to devour them, hahahaha. They range from sweet love to steamy smut 😙😏

A couple of these were recs from Niki Chen (a Taiwanese BL Youtuber that I adore), which you can watch here!~ <3

OK, without further ado... let us begin with...

⭐️ No Love Zone ⭐️ By: Danbi

OMG how have I not heard of this BL before? It’s the absolute best! 😭

The art is beautiful and the smut is soo delish 🤤 I’ll admit, at first I only got the bunny spin-off cuz I do love animal transformations + historical settings. I was like, ehhh it’s okay I’m not really interested in the original~ But halfway through the bunny one I was like, okay I HAVE to get the original 😂 I have to know what the characters were originally like!!

So I ended up ordering the original series, and managed to get the special boxed set of Vol 1 & 2 (mainly cuz I really wanted the bunny charm XD) I finished the bunny spin-off during my time in Taiwan and *insert Pacha meme* it was sooo cute 😭

I’m currently on Vol 1 now and oh my goodness it’s SO good, my heart keeps getting melted by eVeRytHiNG 😭 (I’m trying to read it slowly and savour it longer. But I did peek ahead at the smut and mmhmm yes it good.) But oh my god, Eunkyum is adorable 😭 And also Jihyuk and his physique 🤤👀 Like, hello there~ (And I think I’m def getting older because the office romance trope really excites me, LOL.)

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⭐️ My Dear Agent ⭐️ By: Bisque Ebino

This one is about two bodyguards! I thought they were spies at first, but they’re actually bodyguards to this rich guy. I was surprised to find it’s quite a slow burn. And by slow burn, I mean the smut doesn’t start till Vol 2 😅 The special edition comes with extra artwork, a folder for the artwork, and a booklet featuring 2 mini stories~

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⭐️ Succubus-sama ni Hallelujah! ⭐️ By: Yao

This one I am excited to read, soley based on the stuff going splurt splurt on the cover, heh. I love me some paranormal/fantasy BL 😚

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⭐️ The Revolutionary α ⭐️ By: Kotaru Kashima

OK, initially I was actually gonna get this vampire one from the author. But the release date wasn’t until AFTER I came back... So then I found this one and hooo boy, it looks so good 😋 I have never read ABO/Omegaverse before, so this will be my first time, lol. But isn’t the art just so pretty?? 🤩 And I love the historical setting!

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⭐️ Ayakashi wa Syousetsuka ni Koi wo Suru ⭐️ By: Tanno Chikuwabu

Another one I got cuz I love animal transformations XD This one is about a writer who can see spirits (ayakashi) and the dog-spirit that he meets~

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⭐️ My Gemini ⭐️ By: Yuu Morikawa

This one I found by accident 😂 I was searching for Little Twin Stars merch, but I guess the Chinese keywords were similar, cuz THIS book showed up. I got really intrigued cuz it seems like there are Jekyll and Hyde elements. One of the twin boys supposedly dies, but then you start to realize it might actually not be the twin that everyone thought...

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⭐️ Ginmokusei no Shitateya (The Tailor Shop) ⭐️ By: Mamita

This one is about a tailor shop, which I thought was really cool! I haven’t unwrapped it yet, but as you can see there are 2 volumes 😀 Excited for this one!! (And while it’s not an office romance, the two leads are working adults so I am excited XD)

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⭐️ I Hear the Sunspot ⭐️ By: Yuki Fumino

I know, I know... I’m late to the game 😅 Idk how I haven’t read this one yet! Excited for the sweet romance :’)

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⭐️ Engraved In the Heart / Engraved On My Heart ⭐️ By: Liang Azha

Vol 2!! 😃

I actually managed to get Vol 1 last year, heehee.

Oh my gosh, please don’t get me started on this series 😭 I will never stop loving it. The plot is absolutely amazing. There are a TON of details and foreshadowing, and it’s one of those stories where you go back and reread and you’re like, oooh so that’s what that meant! The watercolour artwork is also beautiful 😭 I love how the characters are often drawn in chibi-style and they’re just so cute!! This series will always have a special place in my heart, as I had the honour of working on the official English version. I love the boys so much 💕

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⭐️ Curse of the Beast is Solved By Love ⭐️ By: Kana Kurihara

Another one I got because - yep - animal transformation XD About a wizard and a werewolf who live together in order to find a way to break the werewolf’s curse. Mmm yes~

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And last but not least...

⭐️ A Foreign Love Affair ⭐️ By: the one and only Ayano Yamane-sensei

Ah, yes~ What more can I say~

Ayano Yamane-sensei’s work is not to be missed 😌 I’ve only seen the anime before, so I’m excited to read the manga! But gosh, this is bringing me back to my early fujoshi days, when I first got into BL and I would watch A Foreign Love Affair quietly during the wee hours of night 🤣 Her smut is the best, I tell you! The hottest! The steamiest! The lemme-just-reread-this-scene-for-the-millionth-time worthy 🤤

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Anyway! That’s it for today~ Thank you for stopping by <3 Hope you found some good recs to read!

(Now, back to reading No Love Zone, heehee)

#books #manga #boys love #no love zone #ayano yamane #bl manga

[angieowlie]

Today I met up with a friend and we chatted for 6 hours straight and my heart is so so full <33 We chatted about anything and everything - my favourite part being sniggering in public in barely-contained-cackles over BL smut 😂

Ever since I knew her, her dream has been to go into voice acting. Recently she’s decided to go for it and start vtubing and AAH I could not be happier for her <3 We talked a lot about content creation and the feeling that “everything’s been done before” and how to deal with haters and, man. She is such an awesome person. Like she straight-up was like: well, if someone doesn’t like what I do, then whatever. I’m here to share what I love with other people, that’s why I’m doing this.

LOL. Talk about badass. Honestly, I was so happy talking with another creator and I felt so seen and giddy and wonderful. I was so excited to share with her my bbs’ character designs as well as what my story was about (hee) and she listened genuinely.

Ah~ I don’t think I’ll ever forget this feeling. I’ve long since dreamt of being surrounded by creatives and my heart just feels like it could fly right now, knowing my friend of 4 years is now embarking on a creative journey too.

It’s been forever since I hung out with anyone for 6 hours straight, and it’s almost midnight right now and my introvert battery is somehow still going strong 😂 My sister actually - after I came home - asked me twice suspiciously how the heck it was I was able to stay out for so long. Honestly, I don’t know either. The sunshine gentled as the hours went by and the shadows softly grew as we sat there. It was so much fun, so alive. I felt like I could be me, be safe. I am going to sleep with a smile tonight :)

#personal

[angieowlie]

Happy 2023! 🎉✨

Well, hello there. Currently writing with one arm delicately balanced on an arm rest because yesterday I could not move it at all. Probably cuz I finally escaped my dreadful writing slump just as the new year started, and since wrote happily every day whilst engaging in various other introverted activities that involved my right arm being stuck in one position (namely reading and computing & computing and reading...) So wanted to pop on here and share that - whilst taking care of your dreams and art, please also take care of your health :(

This year, aside from continuing to write and edit second drafts, I am so ready to manifest an artist to work with! I am both excited and nervous & nervous and excited. I would like to meet someone (preferably through a mutual friend, in my wildest daydreams), someone whom I can work long-term with and vibe like a good friend. I feel as though I am ready to begin working on character designs and book cover possibilities, and take things to the next level :]

Another thing (related-ish to this whole business) is that this is the year I shall download Photoshop and begin playing around with it. I do think I will be in need of it, for posts and graphics and such, if you will. I’ve only ever used Canva/PowerPoint/Keynote (heh) for slapping things together in an amateurly way, but that all changes now >:]

I also, a few days ago, realized I’d like to write more fanfiction, and made a list of all the stuff that’s been buzzing around my head for so long, vying to be written down. Sometimes, as much as I love my main project - as much as I love anything, really - sometimes you just desperately need a break, a change of pace, a new awe of scenery. A restart to refresh your brain.

So…yeah! That’s the gist of what I’ll be working on this year. Oh, actually - I’d also like to read and watch more BL, haha. Specifically anime and manga. Last year I delved into much Western MM fandoms, and they made me happy in the best possible ways. But I do miss my BL. I caught up with Seaside Stranger during Christmas break, and now I’m rereading 10 Count. (Ah yes, 10 Count~ –u–💕 Plus I heard the anime’s finally coming out?!~ Oh, be still, my heart.)

Haha anyway. I hope this year you create courageously, you share vulnerably, you level up at your own pace, you chase the moon, and you dance with the stars. Here’s to more magic - more happiness - and another fantastical year of creating! 📝✨

Ending with a quote from the brilliant Julia Cameron:

When we are in the midst of making something…we forget our public reception for a minute. We become the art itself instead of the artist who makes it.

#writing #personal #progress 🦉 #happy new year!

[angieowlie]

Writing Progress #16 ✏️

Last week I finished writing Vol 3!! I am so happy :) I celebrated by eating dim sum and watching Rings of Power (did not know there’d be familiar characters!!)

There were lots of ups and downs while writing this volume, but looking back on the journey - rather than cringe from the setbacks, I feel proud of the many wonderful moments where things clicked together and the words flowed like magic in an elf pond.

Right now I am taking a break. Resting and reading and watching movies and Disney :) And writing little drabbles here and there, and thinking up little things - backstories, hobbies, quirks - about my bbs. And I’m so glad to get to know them more, day by day.

My next step will be to start editing Vol 1. So...draft two time!!

To be honest, I’m quite nervous ^^; I’ve never tackled a writing project this big before, and a small part of me hates to admit I’m dreading the editing process. But I want to make Vol 1 the best she can be - to shape her into her ultimate form. So I will do my best to enjoy the journey and embrace this stage of the writing process :)

This year, in particular, I’ve been feeling braver about telling people I am pursuing a creative career. I think it’s a combination of finally embracing my adult badassery + finally not giving a crap + finally deadset that this is me, this is who I am. Because, really, you gotta live for you.

I’ve often felt that if only I hadn’t wasted so much time after high school, running around trying to fit myself into places I didn’t belong - if only I had started writing years ago, I’d be further than where I am now. But it hit me the other day that I would’ve ended up in a completely different timeline. A completely different me with completely different story ideas. And the story I’m writing now would’ve never come to me.

But I love what I’m writing now. I wouldn’t change the world or turn back time or change anything. I love it so much, I’m so excited (and a little bit nervous!) to share it when the day comes. I hope people who like magic and fluff and BL and medieval fantasy will love it as much as I do :)

Here’s to more magic and good times! ⭐️

(Also...I kinda wish I’d written a post about finishing Vol 2 earlier this year so that future me can come back and read it. Ack...whatever, here you go future me: you finished writing Vol 2 back in March, the day after your birthday, and this time it was at a thank heavens more reasonable time of day òuó)

#writing #bl novel #progress 🦉

[angieowlie]

Found this cute little book about the beauty of gardening while thrifting today! 🌷 Flowers, plants, gardening, and of course, magic play a big role in my story, so ended up getting this for inspiration :)

I do think it looks really cute (if not cuter) without the sleeve on, haha:

I’m not a huge gardening person myself, so anything on plants and the taking care of them, I try to soak up and learn more about to better the world-building with.

I do love the (is it watercolour?) artwork, and the charming little descriptions. Am excited to cuddle in bed and flip through its magical pages ☺️✨

#flowers #plants #gardening #books

[angieowlie]

What a nostalgic post :’)

A highly specific, nostalgia-laden collage of my early-childhood fantasy nerd red flags.

#fantasy

[angieowlie]

Shop , Patreon , Books and Cards , Mailing List

[angieowlie]

“Just keep swimming.”

I’d like to change this to — Just keep creating. Because no matter how fast or how slow, how much or how little...

Just keep creating.

#writing #writing encouragement #writing motivation #writing positivity #✏️✨✨