#writing blather

[azzandra]

That post actually summed up something that I've been thinking about a lot regarding the core function of fanfic (i.e. it shouldn't be interchangeable with original fiction, because it's meant to be a dialogue with the source material), and it reminded me that at this point, I've written enough fanfic that I have a small handful of readers who read anything I write regardless whether they are familiar with the canon material.

And I've always felt strange about that--I do know that this is a way that people enjoy reading fanfic, but I don't give much thought to making my fanfic comprehensible to people who are unfamiliar with the source material. So anyone reading without that foreknowledge is inevitably missing some of the subtler references or built-in assumptions that readers are supposed to pick up on to better understand the story.

It makes me feel, in a weird way, like I'm failing the readers somehow, but I don't think the readers themselves mind it as much as I do?

I think this stems from differing attitudes regarding fanfic, where some people consume fanfic as an ends in itself, whereas I see fanfic as a means of exploring a specific text, or specific characters within that text, or dynamics that map onto certain characters. I, personally, wouldn't read fanfics for fandoms I'm completely unfamiliar with, but this probably stems from the fact that fanfic appeals to different emotions in my case than for people who do.

#writing blather

[sparrowsingsstories]

So the Good News about Cry Mercy is that the calendar I have (yes I have a calendar) for her story is pretty much working. I do need to pull some time - like one pulls taffy - to give more time for @alder-berry 's Little Bit of Grace and Sparrow's story but it's just like...a week tacked on near where I've already posted. So I'll do those edits, upload those edits...adjust and move on. We're talking like adding a week or two.

Which works. Who goes right back to work after burying their dead husband, Mercy? WHO DOES THAT?? STOP THAT!!

There's a few more places I can add some spare time (like adding spare change). Then update the damn calendar as I write.

In other news, Sparrow is experiencing some absolute angst with the BOS. I should have her meet Danse...I'm tempted to throw in a cameo of @bokatan 's Reed. Maybe with Sean (@alder-berry Lancer) flirting with them. And Sparrow teasing Sean.

As an aside - Cry Mercy starts on May 10th, 2288 and we are ONLY into August of 2288 and due to Certain Events in the story, I have to handwave like...7 months? Seven...Months. Technically, it ends in July of 2289. And then the next book of Mercy picks up there. O.o

I do have a lot of other stuff to fill in that time. In Sparrow's words "How do?"

#writing blather #cry mercy talk #long post #maggie is over here sobbing at this project #but also giddy with the project #fallout 4 fic #mercy hamilton #I admit - I love a good writing project #did I mention we have spreadsheets??

[strongheartmaid]

@monstersandmaw

https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/predator-yautja-names.php - I would have sent this to you in an ask but apparently you can’t share links in asks so... Here you go! 

#writing inspiration #writing blather

[imadhatt3r]

You know what? That one line from that Phantom Liberty ending where V can call Johnny a "big ol' softie"? They're right. They're absolutely right.

Johnny is a softie. He goofs off on multiple occasions in V's field of view despite knowing that nobody can see him, probably to his own and V's amusement. He screams on the rollercoaster and grins like crazy at V. He adores Nibbles. He wanted to check on Kerry when he heard that he was suicidal. He finally took Rogue on that car cinema date and can flirt with her in a goofy way straight out of his favorite "Bushido" movies. He has fun on the reunion concert and gives Kerry his DeLuze Orphean as a goodbye gift. He narrates that one quest like a noir narrator just to mess with V. He understands Barry's grief over his tortoise. He's respectful when watching Joshua's crucifiction. He's nice to Spider Murphy and calls her "Spider". He sheepishly apologizes to Alt in "The Sun" ending. He puffs up his chest when Denny says she misses him. He's fuming over the kids in "Talent Academy" being treated like products, probably because it reminds him of how he was treated in the military. He feels for Solomon Reed because he sees himself in him. He feels for Songbird because her circumstances remind him of V's.

And speaking of, he really loves V. He just loves them so much; He's always on watch for any danger and does his best to give them advice. He promises that he will do everything he can to cure them. He will encourage them to take a break if they're feeling sick. He will attempt the most dangerous stunts to get them to Mikoshi. He promises V to let them wipe him from the Relic and he keeps that promise. He will realize that they're his only loved one left and will ask for the last chance, and when he gets it he does everything he can to make them proud and happy. He accepts their decision no matter what it is, because it's their body and life. His worst fear is getting to live again, but without his friend/partner/soulmate/beloved (depending on interpretation) with him. He's proud to be able to call himself V's friend. He's proud of them. He's sad that he won't be able to see how V will change. He choses to stay calm and positive before he will be innevitably killed so that his beloved V will live to keep them calm and comfort them.

That whole hardass, asshole act? It's a ruse, it's a front, it's a persona he had to put on due to bad childhood, PTSD from being drafted as a teenager, seeing other teenagers die horribly around him, losing his limb and being branded with the Arasaka logo he did his best to scratch out and being tossed into a rockstar life of drinking, drugs and fans when he was likely not much older.

He might fight it, but he will never be the detached, emotionless action hero he wants to be, because that's not at all who he is! I think that his slight grin when V says it is one of relief, that he was able to show his most vulnerable, tender and gentle side to the one person he holds dear and not be punished for it, playfully teased but with clear sympathy on V's part. After decades of struggle with who he is being so different from who he wants to be, he can finally be seen for who he is, and who he would be if his life went oh so differently.

#cyberpunk 2077 #phantom liberty #phantom liberty spoilers #Johnny Silverhand #silverv #hatter blathers #hatter writes meta #i had these thoughts since the base game but pl finally added that one last puzzle to it #its literally like two sentences but its a key that unlocks his characterisation

[clockwayswrites]

Clock, I need you to know that I dreamt about that fic you aren't writing.

Clock, I don't dream. And on the very rare instances that I do, it's 99% disjointed nonsense that slips out of my head within 10 minutes of waking up. Literally, in my 24 years of life I've only had like 3 or 4 dreams that actually stuck.

But that fic you aren't writing has apparently sunk itself so deep into my brain that I had a once in a blue moon memorable dream about it.

It was still a bit disjointed, but I distinctly recall a dinner party? potluck? IDK, there was food; at Danny and Jason's apartment complex. Like, the while building. Some of Red Hood's crew was there. And Jason was in civvies. Dick was there too. And Danny was conspiring with everyone (not Jason) to be a mischievous little shit. So there weren't enough chairs. I'm sure you can see where this is going.

Oh my gods that is amazing. Also I'm sorry(?) for making you dream? Or you're welcome?

As a gift, to feed your poor brain... let's write a little bit of this. Hum, when would this happen for max amusement... Let's say this is after Danny has asked Hood if he wanted to share, but before the Goon scene.

-

“What the fuck,” Dick murmured to himself.

“They’re hiding chairs,” the stranger, who Dick hadn’t noticed leaning against the kitchen counter till then, explained.

Dick tilted his head in thought and took another sip of the battery acid they were calling punch at this potluck. The potency of the drink might explain what he was watching happen.

The chair on top of the tenuous stack wobbled dangerous.

One of the men— Marco? —who were trying to shove the stack of three chairs into the closet shushed the chair. He pointed at it like one would a misbehaving dog and that the threat alone would get it to stay.

Definitely the punch.

“Why?”

“Because if there aren’t enough chairs, someone is going to have to sit in someone else’s lap and they’re plotting to make that happen,” the stranger said.

Dick took a moment to glance away from the game of closet Jenga to look over the other person. They were a slight thing, but slight in the way that spoke of lean muscles and a hidden strength. It reminded Dick of how Wally was built. The bright aqua eyes were almost unnerving in how bold the color was. The way they were grinning, widely, as they continued to watch the struggle didn’t exactly make them any less unsettling.

They took a large bite out of the cookie they had in hand.

A cookie sounded like a good idea. Dick snagged one from the platter, recognizing Jason’s baking.

Cinnamon and spice bloomed across his tongue. “Huh. Okay. Does Jason know?”

The stranger laughed, shaking their head. “No, that would defeat the whole purpose. He’s the intended chair.”

“Huh.” Well that was interesting. “Who’s the intended seater. Sitter? Sittie?”

“That would be me,” the stranger said, sticking their hand not holding the cookie out. Dick set his war crime known as punch down to shake it. “Hi, I’m Danny. I’m your brother’s accidental sugar baby.”

Dick choked on thin air.

Just how potent was that punch?

#blathers and bits #ailithnight #askme answeryou #the fic that i'm not writing #dp x dc #dead on main #to achy to tag #will tag if it becomes a 'real' part later

[bluastro-yellow]

I thought Kim's portrait looking a little like the Rising Moon Hanafuda card was just a neat coincidence but I actually like the idea of Kim symbolising a moonrise instead of a sunrise. the Sun is the brightest star in the sky and when it's gone the Moon keeps reflecting its light. what if (if you play him as a huge communard) Harry dies just like Mazov and Kim becomes the "echo maker", the one who spreads his message

#I'm just saying words and blathering because I'm waiting for something and I need to distract myself #I like putting ideas out I don't know if they make sense #in the hanafuda card the moon is rising at sunset 🎴. they meet for a moment #disco elysium #pointless microblogging #if moralism is the blue sky communism is the night sky no? #disco elysium spoilers #sort of #let kim fix the fucking tiptop analysis he needs to do it #even if it's right because he might love machines but you can't deny he craves violence in some complex way #he needs to sit down and write his thoughts on the subject so he can think about it

[gummybugg]

Calling All Tag-Friendly Writeblrs

Do you like Writing? Do you like Games?

Interact with this so that I can add you to my Mental List of writeblrs to tag in fun writing games! 

#Putting myself out there? #More like dousing myself in bird seed #and waiting for any takers #writeblr #writing games #tag game #I would like to collect many new shiny writeblrs #to blather about nonsense with #once I get the time

[kjack89]

Wake up babe, new milestone just dropped 😅

Since I still have 3 fics from my last giveaway to do, I won’t be doing anything special for this one, but I did want to take a moment to thank everyone who’s supported me along the way, whether you’ve been here since the beginning, or whether you’ve just now found one of my fics. I can’t do it without you, and I wouldn’t want to anyway.

Thank you for being with me on this weird, wild, seemingly never ending ride. Here’s to 400 fics, and to however many (almost certainly not 400) more!

#blathering about my writing #unnecessary status updates #milestone #400 fics #thank you thank you thank you

[plusultraetc]

Thank you @machiroads for tagging me!! Lowkey saved my life bc I have a Very Long road trip today and some fic asks to look forward to would be greatly appreciated if anyone wants to send one😭

RULES: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

SO if I posted the names of every file in my WIP folder, it would be,, a lot of names. I decided to give myself a fifteen fic cap & felt like I was choosing between my children :')

These are listed in alphabetical order so I can weep over how many begin with 'it,' apparently (all of them are MHA fics!)

brave the dark (chapter 7 onward lol)

fake dating real feelings

fate will forgive us

it always runs back but it's never quite the same

it could be tricky trying to fit you in this story

it kinda makes total perfect sense

it's a long road to that living

maybe we can stay and wait it out

object in motion

show me where to find the silver lining

some prayers never know

take all the courage you have left

traffic lights and a transmitter radio

wait at the shore for you

write me a list of how it is

Tagging @atereal @libermachinae @lethxia and @poppy5991 bc I know you all are writers!! If you're a writer and I missed you, consider yourself tagged if you'd like!

#scheduling this for tomorrow bc that's when i will theoretically be rolling #liza blather #liza writes

[shaydh]

idk if it's the game being kinda janky with its level design or I'm just dumb but I'm having a hell of a time figuring out where to go and what to do in Rogue Trader

#shaydh blathers #shaydh plays rogue trader #i like the writing a lot but the gameplay is ughggh #also annoyances: #little things like the journal being annoying to navigate #and the loot all menu not autoclosing #anyway thats shaydh reviews

[azzandra]

(Starting to write) This will be about 4k words long.

(Reaching 4k words) It will actually be 6k words

(Reaching 6k words) It... will probably be 8k words...

(Reaching 10k words) You know what, maybe I'm just shit at estimating these things.

#writing blather

[neilanuruodo]

I can't think of any specific question so this is your free "ramble about any fic or idea or character you want" card now!!

Thank you so much for the free license! (...and sorry I've been so slow to respond. I'm about 1/8th of a person trying to get by in life LOL)

I'm gonna take this as an opportunity to talk about the worldbuilding I've done more or less within Toril, specifically in creating a number of related illithid colonies that behave rather differently than others in the Underdark. It... started as one and just got a bit out of hand, as worldbuilding tends to do, heh.

It began with a trio of illithid OCs in a throuple and the colony that gave rise to them, and then I began thinking about how their colony might have come about in the first place and that turned into a fanfic featuring madness, tragedy, and Ilsensine's meddling. I haven't updated it in a little while but it's far from forgotten, and I have plans to work on it as soon as I clear out a few smaller ideas that are pestering me.

The ultimate aim for this story is to create a setting that people will be welcome to use in their own games or writing, either the specific colony and NPCs I've come up with or other colonies founded by this one that they can tailor to their own wishes. (And all with thanks to @tcfactory for putting the idea of a "wine aunt Elder Brain" into my mind in the first place. The ulitharid that becomes this particular Elder Brain ends up being one of the main characters in this fic eventually.)

The main point of view character is an illithid who has begun dabbling in the arcane, but before they are caught and made to flee for their life madness seizes the colony. They manage to protect themself with a spell, and then (along with a few other survivors and the help of a visiting ulitharid) they begin putting their lives back together, albeit in a new order. The other survivors are the priests of Ilsensine, and the fic is written from each of their perspectives in the form of records left behind, inscribed in the absence of an Elder Brain to hold their knowledge.

If this sounds interesting and up your alley, feel free to check it out, though I certainly won't be offended if you'd rather wait for actual updates or until it's finished.

And thanks again for the lovely ask!

#Neila blathers #my fanfiction #writing things #illithid #illithid oc #D&D worldbuilding #Ask and ye shall be answered

[kudzucataclysm]

my new idea which is technically a soft revival of an old one

#talking and blathering #my writing #the mc is a black goth trans woman with pyrokinesis #i’ve been rotating her in my head all day #sanguine basin

[strongheartmaid]

welp, it’s that time of the year

>.> time to fish out that Seiya Nutcracker fic and work on it - now where did I leave off? 

Or I could toss the Nutcracker concept at someone else (@the-blind-geisha - I blame you for getting a certain Scion rooting around in my head XD) Or I could go after Anduin <.< 

#time to break out the Nutcracker #tis the season #writing inspiration #writing blather #yet another AU idea that I really *don't* need #how many aus do I have going again?

[imadhatt3r]

Johnny can totally empathize with Reed because he sees himself in him, that much is clear, but he absolutely can sympathize with Songbird (esp if you side with her and help her) because he can see V, his V, in her, and he wants to protect her and help her get better because that's what he wants to do to V...

#cyberpunk 2077 #phantom liberty #phantom liberty spoilers #johnny silverhand #v cyberpunk #silverv #song so mi #solomon reed #hatter blathers #hatter writes meta

[clockwayswrites]

Sometimes you have a really shit night of sleep and come up with a whole new fic idea while half awake.

It's like insult on top of injury.

#seriously #i have the whole thing planned out #rip my brain #maybe i can still avoid it becoming a wip #blathers and bits #that writing mood