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#writing questions tag game
space-writes · 7 months
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writing questions tag!
tagged by @lexiklecksi, thank you!!
1 - What is your absolute all-time favourite ideas you’ve ever had?
Hm…I love all my current wips, but I think my favourite fun idea was the one I had for nano a few years back, called Gywnn Doomshard vs the Forces of Light, which was a comic fantasy from the POV of the literal forces of darkness, where instead of the Heir of Darkness being chosen from the long-time family of darkness for the most recent go-round of ‘fight the forces of Light’, his bodyguard got chosen instead.
It was a super fun book, playing with loads of tropes; the dragons unionised, magic only worked on you if you consented, there were imps everywhere, the Castle of Darkness was partially sentient…it’s an idea I really want to go back to one day. It’s very inspired by things like Dungeon Keeper/War for the Overworld, Grunts!, The Princess Bride, Labyrinth, Shrek and that kind of trope-y, fun genre. All the characters were so much fun to write.
2 - Is there a question you’ve been asked in the past that really stands out to you, and you still think about sometimes?
Nothing comes to mind particularly.
3 - What is your favourite part of being a writer? What parts could you take or leave?
When I get to the point in a story where I’m making it do what I want. When all the ideas come together, I get that little spark of ‘yes!’ and I can make the words sing. (also I love creating characters).
Obscure grammar rules can go away. I can’t remember them. I have to google things all the time. English is a stupid language and no-one should ever speak it but unfortunately it’s the only one I know.
4 - What is your greatest motivation to write/create?
To have the story I want to read. And lately, to make the people that read my writing go ‘AAAHHHH SPACE WHY’. That latter is the reason I’m planning to post Renegade Prince online somewhere with comments. I love those interactions. I save all the good comments I get and look at them when I’m feeling down.
5 - What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever read or been given as a writer?
That one tumblr post/several variations on it that if you’re stuck in a story, go back about ten lines and try again. If you write yourself into a corner, reverse out of the corner. It has saved me so many times: whenever I get stuck, I think of it, and apply it, and it fucking. works. every time.
6 - What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out writing?
That editing is where the magic happens. That first drafts are just to get an idea down, and that your writing will shine afterwards.
7 - What is your favourite story you’ve written to completion? Link it if you’d like and can!
Honestly recency bias is showing, but some of my fics lately I just really love. The series they’re part of aren’t done, but the stories themselves are. so for right now, I’m going to say body mine from obsession. It’s nothing like what I usually write, but it was so much fun to weave that strange little story and try something different.
8 - What is your favorite out-of-the-box quote?
WRITE IT BADLY. Write it badly, write it badly, write it badly, write it badly. Stop what you’re doing, open a Word document, put a pencil on some paper, just get the idea out of your head. Let it be good later. Write it down now. Otherwie it will die in there. - Brandon Sanderson
9 - Which of your characters would you say has the most controversial mindset? Why do you say so, and how do you personally feel about their ideals?
hm, I don’t know about controversial as such…certainly Vizaeth has the most unusual mindset: he’s so wrong about so many aspects of his life, but is fully convinced he’s right about them, and that the pain those things cause is correct (to be inflicted upon him, or upon others). Personally I don’t think even therapy would fix him, but it would help.
Otherwise, perhaps The Daemoness, who is an OC I rarely write about publically, but is the ruler of a hive-mind empire she built herself. Her powers enabled her to chain souls to herself, so every demon on her planet, and every creature on every planet she dominates become a part of her. She believes she’s doing what’s necessary: her actions ended the wars on her planet, and by taking over other planets, she leaves ‘peace and unity’ in her wake. However, she is by her nature a very bloodthirsty creature and craves the challenge of battle, so she’ll never be satisfied.
I just really like characters whose actions are reprehensible but whose internal logic chains make perfect sense to them, such that they couldn’t be another way. I disagree with Demoness that ‘dominating and soul chaining every living thing in the universe’ is the way to achieve personal satisfaction and universal peace, but damn she’s fun to write when I do write her.
10 - If you, when you first started writing, met you now, what would younger you think?
younger me would be so extremely hyped. look at all these words we wrote! we finished things? actually finished them?? and people like them?
they’d be a little confused at how gay and trans everything is but don’t worry, they’ll figure it out.
no-pressure tagging @vollzz @loopyhoopywrites @sam-glade and @saltwaterbells
blank questions under the cut:
What is your absolute all-time favourite ideas you’ve ever had?
Is there a question you’ve been asked in the past that really stands out to you, and you still think about sometimes?
What is your favourite part of being a writer? What parts could you take or leave?
What is your greatest motivation to write/create?
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever read or been given as a writer?
What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out writing?
What is your favourite story you’ve written to completion? Link it if you’d like and can!
What is your favorite out-of-the-box quote?
Which of your characters would you say has the most controversial mindset? Why do you say so, and how do you personally feel about their ideals?
If you, when you first started writing, met you now, what would younger you think?
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sophie83540 · 1 year
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Writing Questions Tag Game
Thank you so, so much to @hard4softthings for tagging me! Love you, bitch!
I don't even know who to tag, honestly. @canuckgurl1983 got tagged already, but I don't care. Have two of us wanting your answers. Other than that... I guess whoever wants to? I don't know many people personally who write on here.
Anyway, let's get into this.
what is your absolute all-time favorite idea you’ve ever had?
Probably one of my first ever hrpf fics, lol. It's a rarepair that only I have populated the tag for on ao3. *cries* It's Tristan Jarry/Freddie Andersen! I was delusional the summer of 2021 when I heard that the Pens were looking at Freddie and I took a deep ass dive into them and Haunt Me Like You Do popped out a few months later. It's enemies to lovers with Freddie on Carolina, and I have NO idea how I managed to write almost 13k words in like a month. I'm also surprised it got as much attention as it did, so that's a plus!
what is your favorite part of being a writer? which parts could you take or leave?
My favorite part of being a writer is getting feedback! I love to hear what my friends/mutuals or even strangers have to say! I also love being able to finish a story and think "I DID THAT." When I first started writing, I couldn't write more than about 100 words at a time, and now my longest fic is 15k, and I'm super proud of myself.
The part I could absolutely leave behind is the self-doubt I get when writing a new story. I compare myself to others SO MUCH and it's not healthy. I need to just write what I want to write and it's as simple as that.
what is your greatest motivation to write/create?
Once again, just receiving feedback from others and knowing that I'm making others happy when they read my work.
what is your favorite story you’ve written to completion? link it if you’d like and can!
Much like Leo said, my favorite story I've written is one that didn't get a lot of attention, and that makes me kinda sad. Coffee With You was written for Pucking Rare and is my favorite story because it's Nico Hischier/Jack Hughes with Nico being a "bad boy" player and Jack working at a local coffee shop. I always wanted to go out-of-the-box in terms of how I wrote Nico, and I think I did well!
A very close second is You Left a Mark on My Soul which is a Soulmate AU, once again for Nico/Jack, and Jack's just such a dumbass that I can't with him.
what is your favorite out-of-the-box quote?
It's not super out-of-the-box, but it's a line from Haunt Me Like You Do. *boos* I know, I know. I'm using something from a fic I've already mentioned, but I really like this line!
"So the ginger god falls from grace."
I particularly like this line so much because in Tristan's mind, Freddie was always likened to a god by Toronto (when he played there) and then Freddie basically got cast aside in favor of Jack Campbell, so Tristan was a bit too happy about that. I also like the alliteration in this line and the humor in it, too.
which of your characters would you say has the most controversial mindset? why do you say so and how do you personally feel about their ideals?
I don't think anyone I write has a controversial mindset? I mean, some players I've included in my fics are controversial as actual people, but none character wise.
if you, when you first started writing, met you now, what would younger you think?
Oh good GOD. She would have no idea how we got here, in terms of fandom or content or anything. But I think she would be happy that we have friends who enjoy reading our work. Because in the essence of it, I write things that younger me craved: love, vulnerability without punishment, and being able to have a group of friends who enjoy having you around. (For context, I started writing when I was 11)
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raccoon-eyed-rebel · 1 year
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Writing Questions Tag Game!
I got tagged by @peyton-warren, thanks bby!
What is your absolute all-time favourite idea you’ve ever had?
That's gotta be either 179 Crescent Street, or maybe the Surfer!Mikey fic I'm writing... That's not done yet, though.
Is there a question you’ve been asked in the past that really stands out to you and you still think about sometimes?
We were doing presentations on things that were our 'passion' for a contest when I was in like... the 3rd or so year of high school, and I picked writing. And I talked about how it was my escape for when I was sad or angry (in hindsight, I was fully already depressed back then, but alright), and this kid in my class asked if I ever wrote when I was happy...
What is your favourite part of being a writer? What parts could you take or leave?
It makes me feel like I'm good at something. But I'm definitely not sold on the whole writers block thing, can we just... do away with that? Oh and the constant influx of ideas that keeps distracting me from the 72 things I'm already working on. (Although that absolutely is my ADHD's fault, and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the writing.)
What is your greatest motivation to write/create?
The feedback I get on here. Honestly, I don't think I can ever express how much it means to me to read that other people are happy to read my stuff. (@geralts-yenn @keanureevesisbae @deandoesthingstome @fvckinghenrycavill, tagging you guys again just because I can't tell any of y'all this enough. Also consider yourselves tagged for this tag game)
What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out writing?
That I don't suck at everything I do.
What is your favourite story you’ve written TO COMPLETION? Link it if you’d like and can!
OH MY GOD. Seriously? This is mean. Eh. I want to say Under Orders, but that's possibly not completed. DAMMIT.
I'm gonna go with....
What is your favourite out-of-the-box quote?
Seriously can someone tell me what this question means? I have no clue XD
Which of your characters would you say has the most controversial mindset? Why do you say so and how do you personally feel about their ideals?
Murder Daddy, AKA August Walker. Which is why I typically drag him as far away from canon as I possibly can. I mean... Wanting to destroy the world as we know it is questionable any way you slice it, doesn't matter if you believe it would be the right thing...
If you, when you first started writing, met you now, what would younger you think?
Some day, you'll write when you're happy, too.
I tag the people mentioned above, and anyone who wants to join in, although I suspect that many have been tagged already?
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startanewdream · 1 year
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Writing Questions Tag Game
Thanks for tagging me @velvethopewrites!
What is your absolute all-time favorite idea you've ever had?
That one where I decided to insert James and Lily in some moments of Harry's life to give the poor boy some support, and then I ended up writing a whole collection of moments like this!
2) Is there a question you've been asked in the past that really stands out to you and you still think about sometimes?
Oooh, whenever people ask for more details about a plot/part of the story I didn't go further because I thought no one would miss, but they do and question and it's just makes sharing the story so much better!
3) What is your favorite part of being a writer? What parts could you take or leave?
The best part is creating something, weaving words into feelings, senses, events. It's magical for me.
The worst parts are those @velvethopewrites mentioned (the anxiety, comparison to others, writer's block), and I would add the lingering fear of not mattering what I write.
Wondering how others will answer these! Tagging @annasghosts @annabtg @charmsandtealeaves @ohmygodshesinsane and anyone up for it, really!
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mirokuna-hime · 8 months
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I honestly think people are jumping the gun with their disappointment over the new story quest in 1.2
The whole purpose of Xianzhou Luofu arc is to set up future events.
The writers tell us this by having Kafka admit to the MC that the whole point of this operation for the stellaron hunters is to have the Xianzhou indepted to the Astral Express crew so that they will aid them in their fight against Nanook the destruction.
Herta Space Station and Jarilo-IV were used to introduce us to the game mechanics and to establish the trio of Dan Heng, March 7th and the Trailblazer with the Space Station also serving as a prologue.
Jarilo-IV however did nothing to develop the overarching main plot of the game. Belobog was it's own self contained arc to ease the player into the game and they are now using the Xianzhou Luofu arc to plant the seeds for future chapters.
People are already calling Blade a wasted character, because his confrontation with Imbibitor Lunae didn't play out like people hoped it would, because they didn't drop his entire backstory in this quest even though it's pretty clear that Blade, Kafka and Silverwolf will be reoccuring antagonists over the course of the story.
The prologue already introduced us to Kafka and Silverwolf, heck Silverwolf even got her own event.
Introducing Blade and his connection to Dan Heng to the player is what I would argue the other focal point of this arc. Every theme this story introduced to us can be connected to Blade (immortality being a sin, what it means to be mara struck, manipulation, the weight of our past actions and how we deal with them etc.), it's so that we can understand his story and motive.
Not to mention that it opens the door for character development and development of Dan Hengs and his relationship. Right now Dan Heng doesn't make the connection that Blade is his previous incarnations "friend" (in quotation marks because hoyoverse is being sussy with them) and he's still running away from the past. Meanwhile Blade is consumed by his vengence, his desire to die and he is also getting manipulated by Kafka (admittedly she kinda has to because of the Mara but that barely changes anything other than making us see her in a bit more positive light).
All points that will need to be adressed in following installments and I have faith in the Honkai writers to do these plot points justice, but it won't be right now.
We are in 1.2 my friends, let the story take it's time.
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creatrackers · 1 year
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Writer (& Artist) Ask Game
Reblog this and let your pals ask about your OCs, stories, or about you! Remember to check your inbox, and feel free to tag someone you want to see play :)
* Who was your first ever OC? Do you still “use” them? How have they evolved over time?
Who is your newest OC? Why did you make them?
Biggest self-insert OC?
What kind of music do your OCs listen to?
What are some of your OCs biggest fears?
Do you have any OCs without stories? Will you ever create one for them?
What are your favourite relationships between your OCs? (romantic or platonic!)
Do you have any OC family trees?
Favourite OC?
OC you most struggled to make?
* Sum up one or more of your wips!
Which story took the most research?
Which story has the most lore?
Current word count of all your main wips?
How many projects do you have going on right now? Are there any that you doubt you’ll ever finish?
What was you first major project? How far along is it?
What are some tropes and character dynamics found in your wips?
Describe the setting of one or more of your wips
What are some things that inspired your stories? Real events? Maybe a dream?
What story are you the proudest of? Why?
* When did you start considering yourself a writer/artist?
What are all the “kinds” of writing/art you do? (short stories, poetry, screenplays, digital, painting, clay, etc.)
Are you in any writer/artist groups? (Ex: discord server!)
Do you have/want a career in your medium? If not, what do you do/want to do instead?
What’s your favourite genre to write? Is it also your favourite genre to read?
What are your favourite books?
What are your favourite movies?
 Favourite songs at the moment?
What was your first fandom you were in? Did you make any art/fanfic for it?
How are you doing? <3
Ask away!
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starleska · 3 months
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for my fellow Toymaker simps, i have two words which will strike delight terror into your heart. ahem. ... Strip Poker.
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arendaes · 4 months
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So even though I finished the game last night I still had one side quest left in MTAS so I pulled it up to play tonight (because like any self-respecting slice of life game it can be played after beating the main story.) Anyways, turns out Pathea already added some post-game content and...
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I was not expecting Gust and Ginger to show up! Gust is my Portia Builder Briony's husband. If I had a nickel for every bitchy, blond-haired, green-eyed twink I've romanced in a game and all that jazz. Anyways this was a nice surprise and now I'm also just reeling a bit at how different Portia and Sandrock's art style is while also still visibly being the same series.
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sunshinediaz · 6 months
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wip wednesday, teehee
i was tagged ny @eddiediaztho, @hippolotamus, @exhuastedpigeon, @wikiangela, @daffi-990, and @jesuisici33, mwah
have a sorta long snippet of hoa eddie finally starting to figure his shit out. he's a fucking loser. i love him.
Once Buck’s drifted off to sleep, snug and relaxed under the big blanket, Eddie rolls over and grabs his phone off the nightstand. He opens one eye, turns the brightness all the way down, clicks onto the browser, and types am i gay quiz in the search bar.  Dozens of links pop up. He clicks on the first one, marks the answers that resonate the most with him, and frowns when his results of 89% straight flash on the screen with a sullen face.  “What the fuck does that even mean?” he mumbles and then, with a fierceness that crinkles his brow, clicks off the quiz and finds another.  He takes seven more, each a little more deranged than the last, and throws his phone to the hardwood floor when he gets his eighth variation of Unfortunately, you aren’t gay! because he’s upset. It thuds loud and heavy, and slides face up all the way to his closet; the screen shines bright like a little flashlight, illuminating the corner.  Eddie huffs, flops onto his back, crosses his arms over his chest, and pouts.  How dare those quizzes diagnose him heterosexual? Yeah, sure, he has a preference for feminine-presenting people, but he’s had plenty of cock to know he’s not straight, too, and being in heterosexual-passing relationships don’t make him any less queer. He’s worked too damn hard to accept himself, selfishly and fearlessly and totally, to let a few quizzes invalid him.  Which—why was he taking the quizzes in the first place? He knows he’s queer and he doesn’t need a pompous test on the Internet to tell him so, Christ. He’s acting like a lovestruck kid with his first crush on another boy.  The absurdity of the situation makes him giggle. He swipes a hand over his face to muffle his laughter, but his body shakes, so near Buck’s, and it rouses Buck around. Eddie sobers and shuts his eyes, feigning sleep.  It doesn’t work.  This must be how Christopher feels when it’s past his negotiated bedtime of midnight.  Buck murmurs, a pitiful noise, and snuffles close. “Eddie?” He noses along Eddie’s shoulder until he has his face stuffed in Eddie’s throat, right where his pulse throbs. “Wha’s goin’ on? Heard a noise.”  “It’s fine,” he says, wrapping Buck up in his arms and pulling him in, until he’s nearly laid out atop Eddie’s body. His weight feels nice, solid and sturdy. “Go back to sleep.”  Buck smacks his lips, puffs his stinky breath in Eddie’s face, and sighs. “M’kay.” He cuddles in, nestling up over Eddie’s body like three’s no other place in the world he wants to be, and goes still. “Nighty night.”  Eddie exhales. “Night, Buck,” he says, setting his chin on top of Buck’s head and running his fingers through Buck’s sweaty, frizzy hair.  He looks at his phone in the corner one last time and wonders if there are any quizzes on the Internet that might help him figure out if he’s in love with his best friend before he eventually dozes off, too, wrapped up tight beneath Buck’s big body. 
no pressure tagging @wildlife4life, @watchyourbuck, @callmenewbie, @thewolvesof1998, @try-set-me-on-fire, @shitouttabuck, @folk-fae, @fortheloveofbuddie, @eowon, @giddyupbuck, @honestlydarkprincess, @ladydorian05, @loserdiaz, @callaplums, @mysteriouslyyounggalaxy, and whoever else wants to share something <3
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owlsandwich · 5 months
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Magic System Memorandum
20 Questions to learn about your magic system!
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Fantasy writers! Do you have a magic system? Would you like to tell everyone about it?
@teacupsandstarlight and I have compiled a list of questions on magic systems! Originally this was an excuse to ramble about our respective magic systems, whilst also creating a handy compendium at the ready for future reference, but we thought why not open it up to let other people ramble about their magic systems too? :D
Below are 20 questions, designed to take a deep dive into your magic system:
20 Questions:
We’ve all heard about hard and soft magic systems, but these do not exist as a binary. On the Mohs hardness scale, from diamond to talc, how hard is your magic system?
Is the magic in your fantasy world related to the natural environment, or is it a separate entity, inert and unconnected to nature?
Has the geography of your world been affected by magic? If so, how?
Is magic limited to humans, or is it accessible to all creatures in your world?
Is the source of magic in your world internal, i.e. the magic itself comes from within your character, or is the source external and exists outside of them?
For characters who can use magic, is this a learnt skill or an ability they are born with? Is it a bit of both? Can magical ability be bestowed on a character by someone or something else?
If magic is a skill only accessible to those born with magical ability, is there a genetic link?
Does magic in your world require tools to use?
What are the costs of using magic in your magic system?
Are there any limitations to what magic can do? If so, what are they?
Do you have multiple types of magic in your system? Are any types rarer than others?
Does magic affect a user’s status in society?
Is there any inherent morality in your magic system? Is some magic considered immoral, and if so, is this purely cultural? Is there forbidden magic in your world?
How has your magic system shaped the history of your world?
How has magic affected the technologies developed in your world?
Are there any magical festivals or rites of passage?
Do workplaces require the use of magic in your universe? What kind of jobs do your magic users do?
What is the most mundane use of magic in your story?
What is the most extreme use of magic in your story?
What is your favourite application of magic in your story?
We’ve tried to make the questions follow a logical thread, but you are under no obligation to follow our order when answering, or even to answer all of them! Please do adapt these questions to your universe’s needs. Expand as much as you like! Think outside our boxes!
Feel free to use these as an ask game, or tag anyone whose magic system you would love to learn more about!
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togenabi · 5 months
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20 writing questions !
give a preview into your mind! how does the genius flow? how do you write? (only answer questions you're comfortable with! feel free to tag other writers to share the love ♡)
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1. Is it a spur of the moment thing, or do you need a specific environment/set up to get into it? 2. Where do you write? (phone/pc/typewriter/all of the above?) 3. What apps/programs do you use? 4. How long have you been writing? 5. What fandoms do you write for? 6. Music, or no music while writing? (if music, what kind?) 7. What does a WIP look like to you? (do you take notes? is anything color-coded? do you have a preferred font?) 8. Do you proofread? 9. What's something you googled recently for writing? 10. How many words does a usual work from you have? 11. Share a snippet from something you're working on! 12. How many drafts do you have currently? 13. What's something someone said about your writing that stuck with you? 14. What's your safe zone? Is there a character or genre you're most confident writing for? 15. Is there something you want to try in your work that you haven't done yet? 16. Do you have a favorite work of yours? 17. Do you have a least favorite work of yours? 18. Genre of the very first thing you wrote? 19. Genre of the latest thing you wrote! 20. Last but not least, where can readers find your stuff? (your masterlist/other sites you post on/etc.)
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tags! @flowerjun/@boba-at-323 @songsofadelaide @ay0nha @wolfegoddess @seonghrtz @stephisokay @manumimiii @silverinkbottle @eclidse (love you all, and all that you do! thank you for sharing your creativity, every word you write is dearly appreciated. the world shines brighter with you in it ♡)
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ghostoffuturespast · 3 months
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OC Interview: Valerie Hye-jin Li (aka Grandpa V)
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Tagged by: @jackiemychoom @therealnightcity & @tarmac-rat! Thanks so much for thinking of me! 🧡
NGL these are some unusual (and not the most serious) interview questions. So, I was trying to think of a scenario in which V would actually answer these questions. (Because mind you, she normally wouldn't and especially not for a total stranger.) Luckily, I know just the reporter… I may have gone a little overboard with this, but I think I just needed something light and fluffy in between all the angst and carnage that I’m currently writing.
The TLDR version is all the way at the bottom under the cut, so if you’d prefer not to read all of this and just want the quick and dirty on the questions. There you are.
This one's kind of old, so I think a lot of folks have been tagged already, but tagging (and as per usual, no pressure): @shimmer-like-agirl @baublekute @vox-monstera @nncc77 @merge-conflict @fly-amanitaa @dani-the-goblin @sp4cedr4g0n
(And no it doesn't have to be a Cyberpunk OC, but if you tag me I'll pop over and read your interview!)
Auntie V by Monique Kutcher
[The scene opens at Red Peaks Trailer Park. Moving closer we get an exterior view of the Kutcher residence before transitioning to the common area inside. Late morning light filters in from the windows. A tired, very bedraggled looking V is sitting in the corner of the booth. She has bedhead, is wearing an oversized t-shirt, lounge shorts, and is nursing her coffee. She takes a sip. Turning toward the hallway we see Monique appear. There is a sparkly unicorn on her pink shirt. She has a fistful of crayons in one hand and a screamsheet along with several blank pieces of paper in the other.]
Monique: (staring awkwardly) Auntie V, are you busy?
V: (fidgeting in her seat. uncomfortable) Um… Not really. Why?
Monique: Can I ask you some questions?
V: (hesitant) What kind of questions?
[Monique moves to sit next to V. Setting down her crayons and paper on the table, Monique shows V the screamsheet she was carrying. It’s an interview article on US Cracks and Kerry Eurodyne from some teen magazine.]
Monique: These. I’m practicing being a media reporter.
V: (blinking in surprise) Uh... Sure? I guess.
Monique: Yay! Okay, first question. What’s your name? Oh, I already know this one.
[Picking up a purple crayon, Monique writes the letter V on one of the blank pieces of paper. It takes up most of the page. After jotting that down she squints at the magazine. Concentrating.]
Monique: How tall are you?
V: 5’ 3”.
[Switching to a green crayon, Monique writes the number 53 on the page. She squints some more at the magazine.]
Monique: (trying to sound out the word she’s reading) Ge– What does that word say?
V: Gender? Female. I’d say I’m a girl.
Monique: But you don’t like the color pink?
V: Not really. Not all girls like pink.
Monique: (nodding sagely) But you do like purple. That’s my favorite color.
V: Yeah. I do like purple.
[Monique writes the word girl in yellow crayon before trying to read the next question off the magazine.]
Monique: Um… What’s that word?
V: Orientation. I’m bisexual.
Monique: What does that mean?
V: I like girls and boys.
Monique: I do to. Though sometimes Dorian and Alex are mean to me when we’re playing.
V: That’s not… Nevermind. (muttering) I'll leave that one to your Mom and Uncle. 
[V picks up the purple and pink crayon and draws a little bisexual pride flag on the corner of Monique’s notes. The colors aren’t quite right.]
V: …What’s your next question? Nationality/Ethnicity? Born and raised in Night City, but I’m half Korean, quarter Chinese, and a quarter Danish.
Monique: (confused) Danish? Like the cake?
V: No, like Denmark. The country… Cake? You mean the pastry with the filling in it?
Monique: Yeah! Mom always has one when she brings us donuts. The cherry ones are her favorite. Where’s Denmark?
V: Pretty far away.
Monique: Mm, okay. 
[V watches as Monique attempts to draw a pastry on her notes. Cherry filling, of course.]
Monique: Next question… Star sign!
V: Uh… Libra. I think?
Monique: What’s that mean?
V: (shrugging) No idea.
Monique: (shrugs back) Okay.
[Zooming in on we see Monique draw a star and write the word ‘Lebra’. The ‘L’ is written backwards.)
Monique: Favorite fruit?
V: Pomegranate. 
Monique: I don’t think I’ve ever eaten one of those.
V: Kind of a weird fruit. I’ve only eaten it twice. I like that they’re crunchy, the fruit’s around all the little seeds. They’re a pain in the ass to eat though.
[Monique looks at V.]
V: How about I draw it, since you’ve never eaten one and then you can ask me the next question.
[Monique nods. V picks up the red crayon and starts doodling. It’s a piss poor rendition.]
Monique: Favorite season?
V: In NC, winter. It’s not as hot as it usually is.
[Monique draws a snowflake. She's probably never seen snow. But neither has V.]
Monique: Favorite flower?!
V: Mmm… Cactus flowers.
Monique: The big ones or the little ones?
V: Uh, the small ones. With all the round… leaves? Is that what they are?
Monique: Prickly pears!? I like those ones too! The pink ones are my favorite. There’s some over by Auntie Lora’s trailer. Dorian’s always looking for bugs in them. Bleh!
[Monique draws something resembling a cactus covered in pink and yellow flowers. V is still working on her poorly drawn pomegranate.]
Monique: Favorite smell?
V: Real leather and ginger.
[V puts her crayon down. Done with her pomegranate blob.]
Monique: What do those smell like?
V: Ginger’s like a spice? A root. Has a fresh smell, kinda sharp. Leather smells like… (picking up her coffee and taking a sip to hide the blush on her face) Smells like your Uncle…
Monique: Uncle River does smell nice. But sometimes he gets stinky when he’s been outside working too long. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?!
V: Coffee, then tea. Don’t really like hot chocolate. Especially the synth-stuff. Has a weird aftertaste.
Monique: I love hot chocolate! Mom let me try some of her coffee once. I didn’t like it.
V: Maybe when you’re older.
Monique: Nah. 
[Monique kicking her feet and reading the next question.]
Monique: Hmm, how much do you sleep?
V: 5 to 6 hours. Usually. On a good day.
[V takes a sip of her coffee.]
Monique: Mom says Dorian and I need 10 hours of sleep every night. She makes us go to bed early. She tells Randy to go to bed too, but he usually doesn't listen. (still kicking her feet) I wish I got to stay up late. You and Uncle River get to stay up late. I heard you both last night when I went to the bathroom.
[V spits her coffee back into her mug, face turning bright red.]
Monique: You okay? Why’d you spit out your coffee?
V: (flustered) No reason.
Monique: (puts her arms up in the air and shakes them around) Was it because you and Uncle River were wiggling last night? Mom says because your his girlfriend you both need alone time. She told me and Dorian not to knock when you’re visiting and the door to Uncle River’s room is closed. Mom also said he should think about getting his own trailer. (thoughtful) I don’t think I’d like that though, because then I’d have to walk out of the trailer for Uncle River to make me breakfast in the morning. Mom always burns the toast. 
[V now looks like a tomato and avoids making eye contact with Monique, instead giving her coffee mug a pinched expression. Unfazed, Monique moves on to the next question.]
Monique: Which is your favorite, cats or dogs?
V: (clearing her throat) Cats. Have a cat named Nibbles.
Monique: Oh, can I meet your cat?!
V: Sure.
Monique: What color is your cat?
V: (still looking uncomfortably hot, albeit less red in the face, also looking very sadly at the backwash in her coffee) Hmm, pink. Ish. He doesn’t have any fur.
[Monique draws a pink cat and reads the next question off the screamsheet.]
Monique: Where would you like to go on a trip?
V: (looks out the window for a long moment) Some place without buildings. Less people.
Monique: The Badlands?
V: I was thinking further away.
Monique: Denmark?
V: Mm, maybe. I think they might even have trees there.
[Monique draws a tree on her notes before trying to read the next question.]
Monique: Favorite – Um…
V: Fictional character. Don’t have one.
Monique: Number of blankies you sleep with?
V: 2-3. I get cold when I sleep.
Monique: And the last one! A fun fact?
V: (thinking) Used to play the clarinet.
Thanks for reading that if you did lol! TLDR version and/or if you need the questions!
OC Interview Questions
Nickname: V’s fine.
Height: 5’ 3”
Gender: Female.
Orientation: Bi.
Nationality/Ethnicity: Half Korean, quarter Chinese, and a quarter Danish. Born and raised in Night City.
Star Sign:  Libra.
Fave Fruit: Pomegranate.
Fave Season: Winter.
Fave Flower: Prickly pear cactus.
Fave Scent: Real genuine leather and ginger.
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate: Coffee or tea. 
Average Hours of Sleep: 5 to 6, usually. 12 to 14 if other people are having a worse day than I am.
Dog or Cat Person: Cats. Though my cat acts like a dog half the time.  
Dream Trip: Don’t know. Some place without buildings or people.
Fave fictional character: Don’t have one.
Number of Blankets They Sleep With: 2 or 3, I get cold when I sleep.
A Fun Fact: Used to play the clarinet.
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WIP Questionnaire (tag game)
Just a bunch of random wip questions I’ve been thinking about! I’d love to hear about your stories <3
What was the first part of your wip that you created?
If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?
Who are your favourite characters you’ve made? Why?
What other pieces of media do you think would share a fan base for your story?
What has been your biggest struggle with your wip?
Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!
How do your characters get around? (ex: trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)
What part of your wip are you working on rn?
What aspects (tropes, maybe?) of your wip do you think will draw people in?
What are your hopes for your wip?
Answer as many or as few as you please! Lightly tagging: @simonnebethel @toribookworm22 @kaylinalexanderbooks @faeriecinna @creatrackers @blind-the-winds @dandelion-jester @badluck990 + open tag! Remember to @ me if you take it <3
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no-light-left-on · 2 months
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Let's talk about the Chaos System in Dishonored
“Your actions affect the city. A high number of deaths results in more rats, more weepers, different reactions from your allies and darker final outcome.”
The most important thing to note is that we need to distinguish between chaos and morality. A lot of people interpret Low Chaos as Good and High Chaos as Bad which is… not inherently correct. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that while non-lethal takedowns of key targets result in lower chaos, they are not the only thing that contributes to the chaos rating of a mission. I highly recommend reading these two posts [1] [2] by the lovely @kirtlandswarbler who looked into the science behind the chaos system.
It is perhaps easiest to imagine as the DnD alignment of Lawful to Chaotic. Low Chaos aligns with Lawful, the player character going after their targets and not dragging bystanders into their mess. All the takedowns are tactical, some might even say deserved – the Lord Regent hanged for his crimes, Campbell branded as a heretic that he was, Hypatia cured of her madness caused by the serum, Delilah locked in a painted world she desired so. The achievement for completing the game with non-lethal ways is even called Poetic Justice in DH and In Good Conscience in DH2. If the game is completed in a self-serving, bloodthirsty, anger satiating way, the chaos ends up being high – or plain chaotic on the alignment chart. But that is what the chaos means for the playstyle.
Chaos within the world is, in short, the way the world reacts to the player’s actions. The good and the bad, but every move the player makes in the world is a choice, and the world responds accordingly.
Let us set the scene, first, in general terms. In both games, the Empire is at a point of heightened anxiety. In DH it’s the plague, in DH2 the Crown Killer. Both games deal with brutality citizens face from the City Watch/Grand Guard, religious anxieties and terror from the Overseers, gang activity and a tyrannical regime from the Regent or the Duke respectively.
This is the world we walk into as Corvo, Daud or Emily. Everyone is uneasy and somewhat distrustful, and the player character then descends into the streets with a blade in hand, carving their way through a crumbling city to reach their goal. Loved ones go missing. Fathers don’t come back from work, cousins stop responding to letters. Even the elite in their palaces aren’t spared, slaughtered in cold blood with their loyal guard lying close by, staining the expensive hardwood floors. This is the world the player creates in high chaos – a world where no one is safe, and the few survivors live in terror, afraid that every breath they take might be the last. They see no reason to trust their neighbours, become more selfish, angrier- even your allies become more cynical, watching you slaughter your way back to the top, and why are they helping you again? To replace one tyrant with another?
In low chaos, however, the people remain safe. The civilians are allowed to continue going through their day to day life, however harsh it might be. The guards and overseers are spared, for the most part, and the nobles and rich that might go missing? That is their problem. They never cared for the smaller people. Both games open with a large shift in the political landscape – the assassination of an empress, a coup that seats a witch on the throne. And yet people still die of the plague or to the bloodflies. If a couple more members of the parliament die, that is, at the end of it all, just politics. It is among those who meddle with political issues, and not the business of the rest of the world.
The chaos is calculated by the absolute body count, along with a few special actions that the player can take. Most of them make sense. The chaos is higher if Daud blows up a slaughterhouse, killing many in the process, harming an industry, terrifying people who only hear of the event. Saving a young woman and her brother as they are harassed by the overseers over witch crimes they never committed lowers your chaos, because Corvo helped people in need. It’s a balance of the good and the bad you do, in total, rather than the simple distinction between killing and not killing the key targets. The overall chaos remains low even when all the key targets are taken down lethally. However, even if they are all spared, if the player killed every guard in sight just to reach these targets, the chaos will be high.
Something that I see (wrongly) be brought up is that killing key targets grants you a High Chaos ending, while the non-lethal takedowns result in Low Chaos ending. As mentioned above, that’s not true – they do count towards your total body count, but their deaths do not have a greater weight towards High Chaos. The non-lethal neutralization thus helps maintain lower chaos, but it does not necessarily mean that these choices are the right ones to make. The best example of this is probably Lady Boyle, which is oftentimes brought up as “oh but the morality of this game!!” critique. Death vs. poetic justice has little to do with morality in these games. After all, the protagonist (not counting DLCs) is out for revenge, to an extent, on people who have wronged them and caused them to fall on hard times. Just because a character lives does not mean there are not fates worse than death – like handing a woman to her stalker under the threat of death.
Morality and lethality in Dishonored are two things that don’t necessarily overlap. Lobotomizing Jindosh is, most definitely, a horrible thing and Jindosh ends up begging the MC to rather take his life than let him live without his intellect. There is no doubt that he is a horrible person, and many people tell you so during the game, but is this really the right way to go about things? Is an existence without the one thing you truly value about yourself worth it? On a similar yet completely opposite side of things, when you overhear one of the guards talk about how they have fun killing people who break curfew, is it truly a bad thing to kill them? One or two more deaths won’t affect your chaos all that much. It gets even more worth considering with the special actions that decrease your chaos which involve saving people from getting murdered by overseers or the guard. These actions are often difficult or impossible to perform without killing the attackers (like the guard harassing the girl that worked for Bunting).
These actions then reflect on your surroundings – the more corpses litter the streets, the more weepers and rats there will be, the nastier the bloodfly infestation. With a killer on the loose, there have to be more guards around. Mind you, the special actions that cause your chaos to grow are not enough to tip you over into high chaos alone. And as you, and Corvo/Daud/Emily by extension, grow more cruel, your allies grow more cynical. The Loyalists see Corvo butcher the city, and, well, it’s working. So why shouldn’t they get more cruel to achieve their goals, too? Emily is the most impacted, in Low Chaos growing to be Emily the Wise, the beloved empress of the Isles, asking Corvo innocent questions, while in the high chaos she talks about executions, asks how many people he's killed. Some grow to despise you, like Samuel, seeing the growing corruption and wishing for the quest to be done because they now see that the person they were helping was as much of a monster as the ones they are opposing. If you are cruel, the world will be cruel back, and the world involves those you might hold closest, like your daughter or your second in command.
The world, then, behaves in the way you mold it. Chaos reflects it, the destruction or kindness that you leave in your wake. Of course the murder of a noblewoman on a party she hosted, guarded by tallboys, will cause people to worry. Of course panic will spread when civilians are murdered in the streets. The general population of Dunwall will worry when the medicine that was meant to cure the plague suddenly turns everyone into weepers. But just the same, if people are shown kindness by a stranger without having to ask, they will be soothed. A cruel political leader being executed for the crimes he committed will make people excited, hopeful even. When Emily switches the Duke for his body double, the common people won’t notice. There is no need for fear, with the non-lethal takedowns. Not for those who are not directly involved.
Chaos, at the end of it all, dictates how the world evolves from the brink of collapse. The Outsider says it best, in one of his many speeches. “I have to wonder whether you're going to give if that final nudge, or pull it back from the edge.“ You have the power to tip the scales with your actions. Your choices matter, the big and the small, each life you save and each life you take, because at the end of the game, you are the one that has shaped the world that you will rule.
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lqtraintracks · 5 months
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20 Questions for Fic Writers
Thank you @maesterchill @danpuff-ao3 and @nv-md for the tag! <333
1. How many works do you have on AO3?
314
2. What’s your total AO3 word count?
1,295,054
3. What fandoms do you write for?
Harry Potter is the big one. I've also written some Captive Prince, Locked Tomb, and one Call Me By Your Name fic
4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?
Right Hand Red; Hung Like a Horntail; Slip Into My Lover's Hands; Weeds or Wildflowers (written with the very talented @unmistakablyoatmeal); and check this hand 'cause I'm marvelous
5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?
I try. I'm seriously behind. The truth is, I'll never get around to replying to them all. I will someday die with a thousand unanswered comments. But I do try. And I read each and every one and they touch my heart. I'm so very grateful for all the wonderful comments I've received and continue to receive!
6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?
Oof. I hardly ever end things badly. But there was one wee ficlet; lemme go hunt it down. (*plays elevator music*) Ah, here it is: Not-Forever Is Still Forever. It's not MCD or anything. Draco just leaves for Argentina for two years. *shrug emoji* But I like to think I've gotten pretty good at baking some realistic angst into the middle of things, if not writing angty endings. I prefer it that way.
7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?
All of them except for Burning the Ground, which is an open ending. I'll be honest, I don't like the word fluff. I'm never trying to write fluff, which, to me, denotes a level of uncomplicated sweetness. Maybe others define it differently. But I don't think happy endings are necessarily fluffy. I want my happy endings to put tears in your eyes, to move you. I want to evoke different things with different sorts of happiness for different phases of life. RHR's ending is about a feeling of freedom mostly, of getting to face the next part of their lives without dread. Take You Home has a similar vibe but with them a bit older; they've experienced the painful and mundane disappointments you have to weather in this life that have nothing to do with fighting a dark wizard and everything to do with existential questions about who we are, how we go on, what do you do when it doesn't work out, when you've changed and you don't know who you are anymore. I loved ending it with all their friends, at a march for trans rights. Heart Like Neon has an ending that makes *me* the most happy. I modeled it after an episode of Grey's Anatomy where you find out at the end of the ep that two important characters got married. The whole ep, none of their friends know, then at the end they play 'Bones' by Josh Record, and you go back in time by a few weeks and you see it. When I wrote the end of HLN, I had that song playing in my head from the end of the party at the Weasley's, to jumping three months earlier, to Harry and Draco in Paris. That's a pretty goddamned happy ending. It makes me cry. <3 (Also the art that @bluebutter-art made for it makes me bawl happy tears!!!)
8. Do you get hate on fics?
I was going to say hardly ever but then I *just* got some last week! LOL. Still, I'm very lucky that it's not even once in a blue moon. That stuff is so arbitrary too. I'm going to quote my good friend @elrhiarhodan: People... they're fuckin nuts. :D
9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?
LOL yes. A lot of different kinds? I want to try a little of everything as a writer.
10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?
No. I mean, I probably have a couple times over the course of my literal decades in some fandom or other, but they're not worth noting.
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?
Yes.
12. Have you ever had a fic translated?
Yes, several, and into multiple languages. I think that's so cool!
13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?
Definitely! In HP I've written with sdk, @the-starryknight and @nv-md, plus I once did a wild round robin with a big group of people. I'm not good at round robins, I've realized. Too much of a control freak.
14. What’s your all time favourite ship?
Drarry, totally. But right up there is Harry/Teddy and Harry/Teddy/Draco. Then Ginny/Pansy, Charlie/Teddy, James Sirius/Albus Severus (with Teddy too sometimes). In CaPri, I love Damen/Laurent, but @linecrosser had totally made me ship when Damen lends Laurent out to Nikandros for a threesome and also Auguste/Laurent. I also hardcore ship my own original characters from my novel. <3
15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?
I don't do WiPs really.
16. What are your writing strengths?
Oof, this is tough. Pacing? Interpersonal relationships? Smut, for sure. LOL. I think I do well writing things that are transgressive or maybe even filthy with a lot of tenderness and compassion and deep, deep love mixed in. And I think I'm getting really good at making people cry when I want them to. Readers, that is. :D
17. What are your writing weaknesses?
Convoluted plots. Can't do them. I wish I could. I can't write a mystery to save my life. I'm also pretty bad at heavy angst. I also wish I could write something nonlinear, but my brain just doesn't work that way.
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?
It's interesting that this is a question because it's meaningful to me not because of fic but because of my novel. I have a Spanish-speaking character, fluent in English, but sometimes he says things in Spanish. I'm very VERY lucky that @capiturecs read my novel both as a sensitivity reader for Latinx/Latine/Latino aspects but also to correct my Spanish and make it realistic and conversational! I'll be forever grateful! I also now really REALLY want to learn Spanish! <3
19. First fandom you wrote for?
Sorry, I don't share this publicly.
20. Favourite fic you’ve written?
Oh this is mean. This is cruel. I can't possibly answer this! RHR has got to be in there. Heart Like Neon. Blood and Fire. Phoenix in the Fire. Take You Home. Wonderful Electric (cover me in you). A Pain of Our Choosing. My Name in Your Mouth. Bloom. collarbones like a bow, skin an arrow to the heart. I'll stop there!
Okay, this was fun! I'll tag @corvuscrowned @ruinsplume @floydig @sweet-s0rr0w @lettersbyelise @magpiefngrl @skeptiquewrites and Elr! <3
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queseraone · 7 days
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20 questions for fic writers
tagged by the fabulous @cfr749. Please go read her fics and join me in screeching over them!!
1. How many works do you have on AO3? 28
2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 103,520
3. What fandoms do you write for? The Rookie (Chenford), and previously for Chicago PD (Linstead)
4. What are your top five fics by kudos? - stay - i want you to be happier - i don't wanna think of anything else (now that i thought of you) - all at once this is enough - now everything is easy (cause of you)
5. Do you respond to comments? I didn't when I first started posting fics (though I often think about going back and replying to them now, but that would probably be weird lol). But yes, now I definitely respond to comments. I am absolutely giddy over every single one I receive, and so I love to express that appreciation!
6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Hmmmm I don't think any of them? I tend to leave even the angstiest fics on a hopeful note. But I suppose either just close your eyes (you'll be alright) or you know the greatest films of all time were never made just because of where they land in relation to the events of the show?
7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Probably in paper rings, in picture frames, and all my dreams, because, hello, 💍
8. Do you get hate on fics? Thankfully I have only seen positive feedback, which is so so lovely. This fandom is wonderful 💖
9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? I do not, because I'm too chicken. Maybe one day? (iykyk)
10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? No. I can't stand crossover fics. 😬
11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I'm aware of!
12. Have you ever had a fic translated?  Not by me!
13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yes! My babe @timandlucy and I have a collab that we started a while ago and have recently talked about picking up again! And we have an idea for another one brewing too! And @makeitastrength and I have on that's sitting on the backburner, but hopefully we will make happen!
14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Chenford!
15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I want to say none because I'm way too fucking stubborn to give up on anything. But *sigh* Home... 😬😬😬😬😬 (it's been 5½ years, so it's not looking particularly hopeful)
16. What are your writing strengths? Oh man, I don't know? I hope I do a decent enough job of getting their voices right? Dialogue is often a battle, but that's probably because of how insane particular I am. I will say things out loud, play around with words, etc. to make sure it really feels like something they would say.
17. What are your writing weaknesses? Being too indecisive and my lack of confidence (which, frankly, go hand in hand).
18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? I haven't done it, but I would definitely be looking to lean on a native speaker to ensure I do it correctly!
19. First fandom you wrote for? Chicago PD (Linstead)
20. Favorite fic you’ve written? So hard, but i want you to be happier has a special place in my heart. It was a challenge to write, but the words still came so easily. And when I go back and re-read it, I don't cringe, so that's a win right there!
Thanks Lana! 🥰
Tagging @timandlucy @roguetwelve @makeitastrength @silverskull @goodgirlssayiloveyoutoo @chenfordspiral @sisterofficerlucychen @thisnightissparkling089 💕
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