writing-what-writing

[writing-what-writing]

it sounds ridiculously obvious now, but one of the best pieces of writing advice i've ever received is that most of the time, a character's flaws are also their strengths. a smart person might have trouble admitting they're wrong, or break down when they don't know how to solve something; a practical, capable person might lack emotional intelligence. a determined person might be so focused on their goals that they neglect their friends and ignore anything "superfluous" (i.e. they don't notice minor details that turn out to be important later on). kindness can become naivety; open-mindedness can become centrism; confidence can become arrogance. sometimes it's tempting to just reach into a grab bag of positive and negative traits and sprinkle them in at random, but it's much better to instead isolate the things you like about your character and take those traits to the logical extreme.

[writing-what-writing]

[writing-what-writing]

I keep seeing people making fun of using growled, hissed, roared, snarled etc in writing and it’s like.

have you never heard someone speak with the gravel in their voice when they get angry? Because that’s what a growl is.

Have you never heard someone sharply whisper something through the thin space of their teeth? Or when your mother sharply told you to stop it in public as a kid when you were acting up/being too loud? Because that’s what a hiss is.

Have you never heard a man get so blackout angry that their voice BOOMS through the house? Because that’s what a roar is.

Have you never seen someone bare their teeth while talking to accentuate their frustration or anger while speaking with a vicious tone? Because that’s what snarling is.

It’s not meant to be a literal animal noise. For the love of god, not every description is literal. I get some people are genuinely confused, but also some of these people are genuinely unimaginative as fuck.

[writing-what-writing]

Bucky Barnes Bingo 2023

Who I Was (Hades Bucky) (B3-photo)

Secret Softy (moodboard) (C1-Biker AU)

Gender-Swapped Bucky (moodboard) (B5-Genderswap)

The Rider and the Ranger (moodboard) (U5-Dragon AU)

Bucky’s Selkie (moodboard) (C5-photo)

A Good Night’s Sleep (K5-Insomnia)

Good Luck, Clint (Y5-No modesty)

[writing-what-writing]

Writing advice from my uni teachers:

If your dialog feels flat, rewrite the scene pretending the characters cannot at any cost say exactly what they mean. No one says “I’m mad” but they can say it in 100 other ways.

Wrote a chapter but you dislike it? Rewrite it again from memory. That way you’re only remembering the main parts and can fill in extra details. My teacher who was a playwright literally writes every single script twice because of this.

Don’t overuse metaphors, or they lose their potency. Limit yourself.

Before you write your novel, write a page of anything from your characters POV so you can get their voice right. Do this for every main character introduced.

[writing-what-writing]

Bucky Barnes Bingo 2023

Who I Was (Hades Bucky) (B3-photo)

Secret Softy (moodboard) (C1-Biker AU)

Gender-Swapped Bucky (moodboard) (B5-Genderswap)

The Rider and the Ranger (moodboard) (U5-Dragon AU)

Bucky’s Selkie (moodboard) (C5-photo)

A Good Night’s Sleep (K5-Insomnia)

Good Luck, Clint (Y5-No modesty)

#bucky barnes bingo #bbb2023 #bucky barnes

[writing-what-writing]

[writing-what-writing]

Good Luck, Clint

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: BBB: Y5-No modesty, WHB: B4-Only one bed

Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Clint Barton

Rating: General

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: only one bed, Bucky being a tease

Summary: as they’re on their way home from a mission, Clint feels like his good luck is running out

Word Count: 791

Clint’s good luck was about to run out. He could feel it.

It all started when Fury had sent Clint and Bucky on an intel mission. Clint had felt lucky that he’d been paired with Bucky instead of Tony or Steve this time. Then he felt even luckier that the mission had been quick and easy, with nothing blocking their way in or out.

So why did Clint feel like his luck was starting to run out?

For one, good luck had never lasted long for Clint. And for point the second, Clint had a sudden realization while on this mission. What was the realization, you might ask?

Clint realized that he may have a not so little crush on Bucky Barnes. Okay, so maybe Clint was a little in love with the former Winter Soldier.

There was the way Bucky could be stealthy and graceful, despite being used as a brutal weapon for so long. There was the way that Bucky seemed to know what Clint was thinking before the archer even knew, which was especially useful when they were fighting together. There was that little smirk that came whenever Clint joked around or did something stupid that turned out to be a good idea. And when that smirk of Bucky’s became a full blown smile?

Nothing was better than a true smile from Bucky Barnes. Not even pizza. Which was saying something, considering how much Clint loves his pizza.

Okay, so maybe this was more than just a crush on a teammate and coworker. But Clint felt like he could deal with it, right?

Wrong.

When they reached their safe house for the night, Clint and Bucky found that there was only one bedroom… with only one bed. Clint knew his luck would run out at some point, but did it have to run out right at the moment he was supposed to spend a night alone with his newfound crush? Internally, Clint was swearing up a storm. He knew about the trope of “only one bed.” Clint had been around the Young Avengers enough to know about fanfiction. Did this really have to happen now? And would Bucky even follow the typical trope? Clint tried to tamper down his hope that they might actually sleep together on the bed. Or do something more than just sleep…

“Ah, one bed, no,” Clint groaned. At least the couch looked somewhat comfortable.

Bucky chuckled at Clint’s reaction to the safe house’s bed situation. “Wanna flip a coin for who gets the bed? Or maybe do a couple rounds of rock paper scissors?”

“You’ll probably win either way,” Clint grumbled. “The way my luck is right now, I don’t want to risk it.”

Another chuckle escaped Bucky. “Don’t want to risk the string of good luck ending, huh?”

“Something like that…”

Clint decided to busy himself with finding something to eat as Bucky unpacked what they needed for the night. There was not much he could cook, but maybe there was some finger food to scrounge up. Thankfully, good luck was favoring Clint just a little bit longer. He was able to make a charcuterie board that wasn’t much fancier than a couple lunchables and some fruit thrown together, but it would do for dinner.

“Hey, Bucky, you ready for some food?” Clint called out. A low grunted ‘yes’ came in response from the living room. Clint laughed, bringing the food into where Bucky was. What he didn’t expect was to see Bucky without his shirt on.

Seeing Bucky shirtless almost made Clint drop the food. Thankfully he was able to catch himself quickly. Shaking his head, Clint was able to get the food to the coffee table before sitting on the couch. Bucky happily grabbed some food, while all Clint could do was stare.

“You better get some food before I eat all of this,” Bucky nudged the food closer to Clint. “You can’t keep up your strength if you’re just starin’ at me.”

“It’s not my fault you’ve got rippling pectorals you decided to show off!” Clint exclaimed with a laugh.

Bucky grinned. “I don’t show my pecs for just anyone. I think you’ve earned being able to see me half naked.”

Deciding to push his luck, Clint asked, “So, what do I have to do to earn seeing you fully naked?”

“Making a charcuterie board out of the slim pickings in the kitchen.”

Clint blushed, not expecting Bucky’s answer. The former assassin was definitely very forward. Maybe Clint should’ve expected that, considering what Steve said Bucky was like with the ladies in the forties.

Bucky’s grin grew wider. “I also wouldn’t mind seeing what’s under those clothes of yours.”

Maybe good luck was still on Clint’s side after all.

#bucky barnes #clint barton #winterhawk #bbb2023 #bucky barnes bingo

[writing-what-writing]

A Good Night’s Sleep

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: K5-Insomnia

Ship/Main Pairing: none

Rating: Gen

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: insomnia, Alpine, the other Avengers try to be helpful

Summary: Bucky has a hard time sleeping, and ends up following Sam’s advice

Word Count: 587

@buckybarnesbingo

Life had been quite hard enough in Bucky’s opinion. Even without the whole Hydra and Winter Soldier thing, Bucky had lived through the Great Depression as well as fought and sort of died during World War Two. Life could’ve been so much simpler for him, but no, Bucky’s life had to go and get even harder!

He couldn’t sleep in his bed. Bucky had tried everything- counting sheep, warm milk, ASMR, melatonin gummies, a weighted blanket, any and all combinations of those ideas that he could think of. Nothing had worked. Whenever he tried to go to sleep, it was like there was something buzzing under his skin that wouldn’t calm down. Bucky felt like he was going crazy from the lack of sleep and the buzz of energy that went through him every time he tried to sleep. Plus, the insomnia meant Bucky’s body ended up shutting down and accidentally falling asleep in some weird places occasionally, like in the cereal bowl while he was eating breakfast.

Thankfully, nobody from the Avengers team looked at Bucky weirdly when that happened, if only because they had all gone through bouts of insomnia at one point or another. But that also meant that they all had some sort of advice for trying to sleep. Steve and Thor usually recommended working out or listening to a podcast or music, while Bruce said to do yoga and meditation. Natasha suggested taking a long, warm bath with all the creature comforts neither she or Bucky had been given while in the Red Room or Hydra. Clint would usually go with Bucky to the shooting range, while Tony tried to tire Bucky out by talking about math or engineering problems he was trying out. Wanda asked if she could try a sleeping spell, but Bucky nixed that idea, along with Strange’s suggestion to put him in a time loop. Both those ideas hit a little too close to the PTSD in Bucky’s brain.

It was Sam that recommended getting a cat or dog. Bucky wasn’t sure how having a pet (or a service animal, as Sam put it) would help him sleep, but he was willing to try anything at this point. He’d never had a pet (service animal, he could hear Sam say) before, but Bucky liked when Clint’s goofy dog Lucky was around, so maybe Sam wasn’t too far off in his idea.

So, it was to the shelter Bucky went. He’d thought of asking Steve to come with him, but Bucky decided he wanted to do something for himself by himself for once. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but the lady who greeted Bucky at the front desk was very helpful, showing him around and chatting up a storm. All Bucky had to do was nod and look around at the animals.

Bucky didn’t feel any particular pull towards any of the many dogs and cats until he and the lady showing him around had reached the back. An almost pitiful ‘meow’ came out of a fluffy white cat sitting in a small pen. The cat looked up, showing off her blue eyes. Bucky smiled, finally feeling like this was a good idea, and asked about her. It didn’t take long for Bucky to get set up with a crate, a bag of cat food, and some toys for his new cat, who he decided to name Alpine.

That night, Bucky had the best sleep he’d had in ages with Alpine sleeping with him on the bed.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes bingo #alpine #bbb2023 #my writing

[writing-what-writing]

Title: Gender-swapped Bucky

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: B5-Gender swap

Ship/Main Pairing: None

Rating: Gen

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: moodboard

Summary: My idea of what Bucky might look like if he was gender-swapped

Word Count: 0

@buckybarnesbingo

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes bingo #moodboard #bbb2023

[writing-what-writing]

Who I Was

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: B3-photo

Ship/Main Pairing: Hades!Bucky Barnes/Persephone!Reader

Rating: Gen

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: Hades!Bucky, Persephone!Reader, drabble, moodboard

Summary: the goddess Persephone sees more to Bucky than most

Word Count: 100

@buckybarnesbingo

As the god of the underworld who oversaw the dead, Bucky hadn’t been one for socializing. Most who met Bucky would say that he was an intimidating person. But the goddess Persephone saw something else.

She saw the way Bucky had been before the Titan War, before he’d lost his arm and became the god he was known as now. As a goddess known for springtime and renewal, Persephone knew that death wasn’t always the end, but a chance for change. She knew how to bring out the smile that Bucky had almost forgotten about. Bucky was grateful for it.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes bingo #bbb2023 #moodboard #drabble

[writing-what-writing]

@buckybarnesbingo

Title: Secret Softie

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: C1-AU: Biker

Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader, Bucky and Alpine

Rating: General

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: Biker Bucky, Alpine, moodboard

Summary: Bucky was a tough biker, but ever since he and you got Alpine, Bucky had been showing his soft side a little more

Word Count: 0

[writing-what-writing]

@buckybarnesbingo

Title: The Rider and the Ranger

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: U5-Dragon

Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader

Rating: General

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: moodboard, Dragons, dragon rider Bucky, ranger Reader, Dungeons and Dragons vibes

Summary: When Dragon Rider Bucky Barnes is paired up with a Ranger for a mission, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He definitely didn’t expect to fall in love

Word Count: 0

[writing-what-writing]

@buckybarnesbingo

Title: Bucky’s Selkie

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: C5-photo

Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Selkie!Reader

Rating: Gen

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: Moodboard, Reader is a selkie, Bucky tries to not do what the usual selkie stories do

Summary: When Bucky meets a mysterious woman on the beach, he can’t help but want to know more about her. After learning his mystery woman is a selkie, Bucky deep dives into selkie lore and becomes determined to do the opposite of the typical selkie story and give her a choice.

Word Count: 0

[writing-what-writing]

Title: Secret Softie

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: C1-AU: Biker

Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader, Bucky and Alpine

Rating: General

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: Biker Bucky, Alpine, moodboard

Summary: Bucky was a tough biker, but ever since he and you got Alpine, Bucky had been showing his soft side a little more

Word Count: 0

#bucky barnes bingo #bbb2023 #bucky barnes #alpine #moodboard

[writing-what-writing]

Title: The Rider and the Ranger

Collaborator(s): BookDragon13, writing-what-writing

Square Filled: U5-Dragon

Ship/Main Pairing: Bucky Barnes/Reader

Rating: General

Major Tags/Triggers/Warnings: moodboard, Dragons, dragon rider Bucky, ranger Reader, Dungeons and Dragons vibes

Summary: When Dragon Rider Bucky Barnes is paired up with a Ranger for a mission, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He definitely didn’t expect to fall in love

Word Count: 0

#bucky barnes bingo #bbb2023 #bucky barnes #moodboard

[writing-what-writing]

I've seen a lot of fics disappear from my bookmarks, some 10+ years old, because they were added to an unrevealed collection. It makes me wonder if people realize what your fic being added to a collection actually means and if the authors approved it automatically without realizing what would happen.

If someone adds your fic to their collection, they can hide it! They can mark the collection as unrevealed and your fic will be unreadable to anyone other than them! If you're writing works for a surprise event, like a Secret Santa, this is really nice.

But if you're just writing and someone adds your fic to a collection for their own personal use and marks it as unrevealed, that. . . really sucks.

I bookmarked this fic in 2017, almost 5 years ago. Knowing me, the fic itself was probably at least a couple years old at the time I bookmarked it.

This is a 5+ year old fic that is completely inaccessible now because it was added to a collection that, as far as I can tell, is literally just for the collection owner's own reference. There's almost 30 fics in the collection, all of them unrevealed.

Please don't blindly accept collection requests and if your works ARE in a collection, make sure that they aren't being hidden without your knowledge or consent.