Double Rainbow- If

There was not an art shortage in the 2010s. There wasn't a music shortage, a book shortage, or a mass inability for people to write basic emails either. Search engines worked and were fast, special effects in movies were so good they solved the Dyatlov Pass Mystery.

GenAI produces the same things that already existed, worse, and at a higher cost.

As a species, that's stupid. Deeply, fucking stupid.

We're burning more resources for a worse outcome.

But that 'as a species' is the crux, right? People who use LLMs and LIMs don't think like that. They aren't thinking about others, or about humanity as a whole... they're only thinking about what's in it for them.

Eg, "I hate drawing, I'm too lazy to learn, but I've always wanted money and praise and to be called an artist, so I don't care that this is exploiting others and nuking the environment, I'm going to use it."

It doesn't even matter that it doesn't work (slop doesn't sell). All that matters is the AI users think there is a way to get a tiny bit of clout and capital for nothing. That's all it takes for them to fuck over humanity.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 that sharp silence when she laughs at his joke a little too long, and the other guy suddenly forgets how to breathe.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 lingering touches that aren’t meant to be noticed. they’re always noticed.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 “wait here with me a second”... one says. the other pretends he didn’t hear it, but he did. HE DEFINITELY DID.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 being the one she confides in at 2 a.m. vs. being the one she runs to at 2 p.m. both matter and both sting.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 a family photo where she’s standing closer to one than the other.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 that split second of hesitation before she chooses whose hoodie to borrow. gut punch.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 someone shows up late, and the other guy has already been there with her. too late feels like losing.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 overhearing her say his name in a softer voice. the kind of softness you can’t fake.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 small-town gossip: “i saw her with him last night.” nothing kills faster than a rumor that might be true.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 one drives her home. the other texts her: did you get back safe? different kinds of care, both devastating.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 shared history weaponized. “remember when we…” except he wasn’t there.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 jealousy wrapped in politeness: “thanks for helping her.” translation: back off.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 three pairs of footsteps down the same hallway, and it feels like walking a tightrope.

⋆.˚ 𓇼 the sickening sweetness of realizing she glows in both of their stories, but she can only live in one.

⋆˙⟡ the “are we actually doing this?” pause where both of them realize, mid-sentence, that this is about to get ugly

⋆˙⟡ cutting each other off, not because they’re rude, but because they’re terrified of what the other will say next

⋆˙⟡ one character’s voice going way quieter instead of louder...scary ughh.

⋆˙⟡ pacing. or standing so still it’s unnatural

⋆˙⟡ someone saying the other’s name like it’s a warning shot

⋆˙⟡ hands clenching into fists… or clenching nothing because they don’t know where to put all that fury

⋆˙⟡ the “oh crap I went too far” moment after blurting something that can’t be unsaid

⋆˙⟡ insults that only hurt because they’re true

⋆˙⟡ a laugh that’s definitely not funny, the kind that says I can’t believe you just said that

⋆˙⟡ them talking over each other, dialogue tripping and tumbling until one of them snaps STOP

⋆˙⟡ the awful, ringing silence after it’s over, where they’re both just breathing hard and trying not to look at each other

Dear anon, thank you so much for the welcome back and for keeping our story in your heart all this time, we're working hard on the demo and bringing our intro back to life! There're so many new IFs we came back to it's hard to name them all, but there's some we're looking forward to as well: @evertidings — When we received a similar ask back in 2021, we mentioned 'When Twilight Strikes', and it's still one of our favorites! An amazing author. @guardian-of-time-if — A super hooking demo, we love Tzesar, highly rec! @neondreams-if — A very new IF, amazing concept and we couldn't wait to play the demo. Big congrats on the well deserved mile stone<3 @suevi-if — Their demo weaves together such a beautifully intricate world and story, always excited to read more! @bloodlines-if — Extremely compelling ROs, can't wait for more! @fateunwritten-if — Unique premise and excellent writing, an all-in-1 @cosmic-writes-if — Incredible customization and exciting plot @if-mirrormine — Beautiful aesthetic and a haunting story, what more can we ask for @woesoftheirwretched-if — So dark and REAL, an amazing cast and concept @spoiledblogif — HYPE WITH EVERY LORE DROP, THANK YOU FOR FEEDING US @night-market-if — Characters have so much LIFE in them, and we love Gabriel @ri-writes-if — Heart wrenching, their words convey MC's turmoil so well incredible @debauchery-if — Tackle a very real concept with a riveting cast and writing! @if-underourskins — MORE RO PROPAGANDA PLEASE WE LOVE YOUR WORK @acatslifeif — On hiatus but super excited for whats in store! @featherofdarkness-if — On hiatus but an incredibly unique mix of concepts & style @oneshot-if — Loved the prologue and looking forward to more! @leoneliterary — An addicting read and an equally addicting playlist, love love love @ataleofcrowns — We've been keeping up for years now, for good reason! @whentherewasatime-if — Very recent discovery, GOLDMINE, you will prevail @bloodandiron-if — Incredibly hyped for the demo, hooking plot, we want to interact with the ROs so badly (EYEING YOU D-6) There's so many more we'd like to mention because all these authors are such inspirations and have amazing talent. The community is seriously thriving, so we'd love to reconnect with the community and support them!

Soulmates Inc. by @soulmatesinc-if You're a soul-link, some kind of modern cupid who is also an office worker with the task of making soulmates run into one another. You're also one of the best at what you do. Everything is fine and dandy until someone sabotages your powers making your last assignment impossible to complete. Now you have to work along a delightful cast of characters to find out how to finish your task… or if you even should.

Season of Shadows by Kwartel. Such a fun game about being a young noble in the Regency era who must get married in order to save their family from financial ruin/rub it in their ex-bethrothed's nose after being jilted by them. There isn't an option to be nonbinary from the start, but for what I've seen, you'll have the chance to present more masculine/feminine at a later date. Lots of ROs that respond differently depending on the MCs sex and presentation. Also, the author knows so much about the Regency era which I appreciate since I know nothing about it.

Burning Academia by @burning-academia-if Oh man, talking about a traumatized MC with a terrible family life. You're part of the prole (which is always a plus in my book) you have no money and not a chance to get into university, until you're attacked by something not from this world while visiting an acquaintance at his private college. Now you must attend this university in order to keep whatever that was away from you (and for them to keep an eye on you just in case you're secretly an evil wizard). Also, magic is real and nobody will let you acclimatize to this new earth-shattering revelation. Oh, and you're carrying an extra passenger in your head now. Have fun!

I don't manage it! I don't manage it at all. I haven't updated the Thicker Than demo in months because I've been overwhelmed with other things. Also, the writing I release isn't always high quality. Hell, I was rereading/editing Thicker Than recently and there was a bit where Marcel fully just said the same thing twice.

It wasn't hot. Unless you think parrots are hot, specifically because they repeat things senselessly. In which case, maybe you'd have found it hot.

But, parrots aside, the truth is, I'm not actually really good at balancing anything. I'm an all or nothing kinda human, and that makes this gig of being a writer a little tough sometimes, especially straddling this world between traditional publishing and interactive fiction.

I think the only advice I can give is to keep yourself well fed, well hydrated, and well rested. Oh, and don't read the rejection emails (they come like snowflakes when you're in the query trenches, so the thing to do is just catch them on your tongue (aka, highlight them) and feel them dissolve away into nothingness(aka, delete them)).

Looking after yourself is the most important thing.

Also, having fun. I think sometimes people get caught up trying to chase 'the dream' that they forget why they're doing it. Remember, writing is fun. If you're ever not having fun, take a break, step back, and breathe.

✮ "I don't know how to be okay without you."

✮ "I said I was fine, but I'm not. Not even close."

✮ "I’ve been pretending for so long I forgot who I was before all this."

✮ "I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with you."

✮ "Do you ever feel like you're just... rotting from the inside?"

✮ "I thought if I stayed quiet, it would hurt less. It didn’t."

✮ "I’m so tired of being the strong one."

✮ "I keep waiting for someone to save me, but no one ever comes."

✮ "You were the only good thing, and I ruined it."

✮ "I hate myself for still caring."

✮ "I didn’t mean to break it—I didn’t mean to break us."

✮ "Please don't leave. I don't think I can take it this time."

✮ "You want the truth? I’m barely surviving."

✮ "I kept it all inside because I didn’t think anyone would care."

✮ "I lie when I smile. I lie when I say I’m okay. It’s all lies."

✮ "You didn’t even notice I was drowning, did you?"

✮ "I don’t know how to ask for help without feeling like a burden."

✮ "I keep hoping tomorrow will be different. It never is."

✮ "I miss the person I used to be. Before all of this."

» “I don’t even like you.” - “Yeah? Then why were you staring at my mouth for the past ten minutes?”

» “You’re literally the most annoying person I’ve ever met.” - “Yet here you are. Still talking to me.”

» “If we were the last two people on earth—” - “—you’d still want to make out with me. Got it.”

» “You drive me insane.” - “Funny. You call me at 2am just to argue. Must be a kink.”

» “This isn’t anything, okay?” - “Right. That’s why you’re jealous when I talk to other people.”

» “You’re infuriating.” - “And yet... here we are. Inches apart. Again.”

» “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” - “Only when I make you blush like that.”

» “Why do you hate me so much?” - “Because I can’t stop thinking about you and it pisses me off.”

» “One day I’m gonna punch you right in the—” - “—mouth? Please. I’ve seen the way you look at it.”

» “This was supposed to be a one-time thing.” - “Then stop coming back.”

» “You were supposed to be a distraction.” - “From what, exactly? Falling in love?”

» “I don’t care about you.” - “Say that again. Look me in the eyes this time.”

» “We are not a thing.” - “Says the person who wore my hoodie for three days straight.”

» “We’re still enemies, got it?” - “Right. Enemies. Who kiss. And sleep over. And cook each other breakfast.”

Are we at fault, or is it something else? Yet you're there, we can see you raising the view counters on our demos.

I'm not here to lecture or beg for anything. I'd just like to understand, as many other authors do, why ? Because this statement is the result of a growing concern? Depression?among our ranks. To the degree that some of us have come to say: What's the point?

I'd just like to remind you of one thing: a story is alive, yes, but ! It's alive thanks to you, not just to us.

Every word you read, every emotion you feel, every theory you silently formulate: it's all part of the magic of a story, and it needs to be shared. When you share it all, a comment, a reblog with a fews words, even a brief reaction, that's when it really comes together, you're blowing on the story's flame! You fuel it, make it tangible. You give it a life that an author, alone in front of their screen, can't always sustain over time. Believe me, we try... Some are more gifted than others, but I'm all for helping each other.

Because yes, we write out of passion, out of desire, out of need. Yes, we love our worlds. But the impetus, the joy, the motivation, the feeling of really being read, all that is also born from exchange.

So here it is, just a quick note to say that if you like or don't like something, please say so. No need for a big dissertation but there's nothing worse than silence, it's the great reaper of our aspirations and I don't want to let it win.

This is not to say that TKH is not being a success, because it is. But if you dive deeper, most of the notes I receive on posts are likes, rarely reblogs and very rarely comments. I admit that, after almost two years of work, seeing the ch.2 update be followed by way less asks than the others has a bit demoralised me. Every time someone shares their experience playing, their MC, their theories and thoughts on my characters and story, it is an immense boost to motivation, but also a needed aknowledgement of all the work I did, and all the frustration I went through.

I am not asking for money, I probably never will, but when I prompted some time ago readers to share their MCs and I only got a couple of asks it was... sad. Because two or three years ago I would have gotten at least ten or twenty.

My discord server, once full of life, delicious ramblings and fanfictions, is now silent even after big game updates.

And as I have started to noticed this progressive passiveness of readers, I have begun seeing the same in all other IF blogs too, but also fanfictions, books and other media.

Unfortunately, most of us authors thrive with aknowledgement. With praise and attention. I think, but this is just my personal opinion, that it's a fair bargain in exchange for the content we release into the world free of charge.