here’s arm

When a plain package arrives on our stoop, I'm not fully prepared for what's inside. 

“It's a cage.”

“Very astute of you.”

“For your cock.”

“Right again.”

“It's a cock cage.”

“You cracked the case.”

“Sorry, I'm just trying to work this out.”

“I can hear the gears grinding.”

The taller one has wavy hair and jeans that look painted on—they can’t be comfortable in this heat, but he looks like he’s never broken a sweat in his life. He props his sunglasses on top of his hair—glossy, loose waves. How is he defying this humidity? I guess anything really is possible with enough money. His shirt’s buttoned halfway down his chest and he’s smirking at Simon already—Simon, who’s already fuming beside me. It’s like he walked in the door and pushed every button Simon has without even doing anything.  Finally, he looks over at me. “Who’s this?” “Hi, I’m Shepard,” I say, smiling. “I’m from Omaha.” “My condolences.”

any identities you want to claim without worrying about whether you've earned them or not? CLAIM THEM and also tell me what you think shep's favorite ice cream flavor is.

@alexalexinii @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @bachusekart @best--dress

@blackberrysummers @bookish-bogwitch @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita @carry-on-kissing-snowbaz

@confusedbiqueer @cutestkilla @dohrnaira @drowninginships @facewithoutheart

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @larkthorne @leithillustration

@letraspal @lixdoesntknow @manicmagicat @martsonmars @monbons 

@mooncello @musicallychaos @nausikaaa @noblecorgi @onepintobean 

@orange-peony @pato-roldnart @papierhaikuphoto @prettygoododds @raeny-day 

@rimeswithpurple @run-for-chamo-miles @shrekgogurt @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach 

STITCHES To recap, as of last week I'd finished 22 dolls. I am now up to 27, which doesn't seem like much progress EXCEPT so many more of them are dressed! Specifically, I've clothed all my "summer" dolls because I am going on a beach trip next week and will have access to some new and fun backgrounds for photoshoots!

Speaking of photoshoots, I finalized four doll sets and photographed them, which feels good. The pictures are turning out great, and because it is SO HARD to sit on anything for several months, have a sneak peek of one. Can you guess who is who?

I also started mass producing the pieces I need for all my remaining dolls, including 14 standard-body Simons and 7 standard body Bazzes (half vampire, half non-magical). Some of my concepts require specialized bodies (bent legs, pointed feet, an actual booty for Simon...) so I will make those later. Please admire my little pile of flat Simon pieces below.

I will be taking these with me on vacation and hopefully returning with stuffed body parts--definitely amusing for the TSA agents to see in my bag. lol

SENTENCES I continue to struggle with visible progress here. I did not write for 15 minutes on any day this week, but I did think about my book nearly constantly. I also threw out huge chunks of my previous outline because nearly at every step of this thing I keep realizing the original idea was too ambitious, too sprawling, and that will be hard to manage within the confines of a traditional YA word count. So... I dropped characters and plot lines and am trying to tighten arcs as a result. Again, not visible progress, or particularly sexy to share, but progress nonetheless. As a reward, have some Xavi sentences I wrote many moons ago and *love*, but that will almost certainly not make the cut.

There were a million ways to mispronounce his name and Xavi had heard them all. Ex-zay-vee-er. Ha-veer. Simply X followed by a blank stare. Ironic really, since Xavi’s name wasn’t especially difficult or obscure. In fact, the internet had once informed him that it was among the top 100 names for baby boys. The real issue, Xavi knew, was that his name begged a question. On class rosters or stick-on name tags, Xavier López Bonilla might as well have read, “do you speak English?” or, perhaps, “where are you really from?” Xavi had sat through years of roll call as mouths filled with cotton, R’s not so much rolling as stuttering and stumbling. By fifth grade, he’d given up. If a teacher asked how it was said, he’d inform them he preferred his nickname, pronounced “ha-vee.” If any other iteration made an appearance, he’d just deal; white-washed Zay-vier was better than the lovely lilt of Spanish butchered on foreign tongues.

Thanks for sticking with me! If you have goals or progress to celebrate, I'd love to celebrate with you!

“Why’s your mouth so puffy and red?” Sophie says when I come in from my "baking" class. (Earlier than usual, because Simon and I both have to get up for the market in the morning.) (I don't tell them that part. No one knows about Simon yet.) “Oh no! Surely you told them about your kiwi allergy, Basil?” Daphne says, panicked. “It’s not kiwi,” I groan. “I’m fine, mum.” “Then what is it?” Mordelia smirks. “I have an incurable case of mind your own business. I hope it’s contagious.” Sophie and Petra giggle but Daphne still looks worried.

feel free to share something you're working on, writing or otherwise! I'd love to hear about it.

@alexalexinii @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @bachusekart @best--dress

@blackberrysummers @bookish-bogwitch @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita @carry-on-kissing-snowbaz

@confusedbiqueer @cutestkilla @dohrnaira @drowninginships @facewithoutheart

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @larkthorne @leithillustration

@letraspal @lixdoesntknow @manicmagicat @martsonmars @monbons

@mooncello @musicallychaos @nausikaaa @noblecorgi @onepintobean

@orange-peony @pato-roldnart @papierhaikuphoto @prettygoododds @raeny-day

@rimeswithpurple @run-for-chamo-miles @shrekgogurt @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach