I think a writer's go-to person to hurt is pretty telling. For example;
@ironwoman359 and @snowdice: tend to give everyone a ride on the angst train, not hurting any one specific character for too long.
@randomslasher and @delimeful: Virgil, but also Virgil.
Every Logan stan, after complaining about how the fandom treats him: Okay, what are we doing today? Logan gets overwhelmed by emotions? Logan is perpetually ignored? Logan's contributions aren't respected? Logan turns into a dark side? Logan tries to pretend he's an emotional robot? Logan crying a lot? Logan-
@not-so-innocent-bi-sander: Okay, so one time, one character stubbed their toe, and then that one time, where someone else dropped their ice cream cone, I swear I have angst, let me find it...
@tulipscomeinallsortsofcolors and @callboxkat: claim they're mean to everyone equally, but actually it's Roman.
Me, every time I see the hit counter go up on AO3: 😃 Look at all the people I traumatized today!
Anyway, next chapter of Thomas Annus should be out soon.
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42. How many drafts do you usually write before you feel satisfied?
Anonymous said: For the writing asks, 34, 39, and 42?
34. Unpopular writing thoughts/opinions?
i think that “write every day” doesnt work as well as a lot of people say?
it’s certainly useful for getting yourself in the habit of writing and making sure you push past writers block, but i think its also important to give yourself time to breathe and enter the consuming part of the “consume content -> create” cycle!
“write every day” is good for fostering dedication to your craft, but if you’re not careful it can lead to serious burnout. thats what i think anyhow!
39. Do you spend a lot of time analyzing and studying the work of authors you admire?
i do a lot of exercises where i try to imitate certain very distinct styles, but i also worry a lot about copying things unintentionally, so when im writing my own pieces i try to avoid studying any work that might influence it too much :P
42. How many drafts do you usually write before you feel satisfied?
im what we in the industry call “very bad no good awful reprehensible” at editing drafts. i like to write as well as i can the first go through and then scan for typos, and send it out into the world!
if im working on a piece that i worry needs more editing/work, i’ll let it sit for a few days before approaching it with fresh eyes.
but i have unimaginable hubris so that’s not very often :D
Oof. Logan, Roman, what do you have to say for yourselves?
Anonymous said: Logan, Roman, do you really still think this “experiment” of yours is a good idea?
Anonymous said: Good. Treat him like a person you two! Be kind to him and heck, maybe even let Patton in on this before you starve and scare the lil guy into never coming round again! Anxiety is important and hecking valid!
@dragonindigo245 said: Please be careful you two (Looking at you Roman). Don’t want him to be hurt more than he already is. I would recommend you all prepare for if he wakes up while you’re doing this because he mayyyy not react well at first.
Anonymous said: Logan and Roman: Do you think it’s ethical to keep Anxiety trapped in this state if he’s going to be mistreated like this? You should at least make up for your mistakes if you’re not going to let him go… -🐌
@10moonymhrivertam said: You *could* reevaluate the parameters…or you could let him go. But since we already know you won’t do that, please make a checklist or something of things he needs but won’t tell you when he needs them.
@lostchoirchild said: Boys, please do reexamine the experiment. Virgil is too stubborn and frightened to admit anything is wrong, and it will end up seriously harming him. Not to mention what will happen if Patton find out.
Anonymous said: Listen. Logan. You do know that one of the biggest things about conducting an ethical experiment is consent. Like… you can’t just experiment on people whenever you want my dude. Don’t you or Roman just feel the slightest bit of guilt because of what you and Roman have put anxiety through? Especially after those bruises…
Anonymous said: Perhaps this “re-evaluation” means letting him back to his room and treating him like his own person? -🦊
@skeletonsloverockcandy said: Logan and Roman, maybe Anxiety might heal faster in his room?
@ncanspeak said: JUST LET HIM GO BACK TO NORMAL AND LOCK HIM IN HIS ROOM IF YA WANNA TEST YOU BONEHEADS
Anonymous said: Gee Logan, for the “logical side” you sure are dense
@callboxkat said: Uh, yeah, you think, Logan?
Anonymous said: Thank god they finally realized they were idiots I felt like I was gonna have a heart attack
@pansy-chic27213 said: Logan, Roman - before you do anything else, please leave some water and food for Virgil. Cheerios and nuts are great options because they have lots of nutrients and vitamins, and Virgil can eat them whenever he’s hungry without needing your help.
“Anxiety…” Roman faltered. Logan cleared his throat, irritated at his momentary lapse in words.
“Anxiety, though we’ve certainly had our differences in the past, we don’t wish harm upon you. As parts of Thomas, it would be antithetical to his well-being to do such a thing.”
Virgil snorted, face set in a scowl. “Yeah, right.”
“Yes, I am correct.” Logan grunted in irritation as Roman elbowed him out of the way. “Anxiety, what exactly do we have to do to prove to you that we are genuine?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe let me go?” Virgil deadpanned, leaning back from Roman’s overwhelming presence. “Since you know that it’s ‘antithetical’ for me to harm Thomas? That thing you literally just said?”
“I said it would be antithetical to wish harm upon each other. I do not believe that you are attempting to hurt Thomas, but actions and intentions are not the same.” Logan pushed his glasses up on his nose. “That is the whole reason behind this trial. If you were genuinely causing Thomas more harm than help, can you honestly tell me that you would continue to behave as you have?”
Virgil stopped short, averting his gaze in a sulk. What a joke. He knew the other Sides would treat his behavior as unacceptable whether or not it proved to be beneficial to Thomas. Besides, if it was that easy to change, he would have done it a long time ago.
@10moonymhrivertam said: Logan, what does Thomas’s schedule look like for the week?
Logan pinched the bridge of his nose at the clear non-response. “Okay. Consider this, I will offer you a deal. Thomas has a few events coming up this week: a study group with classmates, a campus event where clubs advertise for new members, and a volunteer event a friend wanted his company for.”
Virigil groaned, already envisioning everything that could go wrong without him there. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because it is the perfect opportunity.” Logan replied. “Remain in this state with us for the next week, and we will be able to gather evidence to ascertain your effects on Thomas and how necessary they are.”
Virgil bit his tongue hard enough to draw blood. Some ‘deal’. The logical Side hadn’t even attempted to conceal the fact that they would be one deciding whether or not he was necessary, meaning that no matter what evidence they found, he’d be screwed.
“And then what? You just let me go at the end of the week?”
“Uh, yeah.” Roman responded. “That was implied.”
Virgil gave him his best You-Are-An-Idiot stare. “Even when you decide that me being like this is ‘better for everybody’?”
Roman faltered, realizing the flaw. “Well…”
“Regardless of the results, at the end of the week we will be releasing you.” Logan stated, and they both turned to look at him with varying levels of disbelief. “However, we will be speaking to Thomas about the results of this experiment. I imagine your power will be greatly reduced if he is informed that you: one, are truly not necessary and two, can be overcome for brief periods.”
Virgil scowled harder to hide his rising panic. The influence a Dark Side had on Thomas depended on how much he feared them, knowingly or unknowingly. He was already so limited from being forced into the conscious mind. Having more power stripped from him could be disastrous. Not that he was going to tell them that.
He hesitated in turning the deal down, though. If he played his cards right, he could probably fool them into thinking he had Stockholm Syndrome, get them to lower their guard. Make escaping that much easier than if they knew he was going to go down kicking and screaming. If he agreed…. It would make things easier. Who cared about pride at this point?
Still, acquiescing so easily would just make them suspicious. “How do I know that you’ll really let me go?”
“Prince’s honor!” Roman chirped, and Virgil leveled an unimpressed stare at him before switching his gaze to Logan, ignoring the resulting offended Princey noises.
“Logically, we wouldn’t offer you a bargain like this if we didn’t care mean what we were saying. We currently hold all the power in this situation. We’re perfectly capable of keeping you captive indefinitely, so it follows that there is no rational reason to trick you into this deal. We simply want to work out a compromise with you.” The logical Side offered, waving a hand to emphasize. Roman looked vaguely uncomfortable.
A compromise to ease their guilt, maybe. Virgil kept the thought to himself. “Ugh… fine. I’ll take the stupid deal.”
“Excellent.” Logan said, and reached out, prompting Virgil to flinch back. He flushed when he realized the bigger Side was simply extending a finger to shake, and slapped the digit away to cover up the moment of weakness. In his embarrassment, he didn’t notice the complicated glance the other two exchanged.
“Well then, we will take our leave.” Logan said a beat late, and with a touch the walls were back up. Virgil rolled his eyes, forcing his discomfort down, and then jolted in surprise when two new items popped up at his side.
A scaled-down gallon water bottle and a small bowl full of regular sized nuts. What was he, a hamster? At least they weren’t dishes like a dog’s, he supposed. He watched as the door closed behind the other Sides, letting out a shaky sigh.
He’d get out. He just had to wait for the right opportunity.
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Summary: Mandy the writer witch doesn’t know what to write for her prompt, so she goes searching back through her plethora of AUs for inspiration and accidentally stumbles into a few others as well.
(Shoutout to @callboxkat, @lefaystrent and @delimeful for letting me reference their works in this!)
October prompt #23: Witchcraft.
Check out more of my writing at @hiddendreamerwriting!
Mandy sighed, laying on her back and tossing her pen in the air to catch again. It was dull, lacking the usual shine of inspiration. It seemed she was quickly burning through her magic supply this month.
Her eyes traveled over to the portal, humming in the corner. Several portals, actually. An entire wall of infinite portals, each leading into a different dimension she had created. But what did it matter? All the portals in the world wouldn’t help the young witch find a good story idea. She needed a new portal.
Mandy paused, catching her pen one last time. Or…she could always do a sequel. And for that, a quick lil’ inspiration trip wouldn’t hurt anyone, right?
“I’ll just pop in for a second.” Mandy grinned, already grabbing her cloak and sprinting through one at random.
A bright light flashed, forcing her to cover her eyes. She blinked the spots from her vision, peering around to find… a pet shop?
“Oh, tiny mers.” Mandy hummed, walking through the aisle ways. “Not exactly original, but-”
“Can I help you, gurl?” Remy the sales clerk interrupted her musing.
“Oh, hey Remy.” Mandy gave a disinterested wave, not even looking over as she peered into the empty tanks. She sighed. “Man, this is so boring. There’s not even anything happening here. Well, except with the cats.”
“We don’t sell cats.” Remy informed her.
“I know.” Mandy adjusted her cloak. She didn’t feel like walking all the way over to Picani’s place of residence just to see the shredded remains of Logan clinging to life, that’d just be depressing. “Don’t worry about it.” Without another word she twirled on her feet, the scenery swapping once more.
“Alright, where we headed?” Mandy rubbed her hands together, looking around to try and get the lay of the land. It was a wide open field, which didn’t give her many clues- that is, until she saw how dead the grass was and the hole left behind by what must’ve been a beanstalk.
“Aww, I missed it?” Mandy groaned. She looked around, seeing nobody at the bottom of the stalk either. “Well this sucks. I can’t even tell if this is Virgil’s or Patton’s story. Why does the beanstalk have to come down, anyway? Just let it stay up and eventually consume all the water on Earth.”
That was an idea, maybe. But today was not the day for mythical eco-terrorism. Instead with a sigh Mandy twirled again, crossing her fingers. “Please something fun, please something fun-”
Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed when she opened her eyes to see generic apartment number 3. “Darn it, just a borrower story.”
There was a quiet clattering behind her. Mandy turned, seeing a very startled human Logan standing in the kitchen. “I- how- what did you say?”
“Oh dear.” Mandy winced. Logan was always the one with too many questions, no matter the universe. “Um, a borrower? Tiny person about yeigh high?” Mandy held out her hands for scale. “You might have one already in a cage. That, or they’re still in the walls. I don’t really know what stage you’re at.”
Logan’s eyes widened, turning a deadly pale. He glanced back at the living room door anxiously, leaning forwards and lowering his voice. “How much do you know about the little mouse men?”
“The mouse men?” Mandy wrinkled her nose in confusion. Since when did Logan call borrowers ‘mouse men’? That sounded more like Littles, and the only story she knew with Littles was…
Mandy gasped, smacking a hand to her cheek. “This is Kat’s story!” She excitedly whispered. The witch looked down at her own hands in awe, having not been aware she could even do that. “Oh my goodness I could see Littles. Wait should I? What if I break something? No, I shouldn’t, they’re all so depressed right now, and Kat’s Littles are always so skittish.”
“Cat? What’s this about a cat?” Logan was frantically trying to keep up with her logic, to no avail.
“Don’t worry about it.” Mandy said hastily. “Tell them I say hi. Wait don’t, forget you saw anything. Okay. I love you. Bye.”
With these parting words Mandy spun away, eager to get out before she ruined over a year’s worth of careful planning. But this opened a newfound realm of possibilities; what were her limits? How far could she go? She eagerly focused her energy away from her own stories, trying to see if she could breach the wall again.
“...oh great. Another Remy.” Mandy sighed, opening her eyes.
“Gurl you better check yourself before you shrek yourself.” Remy judged her, taking a long sip from his cup.
Mandy glanced around, taking in the house in disarray. There was a strange amount of potato chip bags and binoculars. On a notebook was a list labelled ‘Vampires?’ where Logan’s name had been written, crossed out, rewritten, repeat.
“Is this Lefay’s Welcome to the Neighborhood fic?” Mandy guessed.
“Yup.” Remy nodded. Mandy wasn’t even surprised Remy had that knowledge; he was some sort of demon of the night anyways here. Or something.
“Good.” Mandy nodded as well. “So I can’t break anything.”
“Bold of you to assume you’re worthy enough to derail this plot.” Remy raised an eyebrow. “Where you headed?”
“I dunno.” Mandy shrugged, leaning against the couch. She cringed, feeling something sticky beneath her. “I mean not that you lovable trash raccoons aren’t, er, great… but I was kinda aiming for Delimeful.”
“The tiny dragon one?” Remy asked.
Mandy nodded. “I wanna introduce Puff to my dragon Virgil. Who isn’t really a dragon, just raised by dragons, and-”
“We get it, ya’ basic. First door on your left.” Remy interrupted with a point. Mandy paused, before with a shrug opening the door that was Remy’s haphazardly thrown together portal. There was another flash of familiar light, but this time the walls appeared more hazy. Translucent, even.
“So, this is a mind palace.” Mandy let out a low whistle, because she could do that in fiction. “Weird. I don’t work in canon enough, huh?”
But that wasn’t the focus right now. Instead her attention was drawn to a scuttling in front of her, a little purple dragon caught off guard by her arrival. Mandy grinned, taking the opportunity to lunge and catch him. “Gotcha!”
Puff did not appreciate this gesture, frantically clawing and biting at Mandy and nearly causing the young witch to drop him entirely.
“Geez, stop struggling, Virgil!” Mandy huffed, readjusting her grip.
“...Virgil?”
Mandy paused, looking up to see she had an audience. Roman, Patton, and Logan were giving her looks caught between confusion and horror. The dragon in question had frozen, terrified when she said his name.
For a moment Mandy thought she ruined everything, but no recognition dawned on their faces. “Oh right, you guys are pre-accepting anxiety.” Mandy gave a small sigh of relief, the others tensing further. “Don’t worry, it’s just a, uh, nickname. Totally irrelevant. Definitely not something worth pondering or asking Anxiety about. Okay, toodles!”
But as soon as Mandy attempted to spin on her heel with Puff in tow, a searing hot pain overtook her arms. She yelped, dropping the fledgling and spinning into the other realm alone, collapsing with a grimace.
“Okay, no taking things between realms.” Mandy grit her teeth. “Good to know.”
She looked up, her eyes peering through the darkness to see a sword glinting in the meager light, pointed threateningly at her face. Strangely, she hadn’t even heard the movement. That was suspiciously terrifying.
“State your business.” The not-dragon Virgil threatened.
Mandy looked down the length of the sword. She looked back up at Virgil. “I was just trying to bring you a present.” Mandy huffed, annoyed that her plan had failed. “It was a dragon version of you. A real one.”
Well, that was not the right thing to say. Mandy yelped, rolling out of the way as the sword came slashing down, clanking loudly against the rock wall.
“Lovely seeing you as always!” Mandy waved, turning on her heel to the sound of cursing behind her.
The witch gave a sigh of relief, trying to focus her mind again after getting so jittered. It was difficult whenever her creations got away from her, especially when she was at the wrong end of the sword. The Lord only knew how many times her giants got out of hand, putting Mandy in all sorts of compromising situations.
“Think Mandy.” Mandy told herself, continuing to spin as she began to get dizzy, multiple universes passing by and only offering her glimpses: cages, a butterfly wall, the ocean…. And of course the accompanying cast, but that was a bit harder to decipher considering they all shared the same fate. “If you could go anywhere, do anything, focus on that. Where would you go? What would you do?”
Her focus was shattered as in her dizzy state she took a single step back, breaking the spell and immediately tripping over something alive.
“Mrow!” The white cat hissed, scrambling fearfully up and away from Mandy and into Patton’s lap.
“Oh dear!” Patton gasped, bending down to check on her. “Are you alright?” She took in his light blue robes, recognizing a fellow magic user.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Mandy took his hand, standing up. She looked down at the bristling cat, glaring up at her haughtily. Mandy winced, slowly recognizing this to be her witch AU. “Sorry about your tail, Roman. Also sorry about your allergies, Patton.”
Patton gave her a bewildered look, not so subtly wiping at his nose. The cat hair was clearly getting to him again. “What? It’s just this spring air. Hardly your fault.”
“Right.” Mandy didn’t bother to explain that she was the one who gave him allergies in the first place. She sighed, wishing she could at least cuddle up Roman with his fluffy coat, but Roman looked to be in no mood to accept her apology. “Aristocat.” She muttered. “Are Logan and Virgil around?”
“No, I believe they went out to collect potion ingredients.” Patton explained.
“Ugh why didn’t I just do that?” Mandy smacked herself in the forehead. “I could have just written something about you four doing potion stuff for witchcraft. This is so needlessly complicated.”
“...sorry?” Patton didn’t know how to respond.
“Whatever, I’m getting out of here.” Mandy glanced at the pair one last time. “I suggest inventing magic benadryl. Or getting regular benadryl. I have no idea what time period this actually is because you refuse to go outside.”
With this mystic advice Mandy disappeared, forever on the hunt for that elusive inspiration.
