#measureasks

As always @dreamsofdramione comes through and makes my ideas better. The below will be banners at the start of their sections.

Nothing: Chapters 1 - 16

Something: Chapters 17 - 28

Everything: Chapters 29 - 42

Hi! Thank you for one! Glad you enjoyed moam and are going to risk following a wip for Kingdom Come. I'm excited, the draft is done, which is wild for me tbh, but here I am.

So, to answer your question, with MoaM. I had the idea for a long time but it looked way different than what was written (not Draco and Scorp's story arc but Hermione's). I talked it out with my beta, K, who really grilled me on how everyone was connected and their actions and motivations. As both the narrator and protagonist, I spent the most time building Hermione, asking questions like what would she do if X and Y happened? Then she said "make an outline" which ended up being an unhinged telling of half the story. Most of which I didn't use exactly as written, except for the first kiss scene, Theo's dichotomy of man convo, and the Austen party idea.

I think the best thing is I knew where I wanted to go with the story. I knew where the characters started and where they would finish, I knew I wanted this to be a canon possibility, sort of like an CC where it presents all sorts of outcomes for if certain things happened, like a Canon Multiverse....and that gave me the beat of the plot line.

I knew quickly it would be slow paced because of so many plot aspects (Narcissa's disease...as there is a whole lot of things to consider when you or a family member is terminal, Greyback, politics (which only existed bc in CC Hermione is MoM and I wanted to play on the possibility), Scorpius/Al, Dramione romance, Hermione's parents, and the lighter plot points with her friends). I did not want Draco and Hermione to exist in a bubble where we learn or know little about the ppl around them. I didn't think that would be realistic--an easier read for those who don't care about that, but not realistic.

Also I knew it would be slow because change doesn't happen so rapidly. Bringing Draco and Hermione back together after 13yrs of nothing, when they both are set in their ways....It's more than a "hello, you're cute wanna bang?" Rushing and glossing over the hard work the characters need to take to learn, grow, have setbacks, and better themselves and the effort put into helping Scorpius...I just thought it would be a disservice to anyone put in any aspect of that situation. I also had the realization that Scorpius played a more integral role than I originally anticipated. He was glue. The build between Scorpius and Hermione had to start before the Dramione build and I needed the Dramione to be underway when things like the hospital attack happened.

It is funny that it's called a slow burn when Draco and a Hermione are together in some romantic capacity for half the story. Hahahaha.

In short answer the planning process was ongoing, chaotic, and wild. Anytime I was like "but what if" my beta shot that shit out the sky do I stayed on track. I wrote nearly all of Nothing before posting the first chapter and kept ahead making tweaks and whatnot. But when I got stuck and didn't like the romantic progression I went back and tore it to shreds and made what you see now. Aka I made it faster which is kinda hilarious given the pace.

That I was able to write it.

Seriously.

I had the idea years ago and said "I'm not old/mature/experienced enough to write this" and put it away. It was too complex in its original form and I didn't know how to simplify it to what it is now and didn't have who I have now to help me sort through it. So a little (long) time away and some maturity and growth and here I am.

Also a story of this magnitude is daunting. I remember writing the first chapter and being like "ah" and then saying "shit only 40+ to go 😭". I blame my love for the idea and my own sheer insanity for being able to write, edit, and put this out in the short time frame (well short to me, it took Tolkien 12 years to write Lord Of The Rings). I'm also proud of my fortitude because I have a tendency to stray hard, especially towards the end.

I've grown a lot as a writer and a person during this almost two year process and it's going to be interesting to go back to the beginning to edit (for typesetting, and maybe some goofs I can make clearer, no major changes) and see just how much. My beta and I didn't expect this sort of attention, I don't ever go into anything with expectations, so it's been a humbling process and a learning curve for two people: one who wanted to write a cottage core post war dramione with an imperfect world and a selective mute Scorpius. And one person who took on the task out of love for the idea to beta it.

You're on 19 and 20 is when the wheels of the father and son start turning, post their wine and whisky talk at the end of 19 when she sees Draco in a completely different light of understanding. A lot of this will come out then but...

But to explain the relationship between Draco and Scorpius...they almost don't have one at the start of the story, just intrigue and curiosity and trepidation from Scorpius and a lot of tactics and patience from Draco.

Scorpius doesnt know Draco but he knows he's his father and he's curious (as we see at multiple times in the story). He was largely absent parent figure (working and whatnot, his goal was first to eliminate the threat THEN step in for Scorpius). Astoria (before her death was his entire world) and Narcissa (after Astoria's death she assumed the role of caregiver) are the two he spent his time around (outside tutors).

Father and son are both pretty desperate to make the connection but there's a barrier between them. Draco loves his son, but he is uncomfortable (even with picking him up in chapter 9), doesn't know what he's doing, scared to damage him more, and feels like he is anyway because Scorpius is visibly hesitant and shies away when Draco gets too close. He feels like a failure (also alluded to in chapter 10).

So Draco keeps his distance as to not spook him, starts writing notes everyday (what Hermione doesn't know but he's been writing these notes since Astoria died so Scorp has well over 100+ by the time she meets him...only thing she knows is Scorpius keeps a BUNCH of notes in his charmed pockets). He does what he can, makes himself present as much as he can. It's sort of what one would do to earn the trust of a scared cat.

And as Hermione comes in and helps with Scorpius' confidence, helps understand him and gives him the place where he can be open and free. She fights for him and figures out these two love each other fiercely but keep missing when the other reach out, so she helps forge the bond and becomes the link between the two in hopes that they will connect.

Draco starts waiting more (sometimes to his own detriment because he has to be at work before Scorpius comes down), but Scorpius is a creature of routine, thanks to Narcissa's firm hand, which makes him not like change (giving the massive amount of negative changes in his life that happened abruptly). So when Draco changes things by being present when he comes down for breakfast (something he never is) it makes Scorpius freeze up with anxiety, hence him hiding and watching Draco until he leaves.

Also fun fact: Scorpius can read as well as any 5.5 year old can (probably better tbh). He simply cannot read Draco's shitty handwriting.

Hope that helps!

so excited to read whatever you write next!

Thank you! I'm so very excited to wrap this story up. It's been living rent free in my head. I have a companion piece in this world set up, but until I'm ready to start, I've been working on other things and have posted a few snippets on twitter.

I'm in an experimental phase so my future works will likely be wildly different from Measure of a Man and a bit niche in genre, but writing is all about growth and development, taking chances and having fun. Which is what I'm doing.

(Snippet previously posted on twitter. The project has no title right now)

https://twitter.com/inadaze22/status/1516778929566240769?s=21&t=3r1baCva5UvvR2BCdJ2UfA

I just finished reading Measure of a Man today and I wanted to ask if you were alright with people printing and binding personal copies for themselves.

I saw a tiktok of someone's bound version of their favourite fics and I thought that would be a fun project for this summer.

I just wanted to ask bc I heard some authors aren't okay with personal prints, so just let me know please

I'll always love the story regardles. You're a brilliant writer (I'd literally stop at least twice each chapter to assess how many emotions I felt and then just sit in awe at how a person could write like that)

Also, sorry if someone else asked a question like this and you already answered.

Hi! I'm glad you enjoyed MoaM!

Short answer: Yes, I do allow binding so long as you don't profit from it.

Now for my question. Do you have any plans to write a companion piece of any length that tells Pansy and Percy's story? Because I am so addicted to the way you have developed these characters and their relationship.

Thank you!

Thank you and take your time, it'll be there to read when you're ready. There's really no rush.

Actually outside of some outtakes I've already written (deleted scenes and such) I do have plans for only a Percy/Pansy companion piece set in this universe. Nothing else.

My alpha inceptioned the idea into my head last year and it's been living there rent free. It's already started in ways, completely laid out. It wont nearly be as long as Measure of a Man, maybe at max 8-10 chapters, but it will be in Pansy's POV and VERY--and I mean very--tentatively titled A Woman's Worth.

I won't start it in earnest until Measure is completed and I knock some stuff off my to-write list. And I won't post it until it's finished, as I need the official timeline to write it.