-:"Can Two Spies Be Lovers?" Enemies To Lovers -spy Edition- Prompts:-

10/10 dad joke

Buddie Countdown to Season 8b:

8 days.

Spread the word.

"we need less sanitized queer stories" yall keep saying fucking she-ra romanticizes abuse. you couldnt possibly handle less sanitized queer stories

Sounds about right lol

“I’ve been on the other side of dying for a very long time.”

“You mean the wrong side?” Derina’s voice teases and then leans in closer to murmurs, “This one’s much more fun.”

Her voice drawls on the last word, and Laila retorts, “Is that your plan? Die, resurrect, seduce an innocent man to depths of the ocean?”

“Hardly. You’re not a man, Ms. Kivris, or innocent for that matter.”

By the spirits, she’s an incorrigible flirt and probably responsible for a dozen stereotypes about sirens. Laila leans back to look at Derina better, the blood in her face running hot and keeps her mouth shut. She doesn’t trust her tongue enough right now.

The corner of Derina's lip curls up knowingly, her eyes wild and tipsy as they focus on her. Laila wets her lips and whispers, “What are you playing at?”

“Just a dance. We’ve got plenty of time until Marty kicks us out.” Derina tugs her hand but makes no motion to get up, brushing her thumb across Laila's knuckles.

FAQ

🔹 Is there a word count restriction for fics?

No, there’s absolutely no word count restriction, write as little or as much as you like. We welcome a poem with 10 words the same way we would an epic fic of 100,000 words.

🔹 What kind of art can I create?

Absolutely anything goes: drawings, paintings, collages, mood boards, gif sets, videos, playlists, fiber arts, sock puppets… the sky’s the limit (though not really…).

🔹 If I create a podfic, does the source need to be new?

No, in that case, your creation will be what's new, the fic itself can be older/already posted and also doesn't have to be connected to Flufftober (even tho it should obviously fit the prompt). All we ask is that you have the author's permission to use their work. Some authors give blanket permission, so check for that as well.

🔹 Can I mix mediums or do I have to stick to one?

Yes, please mix and mash different mediums however you like, be it within one prompt or for different entries. We don't bind you to just one type of medium.

🔹 Do I have to commit to one fandom/ship/character?

Absolutely not. Switch as often as you like or write for multiple fandoms/ships/characters each day.

🔹 Do I have to write romantic relationships?

NO! The ship does not have to be a romantic one! We welcome all kinds of platonic relationships, be they friendships, coworkers, teammates, rivals, or something else. We also always welcome stories about family (but this is not a way to get around rule #1!)

🔹 Are reader-insert fics allowed?

Yes, we will always tag those as [character name] x reader (romantic) or [character name] & reader (platonic), for example, Bucky Barnes x reader.

🔹 Is RPF (Real Person Fiction) allowed?

YES! RPF is a fandom - multiple fandoms, actually! - so it is absolutely allowed in this fandom event!

🔹 Can I write for my OCs or even enter original works?

Yes, absolutely! Original works as well as OCs in fandoms are always welcomed! We only ask that you mark these clearly - either in the tags or the post itself. We're not familiar with all fandoms (though we're learning!), so we're not always sure what might be an OC and what might be such an unknown side character not even Google can find them. So the best way to help us is to use tags like #original work, #original characters, or even #OC [name].

🔹 Does my entry have to be in English?

No, other languages are also welcome. We only ask that you clearly show day, fandom, and prompt so that we can easily reblog your entry.

🔹 Does my entry have to be fluffy?

Well, we can’t force you to stick to fluff but we would like you to at least keep in mind that this is a fluff event 😉 but if our prompts send your characters on a dark road we will certainly not restrict your muse. Tropes like hurt/comfort or angst with a happy ending are awesome for a reason, after all. And we'll never say no to smut with feelings, in case you wanna add spice to the fluff 😏

🔹 Can I combine your events with others?

Yes! We actually always encourage that. Especially in October, there are so many events. So if you want to combine us with Whumptober or Angstober to get that hurt/comfort going, go for it! Or if you wanna check out other fluffy and cozy events to make our lists extra fluffy, that would be amazing. We only ask that you make sure the other event allows it as well.

🔹 Do I have to wait to create my entry?

No, you can start creating as soon as you see the respective prompt lists, be that our list for Flufftober or any other events we host. We only ask that you refrain from posting early if it's an event with set days.

🔹 What if I want to post early?

Then we will schedule it to be reblogged on the correct day, but we would prefer you keep this to an absolute minimum as it does make extra work for us.

🔹 What if I want to combine earlier days with later days?

If you use multiple prompts in one creation, we will reblog on/schedule it for the earliest day you used but won't reblog again on the other days. If you post it on a random day and one of the prompts in your creation is from a past day, we'll just reblog it as is.

🔹 Once I start, do I have to commit to all days?

No, you can participate on as many days as you like, even if it’s just one; you can also create multiple entries for the same day.

🔹 Can I just put all prompts together in one big fic?

Yes, you can write one story/a series for all the prompts. But remember, we won't reblog later days before that respective day. So if you want to be sure that your tumblr posts get reblogged in the correct order, stick to the order of our lists. If you don't care about that, go wild.

🔹 How do I use the Prompt Extras?

You can use them to replace as many original prompts as you like; you can combine them with the original prompts; or you can use them in addition to the original list to have more prompts in general. It's all completely up to you.

🔹 What if I don't get done before the event ends?

Late entries are always welcome, even months or years later. The only requirement then is that you MENTION US (using the @ in your post) - we will stop checking the event tags once the next big event starts! Also, reblogs will happen slower/further apart unless you post your fic during our next event when we'll reblog regularly again.

It's "See how well you can follow instructions" time ya lil fuckers!!

Here's a poll, you can't press any of the options, that's the only rule, no voting. Reblogs, likes, and comments are totally allowed, you just can't vote

You all have one week, let's see how this goes

@maryland-no-rabies Tagging cause I need people to see this

Have fun !!

Writing Tips

Punctuating Dialogue

✧

➸ “This is a sentence.”

➸ “This is a sentence with a dialogue tag at the end,” she said.

➸ “This,” he said, “is a sentence split by a dialogue tag.”

➸ “This is a sentence,” she said. “This is a new sentence. New sentences are capitalized.”

➸ “This is a sentence followed by an action.” He stood. “They are separate sentences because he did not speak by standing.”

➸ She said, “Use a comma to introduce dialogue. The quote is capitalized when the dialogue tag is at the beginning.”

➸ “Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote,” he said.

“Unless there is a question mark?” she asked.

“Or an exclamation point!” he answered. “The dialogue tag still remains uncapitalized because it’s not truly the end of the sentence.”

➸ “Periods and commas should be inside closing quotations.”

➸ “Hey!” she shouted, “Sometimes exclamation points are inside quotations.”

However, if it’s not dialogue exclamation points can also be “outside”!

➸ “Does this apply to question marks too?” he asked.

If it’s not dialogue, can question marks be “outside”? (Yes, they can.)

➸ “This applies to dashes too. Inside quotations dashes typically express—“

“Interruption” — but there are situations dashes may be outside.

➸ “You’ll notice that exclamation marks, question marks, and dashes do not have a comma after them. Ellipses don’t have a comma after them either…” she said.

➸ “My teacher said, ‘Use single quotation marks when quoting within dialogue.’”

➸ “Use paragraph breaks to indicate a new speaker,” he said.

“The readers will know it’s someone else speaking.”

➸ “If it’s the same speaker but different paragraph, keep the closing quotation off.

“This shows it’s the same character continuing to speak.”

10 Best Books About Writing Fiction

Someone recently asked me for some fiction writing book recommendations, so here they are!

Some fiction writing teachers try to steer their students clear of books about writing. While it’s true that there’s a lot of bad or dubious writing advice out there, my philosophy is that more information is always better. Over the years, I’ve read voraciously about fiction writing–upwards of 50 books about the writing life, plot, fiction craft, dialogue, character development, you name it. While I got a little something from each one, here are the 5 star gems that are worth sharing. Enjoy!

Best Books About the Writing Life

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott

It’s a classic for a reason. Lamott’s trademark humor makes for an effortless read as she shares her wisdom into the process of writing. Equal parts technical help, encouragement, and brutal honesty balance throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged and in good spirits from start to finish.

From Where You Dream, Robert Olen Butler

Butler’s ideas about the process of writing fiction are not necessarily unique, but I’ve found no other book that discusses the writing “trance” as thoroughly as this one. The exercises in this book teach how you to access the writing “dream state” that good stories often come from. The book can be a little esoteric at times, but it’s worth the patience it takes to understand what Butler is getting at here. Especially recommended for writers who have intrusive inner critics, and those who have strong ideas but find that their writing feels lackluster and flat.

The Writing Life, Annie Dillard

This is a short read, so I’ll just provide a titillating quote and you can go pick it up for yourself: “One of the few things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now… Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.” -Annie Dillard

Best Books About Fiction Craft

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Rennie Browne and Dave King

Hands down, this is the best craft book on the market. It’s written for beginning writers, but is layered and subtle enough to be useful for advanced writers as well. I’ve read and re-read this book at many different stages of my learning process and taken away something new each time. Unlike the cover suggests, this is not a book about grammar. It shows you how to edit for flow and syntax, to properly tag your dialogue, the basics of show-don’t-tell, as well as providing helpful exercises where you get to try your hand at editing once you’ve learned the techniques.

Stein on Writing, Sol Stein

Make no mistake: Sol Stein is a pompous asshole. But he’s also super, duper smart. I consider this to be an advanced craft book, just because of the level of detail he goes into, but I think a beginner would get a lot out of it as well. Another classic, which means it’s almost always at the library.

Writing Fiction: A Guide to the Narrative Craft, Janet Burroway

Yes, this is a text book. Thick. Heavy. Teeny tiny print. But it’s good. And because it has a million editions, you can get an old version used on the internet for like $.04. Especially nice are the full-length short stories that are supplied as examples in the back of every chapter.

Best Book About Dialogue

Writing Dialogue, Tom Chiarella

Chiarella doesn’t bog the reader down with his own set of hard rules about dialogue, instead he skillfully and humorously persuades the reader about what works and what doesn’t. Busting such myths as “dialogue sounds like real speech,” he gives dozens of creepy-writer-stalker tips like “crowding” and “jotting,” which is basically where you eavesdrop on people and write down what they’re saying. I now carry a notebook on my person at all times specifically for this purpose. I think this book might be out of print (yet 50 Shades of Gray makes millions… is there no justice in this world?), but you can still get it on the internet for a decent price. Do it now before it’s too late!

Best Books About Plot

Plot Whisperer, Martha Alderson

Stupid title, great book. Alderson talks about the idea of the “Universal Story,” which is the process of struggle (conflict) and transformation (climax and resolution) present in most stories. These “energy markers,” she says, are so inherent in our lives, and in the very idea of story itself, that they can be found in almost every plotted novel. She then proceeds to go into insane detail describing these markers and how to incorporate them into your own writing in order to make a plot that resonates with readers. From time to time she also drops some wisdom a la The Artist’s Way (which she calls, I believe, “The Writer’s Way”), helping writers to overcome the hurdles of writing a book. While Alderson is not a writer herself, she has been studying plot and assisting writers with plot struggles for over a decade, and her knowledge and credibility shine in this book. I came away with a much deeper understanding of the purpose of plot and how to wield it, and highly recommend this book.

Wired for Story, Lisa Cron

The sensational subtitle (“The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence”) makes it sound like one of those smarmy write-a-novel-in-30-days books, but don’t be fooled. This the best book on plot I’ve read. It’s devoted to the idea of ‘story’–what makes a story, what people are ‘wired’ to look for and want in a story, and how to satisfy those cravings in your fiction. The 'brain science’ part is presented in a very accessible way, and Cron only gives us enough information to make her point, never overloading the reader with jargon. She talks a lot about the brain’s unconscious impulse to track patterns, make connections, and look for cause-and-effect, and how to translate that into good storytelling. Her definition of 'story’ alone is more valuable than 200 pages of most fiction craft books. There are endless gems in this book, and now my copy (that I purchased! with money! that’s saying a lot already) is completely marked up with pencil and sticky notes. I know this is a book I will refer to time and time again. Highly recommended.

Writing Fiction for Dummies, Randy Ingermanson

If you’re looking for advice about craft, the finer points of good prose, or syntax, look elsewhere. But if you want help with your plot and structure, how to organize scenes, when to cut a scene, how to analyze your characters, keeping your story focused, and what order to do it all in, Ingermanson might just blow your mind. His “Snowflake Method” of plotting is loved by thousands, and is discussed in length all over the internet for free. If it resonates with you, you might want to do what I did and buy the book.

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@theliteraryarchitect is a writing advice blog run by me, Bucket Siler, a writer and developmental editor. For more writing help, download my Free Resource Library for Fiction Writers, join my email list, or check out my book The Complete Guide to Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.