Writerly Ways
Jan. 4th, 2026 10:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnesstrobadora is hosting write every day this month and posed a question to which several of us answered yes we remember to write every day and then asked how do we remember? Last night I had no real answer to that. I'm not sure I do today either. Once upon a time Deepka Chopra was offering 21 day meditations for free with the idea that psychologists say if you do anything for 21 days it becomes a habit. I'm not sure where he read/invented that. I can tell you it didn't make me keep up my meditation once the 21 days were over for the most part so it might be hokum.
But the truth is I don't remember setting out to write every day but I have done so for so long HOW I managed to make it a habit is lost in my Dorrie the fish memory. I will say I'm NOT a believer in you MUST write every day but it certainly helps to have SOME kind of writing practice. I do know waiting for the mood or your muse isn't really going to get you anywhere.
But for some every day is too much pressure and not necessarily helpful. Some of us have difficult jobs, maybe more than one, we have partners, we have kids, we have chronic illness. Hell I'm always shocked by the people who can write with young kids. We need to be kind to ourselves or we risk damaging our creative self. Some of us can't work if we're anxious. Others (me!) write and write to make the anxiety calm.
And that's my biggest piece of advice for establishing a writing habit. Find what suits you. Some of you will be morning writers ew as far as working for me. I had one friend who was converted by that how to write book back in the later 80s early 90s that talked about morning papers and insisted that was the ONLY way to do it. Nope, there is no ONLY way. Some of you will need a dedicated quiet space. Others can write anywhere. Some might need to go out somewhere else because all the stuff at home is distracting.
Find what works for you and do that. And then do it again. Do it as often as you're comfortable with. If it helps you, set a deadline (which is one of the reasons I write every day. I'm very often on a very real deadline). Have a friend set a deadline for you if that helps. Basically you do you and keep on doing it. You may falter but that's okay. Dust yourself off and go for it again.
Open Calls
Ten Manuscript Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in January 2026
The Dilettante: Now Seeking Submissions
Waxen Spring 2026 Occult/weird horror, with an eye for experimental work
NEED: Horror Stories You Can’t Live Without Addiction. Hunger. Desperate Love. Medical care. Compulsion. Illness. Oxygen. Technology. If it’s about an all-consuming, soul-destroying, life-altering NEED — I want it. I need it.
Last Girls Club Winter Spring 2026 Issue Haunted
Passing Strange: Queer Weird Arthurian Tales Queer Weird Arthurian Tales
Beyond the Galactic Tide featuring asexual main characters in outer space settings.
From Around the Web
The Physics of Emotion: Writing the Moment Before It Hits
7 Ways to Increase Your Visibility as a Writer on Social Media
How to Get My Book Noticed: Modern Media Readiness for Today’s Authors
How to Find a Literary Agent
From Betty
Six Important Differences Between Filmed and Narrated Stories
Ten Ways to Keep Authorities Out of Your Plot
here.
Twelve Signs a Storyteller Is Building Romantic & Sexual Chemistry
8 Tips for Masterful Scene Revision
Start Small in the New Year: A Grace-Filled Way for Writers to Rebuild Momentum. This one is very Christian preachy. Do with that as you will.
How Writers Can Protect Their Legacy: Essential Steps to Secure Your Creative Work
intro!!
Jan. 4th, 2026 10:48 pmasuraid posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
addme_fandomName: Aid
Age group: late 20's
Country: Canada (born in Romania tho)
Subscription/Access Policy: Feel free to subscribe!! I usually mirror access if given, though idk how much I'll be using private posts here. For the time I'm not planning it, but I will mirror it if you give it to me :]
Main Fandoms: Genshin Impact
Other Fandoms: Ace Attorney, Dragon Age & Mass Effect, Madoka Magica, Transformers, Baldur's Gate 3, MXTX's danmei works, FFXIV (only up till stormblood tho), Honkai Star Rail, The Amazing Digital Circus
Fannish Interests: RPing (I've been doing it on tumblr since 2012 help), analysis of my fave blorbo, yumeshipping/oc x canon, graphic edits for funsies, art
Ships: My list is very small ... I'm picky with ships. I like most wlw genshin ships, Kavetham, Megop from Transformers, MadoHomu, Narumitsu/Wrightworth and uhhhhh. Small. LMAO. Does my own oc/canon count /j (i'm very normal about them. i am non-sharing but it's just that i dont talk abt any other ships including the canon and close my eyes)
Favourite Movies: I forgor ... I don't watch enough movies to be fair. OH Promare, I've seen it at least 6 times
Anime: FMAB, PMMM, MP100, Apothecary Diaries, Kill la Kill, The Summer Hikaru Died ... you can see my MAL
Books/Manga: TGCF/MDZS/SVSSS, The Witcher, Percy Jackson, Bleach (i have a love-hate relationship with it), and uhh my storygraph has more books than manga, but I don't read manga that often
Music: I'm not into artists specifically, aside from like ... Disturbed, Three Days Grace, Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Markus Schulz ... EDM/rock tends to be what I lean into and I just listen sporadically and randomly to stuff
Games: Too many help lmfao. I'll link to my backloggd. Some include Vampire Survivors, The Witcher, Warframe, Minecraft, Code Vein, Baldur's Gate 3, vaguely Roblox but only in Dragon Adventures or mindless obbys LOL, Sims 3, too many www
Games: Too many help lmfao. I'll link to my backloggd. Some include Vampire Survivors, The Witcher, Warframe, Minecraft, Code Vein, Baldur's Gate 3, vaguely Roblox but only in Dragon Adventures or mindless obbys LOL, Sims 3, too many www
My about page on my Neocities is a better aggregate for my interests
{pic} 2026 Wolf Moon
Jan. 4th, 2026 08:25 pmcypresssunnYesterday's supermoon. Jan 3rd 2026.
So bright the overcast sky only added drama to the shots. Actually a little impressed with how well these turned out on my phone :3
( wolf moon pics )So bright the overcast sky only added drama to the shots. Actually a little impressed with how well these turned out on my phone :3
ArimaMary's Addme-fandom Intro
Jan. 4th, 2026 09:06 pmarimamary posting in addme_fandomName: Mary
Age group: 20s
Country: Latin American region
Subscription/Access Policy: Feel free to subscribe to my journal if anything I write piques your interest.
My access list is empty except for me and my working drafts so if you grant me access to your journal and I don't return the gesture, it's not personal.
Main Fandoms: Ace Attorney, Sasaki and Miyano, Hirano and Kagiura, SVSSS, 2ha, Inazuma Eleven, Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
Other Fandoms: everything in the interests section of my profile is something I would love to other folks with!
Fannish Interests: Writing (meta, fanfiction, original fiction), reading fanfic, reading about people's blorbos and meta from series I'm interested.
OTPs and Ships: I have a whole list in my journal.
I like to post about: Currently, I post about meta, media roundups, recs, and the occasional experimental post. My journal is strictly about my fannish interests so it's highly unlikely you'll see anything about my personal irl life outside of my hobbies.
About Me/Other Info: I would love to become mutuals with people with similar general interests as I love to learn about new things. I'm a thousand percent more likely to become interested in something new to me if I read about how much it means to you!
I'm taking part in the snowflake_challenge. Here's my masterlist!
A Map on the Skin
Jan. 5th, 2026 12:25 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
babylon5_feedby Sholio
Scars, then and now.
Words: 1686, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
- Fandoms: Babylon 5 (TV 1993)
- Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
- Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
- Categories: M/M
- Characters: G'Kar (Babylon 5), Londo Mollari, Minor Characters
- Relationships: G'Kar/Londo Mollari
- Additional Tags: Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Scars, Fix-It, Post-Canon Fix-It, Backstory
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Fanfic: In a Grain of Sand
Jan. 4th, 2026 08:17 pmalexcat posting in fan_flashworksTitle:Ina Grain of Sand
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: PG
Length: 392
Content notes: My sweethearts
Author notes: The beach trip takes place just before Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Summary: Steve remembers Natasha.
( In A Grain of Sand )
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Rating: PG
Length: 392
Content notes: My sweethearts
Author notes: The beach trip takes place just before Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Summary: Steve remembers Natasha.
( In A Grain of Sand )
2026 Prediction Meme
Jan. 5th, 2026 02:00 amtrobadoraNew Year Book Meme, via calliopes_pen:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Turn to page 126
3. The 6th full sentence is your life in 2026.
I'm quoting the sentence in context, just for additional fun:
Definitely happy to take that for 2026!
(The book is Peter Tremayne's Tod auf dem Pilgerschiff - the German translation of Act of Mercy, one of the Sister Fidelma mysteries. I happen to also have the English version in ebook form - there, the paragraph in question reads, "Finally Fidelma said in a quiet and reasonable tone: ‘I am all right now, Grian. You may let go.’")
calliopes_pen:1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Turn to page 126
3. The 6th full sentence is your life in 2026.
I'm quoting the sentence in context, just for additional fun:
Schließlich sagte Fidelma in ruhigem und vernünftigem Ton: "Ich bin wieder in Ordnung, Grian. Du kannst mich loslassen."
Definitely happy to take that for 2026!
(The book is Peter Tremayne's Tod auf dem Pilgerschiff - the German translation of Act of Mercy, one of the Sister Fidelma mysteries. I happen to also have the English version in ebook form - there, the paragraph in question reads, "Finally Fidelma said in a quiet and reasonable tone: ‘I am all right now, Grian. You may let go.’")
Project Round Up
Jan. 4th, 2026 05:23 pmsenmutFanfic Projects
Dreams of Her Own - https://archiveofourown.org/works/71432751
Sequel prompts from
ukiacatdragon - Eilistraee, the shroud of Lolth, Corellon, Arvandor's overwhleming goodness, plotting to nullify Lolth's plots via Sharr, the raid being brought up, Tall Ones finding Ellifain early, closure for drow and elf child, quest0 words
Vierna Resurrection:
Wulfgar not die, it's Vierna in Errtu's grasp, Passage to Dawn plot
almost 1700 words
Something for Rex/Fives/Echo:
~ Potential angst - "I'm the last one of my batch standing. You just got one back. Don't throw that away because you can't help but see what's lost instead of helping find a future."
~ Other idea is Ahsoka doesn't make it out of the Citadel but Echo does. Evolution of the trio with guilt over losing one of their Jedi. (Side note of Tarkin died there, Ahsoka isn't dead)
450 words
Padme and the Force Baby
Anakin's visions send HER to the temple where she declares there is no father, must be the force, cue shenanigans.
0 words
Poetry Fiction entry: Set against Legacy of the Silver Marches - https://squidgeworld.org/series/1870
Drizzt and Alustriel, under their disguises, before they reach Silverymoon.
350 words
Exchange Assignment
REDACTED
0 words
10trueloves - genprompt_bingo 0/25 writtenOriginal projects
No progress on the original projects
Myth of Man - https://sylph-and-asp.dreamwidth.org/tag/universe:+myth+of+man
"it's dangerous they've advanced so much" / "The reasons were grave" / "We are merely protecting our many peoples"
Unwanteds - https://sylph-and-asp.dreamwidth.org/tag/universe:+unwanteds
~ Decide if the two bits I managed to write so far for the sequel work, continue if so
~ prequel dammit, for the crystal and the Bright Flames origin story
My list - 2026
Jan. 10th, 2027 05:36 pmalexcatRatings: 1 star=worst, 5 stars=best (previously 4 stars)
Books
Current Book(s):
Books to Read:
The Silence of the Library - Miranda James
A Marvellous Light - Freya Marske
Witch - Barbara Michaels
Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott
Four Leaf Cleaver - Maddie Day
Wretched Waterpark - Kiersten White
Hither Page - Cat Sebastian
Together We Burn - Isabel Ibañez
Arsenic and Old Books - Miranda James
Six Feet Deep Dish - Mindy Quigley
Fanfics Written this year to date:
Word Counts:
Films
Films @ Home:
Films @ Cinema:
Films to see:
TV Shows:
A Challenge for myself:
Sunday - Give thanks. Talk about something in your life you're thankful for. Even if it's tiny.
Monday - Music Monday. Anything about the music you listen to or like; artist profiles, recs, reviews, anything
Tuesday - Artistic stuff like fiction writing or writing of any sort, knitting, sewing, carpentry... whatever you do or have done.
Wednesday - Reading
Thursday - Throwback Thursday. Childhood memories, old photos, old blog posts...stuff from the past
Friday - Fandom stuff. Faves, new ones, actors, musicians, anything you're a fan of want to talk about.
Saturday - somebody, anybody. Your best friend, the Pope, Julius Caesar.. anyone at all
*
Other Places to find me on the internet:
Dreamwidth:
http://alexcat.dreamwidth.org/
Slashy Santa Tolkien slash challenge:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewuser.php?action=storiesby&uid=9 (alexcat)
AO3:
http://archiveofourown.org/users/alexcat
Facebook:
Comment and I’ll send you my info. Or you can friend Alex Cat HERE: https://www.facebook.com/alex.cat.9862?fref=ts
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/alexcat45
~~~~
Dragons
My Scroll
Books
Current Book(s):
Books to Read:
The Silence of the Library - Miranda James
A Marvellous Light - Freya Marske
Witch - Barbara Michaels
Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott
Four Leaf Cleaver - Maddie Day
Wretched Waterpark - Kiersten White
Hither Page - Cat Sebastian
Together We Burn - Isabel Ibañez
Arsenic and Old Books - Miranda James
Six Feet Deep Dish - Mindy Quigley
Fanfics Written this year to date:
Word Counts:
Films
Films @ Home:
Films @ Cinema:
Films to see:
TV Shows:
A Challenge for myself:
Sunday - Give thanks. Talk about something in your life you're thankful for. Even if it's tiny.
Monday - Music Monday. Anything about the music you listen to or like; artist profiles, recs, reviews, anything
Tuesday - Artistic stuff like fiction writing or writing of any sort, knitting, sewing, carpentry... whatever you do or have done.
Wednesday - Reading
Thursday - Throwback Thursday. Childhood memories, old photos, old blog posts...stuff from the past
Friday - Fandom stuff. Faves, new ones, actors, musicians, anything you're a fan of want to talk about.
Saturday - somebody, anybody. Your best friend, the Pope, Julius Caesar.. anyone at all
*
Other Places to find me on the internet:
Dreamwidth:
http://alexcat.dreamwidth.org/
Slashy Santa Tolkien slash challenge:
http://www.slashysanta.com/eFiction/viewuser.php?action=storiesby&uid=9 (alexcat)
AO3:
http://archiveofourown.org/users/alexcat
Facebook:
Comment and I’ll send you my info. Or you can friend Alex Cat HERE: https://www.facebook.com/alex.cat.9862?fref=ts
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/alexcat45
~~~~
Dragons
My Scroll
Original: icons: sand
Jan. 4th, 2026 09:44 pmlilly_c posting in fan_flashworksTitle: sand
Fandom: none
Rating:
Length: five icons
Content notes: images used are from a public domain search
Artist notes: images used are from a public domain search
Summary:
( castles made of sand fall in the sea eventually )
Fandom: none
Rating:
Length: five icons
Content notes: images used are from a public domain search
Artist notes: images used are from a public domain search
Summary:
( castles made of sand fall in the sea eventually )
Write Every day 2026: January, Day 4
Jan. 4th, 2026 09:51 pmtrobadoraGoing by yesterday's poll, most people only sometimes know how the story will end when they start writing. I envy the ones who usually do - I used to be like that; the ending was what I started out with, long before I came up with the beginning. But in recent years that's changed more and more: I come up with a fun beginning, and then end up flailing because I don't really know where to take it. /o\ I'd really like to change that again, but I'm not sure how.
Also, most people in the poll said that if they don't know the ending, they'll just write the story until it gets there. More envy! But at least I'm not the only one who can only write bits and pieces until I know what I'm aiming for.
Today's writing
I've been having a headache all day, and if it weren't forfandomtrees reveals approaching, I probably wouldn't have written more than an alibi sentence. As it is, I worked a little on the treat I started yesterday, and I think I'm figuring out the ending, so it's good that I did.
WED Question of the Day
Tally
Day 1:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, philomytha, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 2:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 3:alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 4:china_shop, trobadora, ysilme
Let me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Also, most people in the poll said that if they don't know the ending, they'll just write the story until it gets there. More envy! But at least I'm not the only one who can only write bits and pieces until I know what I'm aiming for.
Today's writing
I've been having a headache all day, and if it weren't for
fandomtrees reveals approaching, I probably wouldn't have written more than an alibi sentence. As it is, I worked a little on the treat I started yesterday, and I think I'm figuring out the ending, so it's good that I did.WED Question of the Day
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 23
Do you find deadlines helpful for writing?
View Answers
yes, they help me write
4 (17.4%)
yes, they help me finish things
12 (52.2%)
no, they only make me nervous/anxious
2 (8.7%)
no, they don't do anything for me
4 (17.4%)
it's more complicated; I'll explain in comments
4 (17.4%)
tickybox is not a writer/has never had deadlines
0 (0.0%)
Tally
Day 1:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, philomytha, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 2:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 3:
alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, carenejeans, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, shadaras, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 4:
china_shop, trobadora, ysilmeLet me know if I missed anyone! And remember you can drop in or out at any time. :)
Check-In Post - Jan 4th 2026
Jan. 4th, 2026 08:41 pmbadly_knitted posting in get_knittedHello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.
Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?
There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.
This Week's Question: What are your crafting goals for 2026?
If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.
I now declare this Check-In OPEN!
(no subject)
Jan. 4th, 2026 11:35 amgreghousesgfYesterday a couple of unexpected things happened. I saw a giant rainbow outside my window in the afternoon and a friend showed up at my place without calling first in the evening so we went out for drinks and dinner at the bar across the street.
Snowflake Challenge #2
Jan. 4th, 2026 12:56 pmalexcatChallenge #2: Pets of Fandom
Loosely defined! Post about your pets, pets from your canon, anything you want!
I actually have no pets, being allergic to both digs and cats.
I have written a few pets but Stevie the goat stands out. He's from a Big Bang I wrote in 2020 featuring Steve Rogers/Tony Stark/Bucky Barnes. Bucky lives in Wakanda and has a little goat friend named Stevie. The artist who did fanart for the fic even made a drawing of Stevie. You can meet him Here.
I have WIP in which a cat adopts Steve and Tony in Stark Tower. Maybe that one will be done someday.
Loosely defined! Post about your pets, pets from your canon, anything you want!
I actually have no pets, being allergic to both digs and cats.
I have written a few pets but Stevie the goat stands out. He's from a Big Bang I wrote in 2020 featuring Steve Rogers/Tony Stark/Bucky Barnes. Bucky lives in Wakanda and has a little goat friend named Stevie. The artist who did fanart for the fic even made a drawing of Stevie. You can meet him Here.
I have WIP in which a cat adopts Steve and Tony in Stark Tower. Maybe that one will be done someday.