So many writing projects, so little time!

So, I know I should focus on writing more for the Twin Diaries since I’ve left it un-updated for far too long. BUT, I also have original writing I want to turn into a book, preferably just before or around next year if I can get a publisher to take my work. I just don’t know if it would be something that hasn’t been done before or is the same old rehashed stuff readers are tired of.

Would any of you guys be interested to see snippets of the original work as I progress on it? Or at least give me feedback on if this is a worthwhile project? Definitely would accept critical critique of all kinds! I’ll leave a brief summary of what I’m working on below. It’s a mystery meets thriller meets horror book with a dash of history.

Summary:

Inspired by the true historical event of the Beast of Gévaudan.

An unknown beast stalked the woods and villages of the Gévaudan region of France from 1764 until 1767. 260 years later, an American magazine journalist comes to the area to report on this mysterious event, much to her initial unwillingness. When people she interviews start dropping dead in a similar manner to the beast hundreds of years ago, she finds herself in the midst of a dark mystery, with something following her every move outside of her host’s cabin. With few to trust and the murders getting closer and closer, she is in a race against the clock to figure out who, or what, is responsible for these murders, and put an end to them for good.

Writing Update!

I’m so sorry for not updating The Twin Diaries in so long! I am working on the next chapter, but I’m hitting a wall as to how I want to wrap it up without it getting excessively long (it’s already around 4,000 words) and making sure I’m wording everything correctly so I can set up Sang-Kyu’s side of the story properly. I don’t want to end up in a situation where I’m making up his side of the story as I go along. I’m also trying to write Cuba, who I haven’t really worked with before in such depth (I’ve used him a few times but they were sparse and very flat looking back), so it’s taking me a bit longer.

Classes have picked back up again and my boss has had to leave me to run the business due to medical issues, but I’m hoping to get this chapter done soon!

Mass Editing of Posts

I didn’t realize @circlique used they/them pronouns now, so I’m editing all my posts to match their preference.

Twin Diaries Chapter 3 Posted!

Link

I’m trying to make a new update every Wednesday

Chapter 2 to “The Twin Diaries” Posted!

Just updated the Twin Diaries if anyone is interested!

Link

First Chapter to “The Twin Diaries”-Revamped Posted

Title: The Twin Diaries

Rating: M, Archive Warning’s Apply (Planned Underaged Drinking, Warnings, Characters, and Other Tags will be updated as the story progresses) Will be a mix of serious Hurt/Comfort Themes and Humor Themes.

CW: brief/vague depiction of a car accident and death, trauma, grief, loss, culture shock, future CWs will apply and be added to AO3 tags as they develop.

Summary:

Human AU

Yong-Soo's life was going great, until a car accident and the deaths of his father and best friend turn that all upside down. He then has to move from Korea to live with his estranged mother and twin brother in the United States, who he didn't know he had. He also has to adjust to going to school at a military academy, adjust to a new culture and way of life, and deal with the grief and trauma of losing family and everything he had come to know as familiar. Yet, he's not alone in this struggle.

Sang-Kyu had a rough, but decent life. He's been in and out of hospitals more times than he cares to count, too many surgeries, an absent father, and an immune system that has caused him to be more reclusive than he would like. He had a boyfriend, a caring, but strict mother, and a life that was starting to turn up, even if he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life after high school. His estranged father's death and readjusting to now having a twin brother in his life was not part of the plan. Now, he has to navigate the maze that is his family situation and build a relationship with his twin. Easier said than done.

Characters: Features Mainly South Korea (Hetalia) and North Korea (Hetalia), but also has planned America (Hetalia) and Russia (Hetalia) as supporting characters. Other characters will be added to the tags of AO3 as they appear in the story.

Original Characters are used and the three OCs of Gojoseon, Jin, and Baekje are owned by @circlique, though the human names for Gojoseon and Jin are ones that I did create.

Pairings: Pre-Established RusNK (Russia x North Korea) and Eventual/Slow Burn of Kimchiburger (America x South Korea)

Link

Question on Character Information on AO3

So, I know some authors will create a separate chapter/character sheet prior to posting chapter 1 if the notes on them make the beginning or end notes section way too long. However, I only have 4 characters that would need to be on a sheet since they are not conventional characters (talking OCs of Gojoseon, Baekje, and Jin, plus one human), so I’m not sure if I should make a separate posting to explain who they are since it’s only less than 250 words long. However adding it to the rest of the beginning notes would make the beginning note section over 500 words long.

What’s the proper etiquette to this?

Kimchiburger Fanfic Rewrite Posted

After 3 rounds of editing, I’m finally happy with it.

Title: All or Nothing

Rating: T

Pairing: Kimchiburger, America x South Korea

Summary:  

When South Korea has another depression episode due to his damaged relationship with his brother, this time it causes an argument with America that forces them to confront the more delicate and complicated parts of their relationship.

Link

Thank you so much for your support!

Most of the ships I like are almost always rarepairs themselves, so I'm constantly in that battle to find content.

Thoughts on Old FanFics

So I randomly decided to check my old fics I wrote on FFnet way back from 2012 to super early 2017 after I rediscovered my old password to the account. Most I absolutely cringe over and be more than happy to let fester and stay on FFnet to never see the light again. Ironically, the one I absolutely cringe the most over is still one of the more popularly viewed ones out of all my stories that is still averaging almost 100 views each month (it was an Mpreg story and I’m so leaving it alone after I last updated it in 2016, don’t know what my younger self was thinking writing some of the scenes in that and thought it was okay, also I don’t know what the general attitude is towards Mpreg as of now and really don’t want to accidentally whack a hornet’s nest). Also, I can so tell when my undiagnosed ADHD at the time took over in the writing, as those were the parts that I absolutely hated the most due to the derailing and random nature they came as, or simply for the scenes that I am aghast that they were written at all.

However, there are two or three pieces that I’m thinking about rewriting entirely or reposting to AO3, since they were some of the only ones that I actually still liked or still saw some potential in. One is more or less still fine as is, though does need some minor rewriting (it’s an old Kimchiburger fanfic). The other two need some serious rewriting to the point they won’t be the same as the ones on FFnet (one is a Yandere Simulator AU focusing on Kimchiburger, while the other focused on the Korea twins and a military academy setting with themes of humor, family, trauma and healing [hurt/comfort]).

Obviously, I haven’t posted anything other than Commieburger content on AO3, but, honestly, I was thinking about branching out to include other pairings, even ones outside of the Koreas (first that came to mind was ScotFra, Scotland x France, which is one of my other favorite ships). I tried setting up a poll to see if anyone would be interested in reading these old fics, especially the two that need serious revamping, along with seeing me post fics that were not Korea-centered, but I can’t seem to find the option to do it.

If I find a way to get the poll running in the near future, I will set it up. Until then, you can either reply to this post with specific thoughts or, if you just want to show support in wanting to read them when they are better written, just like this post.

Couple + Platonic Duo/Trio/Group Songs

Definitely different from what I normally do, but sometimes I find songs that just fit the characters or a group of them too well and want to share. Plus, music is often how I generate writing ideas.

CW: mentions of the Korean War, mentions of the Japanese Occupation, some angst

I didn’t do the platonic trio of America, South Korea, and North Korea (I’ve seen the term DMZ trio float around as a potential group name, and I like the idea of these three in a platonic group), mostly because I was having a hard time deciding what songs fit the trio.

(Platonic) South Korea + North Korea:

“We’re Gonna Find It” - From Barbie and the Diamond Castle

“Two Voices, One Song” - Also from Barbie and the Diamond Castle

“Still Love You” - Lee Hong-Gi (alt. spelling: Lee Hong-Ki) and Yoo Hwe-Seung

(Platonic) America + South Korea:

“My Buddy” - CREAM

(Platonic) Russia + North Korea:

“Through Hell” - Citizen Soldier ft. Royal Bliss (honestly, Citizen Soldier has quickly become one of my all time favorite bands)

(Couple) Kimchiburger (America x South Korea):

“Heaven” - Ailee

“Here’s to Never Growing Up” - Avril Lavigne

“My Everything” - 98 Degrees

(Couple) RusNK (Russia x North Korea):

“Love in the Ice” - TVXQ (also go by DBSK)

            “Alone in the end of time (my heart)

             Don’t be afraid because you were left alone (Don’t be afraid)

             Till the end of time (Let you know my love)

             I’ll protect you, you know because I love you (You know, let you know                   my love)

“Love Me Like You Do” - Ellie Goulding

“How Do You Love Someone” - Porcelain Black (some may know this from Ashley Tisdale’s version)

(Couple) Commieburger (America x North Korea):

“Eternal Snow” - originally from the anime Full Moon wo Sagashite (cover I’m thinking of is by AmaLee)

“Unconditionally” - Katy Perry (I’m more thinking of the Ryan Jirovec cover)

“Let You Love Me” - Rita Ora

New Spicy FanFic Content

Title: Pleased to Be Punished

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: America/North Korea (Hetalia), Commieburger

Setting: Human AU

Word Count: 7,692

Summary: 

Direct Sequel To “Sweet Secret”, but can be read as a stand alone.

Alfred accepts a very kinky challenge from Sang-Kyu after catching him with a Choco Pie Wrapper earlier.

WARNING: SPICY/SEXUAL CONTENT IN STORY WITH BDSM ELEMENTS

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45409894

I feel like I've answered this before, but I would like to expand upon it.

I also got inspiration from @circlique's fanfic "Healing Old Wounds", the first fic that got me hooked on America/North Korea. Some of the SK and NK's ticks mentioned here come from this fic.

Kimchiburger:

SK tends to stir his drink, swirl his glass, or run his finger along the rim whenever he is lost in thought, and the speed and intensity at which he does so tends to give away his feelings if he isn't already speaking. For instance, if he is particularly angry about something, the intensity is far more violent and quite fast, causing spillage or even the glass to topple over if he's particularly angry. When's he particularly sad, depressed, or lost in bitter-sweet memories, he tends to half-heartedly push his straw with his finger tip or very slowly run his finger along the rim of the glass. America tends to use it as a gauge to figure out or understand a problem the other is having, though he often has to stop the other if he gets particularly too violent or causes a mess.

Likewise, America uses "I'm the hero" or any variation of it more as a way to hold himself to a standard or to comfort himself. For instance, his tone tends to give away what he's actually feeling when he says any of those lines, such as failing to cover up his despair or uncertainty over a situation or his intentions or anger at himself for failing to be a good person when it was needed the most. He tends to be a pretty good actor and covers up his feelings rather well, so SK has to be extra vigilant and know when America is acting rather than being honest. Most often SK will get pushy with his words in order to try and discern if America is actually alright or not. He's very diplomatic and charismatic when it comes to talking, so once he gets America to admit what is wrong or what he's actually thinking he is very good at pep-talking and easing America's fears. Having that earnest support is what made America fall in love with him in the first place.

RusNK:

Russia unconsciously hides his mouth and chin in his scarf when he's shy or sheepish mostly out of habit since the scarf was much too big for him when he first got it as a child from Ukraine, so he couldn't help it then. Now, it's sort of a comfort and familiar feeling to do so. NK finds it endearing when it happens, since Russia often does this when he's trying to express his love for NK in sincere words rather than through pet names or physical means, or from embarrassment at having to explain something, typically some sort of romantic saying or term of endearment in his language.

When Russia gets really into a book, he often makes noises or talks as reactions to what is going on in the story. Something shocking happens? He lets out a quiet gasp and maybe a quiet "no way". Character does something stupid? You bet he is making quiet remarks under his breath. NK sometimes gets annoyed by it if he is also trying to read or focusing and needs quiet, but often he just finds it adorable that Russia ends up in his own little world. If it's a book both of them have read he sometimes uses Russia's reactions to further his own understanding of what happened, as sometimes he doesn't quite grasp the gravity of what was said or done sometimes in a book unless he has Russia's input. This often happens with Russian books compared to his own, as he there are some finite language barriers that hinder his full appreciation abilities.

NK has the habit of not looking into people's eyes even more so than what is culturally normal for him. He rarely does look eye-to-eye unless he is being particularly serious or is raring to fight/argue. Usually it serves as an indication that he is being pushed to his limits over something, whether his patience or temperament. Russia is always taken aback when it does happen, usually because NK is actually not as confrontational as a person compared to when he has to be a nation so it becomes quite jarring. The fierceness in the Korean's eyes and the subsequent emotional outburst tend to shake him more than he would like to admit, since the other is more subdued and controlled when it comes to emotions. He also mentally has to back track to see if he did or said something that warranted this reaction. More often than not it usually is NK being more affectionate or trying to reinforce and clearly communicate his loyalty and love for him (since he figures eye contact is more common in Russian culture and wants to make an effort), but there are a few times when Russia unintentionally angers him and NK uses it as a way to put Russia in his place. Typically it's when NK is not in the mood for being all touchy-feely and has to give a sharp reminder to Russia when he doesn't listen.

A more unconscious habit he does is nuzzling in his sleep. When Russia wakes up before NK, he likes to watch him sleep as his own mind wakes up. There's just something, in Russia's mind, that is precious and calming about watching over his boyfriend. Russia moves around a lot when he sleeps, so they very loosely cuddle, like holding an arm, so that NK doesn't get squished or constantly woken up. When NK is still fast asleep, it's like his body gravitates to the nearest heat source and wants to nestle. A lot of times NK, while still asleep, will shift closer to Russia and nuzzle his face into Russia's neck, chest, or between the shoulders and let out a content puff of air before falling deeper into sleep again. Russia absolutely adores when NK does that and keeps the knowledge of this habit to himself rather than tell NK that he does this. There's something so sweet about seeing NK be openly affectionate compared to his usual that makes Russia's heart melt.

Commieburger:

Because these two go from really bad to being somewhat decent with communication between each other as their relationship progresses, they had to rely a lot more on catching the smaller ticks and traits of each other to get a better understanding of the other's feelings and thoughts.

For instance, NK picks up on the ever so slight changes in America's laugh depending on the emotion America is trying to cover up or project at the time. America's true laugh has a snort or two in there, and is relatively moderate in volume. When he uses his laugh as a defense mechanism against other people's words or to specifically dig at someone, you hear his usual laugh at meetings only much louder. When he's nervous or sheepish, the laugh tends to trail off and be much more quiet. America knows full well what he's doing with his laugh, since that is a defense mechanism for himself that he's been doing for years, but he's more unaware at how easily NK was able to figure it out and catch on.

The Korean also figured out that the majority of the time America needs to make noise or fiddle with something as the blond can't stand silence (which becomes quite the problem and be a source of comedy since he likes his peace and quiet). One of the few ticks that actually mean something other than just idle fidgeting or noise making is the one where America drums his fingers repeatedly. Typically it means he is very lost in thought or heavily pondering over something that is bothering him. NK usually has to interrupt him otherwise the American will continue to stew and spiral deeper and deeper into his thoughts, causing massive overthinking or eventually becoming frustrated.

America also tends to push his glasses up further on his nose when he's focusing or getting serious about something (whether the situation itself is serious or not, like a particularly hard boss fight in a game or a serious discussion), as if he's trying to amplify his focus by pushing the glasses closer to his eyes. It's one of of America's more endearing traits, in NK's eyes, since it telegraphs very clearly what he's thinking and can be quite charming in the right situations. America also tends to take them off on occasion and rest his chin on the back of the same hand holding the glasses, usually when he's either getting drained or feeling nostalgic. NK is able to tell which it is simply based on the situation or if America lets out a sigh or not (typically meaning he's drained), and finds it sort of endearing since it is like America is allowing himself to stop putting on his act, whether simply because he doesn't have the energy to keep it up or because he's willingly doing so. It reminds him that they both are a lot more similar to each other, as he himself as had to learn to let his walls down. America most certainly doesn't realize he does this at all, and always gets confused when NK just gives a soft smile or can feel the endearment coming from him every time.

For America, catching the ever so slight, quick movements of NK's body tends to betray exactly what the other is thinking or wanting, or the slight pout tends to form only when NK isn't getting what he wants. He knows NK is much more reserved than others, especially since he's had to stamp down his own wants and desires for the sake of his government, so the tiny movements tend to represent the repressed emotions and desires while the quickness of them represent the Korean's tendency to hold back because he's been used to putting himself last for so long. America's had to learn to be much more observant around him so that he can catch these movements and pouts to supplement their communication skills and avoid unintended arguments. NK is only semi-conscious of his own ticks as far as the movement goes, kind of like his brain operates a second behind his body, but tends to not realize he is pouting until it gets pointed out. America thinks NK looks cute when he pouts and has learned to not point it out since NK gets super defensive if it is.

NK is prone to pushing his food around his plate when he's thinking or lost in thought, much like how SK pushes a straw around a drink or swirls his glass in thought. The intensity and roughness of how he pushes the food around tends to help indicate if he is getting frustrated, trying to word his thoughts carefully, or distracted. America has an easier time catching small ticks like that due to his experiences with SK, so it doesn't take him too long to realize their significance. North is fairly aware enough that he does this, but it's mostly because he's aware that he's thinking about something while the movement itself becomes more absentminded or simply due to habit of needing his fingers to be occupied with something.

Prior to the Korean War, he used to play with the end of his braid before he cut it off whenever he was lost in thought or just trying to ground himself. Once in a grand while he still lifts his hand as if he was going to play with his braid and has to stop and remember that it's gone. America never really caught on to what that hand raising meant until he saw an old photo of the Korea twins and vaguely remembered that NK once had a braid, and SK at one point, probably due to bitter-sweet nostalgia, mentioned how he would have to redo his brother's braid all the time since the other kept messing with it.

More Fanfiction Content on AO3

Smooth Moves

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44869930

Hetalia: Axis Powers

Rated M (CW: implied sexual content but not explicit)

Other Tags: Making Out, Kissing, Flirting, Awkward Flirting, Lots of Teasing

America/North Korea

During one of the times North Korea stays over with America, they get into an unofficial competition over who is better at flirting and being smooth with the moves.