I really like the word “smitten”. because at first glance you just think of sappy lovey-dovey stuff but also you have to remember this is a word that’s born of the word “smite.” a devastating word. a word that, summarized, means stricken. smitten means stricken as well — struck with devastating affection.

Character Epistles (Cylindra + Oleander)

Part of the "Dandelion, Dandelion" universe

In "Dandelion, Dandelion," Cylindra and Oleander are two characters who have no reason to find similarities with one another. From two separate kingdoms and a disdain for each other's approach to magic, these two humans find themselves as allies against a greater evil. As the story progresses, their parallels become evident: humans fighting to prove their love to a more magical being, loyal beyond belief, and willing to put everything on the line to protect those closest to them. Despite all odds, they become rather close friends.

The following are letters from Cylindra to Elysia, and from Oleander to Faye. These relationships mimic each other without realizing it, and placing our two humans' thoughts side-by-side is an interesting way to explore their place in a fantasy world.

(AKA, I tasked myself with new writing prompts as I began querying my novel, and this is the result! I love exploring my characters in unique ways, and this was a fun way to get inside their heads.)

Dear Elysia,

In storybooks and fairytales, characters quite often write letters to those they're fond of. It's a romantic notion, as much as it is a childish one-- a reminder of one's existence to another through a scrap of paper and some hopeful ink. "Remember me," they ask.

And, then, you're expected to wait another month or two for a response back. An answer to that terrible question. Proof that you have, in fact, been remembered-- and remembered dearly, at that.

I've never had a chance to write a letter before-- a statement which, I am sure, will come as no surprise to you-- so, please, forgive the stains and blots that come with each word. I hardly know what to say to you when you stand before me; is it fair, then, to expect me to know what to put in permanent writing? You call me Silly and other ridiculous things, so allow me the silliness of scratching out my thoughts and trying again. It's an advantage I rarely have-- though, clearly, no amount of ink or paper or expected formalities can pause my ramblings. It's as if each word begs for another, each sentence must be explained lest you misunderstand my intention.

And, yet, I suppose, it's odd I worry about your interpretation of my meaning when, really, I hardly know what I mean, myself.

Since arriving at Zelimir's estate, I've had more time to myself than I've had the past few months. It's as though all people need is for me to exist, as though a whisper is enough to satisfy their expectations of me. In those moments of unprecedented silence, my thoughts turn, once again, to you. It's a rather urgent turning, a calling to the question all letters ask, a question i fear the answer of-- a wondering of whether you think of me as often as I think of you.

I'd like to think that the girl who pulled me through a window and into this mess of adventure takes some responsibility for the chaos that followed. Every step I have taken since that night has been a step in your direction, always wandering towards your voice. With each moment, I forget who I was before our meeting, and I don't fear what that means. When I think of home, I think of the scent of ash and smoke still clinging to a dress I now know you stole. I think of the first time my eyes fell upon yours-- eyes that, without your knowing, would redefine the definition of my existence. And you-- you fell into my arms, clinging as though fate had set you there, and I had no choice but to trust the path suddenly set before me.

Is it foolish to call this a stroke of destiny, to imagine it as an inevitability? From the very moment you told me your name, time has shifted; reality has rewritten itself. I cannot imagine living a life without the sound of your voice in my memories, as if there has always been a place for you in my mind, an unspoken agreement between myself and the universe to await your arrival.

I hope you're still waiting for me, Elysia. I hope that tomorrow, when Rowan is defeated and you are found, there will be no surprise in your eyes when we meet once again. Look at me like I am meant to be there, like you never doubted that I would come for you.

Look at me, Elysia, and never look away.

Yours dearly, Cylindra Nyx

<><><> <><><> <><><>

My dearest Faye,

You told me once that your story is not one that can be told in one sitting, if only because it is not a story that has not yet reached its end. I told you, then, that I would wait for the ending, if you so permitted me and, more so, I would like to be by your side to see it through. You took me as a partner, and I have been bound to you ever since.

At the time, I could not have guessed the desperate lengths you would take to assure your freedom or the stages you would set to play out your schemes. It was only with time that I began to understand the genius beneath the cursed girl—and, with time, I craved to know more of who you truly are. I never told you how much I cherish hearing your voice or how much you astound me. Part of me likes to think you already know; another part of me wishes I could have told you when it was just you and me in that forest before wishes or dandelions or thorns took you from my side.

If anyone can achieve their wishes without the aid of the Fields, though, it's you. You have always been the most powerful and most exquisite being I have ever known. To know that you have chosen to look upon me with the same care and adoration that I look upon you... my dear, it unravels me. As I await your return, your memory plays through my mind with all the beauty of a symphony that could never be grasped by human minds. I want you in my veins, my blood. I want you safe; I want you happy.

You cannot imagine how it burns to know that I am not with you on this path we set out on together. It's more than a longing; it's the fear of losing you to a pain I cannot protect you from any longer. The healer here asks me of you, speaks of the scars she saw-- I tell her all I can without giving you away, and I tell her that only you have the power to overcome your old wounds. This is my hope, Faye-- that you heal and come back to me as whole as you wish you may be.

Let it be known, of course, that I will not love you any less if your plans fail-- I have never wanted anything other than for you to be pleased with yourself. You saved me once, so, allow me to save you with this one request:

Do not lose yourself in this search for vengeance. I have never spoken these words because it is my greatest fear that you will not hear them but, for me, Faye, please-- do not let this mage defeat you. If we are to meet again, as you have already promised, then you must remember that you are more than your magic or your scars or the pain of the people who have wronged you in the past.

I sometimes wake from nightmares of a silver-eyed girl who has lost herself in Fields she swore she would never explore—fields I know you seek out now despite your own hesitations. My hands shake as I imagine the struggles you now face. Faye, I trust Cylindra. If you will not listen to me, then I pray you tell her the truth and allow her devotion to extend to you. You are worthy of protection from those closest to you, and if I cannot be there, I beg that you open the door for others to take my place.

Above all, though, Faye-- come back to me. Victorious or defeated, I simply long for you to be back in my arms. I dream of our forest, of nights I didn't know would come to an end. I dream of you.

I wish for your return.

Love always, Oleander

the narrative: *starts the third act by repeating a scene from the first act but now it has a totally different context*

me: ohoHOhohoHOHOhoHO

Daydreaming about my book:

Writing my book:

i want to coin a phrase that's the opposite of writer's block. call it the muse's fire hydrant. thirty thousand story ideas are being beamed directly into your brain and if you don't write them all at once you will die.

free resources to write a novel in 2024

hello hello! it's me, rach!

as the new year approaches, many of us set goals and resolutions - myself included. one of my goals for 2024 is to write a novel (I've been procrastinating on this for quite a long time now). i assume that some of you might have the same goal, that's why I'm writing this post today.

over 2023 i've been releasing some freebies for authors just like me, so I thought I could compile my favorites in this post. hope you find this useful :)

1) the writer's workbook

this workbook has over 60 exercises to help you develop characters, scenarios, etc. if you're ever stuck, I'm pretty sure this workbook will be your best friend.

2) author's corner (notion template)

this is the most downloaded freebie in my shop! it is a notion dashboard with everything you need to organize your writing and has some templates included (like scrivener)!!

3) another notion template

this one has two themes you can choose from: cottage-core and dark academia. they're very similar to the previous template, but this one is more recent and I added some new features. feel free to explore both and pick the one you like the most.

4) the author's journal

this is a cute printable with 20 pages that will help you stay on track and manage your social media accounts as a writer who shares their work online. you can also register what you're currently writing and your personal research and resources.

5) plan your book printable

this is a 6-page printable for you to fill out and plan your book easily and effectively.

6) excel sheet to organize tasks & word-count

this is a simple excel sheet, but it is very effective for keeping track of your tasks & word-count of your novels. also, it is 100% customizable to your liking!

that's all for now! feel free to explore my gumroad shop where I have plenty of freebies to grab! also, don't forget to subscribe so that you never miss any opportunity to get a goodie for free :)

hope this post was useful!

have a nice day,

rach

Finally finished editing my first full-length fantasy novel!

Dandelion, Dandelion follows a nobleman’s daughter on her runaway journey into a conflict of mad mages and devil’s bargains. Accompanied by an immortal, a bird-shifter, and a strange girl knowledgeable of all things magic, Cylindra defies the rumors of what happens to stray girls of nobility.

First in a duology, join Cylindra, Elysia, Faye, and Oleander as they face off against Rowan, the King’s Mage.

This work explores different forms of freedom and captivity, themes of discovering one’s own purpose and finding the power to recover from past traumas.

Be sure to follow for more content and updates!

“how did you get into writing” girl nobody gets into writing. writing shows up one day at your door and gets into you

“everyone is going to hate it” someone will love it. someone will reach out to you and tell you it changed their life. someone will hold it close and treasure it forever in a way you can’t even understand. keep going

So... I found this and now it keeps coming to mind. You hear about "life-changing writing advice" all the time and usually its really not—but honestly this is it man.

I'm going to try it.

Please look at the characters for Dandelion, Dandelion and send some questions! <3

OC Interview Questions - Fruits and Vegetables

🍎 [RED APPLE] Who does your OC value above all else? 🍒 [CHERRY] Who is your OC's perfect companion? 🍓 [STRAWBERRY] How do they feel about 'cute' things? 🍅 [TOMATO] How misunderstood is your OC? In-universe or IRL. 🌶️ [HOT PEPPER] Who would your OC declare their sworn enemy if they could meet them? 🍉 [WATERMELON] What will your OC take to the grave? 🥕 [CARROT] How tough is your OC against certain situations? How weak are they against others? 🍊 [ORANGE] Does your OC have a prophecy surrounding them? If they don't, what would it be? 🥭 [MANGO] What colours best represent them and why? Does this differ from their favourites? 🍑 [PEACH] How do they show their kindness? How kind are they truly? 🍌 [BANANA] Have parts of your OC been lost to time (in-universe)? What do they wish they could lose from themselves? 🧅 [ONION] What is surefire to make your OC cry? Who knows of this information? 🍍 [PINEAPPLE] Pineapple on pizza or not? 🍋 [LEMON] What is their kryptonite/ultimate weakness? 🌽 [CORN] How good are they at hiding and finding their way? 🍈 [MELON] If they had to be put into a box, what box would it be and why? 🍏 [GREEN APPLE] How do they differ from the norm and how are they punished for it? 🍐 [PEAR] What is their current social standing? If they could change it, would they, and to what? 🥒 [CUCUMBER] How innocent are they (unaware to the bad happenings around them)? 🥬 [LEAFY GREEN] How mundane are they? Do they like it that way? 🥦 [BROCCOLI] What do they hate about humanity/their species? 🥑 [AVACADO] What will they never back down about, even if it makes them seem bad? 🥝 [KIWI FRUIT] How does their outside appearance differ from who they are? 🥔 [POTATO] What do they have that others see as a flaw, but they don't care about? 🍆 [EGGPLANT] How are they used by others? How easily are they tricked into this? 🍇 [GRAPES] What's their circle of people/their species like? What dynamic would they be called?

-~-~-

Always leave a link to this post if you use it!

-Mix

TikTok has grown adults saying corn this corn that. Spicy scenes.

It’s pornography. With sex. Your book has sex scenes. You’re not twelve.

Dolomites - Italy (by Umberto Salvagnin)

I made some ASMR ambient atmosphere mixes for your highly specific needs

1.) Haunted campout in a northern forest where strange beasts lurk in the distance and whispers of the unquiet dead keep you awake through the long dark night  2.) The Joker is probably getting ready to murder you horribly in an abandoned warehouse 3.) Killer Croc hunts you through the Gotham sewers, occasionally eating corpses  4.) Man has pleasant vanilla sex with a monster in cheap motel bed 5.) You’re the last gunslinger marching across a dreary wasteland after the world has moved on, pursuing the man in black across the desert while the machines of the old world still hum their death throes

Goðafoss - Iceland (by Modes Rodríguez)