You've got kudos

[clevermanka]

Uhhh. So First Time is up to 100 kudos just over the weekend? I think people like it? I guess? I mean, it felt like a good story as I was writing it, and I was pretty sure nobody'd done that particular take on it before, but I didn't expect quite this level of response. I'm so glad the time/verb tense switching seems to work (at least for those who commented about it). When I first sent it to solo  for beta, I said that was the only thing that was non-negotiable. It's not something one is "supposed" to do in writing, and even mckitterick sorta side-eyed me when I told him what I was planning. But I needed that switching/experience overlap to happen for Shen Wei and the reader in an explicit way. What a relief and a pleasure that I was able to pull it off.

Speaking of fic writing, it's interesting to me how people navigate their reading habits when it comes to fic (and, probably, other writing as well). rheasilvia mentioned in a post not wanting to read fic while writing and while I've only written two fics (my only two pieces of fiction ever, at all), both times when I got stuck I was like "welp! time to read what someone else has to say about this character!" and then I go get inspired by someone else's hot sex scene character development.

In Fabulous Good News that is not about Guardian, I slept through the night! It helped that I was bone-tired after three 2am mornings in a row, and I drugged myself with a double dose of diphenhydramine. I did wake up around 2, then 4:30, then a bit before 6, and finally at 7:30 but other than that last one I was able to easily fall back asleep almost immediately. FUCK YEAH. FELT GOOD.

Speaking of feeling good, I'm running some errands later this morning so will soon break my streak but as of right now I've gone nearly 72 hours without speaking aloud to another soul. My god I can't even describe how wonderful it's been. Because I am so super chatty and not shy in the slightest, people assume I'm an extrovert, but (ha ha ha ha ha!) no. I just have a very loud personality. I fucking love being alone. As long as I had internet interactions with people, I feel like I would do well in one of those solitary space mission things. Except for my deep and abiding existential horror of voids. 

If anyone wants to see pics of me and my parents, here are the proofs from the photo shoot last week. My reactions:
1) I look like a fucking Amazon. I'm only 5'7" (probably 5'9" in those shoes tho) and my parents are seriously shrinking. Like seriously shrinking. Daddy used to be 6'1" and Mommy was nearly 5'11" when I was growing up. Being able to fit her under my chin is surreal. And terrifying. Osteoporosis is bad, folks! Eat your greens! Lift weights!
2) I really should have taken off my footie socks with those shoes but the next stop was the airport and I didn't want to forget to put them back on. Not walking on airport floors barefoot. UGH.
3) Real glad I washed my hair because even though I'm sporting over half an inch of roots there, it looks gr8.
4) My neck must've been bothering me that day, otherwise I don't know why I've got my head tilted up in half those photos. I know that's not the best angle for my face and I'm usually very conscientious about that when modeling.
5) My parents are fucking adorable.

Comments

[clevermanka]

Oh! I forgot to say! Yesterday I found out The HU are playing in my little burg in October! I pre-ordered their album (which I think is due out in September?) months ago. You better believe I bought tickets immediately. Hmmm. DW won't let me embed a video in a comment, so here's a link to one of their songs.

[moodsong]

I really like them.

[writedragon]

Those photos look great! And I’m loving those leggings you’re rocking. Congratulations on the fantastic reception of your first fic forays (try saying that ten times fast).

[clevermanka]

Thank you! I feel like such a badass in these leggings. They're from Lorica (I funded their Kickstarter a couple years ago). They've got some new designs that I pine for, but..wow, $$$.

adorable is a good word. you're adorable too.

[wyomingnot]

You look great! So do your folks!

That's some serious shrinkage... my folks haven't shrunk *that* much. Or, well, they hadn't last time I was there. At their age, who knows what I'll come home to next year!

I only noticed your footie socks because you mentioned them. I think they look fine. So there. :)

oh, and congrats on your fic's reception!

Re: adorable is a good word. you're adorable too.

[clevermanka]

Thank you!

[khellekson]

Yeah re. kudos!! Eeee!

[clevermanka]

[phyrry]

Congrats, 100 kudos is more than I've ever gotten on a Guardian fic! Glad it did so well!

[clevermanka]

I'm honestly kinda...floored? And also wondering if I've already peaked. =D

[phyrry]

Ime the kudos will slow down sharply once it falls off the first page, but if the right people rec it or make public bookmarks they'll keep rolling in.

[clevermanka]

I've never been one to place my worth on external validation, so I'm not concerned about those numbers. But! it is a nice feeling that so many people liked it, ngl.

[jo_lasalle]

Congratulations on the story getting a great response on the story!!

Also congratulations on sleeping through the night - I feel ya!

Those photos are adorable. Glad the surprise!photography turned out well. *g*

[clevermanka]

Thanks, bb! The one I'm writing for you right now is (I think?) going pretty well. I'm actually trying to pace myself because if I keep on at this rate I'll be done before Thursday when I have a morning Writing Date at a coffee shop with a couple of my BFFs.

I should probably start shopping for a beta since solo isn't available for this one. *hies self off to brush_and_lantern*

Sending you my leftover Good Sleep Vibes.

[jo_lasalle]

So productive!! Woo! *anticipppation*

[clevermanka]

[forestofglory]

So glad to hear you are sleeping better. Sleep is so important.

Your family pictures are super cute!

Yay Kudos, well deserved! I'm still agog at how many kudos my first fic got. I'm just like that many people read and liked it? Wow!

[clevermanka]

I'm actually arting today, I feel so good! It's AMAZING!

And thank you! And congratulations, yourself! (mmmmm, who wouldn't want to read about fooooooooooooood?)

[forestofglory]

Yay art!

Thanks! Guardian is pretty great for fic that features food and feeding people -- I had a hard time picking just five for the rec list I posted the other day.

[minoanmiss]

You and your parents look so adorable and happy!

*uses icon that is a portrait of you*

[clevermanka]

Fuck Yeah Minoan Ladies!

[seascribble]

FUCK YEAH, sleep!!!

You guys are so cute! Fuckin love your hair.

[clevermanka]

Thank you! My hair is (currently) the only part of my body that I can control so I have ZERO bad feelings about being so vain about it.

[solo]

Your story deserves All The Kudos!

Just to clarify, even if you hadn't laid down the time/verb tense switching as a non-negotiable thing, I would never even have queried it (more likely praised it) because it's a thing that just works, and who cares if it's a mainstream practice or not. :D

Great job!

ETA: those photos look great! Such a happy family! :) BTW my mum's shrinking too...

[clevermanka]

Sorry to hear about your shrinking mother. =(

[rheasilvia]

Congratulations on your story being so well-received! :-) And I think it's generally a good idea to go with it when you feel that strongly about a certain aspect of a story. The "rules" of writing aren't actually rules, only guidelines; there's nothing you're not "allowed" to do in absolute terms, there are just things that are frequently done wrong and/or are difficult to pull off. If you do them well - more power to you! :-)

it's interesting to me how people navigate their reading habits when it comes to fic

It really is interesting - the writing process is so different for everyone. Your method makes a lot of sense!

Those are lovely pictures! All of you look great. You have wonderful smiles!

[clevermanka]

Thank you! I really am overwhelmed at how much people liked it. It's the first fic that's all mine, since Binary System is a remix, and I'm kinda...bowled over by how much people like it. Can't lie, feels nice.

Aw, my family does have nice smiles, thank you! We're a giant mess health-wise, but we're a good-looking bunch if I say so myself.

[write_out]

First of all, those pictures are FUCKING FANTASTIC and I love every single one. You're all so adorable! Those pics are treasures! Your parents look overjoyed! You look lovely! Yay!

Secondly, that is SO AWESOME about your fic's reception! I know we talked about this already, that external validation isn't the be all end all, but man alive, it's still goddamn awesome. I'm so happy your fic writing adventures are going well!

[clevermanka]

Thank you, bb! You know (and believe me, I know) that I am a vain creature, but I really do come from Very Good Stock, looks-wise. =D

I WANT TO DRAG YOU INTO THIS FANDOM SO HARD I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU. I mean, I wanna drag everyone into it, but I realize some of y'all aren't emotional sadomasochists.

[umadoshi]

Yay for so many good things! *^^*

What a relief and a pleasure that I was able to pull it off.

That is such a great feeling. Congrats on the reception to the fic!

Because I am so super chatty and not shy in the slightest, people assume I'm an extrovert

I have a similar thing--I can be very chatty (except when I'm really, really not) and bouncy, so people are skeptical when I'm like, "Actually, I'm a shy introvert with a double dose of anxiety disorder!" (General and social, whee!)

[clevermanka]

[moodsong]

Wow. Your hair has gotten really long. It looks great. I didn't notice the roots.

[clevermanka]

It has gotten long! I think this is longest it's been since I cut it the first time in 9th grade. Thank you!

[kazoogrrl]

Love the family photos, the one of you and your mom is really sweet. Also, your dad's eyes are amazing, I can see them even in the small photos and with his glasses.

[clevermanka]

Thank you! Daddy has BEAUTIFUL eyes (even though they don't work very well). My mom was sad when my eyes turned darker (they were sort of a periwinkle until I was nearly 2).