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shadowriel

@shadowriel / shadowriel.tumblr.com

she/her | currently: daydreaming about fictional characters | AO3

2024 Fic Writer End of Year Roundup

Answer and then tag three or more creators to keep the game going!

Thanks to everyone who tagged me! I've been a bit out of touch with the fandom this year, but I always love this community we've made ourselves. If you see this or are mentioned below, consider yourself tagged!

1. How many words did you publish on AO3 in 2024?

Almost 22k

2. How many fics did you complete this year?

Just 1 (but it was a banger!)

3. How many in progress or ongoing fics did you start this year?

I've started 3 new fics, adding to my ever growing list of WIPs

4. What was your favorite thing you wrote?

Whiskey Over Wine (aka the country Feysand AU I didn't know I needed). It's completely self-indulgent but also incredibly descriptive and well-written?? I'm currently drafting the Nessian instalment, and it's reminding me how much I love the setting.

5. What piece was your most experimental or different from your usual style?

Probably Until Sunrise, which was my gift exchange fic for @witchlingsandwyverns. I am normally a modern AU girlie, but I really thought the perfect gift would stray from that and incorporate the kind of emotions/dynamics that work better in a different setting. I'm so so happy with how it's turning out so far - I think it's a great combination of my typical banter with an added level of yearning!

6. Did any fics surprise you - either while writing or their reception?

is this what home feels like? which is the recent Feysand nanny/single dad AU I started. I've had this idea at the back of my mind for forever, and it really surprised me when all the bubbling thoughts finally clicked into place.

7. Do you have a fic you wrote and loved that went under the radar? (This is your sign to reblog/repost it!)

Maybe is this what home feels like? ... I was too anxious to make a Tumblr post about it, so it was a bit under the radar in terms of me talking about it

8. Who is an artist that inspired you?

So, so many! @witchlingsandwyverns and @velidewrites come to mind, but I have a million pieces of fanart that live in my head rent-free. I don't know if they have Tumblr but @/flavie5dub on IG has me in the best kind of chokehold.

9. Who is an author that inspired you?

Can I just tag everyone for this??

@howlingcaptaincommando (@talons-and-teeth) directly helped contributed to the brain rot that is masked!Az in from the ghost of your lips (to the haunting of mine). I genuinely heard @tunaababee shrieking about Cowboy!Rhys as I wrote Whiskey Over Wine, so that was incredibly motivating.

10. Who is a new author you discovered?

I'm pretty sure this is the first year I read a fic by @bibliophiliaxvignette , and I was lucky enough to have her as my secret Santa for the gift exchange! Our vibes match so well, so her writing has been an amazing discovery.

And @the-new-ribbon! Their gwynriel makes me such a giggling mess, and I love it!

11. Did you do any collaborations? How did it start?

None this year!

12. What accomplishments are you proudest of?

My proudest accomplishment is that I actually found joy in writing! 2024 was an incredibly challenging year for me and, for most of it, writing felt impossible, but I'm glad there were times that it provided a much needed escape.

13. What did you learn about writing or creating this year?

It's an ongoing lesson, but I've been realizing more about how to make writing more sustainable for me. Like in many aspects of my life, I push myself too hard and that often leads to burnout. That's definitely something I'm working on.

14. Any advice you’d like to share with new or aspiring writers?

Above all else, have fun! Write the kind of fics you want to write, and try not to get lost in the struggles of writing "better" or producing more content.

15. What are your creative goals for 2025?

To not put too much pressure on myself!

I'd also really like to reprioritize all my old WIPs and give myself permission to abandon some (even if I feel myself attached to them). Beyond that, I've been dying to do a full re-write for the STEMinist fics (but that may be something for 2026)

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Reblogged

Final Chapter of Pinky Promise is up!

This has been so fun to write and I'm so thankful to @shadowriel for giving me the inspiration and the opportunity to write this! This is the first multi-chapter fic that I've finished, so I'm super excited!

A HUGE shout out to @temperedink beta reading for me and being an absolute gem. Don't think I'd have finished this without her!

Read on AO3 | Snippet below

I will never stop gushing about how much I love this fic! It’s everything I love about gwynriel and more, written in a way that’s equally swoony and heartfelt. Thank you so, so much for such an amazing Christmas gift 💗

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Reblogged

Until Sunrise

Chapter 1: fates entwined like thread

Summary: Unable to sleep, Gwyneth Berdara decides that it’s time to find her royal guard a new hobby. Yet, between the palace grounds and a rundown tavern, her relationship with Azriel morphs into something more.

A/n: @witchlingsandwyverns It's me, your secret Santa! I'm incredibly excited and honoured to be able to give you this gift. I definitely had a fangirl moment when I realized I was assigned to you, and I've had so much fun getting to know you better over the past couple months. I hope this fic gives you a "hit of the goodshit."

Read here on AO3, and a snippet below:

AAAAAAAAH OMG HELLO SANTA

Screaming crying throwing up racing to AO3 IMMEDIATELY 🤩

More coherent appreciation to follow soon!!!

I love love LOVE everything about this and I'm not even sure this qualifies for "a hit of the goodshit" tag WHEN THIS IS LIKE 3 TEIRS ABOVE IT IN CATERED 5 STAR DINING??? Dang, I have been FED.

Just WOW I cannot say THANK YOU ENOUGH, BUT

THANK YOU✨️

I am so very excited to see where you take this next!

I am so so glad you’re enjoying the fic so far!! Your comments and enthusiasm were honestly like my own Christmas gift. I feel incredibly lucky to have had such an amazing giftee, so THANK YOU for that 💖

Until Sunrise

Chapter 1: fates entwined like thread

Summary: Unable to sleep, Gwyneth Berdara decides that it’s time to find her royal guard a new hobby. Yet, between the palace grounds and a rundown tavern, her relationship with Azriel morphs into something more.

A/n: @witchlingsandwyverns It's me, your secret Santa! I'm incredibly excited and honoured to be able to give you this gift. I definitely had a fangirl moment when I realized I was assigned to you, and I've had so much fun getting to know you better over the past couple months. I hope this fic gives you a "hit of the goodshit."

Read here on AO3, and a snippet below:

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Reblogged

To my wonderful @acotargiftexchange giftee @shadowriel I am so excited to reveal myself!! I couldn't wait a moment longer! When I saw you were my giftee I was thrilled! I am a huge fan of your writing and fangirled for a moment. It has been such a joy getting to know you and I hope we key smash in each others DMs from now on because your taste is impeccable and I love you.

My gift to you is Pinky Promise, a spicy and sweet workplace rivals Gwynriel inspired by everything that is good about romcoms. I took inspiration from Ali Hazelwood, Sally Thorne, and Emily Henry and I hope it makes you giggle and kick your feet like all romcoms should!

Snippet below the cut! Read on AO3

Ohmygoshhh babe I genuinely squeaked out loud when I saw this notification!! I’ve only just read the description and am filled with such immense gratitude that I’m tearing up. You really plucked my dream fic from my heart and typed it out. I can’t wait to devour every last word!! I’ll see you in the comments and of course in your DMs!!

Anonymous asked:

Okay here's a little tidbit!!

I'm getting so excited for you to read it! 🎄❤️

+++++++++++

Speed walking as quickly as she could into her office, Gwyn huffed as she dropped her overlarge purse onto her messy desk. 

“You’re late.” 

She spun to glare at her office mate. 

“I am two minutes late.” She snapped. 

“You still used the word late in that sentence, Berdara.” 

Azriel smoothly stood and strolled around his desk to lean against it with his arms crossed, staring at her. 

Gwyn rolled her eyes, refusing to admit she didn’t have a retort to that.

Ohmygosh are we getting gwynriel workplace rivals?! Either way I’m already obsessed!

The dynamic between them is so perfect here. I can already get hints of what I’m guessing may be slightly chaotic, flustered Gwyn and effortlessly smooth (and annoyingly perfect??) Az. I can’t wait to see what you do with them! I’m shrieking and sending you kisses through my phone screen 😘

Anonymous asked:

Bestie!! It's been a minute. I am finally feeling the creative juices flowing and I'm getting so excited!

I'm wondering if you would like a snippet of your gift? Or would you like to be totally surprised?

Your Santa🎄❤️

Eeek I’m so excited too! I’m definitely not saying no to snippets - I’ll gladly devour anything you send my way 💗

Anonymous asked:

Okay some holiday themed questions!!

  1. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
  2. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
  3. What was the best part of your day today?
  4. And a Gwynriel themed one! What do you think they would get each other for Winter Solstice?🎄❤️

Hello!! So many great questions!

It’s not a movie, but the show Dash & Lily is slowly becoming an essential Christmas re-watch for me! It might be my favourite, but I also really love the Home Alone movies for nostalgic reasons.

One of my favourite holiday traditions is when my siblings and I try to stay up all night on Christmas Eve. There’s usually midnight baking and board games and Christmas movies, and we always have lots of fun.

I’m just waking up this morning, so I’ll say the best part of yesterday. It was overall a great day, but the best thing was the bubble bath I treated myself to in the evening!

Ooh solstice gifts? I always imagine Az getting Gwyn a weapon or books. Either way, he probably spent months finding the perfect gift and it’s something that ends up being incredibly meaningful to Gwyn.

I think Gwyn would give Az something handmade. She thinks it’s silly and he absolutely adores it. A friendship bracelet maybe?! One he never takes off.. Ugh I love them!

Hope your day is amazing! ❤️

Anonymous asked:

Okay a productive Secret Santa message will come but I just had to tell you that I’m rereading LOTB (thank you) and I forgot how oblivious Bee is! 🙄😂 love her tho

PS we most definitely will be key smashing in each others DMs once all is revealed!! 🎄❤️

Ahaha she is SO oblivious (but yes we still love her)!

Sending you all the best wishes for the week ahead 💗💗

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Reblogged

from the ghost of your lips (to the haunting of mine)

→ Chapter 1: MASK ON (Read on AO3)

Pairing: Gwynriel

Summary: The rules of the haunted maze should be simple: no using electronics of any kind, no climbing the walls, no touching the actors. Yet Gwyneth Berdara has a difficult time keeping her hands to herself when a man dressed as the Grim Reaper catches her attention... and follows her inside.

Read a snippet below:

from the ghost of your lips (to the haunting of mine)

→ Chapter 1: MASK ON (Read on AO3)

Pairing: Gwynriel

Summary: The rules of the haunted maze should be simple: no using electronics of any kind, no climbing the walls, no touching the actors. Yet Gwyneth Berdara has a difficult time keeping her hands to herself when a man dressed as the Grim Reaper catches her attention... and follows her inside.

Read a snippet below:

I love modern AUs that are like. So specific. I just read a fanfic where the characters were pharm techs in a CVS. The author described their job vividly, from organizing meds to collecting insurance info. It’s so evident that either they’re in that field or are really passionate about it and I love that like okay OP go write about your life to me I’ll read your memoir delivered in fanfic AU style.

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