Your First Draft Is Not Terrible.

Your first draft is not terrible.

It is not any sort of insulting name you call it.

It is a baby.  A young, inexperienced baby that might throw up on your shirt and cause you to lose sleep at night but you love it all the same and will patiently feed it and tuck it into bed at night with a kiss no matter what happens.

You do not call a baby stupid or awful because they are new to the world and do not have the ability or knowledge to function on their own.  Instead, you nurture and teach them so they grow up smart and strong and capable.

Such it is with a first draft.  A first draft is not bad because it needs care and attention. Don’t insult it because it is newly written down with ideas that are not yet fully formed.  In fact, that is the reason why it is AMAZING.  It’s a DRAFT!  The FIRST one for the story!  LOOK at it!  It exists!  It is ALIVE!  And it is YOURS, this story you made.  

So be proud of your first draft baby and, most importantly, be proud of yourself. 

the solemn pain of reading a story that’s not finished and then remembering it’s YOU that has to finish it…

holy shit it looks so cool!!!!!!

[ID: a book cover. in the center is a red lute with gold wisps coming out of the hole. the lute is surrounded by blue vines and blue flowers with orange centers.  the title on top of the lute reads “The Stray Spirit.” the text underneath reads “Lutesong Book One” and “R.K. Ashwick.” the second image shows both the front and back. there are more blue flowers and gold wisps on the back. end ID]

The Stray Spirit has a book cover!!

LOOK AT IT

AHHHHHHHHHH

!!!!!!!!!!!

IT’S SO PRETTY IM GONNA EXPLODE

IT’S LIKE IT’S A REAL BOOK OR SOMETHING

ahem. pulling myself together here.

I’m hoping to release this thing in the fall! as always, if you want to be the first to know about pre-order giveaways, ARCs, and release dates, the newsletter’s your best bet. the info will also hit Tumblr, of course, but a bit later.

and then 10, 20, and 36 for freddie, pls? take your time! - 🔮⛈

you're really spoiling me with asks <3 thanks for letting me rant about my children 10. What's their favourite food or drink? stir fry with peanut sauce or semmelknödel (german bread dumplings). they're one of the few things his parents took the time to cook, so they're major comfort food for him. not that anyone around him can cook it

20. Glass half full, or glass half empty? he is realistically pessimistic. glass half empty. depending on his mood, he may try and convince optimists that it's half empty until he goes blue or just shoot them a dirty look

36. Are they a competitive person, even for fun? he would never stoop so low as to compete with others yes he's very competitive but wouldn't be caught dead saying so

you can find the ask game here!

Someone: *says a random harmless phrase or statement to me*

Me, a writer, writhing on the ground like I’m about to transform into a werewolf: Oh God, oh f*ck, I feel—I feel... another story idea coming ooon *rips out notebook paper with a throat wrenching cry*

5, 27, and 31 for bella? also how are you?? have a decent day, eve! :3 - 🔮⛈ (@enchanted-lightning-aes)

hey enchant! thanks for the ask. i ran a race this afternoon which was decent ig. i hope you have a decent day too <3 5. Where do they like to hang out? you will always find her in one of three places: her room, the library, or her schools computer lab. and she will always be doing work

27. Is their living space tidy or cluttered? she does not have the patience or the headspace to keep a tidy workspace. it always looks like a tornado swept through her room, BUT she can always find what she needs. good luck getting out of there alive though

31. Do they have a comfort item? her toolbelt. you will never find her without it. if she's not wearing it, it's within arm's reach. it has everything she needs to throw a gadget together or fix something. and usbs of photos and digital copies of blueprints and prizes

you can find the ask game here