bleupoisson · 26d
Comment’s done on Ao3, I don’t know which one you’ll get to read first, but as for the points I left aside...
I get the overthinking, but... how could anyone possibly be annoyed about spoilers being handed to them on a silver platter? The thing is, I was already reading LD when we had that exchange in the comments on that AGS chapter (and I knew the next chapter was about to come out), but I'd planned my LD comment first. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, though, so I kept quiet. I also try to comment in order most of the time.
I know you read comments as soon as they come in, and I completely understand waiting until the next update to reply. I'm perfectly fine with that! It's part of the magic too, because it means another chapter is on the way. But on the flip side, if I sometimes take a while to reply or leave a comment, it's simply because life gets in the way. I'm sticking with you, though. And with AGS too. That’s what I wanted to say the most. There are stories where I make a point of commenting, and there are authors where I make a point of commenting. It depends on all sorts of things, of course, but... the point is, I wasn't annoyed in the slightest. Quite the opposite, actually—I felt rather honoured! Truth be told, I wasn't even sure whether you were talking to me specifically (I felt like I was being arrogant for thinking you were talking directly to me) or to your readers in general. Now I know. But even before that, it still felt really rewarding and engaging. I'll see soon probably what's your answer on that spoilers matter and me welcoming it with open arms on your next reply, I guess! But, anyway, thank you. Really.
So if it takes me a while... I'll be here eventually. That’s the most certain thing I can say.
Anyway, I don't know if you'll get the reference, but I definitely didn't feel like I was on the other end of the phone with Liam Neeson in Taken saying, "I will look for you, I will find you" (omitting the killing part, obviously ahah)
I don't know whether you needed the reassurance, but honestly, you can rest easy!
I was just wondering... what made you decide to use LD with Chiwei? To revisit it, almost reinvent it, or at the very least adapt it for them? And why them, instead of another fandom? It feels like this story is so precious and important to you—important enough that you even want to turn it into an original work. So I couldn't help wondering... why them? Why RL?
What guides your choices between writing stories about Chiwei and writing about TZ?
I'm asking here on main and I know you're fine to answer questions for everyone to see, but if you'd rather talk about something like this somewhere more private, or if there's a space that feels more appropriate, please don't hesitate to let me know!
As for Bottom!CC, I think it creates such an interesting dynamic because it plays with the gap between what's expected and what could actually happen. Characters like CC inevitably end up being put into a particular box. Everyone has their own preferences, wants, and so on. The RL fandom isn't exactly devoid of Bottom!CC, but... whenever it does happen, it feels refreshing. It's canon too, even if it only happens once in the novel.
And I have to admit, I've always had this idea (you could call it a promt I guess) of seeing CC (in any story, really) settling into the role we all know him for, only for WSW to keep insisting until they eventually switch things around. With WSW balancing confidence and hesitation, not wanting to rush into anything or get it wrong, ad CC teaches him anyway. Bottom!CC happens, WSW realises he actually enjoyed it, but he feels like he's satisfied his curiosity and doesn't think much more about it afterwards, not wanting to push his luck too much—after all, he's perfectly happy with their usual dynamic too (he may even enjoy it more, slightly). Except... CC liked it. Very very much. So he waits for WSW to bring it up again. He waits. And waits. He gets frustrated. Until, eventually, he decides to do something about it himself.
Something along those lines?
I could write it, honestly. It would work just as well as a one-shot as it would in a longer story. And yet... I haven't. Part out of sheer laziness, if I'm being honest. Mostly for other reasons. Sometimes I wish stories could be written as quickly as I imagine them. Who wouldn't want that? Realistically, though, it's probably more likely never to see the light of day than for me to actually write it. That said, I did talk about Bottom!CC with another author a few months ago because it would have fitted the story they were telling perfectly. At the same time, though, I completely understood why it wasn't something they wanted to do.
It's genuinely a pleasure to see that the RL and Chiwei era isn't over, and that there are still new stories on the horizon on your side. So thank you—for being a space where stories exist, but also where conversations like these can happen.
(I had to make a whole post again, because it was too long just as a comment under your answer... That's a pattern of mine, I guess).
Hi.
Actually, I read the AO3 comment first, but I’m replying to this one first (don’t ask me why).
I only overthought things for a short while; like I said, I don't usually do that during these conversations with readers. And don't worry, even though I eagerly await your comments, I know you have obligations to take care of first. I truly understand. Just like you all understand the time it takes me to update.
And yes, I was being specific in that reply; I was planning to talk about it when I replied to you again, too.
I don't mind talking there or on any other social media platform, but to be honest, my only fear is that you might find me a bit more annoying or weird than I seem right now lol I’m hopeless sweetcorn.
Furthermore, I know that sometimes people prefer to remain more anonymous or reserved.
Anyway, I'm open to that, so if you want to call me anywhere, you can. I'm glad I didn't cross any lines.
(I laughed at your example and reference).
Regarding LD and ChiWei... I feel I need to address a few things here before talking about that specifically.
I wrote LD back in 2018–2019. At the time, it was titled "Lucky Boy," and it was a fanfic for the Monsta X fandom (the K-pop group I like). Certain things were happening in my life during that period. I had ended a relationship (with the "Wang Zhen" of my own life) in early 2018. 2017 and 2018 (the final year of that relationship and the first year after the breakup) were the years I wrote the most (I was really happy after the break up, but my mind was still f*cked). I had written before, of course, but during this particular period, I feel like my body and mind simply clung to this pre-existing passion as if my life depended on it. And perhaps it did.
Time passed, and new things happened. But it had been a few years since I’d been able to come up with truly new stories, new plots, or writing the way I used to.
Then, last year, I discovered the Tianziyu. I remember the feeling of my mind buzzing with ideas; I really wanted to create something for them. So, rather than trying to write something from scratch — something I’d found so difficult in recent years — I thought I might adapt an old story. I looked through my files for a while, considering a short story, but then LD came to mind, and I thought, "This is it. This is the story."
I wanted to clarify, since it might have been confusing in my AO3 comment, that those last five chapters I had to edit were actually corrected back in 2018. It was the first character who spoke to me. Not that Chi Cheng and Suo Wei didn't speak to me too, because an adaptation requires that kind of care. (I wish I didn't sound so crazy saying this, but I can't think of any other way to put it)
But anyway. I’ve adapted other short stories, but I can’t tell you exactly what it was that clicked for me about LD specifically. I just had a feeling and followed it. I do that quite often in my life.
Since then, I’ve finally started thinking about new stories. Honestly, Tianziyu and Chiwei reawakened that ability in me. I don’t write as much as I used to, but it’s far more than I thought I’d be capable of after the last few years, likely because my mind is healthy and I have other things to occupy my time, of course.
I dream of publishing my stories as original works someday, and I’m slowly working toward that. Because ultimately, despite that dream, what I really want to do is write, truly write. They were the ones who brought that back for me, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. I think my relationship with writing is one of love, not just passion; I truly love it from the bottom of my heart.
Sorry for getting so mushy out of nowhere. Anyway, I think I follow the same logic, going by a gut feeling, when it comes to choosing whether a story will be ChiWei or TianZiyu. I just look at the plot and feel which pairing fits it best. There is a short story (a one-shot, actually) for which I plan to create two versions, because I think it would be interesting either way. But the theme is darker (which will be a new experience for me, since I’m used to writing sweet romances).
Regarding a bottom CC: I agree. Actually, I’ve never been a fan of seeing any couple pigeonholed into specific roles. I understand why the fandom generally holds that view, I think the characters themselves shaped that perception, but I really enjoy imagining new dynamics. Even though it was in the novel, I didn't feel like that extra chapter was intended to be something readers would enjoy or want to explore further. That said, I’m generally a big fan of versatile couples.
Also, I LOVED your idea. It’s absolutely brilliant; it would make for a really fun story.
Well, if it's up to me, I don’t think the fandom is going to fade away anytime soon. I still have plenty of plots I plan to write. I’m excited to share them with anyone willing to read them, and to chat like this, too, because it’s always a pleasure.
And don’t worry about your long comments and posts; I’ve already told you I love them.
Even though I’m replying here, like I said, I’m open to chatting elsewhere. Feel free to reach out whenever you want.
