Lesson learned this summer: Carry an umbrella wherever I go.

[makeste]

BOY HAS IT BEEN ONE RAINY JUNE. Yamamoto, somehow I blame you.

Things!

1. If you missed it on the comm a few days ago, knights_manga posted a translation of chapter one of Gokudera's Secret Bullet story, Bakudan Bambino. It's an absolute must-read if you're a fan of Gokudera, especially if you've ever wondered about the period between his running away from home and finally joining the Vongola. I'm pretty sure this is the only canon we've ever gotten concerning that part of his past (well, not counting like a two-second flashback during the Daily Life arc). And it's really good, and I can't wait for the next two chapters.

2. Happy Birthday, viridianphoenix! Hope you have a great day. <3

3. Question: Would anyone be interested in betaing a KHR fic for me? The mods over at khr_undercover have requested that everyone who signs up for round 2 (WHICH IS STILL OPEN BTW if anyone hasn't completely burnt out from mini-bang XD) find someone to beta their entries before submitting them. So if anyone on my flist is interested and wouldn't mind reading over my submission (which probably won't be finished until at least a couple of weeks from now), let me know. I HAVE NEVER ACTUALLY WORKED WITH A BETA BEFORE, so uh. This should be interesting. XD

4. MEME WHICH IS PURELY OUT OF CURIOSITY AND I ASSURE YOU IN NO WAY HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FIC CHALLENGE MENTIONED ABOVE:

What do you think are the "trademarks" of the fiction that I write? What type of themes or characterization notes or quirks keep on manifesting in my writing? Essentially, what do you think is a stereotypically "Makeste" way of writing fic?

I totally will not be taking notes at all, I swear.

Comments

[doomcake.livejournal.com]

asjdfklasdf @ 1: I MISSED THIS. HOW?! Thank you for posting a link to it; am so reading it now, haha. ♥!

@ 3: ajksldfjaklsfd I WOULD SO OFFER except that I signed up as well, and I kinda suck at grammar (especially punctuation). If you don't mind me commenting on style/characterization (or that I'm also doing the same challenge), though, I'd be more than happy to offer! 8D /TOTALLY shameless. Means I'd get to read more of your awesome fic! *3*

[makeste.livejournal.com]

NO PROBLEM. ♥ It's really interesting so far and I love the character of Carlo. I kind of got spoiled for the general plot of the story way back when the novel first came out, but it's great to finally get to read it in detail.

Haha, style and characterization would probably be my main concerns anyway (especially given that I'm already running into problems XD). Though it would kind of ruin the guessing game part of the challenge, since you've also signed up. XD But if you don't mind, and if no one else volunteers, that would be totally awesome. Either way, thanks. :)

[virescens.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! XD It's been a pretty good day so far.

I'd offer to beta for you, but I dunno if I'll still have the time to do it when you're ready for me. :x You could always poke me and ask, though. I love editing.

[makeste.livejournal.com]

Yay, I'm glad. ♥ (Also, it's great to see you! :D)

Heh, I don't want to impose if you're gonna be busy, but thanks! Looks like a couple of other people are willing to do it, so I should be good. :)

[poisontea.livejournal.com]

1. Oh my god this is just. Perfect Kidkudera, uwaaaah. ;A; Carlos and the kid and and and. I totally need to read the rest to see what happensssss. THANK YOU FOR THE LINK. *A*

3. I'm totally willing to be a beta, though I'm not a very strict one. I mostly check for grammar errors and if sentences sound awkward, and if there's anything that might confuse readers/needs to be a little clearer. But if you want a bit of help, I can totally give it!

ALSO HOLY CRAP I didn't know that existed either. H-HOW AWESOME *swoops over to look at and maybe even join, o-orz should write shit*

4. Also also, I wish I was any good at explaining stuff like this, man. I mostly just notice the way thing sound and phrases get turned and stuff. My favorite fic writers just have fics that sound like them; I read it and go "omg I can tell I'm reading a fic by _ |DDDD". YUP, THAT'S NOT VERY HELPFUL AT ALL, BUT.

[makeste.livejournal.com]

1. YOU'RE WELCOME IT'S AWESOME ISN'T IT. |D I love Carlo so much orz. SO NICE IT DEFIES LOGIC AND LEAVES PRETEEN DERA ALL CONFUSED.

3. Heh, that would be great if you don't mind! I'll let you know if when I actually get it done. XD

4. Haha, that's pretty much the same as me; I can usually recognize someone's writing style, but damned if I can describe why. Lol, but thanks.

[dame-batsie.livejournal.com]

I would love to help out. I have a complete fic that's been through three betas, but they didn't really help me out that much because I think it still sucks. :(

One thing that I notice about your Gokudera fics is how calculating and detailed he is. And the way you get inside his head is as if you're him yourself and you make it sound natural. I don't know if this is enlightening or "durh" but yeah... XD

[makeste.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Like I told bakabokken, I'd rather try to get someone who isn't in the challenge first, just because it makes the guessing part more fun later on. But if I do end up needing another beta (right now the fic is in a pretty sorry state so I wouldn't count that out XD), that would be great if you don't mind. ♥

Haha, looking back at a couple of my fics I can kind of see what you mean; my Gokudera voice does tend to get analytical (I hope that's just me getting into the character and not going overboard on the introspection, lol). But thank you, I'm really glad you think it sounds natural; characterization is always my number one worry factor, so yeah. XD

[dame-batsie.livejournal.com]

Okay. *thumbs up* No problem!

Gokudera's an analytical guy -- nothing overboard about that. XD

[cleartempest.livejournal.com]

1 OH MY GOD YES x3 THANKS FOR THE LINK <3

3 I'd offer but it seems I'm a bit late XD

4 Sure, I see nothing to do with the aforementioned fic challenge :|

I think your Gokudera voice is very distinctive if you write him I like to think I'd be able to guess it's yours...and I love how you write the characters, when I read your fics I don't find myself going "wat" at the characterization XD Also. LOTS. OF GOOD INTROSPECTION.

[makeste.livejournal.com]

1. YOU ARE QUITE WELCOME. |D little Dera is so angry and cute.

3. Heh, yeah, it looks like I'm covered, but thanks!

4. IT IS COINCIDENCE AND NOTHING MORE. >.>

LOL, yeah, I think if I entered a Gokudera fic it would be beyond obvious. XD THOUGH THE INTROSPECTION THING ON THE OTHER HAND... yeah, I don't know if I can do anything to disguise that. sob. But I'm glad you like it and my characterization. <3

[cleartempest.livejournal.com]

lksadgalkf should this really be about disguising one's writing style? XD
And I just signed up because I couldn't resist the theme OTL|||

[makeste.livejournal.com]

I am actually going to make an effort to not disguise it at all because I want to see how many people can actually guess. 8D

AND YAY, I can't wait to read yours. ♥ ...once I, you know. Figure out which it is. XD

[cleartempest.livejournal.com]

HAHA XD THAT'S THE SPIRIT

I wonder if I would still have a writing style if I lay off on the imagery. fffff

[makeste.livejournal.com]

It's going to be so much fun either way. Though I know there's no way I'll be able to successfully guess everyone else's fics, sob.

Your imagery (along with your characterization) is definitely the most distinctive thing about your style, so I don't know. XD

[dame-batsie.livejournal.com]

I think your Gokudera voice is very distinctive if you write him I like to think I'd be able to guess it's yours
Way to steer her away from writing a Gokudera fic and, therefore, ruining my chances of guessing at least one fic right.

[cleartempest.livejournal.com]

BITE ME
...
I said I like to think :||| -- there's no way out of this...I'MSORRYMAKESTE ALSKDFHDSG

[makeste.livejournal.com]

I WAS ACTUALLY ALREADY PLANNING ON WRITING A NON-GOKUDERA FIC. :P When I first saw that the theme was Backstories, it sort of encouraged me to try out a plot bunny I'd been thinking about for a while. AND I WILL SAY NO MORE ON THIS, but it will be interesting to see how it turns out. XD

[dame-batsie.livejournal.com]

A-HA! A HINT! 8)

[dame-batsie.livejournal.com]

*CHOMPS*