PM alert emails are back up, yey!!!

ystv is short for ystävä, it wouldn't let me use the letter ä.

you totally wanted to know that, didn't you?

Projects:

Becoming Zuko: A Prince's Demise: the awesome ML8991 is co-authoring and proofreading this story, and I really enjoy working together with him.

join us on our Discord server: https(colon) (slash) (slash) discord . gg / hQuwtvH7mm

A spanish translation is being made by Rene d'Herblay on this site. If you speak spanish, go check it out and support it! 7 chapters (as of the 19.04.20) are out, so far.

Prequel: to enjoy 'Becoming Zuko: A Prince's Demise' in its full intended experience, the prequel is meant to be read ca. after the chapters 1-4 of BZ:APD

Due to content policy on FFnet it's only posted on Ao3 under the title "A Prince's Fall", same username.

The Prequel is much more explicit (Triggerwarnings, I'm serious). Demise was written with the intend of experiencing the aftermath of what Zuko went through through a trauma victim and bystanders who don't know and don't realize the extent of what happened. I tried to gently show, how difficult it can be for people to make sense of PTSD and co, when they barely know half the story... as it is the case so very often in real life.

The prequel however, it tells the story of what actually happened. So if you want to know the details after having read up to chapter 11(and eventually probably 14), then you can go look for me on A03, I repeat the warning though, it's dark, and though it may not be very graphic, it definitely is disturbing, read the authors note at the beginning:

The Sharingan's Voice: I've been on my own until recently: Nackmu a friend of mine is going over older chapters with me now, HailZuko82 is beta-ing my new chapters! A huge thank you to both of you!

31.05.21: Chapter 15 is out. Chapter 16 fully written, in need of proofreading. outlining is quite a bit farther, currently not overly motivated to write though.

Learning Process:
I learned so much about writing from working on these stories, and it's also thanks to pushing myself to write chapters and to push the plot forward and all these things. I've adjusted my habits so I can actually get writing done and I'd love to hear about your thoughts so I can further improve! Or simply be motivated to continue plotting and writing!

I usually have a concept that I follow, as well as a rough outline with some plot points I want in. Only the next two to three chapters are looked at more closely and being started to fill out with details. but the ultimate moment of writing the scenes is where the most ideas flow and fleshing out happens.
Revising is also an important part of adjusting older chapters to new ideas or fleshing them out, and generally just remembering what I wrote in the first place :D

Other thoughts:

Things that helped me:
-is to not think wait for the weekend to be able to write, but try to write whenever I can (meaning on the phone if I have to).
-Also, I take critical reviews that give me pointers on what isn't working and how to maybe improve it very seriously...
-One of the most interesting developements has been revising weird sentences. I used to believe they'd help the authencity of speech in dialogue and stories. Nowadays legibility takes priority, it should be fun and fluent to read... Nackmu helped me a lot in learning to approach how to reconstruct sentences and I think it helped tons. Really, if you're a writer and you wonder if revising old chapters is worth it... in my opinion, it definitely is.

People / Friends:
I think that has been one of the most important and wonderful experiences on here. I found friends and working together on projects helps me keep in touch when I don't know what else to talk about... It actually also helps me to have the courage to talk anyway, to ask weird questions because I know these people will just go and answer and not mind even if the subject is disturbing or weird.

Thank you all so much for doing this with me, being friends and keeping in touch. It's really important to me!

Reviewing?:

Well, a friend of mine just recently said that I'm a die-hard OCD analyzer... which I agree, but: it makes it some sort of challenge to actually write a thought out review. For one, the time investment as putting things into words takes a lot of time sometimes, on the other hand, when i'm not sure if the other person is interested in a honest critique based on analyzing, (and a bit of fan-talk, too). I don't want to feel like I'm wasting my time, so please:
If I read your story and you found your way here because I clicked alert or favorite, and you're interested in my review, please tell me. I'm notoriously bad at giving reviews, once or continuously. I always feel like I have so much I want to say but it takes so much time to sort through my thoughts. If you'd like my feedback on the story I happened to read, please don't be afraid to ask for it, I'm serious!

Education, Life, and personal:

I'm a certified gardener and landscapist in real life. Circumstances lead to me working in an elderly nursing home though. I'm generally happy with work as long as I don't have to force myself to focus on something. I need work that keeps myself rooted, that doesn't bore me. That's what I like about gardening and also working with people: if there is something to focus on, the circumstances will naturally make me focus on them. I don't have to fight for it. And if only sight-hand coordination is required, I can easily think about the next story events I want to write or enjoy the moment to rest my brain.
this wasn't always the case and for all those who are still trying to figure out what to do with their life, a piece of advice... go into a direction you're interested in/do something that you're not repulsed to doing, I didn't do that the first time around and lets just say it was bad... (quit a architectural drafting apprenticeship in the last year)
Of course, no job will always be unicorn and rainbows, but the general mood will be better for everyone if you enjoy at least part of it.

Another thing to mention: I've become a support beam for a close relative of mine, who's had mental health issues and had relapses. That said, I'm trying to take care of myself, and also spend some time on my hobbies, such as writing and music, because it keeps my mind healthy, too. You can only help someone if you know how to take care of yourself!

Furthermore, on the subject of writing and reviews. I love reviews and getting attention. I love seeing that people appreciate what I try to do and I love discussing possibilities and concepts... Sadly, getting attention is a bit addictive. I try to be happy with the reviews I get and not always just hunger for the next. I try to do better.
it always feels super exciting if I really make a new friend and we talk back and forth. Those are true gems. Thank you all who discuss things with me.

And here comes the meaning behind the name, if you read this far: ystävä means friend. I wanted to be able to share my passion for stories and find like-minded people. I found some and I am very glad to have these friends in my life now. Thank you!