finally beginning this bad boy. sequel to Steady Beats the Heart that Bleeds Red.
Early stages of a sketch i’m trying to convince myself to complete for the final chapter of steady beats. may or may not happen ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Read chapter 15 here!
(and Chapter 1 of Where the Mind Falls hopefully coming soon!)
“this body of mine” series
To bring the official announcement to tumblr,
I’m so excited to confirm that Steady Beats will be continued with three additional installations! Here are the working details. As always, stay tuned for the first chapter of Book 2!
2. Where the Mind Falls
Sixteen years ago, the moon had saved him. She had given him life. He had never known why.
Now, when the forces of light and dark threaten to bring Corona to its knees, only Varian can end it once and for all. But he doesn’t feel so sure—he has no weapons, no power.
All he has is a precious knowledge of self-destruction.
3. Bones that Build an Empire
Something sinister lurks in the darkness—plotting and preparing for the hunt. But this time, Varian’s enemies are physical. This time, they can touch him. They can make him bleed.
But Varian has learned to love the color red.
Epilogue: Gently Lead This Body Home
And if you missed it, check out the final chapter of Steady Beats the Heart that Bleeds Red here!
allthestarsandi reblogged
It is with bittersweet feelings that I bring to you the final chapter of Steady Beats. This has been quite the journey.
I never imagined my story would become as big as it has, so thank you to everyone that’s supported it. You are the ones who made this so special for me. You have been instrumental and I can never thank you enough.
But, fortunately, this is not the end! Where one door closes, another one opens and I can’t wait to get started on the sequels this story will explore! More details to come.
Until then, I hope you all find what you need in this resolution. After all the ups and downs, I hope you find a semblance of hope for a better world and for a stronger mind. Never be afraid to feel. Never think you are wrong to feel what you do. It is all a part of being human. And I only hope you know it does not define your story. There is always going to be another chapter, another page to turn.
Keep turning. 💕
It is with bittersweet feelings that I bring to you the final chapter of Steady Beats. This has been quite the journey.
I never imagined my story would become as big as it has, so thank you to everyone that’s supported it. You are the ones who made this so special for me. You have been instrumental and I can never thank you enough.
But, fortunately, this is not the end! Where one door closes, another one opens and I can’t wait to get started on the sequels this story will explore! More details to come.
Until then, I hope you all find what you need in this resolution. After all the ups and downs, I hope you find a semblance of hope for a better world and for a stronger mind. Never be afraid to feel. Never think you are wrong to feel what you do. It is all a part of being human. And I only hope you know it does not define your story. There is always going to be another chapter, another page to turn.
Keep turning. 💕
16, 23, and 37 for the asks :)
16. Do you research for your fics? If so, how deep of a rabbit hole have you gone down by accident when researching?
Yes! I did several different bouts of research for Steady Beats actually. First, to gather information on intracranial hemorrhages and related medical problems. And also to fact check the relationship between hemorrhages, seizures, and cardiac arrest to make sure everything lined up. This led to a rabbit hole itself cause I study neuroscience and am so incredibly interested in the effects of head trauma, oops.
Second was to begin the mythology for Death, which led to research on German folklore and figures of death. I found the tale of Mephistopheles and, boom, was inspired.
Lastly was to come up with a real name for Death so I began researching a bunch of other demon names/death figures/etc to get ideas. And this stuff was interesting to even just read about so I got side-tracked. And then the anagram idea came up and Todratuhele was born.
23. What’s your absolute favorite trope to write?
probably no surprise, but hurt/comfort all the way. As per my interest in medicine, my go-to will be injuries of some sort so I can explore that side of it, but also include the concern/comfort/care from family and friends cause YESSS. As mentioned, I love exploring head injuries, but I also will go to stabbings/impalement or some form of internal bleeding (coughing up blood my dudes - yes).
37. Give an update on your current WIP - if you don’t have one, give a sneak peek to a title or idea that you have and would like to write.
Ah I see you Sage 😏
OKAY so update on Steady Beats. Does this mean like a preview update or just a “where am I?” Maybe both???
So I am getting to the end, I promise guys lol (cries a little). It’s been a super slow process getting the final chapter written, between hectic work schedules and writer’s block cause I’m trying to bring it to a satisfying close. I have the outline done and bits of each section written up in full. I really really really hope to have it up within the next week or two. I give you permission to strangle me if it’s not.
And a preview? Sure!
...
“Why did you choose to go to the moonstone? I—I mean, after the warning you had given my father…”
She trailed off quietly, her resolve faltering as the words left her tongue. It—what right did she have to question him? Was he angry—?
A sad smile tugged at Quirin’s lips as he glanced back down at his son. “I must sound like the world’s biggest hypocrite. And maybe I am.”
“No—I wasn’t—”
“It is true, though. Nearly 21 years ago, I warned King Frederic of the dangers of messing with magic. I had warned him of the consequences his actions would bring. And we saw firsthand that very devastation.
“And then, only a few years after, there I was, ignoring my own words in the hopes of finding any way to save my son. You’re not wrong, your highness. It was mighty hypocritical of me.”
Rapunzel wanted to say something—anything to negate his words. But there wasn’t much for her to say. And, being honest, she had been feeling a little hypocritical, herself, lately, dancing the way she was with difficult choices and a friend’s betrayal when, not so long ago, she had simply let that same music sweep past her without a single rhythmic step.
She was still holding out hope to bring Cass back from the edge, despite it all. Yet where had that resolve been when it was Varian in the darkness?
Where had she been?
She had let him fall. She had let him hurt and fix his mistakes himself. She had offered no helping hand, choosing instead to turn her back—to vilify him when he may have never been the villain at all. At least, not at first.
She wonders about that night, from time to time. Who had really been the villain on the night a kingdom waged war against a cornered, grieving boy? Was it him—was it Varian, who had kidnapped her mother in a last-ditch effort to make his voice heard and save the only family he had left? Was it her father, who had lied to their people—who had ignored a threat of his own creation and sought to silence the only person willing to unveil the truth?
I am the King and I have the situation under control!
I’ll be sure to do everything I can to get him help.
Her father—who had lied to her.
Was it her—a supposed friend? Her—the sundrop?
🌹 (also mood, heh)
fun fact: I actually wrote this small bit specifically for your ask cause i realized i actually have 0 shareable words written in this chapter so far??? oops
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“Will they scar?”
The question was timid—spoken with so little conviction that Galen reasoned Varian likely may not have wanted an answer at all.
“Yes. A wound from a weapon of such incomparable power is beyond my own healing capabilities. The mark of death will stay with you through the years, but this will not change you. This will not change what you accomplished that night.”
allthestarsandi reblogged
my dad–also a writer–came to visit, and i mentioned that the best thing to come out of the layoff is that i’m writing again. he asked what i was writing about, and i said what i always do: “oh, just fanfic,” which is code for “let’s not look at this too deeply because i’m basically just making action figures kiss in text form” and “this awkward follow-up question is exactly why i don’t call myself a writer in public.”
he said, “you have to stop doing that.”
“i know, i know,” because it’s even more embarrassing to be embarrassed about writing fanfic, considering how many posts i’ve reblogged in its defense.
but i misunderstood his original question: “fanfic is just the genre. i asked what you’re writing about.”
i did the conversational equivalent of a spinning wheel cursor for at least a minute. i started peeling back the setting and the characters, the fic challenge and the specific episode the story jumps off from, and it was one of those slow-dawning light bulb moments. “i’m writing about loneliness, and who we are in the absence of purpose.”
as, i imagine, are a lot of people right now, who probably also don’t realize they’re writing an existential diary in the guise of getting television characters to fuck.
“that’s what you’re writing. the rest is just how you get there, and how you get it out into the world. was richard iii really about richard the third? would shakespeare have gotten as many people to see it if it wasn’t a story they knew?”
so, my friends: what are you writing about?
What am I writing about?
Self-worth and self-doubts. The questioning of one’s place in the world and the realization it is never quite what you might imagine.
I am writing about being lost, but then finding home. Being alone, but then finding family. I am writing a story that conveys the message that all feelings are real and valid and worth feeling. That, in spite of the darkness, there is always hope for tomorrow’s light.
And that sometimes we have to break in order to reform ourselves into someone we can better recognize as ourselves.
allthestarsandi reblogged
Today I have discovered just how important writing really is.
Today, I learned that my story has truly helped someone take that final step in seeking help. This is why I write. And this is why I began to tackle a topic such as the one I did in Steady Beats.
It’s dark. It dives into emotions that not everyone wants to talk about. And that’s okay! But for those who do, it’s important to be able to find the words you need hear in stories. It’s important to have a place where you can find a piece of yourselves and find hope for a better tomorrow.
I have so much love and gratitude for all my readers and to hear these kinds of things from you, well…it means more than you may ever know. 💕
I know it’s really helped me - reading your story and hearing all of the words of comfort of love and hope, words that I never heard when I hit my own low point like Varian, it made me feel so much love and made me feel so validated to feel human. And I still cry and feel that warmth when I think about it ‘cause while it sucks yeah, I’m not being selfish by feeling, and there are people who love me too, and there is that silver lining to hold on to so absolutely- thank you so much for writing and sharing your writing, your words, and your story.
Stories have such an impact on people. Which is why I seek them out (as well as write).
Thank you 💜
Sage I love you so so much! 💕 These words are exactly what keep me going with this story. It can get so hard to write sometimes and I always have my doubts in the process, but when I hear something like this, it reassures me that it’s worth it.
Validation is propably the number one goal of the story. I am never trying to make a promise that these emotions will be resolved immediately. I am never trying to tell someone that it’s easy to fix. What I AM trying to say is that these feelings are real and everyone is allowed to feel them. It’s okay to feel them and you are never in the wrong for any of it.
And more than that, it’s about learning there is more to your story than the darkness that may sometimes overwhelm you. There is always more to the story. 💕
Today I have discovered just how important writing really is.
Today, I learned that my story has truly helped someone take that final step in seeking help. This is why I write. And this is why I began to tackle a topic such as the one I did in Steady Beats.
It’s dark. It dives into emotions that not everyone wants to talk about. And that’s okay! But for those who do, it’s important to be able to find the words you need hear in stories. It’s important to have a place where you can find a piece of yourselves and find hope for a better tomorrow.
I have so much love and gratitude for all my readers and to hear these kinds of things from you, well...it means more than you may ever know. 💕
Well. This is the moment we, perhaps, have all been waiting for since this journey began. Chapter 14 is up and with it comes Varian’s final stand. It is a chapter of perseverance—a chapter of such inner strength and of learning to conquer in the face of loss. And though it doesn’t entirely relate to the state of the world right now, it means a lot to be writing this type of message in these times. Stay strong. Fight for all that is good. Fight for all that needs fighting for. Lay those demons to rest. —— Check out the artwork for this chapter if you haven’t yet! Link Chapter 1 link.
allthestarsandi reblogged
“Two years ago I might’ve made a different choice. But I was a different person then. I’ve changed. I have. I’m better—stronger—and now I have something to fight for—to live for. You can’t trick me anymore.”
– Varian to Death, Ch. 14 Steady Beats the Heart that Bleeds Red
Reblogging cause y’all about to get some matching plot for this drawing!
This chapter means a lot to me and to the story. Varian takes his final stand against his demons. There’s trial and tribulation. There’s rejuvenation. There’s growth. It’s a big one. And I’m glad to tell it.
So stay tuned!
Chapter 14 of Steady Beats the Heart that Bleeds Red coming to an Ao3 near you. (Tomorrow?🤞🏼)
hey uh...does someone wanna come write the next chapter of this fic?
asking for a friend
At last! Chapter 13 of Steady Beats the Heart that Bleeds Red is here.
But, my fam, there’s been a change of plans.
This would’ve been heading towards well over 10,000 words if I kept Varian’s final battle here (I know, I know—long chapters are fun chapters) but I fear that doing so may detract from its impact. So it’s getting a chapter all of its own which should be fun since now I have extra room to give our boy one last whump...until the next story, that is. :)
But enjoy some more moon!varian worldbuilding as a treat
(also--this chapter ended up being one I absolutely love. I hope you love it too)
is this really about to be a 10k word chapter?
eh possibly.
“Two years ago I might’ve made a different choice. But I was a different person then. I’ve changed. I have. I’m better—stronger—and now I have something to fight for—to live for. You can’t trick me anymore.” – Varian to Death, Ch. 14 Steady Beats the Heart that Bleeds Red
How about ‘breathe’ for the wip guessing game?
I didn’t have “breathe” written out specifically yet (to be fair, the last two chapters of Steady Beats aren't really past their bullet point phases yet)...BUT I do have a variation of it in the sequel so far that is a fun one. >:)
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Quirin’s gaze held a moment longer, before turning back to Varian. Varian’s breathing was nearly inaudible, his chest shuddering with the lack of oxygen. His eyes slowly pried open, peering up at his father, “Dad, please--”