Here’s some random art I made of Maurde’s Magicians three weeks ago!

Actually, one week ago. Whatever!

This is just one out of the two couples in MM. I haven’t even written 10 pages of it and yet I’m already making OC ship art.

Help me.

Anyway, there’s not gonna be an abundance of romance in MM, but maybe…. like, 30-40% of it will be that. The rest is action and fighting and emotional scenes and… well, a bit of stabby-stabbing and killer magic tricks. (I decided that if I’m writing a book with romance, I’ll try to keep the non-romance stuff to 50-70%, and the romance to 30-50%. Most likely 30 or 40%, rarely ever 50%.)

I frankly like thinking of OC ships, but then when it comes to actually writing them, I just start blanking. I’m gonna try my best though!

I’ll drop tiny little teasers or character art occasionally. As of now, this is all you’re getting. I hope you like the art. Maybe it’ll get you more excited for MM. :)

PS:Two things. Number one: the two adorkable beans in the drawing were supposed to kinda have their noses pressed together, to fit “like a puzzle,” but I misaligned slightly and just decided to use the space between them for a heart. Sorry ‘bout that, my art style just didn’t really fit with the “puzzle” thing I was going for originally. Do you still like it?

Number two: someone saw this drawing and asked if the person on the bottom was a guy. To prevent any further confusion from other people; no, she’s a girl; they both are. Tried to make the girl on the right as feminine looking as possible but wanted to keep the short hair. So…. yeah, maybe it’s the hairstyle that makes it look like that. And yes, I did a slight art style change here. I really like drawing in this style though. Might use it more often.

- If "writing is easier when you're writing something you've experienced" is true, then that'd explain my bad attempts at writing romance.

(Then again, anyone can write a romance novel, experience or not. So I guess that's not true.)

- KILL THEM. KILL THE CHARACTER.

- Torture go brrrrrr

- Who DID this to my precious OC?

- Oh wait, I did.

- Nobody's gonna read this.

- *listening to a song* OMG THIS FITS MY CHARACTERS PEFECTLY!

- Why the hell am I fangirling/fanboying/fan-personing (idk; go with it) over my own OC ship? Ain't that the reader's job?

- That is a B R I L L I A N T head canon! I'm making it canon. :)

- Yeah I'd jump this OC.

- Why is my MC going through so much emotional trauma? I'M BEATING UP WHOEVER DID THIS TO THEM!

*The realization dawns upon the writer, and they know who's behind their MC's suffering.

They start punching themselves.*

- Good golly my book sucks. I'm so sorry.

- (When someone asks what their book is about.) What the hell is my book about again?

- If I don't finish the 7987247th project I started, I'm gonna eat myself up from the inside.

- I LOVE making my little dollies lie and kill each other~!😊

- THIS PERSON JUST LEFT SUCH A WONDERFUL COMMENT. AAAAAAAAAAA STOP IT; MY HEART IS DYING FROM WHOLESOMENESS-

(It’s either this or I’m doubting the compliment, XD.)

- Oh jeez this piece is so bad. Why is this so bad? WHY? I COULD'VE DONE SO MUCH BETTER BRO.

- One day I wanna become a good enough poet to make orange rhyme with banana. Without mixing the two words.

- I CAN'T LET THEM KNOW I LOOKED UP THIS STUFF FOR MY BOOK! THEY'RE GONNA THINK I'M WEIRD OR CALL THE FEDS!

​​​​​​​Tell me this ain't accurate without lying.

Kyosuke: AHHHHH! WHY THE HELL ARE THERE MAGGOTS?

Kazu: DUDE! What the hell did you do?

Kazu points at the mess of what seems like a rotten cookie. Tiny and bright yellow, worm-like pieces of utter garbage (or in simple language: maggots) crawl all over the cookie, like a huge spider consuming a human, bit by bit.

Kazu: Oh right! You smashed a DAMN RAISIN COOKIE INTO THE FLOOR TWO WEEKS AGO! (He steps back towards the door.)Do you have bug spray? Boiling water? Something, anything?

Kyosuke: DUDE WHY DID YOU NOT CLEAN THE COOKIE UP —

Kazu: EXCUSE ME?! YOU SMASHED THE COOKIE INTO THE FLOOR! I DIDN'T CLEAN IT UP BECAUSE THAT'S YOURRESPONSIBILITY!

Kyosuke: OK, fair, I should've took care of it, I'm sorry, but you could've prevented THIS IF YOU-

One maggot wriggles closer to Kyosuke. He screams.

Kazu: SHUT UP! (He bolts to the cabinet above the desk in the Announcement Room, shuffling through the contents.)I swear, if they don't have bug spray here…

Kyosuke: Bug spray's kinda effective but it's still gonna take longer for the maggots to die if we—

Kazu: Oh yeah? Then what solution do you— GOT IT!

As Kazu grabs some random bug spray — I don't know how the spray got there; just go with it, I'm being lazy and just making things convenient — the maggots slowly start making some formation. All of them. Kyosuke's about to scream his head off (frickin' coward; can't blame him though) when he stops to stare at this phenomenon.

The maggots form letters. The letters become a single word: Chapter.

Kazu runs over to the maggots, but Kyosuke puts a hand out to stop him.

Kazu: Hey, let me kill them —

Kyosuke: Hang on.

Kazu: What the hell, man?!

The maggots form a number now: 19. And then they shift around rather rapidly, seeming increasingly panicked as Kazu points the bug spray at them.

Just as he starts spraying, the maggots fumble into position in order to form the last word: out. Chapter 19 out. Wow. That's actually gotta be the most creative way I've done an announcement. With maggots. Freaking maggots, bro.

OK, but I'm getting off-topic. Kazu sprays the maggots with bug spray (I just read somewhere that that could kill maggots, but it'd take longer; correct me if I'm wrong) for about four whole minutes. Kyosuke runs off and far away from those creepy things (understandable, at least in my eyes). And then his buddy runs with him.

Kyosuke: Did–did those things just —

Kazu: I think they did, yeah.

Kyosuke: Oh. Then they were trying to do today's announcement for us.

Kazu: Damn that's nice. And I killed them.

.

.

.

Kazu: No regrets doing that, though.

Kyosuke: Ah snap, we still gotta clean them up when they're dead…

Kazu: You're doing that, not me.

A/N: I probably should've done more research for this, and I know it’s stupid but… just go with it, alright? The purpose is the announcement, not the accuracy.

Riki: Wait, why am Itasked to do this announcement?

Kenta: No idea, but just go with it.

Riki: But it's Ryo'schapter! Why am I-

Kenta: Let's just get this over with.

Riki: This doesn't make any sense.

Kenta: (He rolls his eyes.)I know it doesn't. Don't need to point out the obvious.

Riki: Shut up —

Kenta: You're telling ME to shut up?

Riki: W-well… YEAH! YEAH, I AM! (He exhales slowly.)Anyway, how're we gonna do the preview announcement thing if we don't even know what this chapter's gonna be about? It's centered around Ryo,not us! This is hismoment. And I'm honestly mad that he's getting the spotlight.

Kenta: Dude. He's the protagonist. Course he gets more page time.

Riki: And? All he's doing is moping around!

Kenta: Look, all we have to say is that chapter eighteen of book two is out, and then we're done. Can we just do that? (His eyebrow twitches, and he clenches his fists, anger boiling up like hot water, ready to pour over.)

Riki: But that's boring! The author said they need a better way to do these announcements! And that's through a goodchapter description! (He stands up from his chair, sending it rolling back, wheels squeaking against the shiny black floor of the room.)

Kenta: The author doesn't care! They're literally writing this script with zero effort right this minute. They can't COME UP with good chapter descriptions for us to say! So what do you wanna do, huh? HUH?

Now he stands up from his chair. Except that he flips it over. Poor lil' chair slams into the floor, almost hitting the long extending desk in front of Kenta and Riki. He heads towards the door.

Why he gotta target the chair for?

Kenta: CHAPTER EIGHTEEN'S OUT! THERE, I SAID IT!

Riki just sighs and picks up the chair Kenta knocked over. Hey, he's a stupid bad guy, but he's got respect for chairs, I'll give him that.

Kenta walks out the room, rolling his eyes.

Author Note:

Yeah, I didn't really know what to do for this announcement. Just go with it.

Also, nobody cares and nobody asked, but I did give some small "health update" a while ago. Maybe I should give another one. I'm still in isolation for Covid, darn it. I was SO CLOSE to being… well, not isolated, and I could return to normal stuff. Listen, writing and art(ing) has been keeping me sane and alive… but at some point, I'ma get kinda bored. I'm doing completely fine physically (slightly less mentally) so at least there's that.

Let's just hope writing and art can still be enough to stave off any insanity. Eh, maybe I'll be fine. I'm probably just complaining and exaggerating because I'm annoyed XD. But yeah… there’s a health update. Pretty sure no one cares though.

Organizing this meme collage was definitely frustrating. But hey, you got 8 full memes. It’s a meme meal at MemeDonalds. A meme box. A Happy Meme.

…. Alright, I’ll stop.

But while you enjoy these memes (or hate them if they’re cringey; most likely they are) I gotta ask y’all a quick question.

Would you like APS to be updated a little more frequently? I’m not guaranteeing a change in release schedule, but would it be okay to have, say, maybe 3 chapters a week instead of 2? Or just a bonus update every once in a while?

I might not do a lot of updates, but maybe every few weeks or so I could throw in three chapters instead of two (if my beta readers are OK with that) because sometimes the chapters are short, and so I feel like I’m not giving you guys enough content per week.

Not guaranteeing it’s gonna happen, but what would you think of that?

Yeah. I made Cameo and Infinity into minifigs.

Deal with it.

(pic might be sideways. Deal with that too)

So, @The Yobanashi Girouette suggested on my last post that I talk about random life stories -- rambles about, say, just interesting/crazy people I met. Why? Well, as he said, it would make good character material.

Here's the thing. I don't think I've met a crazy or interesting person that's... well, a decent person. They're usually kind of sucky people. So I guess they wouldn't make any likable character material. Therefore, I'm just gonna say that all my rambles are meant to be unlikable character material instead.

This particular ramble, however, is the closest experience I could think of that radiates the least "unlikable person energy," but that's only when put next to the other concerning people I've met. It's more of just a "this is kinda wrong but kinda entertaining" story.

That's about all I really have to discuss; let's get into this ramble already.

I don't think a single school environment doesn't have thatkid. That weird kid. Mine has several, if not more. If you're writing a book that revolves around a school setting, then just acknowledge that the really weird kids exist. P l e a s e. I find it so odd when school stories don't have any really weird kids in them.

There's one student, and they're definitely not the best kid, but sometimes they do things that completely break the rules but it's so amusing to watch at the same time.

This isn't really that chaotic at all, but there was this one time --- it was a very long time ago --- that they ordered Domino's while at school. A whole pie. And, alright, I know what you're saying. It's not that chaotic. He's just breaking the rule that, well, you know, you can't order restaurant food in school. But I guess it was just the dramatic reactions that made the whole situation chaotic. (Should let you know that.... a lot of students are ten times more immature than they're supposed to be.)

The kid paid for that whole damn pie with his own money and.... I'd say the teacher kinda flipped out. The class was excited though, because, you know, free food. PIZZA. But I do feel genuinely bad for the teacher who was talking with the food delivery service on the school's phone, because... they looked really panicked and nervous.

This story does have a very anticlimactic ending that was probably only made "dramatic" by the way the class was laughing or getting riled up over this. And because the pizza delivery folks actually did show up at the school's door.

The anticlimactic part is just that.... well, I didn't really get to see the end of it. Apparently the security and other school staff just handled the pizza at the door, that was it.

Did we get our pizza?

No.

Fast forward some weeks later. We ask about the pizza in the middle of class. Turns out the school staff ate it instead.

Honestly, while that was somewhat amusing to watch (I was just bored outta my mind, OK?) that was probably... not the right thing to do. At all. That kid has done a lot of other weird things (like constantly calling a room's number from a completely different room; wrecking fans, etc.).

That was probably horrible character material, but if you ever wanna write a character that's... well, chaotic/weird but also not a good person... then you take this random life anecdote as some inspiration to draw on.

Sorry, this probably wasn't the best source of inspo to give. I just didn't know how else to start this off. :/

Asked this on my APS blog once. Now I wanna ask it here.

I do have some ideas for this blog, but do you guys wanna see any posts on anything in particular?

So I was watching Daniel Thrasher’s sketch, “when your art is too deep” and… well, I’m pretty sure I can make a post outta this.

English teachers love analyzing EVERYTHING. Every word, sound, phrase, eventually the scent of the page will mean something to them someday.

OK, that’s exaggerated, but you get the point that, on some occasions, they can over analyze a little bit.

But sometimes authors don’t even put in special meaning behind a phrase or description. We just do it because…. dunno, it just feels right. Sometimes we add little details just to add details. You know, ✨spice it up.✨

Same thing for artwork. One time I just drew a bright-looking flower and a flower with cold colors next to each other, and then I got asked, “What does it represent?”

Uh…. um…. uh….

Exactly. Nothing. I did it because, I dunno, I just like blue and purple? It… it didn’t really represent anything, I just wanted to draw it.

And yet, at the same time, when you do put in a little detail that DOES actually add depth — even just a hint of it — it feels like people don’t pick up on it. Then again, you could just be not “prominent” enough, but still!

In other words: sometimes, the things I write are not that deep.

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?

OK, OK, let me calm down. Deep breath in, deep breath out.

I did the dumbest thing ever.

It was a little.... 'challenge'for me, shall we say. That challenge?

....

I reread a couple chapters of APS book one and now I can say, fully...

B1 is not garbage.

.

.

.

.

.

.

It is the entire dumpster.

No, the entire landfill.

I knowthis ramble might show how B1 isn't such a good book, but listen, no matter what this book is to other people — good, bad, whatever — it's always gonna be crap in my eyes now.

WHAT THE HECK. SOME OF THE SENTENCES.

W H A T. W H A T?WHY DID I WRITE THEM?

Why is this so bad? How did you guys even read this? HOW? I am sosorry! Just... this.The cringe I feel right now expands beyond the fricking cosmos. That sentence makes no sense! NONE OF MY SENTENCES MAKE SENSE BUT AGGGHHHHHH! WHY?! HOW DID I DO SUCH A BAD JOB? IS IT JUST BECAUSE IT’S BEEN A DAMN FIVE MONTHS OR SOMETHING?

*Deep breath out...*

I’m calm. I’m calm. This is a normal author thing where we just bash and insult our books. I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine….

But seriously…. book one was just… sigh. It was something.

Alright, there are maybe a few parts that are OK, but man… some chapters are just… no. Just no. I can’t deal with it. Who the hell wrote this?

…Oh wait, that’s a dumb question.

Sorry, sorry, I’m just writhing in regret.

This is going to sound like THE DUMBEST, WEIRDEST question I’ve ever asked, but it IS for a reason:

What…. what colors do you think give off APS vibes?

”Cheeto, what the hell?”

I dunno man! Please, just… answer it if you can. It’s for a thing.

(This isn’t necessary to say but: don’t say “rainbow.” APS probably does not remind anyone of rainbows, but still, that one compilation of colors is off-limits.)

Been trying to make the meme collages a little more put-together and neater. I think I did a good job with that on this meme set.

Also, the larger meme (on the left) can technically apply to just writing in general I guess, XD.

On a completely unrelated note: I really like the sweating bear meme. I don’t know why, it’s just cute.

(And yeah… compliments can make me kinda anxious 😅)