Writing

The Broken Rose: Chapter 26 – Picked By a Rose

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 1 Comment

The Broken Rose Page

<–Chapter 25                                                                                                                                 Chapter 27–>

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer:  The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here.  The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.
CHAPTER ARTWORK DISCLAIMER: THE FEATURED ARTWORK FOR THIS CHAPTER IS BY NVALKYRJA. THE PICTURE HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY ALTERED IN APPEARANCE AND TO INCLUDE THE CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE.  ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE ARTIST.

*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******

Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.

Author’s Note: This chapter is pretty much the pure smut I promised.  It’s actually much lighter than what I had originally.  I will eventually post the more X-rated version (though this one is still certainly MA).  Editing smut is much more difficult than editing regular romance.  There’s a fine line between decent erotica and unintentional hilarity, and I hope I fall on the side of the former.  Don’t laugh at me too hard if I don’t.

Aeris changes her mind to delightful results about something she once feared.

Artwork of Aeris and Sephiroth. Aeris is right side up on the left looking at Sephiroth who is upside down on the right.  Chapter 26 Picked by a Rose is in the upper left corner.

The winter would ravage with thick spilling snow that silver would still always best.  He went out more often than Aeris, of course, to mayoral duties’ demand.  It was less, though, than summer for little required immediate response.  His tasks were more to avail his aid for any pressing concern, and monsters of course, always that rigor that kept his instincts sharp.

When Sephiroth left, whatever the need, his thoughts were of always his Aeris.  The joy that would beam through his heart at return that gave the rents a sweeter purpose.  It spread through his veins and bled through his skin, his flower’s ecstasy.  At sight of me…her once murderer.  I don’t want to leave yet I do.  Knowing her presence ever awaits me makes Heaven’s Gate utter truth.

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The State of the Writer: 9/6/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 6 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 8/23/20         The State of the Writer: 9/6/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 0

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 250,448
Prior Word Count: 250,199
Word Difference: +249
Status: Editing
Progress: Finished first edit of Chapter 26

I finished the first edit some time last week and added in all of the additional text I felt was necessary.  I am going to do a move explicit version (maybe I’ll password protect it or something, giving it out to anyone who requests?  Idk I’ll figure it out lol), but it’s not like this version is tame by any means :p  I’m on vacation for the next two weeks, and my goal is to finish editing and posting the rest of the story as I only have one chapter left after this.  I love this piece and I still have a lot of offshoot story ideas to explore with it, but I really want to have the main story up prior to November so I can focus on NaNo, plus I’d like to re-edit and start looking into self-publishing my short story in the interim and prep for NaNo as well.

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The State of the Writer: 8/23/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 19 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 8/9/20         The State of the Writer: 9/6/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 1

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 250,199
Prior Word Count: 250,796
Word Difference: -597
Status: Editing
Progress: First edit of Chapter 26

It is so much more difficult to edit smut than it is to do general editing lol.  I think it’s because it’s so easy for something like this to veer into cheesy and hilarious territory.  I mean we’ve all read bad smut/poorly planned erotica and it’s not the vibe I’m going for.  I’ve cut a lot of things out.  Some of it might find its way into the more explicit version; other parts are definitely gone to stay.  I only have less than a page left to edit, but I really need to bring my A game because it’s definitely one of those that could be laughably bad if done wrong.

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The State of the Writer: 8/9/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 8 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 7/26/20         The State of the Writer: 8/23/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 2

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 250,796
Prior Word Count: 251,552
Word Difference: -756
Status: Editing
Progress: First edit of Chapter 26

The artist of this week’s pic is a long time favorite of mine.  She, too, writes Aeriseph and is a talented illustrator to boot.  Her story Border of Taboo is actually available in physical format on Amazon (???) which…is now making me very curious how she managed to avoid copyright issues with Squeenix???  I may have to investigate this.

…

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The Broken Rose: Chapter 25 – Winter’s Rose

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 7 Comments

The Broken Rose Page

<–Chapter 24                                                                                                                                 Chapter 26–>

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer:  The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here.  The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.

*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******

Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.

Aeris learns to cherish the beauty of winter even as she worries over the new aspect of their relationship.

The image of a white rose with dark around the edges. The words “Chapter 25 Winter’s Rose” are in the top left corner.

The sky and the shore had become one, blended to winter white.  Not even the sea dare disturb monochrome.  It murmured within its grey shroud.  Frost painted lace upon the large window leading out to the balcony.  A winter tableau scattering light as the day waxed coldly around.

Heaven’s Gate guarded a far different world where the little Cetra still slept.  Sunk in her own sea of blankets and pillows where the mattress couched her within warmth.  Delicate fingers curled upon softness, one set held near her face.  Thick blankets had been pulled up to her ear, though chestnut swam over the folds.  Behind soft shut lids, she clutched at dream webs that made her slightly frown.  Not quite a whimper escaped from her lips, and she was happy to just let them go.

Just to ensure no dark would catch her, Aeris opened her eyes.  That green’s bright was summer unstolen, though winter still ruled the air.  Not here.  She yawned, deliciously warm and wriggling with delight.  She blinked several times, always to ensure that this life was the truth and no vision, but it was more a formality now.  Two hundred and seventy-one days.  It’s been that long since last I was raped and beaten.  The maid slipped a hand over her slender neck with its shiny scar circled around.  The only chains allowed there were of her own placing, bearing jewels of adornment not harm.  Her wrists and ankles had them, too.  My entire body’s a scar.

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The State of the Writer: 7/26/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 4 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 7/12/20         The State of the Writer: 8/9/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 1

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 251,552
Prior Word Count: 251,855
Word Difference: -303
Status: Editing
Progress: Prepping to post

I’m going back and forth on whether or not I need to do a third edit.  I did make some changes in the second, but I can’t decide if they were major enough for at least another read through.  Idk.  I have started looking for potential chapter covers, so it seems like my brain is telling me that’s what I should be doing lol.  I do still need to write the summary, but whether I do a final edit or not,  I should have the chapter posted before the end of the week.

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The State of the Writer: 7/12/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 6 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 6/28/20         The State of the Writer: 7/26/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 3

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 251,855
Prior Word Count: 252,087
Word Difference: -232
Status: Editing
Progress: First edit of Chapter 25

This chapter is so much longer than I want it to be.  It’s like 40 Word pages, and I really want to at least half it.  There’s only one more after this, so either way we’re nearing the end of this project ♥

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The Broken Rose: Chapter 24 – Juxtaposition

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 4 Comments

The Broken Rose Page

<–Chapter 23                                                                                                                                 Chapter 25–>

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer:  The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here.  The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.
Chapter artwork disclaimer: the featured artwork for this chapter is entitled SEPHIROTH DAKIMAKURA by ZYEPHENS-INSANITY who graciously allowed me to use their work.  THE PICTURE HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY ALTERED IN APPEARANCE AND TO INCLUDE THE CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE.  ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE ARTISTs.

*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******

Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.

Aeris discovers a simple solution to what she believed insurmountable.

Artwork of a mostly naked Sephiroth. Either his silver hair or a similarly covered sheet is covering his crotch while wrapped around his legs. His left arm is lifted so his fingers are in his hair and he has a seductive expression (this…was really difficult to do an image description for haha *blush*)

The winter that shadowed his skin marked the Whispers in covers of endless snow, but no one here suffered and none ever froze, least of all his tiny flower.  She bloomed in the whirling, shielded from cold by her angel and Heaven’s Gate. 

Aeris loved watching the shimmering dance of winter light conquering sands.  Where one white ended to other’s begin, the Cetra did try to divine.  Sitting and sipping hot chocolate or tea, as she stared out the seated window.  If Sephiroth joined her, she’d climb on his lap, giggling to perpetual sigh.  Humming to wiggle, she’d tilt back her head, lighting emerald with equal desire.

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The State of the Writer: 6/28/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 6 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 6/14/20         The State of the Writer: 7/12/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 3

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 252,087
Prior Word Count: 251,669
Word Difference: +418
Status: Editing
Progress: Prepping to post Chapter 24

I probably could’ve posted the next chapter prior to this update, but I want to do one more mini edit beforehand.  I was also waiting to hear back from the artist on the picture I wanted to use, and it took me forever to think of a chapter title.  I’m pretty happy with it, but it could still potentially change in the future.  I’ll probably have it up before the end of the day.

Project: Story Audio Recording
Title: Northern Lights
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Length: Novel
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Status: Editing
Progress: Adding pictures for slideshow

I’m over 50 images at this point and a little over ten minutes.  It’s been going pretty smoothly since I’m at the part where she goes to the church, and there are a shit ton of images of that especially with the Remake out and all.  I ran into a bit of a snag because there’s a part where I’m thinking of a picture I’ve used before.  Now, this isn’t technically an “issue.”  I’ve already repeated an image, but I did it for a specific reason.  I’m trying not to repeat unless I’m attempting to make a specific point (whatever visual point I could possibly make as a non-visual arts person ugh, I’m going to just apologize profusely when I post this lol), so I have three options.  One, think of another image for the latest; think of another image for the older, or three, use the same image for both.  I’m leaning towards the middle choice, since I think the image would better serve where I am now and I might already have another image for the prior.  I left it last night to give myself a day to ruminate.

I’m trying to figure out ways to post this where I can just give people the password if they ask, because I know it’ll probably get flagged on YouTube for copyright stuff.  I’m not making any money off of it, nor do I want to.  I just want to share it, but it’s tricky when you’re pretty much using other artists’ stuff to showcase your own.  What’s weird is I’ve seen people selling books of their fanfictions, but I believe they’re only charging for cost, though I think that can still get dicey.  I’ll try to figure it out.  Speaking of which I have thought about printing out more copies of Northern Lights and doing some for The Broken Rose (I did NL and gave it to a friend), but I’d have to see how much it would cost.  It would be a fun project especially since my illustrator friend wants to do a picture for each chapter ♥

In Progress

  • Game Reviews: Final Fantasy VI – I’m finally on the World of Ruin, which is taking less time to summarize as I knew it would.  I’m hoping to be done with the summary soon so I can move on to the story analysis, but that’s going to take some organizing lol.
  • Blogger Tags: A Sunshine Blogger Award from A Geeky Gal – More catching up on blogger tags with yet another Sunshine Blogger Award lol.  You’d think I actually liked the sun with how many of these I get, but I appreciate everyone ♥

I’ve been thinking a lot about self-publishing my short story.  I think that’s going to be my next project after I get The Broken Rose finished up and posted.  I want to start work on my original novel after that, and I’m hoping I’ll be done TBR in time for that to be my NaNoWriMo project.  I feel a bit disorganized right now, and I hate it lol.  I have this fallacious idea that if I could just put everything in order/plan it out, my life will fall into place, but I can never quite manage to do that because life is messy.  I think I could outline a game plan, buuuut it’s not like I haven’t done that before lol.  Oh well, you have to keep your plans up to date with the times, so maybe another “WTF Am I Planning to Do Now” post wouldn’t be a bad idea.

<–The State of the Writer: 6/14/20         The State of the Writer: 7/12/20–>

The State of the Writer: 6/14/20

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 10 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 5/31/20         The State of the Writer: 6/28/20–>

A post updated every other Sunday discussing my current writing projects and any completed the prior two weeks.

Finished Projects: 0

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Length: Novel
Current Word Count: 251,669
Prior Word Count: 251,992
Word Difference: -323
Status: Editing
Progress: Finished first edit of Chapter 24

I finished the first edit last night, but I still have a lot to add in.  I’m trying to do the initial edit first method, marking where I need to add additional text, adding it, then doing the second edit afterwards.  I kind of think of it like icing a cake.  You get the crumb coat on first, locate the trouble spots and fix them, then do another coat.  It makes sense in my ridiculous head lol.

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