March 2024 Mail Club

Y'all, it's been a hecking month. Here's some of what I've been working on (and why I haven't posted as much).

How to Write a Ruthless Character

A ruthless character is all about the endgame. They don’t care how they get there, lying, cheating, using others, it’s all fair game as long as they win. When writing them, show how they can cut off any distractions or emotions, making decisions that others would hesitate over.

These characters don't let feelings get in the way. Compassion, guilt, regret? Nah, they don’t have time for that. Show how they can turn off their emotions and make choices purely based on logic. They’ll do things that seem heartless to everyone else, but for them, it’s just another part of the plan. It’s not that they don’t feel anything, they just choose not to.

Boundaries? What boundaries? A ruthless character doesn’t care about rules unless they can bend them to get ahead. They’ll do things no one else dares, crossing lines others are too scared to even approach. The more uncomfortable their actions make people, the more it emphasizes just how far they’re willing to go. For them, pushing limits is just another day.

They don’t act on impulse. Every move they make is planned, and every risk they take is calculated. They weigh the pros and cons before acting, and they’re always three steps ahead of everyone else. Writing a ruthless character means showing that they’ve already figured out how to win while everyone else is still trying to figure out the rules.

Betrayal is their go-to move when things get tough. Friends, allies, even people who trust them, no one is safe. They’ll turn on anyone if it benefits them. And the best part? They’ll sleep just fine afterward. Show how others react to their betrayals, shocked, hurt, furious, while your ruthless character shrugs it off like, “It had to be done.”

if you have any questions or feedback on writing materials, please send me an email at Luna-azzurra@outlook.com ✍🏻

I think at some point in time we need to sit down and start explaining to artist who want to make a career out of art that there are FAR more options than just "living off of commissions" and "posting my art online and praying I get paid for it".

Omgosh tiny phoenix!

I've always made use of dragon iconography, using them to represent resilience and determination. A phoenix rises from the ashes, but a dragon doesn't burn in the first place.

But I can't always be a dragon. Sometimes I do burn. And then I have to get back up again. Right now I need to get back up, so I decided to work on a phoenix pattern. I reckon a lot of y'all need to get back up too, so remember that even a tiny phoenix rises.

Goodness gracious, how is it August already?? Well, better late than never to post these, I guess.

Pride month and Disability Pride month have both come and gone but that doesn't mean that one's pride or disabilities have just gone away. In fact, one of my invisible disabilities kicked my butt this last week, which is why I haven't been able to do much of anything besides rest. So now that I'm able to work again, it's back to finishing orders and working on Sailor Scouts.

Currently on the docket for August:

One (1) Baby alien

One (1) traditional bee

One (1) woodpecker

Sailor Scout to be determined

Oh, and one super special, super silly goose for a certain vampiric voice actor...

Anyway, here's what's left of the pride buddies!

Fishies $20 + $5 shipping

Turtles and bees $10 or 2 for $15 + $5 shipping

Less of a shop update and more of a quality of life update. Had this custom etched tip jar made to have at shows with me so even if folks might not be able to afford something in the moment, they can still offer a buck or two in appreciation of my work 💜

*Custom glasswork done by MCEtching, the QR code pictured links to his Ko-Fi page, where he also has a shop of his own. He makes other items besides just jars and glassware (he's been doing jewelry lately), like the lovely worry stone as seen in my hand. 💜

Hi all you little neurospicy folk :) relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, drink some water (no, coffee, monster, or any other thing containing water that is not water do not count), eat a snacky snack, get up and walk a few steps if you can :)

thats it :) have a great day :)

Me: I don't get it. I thought I was doing a lot better than I was a few years ago. I'm like 10 times more on top of things than I used to be. How does everything feel terrible now?

The Tiny Me in OSHA-approved Hi-Vis Gear Who lives in my brain and pulls all the levers: Boss, it's the fascism. You're completely gunked up with cortisol due to the fact that your entire daily life is now underscored with a haunting awareness of the rapid erosion of your rights, dignity, and any and all social safety nets, and you're also bearing witness to the most vulnerable people immediately being persecuted. This creates a natural stress response that basically means you're going to continue having memory and organizational problems, as well as emotional imbalances.

Me: BUT I HAVE A BULLET JOURNAL AND I MEDITATE NOW.

Tiny OSHA Me: BOSS, THE FASCISM.