[Uraboku] Bruises and Bitemarks (8/?)

[rooftop_sakura]

Title: Bruises and Bitemarks
Author: masanami
Character(s): Hotsuma/Shusei, mentions of Senshirou/Kuroto, Tsukumo/Touko, Takashiro, Tachibana
Word Count: 3,483
Rating: R
Warnings: Host AU. Suggestive material.
Summary: Shusei's the perfect host and Hotsuma's the perfect person to ruin everything for him.
Author's Note: Editing this chapter was a nightmare

Comments

[masanami]

First of all, thank you for leaving such a lovely comment. I actually read this comment a few days after you posted it but haven't had the time to write you an adequate reply until now. Your words are really kind and I do greatly appreciate them, just like I do all the other comments that I take to heart regarding my work.

Above all else, it really heartens me to hear that not only the story is enjoyable but the way it's written works as well. As someone who is trying to always improve my writing style I know I fret about things such as pace, atmosphere, and the other elements I use to tell the story. Sometimes it's really hard to decide if the way I'm writing really works for the general reader and not just me since I'm the one writing it! It's especially important, I believe, in this story since this is my first attempt at a truly AU story. (and yup, I did actually come up with the idea for this story while I was traveling in Japan!)

It also means a lot to hear you say that you enjoyed this story and think it is worthy of such praise amongst all the works out there for Uraboku! I know there are a lot of other really talented authors writing for Uraboku^^

I have written other stories for Hotsuma and Shusei (and one for Senshiro and Kuroto) that are all available here on my writing journal--though I will go ahead and say that I believe Bruises & Bitemarks is the best out of the bunch writer-style wise (though I really do enjoy the others for exactly what they are story-wise and how they were written at the time) simply because it's written in my most evolved and developed style (as newer works tend to be). But the stories are all the same and those I still immensely enjoy.

And I am just finishing up the final touches on the next chapter right now^^ Hopefully it will be posted this weekend ♥ So I hope the wait won't be too much longer!

[grim_dreamer]

No problem, I haven't had time to work back and give you those reviews yet, so touché!

I think your writing style is very personal, something readers can really submerge themselves in due to your choice of present tense and the fact it layers itself in the way human thoughts work in real-time. Whereabouts did you go in Japan? I've only been to Osaka. Hope you went there too; the food there is great!

Who else would you recommend me to read? I know a lot of people are shunning FFN for AO3 but it's not like many writers actually honour this fandom, so I question the point. (I don't have a stance on this debate either way, even though people send me petitions.)

Oh, and what I didn't mention previously was the surprising insertion of Yuki at the end. I had honestly forgotten about this character, despite him supposedly being the lead male. Do you have any plans for Ashley? I have a soft side for her and would like her obsession with pretty boys addressed (can't believe no one has written about it; she's just like us!)

Looking forward to your weekend update and seeing what lies in store for Shuusei and Hotsuma! Thank you very much :)

[masanami]

No worries! These chapters aren't going anywhere anytime soon^^

Ah thank you! I sometimes wonder how well present tense writing works in conveying emotions and properly adjusting the flow of the story since I feel it's not used nearly as often as past tense. It has it's limitations but with an emotionally-driven piece like this I think it works rather well.

I spent most of my time in Tokyo while I was in Japan but I did manage to get to Kyoto, Yokohama, and Kamakura! I was totally planning on making it to Osaka but didn't get there at the last minute because my funds were running low. I'm planning another tentative trip back to Japan next year and Osaka is definitely on my stopping list!

I've only really read writing that has been posted here on LJ. I've fallen out of ffnet and I hadn't heard of AO3 until just recently (so no clue about those). I'll have to dig up some links to authors on here and pass them onto you! Like those other places, though, Uraboku lacks a lot of fanfic T-T which is a shame because the series has SO much potential for great fics!

Yuki's inclusion definitely has a reason (and leads up to some things which I touch on a bit more in the next chapter)! Even his inclusion this late in the game is timed on purpose^^ I still have lots of other characters I hope to introduce in the entirely of my host AU series (and more that need development) so I'm sure you'll see a bit more of these guys and girls in the future^^