C. Gockel's Blog, page 40
October 14, 2015
superheroesincolor:
Jedi Michonne by PJ McQuade
“Tatooine has...
Jedi Michonne by PJ McQuade“Tatooine has been infected with a deadly rash of zombie Stormtroopers. Who ya gonna call? Michonne from The Walking Dead of course!
Pay attention JJ Abrams.“
You can get TWD series here
[ Follow SuperheroesInColor on facebook / twitter / tumblr ]
I approve of this myth mashup!
Another author friend from the Paranormal 13, Dima Zales, is...
Another author friend from the Paranormal 13, Dima Zales, is having a sale today on three books in his bestselling series. 99¢ right now, but I don’t know how long. Pick it up on the Zon, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, or GooglePlay
Peeps who found me through the Paranormal 13 probably are also...
Peeps who found me through the Paranormal 13 probably are also fans of Christine Pope. She’s just released Spellbound, a new book in her popular Cleopatra Hill series. If you’re fans of the Cleaopatra Hill witches pick it up on Zon, iBooks, Kobo, Nook, or GooglePlay.
October 12, 2015
Ultimate Tasertricks fic rec list (AO3 edition)
*means highly recommended
**means IF YOU SHIP THIS YOU HAVE TO READ THIS ITS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
Amazaballs series:
Blue series by startrekfanwriter
* Blue
Multi-Chapter
Darcy is characterised very well in this fic. Featuring Jotun!Loki, this fic is filled with a lot of Loki angst and feels
Fjolnir
One-shot
Part of the Blue universe. Loki confronts Odin, ensuring lots of Father-Son feels. Ends on a very sweet note. Vivid descriptions.
Mistletoe (a blue Christmas)
One-shot
Part of the Blue universe. Sweet and fluffy. Read this during Christmas (or whenever because its always Christmas in our hearts)
The Magic Kingdom
One-shot
Part of the Blue universe.
Folkin’ Around verse by DemonQueen666
The entire series is one huge fic, going through Loki and Darcy building a friendship, to mutual crushes and FINALLY a relationship.
** Kill all the pretty lies
Multi-chapter
You have no idea, this fic is so well written and has amazing fanart illustrations of the chapters. Featuring fem!Loki and Darcy’s life outside of Jane’s sciencing. Very good read, I couldn’t put it down. Loki and Darcy friendship.
*Building a Playlist For a Friendship
One-shot
This fic features the complications and difficulties maintaining a friendship with Loki pertains. Accurate characterisation of both Loki and Darcy. Very realistic situation too.
* a burning in your heart
One-shot
Featuring brotherly feels between Thor and Loki. As usual, very well written. Characterisation for our Asgardian princes are spot on.
Shadow Puppets
Multi-Chapter
Loki and Steve develop a reluctant friendship after working together to get a boy. Seriously, this author gets her characters’ personalities on point.
* Ne'er Say We Die
Multi-Chapter
Inter-realm awesomeness and pirate fun. Features lots of Asgardian goodness. Darcy and Loki finally get romantically involved. Again, captivating and well written.
** We Are Our Own Folklore
Multi-Chapter
This fic is more Loki-centric and involves him shape-shifting to fem!Loki again in order to survive and get back to Darcy. I also have 3 words for you to convince you to read this: Pole dancing Loki.
High Priestess In Red
One-shot
This is not really tasertricks but its part of the series and VERY well written. The language description is just…… poetry basically. This fic is Wanda (comic Wanda)-centric and features Loki as a magic instructor.
The Tale Of Winter’s Daughter
Multi-Chapter
Again, not really focused on tasertricks but instead, their daughter. But still, a good read.
there’s more but I haven’t read them yet. here they are if you want to read them though.
Stories Left For Another Day (incomplete)
In the shadow of the crossroads (incomplete)
The Orion Triology by amidtheflowers
The Stargazer’s Deal
One-shot
So Darcy really likes stars and Loki is a manipulative little shit.
The Thief’s Downfall
One-shot
So Loki really likes Darcy and Darcy is a manipulative little shit.
The Liar’s Game
One-shot
Pretty descriptions and SHIELD is a little shit.
Killing Two Birds With One Word by Orlando23
The Measure Of A God
Multi-Chapter
Natasha is educated in the happenings of sexytimes and Darcy goes to her with some questions. I thought this is a really cute discussion between 2 of my fav marvel girls.
Midgardians Are Easy
Multi-Chapter (incomplete)
Darcy’s inner monologue is really funny, but not inaccurate at all.
Fast Food by BuzzCat
So basically Darcy takes Loki out to enjoy midgardian cuisine.
Where You Go vs Where You End Up
One-shot
Roommate AU. Darcy and Loki friendship. idk I thought this fic was really cute.
Weird But Good
One-shot
Turning and Turning by of_raven_wings
** The Blood-Dimmed Tide
Multi-Chapter
OK so OHMYGOD JUST GO READ THIS NOW. The writing is just amazing, its like reading art and the plot is sooo good and it really draws you in and just go read pls. Post-Avengers but realistic so the economy is down and everything is in ruins, Loki is a prisoner, Darcy somehow gets assigned to watch him. Mama Frigga is manipulative. Also, the butchering of Norse mythology but heh, Marvel does that anyway. Just so you know, this is VERY dark. Trigger warning for torture and sexual harassment/rape.
The Star-Filled Sky
Multi-Chapter (incomplete)
The sequel to TBDT. Personally, I feel that this fic is kinda slow and pales in comparison to the first one. The writing is still amazing but I find the plot too still. Also, I think this fic is even darker than the first if that is possible. Trigger warning for depression and cutting.
Food = Caring = Food by fructosebat
** With Pie
PLEASE READ THIS ONE ITS REALLY REALLY GOOD. The plot is very simple, really, but its simplicity is astoundingly captivating and wonderful and there is so much cuteness and fluff. The fic goes from Loki being a little shit to Loki being Darcy’s best friend to eventually them being lovers. Also, pie fixes mental illness.
Burned Risotto and Failure Cookies
idk. I think that this fic would have been better if simply left at the end of With Pie. This fic is more domestic and focuses on Darcy and Loki’s relationship on Midgard. Also, Loki is still a little shit to Thor.
Darcy, Loki and the Yarn Store by Hermaline75
All human AU. Interesting plot, well written text. Loki has lots of issues and lots of sex. This series can be summed up in 4 words: Bisexual Loki likes sex.
* The Cat Formerly Known As Prince by ibided
Basically, Loki shapeshifted into a cat and manipulated his way into being Darcy’s pet. Also, ALMOST EVERY SINGLE PART IS REALLY FLUFFY with the exception of some which have Loki being a lil shit.
The Cat Formerly Known As Prince
One-shot
The Former Prince
One-shot
A Generous Application Of Hugs And Kisses
One-shot
Question Time
One-shot
How To Win Friends And Manipulate People
One-shot
* Moments
One-shot
ASDFGHJKL FLUFF OVERLOAD
Dancing Lessons
One-shot
Whose Daughter?
One-shot
kinda hurt/comfort
* Tangled
One-shot
LOKITTY IS BEING TOO ADORABLE FOR HIS OWN GOOD OHMYGOD SEND THE PARAMEDICS IVE GOT A HEART ATTACK
In The Middle Of The Night
Multi-Chapter
* Lokitty Chronicles by canterburyfic
okok, I confess I may be biased towards all things Lokitty. But seriously, this series is really good!
That Darn Cat
Multi-Chapter
Really cute, kinda cracky, all in all very captivating. There is not a groundbreaking, million dollar plot to this fic but Loki(tty)’s interactions with Darcy and Avengers is enough to suck you in.
Salem, Avenger (incomplete)
Multi-Chapter
* Darcy cycle by Aria
Holy mama Frigga, all I have to say is that this fic is a literal masterpiece. The writing alone makes me want to orgasm, ITS SO BEAUTIFUL its like the mona lisa was put into words no joke. The plot of this series itself is quite simple and follows Norse mythology but its the writing style that makes this truly magical.
Sigyn (binding is not punishment)
One-shot
Ragnarok (release tips the balance)
One-shot
Magnanumous Completed Multi-Chapters:
Salve by Nemhaine42
Takes place immediately after the Avengers. Thor can’t nurse, Loki is hurt, Darcy helps. A really sweet and well written fic.
You Can Make Me Feel by anothersouladrift
A bunch of connected one-shots inspired by single word prompts.
In Which Nobody Is Normal Because Normal Is Boring by IffyJr1512
Not really tasertricks, even though tasertricks IS involved. Told from Bruce’s point of view, this fic features cute Avengers shenanigans that Bruce pays witness to daily. I love this fic because of the writing style which is unique and these headcanons are truly adorable.
** The Subconscious Speaks Volumes by daxcat79
Ok so this fic is really good and well written. The plot is gets quite personal with our fav characters and contains lots of interesting twists. 1 word: inception.
* Black Ice by of_raven_wings
Also the author of the series Turning and Turning, this author HAS SOME SERIOUSLY WICKED WRITING SKILLS. I can’t even with the intense descriptions that are so vivid and so poetic. Porn with plot, this fic is really amazing. Its very gentle and intimate.
That one time Darcy Lewis outsnarked the God of Mischief by Ambrosia
Amazing sarcasm and snark from both parties. Smut. Well written and a wonderful fic in general.
Magic for Beginners by Vera (Vera_DragonMuse)
All human AU. This fic has a very captivating plot and comprehensible text. Loki is a magician and Darcy somehow becomes his assistant. Go read it, seriously.
** In the Service of Liars and Killers by MildredJosephine
YOU HAVE TO READ THIS FIC OK. Taking place during the Avengers, Loki basically mind-controls Darcy into minionhood and he slowly falls for her. The plot is so well thought out and amazing I love this fic so much.
* Three Days by mischiefgoddesscomplex
Go and read this now. Its very smutty, very sweet and very well written. The plot is not OHMYGOD CALL A MOVIE PRODUCER, in fact, its quite simple. Its the descriptive writing that really makes this fic stellar.
** Utter Darkness by ElegantMess
This is no joke, after I read this, I felt like I had been reborn. THIS FIC CAN HAVE MY CHILDREN. A wonderful combination of angst, smut and hurt/comfort, this fic is superb. The plot is engrossing and riddled with plot twists and the writing is beautifully colourful. Warning for pervy Loki, torture and feels.
Daily Disasters by concavepatterns
Lots of snark, lots of sexual tension, lots of hilarious Darcy internal monologue. This fic is really good and features some hot sexytime.
Watch Them As They Fall by mischiefgoddesscomplex
This fic features the cliché fake marriage trope pulled off with the skilful writing of aforementioned author.
** Shine Without Fear by Yavannie
Go read this now. Its really amazing and the plot pulls many Quicksilvers (you did not see that coming?) . This fic is told from several different points of view as our Avengers get separated. This is so well written and ridiculously original, I really love this fic so much.
** Not Without A Fight by concavepatterns
Is it possible to marry fanfiction? Cos that is what I want to do whenever I read this. Loki is a little shit, Darcy is a dedicated friend and Jane is well… dying. This takes place during TDW and is basically how I was praying the movie would go.
Little Visits by concavepatterns
ok guys, really. see this person ^ here is repeated several times throughout this list because really, she’s a hella good writer. just read everything she write’s and you’re good. This fic is FRIGGIN BANANABALLS and I find really cute.
** A Morbid Taste For Ice by sitehound
THIS IS ONE OF THE FICS THAT GOT ME SHIPPING TASERTRICKS!!! It is legit so amazing and the plot is so organised and Loki is a lil shit but he’s also kinda sad cos reasons I will not give away JUST READ IT! This fic is like a murder mystery crossed with fantasy featuring OTP meaning PERFECTION.
** Captivated by leftylain
Fun fact: did you know that if you use the filter on the side of the AO3 webpage and use kudos as the form of organisation, THIS FIC BECOMES THE FIRST BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST KUDOS-ED TASERTRICKS FIC ON AO3?! I think that speaks for itself. Go read this. Also, pre-Thor Prince Loki :)))
* Manic Taser Dream Girl by anniemar
Post TDW featuring agent Darcy and fluff and smut and crack and I cannot with this fic just read please.
The Devil Wears Armani by crazynoona
All human AU where Loki is Darcy’s hot sexy drool-worthy boss. There is a lot of hot smut in this. Very well written smut may I add. There are traces of plot.
Appeal to My Humanity by JessiokaFroka
It says its not complete but it is don’t worry.
* Blame it on the Vodka by dhauren
Extremely very amazingly well written. Has lots of feels and Loki snark. Great humor and a unique plot. Go read this please.
** The Flip Side by paynesgrey
OK WOW so this fic has such an amazing plot that is totally one of a kind, praise this author’s brain!!! Daddy Odin sucks, Loki is a mean shit even without a body and Darcy is the poor victim caught in the middle of it all. This is superbly written. Both Darcy and Loki’s internal monologues are spot on in character. MUST READ. Warning for torture and outrage of modesty(???) well if you possess someone’s body, it technically is an outrage of modesty and more i’m sure
Magnificent Incomplete Multi-Chapters:
note: I will not review/rate these because they’re not completed yet but yeah, join me in painful wait for updates
Roses Through The Frost by MirandaInFandomland
The Poetic Edda (was almost entirely wrong) by PhoenixVictoria
Bound In Their Bones by LadyofLate
There’s A God Under My Bed by Q_it
Make Your Move by concavepatterns
False Engagement by mischiefslady
Indispensable by Judge_Jury_Executioner
Smoke & Mirrors by
LaTessitrice
Everybody Wants To Rule The World by
fudebusho
The Snow Globe by MischiefsLady
Ohmygod One-shots:
** A Little Wiggle And Bounce by leftylain
Smut
Loki is a manipulative little shit. Darcy strip teases.
* Don’t Mix Your Drinks by ThePenguinOfDeath
Smut.
2 words: drunk sex
let me bite, says the serpent by VesperRegina
Dirty talking Loki. heh.
* The Talk by Joanacchi
Crack + Smut
This is more between Thor and Loki. This is absolutely hilarious honestly. Thor asks Loki how to pleasure Jane properly. Loki demonstrates with a Darcy clone.
Not Exactly the Worst Birthday Ever (by a longshot) by leftylain
Smut
Ok, so just know that this author is literally the goddess of smut writing.
Tight Spaces by concavepatterns
Smut
Loki and Darcy get stuck in an elevator together. Things escalate (and i’m not talking about the elevator, that thing aint movin)
** Dear Darcy by crazynoona
Angst kinda, feels
This fic will break your feels guarantee it.
Worship by mischiefgoddesscomplex
Hot valentines day smut. Need I say more?
Darkness by of_raven_wings
Hurt/Comfort, Angst
THE WORDS ARE TOO BEAUTILFUL I CAN’T. Loki saves Darcy
Warning: Rape
Sex On The Beach by MistressofLoki
Smut thrown in with some crack for good measure.
Loki misunderstands Darcy. (not that either is complaining well maybe thor is)
** Inn Mistaka by LadyCharliEM
THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY A SHORT ONE-SHOT ITS A REALLY GOOD LONG STORY THAT IS SIMPLY AMAZING AND YOU HAVE TO READ IT. THIS IS UNDER ONE-SHOTS BECAUSE THE AUTHOR POSTED THE ENTIRE FIC IN ONE CHAPTER THUS IT QUALIFIES AS A ONE-SHOT.
** 23 Skidoo by SilverRumRunner
THIS IS AMAZING I LOVE THIS GO READ!
THIS LITERALLY COULD HAVE BEEN A DELETED SCENE FROM THOR TDW. (meaning, my brain has accepted this as headcanon)
Under Ether by Lunik
Wonderful, hilarious crack.
So Darcy is babysitting a Loki doped on drugs. That’s it. That’s the plot. (and I love it)
Libations of Defeat by paynesgrey
Smut.
So… impromptu outdoor sex.
To: Frosty by vindiya
Fluff galore.
An absotootly adorable fic that is a must read during Christmas time.
* Run Softly, For I Speak Not Loud or Long by Allecto & blackbird
ok so someone actually recommended this to me and it is really amazing. Its a full blown story too and is very sweet. There is a sort of reference to the comics/mythology in the sense that Loki gets his mouth sown shut. Smut, hurt/comfort, fluff.
Definitely Not Human by LokiOfSassgaard
Crackish Smut.
Very, very awkward sex. Loki makes a fool of himself as Jotun sex has some… unexpected happenings.
Echo by ohmyloki
Ends on a very sweet note. This features in-the-process-of-trying-to-be-redeemed!Loki.
Of Pranks and Switching Bodies by Crack. So much crack.
Basically our Hiddlestoner joke about Tom’s seemingly never ending legs and Tasertricks pull a Freaky Friday. Also, Loki is a sappy romantic.
** And Then Shawarma by SilverRumRunner
Fluff + Crack.
This fic is a very much realistic way Tasertricks could possibly meet. Marvel should literally do a one-shot after this one-shot no joke. (AHEM AHEM HINT HINT MARVEL PLEASE) Immediate post-Avengers, the team eats Shawarma and Darcy babysits the megalomaniacal Norse god.
* Down the Rabbit Hole by psychollama
Smut
Darcy gets mind controlled by Loki and the Tesseract apparently ships Tasertricks. Very hot.
Blueberry by amidtheflowers
Smut
On a hot day, Jotun sex is a very good idea.
* Thou Makest a Cunning Linguist by Tawryn
Crackish smut
I can totally imagine Darcy doing this during sexytimes. Every time I read this, I have to continually pause and walk the second hand embarrassment off. I cringe for Darcy every time
**
I Find the Silence Bearable With You by spikewriter
This is amazing, beautiful, if slightly angsty, fluff. Its so well written and just wow. This fic explores each character’s own depths to their own extent. Wonderful Thor and Loki relationship dynamics and mouth foaming tasertricks budding friendship.
~to be continued as new works arise~
Got my start writing fanfic. Blue, my Loki/Darcy fic is listed at the top of the list.
October 11, 2015
mangaka-soldier:
I took a break from commissions and this...
I took a break from commissions and this happened, so have a myth!Loki. Also I’m a bit late but yesterday was demon-dean’s birthday! you can still go and wish them a happy birthday~
Don’t repost and don’t delete the caption, thanks.
"I did not unzip my chest to every kind of hurt, and stagger back, wounded and alive, just to hear..."
- Sigyn, probably. (via incorrectedda)
October 10, 2015
I Redid My Covers
I redid my covers. It took a long time. I entered this self-publishing thing accidentally–or rather, after being nagged by my husband about writing fanfiction for free. I didn’t think anyone could make money at this, and so didn’t invest a lot in my covers. Go ahead, go to my Goodreads page, laugh at my first attempts.
Anywho, I had to bootstrap this adventure from the beginning because finances were tight when the hubby was nagging (Hmmm, a connection there?) I didn’t feel comfortable spending on “me” at the time. To complicate things, I have two kids, and also was working when I started, so I eventually settled on a style that I could do myself and relatively quickly. To their credit, my old covers were branded, bright, and easy to read. They did have that in their favor.
This time last year I was making, well, so little I thought I might have to go out and find a real job (my freelancing was slow at the time.) I figured that my appeal was limited. The whole Loki series is written in 3rd person present tense. Some people love it, most don’t care, some people write me nasty notes about it. It also has a lot of nudges and winks at popular culture, I thought they were funny, realistic in their own way (if Loki showed up outside your house today of course you’d compare him to That Other Loki). Also, one of the themes of the series is that all myths are real, but slightly off. Some people love it. Some people hate it.
There is romance in my stories, but it’s kind of the “warts and all” type romance with the naughty bits off-screen. And the HEA is a long time coming. So, kind of miss that audience, too.
I knew I had to rebrand, but frankly, I wasn’t sure how much I should spend on a series with limited appeal. But then I had BookBub #3 or #4, and I dunno, things happened. I started making more money–reliably 4k a month. I saved my pennies for many months and wound up going with Damonza after at first trying to paint figures myself. I am a decent painter, but not good enough. Also, I just don’t have the time and it was really stressing me out.
Are the new covers working? Errr … yeah. Oddly, not so much on the first in series as on the second in series and follow ups. Since the first is FREE on Zon, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, GooglePlay and the rest are paid I’m not sure I mind that all that much. (Look how years of marketing have made me write FREE automatically in all-caps. Darn. Did it again.)
Do I think I’ll keep these covers forever? No. I think covers have to be changed, maybe every 5 years or so, or they will grow stale. Heck, maybe they’ll grow stale in the next three months. From my days in marketing I know that people get tired of looking at the same thing over and over again. Feel free to revive this thread in three months, or ping me and ask.
Why is Loki wearing French armor? Because he and my heroine go to visit the elves and while he’s there tries to blend in and not wear his more high-tech-video-game-meets knight-in-shining-armor- chic, because elves are stuck in the 12th century. Sheesh, I thought it would be obvious! (Actually, the stock art selection of guys in armor is somewhat limited, so we used what we could. But I like the first story better.) Regardless, the cover conveys the genre, which I think is more important than accuracy.
Your books are funny, but the cover doesn’t say that, why? Only the people who’ve read my books would say that, but it’s one of the first thing they ask (sometimes even before, “Shouldn’t Amy’s hair be lighter?” and “What is with the French armor?”) The reason is because humor’s really hard to do. But, I’ve been told most frequently that my books are “quirky like the Dresden Files.” So I looked at those covers, and they don’t convey humor. Well, there is that one where he is riding the dinosaur. All my books have dinosaurs! But having them on the cover confused people. Too many people thought the stories were about paleontology. See? Humor’s hard to do!
Should you redo your covers? I don’t know. I really don’t. You know your financial situation better than I do. Some people have savings to spend, some people can put such things on credit, some have OBLIGATIONS and can’t, you know, spend their kids’ shoe money on book covers. (Darn those kids, and their dog too! Actually, we don’t have a dog.) Also, there are some good things to be said about seeing if your series has legs. I know people out there with beautiful covers who are in niches where maybe there just isn’t the market.
Last time I said things were looking up, KU1 came out and my sales were cut by 50% … maybe I’m jinxing myself with this post. But it seems like a way to plop a penny into the well of collective wisdom and hopefully karma. Maybe it will help you decide if you want to rebrand now, or wait until your series is done. Maybe it will make you decide that you don’t really need to have the PERFECT cover, and the cover you have that conveys the genre is enough. Also, maybe seeing that someone started out as badly as I did, without a plan or even a clue, will give some people hope.
Seriously, ask me again in three months if it was worth it. I’ll know better then.
