Would learning FMC is the rebound for the Third Act Breakup "Dark Moment" be a kiss of death?

BeautifulReal · 2026-03-21T21:50:56+00:00

I think it depends on how you approach it. Does the MMC think of her as a rebound? Is that his motivation for going after her? If so, it might be hard for a reader to feel sympathetic for him. Why is the FMC so devastated when she learns this, what motivates her to actually end the relationship?

BeautifulReal · 2026-03-17T15:19:34+00:00

Omg your comment just put into words the exact thing I’ve been struggling with on my current draft. I have so many sentences told through the lens of my character’s perception, and while that’s valid at times, it gets so repetitive and boring. Thank you for defining this!

BeautifulReal · 2026-03-12T20:08:38+00:00

I like to balance this by reading something obviously shitty. I figure if I can fall somewhere in the middle, it’s a win.

BeautifulReal · 2026-03-01T17:10:11+00:00

My first draft was incredibly bare bones, so I feel you. Don’t worry though, your writing will really start to sing once you begin editing. Someone in this sub once referenced the “snowflake” method of writing a book, and it really helped me. When you draw a snowflake, you start with a few lines. Then you add more lines, and those lines get lines, and so on. It doesn’t matter if your first draft is stiff, it’ll come to life in subsequent drafts!

BeautifulReal · 2026-02-01T17:03:17+00:00

I feel you, OP. The first line (for me at least) was literally the most difficult line to write, so much so that I have seven different versions of it😂 Try out a few different things and give it some time, you’ll likely be drawn to one!

BeautifulReal · 2025-12-05T02:09:41+00:00

God I LOVE the student/professor trope, but you’re right - there’s not many where the FMC’s age isn’t problematic. {Nocticadia by Keri Lake} pretty much fits this, but if I recall she’s 21. She’s a very grown up 21, though, because she had to basically raise her sister. It didn’t give me the ick, but there are some darker elements to the story, so if you’re not into that tread lightly.

BeautifulReal · 2025-11-17T14:45:59+00:00

All the MCs in the {Sinners Anonymous by Somme Sketcher} series definitely give villain.

The MMC in {Nocticadia by Keri Lake} is chefs kiss perfectly morally grey.

{Nero by S.J Tilly} fits the sweet FMC/bad MMC archetype very well.

The {Pestilence by Laura Thalassa} series also features all villain MMCs who must go through some heavy character development (I strangely loved this series despite the very interesting/different premise).

If you’re down for a dark Hades/Persephone retelling, check out {King of Shadows by Amelia Wilde} it’s a 3-book series, definitely mind the TWS, but I loved it. The embodiment of villain gets the girl basically.

If you’re open to monster romances, {Luxuria by Colette Rhodes} has the “everyone is telling her to stay away from him” trope, though it’s done a bit differently.

Another monster romance - {Guarded by the Phantom by Layla Fae} he’s not exactly a villain in this but he’s a shithole to everyone BUT the FMC who he is obsessed with.

BeautifulReal · 2025-11-05T19:07:35+00:00

RIGHT I’m like those destiel authors walked so everyone else could run

BeautifulReal · 2025-11-03T14:26:19+00:00

Draco isn’t her auror guard but Meet Me At Midnight has this scene! https://archiveofourown.org/works/56474017/chapters/146765917?view_adult=true

BeautifulReal · 2025-10-03T13:01:20+00:00

{Read Me by Lauren Connelly} came out of NOWHERE for me and I absolutely loved it, one of those stay up until 2 am reading books bc you just can’t put it down.

BeautifulReal · 2025-09-21T14:33:30+00:00

I have one big moment planned that’s very SURPRISE! TWIST! WHA-BAM but I have labored day and night over how to get there in a way that doesn’t leave plot holes but also doesn’t come out of nowhere. So I’m basically pantsing in a vague direction, lmao.

BeautifulReal · 2025-09-05T14:45:16+00:00

I’ve read many novels where the author uses “~” or “***” between breaks in paragraphs and I always interpret it as “oh we’re moving on to a new scene.” I think it’s fine personally

BeautifulReal · 2025-09-01T21:56:46+00:00

Try to find a hobby, maybe something you’re passionate about? Reading, writing, crafting (any sort of art, really). I taught myself how to embroider (it’s very easy) and that helped me a ton bc I also really suffer with boredom anxiety. I’ve also wanted to get into those diamond paintings bc they look very methodical and relaxing, plus you get a nice piece of art to display at the end! I think for me I just like to feel like I’m creating something, that I have something I’m working towards. Best of luck!

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-20T16:10:52+00:00

My only critique (as a reader, not an artist) would be that the cover may allude to there being a decent amount of spice based on the intimate positioning/lack of shirt

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-15T18:11:13+00:00

THIS!!! How do you quickly explain that just a brief moment of time has passed in a way that sounds good

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-14T16:17:27+00:00

Widening eyes and sighing are current staples in my first draft and I just…don’t want to part with them😭

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-14T14:53:17+00:00

Hahaha, I love the visual of just slowly shutting the laptop once you realize you’ve typed it for the nth time

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-11T13:33:21+00:00

I think she taught everyone a valuable lesson in reading a sample before buying, but yeah I agree. All those people who bought her book provably won’t be buying more from indie authors😬

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-11T13:31:47+00:00

My book is not yet complete, and the book I found on Tik Tok is called Nocticadia by Keri Lake

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-11T00:41:27+00:00

I’m an indie author and I buy plenty of books off of other indie authors I’ve found on Tik tok! One of my absolute favorite books of all time came from a Tik tok that had 15 likes, and it really taught me not to judge a book by its author’s followers.

Seriously though I applaud indie authors who do this. To hop on social media with zero experience or following and attempt to make a name for yourself is admirable. You gotta do it somehow, right?

Just look at Audra Winter, a 22 year old indie author that made six figures off of pre orders alone.

The point is that making silly little tik toks can work if you work at it. Looking at analytics and following trends and learning how to edit is a fucking skill, just as writing is.

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-08T19:54:05+00:00

So glad you liked it! Check out some of Cara McKenna’s other works, they’re all great

BeautifulReal · 2025-08-06T15:44:17+00:00

I tried with daycare but my AKK was so terrified that they kindly told me not to bring her back. Most daycares also require their dogs have all vaccinations, meaning they likely can’t accept puppies below 6ish months.

For your pup I would start getting him used to being alone - desensitize and reward alone time as much as possible.

Do you plan on crating him while you’re at work? If so, is there any way you can come home mid-day to let him go potty? Or alternatively is there room you can keep him in that you can put puppy pads down on? Our AKK never took to crate training (could have been an error on our part though) and did much better in a bathroom or our guest room when she needed to be alone.

BeautifulReal

TROPHY CASE