ExploreDepot's question (15)

I’m super curious about something!
I’ve noticed a lot of you are really artsy, and it got me wondering, does anyone here make narrative art?

To me (as a non-artist), it feels like one of the trickier forms of art, since it’s not just about drawing a pretty scene, person, or object, it’s about telling a story or conveying a message through your piece. That’s so fascinating!

If you don’t mind, I’d love to see your work. And if it’s really abstract or layered, maybe the rest of us Xrs can try guessing the story or meaning behind it. That could be really fun.

(And for anyone who might not know: narrative art is basically art that tells a story, like instead of just a simple landscape, it might show an event, a theme, or a purpose behind it. Imagine a girl inside a half water bottle that's half filled. It's meaning vary from person to person, but it sure as hell not just a simple drawing of a girl.)

Please don’t cancel me, y’all... I was just ragebaiting. Did it work?

Anyway, I’ve read basically every decent yuri manga, manhwa, and manhua out there, and I’m convinced there’s nothing left. Most new releases are pure slop (except you, 'Fatale Game', 'Anata Mitai ni', and 'Ano Ko Futari De', you’re doing amazing). But I’m desperate for yuri. Like, really desperate. So I’m moving on to novels. Problem is, I haven’t read any in ages and I feel too lazy to pick one up.

So... has anyone read any great lesbian novels? If yes, rant about them as much as you want. I want to see the hype and get convinced. (Yes, I know this is a manga site, don’t come at me. But I’ve noticed quite a few of you read novels too, so here I am.)

Go wild. I don’t mind paragraphs. Just sell me on your favorite novel. Oh, and if you’ve got any obscure yuri manga/manhwa/manhua recs, drop them too. Maybe I’ll find something new.

How about we get creative and come up with random story ideas? We could turn it into a fun little thread. You can even share any random plot ideas that are just floating around in your head, things you don’t plan to write yourself. Maybe some creative people here might pick up one of these ideas and actually turn it into a story.
I am literally so bored today, and I’m not even in the mood to read manga. Let’s brainstorm some story ideas here. Entertain me!
If you’re not feeling it, that’s totally fine too. We can just hang out in this thread and enjoy each other’s stories.

If you’d like to participate, that is.

Last time I asked a question about OCs, I noticed a lot of you shared your OC couples, and it got me curious, so here we are. Show me your OC couples! Feel free to gush about them, lore-dump, or just ramble. Let’s appreciate them together.

If you don’t do art, that’s totally fine, you can just talk about your OCs. And if you use Picrew or similar things, you’re welcome to share your OCs through those!

What are some words, quotes, or lines from manga, manhwa, or manhua that have stuck with you? I originally said sad quotes, but you can include inspiring or beautiful ones too. You can also share any from novels if you want, since I know a lot of readers are here.

Y’all got any good jester characters?
I’ve been working on a short story lately and I’m thinking of adding a few jester-type characters into it. I’ve already got some ideas for them, but I’m not entirely sure how to integrate them fully into the plot. I feel like if I read about different jester characters, I might get a better sense of how to balance their roles or layer them into the story naturally.

The only darn jester that comes to mind right now is that GOSH DARN HISOKA.
Also, I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda looking for some eye candy too since I’ve been staring at nothing but words all day. So feel free to include characters from ANYWHERE, as long as they fit that jester or trickster vibe. Especially those clown types. Love them.
HELP GUYS. Pls.

Manhwa/Manga/Manhua or anything actually that got discontinued but you are still sad about it to this day. (Lowkey, just wanna drown out the DOD topic. My blood pressure can't handle it.)

For me, I'll always miss 'Nana'. Author, plz come back some day...

So like, I recently got into drawing, which I am absolutely trash at btw, but it’s fun. I’ve been wanting to sketch a fantasy villain type character, something dynamic. I could just hop on Pi*terest, but all I get there are random pictures, and half the time I can’t even tell if the pose matches the character’s actual vibe because I know nothing about them.

So I came here instead to ask for some hot characters. And please drop the sauce if possible. I’ll read a chapter or two if I find the character hot enough, and that way I can get a better feel for who they are and how they move. That’ll help with the art way more.

I could’ve just said “demon characters” but there are too many, so I’m narrowing it down to demon lord types. Or anyone with that kind of energy.

Also, I don’t care what medium they’re from. If it’s a novel, though, please tell me if there’s even a single piece of official art. Fan art is fine too as long as the character's design stays consistent in them.

So, tell me about your favorite couple(s) from ANY media, and the song(s) that remind you of them.
I want to get attached to your favorite lovebirds too—what better way to do that than through music, right?
For me, it's Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji. And the song that really reminds me of them is 'Heavy in your arms' by Florence and the machine.

Don't you dare bring up any popular ships here guys. Just ships that are rarely talked about, or used to be popular once upon a time but are now forgotten.

So yeah, I recently fell headfirst into the rabbit hole that is Heated Rivalry. Read all the books. Completely obsessed. No regrets.

Naturally, I went hunting for more Western MLM novels on my own, and wow. What a mistake. I have encountered LITERAL TRASH over and over again. Like… what is happening. Some of these books are rated 4 stars and above and I am sitting there wondering if we all read the same thing. The writing, the vibes, the themes. So many of them are just deeply odd.

Anyway, my search has officially failed me, so I am here as a last resort.

I want more Western MLM novels. They do not have to be explicit like Heated Rivalry. Vanilla is totally fine as long as they are actually good. Or at least something you genuinely enjoyed. Steamy would obviously be a bonus, but quality comes first. Please. I am begging.

For context, other queer books I genuinely loved:

1) The Song of Achilles
2) A Little Life (yes, judge me all you want. I know people call it torture porn, but I related to it on so many levels, so it stuck with me)
3) The Captive Prince trilogy by C. S. Pacat

I have also already read all of Rainbow Rowell’s books. I know. I am basic. I have accepted it.

Help a reader in distress. And no, I am not going to reddit for this. I hate that place.

If you’re comfortable sharing your OCs, post them, besties. Give us a lore drop if you want. Let’s all appreciate them together.

I know there are people here with amazing taste, so I’m summoning you all to this post. I’m so tired of going on NovelUpdates and asking for recommendations, only to either get the same overhyped titles or something so unhinged it makes me question humanity. There seems to be no in-between.

For context, I have already read a lot of the well-known ones such as MXTX’s works, 2ha, most of Rosemei and Seven Seas’s releases, and plenty of others that are popular in the usual circles.

But I’m desperate for more. Seriously. Recommend me every good one you can think of. Go all out. Tell me why it is good if you want to, because I am completely free these days and ready to dive back into books again. Yay for free time and new obsessions.

Since we already had one such thread about BL, I thought it would be cute to have one of GL too. Go on guys.
(Totally not fishing for recs here, hehe)

Besties I'm in desperate need for some recommendations.
I hate the usual formula of enemies to lovers. They are all either just frenemies or rivals. Not real enemies.
And it's never love with them. It always starts off with lust. Especially with straight romance.
Is there any at all good enemies to lovers stories? I don't mind the genre. BL, GL, straight. Please give me some good ones. Where ACTUAL feelings slowly develop after they've hated each other to the point of wanting to tear each other's face off.