mytonguemusttell

[mytonguemusttell]

Editing for Sensitivity: Oranges and Lavender

I have been working on an OFMD fic called Oranges and Lavender, which is an omegaverse fic where Ed is an alpha and Stede is secretly an omega. The particular kinkmeme prompt grabbed hold of me, but I knew it could easily reinforce racist stereotypes if not handled well.

I have been working with an excellent sensitivity reader, sunwukxng, to improve what I’ve already written (chapters 1-12), particularly the depiction of Ed. Their information is available here: https://www.tumblr.com/sunwukxng/735535129029656576. 

I wanted to list and explain the changes for a few reasons: because I at least am always curious when I see a fic has been edited, because I hope it will be educational for others, and because I find peeks into the creation process fascinating.

The selections below are PG at most: the fic itself is rated E, although the E content has not come up yet: https://archiveofourown.org/works/38591859

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It had been a long time since Edward had touched another without the excuses of violence or the half-friendly, half-aggressive camaraderie between pirates, and the man's unconscious trust struck an oddly painful chord in his heart.

It had been a long time since Edward felt free--or rather, safe enough--to touch another without the excuses of violence or the half-friendly, half-aggressive camaraderie between pirates, and the man's unconscious trust struck an oddly painful chord in his heart.

This portion was ambiguous about why Ed hadn’t touched anyone in a friendly way, and the revision hopefully clarifies that it was part of fitting into pirating culture for safety.

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He was bold and confident, dressed in the armor of his leathers, but he held the cashmere with the most gentle touch.

He was bold and confident as any Alpha, dressed in the armor of his leathers, but in their very first meeting he held the cashmere with the most gentle touch.

The original suggested surprise at Ed’s gentleness. I tried to keep the sense of paradox--the contrast between the bold image of Blackbeard and the true self of Ed--while clarifying that it was assumptions based on Ed’s Alpha persona and reputation, not him inherently being threatening or rough because of who he is.

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His hair and beard flowed like the mane of a magnificent lion, the interplay of colors more entrancing than the most skillfully cut gemstone.

His hair and beard flowed like a waterfall in the moonlight, the interplay of colors more entrancing than the most skillfully cut gemstone.

When attempting to describe Ed’s beautiful hair, I originally used an animal metaphor; regardless of intent, comparing people of color to animals is not a good idea. I think the revision also conveys the silvery color of his hair better, which was a nice side benefit.

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And his scent was at once unexpected and inevitable, perfect for him: a warm base of sandalwood, lightened by a touch of the sweet scent of lavender.

And, quite unlike the heavy fragrances the fashionable Alphas wore, Ed’s scent was at once unexpected and inevitable, perfect for him: a warm base of sandalwood, lightened by a touch of the sweet scent of lavender.

Again, the original wording could suggest surprise at Ed’s gentleness and complexity.

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"I do want you to look and feel the absolute best you can, not that you need the help that is, and I'll do what I can to make that happen."

“The people of high society--they can be very . . . judgmental. I--you always look wonder--ahem, very nice, but they’ll expect certain things, and I want to help you have armor against that.”

This is one of those where the meaning was so clear in my head that I never caught the obvious-in-hindsight implications of what I actually wrote. I think the revised version better conveys that Ed does not need Stede to “save” or “educate” him, in fashion or any other area, and also hints at how well Stede knows the viciousness just under the polite upper-class surface.

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Edward was able to dress himself, thankfully, although he came back out with his throat showing and a profusion of lace in one hand. 

Edward retired into the other room to dress himself—a boon for Stede’s composure—although he came back out with his throat showing and a profusion of lace in one hand.

This was one that I probably never would have caught myself, but so obviously needed fixing once it was pointed out. I meant to imply “thankfully” in the sense that Stede would have become simply too flustered otherwise, but instead it seems to imply that Ed’s being able to dress himself was a surprise.

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Not that he'd mind kissing Stede like that as well, but the urge to do such a gentle thing, such a thing solely focused on affection? That was there as well, and it puzzled him.

Not that he'd mind kissing Stede like that as well, but the urge to do such a gentle thing, such a thing solely focused on affection? That was there as well--but Ed had learned to push down such impulses long ago.

Clarifying that Ed’s always wanted to be gentle, just never felt safe to be.

------ He is teaching me so much I never dreamed I'd be allowed to learn.

I’m learning so much that was never allowed for people like us.

By calling back to the red silk scene, the revision highlights the structural inequality at play, rather than potentially implying that Ed is somehow unworthy.

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I hope this was interesting and helpful, and regardless of when you read this story, please know that I’m always open to any feedback on the sensitivity of the depictions. And thank you for reading!

[mytonguemusttell]

What a precious baby. Wishing her and you all the best. <3

0/650

Hi all. I am in dire need of getting Miss Alpine to the vet. She needs a round of injections for her stomatitis or she will be unable to eat and drink. She is showing signs of dehydration. Please help me take care of her.

CashApp: $CharlemagneDay

PayPal: @captncroche

Venmo: @CA-Day-24

[mytonguemusttell]

"Coupla Lone Wolves"

Sweet Ed and his [wolf] 🖤

available as individual prints and as part of The Wolf Pack t-shirt bundle

[mytonguemusttell]

As someone who works with social history for a living, I feel like I’m the aggressive opposite of an anti-vaxxer

I fucking LOVE vaccines, friends. Give me the science stab. I’m so ready. it’s a beautiful day to not die of a Bajillion and one diseases that carried off like half the population before they had even reached age 10, and a significant portion before they made it to old age, 150 years ago

I go to the old cemetery. I see the vast numbers of infant and child and young adult graves. And then I go to my doctor and get injected with Potion of Fuck That Noise. This is beautiful and miraculous and I do not remotely understand how some people can reject it – not just for themselves, but for their children

[mytonguemusttell]

happy dickfuck day jsyk they are disgustingly in love with each other like soooo in love with each other

[mytonguemusttell]

I just want to say, if you've ever worked a low-level office job and thought 'wow this is piss-easy', that's not a sign that the work you were doing is objectively easier than other types of work, it's a sign that you were good at it.

by which I don't mean 'stop de-valuing office work' bcos that's not a real problem, no-one is doing that, I just feel like a lot of young people aren't aware that e.g. being able to type fast and accurately, open up a computer program you've never used before and figure it out unaided, are marketable skills, not things that 'everyone' knows how to do.

I've worked in 'easy' office jobs for 6 years now and believe me, some people are bad at them & do not find them easy.

[mytonguemusttell]

also one more ed stede sketch for today. of the tight, white-knuckle grip on the shirt and on the waist hug they SHOULD’VE had after Ed woke up and was safe and alive

[mytonguemusttell]

pov: you drew the short stick and had to wake the co-captains from their afternoon nap

[ID: a digital drawing of Stede Bonnet and Ed “Blackbeard” Teach from the HBO Series “Our Flag Means Death”. They’re shown groggy from sleep in Stede’s bed aboard the Revenge. Stede is pushing himself up on an elbow, lifting a sleeping mask up over one eye to look straight at the viewer with a confused expression. Ed is behind him looking half-asleep, with a sleeping cap on. The scene is lit up by warm, orangey light streaming in through the curtained windows of Stede’s sleeping nook. /end ID]

ID by @franzis-frantic-thoughts tysm!!!💕

[mytonguemusttell]

Did this cause I struggle drawing him and though it may help u too?

[mytonguemusttell]

Look at this cute selfie I took for @sonotthekraken ❤️🏴‍☠️💋

[mytonguemusttell]

previous Good Omens fan art.

[mytonguemusttell]

A birthday gift for Kylie @merryfinches! I hope I did your idea justice!!

Ed Teach runs Blackbeard's Video, a huge collection of queer media, and as much as it's always been a passion project, it's also gotten boring. And a bit lonely. When Stede Bonnet comes in, telling Ed all about how he just had his gay awakening courtesy of Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, he's hoping for some help finding some media he can use for exploratory purposes. Who better than queer media expert Ed Teach to help him? Ed helps him find exactly what he's looking for.

4.8k words, rated E. 🥰💖

[mytonguemusttell]

Saw that pic of LJJ with the flowers on twitter and I had to tap back in one last time to draw my fave trio real quick. Farewell pookies, thank you for the brainrot the past few weeks. Ily sm but im ready to move on now 🥲🫶

I made Jecki a Jedi Knight in this one so we can all be delulu that this was taken after her graduation 🥲 Khofar? Brendok? what is that idk them 🤡

[mytonguemusttell]

doodles

[mytonguemusttell]

You channel his personality so well, and of course the cosplay is INCREDIBLE!

Aight tumblr mates, you all get full Astarion shots before anyone else 👀

Surprisingly, this costume was both a speed build (3 months for me is fast lol) and a stash build (I used tons of leftover leather from the Briclot/concept Loki). The boots/bootcovers are actually from Loki, but in future I may spruce up this look with some Astarion-specific pants and boots! May also add one of the drow pauldrons if I feel ambitious 🤔

wip tag | more of this costume

Photos by @sennedjem

[mytonguemusttell]

Butterflies! 🦋✨

I started drawing this at like 11pm, and couldn't stop [cue me literally falling asleep while coloring😅] Anyway, it's done and I'm actually really pleased with it. Greek/Roman Ed with butterflies in his hair was so fun to draw! Timelapse under the cut.

Wonder what Stede would look like in this universe....🤔🤔

[mytonguemusttell]

"It took me TWO years to finish this sketch book!" Well that's cuz you're not fuckin sketching. Those are fully painted pieces dawg that's a renderedbook. I've gone through four sketchbooks in my off time this year alone I just draw stupid faces and shit for fun. pussy up like the rest of us and start drawing stick figures with guns