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nayziiz · 1 year ago

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No Way | LN4

Summary: Lando Norris, an F1 driver for McLaren Racing, faces persistent attention on his single status. In an attempt to appease fans and quell rumours, his management suggests a fake relationship with a popular Portuguese model. However, Lando's PR manager, Natalie, disagrees, believing fans would see through the ploy. As an alternative, Lando's management notices the genuine bond between him and Natalie and proposes they feign a relationship for authenticity. Initially hesitant, they agree, given their existing friendship and professional connection. The fake relationship takes an unexpected turn as Lando and Natalie grapple with burgeoning real feelings, attempting unsuccessfully to conceal their growing emotions.

Pairing: Lando Norris x Original Character (Natalie)

Warnings: Mentions of physical and emotional abuse

Masterlist

CHAPTER 3

“Hey, we have some gorgeous Aussie girls.” The Australian podcast host teases as they end the episode featuring Lando.

The teasing remark hangs in the air, a lighthearted attempt to inject humour into the conversation. Natalie, ever vigilant about maintaining a professional image for Lando, takes note of such comments. The challenges of managing public perception and steering clear of potential controversies in the world of Formula 1 become evident once again. As the podcast episode concludes, Natalie prepares to address any potential fallout or inquiries that may arise from such remarks, emphasising the delicate balance between humour and the need to maintain a respectful and inclusive public image for Lando.

In the quiet moments of transitioning from the podcast studio to the track inspections, Natalie remains attentive to the surroundings, always mindful of the public image they present. As the car manoeuvres through Melbourne traffic, the dynamic between Lando and Natalie shifts into a silent atmosphere, something quite unusual for the pair.

“You’re quiet.” Lando comments as he focuses on the cars ahead of him. Natalie turns the music louder to muffle the silence. “No. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

The gentle persistence in Lando’s voice prompts Natalie to consider opening up. The hum of the engine and the music becomes a backdrop to the unspoken connection between them.

“I’m sorry.” She mumbles as she looks out the window.

“For what? Did you take one of my hoodies again?” Lando responds as he turns to glance at her before reverting his eyes to the road ahead of him.

“No, nothing like that.” She quickly clarifies. “I’m sorry that you have to keep dealing with this silly stuff about being single and everyone trying to play matchmaker.”

“You don’t have to apologise for that. It’s not your fault.” He assures her.

After his phone call with Max, Lando found himself reflecting on the dynamics of his relationship with Natalie. The realisation dawned upon him that he cannot, and should not, expect her to continuously rearrange her life to accommodate the demands of the media or the public's curiosity. The weight of being under constant scrutiny and the pressure to conform to certain expectations has started to wear on him and he wanted to spare her that.

Lando understands that Natalie has her own life, aspirations, and personal journey, independent of their professional partnership, especially after the abrupt ending to her relationship. The awareness that she shouldn't be compelled to play the role of a pretend girlfriend, even for the sake of managing his public image, settles in. It becomes clear that expecting her to endure such a facade could strain their genuine friendship.

This realisation marks a maturation in Lando's perspective, emphasising the importance of respecting Natalie's autonomy and recognizing the boundaries between their personal and professional lives. While the external pressures persist, he understands that imposing additional burdens on Natalie for the sake of appearances is neither fair nor sustainable.

“But, there is a way I can help.” She continues causing him to turn back to her. “I could just pretend to be your girlfriend, after all.”

Natalie's unexpected proposal hangs in the air, creating a momentary pause in the car. Her suggestion, while delivered with a hint of jest, carries a weight of sincerity. Lando looks at her, registering the offer and contemplating the potential implications. The notion of Natalie stepping into the role of a fake girlfriend introduces a complex layer to their relationship, blurring the lines between the personal and the professional. Natalie's willingness to extend herself for Lando's benefit reveals a depth of trust and loyalty. Yet, the proposal also raises questions about the potential consequences for their dynamic, challenging the delicate balance they've maintained so far.

“Please don’t feel pressured to do that.” He quickly responds, shocked by her change of heart.

Lando's swift and sincere response reflects his concern for Natalie and an understanding of the potential challenges that could arise from such a proposal. The unexpected offer has caught him off guard, and he wants to ensure that Natalie doesn't feel compelled to take on a role that might compromise her comfort or well-being. The genuine care between them becomes palpable in this moment, emphasising the importance of preserving their authentic connection amidst the pressures and demands of their high-profile lives

“Let me help you, please.” She urges him. “I’ve given this enough thought and it does make the most sense for me to be your fake girlfriend.”

“Are you sure?” He queries.

“Yeah.” She agrees.

“I’d rather it be you than anyone else, honestly.” He breathes a sigh of relief, and deep down, Natalie is relieved to see him relax for the first time in weeks.

As they embark on this uncharted territory of a fake relationship, Natalie grapples with the myriad of potential complications that could arise. The boundaries between their professional and personal lives blur, introducing a layer of complexity that neither of them could have anticipated. Natalie's concern about the possible consequences of this arrangement lingers beneath the surface, overshadowed by the desire to alleviate the pressure on Lando.

The uncertainty looms large – what if genuine feelings begin to surface in the midst of this charade? The prospect of Lando or herself forming real connections outside of this orchestrated scenario adds another layer of intricacy. However, in the midst of these uncertainties, Lando and Natalie find a shared resolve to face the unknown together, hoping that their genuine connection will guide them through the complexities that lie ahead.

- LATER THAT DAY - “Alright, it’s happening.” Natalie announces as she hands Lando her phone open on Instagram with a picture of the two of them, his arm around her shoulders as he looks lovingly at her. The post is followed by a second photo, capturing a moment where Lando places a soft kiss on her temple.

The decision to go public with their faux relationship is made, and social media becomes their stage. The carefully crafted images convey a narrative of affection and closeness, tailored to fit the expectations of their audience. As Natalie hands Lando her phone, they take a collective breath, knowing that these carefully curated moments are now part of the public domain.

The comments and reactions begin to pour in, as fans and followers respond to this seemingly intimate portrayal of their relationship. The challenge lies in maintaining the delicate balance between authenticity and performance, ensuring that the staged moments are convincing enough to fulfil their purpose without becoming entangled in the complexities of their real emotions.

“That was quick.” Lando mumbles as he scrolls through the photos. “A fan took this?”

“Looks like someone who had a paddock pass. There’s a video from a different angle as well as we’re walking into the garage.” Natalie confirms. “A couple weeks like this then we can soft launch completely.”

The speed at which the images have circulated takes Lando by surprise, emphasising the intensity of the Formula 1 spotlight. As they assess the initial fan reactions and engagement, Natalie strategically plans the next steps. The decision to gradually transition into a more public display of their fake relationship reflects a careful approach to managing expectations and maintaining an air of authenticity.

The two sit on the couch in his hotel room, huddled close together, scrolling through Instagram. They read through all the comments on the posts, absorbing the range of reactions from fans and followers. The digital realm becomes a realm of both curiosity and scrutiny as they navigate the public's response to their newfound relationship status.

Some comments express excitement and support, while others scrutinise the authenticity of their connection. Lando and Natalie exchange glances, acknowledging the complexities of the game they've chosen to play.

User1: Now we know why she kept stopping him from talking about his relationship status, she was scared he would reveal she’s his girlfriend.

“God, they’re giving us all the prompts to make this the greatest fake relationship ever.” Natalie comments.

“And, you hesitated at first.” Lando teases her.

“The key thing now is to act like we’re keeping it a secret and address any questions.” Natalie continues.

The only people who knew about the arrangement were Zak, Charlotte, and Max. The more people who knew, the bigger the chances of the secret coming out. The trio of confidantes held the delicate balance of information, understanding the consequences of even a minor leak. With each additional person brought into the circle, the risk of the truth surfacing increased, adding an element of suspense to their carefully orchestrated narrative. The trio became the guardians of the fabricated reality, entrusted with preserving the illusion that Lando and Natalie were more than just colleagues in the public eye.

- THE NEXT DAY -

Natalie stands in front of the screens studying the statistics flashing in front of her, not really paying attention to anything specific. Lando joins her and they share a small smile as he presses his arm against her. The subtle yet intimate gestures between Lando and Natalie unfold in the midst of their professional environment. The shared smiles and physical closeness create an unspoken connection, hinting at the depths of their faux relationship. The mechanics, although observant, maintain their focus on the task at hand, acknowledging the unique dynamics between the two without letting it disrupt their work.Lando’s fingers tease Natalie’s before he interlocks his pinky with hers as they continue to watch the screens in front of them. He leans down next to her ear and pulls her headset off her head.

“We’ve got some eyes on us.” He whispers in her ear. A small smile grows on her face as she studies the area and finds a photographer close by snapping photos of the cars and of the crew around the car.

The realisation of being observed adds a layer of intrigue to their staged relationship. As they play their parts, the awareness of being scrutinised by a photographer fuels the need to maintain the illusion. The subtle chemistry between Lando and Natalie becomes a performance, a carefully crafted act that extends beyond their interactions into the public eye.

Natalie peers up at Lando who peers down at her. He plants a loving kiss on her cheek and throws in a cheeky wink before he heads to gear up for qualifying. After a few minutes, Natalie finds herself on Instagram. Her mentions are blowing up with tagged pictures of the two in the garage.

The staged affection between Lando and Natalie becomes fodder for social media as fans eagerly capture and share moments from the garage. The kiss on the cheek and the playful wink are amplified through the lens of social media, creating a buzz around their supposed relationship. Natalie, navigating through the influx of tagged pictures on Instagram, becomes acutely aware of the impact their carefully orchestrated gestures have on their online presence.

User1: Okay. The PDA in the garage is too sweet.

User2: They look so in love.

The newfound closeness between Lando and Natalie brings an unexpected comfort to the charade. Lando's genuine concern for Natalie's well-being, even within the confines of their fake relationship, adds a layer of authenticity to their interactions. As they navigate the complexities of this arrangement, the initial discomfort transforms into a shared understanding that extends beyond the public eye. The fading questions about Lando's relationship status indicate the effectiveness of their strategy in steering the media's attention away from his personal life.

“Hey, you good?” Lando asks as he reappears next to her in his race suit. Her head snaps in his direction.

“Yeah, just zoned out.” She responds.

“Must be your boyfriend getting you all distracted.” Lando jokes.

“Can only be him.” She jokingly adds as the two share a laugh.

The surprising ease with which Lando and Natalie slip into the physical aspects of their fake relationship leaves them both astounded. The seemingly natural fit of their bodies, the intertwining of fingers, and the subtle touches create a facade that, to the outside world, appears unquestionably genuine. Lando finds himself revelling in the comfort of her presence, savouring the moments when her fingers delicately trace his back or when she leans her head against his shoulder. Despite the charade, there's an unspoken connection that goes beyond the script they're following. It's a testament to the strength of their bond, even in the midst of a fabricated romance that, for now, feels remarkably real.

He grabs his phone lying on the desk in front of them and opens his Instagram and spots a picture of the two chatting in the garage.

“Isn’t this from Sakhir?” He asks Natalie and turns the phone to show her the photo.

“Yeah, it is.” She responds and takes the phone from him to study the picture. “They’re going back to find clues as to when our supposed relationship started.”

As Natalie hands Lando his phone, their fingers inadvertently graze each other, sending a subtle shiver down their spines. She purposely avoids making eye contact, choosing instead to focus on her tablet, where she diligently types notes and sends emails. Lando, captivated by the graceful movements of her fingers, remains by her side, stealing glances whenever he can. The softness of her hands and the gentle precision with which she works leave an impression on him.

His attention shifts from her hands to her tanned arms, appreciating the confidence with which she carries herself in the midst of a bustling crowd. Despite her poise, he recalls the endearing moments of her occasional clumsiness. Lando fondly remembers catching her when she tripped over her own feet, marvelling at the way she would blush and offer profuse apologies for her lack of coordination. These instances of vulnerability only deepen his admiration for her.

Feeling the weight of Lando's gaze, Natalie notices his unwavering attention on her hands. She finds it amusing and decides to playfully break his trance. Gently, she runs a finger over his cheek, eliciting a subtle smile as he snaps out of his daze.

“Where were you now?” Natalie, aware of Lando's tendency to dissociate, gently questions his momentary absence.

“Not here, that’s for sure.” He sighs as he gazes at her. Their eyes meet, and in the depths of her dark green eyes, he finds a connection, grounding him back to the reality they are navigating together.

Lando, grappling with unexpected thoughts and sensations, chooses not to disclose the peculiar image that flashed through his mind—a vivid imagination of Natalie's fingers running through his curly hair. Perplexed by this unanticipated mental image, he seeks refuge in the familiar presence of his best friend, hoping to redirect his focus and understand the sudden surge of emotions stirred by the charade they've embarked upon.

“I need to talk to you.” Lando breathes as he shuts the door behind him.

“What’s up? You look stressed.” Max wonders curiously.

“Does she look different to you? Like, has she changed her hair or done her make-up differently?” Lando quickly asks.

“Natalie?” Max queries. “No, mate. She looks like herself. Why?”

“I’m going mad.” Lando responds.

“What are you talking about?” Max counters.

“I was just with her, and then all of a sudden, I’m thinking of her grabbing my hair, man.” Lando admits. “And, like kissing me.”

“Do you want her to kiss you?” Max implores, fueling Lando’s hysterics.

“What?” Lando mutters. “No. Yes. I don’t know.”

“I think you fancy her.” Max concludes.

“I do not.” Lando argues.

“You always have and now that she’s single and pretending to be your fake girlfriend, it’s all adding up in your head.” Max explains. Lando remains silent for a moment, processing Max's words.

“Maybe there's a tiny part of me that finds her attractive. But that's not the point. We're just faking this relationship to get the media off my back. I can’t fancy her. That’s off the table, completely.” Lando he sighs and admits

“So, what are you going to do when you have to hold her hand on a fake date? Or when you actually have to kiss her for a photo?” Max adds. “You’ll still fancy her, regardless.”

Lando slumps into the chair in defeat. The realisation hits Lando that the fake relationship might bring unforeseen challenges, especially considering the growing feelings he's trying to suppress. As he contemplates the upcoming scenarios Max mentioned, he begins to understand the complexities of the situation and the potential for emotions to complicate the arrangement.

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Taglist: @noneofyourfbusinessworld

#f1 fanfic #f1 fic #f1 imagine #formula 1 #lando norris #lando norris fanfic #lando norris fic #lando norris smut #mclaren #mclaren f1 #lando norris x oc

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aeth-eris · 2 years ago

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Venus Signs Maturity & Immaturity

Venus in Aries:

Immature: They pursue relationships impulsively and aggressively, often exhibiting possessiveness and impatience.

Mature: They approach relationships with courage and honesty, fostering mutual respect and passionate yet respectful connections.

Venus in Taurus:

Immature: They exhibit possessiveness and materialism in relationships, sometimes prioritizing security and comfort over emotional connection.

Mature: They express love and affection with stability and devotion, fostering a sense of grounded intimacy and genuine appreciation for their partner.

Venus in Gemini:

Immature: They engage in superficial and flirtatious behavior, sometimes leading to inconsistency and a lack of emotional depth in relationships.

Mature: They prioritize open communication and intellectual stimulation, fostering a sense of mental connection and genuine curiosity that promotes lasting emotional bonds.

Venus in Cancer:

Immature: They become clingy and overprotective in relationships, sometimes fostering emotional dependency and moodiness.

Mature: They nurture their relationships with empathy and understanding, fostering a sense of emotional security and deep, nurturing connections that promote mutual growth and support.

Venus in Leo:

Immature: They seek constant admiration and validation in relationships, often exhibiting egotistical and attention-seeking behavior.

Mature: They express love and affection with generosity and warmth, fostering a sense of genuine appreciation and mutual admiration that encourages emotional authenticity and heartfelt connections.

Venus in Virgo:

Immature: They exhibit critical and nitpicky behavior in relationships, sometimes prioritizing perfectionism over genuine acceptance and emotional connection.

Mature: They approach relationships with practicality and thoughtfulness, fostering a sense of mutual growth and emotional support that encourages a stable and nurturing connection.

Venus in Libra:

Immature: They prioritize harmony and avoidance of conflict in relationships, sometimes sacrificing their own needs and opinions to maintain superficial peace.

Mature: They promote fairness and balance in relationships, encouraging open communication and mutual respect that fosters a sense of genuine understanding and harmonious connection.

Venus in Scorpio:

Immature: They exhibit possessiveness and jealousy in relationships, sometimes fostering a sense of secrecy and emotional manipulation.

Mature: They foster deep emotional intimacy and transformation, promoting trust and vulnerability in relationships that encourage mutual growth and profound, authentic connections.

Venus in Sagittarius:

Immature: They become restless and commitment-phobic in relationships, sometimes prioritizing freedom and independence over emotional connection.

Mature: They promote openness and optimism in relationships, encouraging personal growth and a sense of adventure that fosters mutual learning and a genuine appreciation for diverse experiences.

Venus in Capricorn:

Immature: They exhibit emotional detachment and materialism in relationships, sometimes prioritizing practicality and status over genuine emotional connection.

Mature: They approach relationships with responsibility and commitment, fostering a sense of mutual respect and stability that encourages a deep and lasting emotional bond.

Venus in Aquarius:

Immature: They display emotional detachment and unpredictability in relationships, sometimes fostering a sense of rebellion and a disregard for traditional emotional expression.

Mature: They foster inclusivity and innovation in relationships, promoting open communication and a sense of unity that encourages mutual respect and a genuine appreciation for unique perspectives.

Venus in Pisces:

Immature: They exhibit escapism and emotional dependency in relationships, sometimes fostering a sense of martyrdom and unrealistic expectations.

Mature: They express love and compassion with empathy and understanding, fostering a sense of emotional connection and spiritual depth that encourages mutual support and a deep, transcendent bond.

#astrology venus signs #venus in signs #astrology venus #astrology #astrology maturity #astrology observations

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chasingshadowsblog · 10 months ago

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"I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places." - History, Culture and Identity in Cartoon Saloon's Irish Mythology Trilogy

Written accounts of Irish history and culture only begin to appear from the 5th century onwards and what came before we are left to piece together from archaeological remains whose meanings and motivations we can only guess at. What is clear, though, is that during that broad stretch of time between the Early Mesolithic and Late Iron Age, a distinctly Irish identity had been established and developed on by the craftsmen, artists, hunters, foragers, farmers and warriors that populated the country, through their housing, weaponry, metalworks and stone monuments. The development of the Christian church throughout the Early Medieval period brought its own beauty to the art and architecture of the country, but also adapted its culture to suit the needs of an integrating religion and sites and ceremonies of pagan worship were amalgamated into the Christian calendar. Following this were Viking raids, Anglo-Norman settlement, English conquest, plantation, oppression, rebellion, famine and civil war. From the Early Medieval period to the present day Ireland has experienced an almost constant shift in leadership and identity with little time in between for the dust to settle. Culturally, a "Celtic Revival" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries sought to re-invigorate the arts and history of Celtic Ireland (a broad, problematic concept in itself) as an expression of nationalism and to bolster a distinctly Irish artistic and literary identity.

All of this is to say that wading through Ireland's history of social upheaval, religious and political conflict, and loss and confusion of identity is no mean feat. To take those threads and conjure up original stories for modern audiences, embracing the suffering and celebrating the beauty, is impressive. To do it three times is witchcraft.

In their films depicting Irish history, culture and mythology, animation studio Cartoon Saloon have approached their stories with a respect for the past, both fact and fiction. By evoking the artwork, legends and real history of Ireland's past and combining it with their own fresh, unique visual style, Cartoon Saloon brings some much needed authenticity and vibrancy to the depiction of Ireland in mainstream culture. Absent are the twee figures of backwards island folk or the commercialised idolatry of a St. Patrick's Day parade. What we get instead is something more personal, recognisable on the surface to every child and adult who learned about Fionn, the Fianna and fairy circles in primary school and with nuggets of information and visual cues for explorers of Ireland's broader history.

"I can't tell you which parts of this story are true and which parts are shrouded by the mists." - The Secret of Kells and the line between history and mythology

Set roughly in the 9th century AD The Secret of Kells is the earliest depiction of Irish culture in the trilogy, a period which saw the continued integration of Christianity into the country alongside traditional pagan practices and festivals, a relatively soft conversion compared to later events. Although the main character, Brendan, comes from a Christian monastery and carries those beliefs, The Secret of Kells does well to capture this balance between a new religion and old beliefs with the inclusion of Aisling and Crom Cruach, who live alongside the monastery and influence the story as much as Brendan and the brothers do and whenever Brendan is punished by Abbot Ceallach it is for disobedience not a lack of faith.

"It is with the strength of our walls that they will come to trust the strength of our faith." Abbot Ceallach's fierce desire to build a wall around the monastery is fueled mostly by the threat of Viking raids, but it is his hope as well that the protection they offer will encourage the faith of the natives and draw them behind those walls. Abbot Ceallach finds comfort and safety in his monastery and danger and violence outside of its walls, so, not only does the wall protect them from invaders but it also cuts them off from the forest beyond - the domain of shape-shifters, wild animals and pagan temples, a world which Brendan can only glimpse through a crack in the wall. A staple of the entire trilogy is this depiction of wilderness in some form and its association with Ireland's symbolic wilderness and pagan ancestry. What sets it apart from the threat of Vikings is that, in spite of its wildness, it poses no threat to their way of life. When Brendan enters the forest for the first time it is dark and frightening until Aisling, an ethereal Sídhe figure who can shape-shift into a wolf, shows him how to navigate it and suddenly the forest grows bright and beautfiul, Brendan's fear is eliminated and Aisling becomes his friend.

Hidden throughout Brendan's trek in the forest are old, moss covered ogham stones and stone circles, allusions to native practices, but deeper in, the colour palette changes from bright greens and natural browns to a wash of dark greys and black when Brendan stumbles across a temple to Crom Cruach (a deity who, in Irish mythology, is eventually destroyed by St. Patrick). Aisling tries to warn him away, "It is the cave of the Dark One," but Brendan dismisses her worries, "The abbot says that's all pagan nonsense, there's no such thing as Crom Cruach." At the sounding of the deity's name, black tendrils emit from the cave and pull on Aisling as she stops them reaching Brendan. Later, Brendan returns to the cave to steal Crom's eye - a magnifying crystal that will help Brendan and Brother Aidan with their illumination. In a beautifully animated sequence Brendan battles Crom Cruach in his cave by trapping him in a chalk circle and stealing his eye. Crom Cruach is depicted as a never-ending snake (in a geometric pattern similar to both pre-Christian art and the knotwork of Christian manuscripts) possibly in reference to the 'snakes' banished from Ireland by St. Patrick. What's most fascinating about this sequence is that Brendan experiences it at all. Although the experience is supernatural it is never implied as anything other than real. Brendan is a committed monk in training who will spend his life in service to the monastery; even after meeting Aisling and battling Crom Cruach he never questions his faith or his elders and when he returns to the monastery with the eye no one disputes the story of how he came by it, "You entered one of the Dark One's caves?" At this time, at the edge of a growing monastery and with a direct reference to the abbot's desire to convert the natives, there is still space for pagan ideas to exist. Similarly, Aisling using Pangur Bán's spirit to free Brendan has an effect on the real world. There's an argument to be made that this is a film and anything can happen, but for problems to be solved by magic, the way Aisling frees Brendan, firm world-building rules must be established and in this world, 9th century Ireland, spaces exist in which otherworldly figures reside and actions beyond the mortal realm occur, and these spaces exist alongside the film's version of civilisation.

"I have lived through all the ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer and wolf." As an animated feature, there is a lot the film can tell us through visuals alone, and The Secret of Kells does a wonderful job capturing an Ireland in transition. The prologue opens with a close-up image of the Eye of Crom with abstract shapes swimming around it, followed by a glimpse of Aisling hiding in a tree as she narrates over these images in an eery whisper. Following these we see a salmon, deer and wolf, three animals important to Irish mythology, identity and history; the salmon, related to The Salmon of Knowledge, represents mythology, the deer is the national animal of Ireland, and wolves (in the world of Cartoon Saloon) represent its wildernes and history (the elimination of the wolf population became more active in Ireland during times of English occupancy, a theme that is explored more deeply in Wolfwalkers). Even the waves crashing around Iona as Brother Aidan escapes morph into wolves, futhering their symbolism as something wild and dangerous, but natural and not actively destructive like the Viking raiders. The monastery is littered with Iron Age motifs existing alongside Early Christian imagery. Spiral motifs occur in trees and plants, in the ropes that bind the wall's scaffolding together, and circular, semi-circular and zig-zag shapes continue to appear with knot-work patterns and religious figures - even the snowflakes falling during the raid are strands of knot-work. The monastery itself is accurate to the period with its round tower, beehive shaped structures (called clochán) and the town growing around it, while outside its walls Brendan crosses a stone circle. We even see a game of hurling, the ultimate unifying bridge between pagan and modern Ireland. The walls of the abbot's cell are covered in his own drawings of plans for the monastery's construction. These are exquisitely detailed and clearly a plan for the future but drawn in a style that cannot escape the past. Zig-zags, spirals, circles, semi-circles, dots, triangles, sun and star motifs and something that looks like an alignment chart - the style is evocative of Neolithic and Bronze Age art and the insular La Tène style that preceded the arrival of the monks in Ireland, all styles that combined the abstract and geometric, seemingly random, but clearly symbolising something greater.

"You must bring the book to the people." In their last interaction as children Aisling helps Brendan recover the pages of his manuscript as he flees the Vikings. In this gesture Aisling aids Brendan on his religious journey - during the montage later on she even guides him home. Faith never comes between these two - it doesn't need to since Aisling's existence and her convictions are as real and strong as Brendan's. Their relationship is one of mutual curiosity and sharing their differences. In Irish mythology, female figures (particularly shape-shifting ones) are often symbolic of Ireland itself and to have the support of these figures is, for kings and heroes, a mark of validation. At this time, these two worlds still live alongside each other and Aisling is allowed to support Brendan's work as a monk while maintaining her own natural way of life, while Brendan can learn about pagan concepts from Aisling without wavering from his faith or trying to mould her to his. Although Brendan's final journey home shows the spread of Christianity across the country we get one final image of Aisling, changed to her human form in a flash of lightning, that shows us while she might be hiding she hasn't disappeared just yet, while Brendan, now an adult, returns to Kells, committed to continuing Abbot Ceallach's work.

"This wild land must be civilised" - Wolfwalkers and the taming of Ireland

Set in 1650, Wolfwalkers occurs roughly 800 years after The Secret of Kells and presents a vastly different universe. The monks' Christianisation of the natives was a far more gentle affair and one founded in a desire to educate and adapt. Ireland under the Lord Ruler (a stand-in for Oliver Cromwell) is a world of service, punishment and fear. By chopping down trees and employing hunters to cull the wolf population the Lord Ruler is attempting to tame the countryside and, most importantly, the people themselves. References to "the old king" and "revolt in the south" place us, historically and politically, in the Cromwellian Conquest, when Cromwell was sent to Ireland to quell uprisings against the newly established English Commonwealth. Heavy stuff and this is a simplification of a period of major conflict in Ireland but Wolfwalkers successfully impresses on us the feeling of living under the thumb of an active oppressor on a personal scale. The Lord Ruler wants the people of Kilkenny afraid and complacent so that they support his efforts to cull the wolves and cut down their forests. Unlike Abbot Ceallach who fears a real threat in the Vikings, the Lord Ruler fabricates a threat in the wilderness beyond the city walls in order to bend people to his will, "Oh, lass. Lord Protector has strict rules." Although the wolves pose no threat to the city, people have been made to fear them, resulting in the loss of their connection to the forest outside the town walls. One character even says that the wolves are attacking them because they've been chopping trees down, because they've been going against their ancient pacts: "

"This once wild creature is now tamed, obedient, a mere faithful servant." Although this line is spoken in reference to Moll, held captive in a cage in her wolf form, it is the human characters who suffer the most from this ideology - even the nameless background characters are confined to the walls of the city in fear of punishment, "Lord Protector put my father in chains for nothing." What comes to mind when hearing of tamed creatures is not Moll in her cage, who exudes strength and power even behind bars, but Robyn in her maid's uniform, once lively and imaginative, now returning home with lines under her eyes after a long day of hard, monotonous work, and Bill, quieting his daughter's eagerness in fear for what will happen to her, then later shackled at the neck and forced to march behind the Lord Ruler's horse when he disobeys, "We must do what the Lord Ruler commands". Although Moll is held captive too, it is in the form of a humongous wolf; she is locked away in the Long Hall for fear of the danger she represents. The Lord Ruler is aware of how poweful she is and so he must keep her locked up to show the people of Kilkenny just how much control he can wield, quelling any potential notions of power they might have held in themselves. And in the case of Moll, Robyn and Bill, each time they are held captive by the Lord Ruler, their captured bodies submit to the wolf form to escape, drawing on a deep-rooted strength and wildness within themselves to escape the confines of the Lord Ruler's rigid society.

"What cannot be tamed, must be destroyed." The ending of Wolfwalkers is bittersweet; Robyn, Médb and their parents are safe after defeating the Lord Ruler and his soldiers, but they are still forced to leave their forest home. "All is well," Bill and Robyn tell each other, and the family appear content, but, before now, leaving the forest was not on the agenda; leaving the forest meant retreating from a threat and this is still the case. Médb wanted to save the forest, but, after everything that's happened, the family are no longer safe on the borders of the town. Robyn, Médb, Bill and Moll might have saved each other but they can't save their home and the people still living behind the city walls - the Lord Ruler may have been killed but that doesn't mean the end of his conquest. Historically, this period saw Ireland amalgamated into the Commonwealth and Irish Catholic landowners ousted by English colonists, the diminishing of Irish customs and traditions, and a high level of deforestation and the elimination of the wolf population. The family's departure from Kilkenny allows viewers a safe, happy, narratively satisfying ending, without erasing the changing social tides that occurred at the time or ignoring the history that followed.

"Remember me in your stories and in your songs" - Song of the Sea and loss:

If Wolfwalkers is the taming of Ireland then Song of the Sea is Ireland tamed. Set roughly in the 1980s it is the closest depiction of a modern Ireland in Cartoon Saloon's ouevre. In contrast to The Secret of Kells and Wolfwalkers, which represented Ireland's native identity in the forest, here it takes the form of (drumroll) the sea, but while those other films depicted the battle between the wilderness and civilisation Song of the Sea depicts its defeat. The last of the Sídhe live in hiding in a rath disguised as the centre of a roundabout and use a sewage system to get around. In their diminshed forms, Lug, Mossy and Spud also resemble more closely what we might think of as 'fairies' in Ireland today, not the imposing figures of power the Sídhe really are in mythology. Still, Lug, Spud and Mossy wear torcs, brooches and earrings of gold - symbols of wealth and status - and strewn about their home are ogham stones and hurls; in a nice marriage of modern and ancient tradition, they play the bodhrán, fiddle and banjo, singing a version of the Irish language song 'Dúlamán'. Only in this one pocket in the middle of the city do different aspects of traditional Irish culture survive.

All throughout Song of the Sea we see iconography of modern Ireland. Conor drinks a pint of Guinness (unlabelled but unmistakable), the front of the pub he sits in is decorated in proto-typical Irish pub fashion. On the wall in Granny's house sits proudly a picture of Jesus with the Sacred Heart lamp as she warbles along to the classic Irish children's song, 'Báidín Fheilimí'. Ben and Saoirse take refuge in a shrine to a holy well with a rag tree outside that is bursting with religious iconography as well as a toy sheep - symbols that are as much a part of the national identity as those pre-historic and mythological ones. There are also references to the assimilation of pop culture outside of Ireland in a Lyle's Golden Syrup tin, the Rolling Stones poster on Conor's old bedroom door and Ben's 3-D glasses and cape, an emulation of a superhero costume. These images are, ultimately, harmless but have overtaken their native counterparts. Although we see statues of the Sídhe in the background, these are not shrines but detritus, and they lie forgotten, covered in plants and moss, in the company of bags of rubbish and old televisions. The diminishing of one era of Ireland's history to make way for a newer more powerful and modern identity is just one kind of loss that is portrayed in Song of the Sea, but each character experiences their own version throughout. The loss of Bronach that has affected Ben and Conor; the potential loss of Saoirse as she grows sicker; the loss of Mac Lir that drove Macha to such despair she literally bottled her emotions and those of others until they turned to stone. All of this comes to a climax at the end of the film when these tragedies are laid bare. As in Wolfwalkers the greater connotations of this theme are presented on a smaller scale: Ben and Conor's pain by the loss of Bronach.

Ben and Conor are representative of the human world and so suffer her absence more visibly than Saoirse who approaches her mother's world with curiosity and ease. In contrast, Ben, although he misses Bronach, rejects the sea (her home and symbolic identity) and his sister, a physical as well as spiritual reminder of what's been taken away from him. He turns his back on his past as much as he mourns its loss. We see it less obviously in Conor who wallows in his own memories and grief and tunes out Ben's references to his mother "It's as though I've been asleep all these years. I'm so sorry." Ben's grief is more expressive compared to the inwardly focused Conor and even towards the end of the film when Ben is trying to help Saoirse, Conor brushes over his insistence that only her selkie coat can save her. It's only when Saoirse is finally wearing the coat and wakes up from her sickness that he finally engages with Ben on the subject of Bronach, "She's a selkie, isn't she? Like Mam." "Yeah." (Which looks like a weak conversation written down but it's the happy smile on his face and the emotion in his voice that give the single word weight). "Please don't take her from us." During the film's final sequence, when Saoirse sings her song and wakens the sleeping Sídhe, Bronach returns but only to take Saoirse away. With tears in her eyes she begins to lead Saoirse along until Ben and Conor stop her, not forcefully but pleadingly, "she's all we have." All they have is Saoirse, all they have is a thread connecting them to Bronach's world and their memories of her.

"All of my kind must leave tonight…" As the Sídhe are wakened by Saoirse's song we watch them rise joyfully to form a glowing processional in the sky as they make the journey across the sea to their home. This scene is so beautifully animated and so filled with a sense of magic and wonder that we are charmed into believing this is a good thing. The Sídhe are returned to their noble forms and going to their home "across the sea"; they fill the sky with a warm, mystical light, but they are taking that light and their magic with them. As Bronach quotes in the film's prologue, "Come away, o human child, to the waters and the wild, with a fairy, hand in hand, for the world's more full of weeping than you can understand." This is a world that can no longer bear the force of two identities. Unlike The Secret of Kells where Brendan and Aisling were allowed to live alongside each other without compromising their beliefs or ways of living, Bronach, a spiritual being, is forced to leave, while Ben and Conor have no choice but to stay and Saoirse, who walks both worlds, is made to choose between them. Although this is a happy ending it is still being depicted on a personal level. On a grander scale, the country has lost something that isn't coming back and this is depicted as a relief for the ones leaving it behind. On the other hand, Saoirse's decision to remain shows that, in small pockets of the country, the magic can remain.

It is fitting that Song of the Sea, as a representation of modern Ireland, draws on loss; Ireland has been experiencing loss on a grand scale for centuries. Although the march of progress is mostly positive, in some cases it has altered our respect and interest in the past. Today there is a nihilism attached to Irish heritage - the spirituality that's associated with airy fairy hippies dancing naked in a moonlit field; the language that is almost universally despised by every secondary student forced to grapple with the Tuiseal Ginideach; its disappearing and continually exploited ecological landscapes; the preservation of archaeological sites in frequent battle with the progress of industry. In the interest of leaving behind the worst of our past we are at risk of losing the best. The writer Manchán Mangan suggests that this desire to forget lies in the pain we feel when we consider our history. Some, like Conor, try to push all reference to this pain out of their lives, others, like Ben, divert their pain into misplaced anger. Mangan cites the Famine as a source of generational pain and its effect today on our use of the language, but really it can be attached to many events and periods of time, "English was the future; Irish would only bring suffering and death." This is a sentiment that carries through to this day; despite encouragement from schools, local councils and the government, Irish remains a least favourite subject for most people who dismiss it as unuseful for success in the wider world. By proxy, anything to do with the notion of "Irish", the language, history and culture, is old-fashioned (suffering and death) while success and the future lie outside of the country. Mangan goes on to suggest that only by confronting the pain of our past can we unlock an ability in ourselves to engage more fully with our identity, "We might stop blaming our failure to learn on teachers, or the education system, or Government policy, and realise that we have no difficulty learning any other subject…" Ben and Conor are given the opportunity to say goodbye to Bronach before she leaves, allowing them to carry on with their memories of her and the last strand of their connection to her as represented by Saoirse. More and more people today are looking to Ireland's past, ecology and language for whatever it is they need or want to find in life. It isn't necessary to convert to paganism and live on the shores of the Connemara coastline to achieve this connection, but actively disengaging from your past can only hurt more than it can help. In their respective stories Brendan does not compromise his beliefs but still builds a friendship with Aisling, while Robyn and Bill integrate fully into Médb and Moll's world. There is no right way to engage with this side of our history and identity, but in contrast to Ben and Conor, Brendan and Robyn have balanced and fulfilling relationships with their native counterparts. Ben and Conor were stuck in their pain over Bronach's loss and it is only after getting to see her one last time that helped them to move on and heal. Conor tells Bronach that he still loves her and he will carry that love and his memories of her througout his life as a source of joy rather than sadness; Ben lets Saoirse into his life and is able to move past his grief and fears of the sea. Here, the threat of loss and destruction comes from within and can only be treated by engaging with the past - its rich heritage and tragic history - and moving on with all of the wisdom and experience it provides. All three films in Cartoon Saloon's Irish mythology trilogy suggest that the integration of both worlds, an engagement on some level between the two, is not, perhaps, necessary to live, but is certainly recommended.

#another late post because my laptop charger broke #cartoon saloon #the secret of kells #song of the sea #wolfwalkers #irish mythology #irish movies #animated movies #animated films #animation #essays #film analysis #movie analysis #i do go on and on don't i

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mariacallous · 2 months ago

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Artificial intelligence may be technology’s hottest topic—more important than electricity or fire, according to Google CEO Sundar Pichai—but another has a plausible claim to second. Digital public infrastructure, or DPI, does not loom as large as AI in the public or policymakers’ consciousness. Yet its recent adoption and impact—quieter, stealthier—are arguably as significant. According to Bill Gates, “DPI is revolutionizing the way entire nations serve their people, respond to crises, and grow their economies.” The United Nations Development Programme describes it as “a potential game-changer.”

Last October, a Global DPI Summit, the first of its kind, attracted more than 700 participants to the outskirts of Cairo; many were developing-world policymakers and entrepreneurs. They were drawn by a technology that has seen rapid uptake in countries as varied as Brazil, India, Ethiopia, Morocco, the Philippines, and Zambia. The spread of DPI has been especially noteworthy in the global south, where there are fears that the advent of AI could leave the region further behind the West in the realm of digital tech. Coming after a long litany of false promises and misapplied technology in the developing world, DPI may represent one of the first successful large-scale interventions to ease poverty, transform government services, and unleash innovation.

Beyond these specific benefits, DPI may also have broader, global ramifications. In an increasingly bifurcated technical landscape, characterized by superpower contestation and a crippling lack of cooperation, DPI offers something more constructive—the digital equivalent of the Non-Aligned Movement, perhaps, and a model for a more collaborative, inclusive digital ecosystem. The approach is not without its own risks and challenges; but done right, it could help revitalize that beleaguered and increasingly vilified phenomenon that we know as the internet.

Like many nascent technologies, DPI’s precise definition remains something of a work in progress. Conceived narrowly, the term relates to a set of publicly available tools for digital payments, identity, and data exchange, all combined in an integrated digital “stack.” More recently, a number of other domains and functions have been mooted as additions to this stack, including modules for education, agriculture, and energy conservation. Rather than a specific set of functions, then, DPI is perhaps most helpfully thought of as an approach—a “way of thinking,” as some have put it. In this broader conception, the goal of DPI is to shift certain core operations in the digital world—e.g., payments or authentication—from private to public management, so that they more closely resemble infrastructure. The World Bank calls DPI “common digital plumbing”; others draw analogies with roads or railway tracks. The underlying premise is that control of today’s digital ecosystem is overly concentrated in a handful of companies and states. DPI aims to redistribute the balance of power and provide a new foundation (“infrastructure”) for both public and private innovation.

Despite its recent prominence, DPI has arguably been around for at least a decade (even if it wasn’t always called as such—the term has really gained currency only over the last two or three years). India, the country most commonly associated with the approach, launched Aadhaar, its identity scheme, in 2009. Today, more than 1.3 billion Aadhaar cards have been issued, making it one of the more remarkable adoption stories in global technology. Estonia created X-Road, its widely adopted data exchange layer, in 2001. Brazil, another country frequently associated with the approach, launched its digital payments system, Pix, in 2020. DPI’s slow, incremental build has recently accelerated. According to a DPI map produced by David Eaves and colleagues at University College, London, over 100 countries now have (or are in the process of implementing) various forms of DPI.

There are many reasons for the enthusiasm. Policymakers have long looked to digital payments as a way to reduce “leakage” (a euphemism for corruption and other inefficiencies). By some estimates, DPI has saved the Indian government $34 billion by cutting out middlemen and reducing red tape. Advocates of DPI also cite its potential to foster inclusion—for example, by bringing the unbanked into the formal economy and enabling low- or zero-fee micropayments for small businesses. DPI has also benefited from good timing: Its star rose considerably during COVID, amid a general move toward a cashless economy.

Perhaps the biggest, if often unrecognized, catalyst for the approach has been a shifting geopolitical climate, especially as it has affected global technology governance over the last decade or so. Once upon a time, decisions about the internet were primarily reached through technocratic consensus, at bodies like the Internet Engineering Task Force, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), or the International Telecommunication Union. This largely—if not entirely—depoliticized approach meant that technical standards and frameworks were chosen mostly on their merits, rather than because of national or ideological interest. (ICANN’s early 2000s adoption of international domain names to support non-Latin scripts was a good example.) That approach has all but broken down. Technology is increasingly central to public life, and technology policy has by extension become an instrument of statecraft. The internet and its underlying infrastructure are today subjects of heated geopolitical contestation, battles between what Columbia law professor Anu Bradford calls competing “digital empires.”

China and the United States are the biggest of these empires (Bradford also lists the European Union), and their increasingly zero-sum struggle to dominate virtually every aspect of technology—from standards to chips to privacy—has resulted in something of a digital Cold War. A new “virtual Berlin Wall” has arisen, forcing countries to choose sides between the unregulated mercantilism of American Big Tech and a statist, surveillance-based Chinese model. Beijing offers the developing world favorable financing and subsidized equipment, but these gifts (part of the country’s Digital Silk Road initiative) come laden with perils such as a loss of privacy and national autonomy. The alternative is often hardly more palatable: American tech companies pose very much the same risks. As Patrick Achi, the former prime minister of Ivory Coast, recently explained, countries like his are caught on the horns of a dilemma. “We are like subjects, without good choices,” he said. “Our digital futures are being determined in the big power centers.”

On this scorched landscape, DPI offers a welcome alternative—a potential “third way,” as the Dutch politician and commentator Marietje Schaake recently put it, a means for countries to chart their own course when it comes to managing data, digitizing government, and customizing applications to local needs. A budding ecology in Bengaluru now offers countries open-source modules and technical assistance to implement locally managed DPI solutions. These include the Modular Open Source Identity Platform, which allows countries to repurpose code for digital identities, and the recently launched “DPI-as-a-packaged-solution,” or DaaS, designed for “plug-and-play” implementation. Estonia’s open-source X-Road is likewise used by over 20 countries, including Cambodia, Brazil, Namibia, and Madagascar.

Such examples of modular, customizable, and domestically controlled software are particularly useful for smaller countries that have less technical and financial capacity. (Trinidad and Tobago, for example, is the first country to implement DaaS.) They make it easier to digitize economies, and they reduce the risks of superpower dependency. Because many of the tools are open source and interoperable, they also foster collaboration. Regional groupings such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Caribbean Community have implemented or are considering cross-border integrations of identity and payment systems. India’s Unified Payments Interface has likewise been adopted in countries as varied as Nepal, Singapore, and France.

Technical integration is often symbiotic with political cooperation. By strengthening regional blocs and alliances, DPI may challenge the existing geopolitical order. For developing countries thus far at the mercy of superpowers and Big Tech, it holds out the prospects of achieving the much sought-after (yet often chimeric) goals of “digital sovereignty” and “digital independence.”

The DPI movement is young, still inchoate. As the approach gathers steam, its own limitations and challenges will become more apparent. Detractors point to the possibility of data breaches and other privacy violations, the risk that greater digitalization of public services could marginalize populations lacking technical literacy, and the danger that public investment could distort competition and markets. Every technical intervention represents a delicate balance of risk and opportunity; advocates of the approach argue that the right policies and governance frameworks can help bring out the positive potential of the technology.

The stakes of getting the balance right are huge—for the developing world, of course, but perhaps for the entire global digital ecosystem as well. The advent of AI has intensified geopolitical rivalries, and with them the risks of fragmentation, exclusion, and hyper-concentration that are already so prevalent. The prospects of a “Splinternet” have never appeared more real. The old dream of a global digital commons seems increasingly quaint; we are living amid what Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister, calls “technofeudalism.”

DPI suggests it doesn’t have to be this way. The approach’s emphasis on loosening chokeholds, fostering collaboration, and reclaiming space from monopolies represents an effort to recuperate some of the internet’s original promise. At its most aspirational, DPI offers the potential for a new digital social contract: a rebalancing of public and private interests, a reorientation of the network so that it advances broad social goals even while fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. How fitting it would be if this new model were to emerge not from the entrenched powers that have so long guided the network, but from a handful of nations long confined to the periphery—now determined to take their seats at the table of global technology.

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hayatheauthor · 1 year ago

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Can I request? How write asexual romance?

I meant kind confuse since romance and sexual are almost same thing, so how that work between 2 person that love in romqntic way but no sexual from them or an asexual person with ordinary person

Crafting Asexual Romance: Navigating Emotional Intimacy in Fiction

Writing asexual romance can be both rewarding and challenging. It requires a delicate balance of understanding, empathy, and creativity to authentically capture the emotional depth and complexity of such relationships.

Whether you're a seasoned writer looking to expand your repertoire or a newcomer eager to explore diverse narratives, this guide aims to provide valuable insights into crafting compelling asexual relationships in fiction.

Understanding Asexuality

Before delving into the intricacies of writing asexual romance, it's crucial to develop a clear understanding of what asexuality entails. Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction to others. Individuals who identify as asexual may still experience romantic attraction, emotional intimacy, and desire for companionship, but they do not experience sexual attraction in the same way as aromantic people.

It’s important to note that asexuality isn’t something a character/person can change with time. You can’t have an ace character who suddenly is physically attracted to their love interest near the end of the book. They, quite literally, do not feel sexual arousal for others, and this isn’t something you can ‘overcome’ or ‘undo’. This is also why it’s important to label your characters correctly and recognise the difference between celibacy and asexuality.

It's essential to recognize that asexuality exists on a spectrum, with individuals experiencing varying degrees of sexual attraction or lack thereof. Some asexual individuals may identify as aromantic, meaning they do not experience romantic attraction either, while others may actively seek romantic relationships.

It’s important to create authentic and inclusive representation in our books. I personally prefer reading novels with lesser romance, so reading about an ace character would certainly be up my ally! If you have any aro/ace recommendations, be sure to comment them!

Dos And Don’ts Of Asexual Romance in Fiction

When incorporating asexual romance into your writing, one common misconception to avoid is equating asexuality with a lack of romantic or emotional depth. Asexual individuals are fully capable of experiencing love and forming strong emotional bonds with others. In fact, many asexual individuals prioritize emotional connection in their relationships, seeking partners who understand and respect their orientation.

Asexual characters can serve as compelling protagonists in romantic storylines, offering readers a fresh perspective on relationships that extends beyond the confines of sexual attraction. This requires thoughtful consideration of character development, relationship dynamics, and communication. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Dos:

Research and understand asexuality: Take the time to learn about asexuality and the diverse experiences within the ace community. This will help you create authentic and respectful portrayals of asexual characters.

Focus on emotional intimacy: Highlight the emotional connection between characters, emphasizing shared interests, values, and experiences that deepen their bond.

Explore diverse romantic expressions: Recognize that asexual characters may express love and affection in various ways, from heartfelt conversations to acts of kindness and support.

Incorporate consent and communication: Prioritize clear and open communication between characters, allowing them to discuss their boundaries, desires, and expectations in the relationship.

Include diverse perspectives: Represent a range of asexual experiences in your writing, acknowledging that asexuality intersects with other identities and experiences.

Don'ts:

Fetishize or pathologize asexuality: Avoid portraying asexuality as a novelty or using it as a plot device for shock value. Respect asexual characters as fully realized individuals with agency and autonomy.

Assume asexuality means aromanticism: While some asexual individuals may also identify as aromantic, many experience romantic attraction and desire romantic relationships. Avoid conflating asexuality with aromanticism.

Overemphasize the absence of sex: While sexual activity may not be central to the relationship, focus on the emotional connection and intimacy shared between characters rather than fixating on the absence of sexual activity.

Neglect character development: Give asexual characters depth and complexity beyond their orientation. Explore their backgrounds, motivations, and aspirations to create well-rounded and relatable protagonists.

Ignore feedback from ace readers: Seek feedback from asexual readers and sensitivity readers to ensure your portrayal of asexual characters is accurate, respectful, and affirming.

By approaching asexual romance with sensitivity, empathy, and authenticity, you can create compelling and inclusive stories that resonate with readers across the spectrum of sexual orientations and identities.

Developing Asexual Characters

When crafting asexual characters for your story, it's essential to approach their portrayal with care and authenticity. Asexual individuals, like all people, are multifaceted and unique, and their experiences of love, relationships, and identity can vary widely. Here are some key considerations for developing asexual characters:

Establishing Asexual Identity: Begin by determining your character's asexual identity and how they understand and experience their orientation. Some asexual individuals may have known from a young age that they were asexual, while others may come to understand their identity later in life. Consider how your character's asexuality intersects with other aspects of their identity, such as their culture and personal experiences.

Exploring Romantic Orientation: Asexual individuals can experience a range of romantic orientations, from aromantic to biromantic, panromantic, or heteroromantic. Determine how your character experiences romantic attraction, if at all, and how this aspect of their identity shapes their relationships and interactions with others.

Building Relationships: As you develop your character's relationships, consider how their asexuality influences their approach to romance, intimacy, and partnership. Asexual characters may seek out romantic connections that prioritize emotional intimacy, companionship, and mutual respect over physical attraction.

Addressing Stereotypes: Avoid falling into common stereotypes or misconceptions about asexuality in your portrayal of asexual characters. While some asexual individuals may lack interest in romantic or sexual relationships, others may actively seek out and engage in romantic partnerships.

Incorporating Intersectionality: Consider how your character's asexual identity intersects with other aspects of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, disability, or socioeconomic status. Acknowledge the unique challenges and experiences that may arise from these intersections and strive to create nuanced and authentic portrayals of asexual characters.

Creating Asexual Romances

Crafting asexual romances requires a nuanced approach that emphasizes emotional connection, communication, and mutual understanding. Here are some tips for writing compelling asexual romances:

Focus on Emotional Intimacy: In asexual romances, emotional connection takes center stage. Instead of relying on physical attraction or sexual tension to drive the relationship, emphasize the deep emotional bond between your characters. Explore the ways in which they support and care for each other, share intimate moments, and navigate challenges together.

Communicate Openly: Communication is key in any relationship, but it's especially important in asexual romances where partners may have different needs and boundaries. Encourage your characters to communicate openly and honestly about their feelings, desires, and expectations.

Respect Boundaries: Asexual characters may have unique boundaries and comfort levels when it comes to physical intimacy. Respect your characters' boundaries and preferences, and avoid pressuring them into situations that make them uncomfortable. Focus on building intimacy through non-sexual gestures, such as hand-holding, cuddling, or sharing meaningful experiences together.

Explore Different Relationship Dynamics: Asexual romances can take many forms, from platonic partnerships to committed romantic relationships. Consider the dynamics that best suit your characters and their individual needs and desires. Whether they're best friends who support each other unconditionally or romantic partners who share a deep emotional bond, prioritize authenticity and respect in depicting their relationship.

Challenge Stereotypes: Asexual romances provide an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about love and relationships. Avoid portraying asexual characters as emotionless or incapable of love, and instead highlight the richness and complexity of their romantic experiences.

Embrace Diversity: Asexual characters, like all characters, come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Consider incorporating intersectional identities and perspectives into your romances to reflect the complexity of human relationships.

By approaching asexual romances with sensitivity, empathy, and authenticity, you can create compelling narratives that resonate with readers and challenge conventional notions of love and intimacy.

Crafting Emotionally Charged Romance Scenes

Writing romance scenes that prioritize emotional intimacy over physical interaction can add depth and resonance to your asexual romances. Here are some ideas for creating emotionally charged romance scenes:

Meaningful Conversations: Instead of relying solely on physical gestures or romantic clichés, focus on meaningful conversations between your characters. Use dialogue to explore their innermost thoughts, fears, and desires, and delve into the complexities of their emotional connection.

Shared Experiences: Create opportunities for your characters to share intimate experiences that strengthen their emotional connection. Whether it's watching a beautiful sunset together, exploring a new city hand in hand, or sharing a quiet moment of reflection in nature, these shared moments can deepen their sense of closeness and build trust between them.

Vulnerability and Support: Showcasing moments of vulnerability and support can highlight the depth of your characters' emotional bond. Allow your characters to open up to each other about their fears, insecurities, and past traumas, and explore how they offer comfort, reassurance, and understanding in return.

Gestures of Affection: While physical intimacy may not be a focal point of your romance scenes, you can still incorporate subtle gestures of affection that convey love and tenderness. Consider incorporating acts of kindness, such as cooking a favorite meal, leaving notes of encouragement, or offering a comforting embrace during times of need.

Emotional Resonance: Infuse your romance scenes with emotional resonance by tapping into universal themes of love, longing, and connection. Explore the nuances of your characters' emotions, from the exhilaration of new love to the comfort of familiar companionship, and allow these feelings to permeate every interaction and exchange.

By prioritizing emotional intimacy and connection in your romance scenes, you can create compelling narratives that celebrate the depth and complexity of asexual relationships.

I hope this blog on Crafting Asexual Romance and Navigating Emotional Intimacy in Fiction will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!

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harveyguilleniconodelamoda · 8 months ago

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Autumn Art Walk

Harvey recently spent a day at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in this fantastic outfit combining a sheer watercolor shirt, chocolate zip-up wool blend jacket from Zara, olive drab drawstring chino pants tucked into black Gucci combat boots, his signature sunglasses, and a black wool beret.

Achieving Visual Balance

This is such a great study of how thoughtful styling can take casual, comfy pieces and elevate them into something that looks ultra-cool and put together in a way the pieces might not on their own. This outfit achieves balance in three key ways:

Color: The thoughtful combination of soft late autumnal colors reflect and complement one another. The greens of the shirt tie into the green of the pants, and the black beret and black boots join with the hints of black in the shirt and the drawstring of the pants to create a throughline in the outfit's color scheme. The brown jacket contrasts to all without fighting with or overpowering. Rather, it makes the greens in the shirt really pop, and remains in harmony with the more muted green of the pants.

Texture: The thicker jacket material contrasts sharply with the thinner, less structured sheer material of the shirt in a way that's pleasing to the eye. The more structured wool material of the hat and the solidity of the leather boots balance out the softer texture of the pants, not so much dressing them up as edging them up.

Silhouette: The blockier, broad-shouldered shape of the jacket is contrasted by the tapered line of the tucked-in pants, creating a nicely balanced overall silhouette.

Balance vs. Symmetry

Some people think balance always means creating a reflection across a vertical or horizontal line: make the silhouette a square, rectangle, oval, or an hourglass. But that isn't balance, it's symmetry, and the two are not the same.

Organic life tends not to be perfectly symmetrical, and there have long been fashion trends that intentionally sought to disrupt the appearance of too much symmetry in favor of creating a visual effect that feels more lively and authentic.

Think one razored eyebrow, split-dyed hair, color blocking, or the many fashion trends that seek to create the appearance of super long legs, super short torsos, or silhouettes that resemble triangles rather than squares or hourglasses. If you find your outfits feeling boring, try to create balance, not symmetry!

Even the combination of mass market and designer items in one outfit speaks to the theme of balance, as does the inclusion of older pieces we've seen on Harvey many times with a brand-new jacket from his recent travels.

Affordable Options

The Zara jacket is pricey at $250, but Macy's has a similar one on sale for $49.99 that comes in sizes up to 2XL (50-inch chest). There's also this option from ASOS for $84.99, sizes up to 2XL (48-inch chest).

You can find wool or wool blend berets in a lot of stores this time of year (I highly recommend checking ThredUp!), but I like this one from Nordstrom for $29.99.

These loose tech cargo pants from Old Navy come in sizes up to 4XL (54-inch waist) and retail for $49.99 (currently on sale for 50% off!).

I have a whole post on lace-up combat boots! But these Madden Girl lace-up combat boots are currently on sale for $34.50 and come in sizes up to 11M.

I think I'm gonna do a whole separate post on mesh tops, because Harvey wears a lot of them, they're gorgeous, and it's hard to find nice ones for plus sizes that don't make you want to claw your skin off. I'm also still working on a sunglasses post, so stay tuned for that!

#harvey guillén #fashion #plus size fashion #menswear #street style #wwdits cast #zara #gucci #shoes #accessories #jackets #autumn style #affordable options

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s-soulwriter · 9 months ago

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Why Flaws Make Your Characters Unforgettable

Flaws are what make characters truly come alive. They add realism, depth, and make your characters feel human—just like the rest of us. Perfect characters can feel distant and unrelatable, but a character with imperfections? That’s someone we can connect with. Here's why flaws are so important, and how they can take your story to the next level.

1. Realism and Relatability

Flaws make characters feel human. No one is perfect, and readers connect more deeply with characters who have imperfections because it reflects the complexity of real life. Flawed characters evoke empathy and understanding, making it easier for readers to relate to their struggles.

2. Character Depth

Flaws add layers of complexity to your characters, transforming them into multi-dimensional beings. Without weaknesses or imperfections, a character can feel flat or one-dimensional. The tension between a character's strengths and flaws creates a richer and more engaging narrative.

3. Conflict and Tension

Flaws are a natural source of conflict, both internal and external. Whether your character is struggling with their own imperfections or clashing with others because of them, these conflicts drive the plot forward. The journey to confront or accept these flaws becomes a key theme that keeps readers invested.

4. Character Growth

Flawed characters have room for growth, making their story arcs more compelling. The process of overcoming or learning to live with their flaws creates satisfying character development. Readers love to see characters evolve, and flaws provide the foundation for that journey.

5. Reader Engagement

Flawed characters are easier to invest in because readers can see a reflection of themselves or the people they know in them. Their imperfections make their struggles more personal and relatable, forging a deeper emotional connection between the reader and the story.

6. Authenticity and Versatility

Flaws lend authenticity to your characters. In reality, no one is flawless, and creating imperfect characters makes your story more genuine and believable. Flaws also allow for a broader range of personalities, creating a more diverse and inclusive cast of characters.

7. Memorability

Characters with noticeable flaws leave a lasting impression on readers. Their struggles, vulnerabilities, and the journey to overcome their imperfections add a dynamic quality to the narrative, making them more memorable than characters who are perfect or invulnerable.

8. Complex Relationships

Flaws shape how characters interact with each other. Relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or antagonistic, are often influenced by a character's imperfections. These interactions add richness and nuance to the story, creating layered, dynamic interpersonal dynamics.

Tips for Developing Flaws in Your Characters:

Know Your Character Inside Out: Understand your character’s background, fears, desires, and insecurities. What drives them? Once you know their core, their flaws will emerge naturally.

Embrace Imperfections: Flaws aren’t just physical traits—they include emotional wounds, quirky habits, and attitudes. Dive into your character’s vulnerabilities and let their imperfections make them unique.

Create a Balanced Mix: A well-rounded character has a blend of strengths and weaknesses. Think about how each flaw affects their journey and their relationships. Aim for balance, ensuring the flaws feel authentic without making the character one-dimensional.

Flaws Should Serve the Plot: Consider how your character’s imperfections contribute to the storyline. Do their flaws lead to conflict, personal growth, or plot twists? Flaws should actively drive the narrative forward.

Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of simply stating a character’s flaws, reveal them through actions, dialogue, and decisions. Let readers experience the flaws naturally. This deeper, more immersive approach enhances emotional engagement.

Allow Room for Growth: Characters should evolve throughout the story. Give them opportunities to confront and overcome their flaws. This process of self-discovery adds depth to the narrative and keeps readers engaged.

Seek Inspiration from Real Life: Real people are imperfect. Draw inspiration from friends, family, or even strangers. Observing real-world flaws can help you create authentic, relatable characters that feel true to life.

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shamandrummer · 6 months ago

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Neo-Shamanism vs. Traditional Shamanism

Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in indigenous traditions, often considered humanity's oldest spiritual system. It involves connecting with the spiritual world for healing, guidance, and insight. In contrast, neo-shamanism has emerged as a contemporary reinterpretation of these practices, often adapted for modern lifestyles and Western contexts. While neo-shamanism draws inspiration from traditional shamanism, it departs in significant ways. This blog post examines the similarities and differences between these two paradigms, exploring their historical roots, cultural contexts, practices, and modern implications.

Origins and Historical Roots

Traditional Shamanism

Shamanism traces its origins to prehistoric times, with evidence found in rock art, burial sites, and oral traditions. It was (and in many places still is) practiced by indigenous peoples across regions such as Siberia, the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia. A shaman, in these traditions, acts as an intermediary between the physical and spiritual worlds, often entering altered states of consciousness through drumming, chanting, or the use of entheogenic plants. Their roles include healing, divination, guiding souls, and maintaining harmony within their communities.

Neo-Shamanism

Neo-shamanism emerged during the mid-20th century, influenced by anthropological studies and New Age spirituality. Thinkers like Carlos Castaneda, Michael Harner, and Mircea Eliade played pivotal roles in introducing shamanic ideas to Western audiences. Unlike traditional shamanism, neo-shamanism isn't tied to a specific culture or lineage. Instead, it often blends practices from various traditions, emphasizing personal transformation and individual spiritual exploration.

Philosophical Foundations

Traditional Shamanism: Communal and Contextual

Traditional shamanism is deeply rooted in the cultural and ecological contexts of its practitioners. The shaman's work is inherently tied to the well-being of their community and the natural world. For example:

Animism: Belief that all elements of nature (animals, plants, rocks, etc.) possess spirits.

Community Service: Shamans perform rituals to heal individuals, resolve conflicts, or ensure a bountiful harvest.

Cultural Specificity: Practices are shaped by the tribe's history, environment, and cosmology.

Neo-Shamanism: Individualistic and Syncretic

Neo-shamanism shifts the focus from community service to individual empowerment. It emphasizes:

Personal Growth: Participants often seek healing or enlightenment for themselves rather than for their community.

Spiritual Eclecticism: Borrowing from diverse traditions--such as Native American, Peruvian, or Siberian practices--without adhering to a specific cultural framework.

Universal Accessibility: Neo-shamanic practices are often presented as techniques anyone can learn, regardless of cultural or spiritual background.

This philosophical shift has been both celebrated for its inclusivity and criticized for its lack of authenticity.

Core Practices

Altered States of Consciousness

Both traditional and neo-shamanism rely on altered states of consciousness to access the spiritual realm, but their approaches differ:

Traditional Methods: Indigenous shamans use culturally specific tools like drums, rattles, chants, and psychoactive plants such as ayahuasca or peyote.

Neo-Shamanic Adaptations: Neo-shamanism may substitute traditional methods with breathwork, meditation, or modern sound healing techniques, making these practices more accessible to urban lifestyles.

Rituals and Ceremonies

Traditional Shamanism: Rituals are sacred and often complex, requiring deep training within a cultural lineage. These ceremonies are imbued with cultural symbolism and are seen as essential for maintaining spiritual balance in the community.

Neo-Shamanism: Ceremonies are often simplified or reinterpreted for broader audiences. For instance, a neo-shamanic retreat might focus on "soul retrieval" or guided visualization workshops, omitting the cultural nuances of the original practice.

Use of Plant Medicine

Plant medicine is another area of divergence:

Traditional Shamanism: The use of plants like ayahuasca or iboga is rooted in centuries-old traditions, often accompanied by strict rituals and spiritual guidance.

Neo-Shamanism: Plant medicine is sometimes commodified, with retreats offering ayahuasca ceremonies to international tourists, often without the depth of traditional training or safeguards.

Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Appreciation

One of the most contentious issues in the discussion of neo-shamanism is cultural appropriation. Critics argue that neo-shamanic practices often strip traditional rituals of their cultural significance, reducing them to marketable commodities. For example:

Loss of Context: A neo-shamanic drumming circle might replicate the surface elements of a Siberian ritual without understanding its deeper meaning.

Exploitation: Indigenous knowledge is sometimes used without acknowledgment or compensation to the communities that developed it.

However, proponents of neo-shamanism counter that spiritual knowledge belongs to all humanity and adapting it for modern times ensures its survival.

Impact on Spirituality and Healing

Both traditional and neo-shamanism play significant roles in spiritual healing, albeit in different ways:

Traditional Shamanism: Healing is holistic, addressing not only physical ailments but also spiritual imbalances believed to cause illness. The shaman works within a cosmology that views health as a harmony between humans, spirits, and nature.

Neo-Shamanism: Healing is often framed in psychological terms, focusing on overcoming trauma, achieving self-actualization, or reconnecting with nature.

This reframing has made shamanic practices more relatable to those in the West, but it also departs from their original intent.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

The rise of neo-shamanism raises several ethical questions:

Authenticity: Can shamanism retain its essence when removed from its cultural and spiritual roots?

Accessibility vs. Exploitation: How do we balance making shamanic practices accessible to all while respecting the intellectual property of indigenous cultures?

Sustainability: The commercialization of neo-shamanism, especially in areas like plant medicine tourism, risks overharvesting and exploitation of natural resources.

Conclusion: A Meeting of Worlds

While traditional shamanism and neo-shamanism differ in origin, philosophy, and practice, both serve as bridges between the material and spiritual worlds. Traditional shamanism offers a profound connection to ancient wisdom and community, rooted in cultural specificity. Neo-shamanism, on the other hand, reflects the evolving spiritual needs of a globalized world, emphasizing individual empowerment and inclusivity.

The key to navigating this intersection lies in fostering respect, reciprocity, and dialogue. Neo-shamanic practitioners can honor the roots of their practices by learning from indigenous voices, supporting their communities, and ensuring that spiritual exploration doesn't come at the expense of cultural integrity. In doing so, shamanism in all its forms can continue to inspire and heal across generations.

#shamanism #consciousness #shaman #shamanic drumming #shamanic practice #shamanic journey #shamans #spirituality

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