#writing rule mythbusting

[mangotangerine]

Adverbs or BADverbs?

You've heard it in English class, in podcasts, on writer tip listicles and TikToks and YouTube videos promising to tell you how to write like a pro: avoid using adverbs if at all possible! Adverbs make you look like a dork who doesn't know how to write!

So what do you do? You find every damn adverb in your story and you rifle through a thesaurus or dictionary to find the most appropriate verb. Let's use an example—the dreaded "ran quickly."

How about the sentence:

James runs quickly through the glen to get to grandma's house.

So you get your thesaurus and you run your finger down the list of verbs:

Hurried

Rushed

Sprinted

Dashed

Bolted

Darted

Raced

Sped

Fled

Charged

Tore

Barreled

Lunged

Took off

Bounded

Scrambled

Careened

Hurtled

Jogged

Galloped

Scampered

Scurried

Hustled

Blazed

Streaked

Flew

Zoomed

Zipped

Whizzed

Shot

Rocketed

Pelted

Wow! So many! You just pick one, right? And you all said along with me: No, of course not. You pick the one that means what you want.

So let's figure out what fits. Let's start with the generic runs quickly. I'm going to write that my character James is running through the glen to get to grandma's house. He's not in a hurry, he just likes to go places fast. Kind of like a video game character��his default is run. If most people run at around… 5 mph (8 kmh), then James runs at 8 mph (~13 kmh).

So our sentence:

James runs quickly through the glen to get to grandma's house.

What does this tell the reader? James is running through a glen, going to grandma's house, and he's running quickly. Perfect, exactly what I mean to say. But oh no! We're using an adverb!

So let's try on some of those specialized verbs. I'm not going to go through all of them in this post, because that's a lot, but feel free to try the ones we don't go through for yourself. Now, on to the experimentation!

James hurries through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Let's do the same thing—what does this tell the reader? He's going through a glen—he's no longer running, you see, since "hurry" does not always mean run—he's going to grandma's house, and he's in a hurry. Besides the fact he's no longer running, you've added something with the word "hurry." There's now some external motivator there. Is he late? Is there a time crunch? Why's he hurrying?

You've just added a different connotation. That's the thing about words—they don't just come with a dictionary meaning. They have a secondary, subconscious meaning, something culturally embedded in the language.

And our James? Not in a hurry. So cross hurry off the list.

Let's try a few more. Let's pick ten, and just go down the list.

James rushes through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Similar to hurry, in that this one doesn't necessarily mean run—just moving quickly. This one does seem a bit faster, though. Still, our James isn't rushing. He's just leisurely running quickly.

James sprints through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Woah woah woah. Don't get crazy now. That's a little intense. Okay, he's running now, but he's not sprinting—that's a whole other level of running. He's just running at an average quickness. A casual 8 mph run.

James dashes through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Okay, cool, he's still running—we don't have the issue of hurry or rush here—but dashes implies some sort of urgency, or speed above just "running."

James races through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Races has either an implied competition, or going at full speed, trying to get somewhere. It implies urgency. It's directional. You race toward something. He is running to grandma's house, but is he going at full speed? Is there urgency?

James flees through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Is he being chased by feral hogs?

James charges through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Calm down buddy, you're gonna give grandma a heart attack.

James hurtles through the glen to get to grandma's house.

He's certainly not hurtling—hurtles implies wild and uncontrolled. His run is quite controlled.

James scurries through the glen to get to grandma's house.

What is he, a mouse?

James scrambles through the glen to get to grandma's house.

Wild, chaotic, uncontrolled—that's how I get dressed in the morning when I'm late for work. It's certainly not how James, an expert runner, runs through the glen.

James flies through the glen to get to grandma's house.

This one implies he's running so fast he barely hits the ground. He is certainly not flying through the glen.

Okay. We could keep going—I could make you read through every single possible replacement for 'runs quickly' and my commentary, but I won't, because I think I've illustrated my point.

Are the non-adverbial verbs more evocative? Yes. They add emotion. They add connotation.

The advice to never use adverbs isn't to avoid adverbs for adverbs' sake. There's nothing inherently wrong with adverbs. They're a perfectly normal and useful part of language.

What the advice is getting at is that you should choose your verbs according to what you're trying to get across.

You cannot simply look at dictionary definitions or a thesaurus—what is the precise meaning you are attempting to convey? If James is late, perhaps he hurries, or rushes, or races. If he's being chased by a feral hog, perhaps he sprints or he flees. If James is a mouse, perhaps he scurries or scampers.

But my James simply moves around his world like a video game character—always on run-mode—so what is the most precise choice for me?

It's runs quickly. It's the adverb one. It's the rule-breaking one.

My advice to you is to write with intuition and to not worry so much about word choices in the moment. If "speeds" seems right as you write it, go ahead. If you can't think of the perfect word, write "runs quickly" and come back to it in editing.

Then ask yourself, what's the external/internal motivation? What's the context? Choose your verb—with or without an adverb—according to that. But don't just pick a word to avoid an adverb.

Write with intuition, edit with intention. Use adverbs if they're the best fit for what you want to say, and if you get feedback from someone to not use an adverb—even though you've gone through the other verbs and decided an adverb is the best choice—you are free to disregard that feedback.

You know what you mean. Make sure your words match it, to the best of your ability. But don't get caught up in trying to pick the best word in the writing process. It's a trap. Do it in editing.

Don't let the fear of adverbs hold you back from writing.

[comradetoad]

doing science in the discord server tonight

the less I'm on twitter the lower my anxiety, weird how that works

[hauntedcats-tales]

I've read several stories now where the person clenches their hands so hard their fingernails cut into their skin. Have you ever tried doing that to see if it would happen? Sure, I get little crescent indents, but that's all.

[twistedteatime]

Super Soldier Theater: Jaws

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader, Steve Rogers x Reader, Stucky x Reader. It's not specific. No pronouns assigned to Reader past "you".

Summary: Bucky Barnes missed out on a lot while being controlled by HYDRA. Steve Rogers missed out on even more being frozen in ice. Since Sam has made it his mission to update them on music, you decide that it's your job to update them on what they've missed out on in cinema.

Chapter Summary: The education of Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers on movies they missed out on continues. This time they bring it on themselves and learn no one is exempt and why a bigger boat is needed. They also learn about MythBusters.

Word Count: 8K

Warnings: Mild Language (Steve will deal), All the standard warnings that come with a movie about a giant shark eating people, Bucky and Steve being very upset about what people the shark does and does not eat, shark facts, shark myths, discussion of the USS Indianapolis, possibly traumatizing two PTSD suffering WWII vets more than they already are, other stuff I probably forgot.

A/N: It took me forever to find that gif. Poll for the next movie is at the end. If you notice typos along the line of he instead of the or is instead of his, like a word out of place. It's my keyboard. I do not support my work being put into AI in any fashion.

Ao3 Link: Super Soldier Theater: Jaws

Series Masterlist🍿MASTER Masterlist

Previous Movie: Jurassic Park Next Movie: The Little Mermaid (1989)

You debated for a few days over what movie to show Steve and Bucky next. The options were endless but ultimately they made the decision for you. Well, Steve did.

“Where does ‘We’re gonna need a bigger boat’ come from?” he asked as he walked into the living room with Bucky, the ex-assassin in his new black “Jurassic Park” T-shirt.

You looked at Steve. Then you realized he was serious. Well, that settled that. If he was gonna ask, you were gonna show.

“Are you afraid of water?” you asked and both he and Bucky looked at each other then looked at you.

“No.” They both answered.

“The ocean?”

“Well, I’m not…really fond of crashing into it.” Steve said and you nodded, “Why?”

“Go get the snacks. We’re watching Jaws tonight.” You answered and Bucky thought for a moment.

“Isn’t that the man-eating shark movie Spielberg directed?” he asked and you nodded.

“Yep.”

Several minutes later you were back in your accustomed spot between Bucky and Steve with Alpine sitting on the back of the couch behind you. The lights were shut off, your feet were propped up as usual, and you took a breath in before addressing them both. You knew you’d need to.

“Okay. This movie was made in 1975. It is based off of a novel from 1974. I haven’t read the book in its entirety, but I do know other things about the movie that will answer your questions. There are sequels to this movie but…we are not talking about those. Same rules as before. You can talk and ask questions, but if I tell you to watch, just watch. This is a different movie than Jurassic Park. Sharks are real animals and the author of the book actually felt regret for writing the book later in his life due to the aftermath that he felt that his book and this movie caused. It is a classic and the source of more than one movie reference you should know. Some of it may be upsetting to you both. Okay?”

They both nodded, confused and a bit concerned but watched the screen when you hit play. You kept the remote in your hand. You knew too well you’d need it…and you did.

It wasn’t when Bucky spoke, “You’re not drunk. Sure you’re not drunk.”

It was after that when the girl took her shirt off and Steve spoke.

“Is she naked?” he asked and you nodded.

“It’s the seventies and they’re going skinny dipping.” You answered and Bucky looked at you.

“In shark infested water?”

“They don’t know it’s shark infested just yet.” You answered and hit play again, both snickering when the guy fell face first down the sand dune and struggled to undress himself.

Bucky shook his head , “If you can’t walk or undress yourself how’d you expect to swim or do anything else?”

“Bucky!” Steve scolded and Bucky just looked at him, eyebrow raised as he put a piece of caramel popcorn into his mouth, “They wouldn’t show that.”

“Not in your day.” You replied and they both looked at you as you hit play again.

They both watched as the underwater shots zeroed in on the girl before jumping and staring wide eyed as the attack began. Mouths dropped open and then they gestured at the screen as it showed the guy passed out on the beach. You paused.

“Get it out of your systems.” You said.

“How’d you sleep through that?!” Steve asked looking at you.

“Lots of alcohol. It’s not over yet. You good?” You asked them both and they nodded so you hit play.

Bucky just watched in horror, “How’s she still alive?”

Steve spoke when she was dragged under the water, “Well she’s not now.”

They watched as the scene shifted to the police chief Brody and his family. They were quiet. At last until Brody’s son asked to go swimming.

“NO!” both said at the same time as Brody talked about the body washing up.

“Wait…they found her already?” Bucky asked and you rewound a few seconds and Steve nodded then angrily gestured at the screen causing Bucky to nod, “Oh…she’s just missing.”

“There he goes swimming.” He said and Bucky shook his head when Brody scoffed about staying safe in the town.

“Doesn’t matter what a town is like. Anywhere can be dangerous.” He said and Steve shook his head when they saw who it was that called the girl in as missing.

“He’s a great witness.”

You didn’t have time to respond as the deputy quickly found the body. What was left of it. Crawling with crabs.

They both just looked at the screen in horror. Horror that continued when the deputy returned to tell Brody about the boy scout merit badge swim. You knew exactly what was going to happen.

“No! No no no no no!” They both said shaking their heads.

You didn’t have the heart to tell them and knew they were going to have a new John Hammond figure very soon when the mayor made an appearance. They knew it, too, when he showed up with his cronies on the ferry and started on about shutting down the beaches.

“Rushing into something serious? A girl was eaten by a shark at your beach!” Steve said and Bucky groaned as he shook his head.

“Typical asshole.” He said and you nodded.

“You’re not wrong.” You answered while Steve scowled, “I’m surprised you’re not yelling at him.”

“He’s right.” Steve said while scowling, “Does the mayor get eaten?”

“You know I’m not telling you who or who doesn’t get eaten, Steve.”  You answered and he sighed before letting you hit play.

When the next scene zeroed in on the boy you prepared yourself. The tension was clear on their faces when the one swimmer surfaced from under the woman floating. They jumped when the couple playing in the water resulted in the girl screaming. Both were wound up tight and silent. Especially when they showed the boy on the raft again.

“They’re not…” Steve started and you remained quiet.

Then the dog disappeared.

“It’s there. It ate the dog!” Bucky whispered, eyes glued to the screen and jumped a bit when Alpine meowed, “I know you don’t care.”

“Oh no…it’s the music. NO!!” Steve started and Bucky joined him when the attack happened.

“NO!!! NOT THE KID! NOO!”

“NO! NO! IT ATE THE KID!!”

Alpine went into Bucky’s lap while you worked on calming Steve down and then Bucky. You had your work cut out for you. So did Alpine.

“It’s okay. It’s a movie. It’s a movie.” You soothed and they took a moment before nodding and zeroing in on the two beings they blamed it all on.

“That shark has to go.” Bucky scowled and Steve nodded.

“The mayor too.” He said and they both scowled at the reward offered, “It ate two people and you’re offering a 3000-dollar reward for something that ate a child?”

You pulled your phone out to calculate the difference, “That’s under 20 grand in today’s money.”

“It ate a kid! You should do it for free!” Steve said and you instantly had to pause again.

“It’s not the town offering the reward. It’s the kid’s mom.” You explained and they both calmed and nodded.

“Oh.”

They weren’t calm for long and you hit pause almost immediately after hitting play again when the motel owner started denying it was a shark.

“WHAT ELSE DOES THAT?!” Bucky asked and you just hit play again deciding to let them ride out their emotions about the town, its business owners, the mayor, and everyone else.

“A small story?!”

“You’re gonna bury it with the ads on the back?!”

“You hope they don’t close the beaches?!”

“All you people care about is money!”

“At least she doesn’t think the joke’s funny. Okay maybe she doesn’t need to get eaten.” Bucky said with a scowl while Alpine just looked up at you from your lap.

“I know, Al. Just…let them go.” You said quietly to her while they both continued grumbling and arguing with the new focus of their intense ire.

“Are you going to close the beaches?”

“Yes. We are.”

“Good!” Both Steve and Bucky said and groaned as the room began complaining.

You soothed Alpine and lowered the volume down lower when you saw the shark hunter Quint’s hand raise up to the chalkboard. They flinched and grimaced anyway being well aware of what the sound was.

They listened to Quint’s speech and then just scowled at the mayor. Yeah, they absolutely detested the mayor. You could see the gears turning in their heads.

“Who’s he work for?” Bucky asked, eyes narrowed and Steve looked at you for an answer…then Bucky did.

You knew damn well you’d have to give them one, “Okay…this isn’t in the movie. The book is different from the movie as is usually the case. In the book the mayor is in hock up to his ears to the mafia. They’re the ones pressuring him to keep the beaches open so they don’t lose money. In this he’s just a sleazy businessman.”

“He’d make good chum bait.” Bucky said and Steve shook his head in response, “He would.”

You hit play again and quickly both agreed with Brody yelling at his kids to get out of the boat.

“You have horrible maternal instincts, ma’am.” Steve said in response to Brody’s wife disagreeing with getting the kids away from the water and you paused the movie, “My mother would have moved us to a desert.”

Bucky had to think for a moment before responding, “If you’d have had more money back then I think she’d have tried anyway.”

“Well…yeah.” Steve nodded and thought wistfully for a moment before thinking, “I’m surprised she let me learn how to swim at all.”

“Well…technically she didn’t. I just taught you anyway.” Bucky said and Steve looked at him, “Yeah…I didn’t exactly tell her where we were going.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t get eaten by anything.” He replied and you just shook your head.

“Can we continue?” you asked and they both looked at you, the screen, and then nodded causing them to laugh when Brody’s wife changed her mind at seeing a picture in the book.

The laughter was soon replaced with shaking their head as the two fishermen chucked in one’s wife’s holiday roast.

“Someone is in a lot of trouble.” Bucky said and you and Steve both nodded, but for separate reasons they soon learned after grimacing at the photos of shark attack bites.

“I think I understand why the bigger boat thing is a thing.” Steve said after the shark ripped the dock off, “Swim, Charlie, swim!”

He and Bucky both relaxed after Charlie made it safely back onto the dock. Yet Bucky sat there thinking about it for a moment.

“His wife is probably going to try feeding him to the shark once she finds out what he did with her roast.”

You just chuckled and shook your head. Their next question came when Hooper arrived in the form of: “Is he gonna get eaten?” from Steve.

Bucky just nodded in agreement with Steve, “Yeah, everyone they focus on so far gets attacked or eaten ‘cept Brody and Mayor Chum Bucket.”

“BUCKY!” Steve scolded and Bucky just blinked at him.

“What?” asked and you just shushed them both.

“Just watch. They’ll explain who he is.” You said and they watched the chaos on the docks, including Hooper telling the fishermen that they were going to overload a boat before they acted like assholes to him when he asked a simple question.

Then you paused the movie due to laughing with Bucky as Steve spoke at the same time Hooper did saying almost the same exact thing.

“Well they’re all gonna get eaten.” Steve said then laughed with the two of you, Bucky pointing at the screen.

“I like him.” Bucky said and laughed again when Hooper walked into where Brody was and doubled down on how none of the men in the one boat were getting out of the harbor alive before introducing himself, “OH! He’s the shark guy they called.”

“He’s gonna get eaten.” Steve said and you just looked at him only for him to point at the screen, “Unpause it. Please.”

You just shook your head at him and hit play once more. They watched the ensuing chaos on the water with the multiple fishermen. Several comments were made about safety, stupidity, and then the use of explosives.

“Are they serious?” Bucky asked and you looked at him, “They’re chumming, one doesn’t know what that is, and the other is throwing explosives into the water. They’re just setting up a buffet. That shark pulled the dock off. It’s probably big enough to eat one of those boats whole.”

“You have no idea…” you thought to yourself and just smiled and gestured at the screen for him to keep watching as Hooper examined the remains of the first victim.

“Well he’s not happy.” Steve said as Hooper examined the remains and started scolding people about calling it a boating accident, “He’s definitely getting eaten.”

“He has sense. Of course he is.” Bucky agreed and looked at the screen in disbelief when it showed a shark that the fishermen had caught, “That’s way too small.”

“The crazy guy knows it.” Steve said and you nodded then waited for them to scowl at the mayor again, “The mafia angle would make a lot of sense but so does him just being…him..”

You nodded and waited then watched as they scowled as Brody was the one that got blamed for the boy getting eaten.

“It wasn’t him! It was your corrupted mayor and council!” Steve scowled.

“She’s grieving, Steve, and he didn’t fight it either.” Bucky countered and Steve looked at him with a scowl.

“Don’t you two start arguing.” You said and they nodded before returning to watching Hooper explain how he got into studying sharks.

“I don’t think I’d start studying them if they ate my boat out from under me.” Steve said and Bucky thought for a moment.

“I mean…I might. Just to learn how to not have that happen again.” He said and you thought about it yourself.

“I’d never set foot near the ocean again.” You said and once again hit play.

They weren’t surprised when the shark turned out to not be the right shark. They were already aware of that. They were however surprised by the license plate. Both nodded when Hooper explained why, yet they were both shaking their head at his dismissal of the mayor as being a small problem.

“Look, you’re not wrong about the shark being a problem.” Steve said and Bucky shook his head.

“No, but the mayor is a major problem because he’s the one standin’ in the way.” He said and you nodded then nodded again, “I also think you’re underestimatin’ the size of that shark’s mouth as for night feeding…did you skip the part about the daytime attack?”

It then took Steve two seconds to guess that Brody was drunk when he started rambling about the crime rate in New York. That launched him and Bucky both into a discussion on how much things had, or hadn’t, changed since their day. That then launched them into a short tennis match over how Steve getting beaten up in alleys back then was different before you put a stop to it devolving any further.

“Sorry.” Both apologized so you could hit play again, learning more about Hooper and Brody, “Why’s the chief hate water s’much?”

You paused, “I can’t remember if they explain it in the movie or the book. He almost drowned as a kid so developed a phobia of water.”

“Oh.” They both nodded and you hit play again, watching as the boat’s fish finder picked up something else being out in the water.

When it turned out to lead to an abandoned boat both of their eyes widened. It was easy to tell that they were torn between moving forward and leaning back to prepare themselves. They didn’t stay quiet, though.

“Sure I know him. He’s a fisherman.” Brody said on the screen while he and Hooper drew up on the banged up and attacked boat.

“Knew him. You knew him.” Steve said and Bucky nodded.

“Yeah and he was a fisherman. He’s fish food now.” He said and you held back the snicker that threatened to erupt from you and it got better.

“Look Martin, I’ve gotta go down there and check their hull.” Hooper said and both Steve and Bucky shook their heads.

“No.”

“Wait a minute. Why don’t we just tow it all in?” Brody asked and they both nodded.

“Listen to him, Hooper.” Steve said and Bucky nodded.

“Yeah, don’t get eaten.”

“We will. I just got to check something out.” Hooper insisted and they both sighed, shaking their heads, “Hit the lights for me.”

“He’s getting eaten.” Bucky sighed and Steve nodded.

“Yeah and Brody’s gonna be left out there alone on the boat…”

You said nothing. You just let them watch and tell Hooper he’s an idiot a few times. Alpine was curled up in your lap watching the screen with them while you stole bits of their snacks waiting.

“Don’t worry Martin. Nothing’s gonna happen.”

“You said the shark’s a night feeder. It’s night.” Steve pointed out and Bucky nodded.

“Yeah and you’re gonna get eaten so something is definitely gonna happen.”

“Don’t touch any of the equipment. I’ll be back in two minutes.”

“He’s gonna touch it.” Steve said and once again Bucky nodded.

“Yeah, and Hooper’s gonna come back in two small pieces.” He said and they watched as Hooper swam into the water, both shaking their heads.

You remained silent as he investigated the boat and dislodged the huge tooth. You watched their reactions more than the movie. So when the head of the fisherman came through the giant hole you watched them both jump in their seats enough that you bounced in your own when they both came down, disturbing Alpine enough she meowed at them.

“Sorry.” They said and shook their heads.

“Of course he dropped the tooth!” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

“And the light.” He said, “Get out of the water.”

The scene changed to daytime.

“Oh look it’s Mayor Chum Bait with his anchor suit again…” Bucky said as Hooper and Brody tried to tell him about the danger of the shark but then both Bucky and Steve looked at you when they listed off a different incident that happened in 1916.

“Wait…” Steve said, thinking, “I think I heard my mom talkin’ about that once.”

You nodded, “Yeah. The Matawan shark attacks took place in July of 1916 and was likely the inspiration for the novel itself. Five people were attacked, four fatally. There are debates about what kind of shark it was, though. At the time they said a white shark but the attacks also took place in a creek. Fresh water. Not many sharks are able to swim in both fresh and salt. White sharks are rare around Jersey and don’t swim into brackish or fresh water like bull sharks or tiger sharks do and there’s been even more debate around if it was just one single shark as well. Bite ratios from more modern studies say up to three sharks could have been responsible.”

“How do you know this?” Bucky asked and you looked at him, blinking.

“Because I watch Shark Week on Discovery. Can I unpause now?”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded and once you did they were both soon groaning when the mayor refused to believe them and refused to close the beaches, both yelling at the mayor with Brody and Hooper, “You depend on the summer months for money! You’re gonna have no summer tourists left!”

“People aren’t gonna want to come back to a place that has a man-eating shark and a tacky damn mayor that doesn’t care if they get eaten!”

“Who’d bring their kid to a beach where the mayor practically sprays them down with tuna oil?!”

“Tuna oil?”

“I dunno the shark might like it more than barbecue sauce!”

“All he cares about is the summer and the sign!”

“Hooper is the only one with sense!”

“He’s laughing now.”

“He’s frustrated and just done.”

“That’s it! I vote the mayor gets tied up to the damn pier!” Bucky said and you just shook your head as Alpine looked up at you.

“Just let them go.” You said to her and she just nudged your hand to be petted as the tourists arrived, being labeled a “buffet on legs” by Steve with Bucky adding it was “all you can eat courtesy of Mayor Dumb Ass”.

When the mayor urged someone to go into the water they just jaw-dropped and then glared at the screen. The gears turning in their heads were spinning fast enough you could practically see the smoke coming out of their ears. You debated pausing it to let them process everything.

Once the mayor came back on announcing that they had already caught a large predator and was otherwise trying to cover everything up you debated it again, but waited once the shark fin was spotted. Then you paused it.

They both just glared at the screen then looked at you.

“Movie. Breathe. Calm. Deep breaths.” You knew what was coming and didn’t need either one wanting to tackle the tv, “Calm…it’s a movie…”

“That mayor…needs his face shoved into the sand…” Bucky said slowly, “And his ass kicked so hard…it becomes his head.”

“And then he can be shark bait.” Steve added and you licked your lips before speaking.

“Boys…I’m not pressing play until you both calm down. We all know the mayor is a major jackass.” You said and Alpine meowed.

“Mao.”

They both nodded and calmed down. Once you were satisfied you hit play again watching them glare at the ensuing terror-filled chaos. They both scolded the two boys for playing the prank, seeing them relax a bit, but you knew better. You knew the pause was needed for what came next. Especially when the shark was spotted going into the pond where Brody’s son was boating. It didn’t go over their heads just how large the shark was either.

“That thing is huge.” Steve said and Bucky nodded then both started shaking their heads.

“No one’s off limits in this movie. Get your kid outta the water, Brody!”

“Why isn’t he more worried?” Steve asked while gesturing at the screen.

“I don’t think he believes the screaming after the two prank boys.” Bucky said and he nodded.

“Probly.”

“We never would have done that.”

“No. We wouldn’t have.”

You agreed, but not because you believed them to be angels as children. You just knew that Steve wouldn’t have been able to. Had he been…you’d have audibly disagreed with them. Instead you just nodded.

You nodded and you said nothing and just held the remote at the ready. Alpine shifted around on your lap; aware you were getting ready just in case she needed to move. They were on the edge of their seats again when the shark was spotted making a beeline for the boat and the guy on the rowboat.

They were shaking their heads as Brody ran. Both jumped when the rowboat was capsized, eyes wide and then wider when the shark made its first appearance. Mouths slowly opened while they watched the man get dragged under. Then they leaned back when the next shot of the shark showed it taking another bite. Heads were shaking when the severed leg dropped to the bottom.

“Get out of the water.” Steve said quietly, both watched as Brody’s son was taken out of the water and was left in shock, “Oh that poor kid…”

“He’s alive. That’s what matters. He wasn’t eaten.” Bucky said and they watched him in the hospital scene asking for cars and coffee, “Knows his priorities.”

“I agree with mom. Go home to New York.” Steve said and they both glared full fury and rage at the mayor when he was apologizing to Brody, “Only thing he needs to sign is a resignation letter.”

“Or a note saying he wants to apologize by volunteering to be bait.” Bucky said while the mayor mumbled and tried to get himself out of trouble.

Neither cared about how the mayor felt at that point. Even when he mentioned his kids. Especially then and you found you had to pause or they’d miss the next part.

“Who the hell would reproduce with you?!” Bucky asked while holding both hands out to the screen and you laughed.

“Give me a break. ‘My kids were on that beach, too’. Maybe if you cared about your kids you shouldn’t have offered them up on an all you can eat buffet for ocean predators.” Steve glared at the screen and they looked at you to unpause it, “We’re okay.”

“Yeah.” Bucky nodded.

“Good.” You said and hit the play button letting them watch as Quint was hired and started listing off everything he wanted.

You watched them all jostle and maneuver each other’s egos. Steve and Bucky were obviously not very sure what to make of Quint. Other than that they thought he was rude, crude, and had definitely been in the military in some capacity.

“Navy.” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

“Definitely.” He said, eyes glued to the screen while watching Brody chum the water and Quint go on about how much shark fishing had changed, “Do we sound like that?”

You paused and thought for a moment, “Sometimes you go on about how things were. You both do…”

You glanced at Bucky as he opened his mouth causing him to shut it and smile at you.

Then you continued, “But you don’t really do it to the same degree as he does. Mostly I think he’s just trying to annoy the piss out of them both.”

They both nodded and continued watching the movie and as you predicted Bucky made a comment when Hooper freaked out about the compressed air tanks. You weren’t even surprised. You just knew him too well.

“No they won’t. They’re scuba tanks not aerosol.” He said and you looked at him, “They wouldn’t explode.”

“It’s a movie, Buck.” You reminded him and he sighed and nodded.

“Fine.” He said and gestured that you could unpause the movie once again.

They both looked at the reel when it began clicking. Brody was busy trying to tie his knot while Quint prepared himself. You could see they were both mentally debating if strapping himself to the pole was a good idea or not.

“Y’know…” Steve started and Bucky nodded, “I recognize that’s how you’re supposed to do it…but…”

“Yeah. He’s shark food.” Bucky said and tossed a bite of his Cracker Jacks into his mouth, “That shark’s huge. I don’t think you’re gonna be able to use a rod and reel to get it.”

You just shrugged and stole some of Steve’s popcorn.

“Y’know Chief, he’s either very smart or he’s very dumb…” Quint said on the screen while considering what the shark was doing.

“Sounds like he’s describin’ Steve.” Bucky said and snickered when Steve threw a piece of popcorn at him causing you to look at him sharply.

“What’d I say about throwin’ food?” you asked and he sighed.

“Sorry.” Steve said and you looked at Bucky.

“Behave.” You said and he nodded while watching the movie as they argued about it and Hooper said it wasn’t the shark before they both jumped as the line came free.

“I agree with Quint. It was the shark. They really need to stop competin’ with each other.” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

“Yeah, but if he’d stop pickin’ on Hooper for being educated he’d stop tryin’ to prove himself to him all the time.” He said and Bucky nodded.

“Yeah…” he said and they both nodded when Quint explained how he fished for sharks, tricking them up and jabbing at them.

They continued watching as Brody chummed the water before jumping when the shark made another appearance. Then Brody said the line that started all of this.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat…”

“I agree completely.” Steve said and so did Bucky.

“Yeah. Preferably one with torpedoes.” He said then thought for a moment with a face on that you knew very well.

“No. You cannot have Bruce as a pet.”

“Bruce? You named it. It’s a pet now.” He said and you laughed but shook your head.

“No! I didn’t name it Bruce. The movie crew did when they were making it! You can’t have a great white shark for a pet. They don’t really do captivity. It stresses them out too much and you’d have to feed them a lot.”

“Hm…true.” He said while thinking.

“Just watch the movie.” You said and hit play again.

They both watched as Quint and Hooper sized it, arguing again about the size.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s 20 or 25 it’s still going to eat you!” Steve said and Bucky nodded, watching them react, laughing a bit as Quint got rid of Brody’s wife on the radio after assembling his spear gun.

“Why are they putting Brody in charge of driving the boat?” Bucky asked and answered himself a few seconds later, “Because Hooper knows how to handle the barrels. Never mind.”

“What’s he doing?” Steve asked of Hooper and you just gestured at the screen as the barrel was pulled under, “It pulled it under.”

“That thing is gonna eat him.” Bucky said and you just gestured at the screen.

They watched as Hooper and Quint started having a competition on whoever had the bigger scar. You knew what was coming. It was expected as Bucky waved his vibranium arm at the screen.

“I win.” He said and smiled as they started laughing together, “Well at least they’re getting along now.”

“’Bout time.” Steve said and you nodded, waiting, and you watched them as Quint explained his removed tattoo was the U.S.S. Indianapolis and Hooper stopped laughing.

You watched them as Quint explained what had happened to him. You could see the shift in their eyes as they listened. It was after they both disappeared from the war. You knew they were aware of the war’s history after they both were out of it. Still, you knew they weren’t aware of everything.

They listened and watched as he continued. The horror was clear on their faces. You knew damn well you had to do it when they looked at you.

You paused and nodded, “Yes. It happened. The U.S.S. Indianapolis was charged with delivering parts of one of the bombs. I don’t remember which. The return voyage was when it was sunk. It was a secret mission, I don’t think they even had an escort because it was so secret. The number of survivors isn’t an exaggeration. Only 316 survived. It wasn’t June, though. It was…July I believe and the number on board was closer to twelve hundred not eleven hundred. Otherwise…yeah. It’s not made up for the movie. It happened.”

“That’s…” Bucky started and Steve nodded.

“Horrible.” He said and you nodded.

“It is. War didn’t end with Schmidt’s defeat. Took a few more months and a lot happened. You know won’t I lie to you about it.” You said and they nodded, “You need a minute or you want to keep going?”

“How long is left?” Steve asked.

“About another half hour…ish?” you answered and he nodded.

“Bathroom. The water’s gettin’ to me.” He said and both you and Bucky nodded.

“Yeah.” You said, “We’ll take a bathroom break.”

Bucky nodded and after a short break of relieving yourselves you got settled back in and hit play.

It picked up as Quint and Hooper started singing. It wasn’t long before the barrel returned. It also wasn’t long before one of them spoke. This time it was Steve.

“They’re singing and it’s ramming the boat and taking out the lights. What made this shark?”

“The ocean.” You retorted and they both looked at you, “Nature.”

“It’s too smart.” Bucky said and you just shook your head.

“Just watch the movie.” You replied and they returned to looking at the screen, watching Quint try to shoot the shark and asking what was wrong with the gun when it jammed.

“Top round was probably loaded on the right.” Bucky said then thought about it, “He’d have the clip fully loaded, though so he’s not down to the 7th and 8th round. Probly the bolt not working…and now he’s singing again. He’s crazy…but I like him…but he’s nuts. He’s gonna get eaten and we all know it.”

They watched Quint and Hooper in the daytime trying to fix the boat before jumping a bit when the barrel resurfaced. Once again they were leaning forward, eyes fixed on the screen as Hooper used the boat hook to get the rope. Both were tense, expecting any moment for the shark to pull the rope, and therefore Hooper, into the water. They were expecting it yet they still jumped when the shark surfaced and ripped the rope out of Quint’s hands.

They watched as Brody then went to make a phone call right afterwards. Both guessed he was after a bigger boat but jumped when Quint destroyed the radio. They also both agreed with Brody that Quint was certifiable even if they understood, in their opinion, that Quint was just out for blood and revenge against all sharks at that point.

Then Hooper announced the shark returned and Quint demanded another barrel. Neither one believed the jubilant music for a minute. They didn’t care how hopeful it sounded. They were both ready for chaos and Bucky raised his eyebrow as Brody shot at it before it took the two barrels down. Steve was shaking his head when Hooper was then later caught by the rope behind him and both questioned the logic of tying the ropes to the boat when the shark was that big.

“They’re just askin’ for it.” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

“They know how big it is…”

“They’re still just underestimatin’ it.” Bucky said and you all nodded, especially as it started to turn the boat and then pull the boat even after another barrel was shot into him.

“Not with three he can’t!” Quint said and both gestured at the screen when the shark pulled them under.

“Tell that to Bruce.” Steve said and jumped a few moments later when the boat listed as the shark returned.

They both shook their head when Quint pushed the boat to its absolute limit against Hooper’s urging him not to. Neither were surprised when the boat started spewing black smoke though they did jump when the engine blew.

Watching what they dubbed as “Plan B” come together they agreed with both Brody and Hooper. The shark would rip the cage to pieces but they didn’t really have any better plan to go with. Both said the same thing about the strychnine, though.

“Twenty ccs. I’d pour the whole damn bottle in.” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

They were both tense and threw their hands up when Hooper dropped the spear. They weren’t surprised by it but were surprised that he was putting up a fight. Then they both predicted the boom breaking as they tried raising the cage.

Yet, what took them by surprise the most was the shark rearing up and launching itself partially onto the boat. Their eyes were wide and you prepared yourself for their reaction to Quint sliding down the boat straight into the shark’s mouth.

Alpine put herself into Bucky’s lap while you checked on Steve. Both were just staring at the screen, processing it. Yet they both nodded that they were good to go so you unpaused the movie and prepared yourself.

Both of them narrowed their eyes when Brody was attacked by the shark and shoved the compressed air canister into its mouth. You could tell they were well aware of what was about to happen up to a point. So you cut them off before they questioned it.

“Movie.”

They just nodded and watched the ensuing battle between Brody and the shark. You also knew damn well Bucky was counting the shots.

“Smile you sonovabitch.” Brody said one more time before hitting the canister with the shot resulting in the infamous explosion of the man-eating shark.

They watched through the rest of the movie to its end. They were quiet. You weren’t quite sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing just yet.

“Well?” you asked and they looked at you.

“How different is the book?” Bucky asked and you answered.

“A bit. There’s a subplot where Brody’s wife cheats on him with Hooper because of something to do with how she feels like she missed out on a better life with Hooper’s brother or something. I’m not upset they left that out.” You answered and Steve nodded.

“Yeah that sounds confusing. I liked it, but that canister wouldn’t have blown up like that.” He said.

There it was. You knew it’d happen. You also knew what else was gonna come…and it did.

“How’d they do the shark? Was it like the T-Rex?” Bucky asked and you answered.

“There is a nearly two-hour long behind the scenes documentary about Jaws. The long and short of it is that: yes, the shark is an animatronic. However, the animatronic shark had a lot of issues. It didn’t work half the time, which is where the barrels came from. If the animatronic worked more there’d have been more scenes with the shark in it.”

“I think the barrels added tension more than seeing the shark would.” Steve said and Bucky nodded as did you.

“Yeah. As for the canister…no. There’s debate, it’s been tested several times, but it’s a movie.” You reminded them and they nodded then tilted their heads when you shut the movie off and turned on something different, “And now…we’re going to watch clips on YouTube of sharks hunting seals.”

“Why?” Bucky asked and you just smiled as they looked at the screen.

“Because I want to show you breaching great white sharks.” You answered and Steve looked at the thumbnail on the first one.

“They don’t jump that high.” He said and you just smiled and hit play, “Why are there ads on everything?”

“There wasn’t in the early days but this is life now. Just watch.” You said and gestured at the screen for them to watch.

They did then stared wide eyed when the 10-foot shark leapt out of the water to strike the seal dummy. They both just pointed at the screen. When another one breached they were both leaning forward and glued.

“They do jump that high.” Steve said and you nodded.

“They just…wham!” Bucky said and you nodded; then they both looked at you once the short video was done, “Are they all like that?”

“Mmm…sort of but there’s different sharks. Let’s find one with Colossus…” you said and scrolled down to the first one you saw, “These are off a Discovery show called Air Jaws from Shark Week. This one explains why they do this. The Sharks.”

They nodded and listened again, nodding as the narrator explained it was a learned adaptation to surprise seals, but they were still fascinated by it.

“That’s a big shark.” Bucky said and you nodded as Steve spoke.

“I suppose that’s why they call him Colossus.”

“Yep.” You nodded and watched several more clips with them, letting them pick each one.

Then you introduced them to MythBusters. The third season Jaws special to be specific after finding it on YouTube once you discovered you couldn’t find it on Discovery. You explained it briefly, knowing the opening would explain it more for you.

“It’s science based. You’ll like it. They test movie myths and other stuff like that. A lot is blown up. They’re nuts. Just watch.” You said and they nodded.

“I reject your reality and substitute my own.”

“Steve.” Bucky said and Steve side-eyed him.

“I kinda like it in here. It’s private.”

“That’s you then.” He retorted and Bucky just shrugged as you shushed them both.

“Behave.” You reminded them and they nodded while watching and listening to the line up of the myths to be tested.

They both nodded when the narrator explained the difference between continuous force and shock force. Both were fascinated and paying attention. You knew they were because they were silent and absorbed as Adam explained what they were doing. At least until he started getting seasick.

“Yeah. He’s Steve.” Bucky said and you sighed, “Sorry.”

Steve shook his head yet they watched the episode continue as the testing of great whites failed and the team went to the Bahamas to test some other things. They were largely silent as they watched the data collection and how the pair on the tv calculated what force a shark could produce.

At least until they introduced Buster. They didn’t ask who Buster was as Jaime explained who, or rather what, Buster was. Still a comment came.

“They have a crash test dummy.” Steve said, “Named Buster.”

You beat Bucky to it, “Yes. Not everyone is exactly willing to be a guinea pig for things so they have a crash test dummy instead.”

“Yeah. That.” Bucky said and Steve just nodded.

“I wouldn’t be volunteering for that.”

Both you and Bucky looked at him skeptically.

“I wouldn’t.” he said and nodded, “Unless it was important, but not just to test somethin’ like that.”

“Sure.” Bucky said and you hit play again to watch with them as the plan was drawn up on how to test the effect of deterring an attacking shark by punching it.

Both stared at the guy that just deterred great whites with his hand. You explained once again that the author of Jaws came to regret his actions for misrepresenting the animals so badly, but you agreed that the guy was still nuts. They went back to silence once the testing began again at least until the Red Man suit came back again.

“Steve needed one of those back in the 40s.” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

“I won’t argue about that.”

“Good.” You said and they returned to silence once the testing and science started again.

Bucky accepted their entire build of the punching machine despite having a vibranium arm. Then again you were pretty sure he understood the difference between what other people had access to in science versus what Wakanda and HYDRA had. That or he and Steve were just totally absorbed in the show.

Looking at them you were pretty sure they were absorbed. Watching the team build a shark ram and watching Adam build a shark cage without either Steve or Bucky saying anything while both were still very awake you knew they were just simply absorbed in the show. Even as Adam and Jaime tested the piano wire they only nodded in agreement that more movie magic had been used when it came to Quint using piano strings as a leader.

Seeing just how absorbed they were you weren’t exactly sure if it was a good thing or not. Ultimately you decided it was a good one since it gave them something else to watch that was science and entertainment.

They chuckled at times but otherwise they were absorbed. Then the tank arrived to tow the shark ram.

“They were actually given a tank?” Steve asked and you nodded.

“It’s a good idea to not let Adam drive it.” Bucky said and you chuckled then watched with them when Adam was allowed to control a crane, “But they let him operate heavy machinery.”

“He knows what he’s doing.” Steve said and you just smiled. “I still can’t believe they let him use the actual props.”

They continued watching as the testing moved back to the punching a shark test. Adam’s refusal to leave Buster behind if he got cut loose by a shark instantly had Bucky agreeing once again that he was Steve. It also had Steve’s instant agreement and admiration.

“I like him.” Steve said and you nodded.

“Buster is a part of the team no matter what they put him through.” You said and they nodded while watching, including when Buster’s arm got bit by a shark.

“Fight Buster fight!” they urged and cheered when he was raised from the water.

Then things moved onto the exploding scuba tank. It was the entire reason you put the episode on. They ultimately agreed with both Spielberg and the author Benchley about the ending of Jaws.

“I mean, yeah, we know they don’t explode like that…” Bucky said and Steve nodded.

“But it was still the ending that made it memorable and it felt fitting.” He said but then they returned to silence again while watching the shark strength test at pulling the boat backwards.

They enjoyed the test’s chaos, though they countered with a “what if the shark wasn’t a natural shark but a science lab creation”. Then they just stared when the narrator said the FBI was using it as a training session. You weren’t sure what to make of their reaction other than to be mildly impressed at how thorough they were when it came to safety and testing.

Though Bucky ultimately disagreed with Adam’s prediction about the bullet not going through the aluminum. He was right, as expected and as you knew he’d be.

They largely returned to silence yet they were fascinated by the contraption Adam was put into to watch Jaime get ready to punch at sharks. Even though they thought it was stupid they were still fascinated by the entire thing nodding at times, tilting their heads at others.

They were back on the edges of their seats deeply interested in the results of the shark ram versus the shark cage, but you knew they were mostly eager to see the end result so were disappointed when things went wrong. You knew very well that it couldn’t be a full MythBusters episode until something went wrong. Still they listened to Adam explain the ballast issue and the physics of it before everything was fixed.

Then they watched the results. Both were staring fascinated and nodded in response to what was said about there not being evidence of a shark attacking a cage like that. Then they watched the ram hit the boat. They nodded when the ram hit the boat creating a hole without sinking it.

Then came the scuba tank myth.

“We know this isn’t going to work.” Steve said and you nodded.

“Yeah, but they’re gonna show you how it can be made to work, too. There’s always an explosion every episode.” You said and they both nodded and watched.

Neither were surprised that it didn’t work on either attempt but they both shook their heads when the team rigged it so it would explode. It was still amusing to them that the FBI was involved.

“Well?” you asked afterwards and they nodded.

“What’s the sequel like?” Steve asked.

5 days later

“Mao!” Alpine meowed while dropping down from her cat tree like her Papa had a habit of doing straight onto a catnip filled shark toy as you walked in with the mail.

You tossed the package addressed to Steve at him and the one addressed to Bucky at Bucky. You knew what Steve had ordered and weren’t surprised when he pulled out a custom-made cat ball shaped like the amber piece from John Hammond’s cane he then tossed to her to bat around. Bucky pulling out T-shirts from his package didn’t surprise you either, though you had to laugh when he handed Steve one that had Buster on it proclaiming the dummy was his personal hero.

Steve smiled, “I love it.”

A/N: I had to give them a little something to untraumatize them at the end. The Matawan Man-Eater is a real event that happened and so is the sinking and aftermath of the USS Indianapolis. There's plenty I left out on both. I hope you enjoyed this episode (I'm sticking with episode. Calling them chapters or parts just doesn't fit right for me). The next poll will be up for 3 days instead of one. Mostly to give myself some time.

Ao3 Link: Super Soldier Theater: Jaws

Series Masterlist🍿MASTER Masterlist

Previous Movie: Jurassic Park Next Movie: The Little Mermaid (1989)

🍿Winner: The Little Mermaid (Animated)🍿

Taglist: @maryevm

[thestalkerbunny]

I think it only counts as science if it's something that isn't already know. Pretty sure you can find in ge internet what happens if you put bananas in the freezer. (Like I should have done at the time, which I did just now, turns out you should leave them in the counter until they are well ripe and only store them I the fridge to preserve the ripeness, if you leave them there too long, they can go bad)

NAh, the mythbusters rule is if you write it down, it's science. if you don't, it's just dicking around.

[bluestar22x]

Noswaith dda

I was tagged by @trulybetty - thanks :)

Rules: answer + tag 9 people you want to get to know better and/or catch up with!

x

Favourite Colour: Blue. Especially darker shades of blue, but I love piercing light blue eyes so light blue is nice too. Purple for a time in my youth was my favorite, but it changed to blue and (dark) green before I became a preteen, I think. Red is also nice (I've always had red cars). I really like dark colors - even dark pink. But blue is my #1.

Last Song: I can't remember if it was Over by CHVRCHES or Lay It On Me by Mickey Guyton. I was just letting my writing music playlist run wild as I wrote for the latest Finding Eden chapter.

Currently Reading: Fanfics only right now. I don't really have time to invest in a big book, especially with all the fanfics I have going right now. Real life sucks up so much time and energy.

Currently Watching: My weekly shows (right now it's 911, Chicago Fire, and CSI Vegas). I'm also having this rewatch marathon of Dirty Jobs after I found out it was on Max. Last spring it was Mythbusters, so I have a Discovery Channel theme going. I watch at least one episode right before I go to sleep every night. I also watch the Distractible podcast on Mondays and Fridays on Spotify. And there's also the youtubers I regularly watch game or spew science/medical facts.

Currently Craving: Chocolate chip cookies and ice cream never really get off the craving list even though most of the time I'm not allowed to have them (trying to eat better).

Coffee or Tea: Neither. I like the smell of coffee, but I don't even like soda (I'll drink orange soda only if desperate), let alone something that tastes like coffee. And I don't like tea. To me it's like flavored hot water that's barely flavored. I enjoy a good hot chocolate once in a while (I've treated it like coffee sometimes), milk with select foods (cookies naturally), and water. Lots and lots of good ol' water.

x

Tagging everyone who sees this and hasn't done it yet. Breaking the rules as always with these things. ;)

[awkward-fink]

Hi, Fink! :D You know, I like your answers a lot! The one about the recipe book was really sweet, actually! :> I'm wishing you a very nice wedding! 13 years is a very long time, so I'm sure you and your partner will last :> Best of everything, though!!! And yeah, I never reblogged any of those games, actually, because I knew no one really cared about me as a person and that everyone was just here for my writing and nothing else ^^; I wanna make others feel appreciated, though! Especially other writers! I hope I can convey this through my nonsensical tags! If not, then I shall send you asks telling you how great your writing is :>

I hope you won't get overwhelmed, though! Because I used to get 2-3 requests per day and towards the end, I gotta admit, I hated most requests that I got ^^; So I hope you'll have more fun than I did :>

Anyway! How about 🖇 ⭐️ 📝 🌞?

I think that's most of the questions, actually! Some of those are rather personal, and I'm not sure if I should ask those, but I think the ones I asked should be okay! Anyway, have a nice day :>

Hello Seeks! (sorry I abreviated your name, hope it is alright to you?!) Yeah, 13 years sure are a long time. But it feels like so much longer and only a few years at the same time. I trust my other half completely and we are quite alright together. I would spam you if you ever posted something like this and I would be able to see it XD I can be a right menace about this! You make me feel very appreciated and I love your tags and your messages, i smile wide when I get something from you! Nonsensical tags are a love language on their own and I am here for this! You rule with those!

And really you can ask anything, if I dont want to answer something, I am going to speak up, for sure!

Wish you a wonderful evening!!

⭐️ what is one of your biggest accomplishments? Why is it so important to you?

Uff…. I don’t think I have one? I mean, I don’t count my relationship that’s going for 13 years now, I don’t count my university graduation. I think it would probably be me, holding out all alone 500km away from my family and my other half for the Covid time. The restrictions in the area I was in, were very strict. I couldn’t have visitors, I was not allowed out, I was not allowed to meet anyone at work. And so on. It was very lonely. But I held on for 2 years. Until I decided for myself, enough is enough. Quit work, looked for a new job more at my old home and my other half. Thankfully found something.

What did I take away from that? “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.” (Winnie the Pooh.) 

📝 last thing you wrote

…. Porn.  Something I don’t think I will post on tumble. Maybe on Archive later on, but… we will see. Not many seemed to like my last work of that art here on Tumblr XD

🖇 what are your favorite asks to answer

….. O.O ehm.. Don’t know? I have fun writing so I try everything. I might prefer something slightly silly or slice-of-life, or Horror, but really, I like trying to write other things. And answering asks? Just gimme some and I will throw something out^^ And if I don’t like something, I am going to say so.

🌞 A show you would recommend to anyone

The Great British Bake Off or TopGear (the older ones) or MythBusters! Every one of those is fun and you learn something^^ Most of my science knowledge came from there, every one of those 3 shows holds precious knowledge.

[chibinightowl]

2020 Creator Wrap - Favorites

I was tagged by the lovely @bionerd2point0! It’s been a joy getting to know them better over on Red on Red.

Rules: it’s time to love yourselves! choose your 5 (or so) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought to the world in 2020. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

~

Looking back on my Ao3 for 2020, I didn’t accomplish nearly as much as I wanted to. This was supposed to be the Year of the WIP, in which I cleaned out my WIP folder and Got Stuff Done. I still have the same WIPs posted to Ao3 that I started the year with and even added two new ones!

That said, here are my honorable mentions for the year, in no particular order. If you click on these links, take heed of ratings and tags.

The Fairytales Have Nothing On Me This story was for JayTim Week 2020 and, I have to say, is one of the funniest things I have ever written. I’m pretty sure it came about due to a conversation with @themandylion over on the Capes & Coffee Discord server (actually, now that I really think about it, I’m certain of it). Anyhow, cue the Three Faeries blessing cursing baby Tim with gifts of Intelligence, Stamina, and a True Love. Intelligence and Stamina are all well and good, but how the hell is Tim supposed to have sex if he’s only allowed to find true pleasure with his True Love? Enter more sex fails than you can shake a stick at, a turkey baster, and man-eating pumpkins as I wrapped up so many fairytale tropes into one fic. 

Bloodlines I wrote this story as a gift for @exiled-one after she dropped this lovely plot idea on me during one of our many late-night (to me) Discord discussions. I won’t spoil anything here because if the comments I received after the first two chapters were any indication, the big reveals are BIG. So let’s just say that Tim’s parentage isn’t as clear-cut as he always thought it was and since he can never leave well enough alone, he investigates.

Courting Disaster is one of the WIPs I started this year for @snowzapped‘s birthday. This story, oh my god. It has grown and changed so many times from how I originally envisioned it, but one core point has remained the same-- Jason and Tim are idiots in love, with each other and with their alter-egos, world-renowned assassins Red Hood and Wraith. @bumpkin-is has been a lifesaver in so many ways with this story and it would not be the gem it’s turning into without her. For those who are following it, the Big Reveal has been written and now that I have rescued my desktop computer from the maw of my work computers, I should (hopefully) be able to wrap it up in the next couple of months.

The Force Will Be With You. Always. 2020 was crap in so many ways, but it also brought with it the untimely death of Grant Imahara of Mythbusters and Battle-Bots fame. I wrote this tribute story in my Myth-Bats universe and while it’s not quite a myth, it’s written in the same vein and features Jason and Tim bonding over creating something pretty freaking cool together. I completed Myth-Bats with this story, but as one reader pointed out in the comments, Grant wouldn’t want the science to stop just because he’s not here anymore. So with that in mind, perhaps one day I’ll complete the three WIPs I have for that universe.

Kill Me Softly is another 2020 WIP I started for no particular reason other than I wanted to write Vampire Tim and Priest Jason. This was supposed to be a oneshot. Now it’s seven chapters of character development, plot, a God-Given Quest, and two men who are growing increasingly sexually frustrated. Jason just wants to get laid already! Oh, and it’s also set in the Netflix Castlevania universe, which is a big departure from my norm of just creating an AU world for all of this.

~

I’ll tap @jaykore, @iphoenixrising, @bumpkin-is, @snowzapped, @knacknics, and @vellaphoria

Happy New Year! May 2021 be better for everyone!

[fandomqueen44]

What are your personal hc's for the gang members :)

Darry

He isn't very ticklish

Back in High School he was the guy who the halls cleared for

In the modern day he'd never let his brothers watch Simpsons or Family Guy

Definantly straight

Has a collection of baseball cards

Sodapop

Likes to paint

Likes western movies

Would be that guy who can't remember a mask to save his life in the modern day

Had a big Creepypasta phase and thought Jeff the Killer was the hottest thing ever

Gay but not really trying to hide it but also never came out of the closet.

Ponyboy

Watches family feud and loves it

Only done track so he could run away from socs

Had a phase where he really wanted to be a chef

Hasn't really figured out his sexuality yet but would pick hetero if he had to answer

Would 100% wear fake glasses

Steve

Really wants kids but only if their adopted. (Or if he at least adopts one he'd be happy)

Really good at interior designing

Has a lisp

Would watch Mythbusters.

Bisexual and proud

Two-bit

Gender fluid/non-binary (he hasn't quite figured it out yet)

Pansexual

Loves Disneyland but hates disney world

Likes to wear dresses and goes shopping with the girls

But then will go out to a bar with the boys

Likes coloring books and is pretty good at them.

Wanted to be a scientist but didn't want to go to college so that got ruled out

Defo the one with a secret Wattpad

Johnny

Has a lot of secret fandoms

Writes really good fanfictions

Favorite color is Gray

Is really pale but tans really deep

Favorite pie is pumpkin

Has philophobia (aka fear of Love)

Like he really yearns for Love but is terrified of falling in love be sure he's worried hell end up like his parents.

[mangotangerine]

More mango writing advice! This episode on Writing Tools, Not Rules, we answer the question:

Where do I start my story?

(Or scene, or sentence)

In the middle! Unless it's better to start at the beginning.

There is some advice I've seen a couple places, about starting a scene "late" and ending it "early", that I think is good advice—for the most part!

But sometimes it's not good advice, because perhaps starting late and ending early isn't actually what you want to do for the specific story you're telling.

We'll start with talking about what "starting late" means first.

What this common advice is getting at is the importance of hooking the reader and building interest.

"But how do I hook a reader?" you ask. Good question. And people will tell you, "By adding curiosity! By leaving information out! By starting in the middle!"

But what the fuck does any of that actually mean?

All around us, every day, we're surrounded by (and filtering through) tons and tons and tons of information. Some of it's environmental information that our brain is subconsciously taking in and categorizing, some of us are in school, reading textbooks, or scrolling through Wikipedia. Or maybe a waiter is telling us the specials of the day!

It's all information, and it's all being processed, and it's all being sorted and subconsciously (or sometimes consciously) judged.

As a species, we've gotten real fucking good at being able to tune out what's not important and at anticipating what might come next.

And we know, when something starts out at the beginning, with something like, "There was a girl," or "a long long time ago," or "Jimmy wakes up on Sunday," or "Janine takes a bucket of chicken feed out to her chickens," that it could go fucking anywhere.

Starting like that isn't wrong, but it's asking the reader to invest time in something that could end up going nowhere at all. Hooking a reader is about giving them right in the beginning: A) why they need to care, B) why what you're writing is interesting, and C) why the reader can trust you to deliver something interesting.

Example One

Consider these two options:

Janine takes a bucket of chicken feed out to her chickens.

vs.

Janine stares up at the sky, chicken feed spread out in a chaotic smorgasbord across the lawn.

The first one: okay, what's she doing with the chicken feed? Feeding chickens. Great. Cool. What next? Something cool? Is it gonna be about how much Janine loves her chickens? What's this story?

The second one: What the fuck happened to Janine and why'd she throw chicken feed across the lawn?

This is what people mean when they say "start in the middle."

Don't start with Janine taking her chicken feed out, trying to scatter it, and how she, I don't know, steps on a banana peel, chicken feed flying, chickens tumbling out of the coop like bowling pins.

Start with her slipping on the banana peel, chicken feed flying, chickens tumbling out of the coop like bowling pins, or start with the aftermath of Janine lying down surrounded by chicken feed.

You immediately hand the reader something interesting, something they now want to know more about, a mystery for them to solve. They're invested. What happened to Janine and her chicken feed?

Then you can go into the backstory. You've seen the technique before in other places, I'm sure. We've all seen a movie or TV episode where it starts on a chaotic scene and you get the narrator character voiceover of, "So how did I get here?"

Exact same concept, just a different medium. You want to tell the reader there's something interesting here, give them a flavor of what to expect, and then you can pull back and start to fill in the blanks—or not! You don't have to! You can just go forward from Janine and the chickens tumbling out like bowling pins, or from her staring at the sky, surrounded by chicken feed and tumbling chickens.

See, you don't really need the, "she walked outside with a bucket full of chicken feed," if your story isn't about how she has chicken feed, and where it came from, and even if that is what your story is about—where can you start it instead, that gives the reader a taste of what to expect? That leaves a little mystery?

Example Two

Let's explore another example, and explore what your intro is actually doing and what the impact of the words is. We're going to take one of the examples I gave that I implied you shouldn't start with, and tell you how you can start with that.

"Jimmy wakes up on a Sunday."

What does this tell the reader about what kind of story this is? What's the relevant piece here? That he's waking up, that it's Sunday? Is any of that relevant? What's important about him waking up on a Sunday?

Jimmy = our character, who will be revealed anyway.

Wakes up = something everyone does. Well… usually.

on a Sunday = this adds specificity. Specificity is an indication that something is important.

What's your next sentence going to be? Will it give context as to why Sunday is important? If it doesn't, the reader is going to either think, "okay maybe the next sentence will," or they're going to throw, "on a Sunday," out as unimportant.

You've just given the reader a sentence that does nothing. It tells them nothing.

Consider:

"Jimmy wakes up on a Sunday. He checks his clock—fuck, it's 12:00 PM already."

Jimmy = our character, who will be revealed anyway.

Wakes up = something (most) people do.

on a Sunday = specific, potentially relevant.

THEN

He checks his clock = He has a clock, he checks it, that's a normal thing.

fuck = Oh. An emotion. Something's wrong.

it's 12:00 PM = the time. Most people wake up earlier than that, but not everyone. Why is waking up at 12:00 PM bad?

already = he did not mean to wake up at 12:00 PM.

You added just one sentence, which did the following:

It confirmed that Sunday is important information. Wonderful, now your reader knows there's something to discover here.

It gave some more very specific information. Using our fantastic brains and how we are pattern matching experts, we have the beginning of a pattern emerging—that you are giving us specific information that is, in fact, actually important.

It gave emotion. It tells us something about the character. He's not just Jimmy anymore, he's a Jimmy who is unhappy about waking up at 12:00 PM on a Sunday for some reason. What could be the reason?

It gives something to anticipate. Is it because he's missing church? Is there important band practice? Why would he be upset about waking up so late if it wasn't something interesting? We don't usually feel fuck-level emotions about mundane shit.

It presents a setting.

It drives the story forward. It adds important information. It confirms the first sentence wasn't empty and purposeless.

The thing is, you still started at the "beginning." You went against advice. You broke the rules. Does that make this start bad?

No. Why? Because this does what the advice is trying to tell you to do. It's a quick hack to build interest, starting in the middle of the action. It's advice that's easy to follow, a great formula for people who aren't sure.

But it doesn't tell you why starting in the middle acts as a hook, it doesn't tell you what that does to the reader, how that hooks the reader, not in a way you can repeat.

And this information I present to you isn't just useful for starting stories, either. Maybe you're starting a new scene, or a new chapter. Or maybe you're in the middle of a scene, and you don't know where to take it next. Or maybe you're reviewing a scene, and editing, and it drags a bit, and you're not sure why.

Understanding the reader journey, where you're leading them, and what they're getting from your writing—that's useful regardless of where you are in your story.

So you've learned what starting "in the middle" looks like, you've learned that it isn't always necessary, and you've learned why. You've learned how to repeat the process. You've learned why certain things work, and certain things don't. You've learned how one sentence leads into the next, what drives a story forward.

You've learned how to start your story.

[tsaiko]

It's always a good day when you can reference Mythbuster's videos in your author's notes.

This was one of the harder chapters to write in the approximately 1,000 word format. I needed to convey so much and I didn't have a lot of room to do it in. I'm hoping I fit everything in and don't confuse too many people with it. Sans and Papyrus being rules lawyers is hilarious though. I feel a little bad for Peter, but not much.

I can't believe I only have three more chapters. There's so much I need to wrap up and so much I want to add in. I don't know if I'm going to be able to do it. But I also don't want to extend the series any more. The writer's dilemma right there.

I'm seriously thinking of writing a side story that is not constrained by the 1,000 word limit. Mostly dealing with how, exactly, Sans got himself and Papyrus off their planet and featuring some cameos from Universes I usually don't write for. I guess we'll see how I feel once I'm done with this series.

[fanfic-corner]

Bed Sharing

I created this list probably about a month or so ago, and I remember being so hopeful for the finale. I never dreamt we would get semi-canon Destiel, but I also never imagined the finale would be that disappointing. I will be posting a list of 15x20 fics, but for now, take this fluff and ignore your problems for a while.

Lock and Key by tricia_16 on AO3. (144,500 words).

Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Bookstore Owner Castiel, Musician Dean Winchester, Friends to Lovers, Keeping Secrets, Mutual Pining, Flirting, Sexual Tension, Slow Burn, Smut, Virgin Castiel, Angry Sex, Dubious Content, Recreational Drug Use, Fluff, Dating, Song Lyrics, Sharing a Bed, Happy Ending.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: In a world where people get songs stuck in their heads whenever their soulmate is singing out loud, Castiel discovers that being soulmates with an aspiring singer/songwriter can be taxing, to say the least. Finding said soulmate, learning that he's the most attractive human being on the face of the earth, and then not being able to tell him he’s meant for you? It turns out that's even worse. Not having a soulmate is just the icing on the cake on an already crappy life, if you ask Dean. He wants to sell his songs, but he's terrified of singing them himself. He wants to be a mechanic, but he's stuck selling parts, instead. He wants to kiss the ever loving fuck out of Sam's girlfriend's boss, too, but the guy's holding out for his soulmate, which of course means Dean doesn't even have a shot....right?

Notes: The pure terror that struck me at the end of chapter one nearly made me dip out of this, but I stuck through it, and was 100% rewarded with the ending (I screamed. I think everyone is worried about me now).

Stand By Me by whelvenwings on AO3. (31,252 words).

Tags: Alternate Universe - Zombie Apocalypse, Post-Apocalypse, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Hurt/Comfort, Sharing a Bed, Slow Dancing, Smut, First Kiss, Canon-Typical Violence, Touch-Starved Dean, Love Confessions.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: Dean Winchester has been alone for a long, long time. When he and Castiel happen to find each other - a couple of survivors in a world that’s been all but wiped clean - Dean’s looking for his brother; Castiel is looking for something to look for. They stick together, because neither of them much wants to be alone. They hate each other at first, of course. Dean hates Castiel for being weird and quiet and ironic and antagonistic and proud. Castiel hates Dean for being blunt and reckless and coarse, for drinking, for refusing to talk about how he feels and just pretending everything is fine. Most of all, they hate themselves and each other just for being alive. What right do they have to be alive? No one else seems to be. But against his own will, Dean starts to notice things about Castiel that he likes. Starts to hope that Castiel might like him, too. And together, they start to fight for a world where they're both alive - and that's a good thing.

Notes: I know I have recced this multiple times before but it is one of my all time favourite fics so I won’t apologise! It is so cute, and it has everything you could ask for in a fic.

Partnered by K_K_TiBal on AO3. (28,112 words).

Tags: Minor Donna/Jody, Minor Eileen/Sam, Detective Dean Winchester, Lieutenant Castiel, Undercover as Married, Suburbia, Drug Use, Sharing a Bed, Pining, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Fake Marriage, Falling in Love, Love Confessions, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, First Kiss, Demisexual Castiel, Demiromantic Dean Winchester.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: Dean didn't think that his life as a detective could get much worse after Castiel was promoted to lieutenant. Castiel was a stickler for the rules, had no sense of humour, and never seemed to give Dean a break, even though they used to be partners. But then, despite all of their questionable history, the two are asked to go undercover on a case in the wealthy suburbs of California. . . as a married couple.

Notes: I am screaming, that was so f*cking cute! And the artwork was gorgeous, too. Also, now I ship Jody and Donna. Cas gave off such Holt vibes in this, I was convinced I accidentally started reading a Brooklyn Nine-Nine fic (do those exist?)

the cost of a thing by quiettewandering on AO3. (74,198 words).

Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fake Marriage, Human Castiel, Protective Dean Winchester, Touch-Starved Castiel, Mutual Pining, Jealous Dean Winchester, Slow Burn, Depressed Castiel, Fake/ Pretend Relationship, Sharing a Bed.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: 16 months ago, Cas became human. 12 months ago, Cas left the bunker and a broken-hearted Dean behind. Now they must work a case together, where married couples are dying mysterious deaths and the only way to earn the neighbors' trust is by pretending to be married. Slowly, Dean finds that he loves being in a relationship with Cas, fake or not, and Cas finds his loneliness retreating, despite the harsh reality looming right around the corner. As Dean and Cas navigate this fake, but all too real, relationship, can they find the monster that is on a mysteriously motivated killing spree before it’s too late?

Notes: So cute! My favourite trope! And, as an added bonus, the sharing of a bed. 

flowers in the backyard by justkeeponwriting on AO3. (34,710 words).

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Homeless Castiel, Domestic Fluff, Sharing a Bed, Minor Character Death, References to Depression, Angst with a Happy Ending, Smut.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: After Uncle Bobby’s death, Dean goes to check up on the cabin that he’s inherited. Dean hasn’t been at the cabin for years, but he knows Bobby hasn’t renovated it in ages, so he isn’t very thrilled to be saddled with it. Upon arrival, he notices that unlike he expected, it’s not unoccupied, nor falling apart – instead, a stranger called Castiel has made it into his home.

Notes: This was such a relaxing and gentle read, I nearly fell asleep after I finished it! Cas & Dean’s tentative relationship was written absolutely beautifully, too.

What Happened In Vegas by Ltleflrt on AO3. (18,447 words).

Tags: Sam/Eileen, Alternate Universe - No Supernatural, Teacher Dean, Photographer Castiel, Las Vegas Wedding, Secret Relationship, Sharing a Bed, Switch Dean, Switch Castiel, Fluff.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: Long time friends Dean and Castiel are road tripping from Chicago to San Diego for Sam and Eileen’s wedding, and a pitstop in Las Vegas turns into drunken love confessions and a surprise marriage. Turns out the pining has been mutual this whole time, but now they’re finally together and on cloud-fucking-nine. Until they remember that this trip isn’t supposed to be about them. To avoid undermining Sam and Eileen’s important weekend, they decide to keep their new relationship status a secret. They’ll keep the heart eyes toned down and their hands to themselves, but the struggle is real.

Notes: Oh my lord, this was absolutely hilarious (especially that last piece of art - I totally lost it) and adorable. I can totally imagine Dean and Cas getting a cheesy Vegas wedding, and we can all dig Elvis (sorry).

Stories Are Made of Mistakes by wildhoneypie on AO3. (4,942 words).

Tags: Human Castiel, Diners, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Bisexual Dean, Sharing a Bed, Slow Burn, Slow Build, Case Fic, Domestic, Didn’t Know They Were Dating.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: In which Cas is human and doesn't understand basic concepts like: clothing, Mythbusters, moisturizer, and Greek food. Dean is...Dean and doesn't understand basic concepts like: boyfriends, language, how to tell your friend that he's a walking miracle, and when not to quip.

Notes: This was so cute and I live for human Cas. I also love the recurring ‘no fucking quipping’ joke in this, although the idea of Cas swearing broke me a bit!

Sharing the Rain Dog by almaasi on AO3. (19,837 words).

Tags: Alternate Universe - Human, Alternative Universe - Historical (1999), Fluff, Romance, No Angst, Accidental Dating, First Dates, Rain, Dogs, Pets, FBI Agent Castiel, Musician Dean, Singer Dean, Flustered Dean, Domestic Fluff, Friends to Lovers, Moving In Together, Living Together, First Kiss, Sharing a Bed, Cuddling, Smut.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: When some asshole hits a dog with his car and drives off, the first two people on the scene are Dean and Castiel. Castiel's an FBI agent with a plane to catch, and he doesn't have time to take the dog to the vet. Dean's a musician, and he doesn't have the money. An agreement is reached: Dean goes, Castiel pays, and they'll exchange details and meet again to work things out. But who gets the dog? Sooner or later they're going to realise that having shared custody of one pitbull isn't ideal. She needs one home, not two. One stable, loving home...

Notes: Rain Dog was so cute, and so was flustered Dean! The hitting a dog joke is starting to get out of hand, though.

This Game We Play by destieldrabblesdaily on AO3. (1,195 words).

Tags: High School AU, Friends to Lovers, Fluff, Bed Sharing.

My Rating: 3 stars.

Description: Dean and Castiel have been best friends since they were little, and sleepovers are a common event. They've always loved playing the game where they draw out letters on each others backs and try to guess what the other is writing. Even though sixteen seems to be a bit too old to still play the game, Castiel uses it as a chance to silently confess something that he's been wanting to share with Dean for a long time.

Notes: This was adorable. I am 100% here for Cas and Dean being childhood friends.

Minty Fresh Kisses by almaasi on AO3. (7,905 words).

Tags: Fake/Pretend Relationship, Motel Rooms, Teeth, Dean in Love, Human Castiel, First Kiss, Pancakes, Sharing a Bed, Fluff, Dean POV, One Shot.

My Rating: 3 stars.

Description: Dean teaches a newly-human Castiel how to brush his teeth properly. Things don't go according to plan – but for once, the unexpected development actually presents a more promising outcome.

Notes: This was so sweet, and Cas was so cute as a human! Also, I love fics where Sam is just done with the constant sexual tension, it always makes me laugh.

Wee Little Love Child by almaasi on AO3. (10,649 words).

Tags: Fluff, Romance, Kid Fic, Team Free Will, De-Aged Sam Winchester, Cursed Sam Winchester, Mistaken for Being in a Relationship, Sam Winchester ships Dean/Cas, Matchmaker Rowena, Parent Castiel, Parent Dean, Affectionate Dean, Love Confessions, First Kiss, Sharing a Bed, First Time, Friends to Lovers, Domestic Fluff.

My Rating: 3 stars.

Description: After being magically de-aged, little Sammy is under the impression that Dean and Cas are his parents. He wants to know if they're in love, but they can't (or won't) give a consistent answer. The thing is, they have to grant Sam's greatest wish in order to reverse the curse, but they can only do that as a pair. What does Sam want most? For Dean and Cas to express their true feelings. Aloud. To each other.

Notes: Aw, I love Rowena, and I am 100% here for her cursing Sam just to get Dean and Cas to stop being idiots and actually get together.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again: the fans are in control now. We control the Supernatural content we are getting, so please create the ending you would want to see. And, if anyone wants to talk or rant or suggest a fic, I am always here.

[nightklok]

charles! :D

1) Uncommon headcanon about them I am deeply attached to.

HE WANTS TO LOOVEE but he has a bad way of expressing it/not used to it! You can’t tell me he wouldn’t love to go to his room where his partner is there and gives him a nice backrub while reminding him he’s loved and they watch Mythbusters or a true crime documentary and ah shit it’s basically just chickles whoops sdfjlk

And also Charles being autistic all my faves are autistic and no one can stop me

2) Widely-held headcanon about them that I reject.

Charles being a top-sorry the man’s gotta work 24/7 i think he’d love to be the one taken care of! Also I REALLY CANT See him as being an aggressive daddy dom type- maybe he can be a bit aggressive but not to the point where he doesn’t remembers his partner is human, ignores the safe word and basically is downright abusive. BDSM is a rather complex thing that many writers should take courses on or something if they wanna portray it right but I can only remember one chickles fic off the top of my head that did it right (I should find it-the writer drew very good fanart of it-) but all others is just nope

3) What were they like as a kid? What was their early life like?

i really see him as a quiet kid, the kid with glasses who doesn’t talk much at all, has his nose in a book all the time. However, people know to not cross with him. A bully tried to steal his lunch money and they had to go to the hospital for a broken bone or something. So people learned that maybe it’s best to not pick on him-he probably had a friend or two though, they still keep in touch as adults! 

I also don’t think he had the best family dynamic. Basically using an old headcanon I have here but I did imagine him having a family until one day he didn’t. Maybe his parents died, he had an abusive family and he was taken by the state, something where he was suddenly stripped off a permanent home and family and he basically had to live from home to home with only a garbage bag to carry his things. Because of that, he can be a bit afraid of comfort, familiarity, love, because it can all be taken away so easily as a result. 

4) Symbols/motifs that I associate with them–colors, animals, zodiac signs, mythic themes, imagery, objects, etc.

I love playing around with death for him. I love the fact it’s so symbolic and can be beautiful in a sense; playing with death, a god falling in love with death and death in love with a god. I’m also recently starting to play around with religious symbolism though right now I’m really into priest/god concept. There’s just something so HAUNTING and symbolic about it I can’t quite describe-because priests aren’t supposed to fall in love if we go by catholic rules here but a priest falling in love with a god he’s known a majority of his life/a god falling in love with the priest? I’m gonna be working on that priest/god chickles fic i swearrr fkdlj

5) Other characters or types of people I have in mind when I draw and/or write them.

Uhhh-Brian Epstein? I feel like I should REALLY start basing these characters off people or something sfkjl

6) What I project onto them when I draw and/or write them.

I kinda like to project the seriousness and even awkwardness of trying to express oneself onto another when you have no clue how to. I think Charles is amazing at what he does but he does close himself off a bit too much and honestly relatable. 

7) A surprising hobby, interest, or phobia they have.

I think i mentioned this before but I love the idea of him taking up pottery!

He also has a Soundcloud for his raps, because he can. 

I feel like he has a fear of the dark that only ended up forming after he came back from death. He described viewing Salacia’s vision like having his soul taken from him and cold and he did have to die and go through a revival process (which, basing off my own interpretation on the ritual for And It All Became Quiet, will be brutal.) and I think that would scar even the toughest of men. He won’t admit that he’s afraid of the dark because in some ways, he is the dark. He is the dead man. Dead men don’t fear the dark but he does. So he keeps the lamp on when he’s sleeping at all times.

[crossroadsdimension]

A Quick Perusal of My Library

Because talking with @thelastspeecher​ makes me want to see if there are any like-minded readers out there on the Internets before I hasten myself off to bed!

[ID: The books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, The World of Shannara by Terry Brooks, and the first two novels of Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series.

To begin with -- yes, I was an Eragon kid growing up. Yes, I went ahead and bought all of them. And yes, I have a nostalgic love of it, even if looking back on it, I can agree it was written terribly by comparison to most literature I come across, but I can look at it like a beginning writer writing their first fanfiction and throwing it to the four winds to see who wants to pluck it out of the air and read it. (Yes, I have To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. There is a very noticeable difference between his writing style as a kid and his writing style now, believe me.)

Also, The World of Shannara is one of those world-building encyclopedia-ish books. If anyone here has heard of the Shannara Chronicles...yes, I read the books they are based on, and yes, the author is still writing books for his world. Go read them, they’re fantastic. My mom read them when she was a kid and I’m thinking about raiding her library for whatever remains of them at the moment. Perhaps later.

[ID: a collection of Pokemon Adventures Manga. The books visible detail the Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Firered, Leafgreen, Heartgold, and Soulsilver story arcs]

...If some of my previous posts haven’t made it obvious already, I am a Pokemon nut. I don’t have all of the manga volumes for the Pokemon Adventures manga, but I’m getting there. Black and White is the next on my list.

Also, there’s another layer of manga behind the ones in this picture. Believe me when I say I have everything for Gen 1-4 in terms of the manga’s story.

[ID: The image showcases more manga, mostly Fullmetal Alchemist volumes. There are two volumes of manga in the back that are hard to see and are part of Trigun’s published volumes]

Yes, there is yet more manga! And there’s another cube of storage space besides this one that has the rest of the Trigun manga stuffed in it...along with the rest of the Pokemon manga that couldn’t fit in the previous picture. XD I am considering getting more, but if the pictures here aren't going to be indication enough, let it be known that my space is very limited.

[ID: A bookshelf with a small metal liberty bell souvenir sitting in front of a number of books: The Magician, The Sorceress, and the Necromancer from The Immortal Flames of Nicholas Flamel, the Harry Potter Series, and Mossflower, Mattimeo, Mariel of Redwall, and Marlfox by Brian Jaques, the two White Sand graphic novel volumes from Brandon Sanderson, and The Gideon Trilogy by Buckley-Archer]

Ah, childhood. Some of it, anyway. I am thinking about getting the rest of the Immortal Flames series, and more of Redwall, at least. The Gideon Trilogy is an interesting historical novel-fiction-time travel sort of read that starts out very slowly. I had a difficult time getting into it, but I was hooked. Eventually.

Also, there’s more behind those books.

[ID: The book titles I’d like to point out here are The Time Quake from the Gideon Trilogy, The Legend of Luke, Taggerung, and Triss by Brian Jaques , Dragon Drums, Time Stops for No Mouse, and The Sands of Time. The rest are either books that were required reading by my college (Years of Red Dust, Grape Leaves), or cat books.]

Time Stops for No Mouse and the Sands of Time were both rather random books, to be honest. They’re a pair that are meant to be together, and they’re mysteries set in a mouse-based society that considers cats an extinct species. 

I also have a...very big collection of D&D books on the shelf directly below -- mostly rule and world-building books, as well as the first 2 of the Adventure Zone graphic novels. But I don’t think I need to post a picture of that here.

Nor do I feel a need to post a picture of a cluttered shelf with all my Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog comics that I’ve collected over the years. But yes, I have a decent chunk of their published works.

[ID: Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, Elantirs, The Emperor’s Soul, Warbreaker, and Arcanum Unbounded]

...yes, I am a very big Brandon Sanderson fan. And I do have his Stormlight Archives books, but this post is already getting incredibly long.

[ID: In dim light, there are 6 DVD cases -- the Gravity Falls Special Edition set, and three Mythbusters DVDs. Behind the Vax’ildan and Keylith Funko Pops, there are five books with a golden hamster on the spine. The series begins with the book I, Freddy, and ends with Freddy’s Final Quest.]

Another selection of books from my childhood! Hidden among some other things, yes. Freddy’s series was an intriguing read for me, and I think one that I got through a Scholastic order form. Dunno why I held onto this one, other than the fact that it’s charming and it’s about a hamster who learns how to type and writes a novel in the first book. Well, autobiography, technically.

This shelf/storage cube shares a level with the Stormlight Archives...as well as my two Journal 3′s because I got the original and the special edition black light.

[ID: a cube with Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoner’s trilogy, Transformers’ Covenant of Primus, Exodus, Exiles, and Retribution, and hiding in the shadows, an old copy of Macbeth]

Yes, I’m a Transformers fan. I like giant robots. Or robots in general. Shush.

Also, I got that copy of Macbeth from my high school teacher because they were old, beat-up copies, and he was getting new ones for next year.

[ID: Three Dragonlance novels, Frankenstein, a copy of the 1984 NIV translation of the bible, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Because of Win-Dixie]

Some childhood memories here, some not. The copy of the bible and Because of Win-Dixie have been around for a while. My parents sent me to a private school and I ended up getting that translation as a result of my attending there. Never really felt a need to get rid of it, to be honest. Everything else I bought either in college or after. The Dragonlance novels are a good read, and I’ve been thinking about getting more of them.

[ID: Some Terry Pratchet novels, the Tale of Despareaux, Return to Neverland, and The Prophecy of the Stones. The other books are various pieces of nonfiction, or very skinny textbooks]

The Prophecy of the Stones is the one I want to point out here. It was a birthday gift that turned into a really, really compelling read. I’d highly recommend it.

Also, the Princess Academy is in the next storage cube over. That one’s a good one, too. I’ve heard there’s a series attached to it, so I’m going to have to go looking for it. (Also, if the picture loads, there is another copy of a Harry Potter novel there. That one’s in German!)

As for the Terry Pratchet novels...I only started buying them recently. My collection isn’t very big yet, and I haven’t bought all of them, either. I may look into doing that...eventually.

...I’m gonna stop this post here, while I still have half a mind to actually go to bed. I need to sleep, I really do. If anyone wants to know my opinions on some of the other books of fiction I have hiding in these pictures -- or perhaps elsewhere -- please, don’t be afraid to drop an ask and let me know!

[saywhatjessie]

@tomhardysteeth actually tagged ME in a thing for once oh how that turn tables

1) Nickname: Jess, Jessie, Jessie with the brown dots

2) Zodiac: Gemini obviously but on the cusp of Cancer which I think accounts for the weenie in me

3) Height: 5'5″ ish

4) Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw caw caw motherfuckers

5) Last thing I googled:

TikTok made me do it

6) Song stuck in my head currently: “Those Voices” from A Very Potter Sequel

7) Number of followers: Less than what I have on TikTok which is frankly shocking

8) Amount of sleep: Tonight? Not much, I’m reading a book

9) Lucky number: Four. Not totally positive why but I think it’s because it’s the solid purple ball in pool.

10) Dream job: Mythbuster. Not joking. I was an engineer my freshman year of college. Then I switched to creative writing to be a novelist which is just as unrealistic lol

11) What am I wearing: an actual matching pajama set if you’ll believe it

12) Favorite song: I won’t pick and you can’t make me

13) My aesthetic: The tye-dye weenie hut jr t-shirt Cookie bullied me into making. Bandana headband with the tie doing the rabbit ear thing. Hairy legs. Slit in my eyebrow. No shoes. 

14) My favorite author: *whining noise* I literally hate choosing favorites I won’t do it

15) My favorite instrument: Oh, the cello

16) My favorite animal sound: When my cat does the mrrp disgruntled trumpet sound

17) Something random: One time in high school my Gov & Econ teacher was warning us about something, saying if we broke this rule and did this thing we would not be permitted to take the final and I raised my hand and asked if we’d be able to stand and take the final and the whole class LAUGHED at me, thinking I was STUPID, and telling me it was just an expression. I was NOT being stupid, I had just found a LOOPHOLE and was making a JOKE they did not DESERVE my brilliance and wit.

Tagging the usual suspects, @toast-the-unknowing​ @deanismypatronass​ @torimouto​ & @abejiitaa​, and as usual if you want to do this and I didn’t tag you feel free and say it was me 

[stjernfaerie]

2, 3, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 31, 59,, 64, 66, 71, 79, 80, 83, 84 and 96.

I’m on a hangout with @mtheunanxious and she wants me to add her commentary so that will be in italics cause she italian oooohhh

2: do you like the feeling of cold air on your cheeks on a wintery day?

YES I LOVE IT!!! my favourite thing is when I go outside for like ten seconds to get the mail or whatever and when i get back inside i can’t feel my face

I’d say I don’t like the cold too much. I like being warm, but like in cold weather.

3: what random objects do you use to bookmark your books?

none i use bookmarks but also i don’t really read much oopsss

whaddup I’m M, I’m 17, and i never fucking learned how to read

12: what’s your favorite planet?

The sun is not a planet but I want to answer with “the sun” so that’s what I’m doing, fuck the rules

thE sUn Is NoT a PLaNEt it’s A stAr

13: what’s something that made you smile today?

@mtheunanxious 

awww

19: do you keep a journal? what do you write/draw/ in it?

I used to do bullet journaling but I lost the routine of it last fall, so now I don’t anymore. I want to pick it up though

I watch other people’s youtube videos about bullet journaling but I am too lazy to do my own. But I feel like I belong. 

20: what’s your favorite eye color?

all of them

No. If you don’t say mine I’m gonna fucking- fINish this call. 

26: what are the shoes you’ve had for forever and wear with every single outfit?

My Heelys. I’ve only had them for about a year but wHAtever I love them to dEaTH

Dude, you’re such a fucking mEme (she says, looking like a meme)

27: what’s your favorite bubblegum flavor?

Peppermint

ew. peppermint. sucks. 

31: what is your opinion of socks? do you like wearing weird socks? do you sleep with socks? do you confine yourself to white sock hell? really, just talk about socks.

I mostly wear Harry Potter themed socks cause I’m a nErD, but also I take them off as soon as I get home and I would nEVER sleep in socks cause I’m not a monster

I don’t have feet.

59: what’s your favorite myth?

Mythbusters. 

*M proceeds to melt me that’s fine*

64: what color is the sky where you are right now?

The colour of the sky in Sweden right now is dark dark daaaaarrrrkkkkkkkkkk blue. It is night time sky colour

The sky is black cause it’s midnight

66: what would your ideal flower crown look like?

large and obnoxious hell yeah

It’s too personal. 

79: what’s one of the cutest things someone has ever done for you?

existed

I forget a lot of things so- I can’t answer. 

80: what color are your bedroom walls? did you choose that color? if so, why?

They’re white. I chose that. I have no idea why. I guess I thought the wallpaper was pretty. Which it honestly kind of is. 

Brown because I sleep in a cave underground. 

83: what’s some of your favorite album art?

I don’t know mmmmmäääääääääääää

I really like uh... um.... uuuuhhhmmm------- the art from girl in red’s albums. 

84: are you planning on getting tattoos? which ones?

yES! I want a triangleeeeee and also some hp related shit idk i just like tattooos i thin kthey’re pretty but alsoooo i wanna be an actor and all the makeup artists are gonna hate me :)))))

96: do you install your computer updates really quickly or do you procrastinate on them a lot?

I never install the computer updates cause i never shut off my computer and I just- idk nah i just don’t. 

I always click “remind me tomorrow”, and I’ve been doing that for like, the past month