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auriel187 · 5 hours
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Substitutes For "Dead Parents"
Okay you guys! I mentioned this in a past post, but when it comes to family, some of ya'll are just... not creative. And don't get me wrong, having deceased parents is deep, dark, and hard, but at this point, a lot of readers simply overlook that because it's just that common. Not to mention, a lot of you guys aren't doing nearly enough with that information! So, for this post, I'll give some new examples relating to "family struggles!"
>> Neglect: Neglectful parents often don't give their child enough attention, time, or care. They don't always hate their kid; quite the opposite, really, they can still love their offspring and are simply unaware that they are being neglectful. This happens for a multitude of reasons: all their attention is focused on a different child, they're busy, or they're just uninterested in their kid's activities.
>> Abuse: Abuse is rather straightforward; it can be physical, mental, or even both. Even if it's only physical abuse, it can heavily damage the child's mental health and make them question their self-worth.
>> Fighting: I think that a lot of us have endured our parents fighting, and I'm fully confident that none of us enjoyed it. It's incredibly difficult for a kid to listen to their parents fight without knowing how to stop it, being stuck in the middle, and even worse, being the center of the argument. As it escalates, the child may even feel neglected, because their parents are only focused on each other.
>> Absence: Like neglect, these parents don't devote nearly enough attention and time to their child. However, this is because they are hardly present in the household to begin with. Normally, it's their career that keeps them away, leaving their kid to raise themselves.
>> Controlling: Oftentimes, controlling parents are found in, believe it or not, more successful households. Kids who have parents that own a successful business or are powerful in general are sometimes raised to follow those footsteps regardless if they want to or not. If they don't want to, as a result, they are kept on a tight leash. Controlling parents can also be found in stricter households.
>> Toxicity: Toxicity, a form of emotional abuse, can come in many forms, gaslighting, demeaning words, constant criticism, comparison, etc. Frequently, the child is unaware that their parents are being toxic until a third party points it out to them. This is because they've only known their parents acting in toxic manners; thus, it becomes their norm. However, it's also entirely possible for the parent to be oblivious to the fact that they're being toxic.
>> Distant: Being distant doesn't always have to be because of some crazy reason; they might've been a very happy and close family once, but as time passes on, they just simply start drifting in their separate ways. It's not the same as neglect or an absence; the child is usually able to adjust to it easier, and it might've even been their choice to be distanced from their parents.
>> Child Responsibility: This is a scenario where the kid acts more like a parental figure--they have to take care of both themselves and their family. In some situations, they also have to work in order to supply their family with enough money to be able to pay for life necessities. This normally happens when a/the parent(s) are out of commission and struggle to provide for their family. If the household is poor, the child might be working alongside their parents in an attempt to make their lives easier.
Did I miss anything? Let me know what you guys think about these substitutes!
Happy writing~
3hks :D
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auriel187 · 6 days
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Books About Roma
There are lots of books that have been written about Romani people. In fact, we tend to be well represented in fiction. However, that representation is often one of stereotypes, slurs, and racism. And, due to the rampant misinformation and stereotypes about us, it has been incredibly difficult for a non-Romani audience to distinguish accurate portrayals from stereotyped ones. I’m hoping this list may help that.
Romani Portrayals of Roma in Literature | Good Reads:
The Roads of the Roma: A PEN Anthology of Gypsy Writers
American Gypsy by Oksana Marafioti 
The Lost Country by Luminiţa Mihai Cioabă The Birch Grove by Luminiţa Mihai Cioabă Queen of the Night and Stone Flower by Luminiţa Mihai Cioabă Meralda by Luminiţa Mihai Cioabă 
Katitzi by Katarina Taikon
We Live in Seclusion: The Memoirs of a Romni by Ceija Stojka Travellers on this World by Ceija Stojka Träume ich, dass ich lebe by Ceija Stojka
Auf der ganzen Welt zu Hause by Karl Stojka
Papierene Kinder: Gluck, Zerstorung und Neubeginn einer Roma-Femilie in Osterreich by Mongo Stojka
Zwischen Liebe und Hass. Ein Zigeunerleben by Philomena Franz Zigeunermärchen by Philomena Franz
Gipsy: Die Geschichte einer großen Sinti Familie by Dotschy Reinhardt Everybody’s Gypsy.  Popkultur zwischen Ausgrenzung und Respekt by Dotschy Reinhardt
Devla, devla! by Irena Eliasova
Frosted Mirror by Erika Olahova
Sar o Paj by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Romani Women in Canada: Spectrum of the Blue Water by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Rromane Paramicha by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Dukh by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Romani Prince Penga by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić An Unusual Family by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Karankochi-Kochi by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić How God Made the Roma by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić The Fish by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Four Brothers by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Romany Legends by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić ROM Like Thunder by Hedina Tahirović Sijerčić Roads Without Caravans by Mateo Maximoff Eve’s Garden by Glenda Bailey-Mershon Polttava tie by Veijo Baltzar
Disrupting the Nation by Ethel Brooks
The Color of Smoke by Menyhert Lakatos
Fires in the Dark by Louise Doughty Stone Cradle by Louise Doughty
The Living Fire by Ronald Lee Goddam Gypsy by Ronald Lee We Are the Romani People by Ian Hancock Danger! Educated Gypsy by Ian Hancock A History of the Romani People by Ian Hancock & Hristo Kyuchukov The Heroic Present by Ian Hancock & Jan Yoors
We are the Roma! by Valeriu Nicolae
Informative Literature by non-Roma:
All Change!: Romani Studies through Romani Eyes by Damian Le Bas
Gypsy Law by Walter Otto Weyrauch
Romani Routes by Carol Silverman
The Gypsies by Jan Yoors
And the Violins Stopped Playing by Alexander Ramati
Journeys into Memory: Romani Identity and the Holocaust in Autobiographical Writing by German and Austrian Romanies by Marianne Christine Zwicker
Mediocre Portrayals of Roma in Literature:
Bury Me Standing by Isabel Fonseca
The Nazi Persecution of the Gypsies by Guenter Lewy
I Met Lucky People by Yaron Matras The Romani Gypsies by Yaron Matras
Between Two Fires by Alaina Lemon
A History of the Gypsies by David Crowe
The Gypsies by Angus Fraser
Gypsies: Wanderers of the World by Bart McDowell
The Roma Cafe by Istvan Pogany
Gypsy Boy by Mikey Walsh
Dosha by Sonia Meyer
Yokki and the Parno Gry by Katherine Quarmby & Richard O’Neill No Place to Call Home by Katherine Quarmby Romani Pilgrims by Katherine Quarmby
Romani Culture and Gypsy Identity by Thomas Acton
Bad, Racist, & Outright Inaccurate Portrayals of Roma in Literature:
Gypsy Wisdom, Spells, Charms & Folklore by Denise Alvarado
The Gypsies by Charles Leland Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling by Charles Leland
The Gypsy Lifestyle by John McLaughlin
The Rom: Walking in the Paths of the Gypsies by Roger Moreau Your Ancient Gypsy Guide to Wild Sex by Roger Moreau
Gypsy Talk by Dennis Marlock
Zoli by Column McCann
Guy Mannering by Sir Walter Scott
Gypsy Feast by Carol Wilson
Gypsy Folk Tales by Diane Tong Gypsies by Diane Tong
The Diddakoi by Rumer Godden
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
Along the Enchanted Way by William Blacker
Thinner by Stephen King
Little Money Street by Fernanda Eberstadt
The Romany Rye by George Henry Borrow Lavengro by George Henry Borrow Romano Lavo-lil by George Henry Borrow
Mulengro by Charles de Lint
Romani Ways by G.E.C. Webb
Gypsy at Heart by Ellen Dugan
Gypsy by Trisha Leigh
The Gipsies by Francis Hindes Groome In Gipsy Tents by Francis Hindes Groome Gypsy Folk Tales by Francis Hindes Groome Gipsy Folk Tales: A Missing Link by Francis Hindes Groome The Influence of the Gypsies on the Superstitions of the English Folk by Francis Hindes Groome
Poor Janos: A Tale of Hungarian Gipsy Life by Frank Elemeny
Coffee, Tea, the Gypsy & Me by Caroline James
The Gypsies: Wanderers in Time by Katherine Esty
Sarah of the Romani: A Thriller by Tom Calen
Secrets of the Gypsies by Pierre Derlon
Les Tziganes by J. Clebert
The European by John Geipel
Acquittal by Serenity Valle
Books Written by non-Romani Fraudsters:
Gypsy Energy Secrets by Milana Perepyolkina
Gypsy Magic by Patrinella Cooper*
Dogstown by Lee Fuhler
Romany by Gypsy Putelengro A Romany Life by Gypsy Putelengro
The Roots of Health by Leon Putelengro Romany Boy by Leon Putelengro
Buckland’s Book of Gypsy Magic by Raymond Buckland Gypsy Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland Secrets of Gypsy Fortune Telling by Raymond Buckland Secrets of Gypsy Love Magick by Raymond Buckland The Buckland Romani Tarot by Raymond Buckland Gypsy Dream Reading by Raymond Buckland Gypsy Dream Dictionary by Raymond Buckland
Gypsy Magic: For the Prosperity’s Soul by Allie Theiss Gypsy Magic: For the Lover’s Soul by Allie Theiss
Drab Lil: A Gypsy’s Medicine Book by Clarissa Simmens Madame Sosostris Explains by Clarissa Simmens
*Patrinella Cooper actually does have direct ties to Romani culture and is said to be ethnically Roma, but completely fabricated the information in her book.
Just a Note:
I have intentionally left out quite a few books written by non-Roma about Roma during the Holocaust because I have not read many such books, and do not feel I could judge their accuracy or objectivity without actually reading them.
However, I will gladly take suggestions for any listed categories if anyone has read a book not listed above.
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auriel187 · 14 days
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Here's a list of all my posts so far!
Daily Writerly Updates! | Open to post requests & questions
+ Feel free to chat with me anytime :) Think of me as your next door writer neighbor 🏡
☕📜Writing Prompts (general)
Angry-crying dialogue prompts
Angry Love Confessions
Forbidden Love Prompts
"The Romantic Academic" Prompts
Dark Fairytale Writing Class
Lovers in Denial Prompts
Responses to: "I Love You"
[More Coming!]
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✧𑁍.ೃFantasy Writing Prompts
Dark fantasy tropes
Dark fantasy prompts
Fantasy Cultural Quirks
10 Magic System Ideas
What If God Dies in Your Story?
Master List of Superpowers
[More Coming!]
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🧛🏻‍♀️Character Writing Tips
Character names with unfortunate meanings
Toxic Traits for Your Characters
Serial Killer Escape Manual
Writing Redemption Arcs
Fantasy Nobility Ranks
Characters' Dark Backstory Ideas
Best Picrew Character Makers
Dark Character Backstory Ideas
Dirty Habits for Your Characters
Fantastical Asian Monsters
Writing the "Mean Girl"
How to Write Introverted Character
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⭐Plot Writing Tips
Plotting for romantasy
Dark Fantasy How-To
A Guide to Cozy Fantasy
Dark Academia Plot Must-Haves
Writing Strong Opening Lines
The Three-Act Structure
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⛰️Setting & Description Tips
Weather symbolisms
Writing Fantasy Battles
Fight Scene Vocab
Using setting meaningfully
---
📋Other!
How to Insult Like Shakespeare
Words to Use Instead of...
Said is dead: words to use instead
10 Great Novel Opening Lines
Symbols of Death
Methods of Death & How They Feel
How to write faster
Plant Symbolisms
List of International Slag
How to Pick Ideas That Sell
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auriel187 · 14 days
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How to Write REALISTIC and SMOOTH Dialogue
In a story, dialogue is quite important, it helps the readers paint a picture of what's happening and the characters themselves. However, it can be difficult to avoid the unnaturalness and choppiness that comes with a lack of experience. But luckily, I have put together A LOT of advice on how you can get over that rockiness and improve!
*** KEEPING YOUR DIALOGUE REALISTIC, AND PACING ***
>> Keep your characters in character:
Dialogue is a remarkably quick way for readers to determine your character's personality. Thus, you want their speech patterns to remain fairly consistent so the audience won't get confused. If your character is more serious, then they will use less slang and perhaps a more impressive vocabulary. If your character is more relaxed, they will use more slang and compress the words. (such as "dunno," "kay," "y'know," etc.)
Basically, you want their tone to match their traits so the way that they talk is more realistic and personlized to themselves. If the way all your characters speak is the same, there's something wrong. A strong tip is to put yourself in your character's shoes and imagine how they would respond!
>> Take the situation into consideration:
This is another part of keeping your characters in, well, character. Different emotional situations will have a different effect on separate people, so make sure that you have an idea of how your character will act during stressful, irritating, and sad times.
If your character is normally cold, they will struggle if it comes to comforting other people because they have less experience in that field.
>> Don't take too long with their words:
Unlike when narrating something, most people talk just to get the idea across. They will be more specific and quicker with what they say. (This excludes any character who likes to talk a lot.) Unless it's on purpose, they won't dance around the topic. Think of when you casually chat with your friends; you're pretty unlikely to use certain words and/or phrases that might be common to use while narrating.
If you want to explain something complicated, instead of writing out a paragraph of just one person talking, use a question-and-answer prompt! This is where another character continuously asks related questions that get answered by another person, so you can indirectly reveal your explanation.
*** HOW TO WRITE A SMOOTHER CONVERSATION AND DIALOGUE TAGS***
>> Having a variety of dialogue tags:
This is a pretty basic thing to look out for if you're new to writing conversations. Using words like "said," every other sentence can easily make it feel choppy and robotic. Instead, use words like "murmured," "smirked," etc. to paint some emotion into their words. Additionally, vary the location of the dialogue tags! They don't all have to go after the statement, you can include something in the beginning or even the middle, too!
Examples:
Beginning - She tilted her head, "What are you talking about?"
Middle - "Oh," he blinked, "I actually never thought about that."
End - "Wait up!" She exclaimed loudly, waving her hands around.
>> Using no dialogue tags to create a smooth conversation:
Having too many tags can also overwhelm your reader--remember, sentence variety is a crucial part of writing--so you can always drop them if they're unneeded. This applies when your characters (two is the suggested amount) are talking back and forth in a pattern straightforward enough for the reader to understand who's talking without it having to be labeled.
Dropping dialogue tags in these moments can create a smoother atmosphere during the conversation because the reader only has to focus on the talking present.
*** USING SLANG, STUTTERS, FILLER WORDS, AND PAUSES ***
Human speech is often not perfect; when talking, we often make mistakes such as filler words, grammatically incorrect phrases, etc. Hence, for more natural-sounding dialogue, it's important to incorporate some of these.
>> Pauses and stutters:
When reading dialogue, we read it at a steady pace unless it's written otherwise. However, that steady pace can soon get too robotic and too smooth. Luckily, there are several ways to change this! You can use dialogue tags, (ex: she quickly spoke) commas, and ellipsis (...). These are often integrated when the character is hesitant, nervous, answering something, or when they need to admit something. The same idea applies to stutters--they're mainly used to demonstrate anxiousness, which can be found in varying situations.
>> Filler words and slang:
Filler words can really just be used where you see fit. They may be used in the situations I previously mentioned (because it shows someone stumbling over their words) but it's ultimately up to you!
Slang, just like everything else, should not be used too often, or it will seem forced and exaggerated. The point is to sound natural, and increasing amounts of repetitiveness can ruin it. It's also important to remember that in real life, our conversations move slower; when someone speaks, another person usually doesn't respond quite literally, right after. However, in writing, dialogue can actually often seem that way, which is why using tags and these imperfections of speech is pivotal for building a realistic conversation!
*** CONCLUSION ***
Lastly, a key point when writing dialogue is to ALWAYS read the conversations! Whether it be in your head or out loud, it can often help you catch anything that seems off! Additionally, like I mentioned at the very beginning, write dialogue from your character's perspective! Imagine yourself as them and how they/you would talk. Try to keep your dialogue tags, sentences, and word use varied to create a natural conversation!
If you were struggling before, I hope that this (extra) long guide was able to really offer you some insight and useful tips! If you read this far, thank you!
Happy writing~
3hks <3
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auriel187 · 2 months
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I love him!
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dr. reid while being introduced to a literal colonel of the united states army
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auriel187 · 2 months
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Ref Recs for Whump Writers
Violence: A Writer’s Guide:  This is not about writing technique. It is an introduction to the world of violence. To the parts that people don’t understand. The parts that books and movies get wrong. Not just the mechanics, but how people who live in a violent world think and feel about what they do and what they see done.
Hurting Your Characters: HURTING YOUR CHARACTERS discusses the immediate effect of trauma on the body, its physiologic response, including the types of nerve fibers and the sensations they convey, and how injuries feel to the character. This book also presents a simplified overview of the expected recovery times for the injuries discussed in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
Body Trauma: A writer’s guide to wounds and injuries. Body Trauma explains what happens to body organs and bones maimed by accident or intent and the small window of opportunity for emergency treatment. Research what happens in a hospital operating room and the personnel who initiate treatment. Use these facts to bring added realism to your stories and novels.
10 B.S. Medical Tropes that Need to Die TODAY…and What to Do Instead: Written by a paramedic and writer with a decade of experience, 10 BS Medical Tropes covers exactly that: clichéd and inaccurate tropes that not only ruin books, they have the potential to hurt real people in the real world. 
Maim Your Characters: How Injuries Work in Fiction: Increase Realism. Raise the Stakes. Tell Better Stories. Maim Your Characters is the definitive guide to using wounds and injuries to their greatest effect in your story. Learn not only the six critical parts of an injury plot, but more importantly, how to make sure that the injury you’re inflicting matters. 
Blood on the Page: This handy resource is a must-have guide for writers whose characters live on the edge of danger. If you like easy-to-follow tools, expert opinions from someone with firsthand knowledge, and you don’t mind a bit of fictional bodily harm, then you’ll love Samantha Keel’s invaluable handbook
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auriel187 · 3 months
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The More Things Change. (S1 E9)
Word Count: 3479
Series Masterlist
A/N: If anyone doesn't like the fact that the oc is black, go away.
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"We provide the colonists with all their finished manufactured goods. We deserve remuneration." Minkus says clearly.
"General Washington." Mr. Feeny turned over to Cory who was wearing a powdered wig.
"Fine. Keep your goods. Like we need your stinking British goods. We're American. We're independent. We'll get our goods from Japan." Cory raised his fist. I worry for him sometimes.
The class all laughed. I was drawing. I had drawn my friends in so many different ways. Shawn as an artist, Cory as a filmmaker. Shawn as a superhero, Cory as a mad scientist. Shawn as a photographer, Cory as a teacher. It was starting to garner some attention though, Cory kept trying to look over at my drawings. I had just started my sketch of Cory as a General. Shawn's gonna be a Sargent, I felt right in my bones.
"General, I'm dying for you to elaborate." Mr. Feeny deadpanned.
"What's the point, Mr. Feeny? We all know we kicked British butt." Cory threw his fist in the air.
"Winners and losers aside, General. If we do not understand history we are doomed to repeat its mistakes." Mr. Feeny explained. I often wonder how often things repeat themselves. Over the years, history seems like it was taking a step forward just to backtrack in a horrendous way.
"Oh, who cares about George Washington? Who cares about King George? Was every boring guy in history named George?" Cory exclaimed exasperatedly, before realizing what he said. "I meant every dead boring guy." He amended.
"Apparently, the past holds no fascination for you." Mr. Feeny stated, looking up at the boy.
"No. It's happened. It's done." I shifted in my seat. I understood both of their points of view but I didn't think anyone was thinking of the elephant in the room.
"It's history." Mr. Feeny said and I slowly lowered my head. Shawn kept looking over at me, either out of concern or curiosity.
"I'm saying. Perhaps we should study your history, Mr. Matthews." Our teacher said, looking at Cory expectantly.
"I have no history, Mr. Feeny. I'm eleven. I'm more interested in my future." Cory reasoned and I lowered my head even lower and continued sketching.
"Oh, well, then it might be more interesting for us to look into our futures to see if we can avoid our mistakes before they happen." Mr. Feeny explained as he stood up, then the classroom fell silent. I peered up slightly to see something that rarely ever happened. Shawn had his hand up. "Yes, Mr. Hunter?"
"Isn't that what we're doing anyways? Sunshine says that the things we learn in History are written by the people who want to control the world's precipitation." The blue eyed boy said calmly, causing everyone to look at him in shock. I didn't look at him like that though. I was just proud that he listened and understood what I had said while talking to Brianna.
"See! History is bogus! We're already working off of a faulty recipe, why not let us figure it out on our own?" Cory looked at our teacher. Mr. Feeny just smiled at Cory. Oh dear.
"Oh no, I smell an assignment." Shawn shrank in his seat.
"I swear, I didn't see it coming." Cory whined as he took his seat.
"The assignment for all of you is to create personal histories for yourselves as if you were returning for your 20th high school reunion." Mr. Feeny explained to the class and I looked at my drawings. I had no clue what I wanted to be.
"More like a preunion." Minkus said.
"Well said, Mr. Minkus." Mr. Feeny agreed. "You are the graduating class of the year 2000. What is your profession? Do you have children? Are those children tormenting their sixth-grade teacher?"
"Mr. Feeny, would it be oK if I brought my wife?" Minkus asked.
"Oh, come on, Minkus, what's going to marry you?" Shawn huffed out.
"Raven-Anniya!" Minkus sat up straighter. The class 'oohed'.
"No." I looked up from my drawing for a second.
"Oh please, you're smart enough to know I'm your only compatibility." Minkus tried to reason. Coercive of him but okay.
"Part of marriage has to be communication, consent and connectivity." I looked over at him with my 'logical face.' I've come to find that Minkus responds best to my logical face. "I've communicated my disinterest. I gave no consent and to be honest the only thing we got to connect is our above average intellect." I looked back at my sketchbook.
"You tell him, babe." Shawn ruffled my hair proudly.
"Then I'll bring my second wife." Minkus stated like it was simple.
"Cause the first wife worked out so well. What's marrying you this time?" Shawn asked, tossing a ball in the air.
"Topanga." Minkus bragged.
The class oohed again. She turned to him "Why, Stuart, I'm flattered that you would consider me as a potential life mate, but I'm not sure I even recognize the institution of marriage."
"Trust me, babe, I've seen the future... and it's me." Oh dear god!
"You're going to have HR on speed dial and a really good defence lawyer for each and every one of your misconduct allegations." I quipped, not looking up from my drawing.
+=+=+=+=+
I was still trying to think of what I wanted to be for the pre union. I kept drawing blanks, Shawn kept tossing things up but nothing really felt right. "Why not? You're already the smartest person I know."
"Puppy, I can't be a teacher! I can barely talk in school enough as it is." I shot it down.
"You can talk when you're passionate about something." He started playing with my hair.
"No I don't. I'm passionate about a lot of things, I just don't think most things out loud. When I do talk to the class, I just pretend I'm only talking to you and Cory.
"You pretend you're talking to me when you rip on Minkus and Topanga?" He spoke in disbelief. He was right.
"No...but I only say what no one else would say to them." Shawn moved to sit behind me as he tied up my hair. He had been working on doing twists in my hair. I'm not really sure why but he seemed really interested in styling my hair.
"I can't believe you." Cory took his seat, staring at Shawn and shaking his head. Larry took the seat next to him as he started eating his food.
"...What?"
"First you tell me you're going to show up as a tire salesman, and now you're braiding Raven-Anniya's hair?"
"That's what my dad does. And Sunshine's got great hair."
"So?" Cory looked at him like Shawn lost his mind.
"I know what to wear. I know how to use a pressure gauge. I can spot a retread from a mile away." Shawn turned my head to the side so he could do a crown hairstyle with the twists.
"Shawn, you're so boring." Cory shook his head in disappointment.
"And lazy." Shawn said proudly, starting to colour in the sketches I made earlier.
"How about you, Larry?" Cory asked the smaller boy seated across from me.
"I got an angle." He said ominously.
"Let's hear it." Cory encouraged, waving his hand.
"I'm going to be a sixth-grade teacher. Better yet, I'm going to be Feeny." Larry boasted. I rolled my eyes. He's not going to do well.
"Why?" Shawn asked.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of butt-kissing." Larry reasoned, and I must admit, he's not wrong.
"Wait a minute. Weren't we supposed to be what we wanted to be? I mean, you're going to grow up to be your dad... and you're going to grow up to be a Feeny clone. Am I the only one left here with some vision? Raven's probably just going to grow up to..." I knew where Cory was going with it. I was just glad he caught himself before he actually said it. Shawn quickly punched Cory in the arm.
"What are you going to go as?"
"Cory Matthews... center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies." I had to admit, that was probably the most hysterical thing I've ever heard in my life. Both Larry and Shawn seemed to agree, erupting in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. "What are you laughing at?"
"You had 31 errors in Little League last season." Shawn explained, gasping for air.
"OK, so I didn't play up to my enormous potential. Come on, guys, let's be what we really want to be. Are we going to be men... or are we going to be men with boring jobs?"
"We're going to be men!" Larry exclaimed, and the boys started barking. Why were they barking? Suddenly Shawn went wide eyed and looked over at me.
"Sunshine, you can be Nina Simone!" The amount of things that shocked me with that statement was unbelievable.
"You know who Nina Simone is?" Shawn nodded quickly.
"She sings Black Bird! You could be her!" How did I forget Shawn's love for finding songs about black birds?
"I'm not following."
"You could be a famous person who calls attention to serious issues!" He looked at me with the biggest goofy grin on his face. He reached into his bag pulling out my superhero picture. "You could be a real life superhero, Sunshine."
+=+=+=+=+
Shawn and I played sandman in the park before he walked me home. I enjoyed the moments where we were just together and we didn't have to say anything, but the times we laugh and joke are my favourite. "So what are you doing for the Pre-Union?" I asked as Shawn carried me on his back. I kept tapping his shoulder so he'd avoid large cracks.
"I really don't know." He swung the door open, toeing off his shoes. I hopped off his back and put down our bags on the floor as I removed my shoes. "I was thinking of coming as a tire salesman."
We walked to the table and I gave him a plate of cookies. "I thought you said you were going to do something else." I started looking through old pictures until I saw one of my parents.
"Sunshine, are you..." He pulled my hand to see the picture. His eyes softened as he pulled me in for a hug. I'm pretty sure I was experiencing a breakdown because suddenly we were on the floor and Shawn's shirt was soaked from my tears. "I'm sorry, Raven." I don't know how long we stayed like this but he started to pull me back in my seat. "Here." He passed me a picture from a few years ago. I was smiling and dressed in my dance costume and my hair was in a low ponytail. This was before I put on the makeup.
"Thanks Shawnie." I smiled. He smiled back at me. "So...a tire salesman?"
"I think so, yeah." He shrugged. "I can see that in my future. Easy job, nice house...gorgeous wife." He lowered his head a bit when he said the last one. I started chuckling, planning on teasing him a bit.
"Who's gonna marry you?" I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.
"I don't know...I was thinking someone short, smart, witty, talented, know-it-all, bookish..."
"You know you just described Minkus right?" I started rocking on my chair.
"As I was saying, someone who makes me smile, who makes me feel like I'm more than just trailer trash..." the last one kinda made me sad. "Someone who tries to get me to do my homework with cake and who has the most amazing hair even though she doesn't let me see it in its natural state advocist artist." He finished and I laughed.
"The word is 'activist', Puppy, and I'd rather marry a garden gnome." I poked him in the forehead.
"You'd choose to marry Minkus over me?" He poked my forehead.
"No!" I cringed and began pushing my chair away. A devious smirk spread across his face.
"You said that the only way you could talk to people is if you imagine that you're talking to me and Cory..." I nodded slowly before he pulled my chair back. "Who're you going to imagine when you have to say I do?"
"I'm not going to marry you Puppy!"
"Please? I want to have a wife in the future."
"You do realize that this assignment has no real effects on our future, right?" I asked and he shrugged. Why do I even bother? Shawn got down on the floor and held up an old ring. "Where'd you get that?" I asked in awe and fear. It looked like a real stone encrusted in silver.
"My mom. She said she bought it with money from a dancing competition. I figured you'd like it." I smiled down at him.
"YOU STOLE A RING FROM YOUR MOM?!" I exclaimed. Shawn just laughed.
"Of course not. She was chucking a bunch of stuff and I asked if I could have this one. She said she didn't care." He explained. "I figured it'd be a great way to propose to my project wife."
"That's sweet, Pup." He smiled. "But I'm not marrying you for the project." He pouted but he smiled softly and slid the ring on my index finger. It was a bit loose but not enough to slide off my finger.
"I still think you should keep this." He stood back up and we continued working on our projects together.
+=+=+=+=+
I walked into class wearing a black turtleneck over my favourite blue bedazzled jacket. I held a magazine Shawn had made entitled "Modern Heroes" close to my chest and the glasses I wore on days I had tests.
"Ms. Archer, pleasure to see you after all these years." Mr. Feeny spoke jovially. I offered my hand for him to shake, something I rarely ever did because people's hands are disgusting
"Hello sir. It's been a while." I replied. I had rehearsed this last night so much that Tamara and Adam decided to play along.
"Yes, it has. How have things been? What have you been up to?" He asked.
I took a deep breath and said what I practiced with Cory. "I have spent the last ten years working with Black, Indigenous and other marginalized communities to ensure that their voices are heard and not ignored by the public. As you know, the world has a tendency to put the voices of white males above everyone else's. I have worked tirelessly to fund searches for missing and murdered indigenous women. I have advocated my beliefs that those in non heterosexual relationships should be able to experience all of the same treatment of their heterosexual counterparts without discrimination and that more non straight, white, Christian narratives get told as regularly and freely through the media."
Mr. Feeny looked down with his brows raised. I'm not sure if he's impressed or not. "That's quite the portfolio, Ms. Archer."
"Thank you sir. Before I leave, would you be interested in signing my petitions?"
He smiled. "Of course. And what are we fighting for today?"
"I'm interested in composing a bill that prohibits the ability to inflate prices without ensuring that every citizen has equal or equitable access to basic human necessities such as food, housing, medicine and education." He signed that one with an agreeing nod.
"And the next one?" He asked, taking the second clipboard.
"That any and all prison inmates who have been wrongfully convicted, any family who's grieving the loss of a loved one due to police brutality, and any victim of violence (within proof and reason) will receive money from the untouched portion of American tax dollars." I stated.
"That's quite the mission. How do you think people are going to respond to that?" Mr. Feeny asked.
"Well, those who have something to gain from the victimization of these groups won't respond well. But they have to understand it's the system that made them victims, so it should be the system that should be charged." Mr. Feeny signed the next clipboard, not before adding a very large A to the top of my sheet.
"Bravo Ms. Archer. I'm excited to see what your future looks like." He smiled and turned away.
I was beaming, taking a seat by the door awaiting my boys. I was fiddling with the ring on my finger when Cory, dressed like a member of the Phillies, jogged into class. "Oh, Cornelius, you didn't." I cringed at him. "Why couldn't you choose to be a basketball player? You're good at basketball!" I whined.
"You think I'd end up over twelve feet tall?" He quipped back sarcastically and I had to concede because he was right. Allan was only about 5'10. Cory and I just sat and waited for Shawn as we read a Captain America comic. I really liked Bucky.
"Raven-Anniya? What's your obsession with Bucky Barnes?" Cory asked, seeing me completely skip over the scene where he dies.
"I just like him. He's one of my favourites." I answered and was about to continue reading when Shawn walked in.
"A tire salesman. I can't believe you came as a tire salesman."
"And muffler specialist."
"What's with the big gut?"
"My dad's fat, my uncle's fat, my grandpa's fat. Let's face it, Cor, I'm going to be fat."
Cory left Shawn and I to have a turn with Feeny. "So...look what I found." Shawn reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of us from many years ago. I remembered that day. When I was five, my mom and dad left for New York. I didn't really remember why but I did remember being sad because I was leaving my first friends from kindergarten. What I didn't remember until later, was that I not only used to live in Philadelphia but that I had met Shawn and Cory back when I pretended to be asleep at nap time.
+=+=+=+=+
1988
"Come on, Sweetie. You have to go inside." My dad was practically pushing me into the building. I was refusing to go back inside because of the day before. A girl had stuck a wad of gum in my hair and I was not interested in going back there.
"Hi Mr. Archer, Raven getting clingy?" My teacher asked and I glared at her. She made the executive decision to rip out my hair in order to get the gum. She then asked a kid to get her some scissors.
"She tried to cut me!" I pointed to her and her face went white. I wasn't the most articulate 4 year old. I also didn't understand the weight of an accusation like that but to be fair...you should never try to cut a child's hair to remove gum.
My teacher started laughing nervously. "What an active imagination your daughter has." She looked so uncomfortable.
I just looked at my dad and pointed to the small section of my hair that still had some remnants of the gum despite my best efforts to get it out. My mom said she'd cut it properly on the weekend. I guess she didn't tell my dad.
"Did you...try to cut her hair?" My dad asked, lifting me up.
"I was only trying to help. I suggested that I cut it out but she didn't want me to so I let it go." She said, almost pleading with my dad to believe her.
"But miss, you asked Cory to get you the scissors." A little boy stood at the door next to another curly haired boy.
When my dad put me down, the first boy walked up to me and looked in my hair. His friend looked up at my dad. "Use coke. It worked for me when my brother put gum in my hair." I remember my dad looking at these 2 boys then bursting out laughing.
"Okay, Ray. Daddy's gonna go now, but be good and make new friends." He pushed me into the boys before he pulled out his camera. I never understood why he walked around with it. "Now say CHEESE!"
+=+=+=+=+
Present day.
I looked at the Polaroid picture before turning it over. In my dad's handwriting. 'My baby's KG wedding.' I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Why do you have this?" Shawn peeked over my shoulder for a second.
"So I can show Feeny that we're married." He said before running to our teacher.
"SHAWN, NO!!!"
(A/N: Adding more backstory also Shawn being the chaotic child I believe him to be. Thanks for reading)
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auriel187 · 3 months
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I’m so excited girlll keep the boy meets world fics coming! Ur oc and Shawn are too adorable 😭
😐
😭😭😭
I got positive feedback! Thank you so much!!!! I was gonna post the next chapter today! I’m doing it NOW!!!!
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auriel187 · 4 months
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If I see ONE. FUCKING. PERSON. write even a singular fanfic about seb as young Donald Trump YOU ARE GETTING BLOCKED UR MOM IS GETTING BLOCKED YOUR DOG IS GETTING BLOCKED YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS GET-
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auriel187 · 4 months
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Writing Child or Teenage Characters:
Writing child or teenage characters requires an understanding of their unique perspectives, thoughts, and behaviors at various stages of development. Here are some tips to help you capture the essence of child or teenage characters realistically:
1. Research Developmental Stages: Familiarize yourself with the developmental stages of children and teenagers. Understand the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes that typically occur during these periods. This knowledge will help you depict characters at appropriate stages of maturity.
2. Voice and Dialogue: Pay attention to the language and vocabulary used by child or teenage characters. Their speech patterns, sentence structure, and word choices may differ from adult characters. Reflect their age and level of education in their dialogue to make it authentic and relatable.
3. Emotional Authenticity: Children and teenagers experience a wide range of emotions, and their emotional responses can be intense and sometimes unpredictable. Show their emotions through their actions, reactions, and internal thoughts. Be mindful of age-appropriate emotional depth and understanding.
4. Observational Perspective: Child and teenage characters often notice and interpret the world differently than adults. Highlight their unique observations, curiosity, and innocence. Allow them to have a fresh perspective that can bring a sense of wonder or discovery to the story.
5. Growth and Development: Portray child or teenage characters as evolving and growing individuals. Show their learning experiences, mistakes, and the lessons they learn along the way. Capture their gradual understanding of the world and their evolving sense of identity.
6. Relationships and Peer Dynamics: Explore the dynamics of friendships, peer pressure, and social hierarchies that are prevalent during childhood and adolescence. Show the influence of friends, family, and mentors on their thoughts and behaviors. Highlight the importance of relationships in their lives.
7. Hobbies and Interests: Reflect the passions, hobbies, and interests that are common among children and teenagers. These activities can shape their identities and provide opportunities for self-expression. Incorporate their hobbies into the narrative to add depth and authenticity.
8. Growth of Independence: As children and teenagers mature, they seek more independence and autonomy. Depict their struggles with authority figures, their desire for freedom, and their exploration of boundaries. Balance their growing independence with their need for guidance and support.
9. Challenges and Coming of Age: Explore the challenges and rites of passage that child and teenage characters face. Address issues such as identity formation, peer pressure, academic stress, bullying, first love, and self-discovery. Treat these themes with sensitivity and avoid trivializing or dismissing their experiences.
10. Evolving Relationships with Adults: Capture the evolving relationships between child or teenage characters and the adults in their lives. Show the shifting dynamics, conflicts, and moments of connection. Avoid portraying adults as one-dimensional authority figures or overly understanding mentors.
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auriel187 · 4 months
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How do i Plot a Book?
1. Start with an Idea:
Begin with a clear idea or concept for your story. This could be a theme, a character, a setting, or a unique scenario.
2. Outline Your Plot Structure:
- Introduction: Set the stage by introducing your main character, the setting, and the initial situation.
- Inciting Incident: Present a problem or event that disrupts the status quo and sets the story in motion.
- Rising Action: Develop the plot by introducing conflicts, challenges, and obstacles that the protagonist faces.
- Climax: Reach the story's highest point of tension and conflict where the protagonist confronts the main challenge.
- Falling Action: Address the aftermath of the climax, tying up loose ends and resolving subplots.
- Conclusion: Provide a resolution to the main conflict, wrap up the story, and show the character's growth or change.
3. Create Well-Defined Characters:
- Develop your main character (protagonist) with clear goals, motivations, and flaws.
- Introduce supporting characters with distinct personalities and roles in the story.
4. World-Building:
If your story is set in a unique or fictional world, develop the setting, rules, and details necessary for readers to understand the environment.
5. Conflict and Stakes:
Ensure that your story has compelling conflicts that drive the plot forward. Make the stakes clear to the reader.
6. Subplots:
Develop subplots that add depth and complexity to your story and intersect with the main plot at various points.
7. Foreshadowing:
Use foreshadowing to hint at future events and create suspense.
8. Pacing:
Balance action, dialogue, and introspection to control the pace of your story. Speed up or slow down as needed for dramatic effect.
9. Themes and Messages:
Consider the themes or messages you want to convey through your story and how the plot can reflect them.
10. Outline Chapter by Chapter:
Create a chapter-by-chapter outline that details what will happen in each section of your book. This doesn't need to be overly detailed, but it can serve as a roadmap.
11. Writing and Revising:
Start writing your book based on your outline. Be open to changes and revisions as your story develops.
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auriel187 · 4 months
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Wouldn’t my writing be worse off if I forced in elements like diversity?
If you are asking this question, you have yet to challenge the “default” of your culture’s media. Consider that the majority of modern Western media fill their casts with white men, and when there are women or POC, they stick out conspicuously. Many people view adding diversity as tweaking some white man characters by toggling race or gender. But this assumes that “white man” is some default, standard character template.
If you feel pressured to include diversity in your writing, distance yourself from this pressure and ask yourself why you feel it. If you feel attacked when seeing campaigns for more diversity or criticism of all-white, uninclusive media, sit with the discomfort and ask yourself why those who are different from you say they need diverse media.
These are people whose voices and faces are rarely visible in entertainment. Despite this, they enjoy an adventure as much as anyone, and have become accustomed to projecting onto white characters. Yet, when the reverse is asked of white audiences to acknowledge protagonists of color, it becomes a difficult ask. These character choices are immediately questioned, discredited, fought against, and accused of being “woke” or “unrelatable.”
This resistance reflects a larger issue: the imbalance between audiences’ empathy towards the majority/“default” and empathy towards those perceived as Other.
By mostly reading about white people, they become easier to relate to. By the same token, if we are not reading media and histories from the perspective of POC, we end up with more people who literally fail to relate to POC. When we talk about hope-deficits, increased alienation and lower self-worth among marginalized populations, underrepresentation in media is a big factor. Imagine for a moment: never the beautiful princess in the tower, never the badass hero riding dragons; always the two-second sidekick.
People of color are people and want to be seen and treated as such. Not as a burden to devote your time to, but people who have a place in the world, fictional or no. Really, writing a world in your story that is all or mostly white is more unrealistic, more forced—after all, there are far more non-white people on Earth. Becoming comfortable with diversity requires unlearning White as the Default and POC as the Other. It takes setting aside feelings of pressure to emphasize, open your heart and listen.
Further Reading:
“Diversity has gone too far!”
Diversity is for everyone.
Children and the Myth of Colorblind Youth
Those who read about aliens learn to emphasize with aliens. Those who read about wizards empathize with wizards.
---
This Q&A is an excerpt from our General FAQ for Newcomers, which can be found in our new Masterpost of rules and FAQs. If you liked this post, we have more recommended reading there!
-Writing With Color
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auriel187 · 5 months
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I personally don’t think so. I’d say that would be setting up boundaries. Your boyfriend says that it makes him uncomfortable. Simple as that.
I have a question…
Would it make me an asshole to ask my best friend to stop telling my boyfriend all the details of when she has sex with her’s?
Like I understand my boyfriend and her are friend, but even he told me he felt uncomfortable…
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auriel187 · 5 months
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New chapter of The More Things Change is up!!!
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auriel187 · 5 months
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The More Things Change. (S1 E8)
Word Count: 4328
Series Masterlist
A/N: If anyone doesn't like the fact that the oc is black, go away.
TW: Racial slurs.
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"Ah, the 43 million man." Cory smiled happily, taking a look at the article. Shawn pulled out a chair for me and took the seat next to me. I had my hair in two low pigtails with a braid crown. He had told me that I looked like an angel, that my hair was a halo. I was proud of my hair today.
"Why do they call him that?" Minkus asked, approaching the table.
"Because that's what he's getting paid to play baseball for six years." I muttered, taking out my battered copy of Red Dragon.
"7.6 million a year?" Minkus guffawed.
"If that's what it comes out to, yeah." Shawn said, before he started reading over my shoulder.
"You could calculate the value of a baseball card and yet you can't...Oh forget it. I'll save this conversation for when I have cake?" I mumbled before I continued reading. Shawn continued reading over my head shoulder.
"He happens to be one of the top guys in baseball." Cory nodded, continuing to read the article.
"Well, I happen to think Mr. Feeny is one of the top guys in teaching and he makes about 40 thousand a year." Minkus said and that's one of the few things I've ever and will openly agree to.
"That stinks." I look over at the blue eyed boy over my shoulder. He looks back at me with wide eyes.
"Finally. Something we agree on." Minkus nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. Feeny ain't worth that kind of money." I threw my head down onto the table. I felt someone pull my chair away from the table.
"Thank you, Cory." I mumbled with my head on my lap. He ran his hand over my back while they continued their conversation.
"You thought I meant he was overpaid? I meant that Mr. Feeny is grossly and tragically underpaid." Minus said and again I nodded in agreement.
"Minkus... May I call you Minkus? Does spelling ever change? No. Does history ever change? Uh-uh. Does Feeny ever change? Never. Know why? He doesn't have to. Know why? 'Cause nothing about... teaching sixth grade ever changes."
"Yeah, instead year after year he has to deal with kids like you guys who don't listen." I kept my head down.
"Well, I think you're wrong." Minkus looks at the curly haired boy. Cory was definitely wrong.
"Well, I think l'm right. I think in about five seconds, Feeny walks in here, takes a sip from the drinking fountain, flicks his mustache, goes to the coffee machine, sees us, asks Raven-Anniya about what books she just finished before he turns to me and says, "Good morning, Mr. Matthews. "I trust you've done the homework". Every day, the same thing. He's so predictable." Cory stated just as our teacher walked into the cafeteria. We watched the older man do just as Cory described.
"Good morning, Mr. Matthews. I trust you've done the homework." He says, just as Cory said he would.
"Yes, I did, sir." The curly haired brunette said. He wasn't genuine but to the untrained eye he may've been sincere.
"But my little sister ate it." They said together before Mr. Feeny walked away saying something along the lines of "You are so predictable." I had to agree and because I knew he was so predictable I knew that this was going to end up with a lesson for them. I just wonder how much I'm going to have to pay for.
+=+=+=+=+
I had spent the better part of my day contemplating just how much of a mess this'll turn into. Cory has no clue what it took to be a teacher so how was he going to learn a lesson?
"This Week in Social Studies we'll be talking about prejudice."
"Good, 'cause I'm prejudiced against the scungy food in the cafeteria." Cory joked, which caused the class to fall into a fit of laughter.
"Then why do you keep eating it?" I asked. Nobody answered.
"We will be discussing black slavery in the American South," The kids all looked to me. "The Jews in nazi Germany and several examples of prejudice throughout history. Tonight your assignment... is to read the first pages of that book." Mr. Feeny said as he handed us the book. The Diary of Anne Frank. This book was amazing. I'd read it years ago and cried.
"Aw, man, it's a book about some girl." And there it was! Cory's definitely done it now!
"Maybe it's time to veer away from picture books Cory?" I looked over at him as he glared at me.
"Rave? I'll take your book suggestions seriously when Storm becomes Shawn's favourite X-Men character." Oh, please.
"Who's your favourite X-Men, Shawnie?"
"The one who kind of looks like your mom.She's cool." Shawn answered absentmindedly, looking over the book he'd just been given.
I turned to Cory with a smug look on my face. "If you're not going to read it because it's about a girl, that's on you. Good to know that you wouldn't want to hear about the experiences of people who don't look like you." I mumbled the last part to myself.
Just as Cory was about to respond, the bell rang and we all started packing our things. I made sure to put my copy of the book in my bag. I heard Mr. Feeny call Cory to stay back, but Shawn had already taken my hand and started pulling me out of the school.
+=+=+=+=+
"So, Sunshine," Shawn said as I took a seat on the swing. "I have something for you." He looked straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact.
"You do?" Shawn had gotten me another gift?
"Yeah. It's ummm not much but..." He pulled a little book out of his bag, but it wasn't a regular one. It looked homemade. When I opened it I came face to face with pictures of me, of us, over the years. From my first day at school together, my mom must've taken them from my dance recitals and our Halloweens. On the very last page written in Shawn's handwriting "Happy 11th Birthday, Raven-Anniya!" And just underneath it, "Shawn P. Hunter & Cory Matthews"
"Thank you, Shawnie." I rested my hand on his shoulder. "You know my birthday was over a month ago, right?" I laughed.
He chuckled. "Yeah. But I wanted to wait for Cory to finish the book before I can give it to you." He rested his head on mine.
"So...social studies is going to be hard for you. If you need me to-" Shawn started but I stopped him.
"It's okay, Shawnie. Most of the kids in our class don't know any non-white people outside of school. You remember when Cory got his hair straightened?" Shawn nodded. "Well the girls he thought were making fun of him for his curly hair, were actually making fun of Dwayne Friedrick talking about why they wouldn't invite people like him to their stupid party. Making fun of his naturally curly hair because they could." I rolled my eyes, my mood suddenly sour.
"Those girls are just dumb then." Shawn put his hand on my head.
"But there are more people like them. People who will do more than not invite me to a party." I could see the confusion flash behind his eyes but I didn't want to tell him about it. He was still young. And this was nothing he'd have to experience but I don't want him to be as ignorant as the people I was talking about.
"You'd...you'd tell me if they..." He started but he stopped. I knew what he was talking about.
"Maybe." I answered honestly. He looked kinda hurt. "Sometimes Shawnie, you can't fix things. Not things like this."
"But I want to. I want to be able to help. For you." He rested his forehead against mine.
+=+=+=+=+
"Raven!" I heard Jazmyne call me from downstairs. I went down to see her trying to balance boxes worth of school supplies in her hand. "Little help, please?" I quickly grabbed the smaller boxes.
"What's all this stuff for?" I asked, noticing half the random stuff in the box.
"I'm doing a project with my friends Linda, Tamara and Eric." She answered before unloading the boxes up in her room. "It's a multicultural thing."
"Cool."
"Yeah, so if you need me for anything, just call the Matthews house. Especially if Mom has a work thing." She concluded before she started working on the assignment.
"Okay." I nodded before going to my room. My ballet class was canceled today but my teacher said we should practice our routine. The calming music contrasted with the sharp moments, I tried to correct my movements using my shadow but it's easier to have someone else tell you what you need to fix.
+=+=+=+=+
"Good morning, class. For the rest of the week I'm going to be your Social Studies teacher." Cory said the second I walked into the classroom. I froze in the doorway.
"Mr. Feeny? What's going on?" I asked, slowly took my seat beside Shawn and now diagonal from Mr. Feeny.
"Don't ask me. He's the man in charge." Mr. Feeny pointed to Cory and I groaned. This is going to suck!
"That's right, Raven, my friend. Me. I'm your new teacher, and my name is... Hey... Dude. That all right with you... George?" He wrote on the board.
"Mi clase es su clase." Mr. Feeny said, leaning back in the seat.
"And you guys know that rule about no baseball caps in class? History!" I watched as the boys in the class excitedly put their caps on. Topanga put her hand up, causing Cory to roll his eyes. "Yeah! Yeah, Topanga."
"If we're going to eliminate the cap rule can we also discard the dress code in its entirety?" I saw Cory's eyes widen fearfully.
"Why? You're not thinking about showing up... like, naked tomorrow, are you?" He asked her suspiciously.
"No. Although I find nothing shameful about nudity. I was thinking about wearing garments from cultures more in tune with the goddess. A sari, perhaps, or a pareo." She said assertively.
"Because nothing says cultural sensitivity like a white girl dressed in cultural garb she doesn't understand." I mumble to myself.
"Yeah, fine. As long as you're covered up."
"No, not fine! She can't just come to school dressed in someone's culture." I spoke up, staring at Cory only to realize the rest of the class had turned to stare at me.
"I just want to express my appreciation for their cultural beauty." She pouted but I didn't care.
"Do you even know the names of the goddesses you're planning on emulating? If you can't name them, say who they are and why they're prayed to, you shouldn't get to play dress up with something you don't understand." I slumped in my seat.
"People, people, people. Are we going to do our Social Studies work today?" Minkus called attention to himself.
"Minkus, Minkus, Minkus. Shut up." Shawn mocked.
"OK, guys, for homework tonight... read the first pages in Whatever that book was that George assigned us yesterday."
"The Diary of Anne Frank, you doofus." I muttered.
"But that was the assignment last night."
"Minkus! Not long ago, I was a student myself and I remember that sixth-graders don't always do their homework so this way, everyone gets a second chance."
"Excuse me, Mr Hey Dude, but I did my homework and I'm sure my Raven Beauty did too." Minkus bragged. That caused Cory to snap.
"Minkus, get a life. That's your homework assignment. Get a life." Cory exclaimed before the class erupted into complete chaos. I just sat back and continued reading Red Dragon.
It was sad that nobody was taking anything seriously.
+=+=+=+=+
We were sitting in class the next day, Cory was trying desperately to get Shawn and I to help him. I wasn't listening to it. "Look, you have to help me get the class back under control."
"Hey, you're the one who let it get out of control." I looked up from my book to Shawn. He was right.
"Well, you're the one playing poker with Feeny." Cory rebutted. I rolled my eyes.
"Maybe if you took this class seriously, the class wouldn't be out of control." I continued reading. I had finished Red Dragon, so I started Silence Of The Lambs.
"Lighten up, man. You're starting to sound like a teacher." Shawn said before continuing to shuffle the cards as the bell rang. Cory walked to the front of the class as Topanga, who came to school in a sari, started moving her desk out of the way.
"Topanga, what are you doing?" Cory asked.
"Moving my desk out of the way. I've decided I'd rather sit on a traditional yoga cushion." Topanga sat on her cushion as Minkus moved his desk out of the way.
"Oh, come on, Minkus, don't tell me you want to sit on a yogurt cushion!" Cory whined.
"No. You told me to get a life. Now I'm going to be as fun as the next guy." Minkus started bouncing on a ball.
Cory let out a defeated sigh. "OK. I know things got a little loose here yesterday but we've got a test day after tomorrow and it's time to get down to business. Let's start With the roll call." Cory started doing the attendance. "Archer, Raven-Anniya." I raised my hand.
"Lawrence, Topanga." The girl was sitting in the lotus position.
"I'm channeling. I will only answer the name..." she growled. Literally.
"OK. Present, but not all here. Hunter, Shawn." Cory continued and I'm just now realizing he's not doing it in alphabetical order. "Hunter, Shawn." Again, Shawn didn't do anything. Cory was waving his hand in front of his face.
"Out of my face. I'm stacking the deck." Shawn pushed him away.
"Hey. Where's Mr. Feeny? I mean, George." Cory asked, looking for our previous teacher.
"Hey, dude. Sorry I'm late. I was chillin' with my homies." Mr. Feeny walked in dressed in a Philly's jersey. He sat in Cory's seat facing Shawn as he picked up the cards. "I'm in." He said as he started playing. He looked around the class with a depressed look on his face.
"Minkus, this is Social Studies. Stop making those paper turkeys." He tossed the book onto Minkus' desk.
"They're flamingoes, and quit calling me Minkus. You call everyone else by their first name... so start calling me Stuart." Cory whined.
+=+=+=+=+
When the bell rang after school, I was shocked to see Jazmyne by my locker. Shawn smiled her way, waving as he walked me to her. "Hi Jazmyne." He said carrying my books as I opened my locker.
"Hey, Hunter. Sorry to have to steal your little bird today but Brianna said I've got to take her to the mall with my project partners." Shawn's smile fell for a second but he nodded.
"It's okay." Shawn rested his head on my shoulder, giving me a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow, Sunshine." He pinched my cheek before he turned to his locker.
I put my books in my bag and started walking behind Jazmyne towards her classmates. I knew Eric but I didn't know anything about Linda but she was a very pretty Asian girl. I sat in the back of the bus clutching my book as I read. When we got to the mall, we went from store to store, me still reading and being careful not to walk into anyone. Eric and Linda were a bit behind Jazmyne and I when someone walked into me and stepped on my book.
"Watch it, kid." The man said, pushing past me and hitting me with his bag. Jazmyne was helping me up off the dirty floor as Eric and Linda went to confront him.
"Hey man, she's just a kid!" Eric said, pushing the jerk.
"Yeah. You didn't have to push her." Linda said. The man rolled his eyes and started walking away but Jazmyne pulled him back.
"You need to apologize. You walked into her." She said, glaring at the older man.
"I don't need to do shit." He said pushing Jazmyne off of him. Linda stopped Jazz from falling over.
"Hey!" Linda said, loudly. The jerk took a step towards the two teenage girls and Eric stepped over them protectively.
"You need to back off." He said to the jerk.
The dude scoffed. "You need to back off. Take your chink and your niggers and get the hell out of here." He pushed Eric, which caused a domino effect with the three teenagers, making them all topple onto the floor.
Linda started tearing up, Jazmyne just got quiet and I sat there with tears in my eyes. It's not something I wasn't used to but it still hurt when it happened.
"Come on, Birdie. Let's get you out of here." Eric said taking me to the bus stop. We hopped on the bus, each of us sitting in silence. Eric took my hand as tears fell over torn pages of my book. He rested my head over his shoulder. We got off the bus and walked into the Matthews' house.
"Come on, let's go sit on the couch, all right?" Eric guided all of us to the couch and I finally broke. I was sitting on the chair sobbing. Jazmyne came up, holding my book out to me. I didn't even notice that I dropped it. I opened it and pages came falling out. I started crying more as the book fell from my hand.
"Eric?" Cory asked, looking around the room at all the sad or angry people.
"I've got it, Cor." Eric consoled a crying Linda. "Everything is going to be oK, all right?"
"Eric?" Cory looked over at me, pointing at my tear stained face.
"I'll talk to you later, Cor." Eric said in a more assertive tone.
"It's getting chilly out there." Amy came in.
"Linda! Linda! What's wrong with Linda?" Morgan rounded the corner and saw Linda crying. She looked over and saw me. "What happened to Raven?" She walked over and hugged my head.
"Some jerk at the mall called us some bad names." Jazmyne said. She was sad too, but her sadness was mixed with anger too.
"Where? Our mall?" Cory asked.
"What did he call you?" Morgan turned to Jazmyne.
"It's not important, Morgan." I spoke between choked sobs.
"In our mall right here?" Cory asked again. Morgan gave Linda and I tissues.
"Thanks, Morgan." When I got the tissue.
"A boy at daycare once called me poo-poo head." Morgan tried to console us.
"That's not very nice." I replied as she handed a tissue to Linda.
"Thanks, Morgan." Linda smiled graciously.
"Mom." Eric looked over at her, pleadingly.
"Come on, Morgan. Let's make some hot cocoa for everybody." Amy grabbed a hold of the young blond. Eric held my hand.
"Man, sometimes people can be total idiots." Eric looked at his brother, not accusingly but the venom behind his eyes was evident.
"This happened today?" Cory said, disbelieving. He looked at me but I looked away.
+=+=+=+=+
The next day, I walked into class with Shawn only to see Cory in a suit and tie.
"Hey, Mr. GQ. Nice neckwear." Shawn said jokingly. He's been joking around all morning. I know he knows something is wrong but I have been denying everything. I didn't want to burden him.
"Excellent Windsor knot. Did your mom tie it?" Minkus said as I slumped in my seat. I had no motivation to do anything today.
"Minkus... Stuart, I need your help. You're the smartest kid in class... maybe if you pay attention to me some of the other kids will."
"Why should I help you? You made fun of Mr. Feeny, and said he gets paid too much." Minkus crossed his arms defiantly.
"Look, Minkus, I'm only coming to you because Raven isn't doing well today." Cory glared but the bell rang before he could say more.
Mr. Feeny walked in and looked at Cory. "Hey, dude. Ooh, that suit. It's not cool."
"Class, I'd like to talk to you today about prejudice... and how it still exists in today's world." Mr.Feeny turned to Cory as he spoke. "I didn't even know that till last night when I saw some really smart, totally cool girls... crying their eyes out because some idiot at the mall... called them bad names. My lesson for today is that when people treat other people badly... because of their skin color or their religion or where they come from...then real smart, totally cool people... can really suffer." Cory passed my desk, dropping a note between my elbow and my head.
'I'm sorry for this. I just need to get to him' as well as a quote from the book. I looked over at him, as he nodded his head towards Shawn. I then realized that aside from Mr. Feeny, I was the only one really listening.
"Hey, George, this isn't gum. These are Rolaids." Shawn said, looking at our teacher.
"Deal me out of this one, Mr. Hunter." Mr. Feeny said, giving Cory more attention.
"What? Why?" Shawn asked.
"OK. You win. I'm a crummy teacher, and I resign. Hey, Shawn, before your mother got married... what was her name again?" Cory turned to the blue eyed boy.
"Cordini." He answered.
"Cordini. So, that would make you a wop, right?" Cory said, nonchalantly.
"CORY!?" I yelled. I didn't think he was going to do that.
"What did you call me?" Shawn looked up at Cory in shock. Shook his head, festering in his anger.
"You heard what I called you." Cory spoke clearly, before he looked at me and nodded.
"Whatever, man." Shawn rolled his eyes and started playing solitaire.
"I guess I understand why you don't care. You spend your day with a monkey and her family of crows. It's astonishing how smart she is though. I honestly expected Ebonics when we first met her."
I looked up at him in fake shock. Did he really think that? No. Before I left his house last night, he asked Jazmyne what kind of things people have said to her and her family. Cory didn't even know what Ebonics is this morning. He literally held up a paper and asked me what it was this morning. I expected him to say this. What I didn't expect was for Shawn to slam him into the door.
"What did you just call her?" Shawn practically snarled, slamming Cory into the door. Nobody said anything.
"Do I need to say it again?" Cory quipped, sarcastically. He seemed unphased when Shawn slammed him to the door again.
"Say it again, I'll kill you!" Shawn screamed.
"Mr. Hunter!" Mr. Feeny intervened.
"Did you hear what he called her?" Shawn looked guffawed.
"Yes I did. And I heard what he called you. What are you going to do about it?"
"He's the teacher." Shawn looked at Mr. Feeny confusion.
"What are you going to do about it?" The older man asked. It seemed to trigger Shawn.
"I'm gonna knock his head off!" Shawn pushed Cory.
"What if you couldn't? What if you couldn't do anything about it?" Cory exclaimed, pushing Shawn back.
"What?" Shawn buffered.
"What if you lived in a country where I could kill you just because of your mom's last name?" Cory spoke loudly for the class.
"Cory, what are you talking about?" Shawn asked.
"A -year-old girl is dead! Doesn't anybody care?" Cory faced the rest of the class.
"Cory..." I sat up slightly, trying to calm him down. He looked at me for a minute before holding the book over to Shawn.
"She was like Raven, Shawn. She was real smart and totally cool. She wrote this book. Her name Was Anne Frank." He pulled his Cory up. "They say she died of typhus but they killed her... because her name Was Anne Frank. Anne Frank was a victim of antisemitism." He said incorrectly but I was so proud, I didn't think I should say anything.
"Anti-Semitism." Mr. Feeny corrected.
"Thank you, Mr. Feeny. You have to read this book... and you have to pass this test... not because of me but because when someone calls someone else a bad name... it's not good that just that one person jumps up. We all have to jump up." Cory pointed at Shawn approvingly. Cory turned back to me. "Raven-Anniya?" He nodded to the book.
"In spite of everything... I still believe that people are really good at heart." I quoted.
+=+=+=+=+
On Monday after school, Shawn and I were sitting in the park when he pulled out his test. He looked really nervous when I unfolded it. He got a B. "You got a B!" I was beaming.
"Yeah, I really wanted to do well." He nodded sheepishly.
"And you don't want to do well on all your other stuff?" I asked, jokingly poking him but he grabbed my hand.
"I wanted to do well because this was important. When it's something important I want..." he stopped before he could finish. "I wanted you to be proud of me." He answered honestly.
"I am proud of you. You defended me when nobody else did. I'd be proud of you anyway." I hugged him. He chuckled.
"You spoke up first, Sunshine." Shawn flipped my hair over my face.
We stayed in the park for a few more hours. I had spent most it reading The Diary of Anne Frank again.
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auriel187 · 5 months
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rare vent art from a few months ago
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auriel187 · 6 months
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Uummmm
👀
People say shit like that and then are all
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When the writer gets discouraged and stops posting.
You’re awesome, keep up the amazing work!
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So shocking, right, lovely? 😂 It really is discouraging, but the positive outweighs the negative. I'm excited for some things on the horizon. I hope you enjoy them and I appreciate the kind words.
Love and thanks. ❤️
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