e-the-village-cryptid

[e-the-village-cryptid]

also everyone is gaslighting each other and also themselves and also you the reader and i do use that word in the most full sense of its original meaning

has anybody else read the centre by ayesha manazir siddiqi i just finished it and i feel insane this book has everything it's got translation as either care or as violence but either way as consumption it's got fucked up cults it's got the unease of diaspora and the unwillingness to look at one's own suspension between significant privilege and significant powerlessness it's got women making so many questionable choices often involving their fascinating relationships with each other it's got language as both a door to be opened and a risk of losing yourself it's got [redacted for spoilers but trust me this book gets deranged it's great] and overall it's got deep deep unease that settles in your bones and yeah I’m gonna have nightmares about this one

[e-the-village-cryptid]

has anybody else read the centre by ayesha manazir siddiqi i just finished it and i feel insane this book has everything it's got translation as either care or as violence but either way as consumption it's got fucked up cults it's got the unease of diaspora and the unwillingness to look at one's own suspension between significant privilege and significant powerlessness it's got women making so many questionable choices often involving their fascinating relationships with each other it's got language as both a door to be opened and a risk of losing yourself it's got [redacted for spoilers but trust me this book gets deranged it's great] and overall it's got deep deep unease that settles in your bones and yeah I’m gonna have nightmares about this one

[e-the-village-cryptid]

i love the -with mama trend but sometimes i get sad because that is clearly papa and he aint getting any credit raising those darn kids...

[e-the-village-cryptid]

He’s a baby

[e-the-village-cryptid]

Best Writing Advice I’ve Ever Received

1. “You can’t edit a blank page.”

This advice hit me like a ton of bricks when I first heard it. It’s so simple, yet so powerful. Writing something—even if it’s not perfect—is better than writing nothing at all. The idea is to get the words out, even if they’re messy, and then fix them later. There’s always room to improve, but the hardest part is starting. So, don’t wait for perfection. Just write.

2. “Show, don’t tell—except when you should tell.”

It’s one of the classic writing rules, and yet, I found this piece of advice to be both a game-changer and a huge relief. So often, we get stuck on the idea that “showing” is the ultimate goal. But sometimes, telling is just as effective. It’s about knowing when to lean into subtlety and when to give the reader exactly what they need upfront.

3. “Write the book you want to read.”

This was one of the most liberating pieces of advice I’ve ever received. So many times, we get caught up in writing what we think people will want to read, or what we think is “marketable.” But when you focus on writing a story you genuinely want to read—one that excites and moves you—everything else falls into place.

4. “Don’t compare your first draft to someone else’s final draft.”

This one is a tough one to swallow, especially in the age of social media where we’re constantly exposed to the polished, perfect versions of other people’s work. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when you compare your rough drafts to someone else’s masterpiece. But every writer starts somewhere, and your first draft is just that—a draft.

5. “Make your characters want something, even if it’s just a glass of water.”

This advice came from a workshop, and it’s one that I’ve come back to time and time again. It’s a reminder that characters need motivation—whether it’s a big goal like saving the world, or something small and personal, like finding a glass of water in the desert. A character without desire is a character that feels flat and uninteresting.

6. “The best way to improve your writing is to read more than you write.”

This advice took me a while to fully understand, but it makes perfect sense. Reading other authors’ work, especially those whose writing you admire, teaches you things that can’t be learned through theory or workshops alone. You’ll pick up on pacing, voice, structure, and what makes a story truly captivating—all while expanding your understanding of storytelling.

7. “Your first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”

This was another gem of wisdom that I didn’t fully grasp at first. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting your first draft to be perfect, but it’s not meant to be. The first draft is for you—to explore the plot, the characters, the world. It’s your chance to get everything down and see where it leads, without worrying about perfection.

8. “Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.”

This is one of Stephen King’s rules of writing, and it’s a brilliant one. When you’re drafting, don’t worry about anyone else reading your work. It’s your time to be raw and experimental. But when it comes to revising, open that door—let others in for feedback, because the revision process is where the magic happens.

[e-the-village-cryptid]

This is the exact sort of passive-aggressive Rich Old Man Grumpiness I can get behind

[e-the-village-cryptid]

this is basically a short horror film

[e-the-village-cryptid]

they dont tell you this but like half of adulthood is just washing the same FUCKING pan

[e-the-village-cryptid]

im thinking about getting everything in my whole life sorted tomorrow maybe

[e-the-village-cryptid]

We go forward.

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[e-the-village-cryptid]

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY  as ELIZABETH SWANN ↳ pirates of the caribbean: at world's end (2007)

[e-the-village-cryptid]

It's pride month so I'll allow myself to express one opinion on the internet :

There are no "exact color" of pride flags.

I see more and more sites and posts talking about the exact hex codes for the lesbian flag, or the right purple for the ace one, and how it should be more or less saturated and I just want to say: pride flags were meant to be sewn in your kitchen. To be spraypainted and to be recognised.

There are no "exact colors" of pride flags because you should do them with what you have ! Nobody should care if you use a crimson red instead of a cherry red or whatever ! Be free ! wave your colors ! The colors you have !

[e-the-village-cryptid]

[e-the-village-cryptid]

Absolutely insane lines to just drop in the middle of an academic text btw. Feeling so normal about this.

[ A Critical History of English Literature, Vol. 1, Prof. David Daiches, first published in 1960 ]

[e-the-village-cryptid]

Agatha All Along: The Art Of The Series ↳ Concept art inserts

[e-the-village-cryptid]

[e-the-village-cryptid]

Know what? I personally love it when trans men and masculine leaning enbies enjoy the parts of masculinity I just didn't vibe with. It wasn't for me. But I can absolutely appreciate you taking joy in it. Hell, I'll give you pointers so you can have a better time if I'm able.

Anyone saying trans women hate trans men or masculine enbies is lying. If I had more masc shit to give away, you bet I'd be handing that shit over. Go have fun with it. Don't listen to the transphobes. Go do what makes you happy.