roarhaven

[roarhaven]

Answers

So I saw The Fault in Our Stars today. Not a perfect movie, or book, or author (which is an entirely different can of worms than what we're discussing today.) But i was surprised by how much it hit home. I had read the book back in February 2012, and at the time, i didn't relate to anything in it, really.

But today, seeing someone disappointed in the actions of their favorite author and dealing with that felt close to home. Especially the scene where she (spoilers!) takes the book off her shelf, removes a bookmark, and throws the novel onto her bed. The camera lingers on the book for a moment, and she moves on.

An author can ruin a book. Even though there are people who could have walked away from that experience and cheerfully kept on reading, Hazel didn't. Because she is someone with her own feelings and experiences.

Okay, with that preface out of the way: obviously Derek Landy did not mock the cancer I don't have. I am not saying in any way his actions were anywhere near as bad as Van Houten's. But he is not who i thought he was. Should I care? Maybe not. But his actions are not things I condone with anyone. They are not things I personally am comfortable with. In a lot of cases, this doesn't actually matter much, seeing as i don't know the creator in question. 

But I did know Derek.

There are dozens of tiny stories I have about him. It was a joy to talk to him. But I don't think I can do it anymore.

There were things I thought were normal and funny at the time. I was seventeen when we made a lot of jokes about boobs. People I told this to 'irl' thought this was weird, which i dismissed because I knew and trusted him and thought it was funny. And I'm not saying that he did anything wrong here - but that due to these recent events, that I had to reconsider everything. And that was hard. And uncomfortable. And that was where my opinion on the entire series started to change.

Because this girl is a lot like me. About the same age, fan for years, even liked the same ship. Only real difference, as a fan, is that she was able to go to signings when i wasn't.

and that's too close for comfort for me. We can come to our own conclusions about what happened - we will probably never know, and don't need to - but I, personally, feel this changed how i view my own interactions with him, as well as the interactions of my peers, who are also close to me in age and close to Derek.

Now the really controversial question: is any of this our business? Yeah, i think so. It involved a fan. it involved a signing, which a lot of people go to - there are people involved in this issue who went to that exact signing, actually. And i totally get why not everyone feels that way. But that's how I think. And this information, by the way, is overwhelmingly public. I found it on accident. There is nothing being hidden here (well, not anymore - I have gotten the impression that the decision to go public was made very recently) - with him following her and her posting photos, these are things being put out to the world. Willingly.

A lot of people say it shouldn't affect how I read the books. But it does, for me. Maybe i'm wrong or immature in that aspect - I don't know. But take Valduggery, for example. I've seen people say that shipping that means that you should accept this (some of whom have apologized for it, which I do greatly appreciate) but for me, I always saw it as something SUPER fictional, that could clearly never happen irl, and that Derek clearly knew the dangers of that sort of relationship. I... can no longer say that with confidence, unfortunately.

I can't talk about my fears without being ominous again, and i think we all know how that ended last time. And I am sorry for that - I and the others thought we were doing what was right. We didn't know how to handle the situation and went by instincts. It was in no way my intention to scare or make people anxious. All i wanted to do was tell my followers I was leaving, and say as much as I could. But I am sorry, and I would do it differently if it happened again. 

And for the nosy people who demand to know: I do have personal experience with this. The people in my life who acted in similar ways to Derek are not people I see as role models. They are also people I respected and cared about, who I felt let me down. And they are not people I want to be reminded of when I read my favorite books.

Speaking of the books, will I continue to read them? Yes, of course. i care far too much about the characters to not. But i need time to step away from all this first. 

and as for the fandom ... well, you have probably already seen this. I will just say the actions of people in the past few days were disgusting and the worst bullying i've seen in this fandom, bar none. for those who have apologized to me, either personally or in general, i greatly appreciate it. To the rest of you: I think what you know you did was wrong. All that matters now is what you'll do next. 

My intention is not to convince people what Derek did should make you uncomfortable. I just want to explain why I am. I am making this post about me and my experiences, because i maintain what I've said since Saturday - I have no authority to talk about what happened with this young woman. That is not my story to tell. But this is.

And I hope it explains some things.

[roarhaven]

I just found out about what was going wrong in the fandom. I may anger you and I also might make you hate me, but i'll ask because i need to. Will you come back to the SP fandom please?

How could I ever want to leave such a wonderful, loving community?

[roarhaven]

Consider this my official withdrawal from the Skulduggery Pleasant fandom.

The past three years have been wonderful, with great experiences and some of the best friends I’ve ever met, but due to recent discoveries I don’t believe I can support and enjoy the books anymore. I can not provide any more details than that, as it’s not my place to tell.

My personal blog is here.

My fanfiction, posts, and art will remain untouched.

Thank you,

Moonie

[roarhaven]

Consider this my official withdrawal from the Skulduggery Pleasant fandom.

The past three years have been wonderful, with great experiences and some of the best friends I've ever met, but due to recent discoveries I don't believe I can support and enjoy the books anymore. I can not provide any more details than that, as it's not my place to tell.

My personal blog is here.

My fanfiction, posts, and art will remain untouched.

Thank you,

Moonie

[roarhaven]

"Well now," said a voice in the steam, "don’t I feel stupid?"

Steam billowed and Valkyrie could see Tanith Low leaning against a streetlight, both hands pressing into the lower half of her torso, which was a mess of blood and ruined flesh. Ghastly rushed over to her, eyes wide. 

Steam hissed as Ghastly and Tanith talked, but their words were snatched away until Ghastly grabbed her and Tanith cried out.

"Bloody hell, that hurts!"

"I don’t care," said Ghastly, and he pulled her into him and they kissed, long and hard… 

-pg 123, LSODM

[roarhaven]

it has come to my attention that there are people not aware that Josh Holloway is Literally Billy-Ray Sanguine and I am here to correct that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J2oN6mWAfM#t=59

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H43-J7a6_6A

he's also 6'2 which is about the height BRS is on the tm7 lineup

WAKE UP AMERICA 

[roarhaven]

One month until Armageddon Outta Here!

[roarhaven]

Can we just stop for a moment and talk about the book dedications in skulduggery pleasant? Derek Landy is just awesome okay I’m looking through my series (that I had to dig out from themselves—funny how that works) because I’m lending the books to a friend and YOU ALL NEED TO READ SP RIGHT NOW That’s it. My role on earth is accomplished.

[roarhaven]

sometimes i just remember

"Do you have anyone who’d be willing to give up the rest of their life to spend with her?”

“I would,” Skulduggery said.

Valkyrie looked away.

and 

[roarhaven]

50 days until Armageddon Outta Here.

[roarhaven]

Davina Marr! (ngl I actually kind of love her)

[roarhaven]

couple Skulduggerys (and a Val)

[roarhaven]

Margot's riding outfit in the last Hannibal episode was giving me major China vibes.

[roarhaven]

Gonna switch to another scene because this is ripping me apart.

[roarhaven]

it's a compliment, though they make me break down and cry :(

ahh. yeah gotcha that's how i feel about the books in general

I'M SORRY... i hope the fluff helps

[roarhaven]

I hate your fics. With a passion. Please write more.

i'm not sure if this is a compliment or an insult

either way ... thank... you?

[roarhaven]

like real people do

Spawned from several conversations on twitter that amounted to "GUYS, GUYS, WHAT IF VAL AND SKUL JUST MADE OUT INSTEAD OF MEETING WREATH AND GETTING THE NECROMANCY MURDER RING"

extremely self indulgent. rated a very hard T. Enjoy. 

http://archiveofourown.org/works/1541816