stardust2003

[stardust2003]

Appalachian Anglophile - Rest in Peace, My Sweet, Sweet

My dog recently crossed over The Rainbow Bridge. This post discusses her life and my experience in losing her. She was my best friend and I miss her a lot but I know she’s still with me in my heart. 🐶🐾🌈❤️‍🩹

To anyone who reads this, thank you so much. And if you too are grieving the loss of a pet, please know you’re not alone. I’d love to hear about your precious pets also if you’d like to share.

Thank you for reading. ❤️‍🩹

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/appalachiananglophile/p/rest-in-peace-my-sweet-sweet?r=43z1x7&utm_medium=ios

[stardust2003]

10 Years...

Ten years ago yesterday, I attended Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' Concert at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio.

Ten years ago today, while still buzzing from the previous night's gig, I discovered Oasis Fanfiction and what a discovery it was!

To everyone I've met over the years in this Lovely Community, whether it's been through me reading your stories or you reading mine or somewhere in between, thank yins all so much for welcoming me in and being my friends! Yins all are amazing! :)

[stardust2003]

“Misty of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry is a fanfiction story and I’m absolutely here for it and have been for many years!

In case no one's nominated her yet, I'd like to suggest Misty of Chincoteague. While she is indeed the pony protagonist of a novel, the fictional character was inspired by a very real pony who became beloved by the children of America, and the world over.

Misty with Billy Beebe.

Chincoteague Island in Virginia is famous for its feral ponies*, some of whom are rounded up every year and auctioned. Misty was the foal of a mare called the Phantom, who'd become a bit of a local legend for being difficult to catch, and her father was a feral stallion fancifully called the Pied Piper. Misty and her mother had only recently been obtained by the Beebe family when children's author Marguerite Henry discovered her. Charmed by the palomino pinto who was said to have a map of the US on one side and a silhouette of Virginia on her face (I'm not sure I see it, but okay), Marguerite cut a deal by which she would own Misty for the next ten years. And just absorb living with her and being ~inspired~.

Misty proved to have quite a personality, as ponies often do.

She was trained to ride and perform tricks such as standing on a stool and shaking hooves that Misty because famous for ... Misty adored Marguerite Henry and would do anything for her. For others Misty was nippy, opinionated, and it wasn't uncommon for her to dump her rider. Because Marguerite asked it of her, Misty calmly handled the commotion and many people at public appearances. Misty was invited inside the Henry's house for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner where she would eat her oats off a needlepoint chair. A birthday party was thrown every year for Misty. Misty was the only equine member of the American Library Association and attended their convention in 1950. She attended the Chicago Book Fair in November 1954.

Hagen-Renaker figure of Misty shaking hooves.

After ten years, Misty returned to the Beebe farm where she was bred. Her first foal was Stormy, who became famous alongside her mother and was also immortalized in Marguerite Henry's fiction. Marguerite would go on to write six novels and one nonfiction book featuring Misty, and a movie adaption would be made of the first novel.

Misty and Stormy.

Misty and Stormy.

Throughout her life, Misty remained a beloved symbol of the Chincoteague ponies and one of the most famous horses in the world -- certainly one of the most famous horses who had nothing to do with sports.

Of course she was Breyer'd. Her markings are... well... never mind her markings. More importantly, her Breyer was introduced in the 1970s and is still being sold today. Misty's power is considerable.

Misty died at age 26, and to commemorate her, her hide was taxidermied. Here she is, and here she is with Stormy.

Few books are still being read seventy-plus years after their publication, and few horses become beloved the world over. But tiny little Misty of Chincoteague did it.

*Chincoteague is famous because of Misty. She made it famous. That's a clever trick for any horse to learn.

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[stardust2003]

This is brilliant for so many reasons!

Anyone who writes and/or reads RPF should seriously consider taking a look at this!

Our April piece is live! 💫 Sacha Judd dives into the history of RPF, its thorny intersections with things like celebrity fandom and conspiracy theory shipping, and the erosion of the fannish fourth wall over the past few decades:

In the internet era—and especially with the rise of social media—we’ve witnessed an unprecedented increase in our access to public figures, the objects of our fandom. That’s led to collisions between celebrity culture, transformative fandom, parasociality, and conspiracy thinking. As a consequence, we’ve seen a full life-cycle in the acceptance of RPF, from something that was once seen as a completely taboo behavior to widespread tolerance and back again. And now, when our life online has consolidated into a handful of crowded platforms and fan communities have grown exponentially in size, we face a reckoning with the ethics of RPF in a world where few fandom boundaries remain.

Read or listen to a full audio version via the link above!

[stardust2003]

Looking For A Beta Reader

I’ve never had a beta reader before but I think I’d like to see about trying to find one for a certain part of the upcoming chapter of “Madferit: The Novel”.

I’m looking for someone to consult regarding certain aspects of Irish culture as it relates to this particular story part. As an American of Scotch-Irish descent amongst a few other nationalities, I know I won’t get it right. Obviously, my stories are written from me being on the outside looking in and being fascinated by what I see.

This request is more than just having someone read my story and tell me what sounds good and/or what I need to fix. It’s specific to a certain plot point.

If you’re interested in helping me, please reach out via private message and I’ll explain the plot further. For helping me, I’ll be sure to give you a shout in my author’s notes for the chapter!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[stardust2003]

WE HAVE A DONKEY FOAL!!!!

They were born over the weekend likely during the fanfare of The Kentucky Derby as they were up and dry when we found them afterwards! All ears and legs and doing wonderfully!

So what are they?

Jack or Jenny?

Nestor or Cilla?

Official Introductory Post including name, gender, and pictures coming soon to Substack followed by the author’s note in my next fanfiction update!

🥰🫏🪽🫏🦄🫏❓

[stardust2003]

Appalachian Anglophile - Monthly Reflections: April 2025

To everyone who’s read my work, whether that’s my fanfiction stories or creative nonfiction essays, I sincerely appreciate it! I apologize for not replying to people’s comments, private messages, etc. but please know I read every single one and enjoy them very much. And I hope you continue enjoying my work!

I haven’t stopped writing or gone on a break or hiatus. But I am currently too distracted to write.

Here’s my monthly reflections for April 2025 which includes an explanation for why I haven’t been writing as much lately.

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/appalachiananglophile/p/monthly-reflections-april-2025?r=43z1x7&utm_medium=ios

[stardust2003]

[stardust2003]

If u want to write a story about a character that’s just you but hotter with a dark twisted backstory and magical powers and a pet falcon or something, I think u should just go ahead and do that. Who’s gonna stop you? The government?? Fuck the police.

[stardust2003]

I love when you’re reading multiple fics by the same author and you start to spot all the phrases and adjectives they like to use

[stardust2003]

Writers: let's talk about how important it is to NOT take every bit of advice you see online. There will always be someone with a different process. Some people swear by plotting. Some people can't write if they plot things out in advance. Some people start with the characters, others start with the plot. What works for them might not work for you. If you want your manuscript to ever be finished, you have to take what serves you and leave what doesn't. 💜

– Beth Heyn (@/bethheynauthor)

[stardust2003]

I was just thinking about wanting to train at least one of my donkeys to possibly do tricks and then this came up! Definitely interested in getting one and am re-blogging in case there’s anyone else out there who’d be interested too! 🫏🪽🫏🦄🥰

I wasn't going to bother my tumblr followers with this, but seeing as i just got handed a nice vet bill, and have more coming;

I have had a little business going selling target sticks! I just opened the shop to international orders if anyone fancies one.

The telescopic ones are much cheaper to ship, just so you know.

Dont feel obligated or anything, just in case anyone here wants to have a look!

[stardust2003]

Appalachian Anglophile - On Fanfiction: How Old Is Too Old to Enjoy It?

Happy Fanfiction Friday!

This week’s topic is ageism in fanfiction.

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading! :)

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/appalachiananglophile/p/on-fanfiction-how-old-is-too-old?r=43z1x7&utm_medium=ios

[stardust2003]

Appalachian Anglophile - On Fanfiction: Fanfiction Fridays

Happy Fanfiction Friday!

I’m going to attempt to make this a thing and would love to possibly collaborate with any fanfiction readers and writers who’d be interested! If you are, please let me know!

Thanks for reading! :)

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/appalachiananglophile/p/on-fanfiction-fanfiction-fridays?r=43z1x7&utm_medium=ios

[stardust2003]

Jet Members’ Solo Work

It ain’t Jet but I think that’s the point.

In order of release:

Nic: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SAXvVpOX430&pp=ygUVTmljIGNlc3RlciBwc2NoaWJlbGxv

Chris: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e2doSDqrITE&pp=ygUZbXlzdGljIGtuaWdodHMgb2YgYW1uZXNpYQ%3D%3D

Cam: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PLb-hJXr8cQ&pp=ygUKQ2FtIG11bmNledIHCQl-CQGHKiGM7w%3D%3D

Mark was part of a Beatles’ tribute band at one point called Abbey Road Live with Davey Lane, Darren Middleton, and Kram.

And then of course there’s this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ETT36M7_zs8&pp=ygUPamV0IGh1cnJ5IGh1cnJ5

I’m so happy they’re back and able to continue Jet while doing other things!

[stardust2003]

Appalachian Anglophile - Celebrating Indie Amnesty 2025

Happy Indie Amnesty Everyone!

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/appalachiananglophile/p/celebrating-indie-amnesty-2025?r=43z1x7&utm_medium=ios

[stardust2003]

Appalachian Anglophile - Monthly Reflections: March 2025

Here’s a summary of what all I did this month as well as updates about my pets!

Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/appalachiananglophile/p/monthly-reflections-march-2025?r=43z1x7&utm_medium=ios