#I'm on a kick of wanting to draw scenes from various stories that I'm reading

[sunlightandfreshcherries]

End of this chapter, from A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss by Qvill

[understandableparadox]

Bottom of the barrel isekai review

In this world there is a force far greater then anything we are used it. a creature that has been evolving since the dawn of life itself on this blue rock we dare make it share.

its teeth endless, its speed in-escapable, its power awe-inspiring. forcing those who witness it to create stories in celebration and worship around it.

what could this creature be? what could demand the respect of humans to such a degree that it has cemented itself as the oceanic Apex?

we are going to review the manga "Killer shark in another world".

we start at an adventureing academy for young summoners in the midst of a existinal war for the country, here young students summon their monster so that they may train with them and join the ranks in order to free their country men from the threat of the encroaching demonic army.

we then focus on our main charecter, shiromi! a young girl who has shown lack luster spirtual ability, but has been getting dreams of a odd creature. deeming them to be prophetic. her dreams prove to be visions as she summons a small shark.

right off the bat, im in fucking love. do you want to know the story? fuck you, sharks.

i'm makeing the story synopis quick so i can show you pictures from this shit.

she is deemed a traitor and kicked out and goes on a world trotting adventure to try to keep her shark summon from killing everyone and chipping away at the forces of the demon kings army.

this manga is a breath of fresh air. it is every b- teir schlock shark movie intagrated into an isekai.

to me the greater story of it is irrelevant, as is the story of a movie like sharknado, because you aren't here for the fucking plot of sharknado, you are not here for the story of Meg, you are here to watch a Big ass shark rip shit up expeditiously and watch some fucking explosions.

this manga provides that, it tenderly swaddles you in the viscera of its imagery and force feeds you scenes of delightful gratuitous violence towards anything that has a pulse and can be deemed even slightly annoying.

it is indiscriminate, it is magnanimous, the shark is the strongest motherfucker on gods blue marble and it will find ways to become stronger. it is a shark blessed with the powers of Every Single God Damn Shark Movie ever invented by the sick twisted minds of humanities most beloathed film makers.

is it impressive art wise? no, but only when its not drawing sharks. the moment the author is allowed to draw a shark, their autism sparks to live and we are blessed with the fucking magic that is the motherfucking shark.

is it impresssive story wise? No, its a shark running around eating random demon lords and people. nothing makes sense, the technology and culture make no sense. the villians motives make no sense. every where you turn the story bends itself to get itself to the next shark moment and you will grovel before it and thank it for how quick its dragging you to the nexts Blood Feast that it has loveingly prepared for you.

hell, even when trying to tell a story, it will take breaks in itself to go and kill a random isekai charecter from a completely different manga. and every time it rips into a shitty isekai protag, i have to fan myself like a god damn southeren belle that caught a glimpse of that kindly cowboys buns flexing while framed in those chaps. it has made me fall in love with it, a deep desperate love of what it has to show me next. what new and insane bullshit will it concoct? which motherfucker is about to get eaten?

the manga is endlessly creative in the same way that shark movies are endlessly creative. finding new ways to give this one shark insane and bat shit powers based on various movies. finding brand new ways to leave the world that it inhabits in shambles with millions of fucking shark bites ripped out of it.

all i can do is recommend that you go and read through this, its a short 27 chapter things and its not ever yet, but i promise you it will itch all the right spots on your brain if you are like me and have read all the shittiest isekais one can read.

Shark/10

[rynnaaurelius]

For the fanfic ask game - B, F, H, and T, please?

(Referenced ask game HERE)

Of course! I hope you're having a great day.

B. Any of your stories inspired by personal experience?

Well, if we're being honest, Luke Castellan and the Age of Heroes. (If you click in that link, bear in mind the last third of it needs reading an earlier longfic of mine for context). I wrote it when I was struggling with a depressive episode and general anger at—*waves at the world in general*

Luke was my mouthpiece for a lot of those emotions, and I think that shows? A semi-common reaction to that one-shot is to say that it felt pretty raw.

Not so much a story, but I would also add that Carter, Sadie, and Percy's dynamic from the Magician!Percy 'verse draws a lot on my relationship with my sister and my oldest friend. I wouldn't be writing that story if Percy's relationship with the Kanes wasn't that good, so I think that counts.

F. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

From Hold Tight and Pretend It's a Plan, Ch. 18:

Percy finally found it in him to respond, the words slipping out of him in a soft horrified voice. "Gods, Hazel. . .I'm sorry. So, so sorry. That's just—Schist."

—And Percy then mentally kicked himself in the gonads for the insensitivity, feeling something in his chest twisting and knotting at the stupid, stupid line.

But Hazel let out a watery chuckle, and she let her shoulder bump against his and stay there. "Yeah. Schist."

And Percy figured that just maybe it had been the right thing to say after all.

Perhaps slightly cheating, considering Percy's narrative is still here, but I have a soft spot for Hazel and Percy's dynamic. I'm proud of myself for the schist reference from Son of Neptune, and I think it's a moment where I nailed Percy's character, in saying the right thing by saying the wrong thing.

Plus, there's an understanding, I think, between Hazel and Percy, in the magnitude horrors experienced by a friend that go unsaid, and how to see that. Particularly in this 'verse, where they're, ah, pretty connected by a certain kind of horror.

Maybe not my most clever dialogue, but it's one of my favorite moments.

(The award for most clever dialogue goes to any scene I wrote with Sadie Kane in it)

H. How would you describe your style?

Rambling. I've never met a word count I couldn't obliterate with style. I'm much too fond of run-on sentences and certain grammatical conventions, which makes switching POVs and trying to keep them at least somewhat distinct difficult.

I think introspective is also a good one? I'm fond of making characters sit and think about what they've done, and I really sometimes struggle with keeping characters from standing around awkwardly as they think. It's not deep, but I like angst, and that's a good way to get it.

T. Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

Hmmm. Non-specific fandom trope, I'm going to say character bashing, for obvious reasons. I understand being unforgiving a character—lord knows I've done it plenty—but the older I get in fandom, the more I'm convinced that if you reach the point of unadulterated hatred towards a characters, such that you're knowingly exaggerating their worst traits, then you should probably switch to a Doylist interpretation of the text for your own sanity. "The heroes are secretly the REAL bad guys" also drives me batshit, regardless of fandom.

Other than that. . .I'm not one for smut or erotica, so I guess A/B/O, since that's usually an excuse for it? Fun signs that I'm ace include: Wanting to read a plotty Omegaverse fic without all the, um, fluids.

I have an anti-soulmates PJO AU in the works, so I'm probably required to list the soulmates trope, even though I'm usually pretty neutral on it, most days (I have enough of it bookmarked to be a raging hypocrite, tbh, but straightforward applications of the trope have never done it for me for various personal reasons).

Fandom-specific is the usual suspects, to be honest. I've yet to read a Riordanverse fic involving someone sleeping with a virgin goddess that didn't feel weird. "Percy gets betrayed by everyone" is such a universe-breaking trope that I've only seen one (abandoned) attempt that comes close to pulling it off, in the loosest definition of the trope; admittedly, it was terrific enough that it took me about three chapters to figure out what trope was being subverted. I'm reading one ongoing fic right now that's about three steps away from it, I think, and excellent, but I doubt the author would classify it under that trope umbrella.

Oh, and I don't hate it, but I'm incredibly wary of any story that makes use of the Greek Primordials in all but a Deus ex Machina fashion. Too much bad fic when I was fourteen.

Thanks for letting me ramble, darling. :)

[ducklingdraws]

My Idea for a Scooby-Doo! Reboot

So a while back, after noticing that Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated was on Spectrum On Demand, I decided, "Hey, I'm gonna rewatch this show." I don't know why I did it, because I rarely ever rewatch shows. I'll watch reruns, but never have I actually decided to rewatch a television series. But, I did it for Scooby-Doo.

And frankly, I had forgotten how good the show was. It's honestly really dark, while also being absolutely hilarious; and in its humor, the show actually does really unique things with the Scooby-Doo gang, with the biggest example being this show's version of Fred Jones. It's wild. But in my opinion, the thing that really makes this show what it is...

...is its story. I feel like the story and characters are fuel for this show in a way that feels different from other shows, somehow. I don't really get it, but that's the way I see it.

So, seeing as there's all these serialized cartoon series nowadays, and Scooby-Doo is always getting rebooted in one way or another, I figured... what if I rebooted Scooby? If I had the opportunity to reboot Scooby-Doo and the only Warner Bros requirement was "just make it," what would I do with it?

Without further ado, this is To the Future, Scooby-Doo!

First up: The Premise

To kick things off, I'll discuss how the show is set up. This version of Scooby-Doo is set in the future. Technology has become more holographic and stuff like in the movies, but fashion hasn't evolved to be nothing but latex bodysuits yet. Flying cars are real but not very widely used, and clothes can tell the time.

On the biological side of things, prosthetics are holographic as well, and incredibly easy to attach. It's almost like having your original limb. Food is healthier while also being more environmentally friendly, and animals have been genetically modified for a very long time. They have been allowed to mate, which has eventually lead to many domesticated animals being able to speak!

The main setting is a large port town known as Port Intrigue, where all sorts of goods are traded, and many people lead peaceful lives. It's a nice place, and a lot of the economy is structured around it. There are other important trade cities like it, but Port Intrigue may be the most powerful.

It's also probably the weirdest, because in true Scooby-Doo fashion, no one can just "be a criminal." Heck no! Where's the fun in that?? If you're gonna try and get money through illegal fear tactics, you've gotta do it in style!!

And for some reason or another, the police get a little help with solving a lot of the more, uh... colorful mysteries. Help from a group of kids attending Intrigue High...

Next up: The Scooby Gang!

So here's the big part! All of my redesigns of the classic gang! Let's kick it off with:

FRED JONES

So this version of Fred is definitely toned back from various recent versions of Scooby-Doo, particularly the DVD movies and Mystery Incorporated. He's a lot more laid back, and has a sort of "cool guy" persona.

One day a long time ago, his parents, 2 great scientists, didn't pick him up from school, and apparently they mysteriously disappeared. So since then he's been living with Shaggy. At Intrigue High, he is in the theater program as a Tech, so he's good with pulleys and ropes and other various behind-the-scenes theater things, which makes him really good at making weird Rube Goldbergs - and traps, whenever the need arises. But when would Fred ever need to build a trap?

NORVILLE "SHAGGY" ROGERS

...Y'all can excuse the scribbles in the lower corner, right?

Anyway, this version of Shaggy is just as uptight as he always is, but instead of that only being attributed to mystery solving and creepy ghoulies, it's evolved into some much, much greater!!!

He's the mom friend now.

Y'know, telling everyone to watch their eating habits and be careful of opening soda cans because so help me if you scratch yourself...!

Long time ago he lost his arm so now he has one of those cool prosthetics. The trauma of losing it though has made him extra cautious, and a bit of a scaredy cat. Of course, he's willing to do whatever it takes for his friends, just like the Shaggy we all know!

He still likes to eat and is a bit of an amateur chef, participating in the culinary club at Intrigue High.

VELMA DINKLEY

This is my rendition of Velma Dinkley. She's still the smartest one of the group, and good at technology, but is also a boxer! She's not just strong, but also strong willed!

The Dinkley's have a long, long history of scientific endeavors, and Velma's father is a great scientist as well! Though really, it's more of a hobby for him.

Velma lives with her younger sister Madelyn (who some of you might remember from Abracadabra-Doo) and her father, Victor.

This Velma is snarky, yet quirky. She's got a real go-getter mentality, which everyone can't help but to respect.

DAPHNE BLAKE

Daphne Blake is a bit of a softie. She was never very forward with making friends, but developed a clique of her own with Fred, Shaggy, Scooby and Velma.

Her house used to be the gang's main hang out spot, but after the kids moved on to high school, they haven't been over to her house at all.

Daphne likes to draw, and really wants to be a fashion designer. In fact, she's a part of Intrigue High's costume design team for the theater program!

SCOOBY-DOO

Scooby-Doo has been part of the Rogers family ever since he was a puppy, and Shaggy was a little kid. The two have been basically inseparable their whole lives, with Scooby even attending school with everyone else.

He likes belly rubs, scratches behind the ear, and food. So in other words, he's the same Scooby we all know and love! Still fearful, but dedicated to his friends, including...

MEASLES

Shaggy and Scooby may have been buds since they were little kids, but before Shaggy, Scooby had Measles.

Since they're both GMO animals, they both have the ability to speak human language, which they would use to try and get food. Eventually, Measles was able to get Scooby into a good home with the Rogers family. Unfortunately, Mr and Mrs Rogers couldn't afford to take care of Shaggy, Fred, a dog, and a cat, but Measles promised to visit Scooby whenever she could, or that they'd at least see each other around. And she's kept that promise! Even to this day, the gang will sometimes find her in random locations, like... the Theater Program's costume box?

Measles has a lackadaisical, yet somewhat snarky personality, but definitely cares for her friends. It just may take a while to show it.

Last up: Everything Else

Uh, hm. I guess this is the generalization of the show.

Well, it's a giant celebration of Scooby-Doo. The gang wears different outfits, rarely wearing the same one in consecutive episodes. And each outfit would be pulled from a previous Scooby series (yes, including *shivers*... Get a Clue).

Also, other characters from previous series and Scooby media are not only in the show, but play decently sized rolls. For example, I already mentioned Madelyn Dinkley, but there's also Red Herring from A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, or Mayor Nettles and Sherriff Bronson Stone from Mystery Incorporated (they're married from the start this time!). Even the dreaded Scrappy Doo makes his return at (what I imagine to be) the start of Season 2, hopefully to redeem himself and not be relegated to a tired joke about "lol Scrappee sux XD"

Flim-Flam is back too, but is rebranded as Frida McScam, the fast talking troublemaking free spirited girl who takes everybody's crap and spins it in her favor (and also might be psychic).

Scooby's family tree is mentioned, and his parents even have a major role in Season 1.

Just a whole lot of Scooby-Doo trivia and stuff. Stuff that I imagine the people working on the show would be way, way better at remembering and putting to use than I am!

As for the overarching plot?

Well, what futuristic setting would be complete without aliens? I imagine the aliens would be a race of owl creatures known as the Willawaw (another Scooby reference because I hope this show is FULL OF THEM). Basically, these aliens are the bad guys, both in the show proper, and in a lot of the show's backstory. They're like myth villains, or greater scope villains, or something.

I was even thinking like, when the gang ends up running, rather than using a recyclable run cycle from a side view, everyone could have brand new running animations, like to distinguish them all as unique. Although I guess that's what the running cycles were... but the chase scenes are a lot like Mystery Inc, where they were a lot more action packed. It could be great! And of course, everyone would use the classic running style at some point throughout the show, because that seems to be tradition for Scooby-Doo.

This was a really big post! But if you read all of it, thanks a million! I hope you liked the small amount of art within, or just the idea in general! Maybe I'll even draw my reimagined takes on the other characters some day. But for now, I'll leave at this.

[youreallwrite]

Hi! I'm currently writing a story in which the protagonist is blind. The story is set in a fantasy world, and I've found that it's difficult to find advice on how to write a blind character in a fantasy setting. Most articles I stumble across are about blind characters in the modern world. Do you have any tips on writing a blind fantasy character? I want to make sure my story doesn't sound super ridiculous (a huge part of the plot is that she can kick ass).

This is actually a topic that sits quite close-to-home with me. I’m not blind, however, I’m partially sighted. My left eye has no sight, and have reduced vision in my right. I don’t know things from a blind person’s perspective, but I’ll do my best from what I know and what I would do. 

Descriptions

If you are writing this story from a first-person perspective then you will need to think a novel way to include descriptions of your world. It’d actually be quite interesting, relying solely on sounds and the imagined landscapes of your protagonist. If they have not always been blind, then you could include things from that perspective too. 

Also, you must do a lot of research into how blind people cope doing simple every day tasks. A lot of tasks will be the same in a fantasy world as they are in a modern setting: getting dressed, washing pots, etc. But also blind people who, say, take archery classes or anything like that. A lot of cool RNIB groups take blind people out for activity days where they might do a lot of things your protagonist might end up doing.

Research How Blind People were Treated in Different Cultures

A lot of fantasy draws upon different cultures laws, traditions, etc, and plays with them to create a completely different world. 

Add a lot of historical cultures, too. Because in the modern day many cultures are bound by the UN and Geneva Human Rights conventions, but some practises, right or wrong or simply tradition, might have gone on beforehand. 

Here’s some to start you off;

Past & Present Perceptions Towards Disability

A History of The Blind

Being Disabled in the Ancient Near-East

The Human Condition is Still The Human Condition

I’ve often heard it said about fantasy and sci-fi that, all though the worlds are different and strange, the characters must be human. (Well, unless they are aliens—that’s another topic.) But they must feel things, think things, work things out. And, all though your protagonist lives in a world that’s not like our own, they will still no doubt have a lot of the same feelings. Especially if they are young. I don’t know how old you are going for here, but here’s some things that really effected me as a partially blind person and some people I knew from various projects who were actually blind. 

Being independent: A lot of us really wanted to be independent above all else, even when it made things harder for us. I was offered the chance to do exams in a separate area and be able to leave when I was done but I wanted to do them in the Hall and have to sit there for hours. We had teaching assistants who sat with us and most of us used every opportunity to ditch them or go without, half to prove we can do things by ourselves but half so we could join in. 

Joining in: This brings me happily onto my second point. A lot of that first point was solely just to be able to join in. Yes, in the modern day it’s more of a… ‘Man, I was I could play games well,’ thing, but in a fantasy world it might be some great Tourney or Hunt, or simple childhood games in the woods that the protagonist wishes to join in with. 

More than bullying, it was the people who tried to tell me I couldn’t do anything that hurt me. Bullies got told off sometimes, or came and went, but people like my mom or teachers saying what I couldn’t do; that sticks. 

TL:DR: It’s the circumstances that change, not the emotions. 

Avoid The Badass Blind Monk Who Can Kick Your Ass Trope

Yeah, unfortunately being blind can be a problem. As a half-blind person myself, and knowing how lucky I am to have any sight at all, I do find it annoying the amount of blind characters who seem to only be blind so that the audience can be amazed when they start pulling off amazing martial arts moves, or knowing exactly where things are to pick up, etc.

This isn’t to say your character won’t be able to learn martial arts, or maybe some magic that helps them with placement, etc. That’s fine. But please include drawbacks of actually being blind, things that blind readers would identify with and that readers with sight would learn a lot from. 

For example, yes, it can be quite scary, when you are alone, and you can’t open your eyes. You don’t know who’s around you, friend or foe or terrifying monster. The protagonist never has to admit their fears or problems to others if that’s their character, but they can admit them to themselves. And, in that way, they can hopefully overcome them, too. 

Finally, It’s not the best movie ever, but I’d also give The Village a watch, especially the scene in the forest. It handles the protagonist being blind quite well in that regard. But you’ll need to try and read some books that describe the situation, too.