#am I currently planning out a series of posts of all my favourite M moments? it’s more likely than you think

[wayhaveners]

Something that I’ve been thinking about a lot since Book 3’s release: we all know that TWC is a character-driven series, but I don’t think it gets enough credit for being a character-development-driven series. Each of the LIs grows & changes so much as the series unfolds, in different ways & at different paces, and that’s created this amazing situation where not only do you stay hooked on the route of your favourite LI, you also experience evolving feelings about the other LIs & can even discover new favourites. Like, back in Book 1, I was convinced that N was going to be my favourite because they were so gentle & sweet. But then Book 2 happened, and F was just so earnest that I couldn’t help but love them, and now Book 3 has happened, and M was so unexpectedly & unashamedly soft that I melted into a puddle from which I still have not collected myself. I just think it’s a sign of really good writing when your characters are so dynamic that the reader’s relationship with them actually changes, and Mishka has managed to do that to me twice now. I literally can’t wait to see what she conjures up next.

[dancingsalome]

1) How many works do you have on AO3?

120.

2) What’s your total AO3 word count?

328404. Which makes my fics 2736,7 words long, on average.

3) How many fandoms have you written for and what are they?

 26.

Agent Carter, All About Eve, Angel, The Borgias, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chronicles of Narnia, Doctor Who, both classic and new series, Dracula/The Historian, Emily of New Moon, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell , Harry Potter, Ivanhoe, Labyrinth, The Man in the High Castle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Mummy Series, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, Penny Dreadful, Peter Pan, Piranesi, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Queen's Gambit, Sleepy Hollow (1999), Timeless, Versailles (TV 2015) and Victoria 

 4) What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Ghosts (The Mummy Series. Evy/Rick, Evy/Ardeth, Evy/Imhotep)

The Number of Vices (The Queen’s Gambit, Beth/Borgov)

The Might of His Strength (The Mummy Series. Evy/Rick, Evy/Ardeth/Imhotep, Evy/Imhotep)

The Black King (The Queen’s Gambit, Beth/Borgov)

A Moment (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Midge Maisel/Lenny Bruce)

5) Do you respond to comments, why or why not?

I do. However, it can take me forever to get around answering them. And if the comment is just an emoji, I will probably not answer.

 6) What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Considering I have written a lot of angst, this was really hard. But if I have to choose one, I’d say a Sleepy Hollow-fic called Hell.

7) What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

Crow’s Feet On the Prettiest Eyes (Doctor Who, Sarah Jane Smith/The Doctor) or The Black King (The Queen’s Gambit, Beth/Borgov)m which both are about lovers who are reunited after many years apart.

8) Do you write crossovers? If so what is the craziest one you’ve written?

Not really  I’ve borrowed a character from Pan Am for a The Queen’s Gambit fic, but that wasn’t much of a crossover, really. And I have one Piranesi/Chronicles of Narnia crossover, but that one isn’t particularly crazy either, given how many Narnia-references Piranesy contains.

9) Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Yes. A couple of years ago a person read some of my explicit, and very well-tagged fics only to give me several comments on how disgusting the found explicit fics in general, and the tags i used in particular. Personally I would say that the easiest way to not be disgusted by that would be to NOT READ THOSE FICS!

10) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

I do. Quite a lot, actually. Mostly F/M, but sometimes also threesomes. As for kind of sex it ranges from fluffy vanilla to BDSM.

11) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of.

12) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yes.

13) Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, though one I’m currently writing is certainly co-conceived. 

14) What’s your all time favorite ship?

I honestly can’t say; I have so many. My current favourite shup is Beth Harmon/Vasily Borgov from The Queen’s Gambit. Before that I burned for Fabien Marchal/Sophie de Clermont from the TV show Versailles. No, wait, my favourite ship must be the OT3 Rick/Evy/Ardeth from The Mummy series, as that ship precedes the other, and is still around.

15) What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

I currently have 5 WIPs posted on AO3  3 of them I’m writing actively on and plan to finish in the foreseeable future. Then I have two WIPs that’s over 10 years old. An extremely dark Sleepy Hollow-fic about Lady Van Tassel, and one humorous Harry Potter-fic about Dudley Dursley. I like them both, and have the plot properly mapped out, but I have yet to find it in me to finish them. I would still like to do that, though! However, I have one Peter Pan fic that I actually removed from AO3 because not only is it a 15 year old WIP, I have also completely forgotten how I wanted it to end. That one I doubt I will ever touch again.

16) What are your writing strengths?

Emotions. I’m good with emotions, and nowadays I think my dialogue flows quite well too. I’ve been told I write good sex scenes too.

17) What are your writing weaknesses?

Plots! Most of my fics are one-shots with few characters, mainly dealing with emotions. I used to be very bad at being descriptive, but I’m actively working on improving that. I can be brief to a fault, too.

18) What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

So far it’s something I have glossed over in the few cases it has been somewhat relevant for the fic. If I did, however, I would probably write the foreign language in italicized English. Unless it was a language no one else in the fic underwood- then I would write it in the original language.

19) What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Peter Pan, back in 2004, after seeing a promo pic of Jason Isaacs as Captain Hook.

20) What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

Another one of those impossible questions. How can I choose. I’m sorry, It has to be my favourite fics, in plural.

A Place in the Shadows (Penny Dreadful, Vanessa Ives & Sembene), because it turned out exactly as I envisioned it. And I really like the themes of friendship, and cake.

Professor Keller (Doctor Who, Delgado!Master) because it’s my most ambitious fic to date- I even rewrote it completely. I really think I managed the escalating horror of two completely normal people getting their lives destroyed by the Master.

Homeward (The Borgias, Cesare/Micheletto, Lucrezia & Micheletto). I’m not sure why, but I just really, really like this one, and it’s one of my fics that I reread regularly.

A Conversation in the Yellow Drawing-Room, And Other Letters To Mrs Strange (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell, Lady Pole/John Childermass). In most of my fics the female protagonist saves herself, and this is probably the prime example. I really enjoyed writing Lady Pole making her life the way she wants it for a change, and, ultimately, saving herself, with a little help from her friends.  I also really enjoyed making use of a few fairy tales tropes.

[starffledust]

*laughs in I didn't see the notification and then I contemplated doing this too long so it's kinda irrelevant and I have barely anyone to tag but here me go*

I was tagged in a get-to-know-me thing by @sylphidine, so we're doing that now. I also don't know for sure if this is the right format but I'm just letting it happen.

rules:

tag nine people you want to get to know better/catch up with!

favourite colour:

I actually am always tied between yellow and blue. Depending on the day I'll tell you my favorite is either one. I just like them both equally. I think I look quite a lot better in blue but I always love how yellow looks in pictures and won't hesitate to pick the yellow game piece in every board game I play.

currently reading:

Oh man, so many things. I always have at least one academic book and one personal book that I'm reading at any given point. Currently I'm almost done with reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I've started The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis since I've watched the Netflix special, and I'm also slowly making my way through It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet by James Herriot, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, and Song of the Dark Crystal by J. M. Lee. I also started Stardust by Neil Gaiman today.

A lot I know, but sometimes I can't focus on one and start another so it just depends on the type of day for which one I read.

I also tend to just reread Good Omens, Frankenstein, and the Guardians of Childhood books a lot, so that slows me down with the others.

last song:

I'm listening to Take Me to War by The Crane Wives at this very moment because it goes with one of my characters and I'm trying to get in their mindset to write something. It's also just a really good song.

last movie:

I watched Luca because my friends were saying it's good. It is, I'd watch it again but it's not one of those things that I have major interest in. It's still cute though so I recommend it. Oh, and wait until the post-credit scene because it's funny.

last series:

I'm guessing this means tv series? I just watched the first two episodes of The Mysterious Benedict Society on Disney+ and am now anxiously waiting for Friday when the next one comes out. Let's just say there might be some art for it here in the future.

sweet, spicy or savory:

Savory. Savory all the way. Give me my crackers

craving:

Can't pick one thing so here's a list:

- Gender validation

- A walk through the woods

- A model train (please)

- Something natural to photograph instead of my house for the billionth time

- These certain ramen noodles that the store was out of which I've really wanted for a week :(

- Some more Rise of the Guardians fanfic. I've read all the ones I'm willing to read and now I'm just stalking the tag on AO3 for when something new is posted

tea or coffee:

Coffee.  I like the wary reactions I get when I put nothing in it and drink it black, but also iced coffee is really nice when the thermometer chooses to be above boiling

currently working on:

Haha, oh boy I have a lot. Let's see

- Writing a series of Rise of the Guardians fanfic focusing on all of the Guardians' experience with becoming a Guardian and just dealing with MiM in general. It's very angsty and I have Sandy and Nightlight done, but I want to release all of them pretty close to each other so I have to finish the others as well before I post anything

- Making quite a bit of art for my side blog and have an animatic planned

- Still trying to edit my stupid original manuscript. I've just been procrastinating it and I made a lot of major changes last time so it's gonna be a lot of work that I'm not willing to commit to at the moment

- Also just trying to work on time management in general (not just art but also house chores and the like). I think I'm getting better in terms of productiveness and knowing when I have to just take a break

- Currently in the process of cleaning my entire room (bookshelf, desk, closet, etc.) It's all very dusty and I have way too many books that won't fit that neatly. I also have a bunch of those mini cars and planes that I'm rather fond of and don't want to just throw in a box somewhere so I'm trying to figure out what to do with those

- I'm actually currently on vacation :)

tagging:

@mushiroomoo

@mx-mossy-draws

(y'all are the only people I really know on here so...) don't really have anyone else, so free reign to whoever wants to

[laufire]

Black Sails s3

This one took me longer because RL got in the way LOL. I’ve loved it as much as the other two (even if I am IN PAIN over you-know-who’s death DD:). I don’t know when I’ll have the time to finish the last season, but I wanted to post about this one before starting it; otherwise it’d accumulate with the 10+ and counting metas I want to write about this show once I have the full picture LMAO.

Max

As always, I have to start with her because she’s THE FUCKING BEST. This woman is currently competing for the number one spot among fictional characters in my heart LOL (I mean. I have loved Caroline Forbes --who I actually think Max has a lot in common with lmao. Everything I love is the same, as I always say-- for too many years for her to ever be truly dethroned; unless something goes really wrong with Legacies I guess. However, it’s still remarkable that a character could make me doubt).

I’ve absolutely adored her plot this season; watching her growing sphere of influence, the way she affects and upends others’ lives. That’s very much being present since season one, especially with her and Silver in tandem (I have a lot of Thoughts(TM) about those too as a driving/disruptive force in the show --they’ll go to one of those metas--; I’m put off by the fact that I didn’t get to enjoy them conspiring together this season lol. Though her reaction to the fake Long John Silver letter was kind of hilarious xDD. Still. I kind of wish we’d seen the scene where Silver tells her he renounces to his part of the price. It could’ve been very interesting --I guess he could’ve told Jack but that wouldn’t’ve been as good, so this is my headcanon).

The most obvious storyline where this manifest is in her relationship with Anne and Jack. I love everything about it, but well. I have to admit, the ~betrayal/different sides element appeals to me xD. I like that Max prioritices herself and her safety. That she sees the writing on the wall with the English invasion or with Vane’s execution and acts accordingly, the way she calculates her decisions and forms alliances without letting past grievances get in the way --with Eleanor, Rogers, Mrs. Mapleton...--, the choices she makes because she doesn’t want to be “on the outside looking in” ever again and how they always end reverting in her benefit, ultimately (I’m getting ahead because I am spoiled of quite a few things about s4, but I LOVE that eventually she mends her relationship with Anne and Jack. Because it fits into this: how even the possible mistakes and emotional compromises she makes are within a very specific frame that works out for her in the end).

Her relationship with Anne gets even better this season. I think my favourite scene is where Max tells Anne that she nows Anne “cannot fathom leaving me”. Can I get this woman’s confidence LMFAO. But seriously. I luff them. I love how Max convinces Jack of going along her plan to replace the gold with good easier to transport (and how THAT ends up being Flint’s treasure asdñlfkasfj. MY GIRL DIRECTLY CAUSED THE EVENTS IN TREASURE ISLAND OKAY) by appealing to their mutual love for Anne. That she trusts Anne with the story about her father. That she knows just as well as Jack that Anne wouldn’t give up the treasure so easily and she’ll try to save him (and that Anne won’t stomach the thought of Jack being tortured because she couldn’t bear MAX’S torture. My heart).

Another highlight of the season for me was her relationship with Eleanor, which keeps being a huge surprise no matter what xDD (even if, again, never in a shippy way. I’m very glad the season doesn’t go there). I love the reversal of expectation in a general fandom landscape: how ultimately, Eleanor doesn’t have an emotional hold over Max (and that she lost it as early as 1x02, IMO. I’m not saying “Max doesn’t feel anything about Eleanor”, but the truth of the matter is, narratively Eleanor serves Max, not the other way around. And I’m happy and relieved about it, ngl), and that the same isn’t true the other way around. I thought two very telling scenes where a.) Max hosting parody trials of Eleanor that paint her under a completely undignified light, but clearly deriving no pleasure from it: it simply was yet another thing she does for practically, level-headed political reasons; and b.) that Eleanor orders Rogers’ men not to hurt Anne in the exchange because Max’s love for Anne.

Continuing down with Max’s relationships, I’ve grown to really like hers with Idelle. I think Max find Idelle fun, likeable, uncomplicated (the scene where Featherstone tells Idelle he hopes his pardon doesn’t diminish her attraction to her was hilarious and clearly the moment Max was enjoying herself the most in the whole season lmfao. BTW, I kinda liked Idelle/Featherstone since the moment he told Jack he wasn’t concerned because “he was in love with a good woman” and Jack was like “Idelle??”. Yes, it’s fun because client-falling-for-sex-worker is a pitiful cliché, but here’s the thing: he’s right xD. He didn’t say “I’m in love with a woman who loves me”. He said he was in love with someone GOOD and Idelle IS a good woman, dammit xDD).

Max doesn’t concern herself much with the idea of Idelle going behind her back because Idelle loves her, respects her, and is a loyal friend (and yet clearly sees Max exactly as she is and doesn’t have any delusions about it. Luckily for her Max is probably the type to feel angry but not vengeful about this lol, if only because it could reflect on her). And Max is right about that. But I love that Idelle still has it in her to take a different path by allying herself with the pirates. I’m curious about the reasoning being after Max makes Mrs. Mapleton madam again; it’s clear the girls aren’t happy about her and she didn’t seem like she took good care of them in s1, to put it mildly, so there’s some of that, but I like to think part of it was Idelle going, “seriously Max? I’m right here! I could be the Madam!” xDD.

Her dynamic with Mrs. Mapleton was really interesting too; I like how she too puts aside any old grudge and decides to put her bets with Max over Eleanor or Rogers, because she has confidence that Max and her methods (“I choose to let the players reveal themselves to me, least I make an enemy out of someone I might wish to call a friend one day”) will outlast them (btw, that line/her approach in general --as well as Silver’s “liked is a good as feared” MO--, kind of reminded me to Sansa Stark’s “If I am ever queen, I will make them love me.” line. Food for thought). Yet I think Mrs. Mapleton instructed Georgia to  attempt to ~seduce Max to get information out of her, which is very much in line with her. I loled at Max’s reaction basically being “gurl, who do you think you’re talking to. I practically invented this. GTFO” xDD

Basically, her entire storyline this season was pure gold. I love how all of those dynamics come from her maneuvers to keep herself safe, in power, and with influence (because those go hand in hand). I love her pride and her confidence, the way she refuses the scraps Eleanor and Rogers intend to give her at first (and how she firmly says to Eleanor “people do not speak to me that way anymore”, how she establishes a new normal between them), and how she pays her way out of trouble/into power with the gold she stole from Flint & co xDD.

My favourite moment of hers is devided between “in another time, in another place, they would call me a queen”, and “I AM Nassau” (that made me decide that if I ever write fic where Max needs a last name for any reason, it’s going to be Nassau. It is law), and how meta they’ll turn out to be :DD. I also have Thoughts about the evolution of her styles (beyond the obvious “omg she’s soooooo beautifuuuuul” lmao) but I’ll leave that for another show-encompassing meta too :P

Madi

She catapulted herself to Forever Fave status pretty quickly (I may have too many of those in this show.  W h a t e v e r  xDD). I love how self-assured she is (“when I speak my men listen, and they do as I say”), and how she always thinks of the big picture (like when she fought her impulse to order her men to fight against the pirates after one of them beat one of hers). And I have a lot of Feels about how this is explicitly linked to her heritage, her mother and father, their ~legacies.

Speaking of: one of the few major spoilers I seem to have avoided was that Mr. Scott was Madi’s father LOL. I was DELIGHTED by that reveal, and how it makes you reconsider his story. His relationship with Eleanor could’ve been a frankly off-putting cliché, but this completely circumvents that; it’s true that he’d shown more independence from her than I would’ve expected in another show, by leaving her side to do his own thing and further contributing to her vulnerability. But giving him a real* family, one that he prioritises over Eleanor and HID FROM HER, using her position to their benefit... That’s on a whole other level.

*I know some people are going to object to this qualifier. Fandom gets like that about found families, adopted families, etc. And I get it, but this is NOT like those situations. Mr. Scott was Eleanor’s SLAVE, FFS. That is incompatible with being her family, her father figure, no matter what she thought. And I love that the show made it explicit, when Madi tried to talk about his “two daughters” and he said “NO. ONLY YOU” in his deathbed (I might or might not have cried, okay. It may be one of my favourite scenes in the whole series). Especially when there’s a very obvious trend of characters of color COINCIDENTALLY being written as prioritizing white characters over their biological families, at the cost of their health and even their lives (I am still not over Monty being forced to kill his own mother to protect Octavia in The 100. Fuck that shit, seriously). Black Sails deciding to do the oposite here is FUCKING REVOLUTIONARY and I love it to pieces.

Another thing I loved is that they picked an actress that looks more like Mr. Scott than like her mother or Max (darker skin etc.): aka how the few black female characters that usually get what Madi will from Silver --that ~eternal devotion, willing to go against anything and anyone for her etc.-- tend to look.

Unsurprisingly, I like Madi/Silver VERY MUCH lol. I like that he is immediately ~drawn to her, in a subtle way, and viceversa (like in the scene where he’s still in the cage watching how she has trouble breathing after seeing her wounded father, or when they hug after his death). All their talks about power, responsibility, succession etc. are really good. And her concern for him is as palpable as probably inconvenient for her xD. I love the scene where she holds her hand as his leg is treated, or her worry one Silver calls himself a “one legged creature”. Though my favourite might be when he smiles when she shows concern for his state after killing Dufresne, and she’s like “well duh, if you fall apart the alliance between my people and yours is screwed” xDD

And though there hasn’t been much development yet on that side, I’m already so onboard with Flint/Madi/Silver lmfao. I love that nod of ~acknowledgment between Flint and Madi with the Maroon Queen’s voiceover about how Madi will have as much authority as Flint in his own ship xD. Her concern about Silver’s relationship with him is kind of ironic knowing that they’ll eventually find themselves more aligned between them than with Silver, by virtue of their many commonalities LOL. And there’s already traces of that ot3 feels, like when Madi tells Silver that the mistake of those “other people close to Flint” that he’s so scared of following to the grave was trying to deal with Flint alone (Madi’s seduction technique: kindness, understanding, and offers of partnership. I dig it).

I want more scenes of and with her mother, too. And between her mother and Silver, since apparently the Maroon Queen trusts him among all the pirates NOT to betray them for money (Jack saying the irony wasn’t lost on him and Flitn was hilarious xD) and that has to be thanks to Madi’s opinion of him. I’m kind of bitter we never got a Mr. Scott & Silver scene, too, especially after Silver and Madi become romantically involved. I love that stuff.

Miranda

I could just upload a bunch of gifs of various crying/in pain/etc. states here because WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE PAINNN. I was ~feeling Flint’s grief the entire time, I swear (though... did it have to express itself by shaving his head... asking for a friend). The violence he kept inflicting in her name (her word will be the last word); how he convinced his crew, Silver included, to go into the storm rather than surrendering, for her (and narratively speaking Silver is right, he did conjure it xDD). How fucking tired he is of it all (“you can talk your way part it”, “I don’t know that I have any more lies left in me”).

As far as I’m concerned he could be hallucinating her the rest of the show (I’m going to miss seeing her so much... especially in light of the ending), as painful as I find those scenes. At this point “But when I lost you... I am ruined over you” is an instant tear-jerker, ugh. So is Flint wantint to let go and “be with her”, and ghost!Miranda saying she’d resent him for giving up. Though my favourite is when Miranda basically describes herself as his “maker”, about how she ~shaped him *clenches fist*. I love those kinds of ships.

BTW: I think the moment Rogers mentioned Thomas, Miranda’s ghost, Flint, and I, yelled “HOW DARE YOU SAY HIS NAME” on the inside xD

Flint & Silver

Sometimes fandom gets it right because the relationship between these two is... A Lot. A LOT. I anticipate a lot of suffering on my part in the near future xD

I loved the evolution in the first half of the season, from Flint telling Silver that “in my head, you’re not welcome”, or Silver resenting that Flint’s words convinced HIM (HE’S the convincer!! It’s not supposed to happen to ME!! xDD) and rambling about how Flint is “able to ~conjure the reality he desires”, to Silver finally confessing about his part on the Urca gold robbery (which I’m at least 60% sure Flint suspected already tbh. That was not one of Silver’s best lies lbr) in order to force Flint to “account for ME” --but ofc still grabbing the nearest weapon as he confeses, just in case xDD. I am also incredibly delighted by the fact that the fandom calls that episode “shark date” asdñflkasjdf (*Flint and Silver barely manage to kill one shark*; Flint, challenging: again? *Silver grins*. Shark hunting = foreplay now, apparently).

I want it known that I end up ENRAGED every time they talk about their ~partnership lmfao. It comes off very intimate and gives me too many feelings xD. “When you and I talk with one voice, we can convince them of anything”; “your words opened that door [Flint convincing the Maroon Queen to spare their lives and join their fight]”; “you didn’t tell me the journey into the dark feels good”; “he doesn’t know how to say no to the both of us at the same time”; “I’m afraid I will be the end of you”. JUST STOP YOU ASSHOLES XDD

One of my favourite moments is when Silver convinces Flint to live. To go on, to talk to the Maroon Queen without a safeguard (that knife would’ve been his doom) and get her on their side (which Flint does with a super passionate speech about fighting England’s empire. ILH). Another is when Silver tells him he enjoyed killing Dufresne WITH HIS PROSTHETIC LEG OMFG (I personally think killing Dufresne was very valid of him lmfao), or Flint says Silver enjoyed punishing Dobbs (which in Silver fashion, worked perfectly for him because it made Dobbs MORE susceptible to him). Though obviously everything pales when compared to the scene where CAPTAIN FLINT COMES OUT TO LONG JOHN SILVER OVER A BONFIRE LMFAO. I loved that scene; it was so gentle. And then Silver made it about him and their relationship xDD (this show is not subtle). Flint’s apparent lack of concern about Silver replacing him is stressing me out though. I dread the series finale xD

Outside of Flint/Silver, Silver’s journey remains awe-inspiring. I just... love him. I love that he gave up his share of the Urca gold because he had to hold onto the crew, but that he is terrified of their bow to take care of him. His concern for his image in front of them was heartbreaking and hit waaaaay too close to home, too. And I wonder how he’s going to react to Billy’s King Long John Silver stratagem xD

BTW, I lowkey shipped him with Muldoon LOL. They should’ve had ~tender sex~~ (on screen, I headcanon it did happen off-screen, whatever) at some point (if only so there was one measly mlm sex scene in the show amidst all the rest. It’s troubling, to say the least, that there’s not a single one when it has a queer male lead tbh. And I get why they didn’t go that route with Flint outside of Thomas and can even see why they didn’t do it with Flint/Thomas even if I judge the hell out of them for it, but given how they go out of their way for the other options... yeah, I side eye them).

Jack

I LOVE HIM SO MUCH AND I WISH HE HAD MORE SCREENTIME, OKAY. Every time he opens his mouth the show gets just a little bit better, if you ask me xD. “If you’re going to behave like children, I will be your daddy” WHO SAYS THAT JACK XDD.

I loved him even more when he decided to deny Rogers & co the cache, Spanish invasion or not, to not give up and assure “his legacy”. And OF COURSE he could write his intentions in a way that only Anne would understand (Max reaaaally understimated him there). Their relationship remains the sweetest (weird adjective, maybe, but it’s true) part of the show, btw. I love that how Jack describes how hurt Anne would feel after knowing she might’ve unwittingly betrayed him. Or when he knew Anne giving up to easily meant she had a plan and he cheerfully told Rogers Anne would find a way to save him xD (the scene where he absolutely drags Rogers about his privilege --“but did I make up a lot of ground to catch you!”-- is perfect. And their reunion kiss was so, so cute.

Other highlights were when he threw away the key of the cache in front of Flint to secure it, or made his pitch to be his fellow captain in the fight. I also take a petty pleasure in the fact that Vane sacrificed himself when he went to his rescue LOL. 

I like that he convinced Blackbeard to fight alongside them, but sweetie, you have NOTHING to prove to that asshole. His opinion is worthless (between his “strife is good” and Vane’s “comfort is for women” takes... ugh. They remind me of the exact discourse among leftism I hate okay xDD. In Vane’s case I at least get where he’s coming from and I even agree in part, but Blackbeard is even more boring).

Misc

-I love Billy’s more and more insidious antagonism towards Flint lmfao (yes, Flint is also one of my Forever Faves. This is compatible AND the kind of thing that would make me appreciate Billy more. I love irreverence, period). It starts with subtle ways of trying to poison Flint and Silver’s relationship (telling Silver Flint doesn’t see him as an equal, sending Silver to deliver Flint’s message instead of Flint himself, etc.). I laughed at him saying he’s all for Flint sacrificing himself for the crew since it’d be the “first selfless thing I’ve seen him do!” lol. Or that he “wants a good view when things catch up with Flint and the world makes sense again”. And ofc, creating the legend of Long John Silver. You just know he remembered Flint’s out of left field “I AM YOUR KING” and said “not on my fucking watch” xDD. And I love the irony of him being the one delivering black spots LOL.

-Did it really took that long for Anne and Flint to share some freaking words smh. Barely, but I’ll take it. I liked the moment where Jack references Max as “Anne’s lost love” and Flint does that Closeted Queer Observing A Queer Couple Look lol (he did the same when he was witness to Max and Eleanor’s fight. You need more queer friends, Flint :P).

-I liked Mrs. Hudson from the moment that she told Eleanor that the only difference she saw between her and other ladies is that their families have better lawyer --which meant Eleanor was the first one she could be rude towards xD--, and accused her of living of her father’s nepotism LOL. I hope she ends up in a good place and safe back with her kids.

-I can’t say I care much about Vane or his relationship with Eleanor, but his death and her hand on it were very well written IMO.

-I find Rogers so inherently unlikeable in every way LMFAO. And as hypocritical as it might sound, part of it is the extramarital affair ngl. I hate storylines where a man married to a more “conventional” woman is ~attracted to one he perceives as “stronger”, “fiercer”, and more worthy of himself (as if his opinion on the matter is worth shit) --only to eventually try and make the new woman more conventional once he “has” her. This one hasn’t gone all the way there but it has traces of that trope and I loathe it with all my heart.

-The only moment I managed to pay attention to Blackbeard was when he mentioned he had shrapnel advancing towards his heart, and for anyone who knows me a little, you know it’s because my brain linked that to Tony Stark lmfao. *Sighs* I just never like any version of Blackbeard, period. I find them so boring. He’s the opposite of Long John Silver that way, because I’ve loved every single version I’ve encountered so far.

-The way Spain is portrayed in this show is so... unusual. Especially for USA content in my experience. One day I’m going to have to do some more research and write about how Spain (and in particular Spanish violence -inter and intranational) is portrayed across the ocean.

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hi! Can you recommend some Final Problem Johnlock fics?

Hi Nonny!

Ahhh, okay so I haven’t really read very many fics dealing specifically with TFP, but the ones I do know of are fics on my MFL list or consider TFP as “canon”. So here’s what I have for you; please lovelies, if you know of any of your own, let us know!

THE FINAL PROBLEM is CANON

See also:

Post S4 / S4 Fix Its

Post S4 / S4 Fix Its Pt. 2

S3 / TAB / S4 [FIX IT] Fics (March 2019)

Post S4 Fics Masterpost

There’s Always Three of Us by Itsallfine (T, 1,765 w., 1 Ch. || S4 Fix It Fic/Post TFP, Parentlock / Rosie, Angelo’s, First Kiss, January 29, Love Declarations) – Sherlock takes John and Rosie out to Angelo’s and gets a chance to correct the biggest mistake of his life.

The In-Between by blueink3 (M, 10,679 w., 1 Ch. || Fluff and Angst, H/C, Parentlock, Fix-It Fic, Canon Compliantish) – Beginning in a Chinese restaurant and ending at the bottom of a well, what about the moments we didn’t see?

Dropping the Act by jadztone (T, 27,258 w., 10 Ch. || Parentlock, Fake Relationship, Mary’s Family, Post-S4, Cuddling & Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Pining, Christmas) – Sherlock and John are quite happy living together with Rosie in Baker St. They might be even happier if they didn’t act towards each other like their love is only platonic. Mycroft brings troubling news in the form of Mary’s parents wanting to know just what their grandchild’s home life is like. The boys decide to spend Christmas pretending like they are in love in order to seem more like a “normal” family. It’s easy enough to pretend when all you’re doing is dropping the act.

Another Auld Lang Syne by DiscordantWords (M, 30,234 w., 31 Ch. || Post S4, Mutual Pining, Alternating POV, Introspection, Parentlock, Christmas, New Year’s, First Kiss, Past Drug Use, Angst with Happy Ending, Drinking, Sherlock Whump) – There had been years of missed chances.

(Never) Turn Your Back to the Sea by DiscordantWords (M, 39,968 w., 7 Ch. || Post S4 Fix It || Grief / Mourning, Victor Trevor, Friendship, Sherlock is Not Okay, Nightmares/Flashbacks/Panic Attacks, Parentlock, Pining Sherlock, Angst with Happy Ending, John Comes Home) – Baker Street is very much the same. Only different. And Sherlock is just trying not to drown.

The Pieces That Fall to Earth by Itsallfine (M, 49,513 w., 84 Ch. || S4 Fix-It, Epistolary, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Parentlock, Past Abuse, Coming Out, Internalized Homophobia, Questioning Sexuality, Mental Health Issues / Therapy, Angst, Happy Ending) – John and Sherlock have hit rock bottom, but with all their armor stripped away, they can finally speak honestly, seek healing, and find the truths that matter most. An epistolary post-s4 fix-it fic. Now complete.(This fic is rated T except for one very clearly marked and easily skippable chapter, which is rated M.) Part 1 of The Pieces that Fall to Earth

The Book of Silence by SilentAuror (E, 60,056 w., 2 Ch. || S4 Fix It / Post S4, Virgin Sherlock, Rosie / Parentlock, Domesticity, Fluff, Praise Kink, Sex Toys, First Person POV) – As spring blooms in London, John and Sherlock begin to take new cases and cautiously negotiate this new phase of life with John living at Baker Street again. Despite how well it’s all going, John struggles to forgive himself for the way he treated Sherlock following Mary’s death as well as trying to figure out how to finally put his long-time feelings for Sherlock into words. Part 1 of The Book of Silence/Rosa Felicia

The Bells of King’s College by SilentAuror (E, 64,019 w., 5 Ch. || Post-S4, Missed Opportunities, Angst with Happy Ending, Fake Relationship, Case Fic, John POV, Jealous John, John in Denial, Travelling / Holidays, Virgin Sherlock, Wedding Proposals) – It’s only been two weeks since Eurus Holmes disrupted their lives when Mycroft sends John and Sherlock to Cambridge to pose as an engaged couple at a wedding show in the hopes of solving six unsolved deaths…

MARKED FOR LATER

Evermore by SosoHolmesWatson (G, 2,068 w., 1 Ch. || Post-S4, Parentlock, Beauty and the Beast, Love Confessions, Disney Songs, Oblivious John, First Kiss, Friends to Lovers, Pining Sherlock) – For the past years, John and Sherlock have lived at Baker Street again, raising Rosie together–as friends and nothing more. Ever since the little girl has watched her first Disney movie, she is obsessed with princesses. When John comes home one day, he finds his friend and his daughter in the middle of a reenactment of her current favourite. Part 1 of the Made of Music series

A One-Track Life by JennLynn77 (E, 13,526 w., 7 Ch. || Post S4/TFP, Parentlock, Est. Rel., Medical Procedures, Anal, Cuddling/Snuggling, Bed Sharing, Surgery, Physical Therapy, Retirement, Sherlock Whump, Caring John, Bottomlock, Endearments, Drug Addiction, Triggers) – A medical situation threatens to derail the plans Sherlock had for his life with John and Rosie.

Easier With You by addicted2hugh, FinAmour (E, 13,865 w., 2 Ch. || Post S4, Est. Rel., Parentlock, Insecure Sherlock, Fluff and Smut, Bottomlock, Vulnerable Sherlock, Sherlock’s Past, Porn with Feelings, Pillow Fights, Idiots in Love, Caring John, Light Angst, Frottage, POV Third Person John, Blow Jobs, Purple Shirt of Sex) – Sherlock smiles slightly, his forehead coming to rest on John’s, and he lets out a tiny sigh. “It’s not myself I worry about, John.” “I know,” John says, his nose brushing against Sherlock’s. “And I will support any decision you make. But Rosie is going to be happy with you no matter what. You truly are her hero, you know that?” Sherlock exhales a small laugh. “Am I?” “That’s not even a question that needs answered, Sherlock. She’s amazed by you.”

Kintsugi by distantstarlight (E, 14,772 w., 1 Ch. || Post S4, Emotional Hurt / Comfort, Regret / Remorse, Loneliness, Separation, Drug Use, Healing, Protective John, Sad Sherlock, Dev. Rel., Complicated Relationships, Love, Angst) – Sherlock Holmes becomes estranged from the man he had once considered his best friend after John lets him down horribly in public. It seems that the world’s only consulting detective will be on his own once again…or will he?

fulfilling for other people Series by missselene (E, 19,140 w. across 4 works || Post S4, Pining Sherlock, Virgin Sherlock, Oblivious John, Unrequited Love, UST/RST, Bath Sex, Internalized Homophobia, First Kiss/Time, Making Love, Tender Sex, Vocal Sherlock, Caring John, Angst and Fluff) – When Sherlock decides to act on John’s advice regarding romantic entanglements, the results are far from what John expected.

WHISPER TO ME by chrysanthemumsies (T, 20,598 w., 3 Ch. || Post S4, Fluff, Parentlock, Mutual Pining, Music, Sherlock Plays Guitar, Love Confessions, Light Angst, Romance, First Kiss) - Following the events of S4, Sherlock and John try and fit back into their old life as carefully as they can, all while their feelings threaten to bubble to the surface. Or: Sherlock picks up playing the guitar. John falls more and more in love with every passing day.

Home Is by glenien (E, 21,786 w., 2 Ch. || S4 Fix-It / Post S4, Eventual Happy Ending, Parentlock, Emotional Baggage, First Kiss, Domesticity, Fluff) – While 221B is still under construction, Sherlock stays with Rosie and John.

Here Comes The Sun by JennLynn77 (E, 32,126 w., 15 Ch. || Post S4/TFP, John Whump, Caring Sherlock, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Friends to Lovers, Emotional Sex, First Time, Virgin Sherlock, Switchlock, Cuddling/Snuggling, Surgery/Injury Recovery, Endearments, Anal, Hand Jobs, Porn with Feels) – John suffers an injury and needs surgery. Sherlock, and those around him, help John recover. Along the way, John and Sherlock realise what they mean to each other, and what they’ve had together all this time.

A Change of Heart by SosoHolmesWatson (E, 65,436 w., 20 Ch. || Post-S4 / Canon Compliant, Jealous Sherlock, Past Abuse, Parentlock, Dev. Rel., Idiots in Love, Suicidal Sherlock, Implied / Referenced Drug Use, Mollstrade, Coming Out, Love Confessions, Big Brother Mycroft, John’s Childhood, POV Alternating, First Kiss/Time, Virgin Sherlock, Hand Jobs) – After all they have been through, after all the heartbreak and desolation, John and Sherlock want to make their way back to each other, still convinced that friendship is all that can exist between them. Will there be a change of heart? Part 1 of the The Pains of Growing series

Kintsukuroi by sussexbound (E, 91,823 w., 20 Ch. || S4 Compliant / Post-TLD, Grief / Mourning, PTSD, Internalized Homophobia, Therapy, Past Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Nightmares, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Depression, Anxiety, Bed Sharing, Love Confessions, Cuddling, Suicidal Ideation, Masturbation, Minor Character Death, Sexting, Frottage, Inexperienced Sherlock, Rimming / Anal / BJ’s) – “I love you.” Sherlock sees the words hit John with almost physical force. He reels back a little, jaw twitching and eyes filling. “I love you,” he repeats, a little softer, a little more gentle, as earnest as he possibly can. Because they’ve been teetering on the brink of this thing for years, and it had become painfully obvious over the last few months that they were at a tipping point. This had to happen. Now it has. Now they can see where they end up. The tears in John’s eyes spill over, and he wipes at them angrily. “Do you even know what that means?”  

The Lost Special: Family Matters (As Do Relationships) by ShirleyCarlton   (M, 115,279+ w., 33/38 Ch. || WiP || S4 Fix It Fic, Unreliable Narrator, John’s Mind Bungalow, Friends to Lovers, Happy Ending) – WORK IN PROGRESS – Sherrinford is not really the name of some high security prison. That was just a figment of John’s frantic coma dream. And Eurus is not actually Sherlock’s sister. That’s just something random she said to John before shooting him. Sherlock and John were never actually estranged. That was just their act to cover up what really happened to Mary – or Rosamund Moran, as her real name has turned out to be. Sherlock does have a secret sibling, though, and his name is Sherrinford. After finally eliminating Moran – though in a rather dramatically different way than they had envisioned – and exposing the truth about Eurus, John encourages Sherlock to delve into his past and to find out whether the reasons to keep Sherrinford away from Sherlock were the right ones, and to discover what really happened in 1981. Along the way, Sherlock and John gradually, finally, stop keeping each other at a distance, and eventually become a proper family of their own.

Radioactive Trees In A Red Forest by Maribor_Petrichor (E, 280,251 w., 73 Ch. || PODFIC AVAILABLE || Post-S4, Suicidal Ideations, Alcohol / Rx Drug Abuse, Coming Out / Bisexual John, Seizures, Past/Referenced/Implied Child Abuse, Hallucinations, Rehab, Celibacy, Sobriety / Relapse, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Grief/Mourning, Psychological Trauma, Nice /Not Anti-Mary, John’s POV, Parentlock, First Time, Angst, Switchlock, Angst with Happy Ending) – John Watson is what happens when a man can no longer see a reason to go on. John Watson is what happens when a man starts to let go. “It is what it is.” John Watson is what happens when what “it is” becomes too much to bear. This is a story of the life, death, and resurrection of John Hamish Watson.

[eloquated]

((Cross posting from Dreamwidth, which is getting on my last nerve.))

Fanfic Survey

Ok, so this has been a day.  -flops-  In fact, it's been a long two days, with some nasty comments, and terrible news, and a couple of sprained toes to cap off the whole thing (wise words?  Ice and toes don't get along well).  

So, a survey!  Stolen shamelessly from donut_donut , because it's Sunday, and I'm planted on my couch, and really?  It seems more fun that folding the laundry!

I'm going to keep my answers to ao3, since my ff.n is ancient and terrifying, and nobody needs to see the teenage angst filled ramblings of baby El!  O_O

I have 31 works posted as eloquated, on ao3.  

What’re your first and second most common work ratings?

Teen And Up Audiences (13) Mature (12)

I hate rating things, I mean, I really hate it!  I have no idea if the rating is supposed to reflect just the content, or the explicitness.  Or maybe it's just to warn people off who might be squicked?  Usually I tend to err on the side of caution, just to be on the safe side!  Which, considering I don't write the smutty stuff (because oh my gosh, it's terrible... I've tried.. it's the worst thing!)  is probably very much to the safe side!

What’s your most common archive warning?

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings (26)

Most of the time I'm not writing things that are super squicky.  I've definitely been tempted to!  But skill and nerve aren't necessarily equal to my imagination!  

Least common?

Major Character Death (5)

Most of these are for the 'Anatomy' series, unsurprisingly!  That's what happens when you have a series that, like the Marleys, 'He was dead to begin with'!  

I've heard a few people say that they would never read a fic with this warning, and it never fails to catch me by surprise.  Sure, they aren't usually a barrel of laughs, but they let us explore whole new facets of the characters.  

With Anatomy, I really wanted to explore what would happen to Sherlock without his brother there to protect him.  Take away his safety net, and see what happens. 

Do you consider yourself an adventurous writer?

Umm... You know, I'd like to?  I wish I was one of those writers that could just be brave, and put it all down on the page.  But I usually catch myself up, or I can't figure out how to start.  It's a bad habit, but hey, I think we all have them.  And I'm working on it!  (Impatiently!)

But on the flipside, I love work building, and I think that's a different sort of adventurous.  Not necessarily risque, but trying new things?  

That's a really difficult question!

How many stories have you made in each pairing category?

M/M (17) Gen (12) F/M (7) F/F (2) Multi (2) Other (1)

The problem with a lot of popular media is that there are simply more male characters.  And that number is even more out of balance when you start looking at the number of named, or developed characters.  So yeah, a lot of my ships are M/M, and I'm really not sure how I feel about that!  

I also really like writing gen fic, and kidfic/parentfic... stuff with no pairings at all, just a lot of family dynamics.  Everyone has their thing, right?  From the numbers, I suppose that's one of mine!

What are your top 4 fandoms by numbers?

Sherlock (TV) (26) Marvel Cinematic Universe (3) The Avengers (Marvel) - All Media Types (2) Thor (Movies) (2)

Just a bit weighted to one side!  But if you take out the duplicates (like, Marvel/Avengers/Thor is all sort of variations on the same thing?)  It looks more like:

Sherlock (TV) (26) Marvel Cinematic Universe (3) Night at the Museum (Movies) (1) Neverwhere - All Media Types (1) Cabin Pressure (1) Shadowhunters (TV) (1) Hannibal (TV) (1)

Are you still active in any of them, and do you tend to migrate a lot?

I am, definitely!  I've been in fandoms for a lot of years (like, a properly lot of years!) so I've just sort of collected them as I go.  I'm mostly active in Sherlock and Cabin Pressure at the moment, since there isn't a lot of Shadowhunters or Hannibal stuff going on.  Usually it goes in a few year stretches, though.  Then something else comes along, and the older ones get quieter.  

What are your top 4 relationship tags?

Mycroft Holmes/Sherlock Holmes (13) Mycroft Holmes & Sherlock Holmes (10) Sherlock Holmes & Molly Hooper (8) Sherlock Holmes/Molly Hooper (6)

Can you tell I have recurring characters?  I rarely write fics with the characters in a vacuum, so there tends to be friends and family tags along with the romantic ones!  

I realized that I haven't actually written any ot3 stuff... which is a little surprising, since I love polyships!  Something to add to my to-do list, perhaps!

Does this match how you feel about the characters, or are you puzzled?

Ummm.... I'd say it's relatively accurate?  I think the numbers might be a little different if my Cabinlock fic, 'No Deductions During the Flight, Please', had been written individually, instead of with all the one-shots under a single title?  But yeah, I'd say it's fairly truthful!

What are your top 2 most used additional tags, and your bottom 2?

Mycroft Being a Good Brother (5) Grief/Mourning (4)

and

Pre-Relationship (2) Alternate Universe - Children (2)

But, I freely admit that I'm terrible at tagging things, and tend to forget them!  Mycroft is my favourite person to write, and I tend to have something of a redemptionist streak, so the top tag isn't surprising at all!  I love it when he has the chance to throw off the Iceman armor and be more human.  

I won't get started though, that's a subject I can ramble your ear off about!

What would happen if you combined all 4 of these into a fic?

A good Myc, mourning for someone he loved (but was never able to be with), while raising their child alone?  

It's actually a bit like my 'Georgiana' fic, sort of... but I could definitely write that!  Probably with Sherlock helping Mycroft raise his child with Molly.. but she'd passed away. Maybe after something with Moriarty?

Well this is a plot tribble I don't need! Shoo!  Shoo!

How many WIPs do you have currently running on AO3? Any you don’t plan on finishing?

I have two WIPs, technically.  One is my Cabinlock series, and that's more like a collection of one-shots, so each one is technically finished.  There's currently five of them, all in the same verse where Martin is actually the youngest Holmes brother.  So, that isn't reaaaaally a WIP.

And I have 'Hell Bent, Heaven Sent', which has the first chapter posted, and we've written the next 6.  We also have the rest of it sort of mapped out, so that's definitely going to be finished.  I'm not good at leaving fics unfinished.. makes me feel like I'm letting people down!  Plus, I tend to write things in smaller sections and one-shots.  Just the way my style has developed!

[farsfromhome]

Hi I was tagged in a lot of ask tags so I'm gonna do them all in one go! Thank you @spideypooly @underose @babyparker Name: Amanda 
Star sign: Pisces 
Height: 5'6
Average hours of sleep: 6-8 it depends
Lucky number: 8
Last thing I googled: lemme go check. Okay it was to get a hex code from an image for my mobile layout lmao.
Number of blankets I sleep with: just one
Favorite fictional characters: ok I have a lot. Peter Parker, Luke Skywalker, Finn, Kamala, & Katniss Everdeen
Favorite Novel: catching fire in the hunger games series 
What are you wearing right now?: pajama pants and an old American idol t shirt lmao 
When did I start this blog?: literally yesterday 
Amount of followers: 43 and I'm shook !
What do I post mostly?: tom holland & spider man stuff 
Most active follower?: I think you can find that out on the real site but I'm on mobile so idk tbh 
What made me get a tumblr?: I've actually had tumblr for years and I joined bc I'd always see posts from tumblr and wanted to join
Do I get a lot of asks?: nope haven't gotten one but it's all good lmao
Why did I get this URL?: it's supposed to be a play on homecoming but it's not amazing Alphabet Q&A Rules: Answer the questions in a new post and tag 10 blogs you would like to get to know better. A - Age: 18
B - Birthplace: New York
C - Current Time: 11:31 AM
D - Drink You Last Had: I think iced tea? Can't remember.
E - Easiest Person To Talk To: my best friends Abby and Katie but Abby's all the way in Australia so it's a lil difficult.
F - Favorite Song: hmmm I have so many but at the current moment it's touch by little mix.
G - Grossest Memory: a duck pooped on my favorite shoe when I was younger and I had to throw them out smh
H - Horror Yes or Horror No: No thx I don't like horror movies 
I - In Love?: Uhm not really but someday I guess.
J - Jealous of People?: uh yeah sometimes it depends lmao 
L - Love At First Sight Or Should I Walk By Again: Walk by again
M - Middle Name: Lynn 
N - Number of Siblings: one. I have an older brother.
O - One Wish: happiness tbh
P - Person You Called Last: It was my mom 
Q - Question You Are Always Asked: "are you excited to go to college?" Nope no thank u adulting????? Yikes.
R - Reason to Smile: my cat. She always makes me happy. 
S - Song You Sang Last: TT by Twice.
T - Time You Woke Up: 10:30 I think
U - Underwear Colour: black
V - Vacation Destination: Tokyo, Japan. I've always wanted to go there.
W - Worst Habit: biting my nails lol.
X - X-rays: I had one like two years ago on my knees 
Y - Your favourite food: Mac n cheese 
Z - Zodiac Sign: Pisces 85 Q n A’s!! Rules: Answer these 85 statements and tag 20 people. 
Last 1. drink: iced tea 
2. phone call: my mother
3. text message: my gc with all my friends 
4. song you listened to: TT by Twice
5. time you cried: Last week I was so sick and felt like absolute shit 
6. dated someone twice: nope
7. kissed someone and regretted it: nope
8. been cheated on: nope
9. lost someone special: I've lost my grandma a few years ago f
10. been depressed: yes but not really my problem is my anxiety tbh 
11. gotten drunk and thrown up: nope 3 favourite colours 12. Pink 13. Blue 14: Purple in the last year have you 15. made new friends: yes I dropped one really toxic friendship and gained a lot more friends.
16. fallen out of love: nope
17. laughed until you cried: I do this a lot but I honestly can't remember the last time I did that lmao
18. found out someone was talking about you: actually nope but I don't doubt that it happens. Listen, as long as I don't know it it's fine. 
19. met someone who changed you: yes but nothing bad. Just let me out of my shell more.
20. found out who your friends are: mhhhhmmm
21. kissed someone on your Facebook list: nope. Also not a big fan of Facebook. General: 22. how many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: i honestly can't even remember I never go on it.
23. do you have any pets: yes! I have two dogs and a cat. My dogs names are Emma & Daisy and my cats name is Meeko. 24. do you want to change your name: eh not really 
25. what did you do for your last birthday: went out to Cheesecake Factory with my friends. 26. what time did you wake up: 10:30 I think 
27. what were you doing at midnight last night: in my bed I'm tired lmao 
28. name something you can’t wait for: the next Star Wars movie omg
29. when was the last time you saw your mom: 10 minutes ago 
31. what are you listening to right now: my family talk to themselves at the dinner table 32. have you ever talked to a person named tom: Yes 
33. something that is getting on your nerves: loud chewers I hate it i haaaate it 34. most visited website: Twitter tbh
35. hair colour: my hair is currently purple 36. long or short hair: it's long I'd say 37. do you have a crush on someone: I did before but not really anymore since schools ended lmao 38. what do you like about yourself: I really like my hair.
39. piercings: I have both my ears pierced and then I also have a nose ring.
40. blood type: I actually don't know. 
41. nickname: panda, mandy, uhmmmm anything you can think of that works I've probably been called.
42. relationship status: single rip
43. zodiac: Pisces 44. pronouns: she/her 45. favourite tv show: The office 46. tattoos: none!!! But I really want one sooo bad. I'm just scared of the pain. I've got exactly what I want all planned out tho.
47. right or left handed: right
48. surgery: I've had my wisdom teeth removed lmao 
50. sport: I don't play any but I enjoy watching hockey and swimming.
51. vacation: Tokyo! Specially Tokyo Disneyland. 
52. pair of trainers: I think this means shoes? My favorite pair of shoes I think? Well my converse. MORE GENERAL
53. eating: currently haven't eaten anything yet.
54. drinking: haven't had anything to drink yet today.
55. I’m about to: probably just chill out 
56. waiting for: my doctors appointment tomorrow so I can figure out what the heck my ear is doing.
58. get married: eventually 
59. career: i really don't know but I'm leaning more towards social working since thats what my major is leaning more towards but idk. WHICH IS BETTER:
60. hugs or kisses: tbh neither 
61. lips or eyes: eyes
62. shorter or taller: taller
63. older or younger: older
64. nice arms or nice stomach: arms 
65. hookup or relationship: a relationship 
66. troublemaker or hesitant: hesitant HAVE YOU EVER:
67. kissed a stranger: no
68. drank hard liquor: no
69. lost glasses/contact lenses: yup and it's super annoying 
70. turned someone down: yes I think 
71. sex on the first date: nope 
73. had your heart broken: yeah I think so 
74. been arrested: nope
75. cried when someone died: yeah
76. fallen for a friend: actually nope DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
77. yourself: it depends on the situation lmao
78. miracles: eh
79. love at first sight: not really 
80. santa claus: I used to 
81. kiss on the first date: I guess it depends on how good it is 
82. angels: Not really OTHER:
84. eye colour: brown 85. favourite movie: I have too many but my favorite of all time is cat in the hat I know it's really bad but it's a guilty pleasure. Okay I'm gonna tag random! Sorry if you've been tagged in one before. @starryeyesandblurredlies @trashholland @spideygwen @penlsparker @pcteparker

[hashtagtransanthology-blog]

Contributor Interview: Gabriel D. Vidrine

Next up: Gabriel talks about their essay on The Crow, YA novels, and what they watch on Netflix on Friday nights. 

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you generally write.

First and foremost, I am a scientist, but I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first full-length novel at 16 (it was terrible, don’t ask, but it was cyberpunk). I entered short story contests before then, as well, but didn’t win. I never thought I’d be any good at it, or be able to make a living off of it. So scientist it was. I write what I like to read. I primarily write fantasy (epic and urban) and horror (paranormal and survival), but I’ve dabbled in science fiction, erotica, and essays. Out of nowhere, I wrote a trans YA summer romance story. Not much has been good enough to publish yet, but I keep hoping!

 2. What is your essay for #Trans about?

My essay is about how I realized I was trans through the help of pop culture and media, specifically movies, comic books, and video games. It took me a long time to be okay with how important pop culture was to me (at least, the pop culture subgroups I enjoyed) and how it affected what I thought about my gender identity. It’s also a comment on how difficult it is to find those identities that are liminal – in between – like being bi and nonbinary.

 3. Katherine Cross describes her realization of being trans (and a feminist) as a series of 'clicks' on a keyboard in online space. What was your 'click' moment when you realized you were trans?

I didn’t have much of a click moment (though she does describe it as a series of them, and I can see that). I’m a horror writer, so it’s probably easiest for me to describe it as something like the creeping dread. There was not one moment, but many small ones, building up over time, until I could no longer deny what I was experiencing. I never noticed my feelings until I was looking back over them, drowning in them, and just couldn’t ignore them anymore. I had always felt boyish, but it wasn’t until many things fell into place that I realized I was actually trans.

4. What is your next project?

Getting fiction published! My trans YA romance is nearly ready to be shopped around, so I’m hoping that I can find an agent or a publisher who is looking for something like it. (Shameless plug: it’s an ownvoices trans boy m/m fluffy summer camp romance!) I’m also working hard on getting my dance career revived and vlogger career started. It hasn’t left as much time for writing, but I keep trying. I’m currently writing a trans epic fantasy

5. You're given a time machine. Do you go forwards or backwards in time? Why? What do you do?

Forward. Definitely forward. I want to see how humanity turns out, if we survive the coming years. More importantly, does the Earth survive us? How have we all fared, and what direction did we take? If things look good, especially for trans people, I want to stay there. If things look bad, I’d come back and see what we could do to avoid that fate (provided we don’t run into any Oedipus-like problems).

6. What is your favourite book written by a trans or nonbinary writer?

I’m a bad trans person. Admittedly, I have not yet read that many books by trans or nonbinary writers. I’m a sucker for genre fiction and I’m super picky about it. There isn’t as much written by trans people in the genres I enjoy as there are in regular fiction, non-fiction, and YA genres. I have read Elliot Wake’s (writing as Leah Raeder) Cam Girl, which has beautiful writing but just isn’t my genre. I have also read If I Was Your Girl, Some Assembly Required (which was probably the most important for me), and Rethinking Normal. I just bought Peter Darling but I haven’t started it yet. I haven’t yet read anything that has spoken to my soul, a “Yes, this,” but I have enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I have made it a priority this year to read as many trans-written books as I can, even if they aren’t my genre, so I’m actively looking for books I will hopefully enjoy.

7. What historical figure--trans or cis--would you like to have dinner with? What would you ask them, and what would you order?

These sorts of questions are so hard, lol! I tend to find history boring (unless it involves dragons or something) so I don’t really idolize any historical figures. I’ve met a few people I’ve idolized before and it’s always underwhelming (you find out they’re human, just like everyone else, with prejudices and weird habits and such). There are a few people I think I want to preserve my interior image of instead! The only person I can think of would be Anne McCaffrey. Her work changed my life and started my dragon obsession. A lot of it went over my head when I discovered it (I read my first book of hers in fifth grade), and I think a lot of her work is deeply misunderstood today. I would like to talk to her about it, about why and how she was able to sneak in gay people without being too obvious, and still have her work be taken seriously in the 60s and 70s, especially as a woman author writing science fiction (with gay people!). Since we’d likely be in Ireland or England somewhere, a good British pub sounds about right. I’m fond of Cornish pasties. It makes me incredibly sad that I never got to meet her before she passed.

8. What's one message, image, or feeling do you want people to take away from your work?

A lot of my work is about pain. Internal pain, external pain, the suffering it causes. I want people to know that pain doesn’t have to stop your life. That when you feel overwhelmed by it – no matter its source – that there is someone out there to help you, to share it, to take it away. That none of us have to suffer alone, and to reach out to those who love you when you are in pain. I know that’s hard; I have suffered a lot of emotional, psychic, and physical pain in my life. I’ve struggled with reaching out. I try to bury it, to suffer alone, to not bother anyone with it. Please, bother someone with it. It’s worth it.

9. It's Friday night and your plans fall through. What do you do instead?

Either I spend my night dutifully sewing a new dance costume while listening to a documentary on Netflix (old castles, LGBTQIA, or true crime) or I tell my guilt to go to hell and spend all night playing video games.

10. Finally, what is your social media of choice? How can people contact you?

I’m on Facebook the most, but I use that for mostly private, personal interaction with irl friends and family. Twitter is the best way to contact me otherwise, but I’m all over the Internet. I have an Instagram where I post pictures of my silly cat and weight loss progress, if that’s of any interest, or they can email me at vidrinegabriel@gmail.com or contact me through my Tumblr (though I don’t use it as much as I should).

--

Thank you, Gabriel! Up next: Shawn Dorey. 

[aesarctic]

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline

It’s been a while since I’ve written a full-scale review. Sorry, guys!

Read on Goodreads

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

FOR THE SUPER NON-SPOILERY PEOPLE: Ready Player One is definitely a book that I'd read the back cover to. Maybe that's not your thing, but I find that some books are better going in knowing nothing, and some books you need to know a bit about. This is one of the books that I'd definitely read the back-of-the-book-blurb. I can tell you right now that any spoilers you may think are in it aren't actually spoilers. This book is also definitely five-star potential. Don't be put off by my four stars. FOR THE NON-SPOILERY PEOPLE (hidden for the SNSP): Expanding on what I said up there, anything in the back-of-the-book-blurb that you may think is spoilers is said within the first chapter. It's not even labeled "Chapter 1." It's labelled "Chapter 0." You're fine to read it. I really liked the concept of this book, and I when I finished it, I felt accomplished, but I also wanted more. Shout-out to Mark Vaders (mjvaders) on Spotify for a Ready Player One playlist of every song mentioned in the book. That's super cool. https://open.spotify.com/user/mjvaders (The User) https://open.spotify.com/user/mjvader... (The Playlist)

FOR THE SPOILERY PEOPLE: I have five pages of notes, front and back. Let's go. The book opens on chapter 0000. It's a slow introduction, the main points being: 1) The OASIS is a thing 2) The creator, Halliday, died and made a scavenger-hunt-like contest 3) It's been five years, and no one has found the first key. Until now. But the thing is, it gives us the entire video. Why can't we have a summary of the video? It took me a while to get hooked into the book because the video wasn't the most fun to read. I'd also like to note that this was the only time footnotes were used. Why didn't we get more of those? Why were they necessary? Why were they necessary for only that specific chapter? I'd also like to note that there are a lot of sections in this book that reads like a history lesson, and I'm not sure these are necessary. I'll get to that later. I was not alive in the 1980s. In fact, Halliday is two years younger than my mom. There were so many 80s culture references that probably went over my head, but I was surprised at how many I caught and understood. I've watched a few of the movies mentioned (though, I personally am not a StarWars fan), and I've heard some of the music, and I've played a few of the games. Call me cliché, but I always go straight to the Pac-Man machine in arcades. Either that or Skee-ball. My favourite mention, though is at the very end, when they mention Voltron. (Pages 332 and 336 in my paperback copy). June 10th of 2016, a remake of Voltron was created, and I definitely watched it when it came out. Then I watched the 2011 remake, and a good amount of the 1984 original show. The only one I have not watched (and like to pretend doesn't exist) is the 1990s version. Anyway, anyway, I like Voltron. At the beginning, we get this nice glimpse into the real world, featuring Aunt Alice. She took Wade's laptop, and I still don't understand why he didn't scramble to hide it when he heard her coming. He said he had backups, but he also mentioned it was a pain to redownload everything. I would have tried to hide my laptop. One of my favoruite settings in this book was Wade's secret hideout. I love how he rigged it, and I thought that was super cool. I was very upset when he left it. It also confused me when the Sixers didn't realize he was in there? They said they had proof he hadn't left the trailer in three days, and that proof was video, right? How do they not have video of him going to his hideout? Or at least exiting the trailer? They said they saw him enter the trailer, but they didn't see him leave? I predicted that someone would find it, but no one ever did. Props to Wade. I had a hard time imagining the OASIS. I should be imagining real life, since the graphics are that good. I could have at least imagined a Skyrim-looking game. But, nah. I imagined something more like Overwatch. Art3mis. I should have known she'd become a little more important in the story, but as he was ranting about her blog, I literally wrote "I hope she doesn't have a big role" and I did not like her. Aech. I pronounced this as "Ache" at first, but Wade corrected us. I did not follow that. I should have, and I tried, but I still said "Ache" in my head. As someone who gets their name mispronounced a lot, I should have known better, but I did not and I am ashamed. I didn't like Aech at first. Eventually she grew on me, and I was incredibly mad when Wade totally dissed her for Art3mis. Ugh. I hate romance stories like that. I hate romance stories in general, but this one was bad. I hated how Art3mis was set up to be his girlfriend. No thank you. I like the setting for this book--meaning how the Real World was set up and how that affects the OASIS and why the OASIS is used because of it. I mean, I don't fancy the idea of a Great Recession, but it's a cool concept in theory. The copper key was found on page 84. This book has 372 pages. At least, that's what it is in my copy. That seemed really early for me, especially since he immediately knew what the phrase on the copper key meant, and I was worried that the book would have something strange happen at the end after all of the keys and gates were found. Luckily there was nothing wrong at the end (besides an unnecessary romance) and the book was dedicated to the scavenger hunt. Thank the gods. Speaking of immediately knowing what the message on the copper key meant, he described where the first gate was, and it's a game, you know, so my immediate thought was that the game wouldn't be there and someone had stolen it and there'd be some complication. No. Of course, we have to meet Art3mis. Kill me. I like the fact that Wade wasn't the first one to find the temple, though. That's cool. He was just the first one to complete it. "I wanted to propose marriage." --page 93 K I L L M E When he figured out the message on the copper key, Wade says, "I didn't think it would matter which copy of his hometown I went to..." and I thought that it would. I thought that it would totally matter, and he'd have to go through however many worlds looking for the correct game, and the game wouldn't be there, and he'd have to track it down, or something. It was weird reading something that went so right on the first try. He also totally skips out on school, which he had previously mentioned that he needed to attend to not get into trouble. I've attended two high schools, one that requires 24 credits, and the one I'm currently at requires 26. I currently have 24 credits, so theoretically I only need to pass two classes that total up to two credits, right? Wrong. Schools tend to require a certain amount of credits in each subject--I did a research project on this my sophomore year. I still need to take two language arts classes and one science class. Some schools require four credits in language arts, science, and math. Then three in social studies. That's what I've seen most often. How much did he double up to accomplish being able to flake his senior year? You only have a certain about of blocks per semester/trimester, and in today's world we can take more with online classes, but his school is an online school. How did his credit system work? If anyone has any input or corrections to make, please feel free. I don't know everything. Wade mentions that it was a "beautiful Midwestern Day" and as someone who is from the Midwest, I'd like to ask where? Okay, so Wade signs something with the acronym "MTFBWYA" on page 127 of the paperback. I know I'm dense, but what does that stand for? Why is he signing so many contracts and giving people models of his avatar? Doesn't he want to stay as secret as possible? Doesn't that mean not letting people know what you look like? I love Wade and Aech's friendship! At the beginning, anyway. Wade didn't want to tell Aech any of the information, and she was totally chill with that. She understood and they stayed best friends. At that moment, anyway. I'm salty. How did Wade not predict that recording would be prohibited in the place he met with Sorrento? I thought that the comic book stack falling over was a Sixer. I was ever so wrong. If they recreated Ludus to make Ludus II, wouldn't that also have the tomb with the copper key? There's a huge amount of time where Wade didn't mention Art3mis' blog, and I felt that that was a bit out of character. He was checking it all the time before all of this. The next time we get an update on it is after Art3mis dumps him, blocks him, and stops posting on her blog. Speaking of Art3mis, I still think that their friendship and romance developed in a very strange way, and I definitely don't like it. I hate that she replaced Aech. The author made a huge point that we have no idea what Art3mis looked like. I felt as if this was way too built up. Wade is a lot like Frank Zhang from the Heroes of Olympus series, by Rick Riordan. SPOILER: He totally buffs up, and I feel as if it's erasing a bit of diversity in a way. END SPOILER Some points from my notes: -Art3mis is clearly way smarted than Wade -My aesthetic is doing research to play Pac-Man -I love that Aech found the key while Wade was playing Pac-Man I felt as if the trophy place that Wade checked out should have clicked for him a lot sooner. He had that knowledge. He even had the knowledge of Zork. Why didn't he skim through his journal the minute he didn't understand the next clue? That would have gotten him there a lot sooner. This book has a very good balance of dead characters. I appreciate important characters dying. It makes the story interesting. So Wade had that one job, but we never see him going to it after that initial time. What happened there? So Wade makes this entire plan to sneak into the Sixer's place, and readers are left in the dark. It's so weird reading, and a lot of my notes say things like, "This plan had better be good." When Daito died, Shoto handed over that weapon the three of them earned. I knew in that moment that that was probably the entire reason those characters existed, and I was a little upset. I laughed at the phrasing "101 IOI Plaza" There were four people: Wade, Art3mis, Aech, and Shoto. Three people were needed. Obviously someone was going to die. So does "P.S." stand for "postscript?" I was told it was "personal secret." Don't believe everything six-year-olds tell you. Marrow: *appears* Me: HE KNOCKED OVER THE COMIC BOOKS Me: *turns the page* Wade: HE KNOCKED OVER THE COMIC BOOKS Turns out Halliday and Marrow were in a love triangle, and things ended because of it. Ugh. Aech and Wade are friends again, by the way! That's good! And we end things with Art3mis and Wade, and I want to die. So, around the area where Wade was finding the copper key, I was beginning to realize that this book is a lot like The Raven Cycle series, by Maggie Stiefvater. Warning: TRC spoilers from here on out. The Raven Cycle is set up like a scavenger hunt, but complex and very real-worldly. In fact, one of the things I love about TRC is how complex, 3D, and life-like the characters are, and how 3D the plot is, and the settings are set up fantastically. Anyway, the story has a lot of history to it, in a way. One of the main characters, Gansey, is on this hunt for a Welsh king who lived centuries ago. History, right? But we don't get a lot of that history. We get the basics: "There is a dead king somewhere. If we find him, we get a wish." In Ready Player One, there's a dead game maker, and if you can follow the clues, you get the prize of money. It's a really similar plot--I'm not sure I'm conveying how similar it was in my mind. Anyway, in Ready Player One we get a lot of unnecessary history that I felt could be summarized like I just did. Maybe not quite like that because Ernest Cline is writing a book, not an informal review, but you know what I mean. The history wasn't interesting to me--I didn't need to know Halliday's backstory. Not really. I just needed to know that he was rich and someone was going to get that money. By following clues. The history bits really annoyed me, and I'd go on, but I think I've ranted enough. Next I'll get into the character differences and writing styles, and it goes on. Basically I did not need to read all of that history, and I'm citing a different series as my evidence. THANKS FOR READING

[barre2barresg]

Barre 2 Barre SG Interview Series: Cofounders (Part I)

To kick off our series of interviews leading up to our 1 year anniversary, we feature the three #womenentrepreneurs or #femaleentrepreneurs behind Barre 2 Barre! These three ladies are the best of friends in and out of the studio and definitely live up to the quote "She believed she could so she did". 

Read on to find out more about their journey into barre, what their future plans are for the studio, and tips they have for aspiring female entrepreneurs!

1. How did your journey into health and wellness begin?

Jessica: My journey into the sphere of health and wellness began when I was only four years old. My mum brought me to a ballet class in Jakarta - I remember how one of the girls was really mean and made fun of me (as I was a chubby kid). I begged my mum never to bring me back to that class every again.

Over the next few years, my mum then brought me to try out various sports - basketball, softball practice, swim lessons… but nothing really stuck. Finally, she brought me to tennis. The first lesson was horrible - I was made fun of because of the clothes I was wearing (apparently it looked like pyjamas). Thankfully, though, I had good hand-eye coordination due to the basketball and baseball practices I had gone for which helped me overcome my lack of self confidence or getting teased. From then till college, tennis was my sport was choice.  

Karen: I was always considered to be an active individual. I’d wake up at 5am to complete my regular runs before I headed to work, and then to the gym after work for at least 30 minutes on the elliptical machine.

Ironically, I did not like to stretch because I found it to be a waste of time. Over time, however, I started to develop horrible pains in my back and neck and  that made me realise something was horribly wrong with my fitness regime. I had to re-think my entire fitness regime.

I sought relief from getting regular massages, magnesium salt baths and eventually took up Pilates classes. Instead of high intensity, I adopted a “less is more” approach to my workouts. I started to look into alternative medicines (e.g. TCM, osteopathy, homeopathy), and tried to integrate  mindfulness into all aspects of my life.

Mylene: Although I was always active and took part in competitive sports from my childhood days, it wasn't until my early twenties that my eyes were opened to living a healthy life through movement and meditation by the mother of a good friend (an Iyengar Yoga teacher) to start and maintain my yoga practice.I was living in Boston, MA at the time and was completely hooked after my first class.

 2. How did you get into barre?

J: When I started college, I was not as professional as the rest of the USC tennis team. It was at that point that one of my college best friends introduced me to barre fitness. I fell in love and was addicted to the shake and burn which was like nothing I had felt before. This resulted in me attending and signing up for many packages near my home in West Hollywood.

K: I tried barre on and off during my various travels while I was still in the corporate world. Each class would get me shaking like a leaf and it was incredible!  

M: Completely by accident! I was living in London and doing a lot of yoga when I discovered the Lotte Berk Studio around the corner from my home. It was such a fun and challenging class with a different pace and feel to yoga. It was another eye opening moment for me and I immediately added barre to my weekly workouts.

 3. What made you decide to change that dedication into something bigger? (starting a studio)

J: When I moved from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, I was on the lookout for studios that would give me that same barre burn. Thankfully, I found Barre 2 Barre - and found out that the founder of BarreAmped Suzanne Bowen actually taught the founders of the barre method that I had been taking in Hollywood, and both methods are from the same Lotte Berk lineage.

 When I moved to Singapore, I could not find any barre classes that were up to the same standard that I had found in LA or Hong Kong. At that point, I begged Mylene & Karen to set up a studio in Singapore - little did I know I would be opening up the studio with them!

 K: I wanted to be part of a community that would share the same health and wellness beliefs as I did. I was fortunate enough to meet my current business partner, Mylene Mackay, in Hong Kong. Together we started our studio in HK - in fact, I was teaching my first class while 35 weeks pregnant! Since then we expanded the studio to Singapore with Jessica and it’s been an incredible journey.

M: I've always known from day 1 when I began practising yoga that I wanted to do this. The seed was planted early on and was always in mind even when I pursued a corporate career.

I met Karen while we were both teaching Pilates at another studio in Hong Kong and we just clicked. We wanted to bring BarreAmped to Asia and the moment felt right to start our own venture. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made and feel very lucky to have found the right partners in Karen and Jess. We often joke that we are each other's barre wives, because it is very much like a marriage when you go into business together.

 4. What is one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs?

J: I would tell fellow female entrepreneurs to support each other rather than compete - it only grows us stronger as a community. Instead of focusing too much on competition - focus on building a supportive community. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together and the more positive energy that gets fed into the community, the better it is for all female entrepreneurs and supporters.

K: Love what you do.

M: Don't do it alone. Pick the right partner with the same values -  this will give you the strength to weather the tough times as well as the stability to stay humble and real throughout.

5. Is it difficult working in a (primarily) female dominated environment?

J: I think difficulty in a female dominated industry really depends on where your studio is located. I also believe culture plays a big role - rather than whether the industry is female or male dominated. I have had many successes connecting with female entrepreneurs in Singapore and Hong Kong.

There are obviously hurdles when certain people are not as welcoming or open but there are also many who are more than willing to help and those are the ones you should focus your energy on.

K: Having previously been in a male dominated working environment, I wouldn’t say that working in a primarily female dominated environment is particularly more or less difficult. Every challenge that presents itself is unique to the situation at hand, and there are always appropriate solutions. Learning to deal with difficult situations, problem solving, and people management are important skills for every entrepreneur.

M: Only if you make it difficult for yourself. While there are challenges, I'm a big believer in surrounding myself with good people. Only good can come out of that.

6. What are your future goals for Barre 2 Barre? 

J: For Barre 2 Barre, future goals would be to expand - for me, that would mean expanding in the S.E.A region; for Karen, it would be to expand and build up connections to both the North Asian region as well as Australia; and for Mylene (who is moving to Europe), it would be to build up a presence there.

K:  Lots of exciting plans to grow and expand. More and more people are recognising barre as a genre of fitness, just like Pilates and yoga. There’s so much potential!

M:We have lots of exciting plans. The sky is the limit and it all revolves around growing our community of barre enthusiasts in Singapore, Hong Kong, and beyond.

 7. What is your Favourite barre move and post workout snack?

J: My favorite barre move is actually the lunge. I grew up learning how to lifeguard and play basketball with an ex-navy officer and I remember lunges being the best way to build muscles (and it got rid a little bit of my the meat between my thighs). My favorite post workout snack is hydrating myself with water and a freshly pressed juice.

K: Wide second is my favourite barre move. My favorite snack would have to be greek yoghurt with chia seeds and banana.

M: I love them all! Whichever move I am doing at the moment is my favourite. I'm a barre nerd. My favorite Post workout snack would be the Breakfast Mule at Punch Cafe; it's so hot in Singapore I am always looking to cool down after a workout.