#askmehowiknow

[hamliet]

Derry Girls: A Masterclass in Detailed, Thematic Writing

Several years after the end, I finally watched Derry Girls, and it's become one of my favorite shows. Not only for the way it captures the absolutely unhinged aspects of Irish families (askmehowiknow) but for the sheer writing skill.

The vast majority of the episodes are laugh-out-loud hilarious, while also offering insightful commentary on the Troubles and on humanity's foibles as a whole. The characters are allowed to be human and act in unlikable, unsanitized ways, and to still be human and come back from that. (Almost like a metaphor for the Troubles or something.)

The story is also incredibly detailed; for example, when the girls are accused of killing a nun and Erin points out the nun was like, 98 years old and askes "might that shed some light on the situation?" there's an hourglass behind Sister Michael--emphasizing the idea that her time was up. Even more than that... the window is behind the hourglass, literally shining a light on it.

But that's a micro level. On a macro level, I also appreciated the way the story discusses the political backdrop that is part of its premise. Even as Erin, Michelle, James, Clare, and Orla grow up in a place that's been in a state of low-level warfare for decades, they live full lives. In fact, that's kinda the point.

Case in point: episode 4 of the first season, wherein Erin gets an exchange student from Chernobyl. The way the Northern Irish in general treat the Ukrainians is hilariously awful and patronizing, believing that they are giving them a respite from the troubles "over there" while Northern Ireland isn't in a much better state. But, as Sister Michael assures the Ukrainian students, the Irish troubles don't matter because "we're the goodies."

This line gets to the heart of what the episode is saying about political divisions and the way people view an "other." Everyone sees themselves as the "goodies." Because of that, they don't self-examine and wind up hurting the people they see themselves as wanting to help/save with their ignorance. It's a paradoxical egotistical (and frankly teenage) worldview that is also unwilling to look critically at oneself. The focus on their own perceptions over focusing on the actual humanity of the other results in ruining gifts that could come with cross-culture interaction, as seen in how Erin's misunderstandings and petty jealousy of Katya leads to her literally ruining a surprise gift Katya had prepared.

And the end of the episode also comments thematically on the story. One of the Ukrainian boys turns out not to be Ukrainian after all--he's actually Irish and from just down the road. He just didn't know how to say that. The ironic message is clear: despite differences in culture and views, they are actually all human beings, and assumptions make it hard for people to speak. If they could actually talk openly and without presumptions about who is "good" and who is "bad," they could prevent and solve a lot of problems.

This kind of background, symbolic commentary on the Troubles continues in just about every episode of the series. For example, even after the ceasefire, season 3 has an episode where it's discussed how negotiations are stalling, and the entirely of the rest of the episode takes place on a train that stalls between two separate places.

The Troubles are always something affecting their lives, but the only time the Troubles ever become the main story is in the finale episode. Which is also an episode that makes everyone cry. Michelle's brother is finally mentioned for the first time the entire series, yet it doesn't feel like a retcon so much as a recontextualization, and again mirrors how a lot of society (and Michelle's own family) have treated those who murdered others during the conflict.

Erin and James' relationship also works as a metaphor for the Troubles--an Irish Catholic girl and an English boy. Earlier in season 3, after they finally kiss, they're told they can't be together, that it's wrong, and that it'll create problems for everyone around them. Michelle doesn't want things to change. And Erin agrees that it's not good to pursue something.

But, in the final scenes, as Erin prepares to vote in the Good Friday Agreement and talks to James, she directly states she thinks things can't stay the same forever--thereby countering what she said to reject James earlier:

There's a part of me that wishes everything could just stay the same. That we could all just stay like this forever. There's a part of me that doesn't really want to grow up. I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I'm not sure I'm ready for the world. But things can't stay the same, and they shouldn't. No matter how scary it is, we have to move on, and we have to grow up, because things... well, they might just change for the better. So we have to be brave. And if our dreams get broken along the way... we have to make new ones from the pieces.

Symbolically, also, given that we know the outcome of the Good Friday Agreement, I think it's pretty clear Erin and James end up together even if we're not directly shown it.

That the last shot of the episode (besides the funny epilogue) is Grandda Joe, one of the eldest characters, helping his youngest toddler granddaughter Anna leap over a threshold as they leave the voting station, is also incredibly clear in its symbolism.

Erin: People died. Innocent people died, Grandda. They were someone's mother, father, daughter, son. Nothing can ever make that okay. And the people who took those lives, they're just gonna walk free? What if we do it, and it's all for nothing? What if we vote yes and it doesn't even work? Grandda Joe: And what if it does? What if no one else has to die? What if this all becomes a--a ghost story you'll tell your wee-un's some day? A ghost story they'll hardly believe?

I dunno, I think this is a sentiment we need more of in the world. A peaceful future means taking risks and accepting that punitive justice will not be perfectly doled out; however, if you allow more people to be hurt, is that not also injustice? It's a paradox that the story leaves us without a dogmatic answer to (for example, we never find out if Michelle's brother gets released), but it's also hopeful--because we know that the Good Friday Agreement largely worked.

(For further analysis of the final scene, I recommend PillarofGarbage's analysis on YouTube!)

[impossibleprincess35]

I love your stories but how do you write such long chapters? I am so behind and I want to catch up but every time I think I can you post another 10,000 word chapter. I need to take vacation time off from work so I can read your updates. Don't stop though. I will someday get through them.

I'm sorry, anon! I'm sorry! I don't know how to be brief. I love purple prose, I love internal dialogue, I love the intricacies of interactions between characters, and I'm a pain in the ass. I'm sorry.

But listen, updates to a fic shouldn't stress you out or make you feel inadequate or anything of the sort (unless you're the writer, because in that case, fuck your mental health, #askmehowIknow).

Read when you can/want - no worries! I'm gonna write regardless of whether anyone reads it, so take your time. It'll be here when you're ready for it.

(And if you throw in the towel and decide the word count is too much, thank you for making it as far as you did. I appreciate every second you spent in my little Obitine world.)

[arctic-hands]

Ohhh so not a great weekend to realize my rescue inhaler is expired #AskMeHowIKnow

[nityarawal]

"Ask Me How I Know," @garthbrooks

https://youtu.be/T0U70ehCTm8?si=B9vI1wlxbxCg34nQ

#SongOfTheDay1 #SOTD1 #AskMeHowIKnow #GarthBrooks

[warstacy]

Walk with #HumbleFeet I was able to receive breakthroughs by doing this👇🏽 Proverbs 12:15 is your BIRTHRIGHT. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a #wise man listens to advice. #Jeremiah2911 #AskMeHowIKnow #wisdom #entrepreneurs #prayer #christianbook https://www.instagram.com/p/CNKw9AfjGtY/?igshid=1lf3iovxq42zv

[wellnesstngirl]

#askmehowiknow #pawtreesavedme #helppetsinneed https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6Jbo0B65g/?igshid=qo1azty4pwvm

[cjsunquietmind]

I swear these hock boots will go on a horse some day 🤣🤷‍♀️ but I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth! #horsehacks #greatforarthritis #askmehowiknow @goeventing @horseware https://www.instagram.com/p/B_ONbp7JwxC6NLAiLaNgyak0fjQ5F7cI_73pOQ0/?igshid=1e9au3jglrbdl

[justmeandy18]

We all have to start somewhere make sure you are recovering properly and do not forget nutrition is key !! ⠀ ⠀ #AskMeAnything ⠀ #AskMeHowIKnow ⠀ #runwithandyfitness ⠀ #recovery ⠀ #nutrition ⠀ #fitnessmotivation

[kishy352]

#askmehowiknow (at The Forum)

[samgraceyounique-blog]

Top 10 perks of being a presenter ✌🏼️⠀ ⠀ 💜1. £69 is all you'll ever pay, period. Consider it an investment in your new at home business. In turn you get over £280+ worth of product and business tools. 👌⠀ #ilovedeals⠀ ⠀ 💜2. No in home parties necessary. Although I do love a a good party!! Do it all on Facebook and earn free and half off makeup in the process. 💄💄💄⠀ #onlinestore⠀ ⠀ 💜3. Get paid 3 hours after every sale. 20% at first, then move up at your own pace. And it all goes on your lil purple card. 💳⠀ #chaching ⠀ ⠀ 💜4. Free website that your customers can shop from. No inventory! 👐⠀ #shipsinternationally ⠀ ⠀ 💜5. Earn 20-25% back when you buy makeup for yourself. 💸⠀ #discountsaywhat⠀ ⠀ 💜6. No autoships. Ever. Seriously. 😍 #forreal ⠀ ⠀ 💜7. Expand your social network and meet new, like-minded women on a mission to be successful. 👱👧👵⠀ #builtinfriends ⠀ ⠀ 💜8. Be your own boss while working from home. 😎 more family time ⠀ #workwhilethebabynaps ⠀ ⠀ 💜9. Pick your own hours. Part time, full time, hobby? You decide. ☕⠀ #betyourownboss⠀ ⠀ 💜10. No quotas. Ever. You have nothing to lose but the opportunity to change your life. 💜⠀ #youneverknowunlessyoutry ⠀ #whynot #sayyesmore ⠀ ⠀ #69poundschangedmylife #AskMeHowIKnow

[warstacy]

Keep the faith. Heaven is cheering you on. #Jeremiah2911 #faith #AskMeHowIKnow https://www.instagram.com/p/CO-hMHZjrRZ/?igshid=15u6bvl190h1n

[vampyreeyes]

I mean, sometimes I don't understand how things work either.😕😖😒🤔🧐😑🥴 #ifimbeinghonest #america #jesus #stop #trash #whitepeople #askmehowIknow #wink #oneheadlight #likethesong #butdifferent #thewallflowers #mixedmessages #keepyourfriendsclose #andyourenemiesalittlefurtheraway #things #stuff #dumb #canadaigua #ny #nys #585 #roc #fingerlakes # https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpp7b4ih8Ke/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1d5ht3zsg3509

[solfulcreations]

Doing otherwise will DEFINITELY lead you down A ROAD OF MAJOR DEPRESSION, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, UNHEALTHY DEPENDENCIES, UNEASY SPIRIT, DESTRUCTIVE COPING MECHANISMS, STAGNANT CYCLES, LOOKING STUPID AND ACTING DUMB because you're WAITING (sometimes for weeks, months, HECK YEARS) for a return on your LOVE DEPOSITS you made to accounts that were ALREADY IN THE NEGATIVE (in red)... #LoveGodEnough and let HIM Deposit n Fill n OverFlow Your Account so you can #LoveYourselfEnough so when you DO deposit love in others you can keep it moving.. No Return... And your Account is Still Full..... #PeopleWillLetYouPayandPumpThenPullOffLeavingYouStandingThereHoldingADrippingNozzle #askMeHowIKnow

[k-melah]

NO ONE can Curse what GOD has BLESSED! #RemeberThat #AskMeHowIKnow I got my HANDS UP 🙌🏽 NOT OUT 🖐🏽 #Everyday I tell myself “Heyyy YOU “Just KeepDoing WHAT your DOING!!!” Keep GOING!!!”⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I mean They’ll think I’m a Lonney Tune b/c I believe GOD just that Much! BYE DOUBT!!! ✌🏽 I Believe in myself so MUCH!!! I envision myself #FashionStyling, Being a Host for events & #tvShows Having my OWN Style Segments On Tv Shows!! #motivationalSpeaking, As a Author! I will DIE Trying!!!! #LORDWILLIN All Things #MelahStyles I am a #FASHIONSTYLIST & MORE!! #Motivation (at Fashion Stylist)

[jeana2013]

Who would love this bag 👇Ask Jeana & Alan #giveawayalert #askmehowiknow #forinfo #perksgiveaway #workfromanywhere🌎 #workfromhomejob #moretimewithfamily #moretimeforfamily #

[froggy1003]

@cma @garthbrooks #cmaawards #entertaineroftheyear #garthbrooks #askmehowiknow #froggy1003 (at Froggy 100.3)