#i can never bring myself to tag individual people for these

[arcielee]

I hope you're doing fine amidst all this drama. It's no surprise that my intuitions were proven right once again, and here we have Ange, crying on her blog about being doxxed while conveniently ignoring her own complicity in Bel’s racism. It's sickening that some people still support her behaviour. However I wanted to bring up this post:

https://www.tumblr.com/arcielee/748496384896958464/hey-everyone-i-know-its-been-a-dark-time-in-the?source=share

Weren't you also doxxed in Ange and Em’s groupchat? And now they only come to you when the dust settles after their mess with Bel. I'm tired of these women always playing the victim and never taking responsibility for their actions. We're all over it!

Hey anon. You are referring to this post that I made. I thought it best to respond to this before we return to some much needed healing and hydrating.

I mentioned that I was not going to speak on the subject again, but more information has come to light and there is something that has been weighing on me.

As I posted before, I found out that I had been doxxed. This was something that happened in the same groupchat that included Bel, Fae, Ange, and Em where screenshots had been shared. I learned about this prior to the post when Em reached out to me through a mutual we shared. She was very remorseful and apologetic for what happened, and she provided me with the unedited versions I needed so I could handle this at my local police department.

Doxxing is frightening. When I returned to Tumblr back in 2022, I enjoyed the anonymity of it all, how I was able to blatantly be some dork who swooned over silver haired fictional characters with my kindred spirits. Seeing myself tagged in the post mentioned above, seeing those original screenshots with my legal name and my private, personal IG on display rattled me to my core.

In this chat I learned that not only had I been doxxed, but it was also mentioned about the animosity that stemmed from lies being shared without being validated. The TL;DR of the situation is that Bel and I shared a small server together. I was warned about her behavior by Ange and others, but at the time Bel had been nothing but kind to me, so I ignored it. Then Bel left our server and went to Ange and Em with some false narrative about me and some others. Despite how I was warned me in the beginning, she accepted what was said without thought. This resulted in me being blacklisted and harassed within the HotD fandom.

This was and continues to be an ugly ordeal. We are finally seeing that worst things happened in that same chat, which is why I was wary to even bring this up again.

But I do feel I should remind everyone that doxxing is the act of providing personally identifiable information about an individual or organization, usually via the Internet and without their consent. [x]

And this is what happened to me.

I did not want to do a super detailed post about it; I understand the insanity of it all since we literally came to this hellsite for a show about some incestual family that rides dragons. But the only way for us as a fandom to move on is to acknowledge what happened and those who were affected by it before we can move forward to create a safer environment for everyone who is a part of it.

I truly believe that we can and will do better. 💜

[ourbeloved1011]

Grow tf up. It's been 4 years since that show finished. Yibo even removed it from his bio. Theres nothing wrong with liking a show but insisting on some delusional rpf that's harming actual people??

Hi Anon,

Thanks for spending your precious time dropping by & bravely leaving your not-so-kind comments anonymously (or should I say nasty & harsh for telling me to grow tf up) when this is OBVIOUSLY a fan blog dedicated to Yizhan. It's like you're knocking someone's door uninvited & forcing yourself to rudely barge in.

Well, there must be a good reason on why I've been purposely not hashtag individual artists' names in my posts & include only related tags & mention 'this is just my personal thoughts, CPN' to STAY IN MY OWN LANE - in my own bubble & space. This is to avoid from being discovered by people who's trying to 'start something' & serve as my own effort to protect the artists from being harmed by my words. I really despise unnecessary conflicts right when I've made myself clear on my dashboard that this is a shipper blog.

In simpler words, if you don't like it, it's not my problem. No one asked for your opinion, anon. You've got the wrong place to begin with. However, since you've dropped me an ask, let me enlighten you at the very least.

Before I start, here's some of translated versions of Xiao zhan's personal statement after the incident (which I refuse to elaborate more):

"Everyone has their own choices and freedom of expression. No matter if you like me or you hate, it's your personal right. Passion should be the source of strength for everyone. I hope that this passion doesn't exhaust or harm anyone."

You can read the rest of his statement in my recent reblog or here: https://www.tumblr.com/ourbeloved1011/723921396167819264/xiao-zhans-previous-personal-statement?source=share

Here's my personal thoughts, again, CPN.

I couldn't agree more. It's crucial for everyone to take his words seriously and it's my wish to be what he wished for. I admire, respect & support both xiao zhan & yibo whole-heartedly. It's not fair for you to judge & say that this isn't fan love.

Bjyx is a fandom made up of different individuals. Not only bjyx, any fandom or group of people in this world will have the same concept.

Now, let's talk about generalization.

You can't simply generalize a group or fandom & labelling them as a whole harmful existence. Every fandom has their own good & toxic fans. You don't have any control over that. Surely, all kind of people exist in bjyx BUT same goes with solo fans. There's no exception.

It's like labelling the whole Wen clan as evil when you know very well that Wen Ning and Wen Qing aren't the same kind. In fact, they are Jiang clan's life savior. It's totally unfair.

"You should punish the people who bit you. Wen Qing & Wen Ning have never gotten their hands on anything bloody. Or do you want to execute a collective punishment?!" -The Untamed, Wei Wuxian-

Why do you need to be the exact same way as Jin's clan judgmental behavior? We never learn, we've been here before. I won't take any sides on which fandom need to be banned or which one is the 'real' supporter. Collective stereotype will never be the final answer.

I see two people in everyone. There's no point in proving this.

However, I do believe in one same group commonality. If you continuously act excessively, intentionally crossing all the boundary of morality & bring harm to others, you will belong to TOXIC FAN and ANTIs regardless of where you come from- either you are a bjyx fan or solo. I will not support any act of sexualizing & harassment behavior towards them. There's always a limit, visible lines & common sense to conduct & follow. Sadly, EXTREMISTs do exist everywhere.

Just like what xz been telling us, it's your personal right as long as your passion doesn't harm others. Joining bjyx is our right & passion to support them in our own way. Doesn't mean that you've the right to speak up or write anything that you see as 'the right way', you also have the right to blatantly disregard those who don't share the same view as yours. That's why the word RESPECT is there in life dictionary. Otherwise, human can't co-exist this long.

If you don't have anything good to say, you can just remain silent. If you can't accept & respect, just stay away & ignore. It's that simple.

I don't understand why people needlessly hurting others with their unnecessary hurtful choice of words that can leave permanent scars to others. I personally feel sorry for these people. I don't get it. I really want to understand- what's the real reason for you to be so mean & harsh & hateful? For example, telling people to grow tf up. Who are you to judge? I'm just chilling with myself without causing trouble to others.

In bjyx point of view, we just adore & admire the beautiful & deep connection that both of these guys have. It's rare to have someone that you can click so well instantly in life. We wish to support them against all the odd. That's all.

Ironically, people who freely generalize about other groups get upset & butthurt if someone generalizes about a group that they belong to. The thing is - everyone is an independent individual & fully responsible for their own actions.This is why it's important to mind our own business & stay in our own lane.

Back to your statement. Delusional fans. I'm not actually delusional. I'm very self-aware as a person. In fact, I started as someone who's neutral. It's for my own self-satisfaction to feed my curiosity. I've always been the kind that will find & dig further to know something better. It's my personal trait. I'm not blindly being a delusional fan without basis and accept every rumors I heard about them. I do observations, selectively choosing, analyzing & eventually come to a conclusion. So here I am.

If you claim us to be delusional, you can say whatever you want because your opinion doesn't represent or reflect us. Just a side note, I don't agree with those fans who are intentionally keep overanalyzing these two with every single thing they do each time. People may get annoyed by it. I can see where it's coming from. They are two different individuals with distinct originality & identity. Hence, I only believe in whatever solid reasons I personally chose & filtered to trust.

It's not my job to convince you that they're real & it's not your job to judge, raise doubts & throw hateful comments in what I believed in. No need to make others feel bad & depressed further with your painful remarks. This world is cruel enough to live in. We don't need to be liked but respecting us is not an option. Be kind.

Yes. Yibo removed it from his bio. So what? To be honest, I don't really care much about it. Friendly reminder. He removed not only the untamed but he removed ALL his dramas. Seriously, I don't see any issue. If anything, I would be grateful to Yibo for keeping the untamed there for so long.

Let me remind you of the scene where wei weixuan is forced into a situation with practicing demonic cultivation is his only option to protect himself & survive. Again, everyone is being so judgmental towards him, only to find out later- the real reason why he chose that path. My point is, don't assume something as if we know everything. Anything people put out to share is calculated. You're allowed to see things that they ONLY ALLOW you to see.

What do you mean by these shippers harming actual people? There are plenty pictures everywhere during Yuehua concert, the whole arena was mostly filled with bjyx fans led lights, yellow, green & red- all coming to support Yibo. Not only concert, they've been continuously supporting both of them in other projects and events in the past until today.

'True' fans won't bring any harm to the artist no matter how good their intention is. Boycotting isn't the answer. It brings more damaged to the artist than good.

Tell me. Who's gonna be there if it's not for them?

Credits to respective owners. I don't own anything.

Yibo. Did they really bring harm to you?

Credits to respective pic owners.

Really? What were you looking at?

Credits to respective pic owners.

Few things to ponder:

If either xiao zhan or yibo hates bjyx & don't want any fans to associate them with each other, they would've addressed this many years ago to stop. Like how they made clear stand to some of other cps & supertopics. If you ask me for proof, again, you can just find them through my reblog posts. You can easily see them right away. That is, if you really care to read & bother to know.

Let me use back your words- It's been 4 years since the show finished- but the fandom is still standing strong & able to fill in the whole arena. Just to highlight, xiao zhan & yibo have zero public interaction together since the past few years but the numbers of new bjyx fan is still continue growing until today. The irony. How is this possible? For what reason? The normal cp fandom will eventually dies down once the main actors moving to the new project in the same year. Do you ever wonder what's the reason behind this fandom to stay this long for years? Both of them don't have any same project, no collaboration together. No promotion. Literally nothing. Then how? Funny isn't it?

It still remains mystery to think of why until today, xz & yibo never clarify & make statements to clear the air that they are just close friends. They can easily shut down the fandom in one go. Doesn't it bother you to be shipped with your own close friend for years if it's not the case? Well I do.

Also, why bjyx fans were not banned from entering the venue? Why their banners & led lights were allowed to go in? This is a sign that the existence of this fandom has never been denied. Or wait. Has this bjyx fandom been acknowledged indirectly?

People may find comfort in stanning both of them. Probably, it's the only source of joy in life to some. We never know. Don't be such an asshole trying to kill it. Spread love. Not hate.

Thanks anon for giving me the opportunity to rant :)

[enby-wrights]

(warning i do not understand how tumblr works i have been on here for like two months and gathered absolutely nothing so i apologize if i did something wrong with like tags and the like? also i think i kind of sound like a youth pastor towards the end of this but it’s okay i do what i want. anyways)

greetings marble hornets fanbase i just have some (long) thoughts to share on tim and alex :) i have some Mental Health Hot Takes that are not worded well because i wrote this at one in the morning but feel free to read anyways. also i know that the marble hornets mental illness allegory conversation has been done to death but please let me throw in my two cents i am just a little guy and i even said please

in all my six long years traversing the Deep Dark Depths of the marble hornets fanbase, i’ve never been all that interested in exploring any kind of close relationship between alex and tim within the story-- i think 2006 alex comes off as a bit desperate and overbearing, and i think that would have made 2006 tim a little too anxious to attempt to get close to him. it’s just interesting to think that they wouldn’t quite fit together at the only point in their lives where they would have had the chance.

their position in the overall story as narrative foils to one another, however........... now that’s a tasty character dynamic if i do say so myself :) although essentially all of season three revolves around the conflicts between people as they react to the mental illness metaphor operator in their own Fun And Unique ways, alex and tim are undoubtedly the poster children of this concept. both of them begin dealing with almost identical issues, and their reactions to these issues shape their individual narratives in completely opposite directions. i was thinking about it while listening to the podcast great, more tapes today (which if you haven’t listened to it i totally recommend it even though it has been dead for a year) and it’s kind of a really great allegory for the ways in which people’s reactions to experiences with mental illness can either make or break our recovery. as someone who has intentionally made my own recovery worse on multiple occasions out of general manic faux edginess, the parallels kind of hit me really hard

i’m gonna highlight the differences between alex and tim’s reactions to the mental illness metaphor operator using a bullet point list because i’m autistic and all of my thoughts occur in bullet point lists actually

during the filming of alex kralie’s marble hornets, as their symptoms are both beginning to set in, we see alex alone incredibly often. tim, on the other hand, is always seen surrounded by other people (this also comes down to the contexts in which they were filming but whatever it’s artistic framing or something idk)

tim seeks medical attention. duh. i think it’s probably pretty safe to assume that alex did not seek any sort of medical attention for his mental health issues leading up to all that murder, otherwise there maybe wouldn’t have been murder

aside from seeking medical help, we also see tim seeking help (or at least visibility) from his peers. entry #66 is just tim yelling at jay about how scared he is. and even if jay isn’t really much help, he can at least see where tim is coming from in the future and has the opportunity to act accordingly (he does not take this opportunity but hey at least it’s there. as alex’s condition worsens, all we see is him lying to his loved ones about what’s going on. which is bad.

alex constantly walks in anger and fear. tim doesn’t stifle his emotions (i.e. him beating the shit out of jay), but he also acts logically and doesn’t dwell on them for too long

by season three alex is just fucking living all alone in the woods (which if you didn’t know is the opposite of seeking help)!! not only is he running around in an echo chamber but he chose to bring a gun into the echo chamber with him which is a really great way to become more mentally ill. tim on the other hand has a job, and a life, and people in his life who at least care enough about him to call him and see if he’ll be at work on time. he keeps busy and he interacts with the world around him and even when he’s having to constantly check in with his doctor to make sure he stays okay he is out and about and being a person

and it’s a weird thing to think about because when i’m at my worst psychologically i tend to bring a (METAPHORICAL) gun into my own echo chamber and sulk around in there until i start to believe some pretty shitty things about the world around me

but on the few occasions where i do manage to reach for help and respect my feelings while still existing outside myself it’s a miraculous feeling. i get better. and then i get worse again, because mental illness is a bitch, but it gets easier and easier to reach out every time.

and i think that’s part of the reason why alex gets eaten up by the idea of the operator while tim doesn’t. tim has experience with getting help, and he’s clearly developed a skill for taking care of himself. he just got lucky that his first time dealing with a mental health crisis wasn’t as fucked up as alex’s.

anways tldr alex kralie is my new example for what not to do in my mental health recovery journey also he’s a bitch 

(ps i don’t understand how i got to the end of this rant without mentioning masky a single time but i promise he fits into the mental illness allegory somewhere probably maybe)

[awakentheeldritchabomination]

The Thing About Redesigns, Rewrites, and Reimagines…

(Part I: Broader Discourse)

To those of you who’ve been keeping tabs or maybe seen my posts floating around the tag, you might recall me mentioning that I felt a bit of hesitancy toward the prospect of joining in on the recent wave of redesign/rewrite content. In the more likely scenario that you haven’t or do not know what the crap I’m talking about, that’s fine lol. Understandable. It was a little thing I had written into my first rewrite/redesign post about Charlie. In a short aside, I explained that it was because I’d felt “bad about tinkering with someone else’s work like this”, and then I’d left it at that. So… yeah. Why am I bringing it up now?

Well, I don’t think I need to tell you that this fandom is… a lot. Y’know people have been talking…discourse is being had… heated, moral arguments are being hurled left and right. And in light of all the growing, reactionary accusations, I…found myself starting to feel bad again.

My initial issue, the reason why I didn’t immediately jump to sharing my ideas was that, for all her faults, I empathize with Viv as a creator and didn’t want to feel like I was disrespecting her, her characters, and her vision by reworking it to suit my own. I had frustrations and criticisms, but I never wanted to make it seem like I was trying to ‘fix’ her work or her style. I really didn’t want to be one of those pretentious dipsh*ts (the kind that take a piece of art, digest it through their own preferences and biases, then spit it back in the artist’s face with a, “There. I made it better”). In the end, I went through with it because I had a small hyperfixation and a tendency to project my own issues onto characters I love (I’m sure some of y'all can relate). And also, I was having fun. But… then more discourse poured in, and I saw all the concerns I expressed reflected in the arguments presented by other fans and artists.

And well… That made me feel like I was doing something wrong, like perpetuating and becoming the exact problems I had wanted to fight against. So, I took a step back. I reevaluated.

Now, I have thoughts (shocker!).

And they are conflicted.

On one hand I agree with the idea that redesigns/rewrites are not inherently bad or disrespectful things when it comes to productions like Hazbin since Viv is not a small creator with no power. She and her team have ultimate authority over the show’s events, and those plans will not be derailed by what is basically some random tumblr artist’s fanart/fanfiction.

In regards to the critical side of things, that kinda comes with consuming and digesting the messages and presentation of a work of art. Ideally, it should get people to discuss in this capacity, especially when it deals with such sensitive subject matter as Hazbin does (and especially when it is executed with evidently problematic notions which do bleed into the designs at times).

Still, I do think this trend can be disrespectful if the intention and presentation are made with an aggressive holier-than-thou attitude which explicitly seeks to one-up the creator. Though I understand where it comes from, I think that can be just straight, undiluted maliciousness with a generous helping of pretentious, self-appointed superiority. And I don’t think it’s necessary to pick apart the style itself. You don’t have to like it, of course, but I feel like stating your preference for one way of drawing over another and asserting it as if it were some objective truth antagonizes the entire point of individual artistic expression and personal taste. Criticize the lack of diversity (something which, I’d like to add, is not actually unique to Hazbin) and potentially problematic aspects, but not the style. Even then, it’s important to be constructive not destructive.

That being said, I don’t expect everyone to agree with me (especially if anyone who’s a die-hard fan finds this) Whether you do or not is on you, and that’s okay.

This is more a snippet of my thoughts than a fully developed rant. I just wanted to share where I’m at right now. There will be a part 2 to this expanding some of my feelings while also outlining where I might go from here because things are going on in my head, and I don’t actually know whether I will continue or not with this project. Right now, it feels like it’s drifting toward a more original direction (Charlie feels like an entirely different yet vaguely similar character and dang it I’m attached…It’s kinda weird lol) so….anyway—I digress.

Thank you for reading.

[mistydeyes]

izzie’s 2k celebration

open: now until halloween👻

wow 2k is absolutely insane!! thank you all so much for your love and support over these past few months :) everytime i visit my blog (usually in between lectures) i literally cannot believe how many people follow my silly little blog i started a few months ago! i cannot thank you all enough and i hope you are all doing well❤️

as a little celebration, i will be doing another tag/ask thing! here are the rules:

submit an au, quote, or both!

give me what character you would like + if the reader is platonic, gn/male/female

any other details you’d like :)

and that’s it! instead of posting them all at once, i’ll make individual posts around halloween for each character (ex. simon “ghost” riley prompts or 141 prompts).

thank you all so much again for all the love and support and i can’t wait to get writing!

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊

the prompts💌

alternate realities

historic romance

coffee shop

procedural crime drama

meet cute

tattoo artist and florist

university

married with kids (ahh domestic life!)

superheroes or villains

medical/hospital

treasurer hunters

artist and model

angsty teen

museum/gallery/aquarium guide

royalty

supernatural (vampire/werewolf)

mafia family

bodyguard

office job

theater kid

smut/romance writer

prompts

“I wish we met under different circumstances.”

“Can you PLEASE lower your voice?”

“Where am I?” “Definitely not where you think you are”

“Hey can you do me a favor?” “No.” “But-“ “I said no.”

“Do you mind? Your miserable look is really bringing me down.”

“Can you just sit still? I’m almost done!”

“I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I don’t care if you don’t like it, it’s my job”

“Are you free after this to _______?”

“I think I’m in love with you”

“When I first met you, I couldn’t believe you would be asking me to marry you right now”

“I need something” “What is it?” “You.”

“Are you going to spend all night like this?”

“What are you wearing?!”

“I don’t want to miss you but I do”

“Just tell me how you feel”

“You look absolutely stunning tonight”

“I’m sorry for hitting you” “You gave me a black eye!”

“Do you need some help?” “I can do it myself, asshole”

“Are you trying to flirt with me or am I just reading the room wrong?”

“I love you, more than you’ll ever know”

“Please stop looking at me like that”

“When I’m with you, it feels like time stops entirely”

“I never noticed how beautiful your eyes look like until I saw them in this light”

“I just want a white picket fence life with you”

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊

[thislovintime]

Peter Tork, onstage circa May 1969.

A fan named Dee Dee (from Decatur, Illinois) wrote to Peter via Fave Magazine, circa 1969. In her letter, she explained, “[Y]ou seem to be such a ‘free’ person. I mean that you do your own thing, from growing a beard to leaving the Monkees to leading the type of life that makes you happy without worrying what everybody thinks. It’s always been different with me. I was fairly popular with my friends because I was a follower, not a leader. I was content, more or less, to tag along and do what the ‘in’ crowd did just so I would belong. But since I turned 16, a few months ago, I have been more and more unhappy with myself. I really didn’t want to look like everybody else, so I cut off my long hair. I think it’s cute, but my friends don’t like it. I also changed the way I dressed. […] Nobody wants to talk to anymore at school, and I haven’t been invited to the last three big parties the crowd gave. I really feels just awful about it! Do you think I should change back and stop trying to be myself? I’m so lonely and hurt I could die, but somehow I think trying to be like everybody else isn’t right either! Please help me, Peter, I know you can!” Here’s Peter’s reply:

“Dear Dee Dee, I feel a very big responsibility in giving you an answer and I’ve turned it over and over in my mind. Many things you say in your letter bring back memories of my high school days! I felt much the same way you do. You aren’t alone in your idea that there has to be something else besides trying to be a carbon copy of everybody else around you. But as you now realize, during your teens you are bucking the system when you try for individuality. I don’t mean this to sound hard on your friends — or rather the people you thought were your friends. Let me try to explain how I feel about it to you, and maybe it’ll help. The whole idea of peace and love as I see it is to let everybody do their thing, as long as it’s not harmful to anyone else. There’s nothing that says you have to agree with someone’s opinion on dress, hair, politics, or the way the country is being run. If you prefer to listen to classical music instead of rock, then by all means do! Everyone feels differently about certain things. That’s what makes us all individuals, and life would certainly be dull if people agreed on everything. But to go back to what I said about ‘bucking the system,’ it is a lot harder to be entirely your own self when you are just developing your own ideas. When you are in high school, your social life becomes very important to you. How many parties you get invited to, how many phone calls and dates you have, the number of people you can call your friends are the things which make you feel like a worthwhile person, or a dropout from the human race. You’ll have to accept the fact that any deviation from the current fads of dress or conversation will place you in the category of being just a little different. It’s not a bad thing to be — but it’s not easy either! Your friends will not accept this from you readily, because they remember you as you were. Also, in doing our own thing you are giving them some doubts about themselves. You see, everyone knows deep down that there are some things they don’t like about running with the crowd! But how easy it is to just sit back and accept, instead of branching out on their own! As the years go by and people mature, most of them do find that they are entirely different than they were in high school. They look back, as I do, and say, ‘How could I have gone along with that!’ It takes years and experience for people to find just exactly what they want and who they are. Unfortunately, too many never do! That’s why you should consider yourself lucky. You aren’t really an outcast, you know. The most important person you have to please is you! And obviously you are trying to find the right road that brings out the self you are most comfortable with. You have to realize, Dee Dee, that you are maturing more rapidly than some of the others in your age group. It is a very important thing that is happening inside of you. You’re questioning the ‘taken for granted’ things and beginning to think for yourself. All this takes a great deal of courage and faith. You’ll find yourself asking a hundred times a day, ‘Do I really want this? Do I believe in this?…’ and little by little you will be happier within yourself. If you keep an open mind about things, and this means not putting down the people you think have square ideas, you will find attitudes changing toward you. Remember that everybody, even those you know are wrong, do have just as much right to the ideas and way of life as you have! You can be absolutely certain that the way you feel is right — FOR YOU! What is right for someone else is their own decision. You can argue a point of disagreement with someone by offering your views in a calm, friendly way. Don’t fight about it! Don’t try to force your beliefs on others, because this only antagonizes them. Everybody has to come along at his or her own pace and trying to prod or push them only makes them angry with you! Think about what I’ve told you and try your very best to be open, cheerful and friendly with everyone. That includes people who have or will try to point you in one way or another. If someone puts you down, letting it roll off your back is not accepting it so much as recognizing the fact that it’s their hangup, not yours! There are going to be people who will become your friends. Some of them you’ll get to know, and others will find you. Your social life will pick up again, but this time you’ll be doing it on your own terms! This much I know is true, because it happened to me! The transition from being one of the crowd to being your own individual self is painful, but the way you feel about yourself is the most important thing that will ever happen to you! Peace and Love, Peter Tork”

[writebackatya]

DuckTales Team Ideas Part 2: Your Team Ideas

So recently I made a post about some team ideas for the cast of DuckTales. Besides showing off my team ideas that post was made to hear other people’s team ideas and it was successful!

Now originally I thought people were just going to reblog it with their own ideas, but that was a long post so I can see why that didn’t happen. So instead people left comments! Just thought I’d share those comments because we got some cool team ideas

I wanna start with the one that made me kick myself for not even thinking of it! This one comes from @andrewmoocow who suggested Lena, Penumbra, and Gandra

First off! I love all your reasons! The fact that their names all end with an A is the cherry on top of this sundae of a team idea!

Since you didn’t give them a team name I got a couple suggestions: The first name is sorta playing off their names ending in a, they’d be the ‘Ä Team. (Pronounced “ah” cause of the final part of the name)

The second team name is literally a Pink Floyd Album: Dark Side of the Moon. That one I think would work well. Plus I can see all three of them rocking the shirt with that album cover

On the flip side: Webby, Della, and Fenton would make for a great team. Their team name would be Sunny Side Up

Next up comes @tokuvivor (and @shychick-52) who’d love to see the young Junior Woodchucks come together as trio: Huey, Boyd, and Violet. And I agree it would be good. Also yeah, they did write a whole-ass story. And I finished it recently, it was good. Go read it if you like these characters:

Also I’m all for Team Junior Badasses. Dewey, Webby, and Gosalyn would make for a powerful trio that I can see sharing one braincell and I’m all for it

@boingodigitalart had the idea of brining Louie, Goldie, and BOYD to form the Con Crew. Oh the one hand I love this idea for a trio. I can see Louie feeling bad for what happened to BOYD at Doofus’s birthday party and wanting him to feel welcome. I just love the idea of individuals who were once “enemies” now on a team together. (Heck it’s why I wanted Dewey, Gandra, and Webby on a team. After the Split Sword Swanstantine it’d be great to see them work together

But on the other hand, I don’t think BOYD would feel comfortable participating in the schemes Louie and Goldie would do. But that’s what makes an interesting trio. BOYD could easily be the heart/voice of reason of this group so that these guys never go too far. Also I can just hear Goldie saying something along the lines of “Sharpie, you sure you wanna bring the Nanny Cam with us on this scheme?”

Con Crew has a nice ring to it, but may I suggest Con Heir? Cause BOYD’s the heir to the Drake’s fortune? And there’s that movie called Con Air? I never watched that movie, I just like making puns

Last but not least is @shychick-52 who had quite a few ideas:

Okay first off. How dare you make a change to my Spy Team idea! Just kidding. I can see what you’re getting at here, but I beg to differ. Honestly, I think Gandra and Louie would have trouble (at first) getting along. I always felt that if she ever found out about Louie not paying his employees their salary in order to waste it on crappy merchandise without telling them she’d be like “Yeah, I’m not working with this billionaire’s nephew.” But if he was on the Spy Team he could be their guy in the chair

However I guess I would add him to Rebel Squad (Gandra, Gosalyn, and Lena). Louie would be their token white guy

Back to her suggestions, I love Jr Justice Ducks (Gosalyn, BOYD, and Lena). Always down for a superhero team. And the DuckTales universe would have a Teen Titans like team and that would rock

Also. I love this idea for the name alone. Team Orphan: Lena, BOYD, May, and June. May and June definitely need to be a part of more groups. And this would make for a fun team. Seeing BOYD and June interact would be great

Well that’s all I got to share. Thanks again to all the tagged people and their input and team ideas! I’m sure they’ll spark the creativity of the people in the DuckTales fandom!!

Please share any ideas if YOU got any!

[mooifyourecows]

I'm sure someone's asked you this before, but I'm thinking about writing another short fic and I'm wondering what your process is for plotting out your writing? every time I try and write something I always struggle with knowing how to move the plot toward what I want. I'm wondereng if you have a structure you tend to follow? if you've answered this before feel free to tag me in that post or something, but it's been so long since I've written something and I want a good structure to start from. and you're one of my favorite authors so I figured you'd be the best to ask

ideas take time. I'm sure there are some people out there who can get an idea and then spit out a short fic immediately after and it's great and wonderful and amazing but personally, I can't do that. I gotta sit on my ideas and build them over time. even the short ones!

it's just not enough for me to want to write something. i gotta be into it, and i'm not going to get into it unless i've spent considerable time thinking about it and developing it in my head. whether that means building up plot or backstory or just witty banter, I need to have a good feel for the story before i can start writing it. most of the story ideas i come up with never get written. i come up with an idea that i'm into but then i can't brainstorm enough meat in the middle so i either tuck it away in my notes to try and salvage later or i forget it and move on

And that's okay! not every idea is a winner. but it's not a waste of time to come up with them. several of my stories were once ideas that i scrapped because i couldn't motivate myself to get into them. Summer Rain was an original story idea i came up with when i was a teenager that i stuffed into the very back reaches of my brain until years later i got into Haikyuu and dragged it out to rethink it into a fic idea instead. GMB too. Hard Times was a fic I started years ago and then abandoned because I couldn't bring myself to think up what should happen after the initial deal is struck.

when i am actually plotting out a story, i don't really have a structure that i follow. I just think of individual things and jot them down in my notes, then change or add to them as i continue to brainstorm. I mainly focus on the BIG parts, working them out in my head until I like them, and then write the little in between stuff as I go. I am one of those writers that prefers to write by the seat of my pants and it's worked well for me so far but I understand how some people prefer not to do that.

none of my stories come quickly though. For many of the long ongoing ones, i'm coming up with new stuff all the time. I've got a big thing planned for ATEGT that i didn't think of until I was like 15 chapters into it. Summer Rain is nothing like what it was supposed to be when i first started it. Ideas are supposed to change and bulk up over time, so if you give them the time they need, you can think up some really fun, amazing stuff!

Don't rush. I understand the need to write something and post it as soon as possible. There are times that i wish i could just bust out a fast one shot and shoot it out there for people to read but it's just not my style. the people who can do that are awesome and i admire them! but it's just not for me. I need to bat an idea around in my brain for weeks, months, or even years before it becomes anything concrete.

other than that, i don't really have much useful advice for you in this area, unfortunately. Just... take notes. Write down your ideas as soon as you think of them. It's not a contract. You don't have to keep them. I'm constantly jotting an idea down in my notes and then deleting it later because i changed my mind. It's fine! Get loosey goosey with it! it's supposed to be fun! don't stress yourself out with trying to force something thats just not coming. let it come to you freely and you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you think of.

i've also found that it helps for me to write my thoughts down as if i'm telling the idea to a friend. Just working through the plot on the fly from beginning to end. "I've got this new idea. So there's Character A who works at the airport and what they does is this and that. then one day as theyre doing this or that, someone comes through the line and then this thing happens and Character A is like what the heck? but they're cool so they're like hey it's no big deal and Character B is cute so Character A is like hey let's see where this goes, so anyway Character A does this and Character B is like that and after that Character C who is Character A's ex and a total douchenozzle shows up and Character B is like yo i'm gonna help you out and so-" you know? Just... write it out. If you don't know what happens next, say you don't know what happens next. "Some other stuff will happen and their bond will grow you know, like fun romantic and silly things where they learn some stuff about each other but it's clear that Character B is keeping a secret but Character A doesn't want to push them into talking about it so they just pretend like they don't notice and-" etc etc.

Walk yourself through the stuff you HAVE figured out and you might think up some others on the fly too. It helps to see it in a linear fashion. "And then and then and then and then". At least it does for me. Especially since my brain doesn't like to be organized and constantly jumps around to whatever is most interesting at the moment. my friends have gotten long strings of messages from me over the years about story ideas i've come up with and just want to get out to see if they have any real potential. and those are the ones that usually do!

sorry i don't have any real tricks or tips about this stuff. i really am just a sloppy disorganized writer and people probably shouldn't try to emulate me because it's a mess over here, take my word for it 🤦‍♂️

anyway, i wish you luck! You can do it! just make sure you are having fun. your writing should be indulgent and exactly the kind of thing you would want to read. don't think about what other people would want. You're not making a product to sell, you're creating art 🌈

[theearlgreymage]

It is yet another Six Sentence Sunday, and I have only two more Sunday's until break. The freedom is close. I can taste it.

Thankfully, these last two weeks should be a breeze and I can get back in a more regular groove with writing.

Maybe.

Here's hoping at least.

Hello to the wonderful @artsyunderstudy @nausikaaa @aristocratic-otter @confused-bi-queer @rimeswithpurple and @ic3-que3n for tagging me despite my lack of posting lately. You are all amazing <3

Despite my quietness, I have been tapping away at a couple of different projects. So, enjoy six series of six sentences --

COBB Project #1

She’s been making these excursions on her own every few months. Claiming them to be for her research, but I followed her last time. I saw the supplies she took, and didn’t bring back with her. We were outside Bristol when I lost track of her. Somehow she managed to lose all her supplies and beat me back to Watford.  There’s no way she managed that on her own.  But until she’s willing to admit the truth to me, I’m on my own with finding Simon.

COBB Project #2

Coward.  It’s the last word I’ll hear from him for a while as I step into the warm sunshine. While he can technically reach me beyond the Underworld, it is a lot harder for him to do. From what I can tell, it’s not worth the effort.  Not caring whether the chlamys around my shoulder gets dirty, I collapse onto my back into the grass. Letting the sun warm my chilled skin. 

A Gift for Someone

Nothing to see here. I wonder how many other students at Watford have used this spell for elicit sexual acts. How many students have had their trousers pulled down in the middle of the Great Lawn with none of us being the wiser? Of course, this isn't the Great Lawn - it's the back table in Astronomy that I'm crouched beneath. And it's not just any student who's trousers I'm pulling down eagerly. They're Simon Snow's trousers.

Another Gift for Someone

The snap of leather against leather sends a chill down my spine. I do my best to conceal it. The click of heeled boots on the wooden floor let me know that he's walking towards me, and still I fight the urge to shiver in anticipation. But when I feel the soft brush of the collar and warm press of fingers on my throat, I can't help but shudder. "Are you going to be good for me tonight?"

Something I'm working on in secret that may or may not see the light of day

Even if I’d come to accept myself more - feel more comfortable as my own individual person - I was still hung-up on the idea of having children that weren’t mine. It became an even bigger issue after Simon admitted to wanting a child. My mind became full of the impossible; of a small child with golden skin, freckles, dark hair, curls, and light colored eyes.  We thought it impossible, and set the topic off to the side. There were plenty of other things for us to worry over. My graduation and the wedding being the top two items on the list.

Chapter 4 of Infinity in Your Chest Pocket

This time, when I spot the movement out of the bedroom window I don't hesitate to leave the room. Fuck these wraiths. I'm not spending another night alone in a room with them. Baz can complain about me following him into the woods all he wants. It's not like he's doing anything all that secretive. We both know that I know that he's a vampire - one that has apparently never tasted human blood.

Tags and Hello's to Everyone under the Cut. Please know that I am eternally excited over everyone's projects and cannot get enough of the talent you all have. Also, I officially made a gosh darn spreadsheet to keep track of people for tagging!

@aroace-genderfluid-sheep @bazzybelle @bookish-bogwitch @buffy @captain-aralias @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @cutestkilla @ebbpettier @erzbethluna @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @foolofabookwyrm-activated @gekkoinapeartree @henreyettah @hushed-chorus @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ileadacharmedlife @ionlydrinkhotwater @j-nipper-95 @johnwgrey @krisrix @larkral @letraspal @martsonmars @moodandmist @mostlymaudlin @onepintobean @palimpsessed @prettylightsbigcity @raenestee @shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @stardustasincocaine @stitchyqueer @tea-brigade @theimpossibledemon @thewholelemon @upuntil6am @wellbelesbian @whogaveyoupermission @yellobb @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[jaggedwolf]

pll rewatch 1x07-1x08

while watching previous episodes, I was thinking, wait, Emily has to have a car this season because of [SPOILER]. Does she just randomly start appearing with one?

of course not. instead she wins a car (the BEAUTIFUL TOYOTA) in a raffle the same night she falls down in a mirror maze

1x07 begins with us still on Homecoming night, where we get (1) Spencer, Hanna, and Aria clinging to each other like frightened puppies while looking for Emily and (2) Toby bringing Emily to the hospital

Spencer suggests the trio split up and is immediately indignant at the idea she be the one to go alone lmao

Poor Toby. No one is nice to him :( Spencer said her classic "The devil has a name and it's Toby!" line but Pam also said "people cross the street when they see him", poor fricking teenager.

Emily is like, as someone who has exchanged more than one sentence with Toby, I don't think he's a murderer? and Spencer cannot stand it she is so annoyed

Emily phrases it as "why am in my bed and not in a body bag" <3 Emily's horror movie visceral imagination

FIRST BARRY MAPLE APPEARANCE. HE'S HERE. THE ONE KIND-OF OKAY COP IN ROSEWOOD. ALL HAIL BARRY MAPLE.

Hanna is back to winning her one-woman #BestAlly competition and she's doing so good! I'll repeat this in the tags of a future post, but it is so interesting to me that this is the first step in Hannily becoming close as a pair - before Hanna gets the photos, Aria and Spencer are the ones expressing individual concern over Emily, but once this arc happens, Hanna is all-in

And says exactly what Emily needs to hear. Also saying things to injured Emily: Pam Fields, who is stressing her daughter out and has no idea why.

Ella, Byron is a cheating douchenozzle but go to your son's sportsball game! Mike's done nothing wrong!

Spencer has zero concept of having a job, let alone a service one. Of course she can waltz right into the kitchen to chit-chat, of course Alex must be lying if he says he's working on a day the club is closed. Oh, Spencer.

She does take to making fruit kebabs to hang out with him

Alex says he's never seen her photo with devil horns before and I don't think he's lying...so an A thing? But I prefer to think that it was the kitchen employee from the day before who was all het up about Spencer's health code violations

can any of the liars look normal when talking to the blind girl. (Spencer about Jenna to Emily: You didn't eat one of her cookies, did you?)

well, Emily did okay, but Emily had to deal with Jenna straight up sitting on her bed. Who does that?? But very funny in light of the S2 Halloween episode, isn't Emily dealing with enough.

Aria playing peacemaker as Spencer and Hanna argue in the woods. Oh, Aria, it's like watching a terrier trying to get in between a bloodhound and a golden retriever.

and here we get our first inter-liar callout of Spencer's parents being there to bail her out! I completely forgot it was Hanna who does this, but very fair, Hanna, very fair

Lucas and Hanna bond over watching the stupidest youtube videos, which makes so much sense for them. SMH Sean, not even a smile for turkey on a skateboard? Between that and sending Aria flowers, you deserve the shenanigans you accidentally find yourself in later this season

Emily and Maya get to have nice cute banters about going on a date and manage to make out at a zombie movie without anything bad happening! Good for them!

Especially since everything non-Maya makes Emily look so distressed

like Toby, which leads to the best conversation Emily, Spencer, and Hanna have on Emily's window seat

Emily, clearly upset: I couldn't bring myself to ask. Jenna was so upset. But his bike… it looked like it was… like it was wrecked.

Spencer: Well, I'm not gonna cry over this, and neither should you.

Hanna: Spencer, if she liked him she can cry about it!

Spencer: Well, I'm sorry for speaking.

Spencer: ......Look she's right, I can't tell you what to feel.

and yet Spencer will never stop attempting to, love this maniac

good god I forgot about the Jason recasting, I look forward to when this dark-haired suit-wearer with a stick up his ass is gone

Best A message:

SUBJECT: THE DEDICATION

DO IT RIGHT. I'LL BE WATCHING. JUST LIKE TOM SAWYER. --A

Why did A prepend the message with a subject, do they miss emailing Spencer? I had to explain the Tom Sawyer reference too haha.

A's gonna trick them into painting a fence next

We get so many flashbacks of Alison being terrible by the lakeshore that summer day

Flashback dynamic notes: Emily smiles and laughs at everything Alison says, no matter how mean; Aria is horny for Noel and pays the least attention to Alison; Hanna laughs at the first insult Ali throws at Lucas but then very weakly tries to defend him; Spencer is...Spencer is almost getting bored of Alison's terribleness?

and yet "that's immortality my darling" remains, and so does Alison's bracelet in her nightstand drawer

I like to think Aria had to dig through all her shit to find her bracelet, compared to the other three XD

"what about justice" re: never finding out who killed Alison, Spencer my sweet summer child....sometimes Spencer is the most naive of the liars, in her own way

Spencer's already sent two S.O.S texts this season. Did the girls agree on this code or did Spencer just decide this is her way of asking for help and everyone automatically understood it

isn't this memorial a bit too revealing of her dynamic with y'all, I'd be so self-conscious

and yet, even after an episode filled with flashbacks of Alison's cruelty, I understand all four of their speeches for her.

[enigmaf009]

Hello :)

Greetings! Recently I noticed that one user posted his post screaming and yelling in anger that I use ai and misleading my people causing aggression and attacks from people on my content and claims that I am not obliged to use ai and make content making excuses that it is not what it doesn't call for https://www.tumblr.com/riddlemeharder

I make art and it is important to me to maintain originality and individuality in my creations. I use artificial intelligence technologies to generate content, but I do not believe it is necessary to label it as artificial intelligence.

My art is the result of my creativity, and the fact that I used AI to create should not impose a label on the process. I believe that art is an expression of human creativity, even if technology plays a role in the process. It is important for me to maintain freedom in expressing myself and not feel obliged to label my works as created with the participation of artificial intelligence. And the idiots who will post anything and demand that art be labeled and call for active and aggressive actions will simply be blocked.

I never mentioned that these are my arts, but if I had mentioned them, I would have put #my art. But even so, these arts are not 100% created by artificial intelligence. I finish drawing artifacts or make edits and first make a sketch and then I start generating something and then carefully process it. This is my art and my right to property and I do not create problems and try to make quality content that will delight people. I have seen a lot of people who do not provide attribution or make content thanks to AI. But no one tells them anything. I wonder why?

I will not put any hashtags or tag content.

I feel this is unfair and disturbing. After all, why not trust me to make my own decisions? I understand that this is part of the AI's learning process, but it is still difficult to accept being controlled in this way.

The use of AI content brings many benefits, such as increasing the efficiency and speed of information processing, creating new opportunities in the field of art and creativity, and improving process automation. Refusing these technologies may result in missed opportunities for the development and improvement of society.

I understand that some people fear job losses due to automation, but in my opinion, a smarter approach is to learn and adapt to changes in the technological world. Instead of resisting AI, we can use it with understanding and care to reach new heights of development. But.

I don’t owe anything to anyone and I will continue to create content and I believe that these are my arts because this is my work that I contribute to the community, I draw and generate art and this is my art and people have the right to post it. Therefore, I am waiting for a public apology for insulting my profile and not tagging my name anymore and the fact that you misled people.

As for my works, if you want to point out my mistakes, just let me know in a personal message. Otherwise, these posts will be ignored and I will specifically release posts and not try any more to create content and add you to the blacklist. - You are responsible for your words. you are not worthy of my content and will be kicked out of my tomarri community and I hope this serves as a lesson to you for your insolence

@riddlemeharder

If you speak negatively or bring unreasonably hate towards me instead of solving the problem normally and blaming me, then this will only benefit me. Your anger and indignation is your enemy that will turn against you and the more you blow on the fire, the more it flares up.

On this I wish you good luck. Please don't be idiots and don't pay attention to people LOL.

repost the god to keep everyone in the loop.

[aptericia]

Probably-offensive rant below the cut… I am not accusing any individual of doing this directly, so please don’t read more if you will feel personally attacked (which is fair and understandable btw)

I know I’m being unfair, but to be completely honest I hate shipping. I hate being expected not to hate shipping. I hate people acting like x ship is canon or that everyone supports it. I hate people expecting me to have a favorite ship. I hate seeing ship art that I would have blocked if it had been tagged properly. I hate having characters’ relationships, even ones I can see as romantic, being ruined for me by the way fandom treats them. I hate the fact that non-shippers are never The Default and shippers are never Not The Default. I hate shipping culture more than I hate romance in general because it’s constantly reminding me that I am the odd one out, that I’m not interacting with fandom “correctly”, that I should give up on my boundaries because there’s no way to keep them from being violated. No of course I can’t gatekeep the way other people interact with media, and I know that talking about shipping brings people a lot of joy, but it just. I don’t like it. I can’t force myself to like it.

I genuinely think being romance-repulsed is part of my identity and not “just a preference”. Becoming more confident in my aro-ness has directly equated to being less comfortable with seeing romance. I don’t care what people feel or how they see characters, but just please keep it away from me I don’t need to see that.

[blackberrysummerblog]

WIP Folder Tag Game

Finally slinking back on here after I don’t know how long 😬 First of all, I want to thank everyone who’s been tagging me the past few weeks, I really do appreciate it! I just haven’t had a lot of energy left over to actually do much writing and/or posting, even though I still have a lot of “writing” happening in my head. (On a side note, that used to work out a lot better when I was younger—I could hold entire paragraphs verbatim in my mind for weeks at a time; now I’m lucky if I even remember roughly what direction I wanted a scene to take, lol).

And thank you so, so much to those who offered to let me bend their ear about my writing difficulties. I really do plan to take you up on it, but I’ve been procrastinating partly out of brutal shyness and partly because I’m not even sure where to begin, the reasons for which may become apparent from seeing the folders I’m about to share. I mean, yikes.

Anyway, I’m excited to play along and I’m happy to answer any asks I get! (Thanks @palimpsessed for tagging me to play!)

Rules: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how nondescriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! Then tag as many people as you have WIPS.

Shelter from the Storm (RWRB)

Runaway Train (Whyborne & Griffin)

The next group are Snowbaz WIPS, many of which were begun for COC22. Still hoping to get them finished! (Those that are numbered are out of order because I use google docs, so the list is in order of what’s been most recently opened)

Beginnings

Fluff, COCC Day 15

Devotion, COC22 Day 13

Devour, COC22 Day 12

EGF23 dead darlings

So, crap. The next grouping is my shame revealed, lol. I NEVER write like this, but this is what has happened: My crucible marriage AU is a complete and utter shambles of separate files, all individual scenes that I’ve been trusting my brain to knit together at some future point. And I still believe that it will, actually, but it’s something new to me. I’m more the kind of writer who envisions an entire story from start to finish—or at least the basic bones of it—and then I sit down and proceed in a chronological and orderly fashion. I have a couple of theories about why that hasn’t happened this time, and it largely boils down to self-indulgence. I’m enjoying myself, I don’t want to bring the story to an end, and I have been keeping the scenes separate so that rather than one big mess of a file, I have one big mess of a drive. Welcome to my cluttered mind! It can be a pretty fun place, if you watch where you step.

Too much

Kiss

Moles

Murder in My Heart

Fireside

Pool

Rolling

Heading Home After Crucible

First wings

Vera

Sick in love

Wings

Reception

Favorite

Fiona in kitchen

Simon at the start

Mordelia asks

Epilogue

Post-reception

Fiona reception

Winchester

Clothes shopping

Eyebrow

Lying on B

Good night

Tree carving

So much fun

Butter

Angel of the morning

LSE

Carry upstairs

Laughing

Escape

Before reception

Cold sleep

Annulment

Do you think

Signing the book

Reception garden

Coven

Alphabet

Love of my life

Spring equinox 2017

Arranged

Spring equinox

Simon before crucible

I want to say, these are not all going to be *chapters*. The fic is going to be long, but not as long as all that! I could say more but maybe I’ll wait and see if anyone is interested enough to ask, since this post is already way too rambling. I don’t think I could possibly tag as many people as there are files here, and I think everyone has already played anyway, so as usual I’m going to apologize ahead of tagging folks who have likely already done this. Sorry ❤️

@confused-bi-queer @onepintobean @sillyunicorn @facewithoutheart @basiltonbutliketheherb @asocialpessimist @ileadacharmedlife @bookish-bogwitch @aristocratic-otter @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars @nightimedreamersghost @ionlydrinkhotwater @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @shrekgogurt @raenestee @fatalfangirl @stitchyqueer @bazzybelle @fucking-gay-frogs @mostlymaudlin @sailorblossoms @yellowraincoat @ivelovedhimthroughworse @hushed-chorus @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @thehoneyedhufflepuff @anikamercat @aceumbrellaheroes @captain-aralias

[thevagabondexpress]

R & W

I'm so sorry but this is really long

R: Which writers (fanfic or otherwise) do you consider the biggest influence on you and your writing?

I have a post about this somewhere but I don't know where it is right now.

For non-fanfiction authors, KJ Charles has become one of them in recent years specifically in regards to pacing: she taught me how to make things go faster, so I can get the plot out of the way and then go back to add development and things in later.

Seanan McGuire is a big one. I'm very into Celtic mythology and faerie things and yet I also get tired of the fact that everyone consistently uses the Seelie and Unseelie Courts and never really goes beyond that, has this kind of shallow understanding of ooh, tricksy faeries and fancy court politics and yeh deh deh da when there's all of this old lore like the Book of Invasions to be tapped, and also modern, living legends people still tell stories about today, like "tell Tom Tildrum, 'Tim Toldrum is dead'" (the cat sidhe) and the cave of Black Agnes and etc. Seanan McGuire's Toby Daye mysteries really kind of opened the keg on that for me. While she makes her nods to the format of a lot of fae fiction to keep it recognizable, she's unafraid to tap into the truly weird sh.t Celtic Irish, and Welsh myth and lore have to offer (her protagonist was trapped as a fish for several years for instance) which really inspired me to do my own research and let myself throw out the "Oberon and Titania" model of faerie fiction as much as possible in favor of worldbuilding based on both modern rural legends and also texts predating Spenser and Shakespeare. It so far has shown up more in my original fiction than my fanfiction but Rivers & Gates starts moseying in that direction and I have a very big fanfic called Fly Over The North Shore (I'm Going Home) that's going to tackle a lot of Fir Bolg, Fomori, and Tuatha de Danann lore especially.

Shirley Jackson's another big one, I learned a lot of my horror-genre cues and stylistic mannerisms reading We Have Always Lived In The Castle and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Also, this might surprise you, but SJM by negation. She had a whole bunch of elements in the first Throne of Glass which she then promptly dropped, leaving me without the pieces of the story which drew me in the first place: plot elements that inevitably work their way into a lot of things I write because I wanted more and didn't get it. Author influence by not doing what she did. (Points if you can guess what those pieces are).

As for fanfiction authors, Purlturtle/NuMo in the Bering & Wells fandom has been a big one especially in terms of learning the little characterization tricks you need to really bring people to life. I know it's not a fandom you're familiar with but I'd still recommend Strata anyway, it's incredible. Also ashesandhoney from the Herongraystairs tag. She's able to make me actively invested in and interested in a character I usually avoid due to gender dysphoria weirdness and I've spent ages trying to figure out how she does it.

W: What is your favorite pairing to write? Favorite pairing to read?

Hm. For favorite pairing to write I'd say Gracetopher. Because I just adore both Grace and Christopher individually but also because my favorite thing as an author is to find loose threads and yank as hard as I can and if we bring Christopher back from the dead suddenly there are loose threads everywhere, just all over the place, and so many ways they can go. And a lot of those paths tangle these two together, sometimes platonically, sometimes romantically, sometimes in ways where even I don't know what's going on.

However, they're really not my favorite pairing to read. While I do like fanfics I've read of them (@luciehercndale does them incredibly well) I feel like there's a level of nuance and pain and also a layer of gleeful chaos to them that I don't see brought together often in the way I want from them. So I'm gonna say Wesper from Six of Crows and Alan/Jack from The Last Binding. Also Bering & Wells.

Wesper because there's a lot of authors who all have very different but also very good takes on the characters and they're one of those ships that just excels when put into random situations so they're just fun and fun is good.

Alan/Jack because I have a historical journalists problem and also because holy shit the smut that exists in that tag.

Bering & Wells because they're just. Everything to me. For so many reasons. I don't know how to explain it. Excellently executed enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to aquaintances-with-angst. Jamie Murray's Helena still takes me out every time I see gifsets. Normally I get annoyed about percieved queerbaiting as everyone does but the ending to this ship in canon doesn't feel like that: it feels like a natural end to a relationship like theirs that's been through the wringer that it was put through. They were absolutely destined to meet each other, but they weren't necessarily destined to stay together in every single universe and they're written in a way where I can accept that. If I could get tattoos safely, forever destined to meet at gunpoint might be one of them.

[scribe-of-stories]

15 Questions 15 Mutuals

Rules: Answer the questions as yourself or as an OC of your choice

The always friend shaped @vicstmichael tagged me, and you can read her lovely post here.

I'm going to be answering for both myself and Lexical's oldest OC, Samuel. (I'll be responding like this) meanwhile Sam like this.

The lightest of tags towards: @sunset-a-story @squarebracket-trick @valanke @pure-solomon @captain-kraken annnnd I know it says to tag 15 people but I've got other tag games so I'm going to save some mutual. Alternatively if 10 more individuals could do this so I don't become cursed that'd be grand.

1. Are you named after anyone?

I think I was named after one of my grandfathers, who was named after some biblical character. Someone who broke pillars? Or was that another guy? (To shorten a long story: Sam predates Lexical and is technically two older characters mixed together. One was an unplayed FATE character named Smith of Masks, who was a spooky manakin looking monster that was also a journalist. It wrote under the pen name "Sam Smith" as a loose reference to it's acronym [SoM] and the generic last name Smith [which was also already part of its name]. The other was a short story I wrote over on Reddit, but that has little to do with the name.)

(Meanwhile I was named after a Frenchman in space. Or two books of the bible. I claim the former, but my religious [secretly trekkie] parents claim the later.)

2. When was the last time you cried?

I don't know, not like I keep track of these things. Probably the last time I had a bone broken. (It was when Ashley gave him his birthday gift).

(Last night I was meditating and talking to myself and we felt emotional. It was a good cry.)

3. Do you have kids?

Biologically no, but there is a worryingly growing group of young and wyrd individuals that I keep either saving or having over for dinner. I, uh, well they know what they mean to me. I think.

(Nope, not yet at least. That said I had been working in some form of child care most of my career life.)

4. Do you use sarcasm?

I would Never do such a thing. Words have power after all, imagine if I didn't mean what I say. (See: Umbra wyrdling)

(All the time, though usually for me it walks the fine line between sarcasms and lying/gaslighting as a bit. I never let it go too far though, and only do it over un-important topics.)

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

How many limbs they have. Jokes aside, how they are presenting themselves: they way they walk, talk, stand, etc. Got worse/more noticeable recently.

(Usually their hair. I'm slightly face blind and find myself relying on the hair/dress of people I only slightly know to recognize them.)

6. What's your eye color?

It changes, but I think I was born with blue eyes? Can't exactly remember.

(Very Brown.)

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings any day of the week. Love me some sappy romance where everyone's just content at the end. Besides I see enough horror in my work life, don't want to bring that shit home. Hell it usually doesn't have trouble finding my house anyways.

(Both? Both is good. If I had to choose horror since I see that as being capable of exploring things a lot of fiction can't, but I wouldn't want everything I consume to end with "then everyone was bound to super hell for eternity".)

8. Any special talents?

Surviving things that should have killed me. My more magically inclined friends have taken to referring to me as a "Community College Wizard" so I guess I've got that going for me too.

(I've been told I'm a divergent thinker, so I think that's special. Also I'm fairly good at most video/board games. Might be linked, idk?)

9. Where were you born?

Dalas, Texas. Don't intend on going back any time soon though.

(South Carolina, though I moved to Kentucky before I started being old enough to remember things.)

10. What are your hobbies?

Reading. I've got this lovely pile of shitty novels I collect that I'm slowly working through. No rhyme or reason to what's in them, just slowly bought them on discount from local book stores. Romance is my favorite genre.

(Games, I love games. TTRPGs, video games, tabletop/board games. Anything with a rule system that I can learn and play with in unique ways. I'm usually drawn to things that are turn based, but the video game I have easily put the most time into would be Warframe. Also, uh, writing.)

11. Have you any pets?

I've got a half dozen Wyrdlings I have to babysit and at least 2 minor thought entities living in my house. Yes I consider all of them effectively Pets.

(Not currently, but I used to have a turtle named Ruto.)

12. What sports do you play/have played?

Used to place baseball back when I was a kid, but that fell off when I graduated.

(Back when I was a child my parents had me try nearly every form of sports there was. None of them stuck, and I never joined a school related team.)

13. How tall are you?

It changes, or at least I suspect it does. Around 5'8 last I checked but I swear I'm getting shorter.

(5'10)

14. Favorite subject in school?

Took a semester of forensics back in high school. It was taught by a couch who was just reading a chapter ahead of the class, but the topic was fascinating.

(Psychology/Philosophy in that order. I didn't properly start learning either till I was in college. Got some regrets that I didn't take more than 1 philosophy course; even more upset that I only ever took 1 writing course.)

15. Dream job?

What I'm doing now: private investigating. Though in a perfect world I'd deal with a few less monsters on a daily basis. I guess it's more interesting then just spying on people from inside a car. Some days I miss not knowing about the Wyrd; but other days balance it out.

(Still trying to figure that out. Ended my career as a behavioral therapist a while ago [moral/stress issues] and kinda now figuring out what I actually want to do. Would have said being a Therapist a while ago but I'm not sure.)

[buckyismybicycle]

ROBBED: “name your price” - Chapter 1 of 2

Pairing: Bucky/Tony Stark Rating: Explicit (eventually) Tags: Enemies, Biker Bucky Barnes, like some emo sexy robinhood with Found Family, Warlord Tony Stark (who is actually just very lonely), sacrifice, bargaining with freedom,  Summary: A small group of practiced individuals, headed by the “Winter Soldier” keep fucking with Tony’s shipments and he’s had enough of it. 

For @buckybarnesbingo Y1: "Thief" For @starkbucksbingo I3: "Robbed" For @whumpcember 2022: "Sacrifice"

It’s always a clean job, Tony can admit that much. They’re fast and practiced, without a single error in their actions.

Tony watches the footage a dozen times, his eyes tracking their movements. Two motorcycles — a redheaded woman on one, and one the other, a blonde woman behind a man clad in black — the Winter Soldier, people call him. Their leader.

They follow behind a heavily modded, matte black muscle car before swerving and surrounding the transport truck. The blonde woman stands up on the back of the bike like she has a death wish, hands on the shoulders of the man driving.

They kick up speed to the driver side door, and the Soldier fires before slowing down, avoiding the following detonation that takes the door right off the vehicle. In the next second, they’ve caught up again and he hauls the driver out with a grappling hook while the blonde one jumps in smoothly to take over the vehicle, opening the back hatch, the small ramp dropping down and sending sparks flying as it drags across the road. The second motorcycle roars as she runs up the ramp.

The shipment is emptied in under five minutes, and four fucking assholes just took off with $210,000. Robbed. Again.

It’s been happening for months, and nobody’s been close to handing the Winter Soldier and his little gang over.

“Happy,” Tony barks with a snap. “Up the reward to $500,000. To anyone who brings me this motherfucker.”

—-

“Really? This is the guy?” Tony asks Happy with an incredulous look. When he had demanded the head of one Winter Soldier, he wasn’t sure what he had expected, but it wasn’t for the man to look so…

Aesthetically pleasing.

He’s never seen the Winter Soldier without the mask and goggles, without a gun or motorcycle. Standing in front of him, though? He looks like just a man, simple as that. How can one man create so much chaos, he wonders.

“You’ve been causing me problems,” Tony states plainly, looking right at his — prisoner? Hostage? He hasn’t decided yet.

“You’re the problem,” comes the retort.

Tony has to remember not to laugh. The guy’s got some snarkiness, which was also unexpected. Not entirely unwelcome, either — it’s a nice change of pace.

“S’that so?” Tony asks rhetorically, pursing his lips as he uncrosses his legs. He’s not particularly thrown by the comment considering he gets at least a dozen death threats a day.

His chair — and it’s really more of a throne — sits atop a small set of stairs, which Tony walks down slowly. He’s not afraid of the Winter Soldier, but he is annoyed that this guy keeps hijacking Tony’s shipments.

“Tell me, what kind of a name is the Winter Soldier, anyway? Sounds like a made up superhero that you desperately wanted to be when you were seven.”

“When I was seven, I was praying your father would keel over and die.”

Tony pauses then. He didn’t think that someone would be so brazen with comments like this. Instantly, Happy has his gun drawn, and to the Soldier’s credit, he doesn’t even blink.

“Cute,” Tony replies. “Guess what? So was I.”

Tony’s grin grows, making him look a little insane, he’s sure. His father may have conquered and ruled, but he had no ambition. Not like Tony did. When his father died and Zen-Whoberi was up for grabs, Tony had wasted no time. This world was his for the taking, and take it he did.

“Funny, because now I’m almost thirty-seven and I find myself praying you end up the same.”

“Watch your mouth, thief,” Happy spits. It’s followed by the click as he takes the safety off of his gun.

“Easy, Hap,” Tony soothes with one hand waving the gun down. The other remains curled behind his back, the rest of him open to the crook that kneels before him. “I’ll give it to you, you’re an honest one.”

The Soldier snorts. “Look, if you brought me here to behead me or whatever medieval shit you wanna do, let’s get it over with. Otherwise you might lose your chance ‘cause I’ll die of boredom.”

This time, Tony does let out a bark of laughter. “Beheading? Come on, that seems messy. Do I look like someone who likes messy?”

For the first time, his captive is quiet, so Tony turns around to see the Soldier wearing a lopsided smirk. “Yeah, actually. Y’look like someone who likes it pretty filthy.”

Tony only just manages to talk Happy down from pistol-whipping the guy. He doesn’t like the way desire flares up and through his body at just a simple, insinuative line.

“Funny,” he responds flatly. “You know what I do like? I like when people pay me back for all the shit they’ve stolen from me. So, when can I expect my $3,744,000 back? Give or take a few dollars.”

“Tch,” the Soldier scoffs. “You don’t need it. Look around, fancy pants. You already have everything you’ve ever wanted while some people don’t even have what they need.”

Not everything, Tony thinks privately to himself. It’s true, he does have a lot of things that most people want — the lavish house, the luxurious clothes, the personal staff to guard him, cook and clean for him. He spoils himself because his father never did — his father never gave him anything. Not so much as an ounce of affection, not a minute of his time.

From a young age, his father had taught him one lesson, and one lesson only: Money is power, and nothing can be more important than that.

“If you’re not going to repay me, then you’ll have to give up your little gang, because I’m tired of your meddling,” Tony says at last. “You’re costing me a lot of money, here.”

“Good. And I don’t have a gang, no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Cut the crap, tin man,” Tony snaps. “We see you rollin’ with the same crew day in and day out. Give them up, I might even let you live.”

“No chance in hell,” the Soldier replies, steadfast and without hesitation.

It makes him burn with fury, like a spark has been thrown into kindling inside his body that makes him want to snap. How is it that this man — this fugitive has such loyalty wearing nothing but rags while Tony has no one?

“Hap? Give us the room,” Tony orders.

At first, his guard looks unsure. The Soldier, even though his arms are tied behind his back, is still an imposing figure. He’s broader than Tony, packed with muscle, and one of the most dangerous men in the world.

“Go on,” Tony encourages with a shooing motion. “I’ll take your gun, though.”

Silently, Happy hands it over and leaves the room with one last look.

“Gonna shoot me yourself? Color me impressed, I didn’t think you’d have it in you.”

“You don’t know me,” Tony says simply, twirling the gun in his finger like it isn’t a loaded weapon. Neither of them flinch.

“I don’t want to,” the Soldier snarls. “You know what I do know, though? I know that you’re killing your people and I know that you’re a selfish shithead who probably hasn’t stepped outside this palace in years, because if you did, you’d see that people are dying on the streets because they can’t get by, while you sit on your hoard of wealth.”

Tony’s used to the ire, the insults, the accusations and assumptions. He doesn’t blink during the little rant, but there is something different about the Soldier’s tone when he speaks of “the people”. He’s a little too heated, too invested.

Not people — subjects, his dad had called them.

“You care a lot about people you don’t know,” Tony ventures. He catches a small squint on the Soldier’s face, which more or less confirms his suspicions that someone the Soldier cares — or cared — about likely is or was in a poor state. “Who is it?”

“Dunno what you’re talking about.” His tone is flat again as he stares ahead, face stoic once more.

“What’s wrong with them?” He asks, genuinely curious what ailment would make someone rob over a million dollars. After pointed silence, he sighs dramatically. “Look, tell me what their problem is, and maybe — maybe — there’s something that can be done.”

The Soldier narrows his eyes. “I don’t trust you.”

“Fine, let them continue to suffer, or whatever,” Tony says with a roll of his eyes. He walks nonchalantly back to his seat, looking down at the thief, swirling his drink.

“Everything,” the Soldier whispers at last. “Bad asthma that makes him wheeze… Fevers all the time, sinusitis, heart problems and his bones grew in wrong. He can’t — his back ain’t straight. It’s got his nerves all pinched.”

Tony’s rendered speechless for a moment. One or two issues? Common. Three or four? Highly unlikely. This list? Doesn’t even sound real.

“No Mecha-Gear?” Tony asks, bewildered. Usually anyone showing such dire signs of physical detriment would be enhanced with Gear. Much like Tony’s own arc reactor. Much like the arm that the Soldier wears, though Tony doesn’t recognize the design.

“His body can’t handle it,” the Soldier manages through gritted teeth.

At first, Tony saw nothing but a criminal, a shit-disturbing, meddlesome culprit that existed only to make Tony’s life more difficult. Now, he sees a desperate man trying to save a life that isn’t his.

“What would you give for a cure?” He asks. He doesn’t know why, it’s not like he has a solution, but he wants to see how much his friend’s life is worth.

“There isn’t one.” The Soldier’s voice is barely more than a growl as he remains steadfast.

“That you know of,” Tony counters. “Or that you have access to.”

The Soldier’s eyes are hard, unwavering, and astonishingly blue. He’s got the look of someone who’s about to surrender begrudgingly, someone who’s about to sacrifice his own freedom.

Tony waits as the man weighs his options before finally speaking, even if Tony knows the answer even before he does. “Guarantee it, first. I wanna see it work… Then you can name your price.”

Tony’s smile grows. “And if my price is you?”

There’s a pause, and a click as the Soldier’s jaw works, no doubt grinding his teeth. “Then so be it.”