#i try to focus more on technology and things like this bc fashion is like... not a great way to date things imo

[locktobre]

the metric ppl use to date disney movies has always been weird to me bc they usually go with the princess dress, sometimes in conjunction with surrounding fashion... and ignore everything else. there’s always a certain amount of artistic liberty that’s going to be taken, so focusing on the fashion might give you a place to start, but I don’t think it’s that helpful for determining definitively (if there can be such certainty).

anyway Max appears to be an old english sheepdog... which was first shown in a dog show in 1873 and while the breed obviously had to exist for a time before that, the date is at odds with the 1830s which is typically used for tlm. and that’s before you even get to why and how Eric has him, when his kingdom clearly looks mediterranean (so, not england) and he’s like, not a sheep herder, he’s a prince. and also they don’t live that long (10-11 years) which begs the question of how Max can be in tlm2 altho you might be able to just handwave that part bc it’s disney.

[kokokabana]

𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞

✧ Keanu Hale and Blake Bailey ✧ tattoo artist ✧ interests: sex, fashion, art, photography, parties, adrenaline, spirituality, romance, games, technology

Oh look! An extremely horny man with serious commitment issues who has troubles with opening up to someone because of previous relationship trauma. I bet you can fix him.

« 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

How to read this guide

How to read this guide

The choices are portrayed like this: A | B. The one in bold or with an exclamation mark gets you (the most) affection.

Sometimes both choices work! They get you a different dialogue from your match, but you or they give the same amount of emoji reactions, balancing everything out.

Make sure to equip the interest that is about to be unlocked when you fill up that relationship bar! That gives you 15 additional gems. Don’t accept the gems and close the app if you haven’t already.

Message me or comment below if you found something else!

✧-✧-✧

#1 Texting

✧ Is this whole bad boy legit? | I love your ink. → gets you 😎! | 😳

OR

✧ Is this whole bad boy legit? | I love your ink.

→ U’re one of those ppl who just says what’s on their mind, huh? -> 😎! | XXX

✧ The feeling is mutual | I know 😜

✧ Tattoo artist, right? | Kindergarten teacher, I presume?

✧ I’d hook up with you! (gem choice 💎) | But ur a stranger. → Isn’t that what makes it even hotter? 😈 -> 😂 | 😏!

✧ I never pressure anyone into doing something they don’t want → 💋! |😏

✧-✧-✧

#2 Texting

✧ I walked right into that didn’t I? | I couldn’t keep my hands off myself either

✧ And to think it’s SUPER common → 🫢 | 😬!

✧ Do you enjoy a little pain? Maybe w/ ur pleasure? → 💦! | 🫢

✧ 1st CG for 300 💎

✧ Easily my hips | My neck is uber sensitive

✧-✧-✧

#3 Texting

✧ Sooo this is the part where u tell more with → 😉! | 😳

✧ Sure do! | Nope

✧ Give ‘em to me! (gem choice 💎) | Let’s pause on the crazy stories.

✧ The idea that there’s just one person out there for everyone is a bit far-fetched → 🤔 | 😮 (no idea bc a notification popped up)

✧ I want a fairytale ending. | I’m open to all possibilities

✧-✧-✧

#4 Texting

✧ Haha, I’m sure I can handle it | Make it PG… 13

✧ Then each other → 💦! |🤢

✧ We were on a date and… | Don’t get too excited, all we did was kiss

✧ 2nd CG for 300 💎

✧ So I’ll stop right here, before things get too 🔥🔥 → 😏! | 😱

✧ Even better if the client is me | It’s a reasonable fantasy to me

✧-✧-✧

#5 Texting

✧ I like the idea of being in a serious, loving relationship | I asked you first

✧ And when I got older, it evolved into ink → 😳|❤️!

✧ 3rd CG for 300 💎

✧ Loved sports! | Gamer here! → Anything with contact → Noted, for the near future 😉 → 🔥! | XXX

OR

✧ Loved sports! | Gamer here!

→ I’m more of a story person → Ha right on. I like it all! → 💋! | 😉

✧ Yep! And I put a spell on u | No magic necessary 😉

✧-✧-✧

#6 Texting

✧ I want to know more about u → 🤔 | 😈!

✧ How then? 🤔 | Does this “way” involve touching? 😈

✧ Would-u-rather give up tattooing for a year or sex for a year | Would-u-rather be reincarnated as a pig or a skunk?

✧ Yes! I have a REALLY good one 😬 (gem choice for 120 💎) | Nah, no more questions → gets you 😈 and 3 screens of not sexy but sensual and for them relatively deep stuff

✧-✧-✧

#7 Texting

✧ U won…by a lot → 🎉! | 🤮

✧ lol? 🫢 | Who would make fun of that?!

✧ Figure out thing in my own time | Not let my past dictate my future → Ur sexiness is amplified by how smart u are 😍 → 😘! | 😳

✧ Can u describe the tattoo for me? (gem choice for 120 💎) | We should focus on the now, right?

✧-✧-✧

#8 Texting

✧ Thinking about meeting u for the first time | Deciding if u r a catfish or not

✧ Ur a giant teddy bear | Still tbd

✧ Can u describe ur last one-night stand (gem choice for 120 💎) | I think I’ve heard enough -> didn’t buy it bc why on earth should I spend gems to make him talk about his last hook up

✧ U got me intrigued → 😳 | 😏!

✧-✧-✧

#9 Texting

✧ Consider it done | I’ll try my best lol

✧ One of my biggest fantasies is to fool around in public 🫢 -> 🔥! | 🫢

✧ I’ve always wanted to be blindfolded during sex | I’ve always wanted to have sex in top of a table

✧ I’ll never judge you by the cover again lol -> 😫 | 🎉!

✧ What’s ur definition of a good time? | U seem like ur into getting threatened

✧ 4th CG for 300 💎

✧ Screw like- I LOVE! | Risky move on your part, Keanu

✧-✧-✧

#10 Texting and First Date (!!)

✧ I want to take u out in a date -> 😮 | ❤️!

✧ Can’t wait 🥂 | Don’t be late!

✧ Wanna give it a try? Because I do (gem choice for 150 💎) | I need more dates to make that fantasy a reality -> if you’re not into him as much as I am, not worth it

✧-✧-✧

#11 Texting

✧ I was thinking the same thing! | That’s a bit fast... but give me time!

✧ An unexpected and unwelcome visitor just showed up on my doorstep… -> 😬 | 😱! -> just as he was opening up ARGH

✧-✧-✧

#12 Texting

✧ Are you ok?? | Why didn’t u message sooner?

✧ Of course it did! | Were u avoiding them? 🫢

✧ I was in the the clouds after that amazing date we had 😉 -> 😮 | 🥹!

✧ Why’d u feel like that? (gem choice for 150 💎) | I don’t need any more convincing then 😘 -> you get a full on love declaration why u are awesome and deserve the world, so rewarding bc you finally crack that shell open

✧ I trust you | …Should I feel some type of way?

✧ I’m not used to having someone so understanding in my life -> 😍! | 😮

✧-✧-✧

#13 Texting

✧ Tbh, it really helped me open up to u -> 😮 | 🥹!

✧ The feeling is wayyy too mutual 🔥 | Aaand there it is 😜!

✧ Why don’t we turn up the heat? 😈 -> 🔥! | 🤔

✧ I don’t think I’m making it through this game 😳 | I can’t wait to make u MAKE that sound 😈

✧ Ur neck? 🤔 | Is it ur chest? -> Kissing it 💋 | Licking it 😜

✧ That won’t be the only thing I’m doing with my tongue | 🔥😜🔥

✧ U bet ur ass I am 👏 (gem choice for 120 💎) | 🫢 I think I’m too turned on already

✧-✧-✧

#14 Texting

✧ A sort of an impromptu date -> 😍! | 😐

✧ U kidding? I’d love to! | Hmm… I’m not sure

✧ Can’t I just come and hang out? 😫 | I’m excited to be at ur beck and call 😏

✧-✧-✧

#15 Second Date

✧ Tease him from across the room. (gem choice for 180 💎) | Tease him with a wink.

-> you tease the shit out of him in public while he’s with a client, hot af if you’re into indecency in public

✧-✧-✧

#16 Texting

✧ “A keeper” -> 🫢 | 🎉!

✧ 💋💋💋 | Maybe I should be ur apprentice more often 😉

✧-✧-✧

#17 Texting

✧ Really made me feel some kinda way -> 🤔 | 😍!

✧ Lol, u don’t have to keep going | Keep talking 🫢 -> I’m falling for u too | I’ve never felt like this before either! | U don’t have to say it -> gets you 😍

OR

✧ Lol, u don’t have to keep going | Keep talking 🫢

-> I get u. Ive never felt like this either -> gets you 😍

✧ What if I break urs? | U won’t

✧ And I trust u. U won’t do that to me | But maybe we should just end it right here 😂 | And where do u think u could hide?

✧ And right now, everything is positive 💏 -> 💋! | 🙂

✧ How about we figure out what’s on the table first? 🔥 (gem choice for 150 💎) | Anything with u will be fine!

✧-✧-✧

#18 Texting

✧ I just finished up yet ANOTHER cover tattoo 😭 -> 😱! | 😐

✧ I’m just happy ur feeling good enough to open up to me | I think it’s bad luck

✧ 5th CG for 300 💎

✧ U obviously have serious talent babe | I’ve seen better tats than urs tho

✧ I’d say for better | Worse is putting it lightly

✧ Not sure if I’ ever going to be ready for one | Gonna make me “earn” that discount? 😏

✧ Thx for making my day a whole lot better tho -> 🙄 | 😘!

✧-✧-✧

#19 Texting

✧ I can’t do them anymore with a clear conscience -> 🫢 | 👏!

✧ Ur SUCH a hopeless romantic ❤️😍 | If only those couples saw it how u do

✧ Be a street artist! | Become my sugarbaby 🌶💦

✧ U’d enjoy that, wouldn’t you? -> 💦! | 😴

✧ More about ur body? Hell yeah! 👏👏 (gem choice for 150 💎) | I’ll wait until I can see the real thing 😉 -> 2.5 screens of questions about him and flirting

✧ Don’t work too hard then 😂 | Can’t wait to see u 😊

✧-✧-✧

#20 Texting & Third Date

✧ The weather is looking perfect for our hike -> 😐 | 🎉!

✧ It’s too perfect! | Someone is eager for the outdoors

✧ I love you too (gem choice for 210 💎 I think ) | I’m not ready to say that.

✧-✧-✧

#21 Texting

✧ Can’t wait to see you again though 🙂 -> 😘! | 😐

✧-✧-✧

#22 Texting

✧ Work that boring 2day? | I can be ur little distraction…

✧ 6th CG for 300 💎

✧ Help me out. If u were here rn, what would we be doing? -> 🤔 | 😈!

✧ Ur stirring me up in all kinds of place rn | Hopefully it will be more than imagination soon enough | I probably should stop... ur at work! -> gets you 😫

✧ A lot sooner than u might think 😉 -> 💦! | 😳

✧ Good luck with that! | Think of only pleasant smells like me 🙂

✧-✧-✧

#23 Texting

✧ U’ve been running through my mind all day -> 🙄 | 💏!

✧ Yeah? Guess I need a workout somehow! | Hope I’m not distracting u from work! -> gets you 😂

✧ You. Me. Tonight. -> 👏! | 😴

✧ clothing item 🎁 (grey boxer-shorts for 60 💎)

✧ Counting down the minutes till I see ur sexy ass! ⌛️😍 | Looking forward to it!

✧-✧-✧

#24 Texting & Fourth Date

✧ I’m definitely here for the dessert menu. (gem choice for 210 💎) | Are you okay with just making out? (gem choice for 180 💎) | I think I’ll have dinner first.

-> extremely long food foreplay in the kitchen and sex ofc, hot. recommend.

✧ Me too! | I had a good time but... I def need a sequel soon

✧-✧-✧

#25 Texting & Fifth Date

✧ The tattoo shop is closing down -> ☹️ | 😱!

✧ Don’t u all pay to rent a space? | What an asshole!

✧ Anywhere would be thrilled to have u on their team | Ur too talented not to be good at something else

✧ It’s okay. I promise you’re going to bounce back from this! (gem choice for 180 💎) | I wish I could be more help

✧-✧-✧

#26 Texting

Nothing.

✧-✧-✧

#27 Texting

✧ I’d beg u not to go, but I’ll stand by ur decision | But I understand the sacrifice u have to make

✧ I promise I’ll be back for u no matter what -> ❤️! | 😮

✧ I love you too | Don’t forget about me!!

✧-✧-✧

#28 Texting

✧ Of course it was lol | Something is better than nothing!

✧ It’s probably the place settling and creaking | It’s probably in ur head b/c it’s a new place | It’s def a ghost

✧ They’re glued to the walls -> 😂 | 😱!

✧ Guess u’ll just have to live w/ them! | How badly do u want to get rid of them? | Yeah… that’s really really weird…

✧ 7th CG for 330 💎 -> 💦! | 😳

✧-✧-✧

#29 Texting

✧ Um hi? | Hi KB! | KB BABY, ANGEL, SWEETHEART ❤️❤️❤️

✧ And he says we need to have u over ASAP. -> 🥂! | 😬

✧ Tell me more about how exactly u

wanna do that (gem choice for 210 💎) | Tell about all the cuddle sessions in store for us in the new place! | Tell me more about what's on ur mind (gem choice for 180 💎)

-> tbh, disappointing sexting. he refers back to your fantasy from waaay back (sex on the table or being cuffed to the bed) but idk

✧ U can’t be serious. | Who WOULDN'T want to join in?? | Won’t that be REALLY awkward??

✧ OMG YES | I think I can probably make that work | I’m not sure, let me check

✧ clothing item 🎁 (red leather pants for 170 💎)

✧-✧-✧

#30 Texting & Sixth Date

✧ I’m so pumped -> 🙂 | 🎉!

-> I think this is the infamous scene, I need to save up more gems, so pls be patient. I’m dying to know as well

to be played…

[conspiracieys-archive]

dusan nemec, but as a supervillain. what powers would he have, where would his base be, how would he keep his secret identity if he has on, what would his super suit look like, etc.

hmmmmmm..... this is a good ask! well... let's see. long as usual so i tried to cut it under a read more (but u know mobile tumblr doesnt WORK so im sorry)

his secret identity. he keeps it secret really well, just because he's got a real good poker face and he also doesnt attack, like, places that can be traced back to him. (the exception is the DedSec hq, assuming in this au theyre the superheroes in parallel to him)

but the hq thing is covered by the fact that there ARE a lot of anti-dedsec people ANYWAY (bc there's always gotta be a few ppl who just hate the heroes). but also hacking is a commonplace thing nowadays and in the WD universe (and consequently this au), hacking is just... Insanely Huge? everyone and their mom seems to be a hacker, so if electronic fuckery happens, it's not GUARANTEED to be his fault ya know?

(also he has like... super enhanced intelligence as a ..power (see below) so like, it's not hard for him to come up w excuses or be tactical about when he does his Villainous Shit)

[ALSOOOOO -im writing this after ive written almost everything else sry- he doesn't like..... reveal he has powers. to the world, Dusan Nemec is just an incredibly good coder and he's just got a genius intellect. but his Villain flaunts his powers and takes pride in what he can do.

so it's like "Well, Dusan, do what that villain did" and Dusan sits down and like, painstakingly writes line after line of code to try and mimic the effects of his technopathy but he can't do everything technopathy can. so it's really hard to pin it on him. ppl still suspect though. they always suspect.]

--

POWERSSSSSSSS. i was gonna save this for last but then i realized: his primary power is technology manipulation. the good guys with this power would be technopaths, but he LIKES the phrase 'technology manipulation' because Dusan likes to be able to manipulate things... people... technology... to do whatever he wants.

so like before he came into his power of technopathy, he was still really, really good with coding. he'd never admit to having hacked things before working w ctos, but he has. and then... [insert backstory here] and now he can bypass the need to code and just ... MAKE ctos respond to him. he can pull up any surveillance cam at will, he can access any file remotely (we will address this in the Super Suit section), he can hack the traffic lights, he can just... do anything.

and w his personality, THAT is what makes him a supervillain.

if you don't have ctos or blume devices in your house, he bypasses ALL of it and forces Blume and ctos software to install. hell, your sexy Samsung smart fridge? literally now it's just been forcefully turned into a Blume fridge. w his remote access he can just turn any phone he passes into a ctos phone. like only another technopath (DedSec - technopathy would be one of the biggest requirements to get into the core of DedSec) can prevent Dusan's abilities from infecting and destroying and essentially controlling their technology.

he also has slightly superpowered intellect. which i think is a stupid ability but also i'm giving it to him anyway cuz he's considered a genius within the wd universe. so why not throw in the fact that his mind itself, aside from technopathy, has been quite altered and has significantly more improved functioning than the rest of us.

and lastly he does have an Eidetic memory. which isn't rly a superpower by itself but in combination w superpowered intellect and technopathy makes it an asset to his power set, ya know?

he can and will remember exactly who has ctos installed, who doesnt, if he had to do it or if they were willing, etc.

and he definitely remembers every little tidbit he finds abt DedSec

--

ok so since we've established he's a technopath now, and we know there are weird basement levels of Blume's HQ, at least 3 rooms are just HIS to use. like no one, not even another technopath, can access them. just bc he has Blume HQ fortified to the nines. i mean DedSec could probably TRY and maybe succeed at getting into Blume HQ itself but like, they won't get into his underground base.

like no one knows that three rooms off of the server rooms are even... there? he's got sexy hidden doors. like false servers?? where to the eye they look and glow and flicker like proper servers but they're secret doors. legit no one knows they EXIST much less how to GET TO THEM. his HQ is, like, solid af

--

super suit. ok like the main thing is he has a helmet. like.... a fitted full head helmet w tinted tempered glass in the screen. it's all black on the outside, and like nice cushy fuckin memory foam on the inside (sleek and black too ofc) and the visor is also a computer. (remote access!)

his base outfit is a black fitted body suit that is also, like, technologically fitted?

i just want it to be glowy ok?? he also has it programmed so that when he uses his technopath abilities and channels them thru his hands, his finger tips light up bc he's just That Bitch.

in theory his helmet visor/screen could emote like Wrench's mask

over his body suit, he has like. ok bear with me but like. skinny black sweats? they're not super tight or super loose. they sit low on his hips and end mid calf. i love Dusan and i love his sweats ok. he wears them always i'm trash.

also he's stupid and has shoes build into his body suit basically? like they're really nice and have good support and they're just... part of the body suit.

no he does not wear anything over the top of his bodysuit. also obvs the body suit is like, from his chin to his toes, w long sleeves and gloves as well.

his glowy bits are like, sleet and soft grey.

it's gotta be weird cramming his dumb beard into his suit and helmet but he does it. for fashion and to give away as little as possible in regards to his identity.

oo also he has like a speaker in his helmet that works as a voice scrambler. so it's like. even harder to trace to him, and w his technopathy he can change the scrambler at will.

like deadass one time he attacks DedSec he makes his voice scrambler sound EXACTLY like Wrench and it's shaking.

he doesn’t have any visible logos, just cool tech-y lines down his sides, arms, and legs. probably his back too? by tech-y lines i mean the kind you see on microchips and stuff.

--

ok let's talk abt weaknesses bc i rambled abt how GOOD his technopathy is.

but bc of his superior intellect, and just based on canon stuff, Dusan is... like the ULTIMATE stereotyped villain in that he just... loves to Monologue.

so it's easy to drop a virus into his system if you just keep him talking.

like say he's showin down w DedSec and he has all but Marcus tied up and he's gettin ready to kill Marcus but Marcus gets him monologuing so, like, Wrench can use his own technopathy to manipulate a virus into Dusan's suit.

the thing is, Dusan is aware 99% of the time. he's aware of his suit's system. he's aware of how his system connects back to Blume HQ and his private offices off the server room. he's aware 99% of the time of everything

but when Marcus fucking Holloway plays dumb as a box of rocks, Dusan Nemec canNOT help but mockingly explain things to him. and Marcus is used to ppl thinking lesser of him, so it's really easy to play it up until...

WELL, YA KNOW???

n Marcus fucking BOOKS IT to save DedSec while all sort of DS imagery is popping up on Dusan’s visor screen and Ode to Joy but, ya know, the DedSec version all loud and violent, is BLARING into his ears and he cant THINK and he’s scrambling and by the time he can get his brain to focus and force out the virus, DedSec is gone

(he never learns, either. but sometimes it’s Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture or some shit. it’s always a different violent crescendo of a classical song, ok? he never ever learns but he comes to DESPISE classical music.)

that’s like, his biggest weakness. he can’t help but, well, mansplain when he thinks he’s better than everyone in the room (which is always) and someone asks a stupid question. he’s such a jerk in canon, and this au/concept makes it worse bc he has like, veritable proof that his brain is more capable than others.

--

and, for the grand finale of this answer, Dusan Nemec’s Super Villain name...

i have NO FUCKING CLUE. here are some options:

the Coder, the Hacker, MicroGhost??? bc he like... can come and go like a ghost??? microchip, fantasy name gen just gave me Incognito which is so stupid i love it??? idk give me suggestions.

tysm for the ASK. let’s get back on this DUSAN SHIT

[deukaeloveclub]

If you were at SM and you had full control over the NCT concept what would be your plans for each subunit and NCT as a whole?

WOW. WHAT A QUESTION.

I don’t know if I have an exact idea but I have thought about this in the sense that I try to understand what SM is trying to do with NCT. 

I think I watched a video where someone said they thought that the concept of NCT is something that SM has been working towards since Super Junior and EXO. And there were some things they said that made sense. But at the same time to me it kinda just feels like SM had two (2.1/2.3?) boy group lineups they wanted to debut but didn’t want to debut as separate groups to reduce competition? Because NCT U, 127, and Dream debuted the same year and there was no new units until wayv, which technically isn’t nct now?, in 2019. So in a sense it feels like we’ve had the same big group since 2016? If they had staggered their debuts it wouldn’t. That spiel has nothing to do with answering the question I just wanted to get that off my chest. But if SM were to really commit to their own concept.

I think I would limit the units about 7? Idk it’s not a super important thing but in theory these are all subunits and 10 people feels like too much to call a sub unit anymore?

I feel like they should give each unit more specific niche concepts to differentiate them. The alternative is to promote the individuals / group dynamics more???

Better line distribution SM trains their trainees well so might as well use them. If you’re ready to debut them, then give them lines.

No unit gets a back to back comeback. Let the units rest and give others a chance to shine

Unit interactions/collabs sometimes they group feels very separated? It does necesarily have to be anything as big as NCT 2018 but maybe like a youtube dance cover with members of dif units esp wayv because you can post their mvs on your official label channel but letting their friends and technical members talk about them is a no????

NCT U 

I’d rename NCT U to NCT R or Rotate or Intro or Sleep or Waking. It’s main function would be to introduce new NCT members. Hence the possible intro name. Sleep or Waking cuz that’s part of nct’s concept and sleep is the beginning of a dream but waking up is when you start your real life. Or rotate since it’s a rotational unit. If I want a subunit larger than the number of debut ready trainees then I would rotate in members from other units, (and not just the popular members). They would probably comeback at least once a year to introduce any new members.

Since it’s a rotational unit I would want the unit to change concept and genre each comeback so that it allows new members to shine in their debut

NCT Dream

I guess I would leave this and allow it to be like an NCT U Jr. The intro group for any minor aged debut ready trainees. Put more of an emphasis on the graduation thing? Like every year have some way of signifying that they’re “moving up a year”. They’d keep doing youthful concept

This is more of a selfish thing than a business or concept thing but i would prob want to make ot7 dream a new permanent unit once they all graduate? The graduated members would just have to be rotate thru 

NCT 127

I kinda want to dub them the official beat-heavy performance team? And let them continue what they’ve been doing except they’d just comeback less.

NCT Japan

I was quite surprised when 127 put out a full Japanese album bc the nct goal is to have subunits around the world and 127 is the seoul unit(their name is even based on that). With japan being so close and their already being a Japanese member I assumed there would eventually be a Japanese subunit. So I’d make one

WAYV

I will give them that it’s probably not possible to promote in the exact same way bc the relationship with China but can we at least get an official schedule? So whatever few things are happening we can know about. I would release a full version of this (and make that their core sound?) Put Winwin upfront more, he’s so wildly popular and yet it rarely gets seen? Give Kun a chance to at least work on some b sides he’s keeps talking about how he can write and even posted that video of something he wrote (I know SM isn’t as big on having their idols involved in the process but a girl can dream)

Now that I’m thinking about it I’m wondering if the point is simply to have multiple units around the world with the same concept. I’m assuming they should be different bc that’s usually how subunits work but maybe that’s not necessarily SM’s goal.

Possible concepts

NCT Crooner Unit

r&b and soul concept. Maybe this would also be rotational unit bc I need a unit where vocalists can really shine.

NCT Rap

Also rotational? One could argue that 127 is already rap centered enough but they also are doing full out dances when they perform so I’d like to see a unit where they could focus more on their rap deliveries while performing. Also Mark and Taeyong wouldn’t be allowed for at least 2 or 3 releases.

NCT Scientists/Engineers

This is more of a visual concept but I think it would be fun to really explicitly play with the technology in neo culture technology like they could be engineers building new shit or they could like be time travelers who actually move technology forward in each era by gifting someone with technology or knowledge. They could do a cyborg concept. Actually if they incorporated technology into their lyrics it could be more than just a visual concept too. Think if Black Mirror were a music video.

NCT Culture

Same thing as the Science concept but basically with like art and fashion. Traditional Korean concept, theater concept, high fashion concept, museum v street art concept, foodie concept, etc.

To be fair to SM this is an incredibly complex concept to manage and it’s never been done before so they are making it up as they go along. Realistically not everything I mentioned is implementable and at least not immediately but there are definitely things I think they can improve on. I think that’s all my thoughts for now.

[bellatrix-la-strange]

God’s not home right now. Please leave a message after the beep. Beep.

So this was inspired by a prompt I saw somewhere and now cannot find no matter how hard I try, but this is basically it: 

‘Humans have just found out God is real and he’s abandoned them all these years. Their plans get increasingly elaborate as they think of new and different ways to get his attention’.

They didn't know he was gone gone (like really gone) until they were invaded by the Golasteens species in the year 2666 BC. Of course, by then many philosophers, preachers and even scientists had long since convinced themselves he’d never existed in the first place, so one would think that this small adjustment wouldn’t have been much to get used to.

Problem was that in their heads, it had been they who had abandoned any belief in him, not the other way around.

In any case, the alien species had been kind enough to regale their new slaves with stories of their greatness and success, all derived from decades and centuries worth of tutelage under God’s careful guidance. Naturally, after being confronted with the existence of aliens--and highly sophisticated ones at that--in such a sudden manner and then becoming enslaved at this same species’ whim, humans were reluctant to give their words more power than they already held.

However, once the foreign representative envoys from different planets began arriving to either congratulate or berate the Golasteens for their new colony and they, too, carried similar tales of their own origins, humans were left to face a horrifying reality: God was real.

And he had left them.

Though they’d yet to realize it, the Golasteens had just made their biggest mistake. They believed that they had curbed, if not completely and utterly decimated, any last hope the humans had held of a future existence as a free species and while those certainly were some dark times which followed, the harrowing news ended up being the spark to light the world on fire. The rebellion was swift, brutal and successful--humans were in control of Earth again.

In the times that followed, the human species truly began to shoot for the stars. They built ships which could take them to planets closer than one thousandth of a light-year away and as they explored new cultures, met alien beings, and drifted further and further away from home. In no short amount of time, humans could be found in the very furthest reaches of the known universe.

They hopped from world to world, leapfrogged across galaxies and dropped women and men into the darkest of black holes in their search for God. Sometimes they came so very close behind him--less than a decade since his departure--and the small, but remarkable milestone would be enough to fuel the next five generations of searchers.

But even the most obstinate race in the universe must admit defeat at one point and so the Search for God was eventually put on hold in favour of a more localized approach. As was to be expected from such a people, the years that followed were not altogether pleasant, nor well thought out.

Believing God’s absence to be related to man’s obsession with the materialistic and technological, a good portion of Earth’s population (now extending across seventeen planets and fifty-four satellites) reverted back to the old ways. They re-adopted traditional ways of life, cleansing themselves of the polluting influence of modern technology and bathing in the healing nectars of old world living.

Humanity took a huge leap backwards and landed in 2004.

When enough time had passed and God still hadn’t shown his face, the greatest human thinkers and strategists turned back to the drawing board and hatched up a new plan.

They were being deliberately ignored, they said. Punished, publicly shamed in front of the rest of the universe as each and every single new creation had their existences mapped out and guided along by God himself. Everyone except the humans. Their creator’s cold shoulder when it came to Earth’s originaries certainly hadn’t gone unnoticed by the rest of the universe’s inhabitants and as centuries passed and the situation still hadn’t changed, the tales turned to rumours, and the rumours turned to facts, which then morphed to pity and mockery.

Earth, and by extension humans, were social pariahs. That was the century in which mankind went underwater. Like the myth of Atlantis, they rebranded themselves the World of the Lost and vowed to hide beneath the deepest and murkiest of shadows until the end of time--just as God wanted.

But humans grew tired of living in the dark. They trudged back to the surface eventually and shook the cobwebs from their trusty old drawing board.

By now, it had been more than three thousand years since their ancestors had last created films and texts which warned against following this new pursuit, so humans couldn’t truly be faulted for not knowing any better when they brought back dinosaurs.

After all, what better way to get God’s attention than by proving you could do his work just as well as he could?

Unfortunately for the goal of the plan (though fortunately due to its disastrous results) God didn’t show up and witness the Earth explode into chaos as the highly sophisticated technology of the time endowed these ancient animals with powers beyond anyone’s imagination. It took over eight decades to mop up that colossal spill-up and after that, the suggestions scribbled on the drawing board lost some of their apocalyptic aftertaste.

That’s when they decided to focus their efforts on their future, to becoming the best of the best in anything and everything they could think of. That was the true Golden Age of humanity and yet, even as they crawled out from the hole God had outlined and which the humans had really dug into, they were still frustratingly bereft of any divine intervention.

One year, humans even managed to coordinate the change of the entire world's wardrobe to micro-glass textiles which would reflect the rays of the sun and create prisms of arching rainbows. It had been some scientific breakthrough or another in their efforts to travel faster and further across the galaxy and had spiralled into a desperate fashion choice. Foe 365 days the earth sparkled like a freshly shined disco ball unashamedly begging for praise and attention.

But nothing worked.

Humans were reaching new and unexplored levels of desperation. In a last ditch attempt to catch God’s eye, they turned back to the very basics and constructed a machine capable of doing the one thing they’d been trying to do for the past 60 millennia.

Checked, tested, re-checked, re-tested and re-re-checked (just to be sure), the machine was fired up with a flick of a switch.

A bolt of sound shot out across all levels of the galaxy until even the emptiest and most forgotten of corners were echoing with the cries of the human race. Translated into thousands of different languages and carried dozens of light-years away, their shout of anger, their howl of betrayal, their sob of agony, their whimper of loneliness, their howl of mourning… It was all swept away in a current of light, sound and stars.

When the universe was silent once more, they waited. They held their breath and gazed up at the stars. They had long since resolved archaic issues like global warming and on a night as clear as this one, with the clouds keeping their distance and the moon stuck halfway between winking at them from her perch in the sky, they could see deep into space, far enough to distinguish the light of neighbouring planets and the winding belts of alien colonies.

Humans were surrounded by life. They were capable of snuffing it and nurturing it within a blink of an eye and yet, as they stood on the precipice between their salvation and their downfall, they were powerless.

So they waited.

Further than the mind can imagine, tucked away in a hidden alcove verging on the line between present, future and past, God slept.

Somewhere in his being, tangled in the same strands he'd used to fashion the world into existence, buried down so deep it was only too easy to forget it was even there, a piece of consciousness stirred, roused by a distant, powerful cry.

With a world altering jolt, God woke up.

[lilmajorshawty]

How does a season affect bc I honestly can't relate and can't tell. Like for example, a saw an anon say she's been having vivid dreams lately probably bc its pisces season and bc she has pisces venus.. Why's that? I just wanna know how seasons affect us in general. Ty 😩💕

Well since it’s coming up soon! Aries season: It’s where we have more energy! Where we are both impulsive and even more confrontational! The sun is moving into Aries which affects everyone differently it can either square your planets which might make you feel tense and trapped or it can be opposite or inconjunct which might make you feel as if you don’t have any direction to send out your energy! It could positively hit your planets and give you more of a carefree and even youthful energy during the season and so on! Aries season is about starting things over and the point of the year where we all really start to feel like “damn this is a new year” it’s about acting not thinking! It’s about the instincts rather than the mind. Ironically this is like spring brakes and when spring kicks off so for the most part adrenaline and even sexuality runs high during this time as if you’re finding yourself for the first time all over again. So think beaches and vacations and huge parties or even just think gyms and working out and just overall wanting to be on the go. Taurus season: it’s more about stability and security! This can be a season full of self love and even more reclusive behavior! People can be stubborn as heck and you might find yourself putting up a fight more than you normally would even if it’s not that serious. It’s a season about pleasures and enjoying others. Can be a lot of laziness and sloth during this time but a lot of sentimentality and love also! I’ve noticed it to be a time of relationships flourishing but it can be troublesome for relationships because Taurus is about security and if that isn’t something that is present in the relationship during Taurus season arguments can be heated and last FOREVER cause no one wants to back down or at least till Gemini season comes around. Gemini season: It’s about communicating and having a good time! Making connections is super easy during this season and social media is VERY lit during Gemini season really anything that has to do with the internet and electronics are at the center focus! Apps, cameras and so on. It can be harder to reach your emotions during this time and you may notice that this season takes you away from any “baggage” so in a sense Gemini season is about moving on from anguish and or anything that could be holding you back and letting go! It’s a mixture of freedom yet for a good cause! Similarly with Aries season harsher or positive - aspects to natal planets can show if this “letting go” will be good or bad. Cancer season: It’s a very emotional time like even more than Pisces season and Scorpio season lmao! It’s about home and comfort it’s about reflecting on the past even if it’s been 10 years. It’s the return of old lovers and the return of past habits and patterns. It’s you meeting the new you and seeing how much you’ve grown as a person! It’s that healthy emotional release! You’ll find yourself crying over things you’ve been over and you’ll also find yourself more distant and that if a homebody during this period!! People with positive aspects will grow a lot during this period maybe even become much more of a happier soul during this time! While those with the harsher ones especially if it’s to their natal moon might find themselves more in a depressive state or even just outright ignoring what cancer season is trying to do to them! But that being said you can’t really escape 😂. Sexual and emotional frustration run RAMPANT so this is also a time where flings start but also a very sexually active time due to how emotional fulfillment becomes tied to sex during this time. Leo season: Leo season is about drama! Lots of it aha. You may find that there’s a lot more tea being spilt and not in the “mysterious unsheathed” way like Scorpio but more in a dramatic and Worldly way! A way that draws attention! You’ll notice that you’re more confident and sharp during this time! Putting more time into yourself and loving what you’ve got! Romance is in the air! This is the end of flings and the start of something more teenage and childlike! It’s honest and curious! People are more blunt during this time and have an ego about them without realizing! People sure do have energy during this time though and aren’t afraid to make daring moves that they normally wouldn’t have. Virgo season: This season is about the earth! Surprisingly themes like global warming, drought, forest fires, animal relocation become very important during this time! Even stuff regarding earth itself from the view of space or in relation to other planets will be more spoken upon during this time! People are more quiet during Virgo season—passive and without much strife, it’s a season that most people take to become beauty gurus or even just focusing on their own health and maybe being even more critical of the health of others. Fashion and clothing are thought about conceptually rather then manifested which happens more in libra season. People may opt out of heavy makeup looks during this time and go natural! It’s a vulnerable season in a earthy way. And it’s a much easier time for people to help others without really giving it much thought.Libra season: Another romance season but more or so about the idea of it rather than actually being in one lmao. It can be hard to decide on something permanent this season and can be even harder to assert yourself mainly because the sun is uncomfortable here more so than any other sign; the sun likes to assert himself but in the presence of libra he loses the ability to do so in the way he likes. So people are a tad awkward this season but that’s fine since this season is about companionship and relationships both platonic and romantic that we form with others and nurturing that bond. Libra season is very peaceful and relaxed people don’t outwardly show their feelings which can make it a bit superficial emotionally but despite that their is a level of respect and manners that come during this season! Scorpio season: Ah Scorpio season its a very mysterious one! This is where we focus on the shadows! Every single one of us become fascinated with knowing the truth or what is out of our grasp! People can be more bit picky and intrusive and might start to dig and pry a bit to much. Scandals and lies tend to come out during this time especially with Jupiter in Scorpio to match. This is a time where things you normally able to leave alone may become obsessions now. Sex can be the theme of this season but more in the “how and why” sex is being used or occurs. This season everyone can be in edge and slightly dark! This season has to do a lot with truth and it often presents the question of wether or not those you surround yourself or even you is being truthful. Sagittarius season: Sagittarius season can feel warm! Exciting even! It’s a time where we feel limitless and free like we can do anything and everything! But that being said it’s also a time where we question life! It’s a time where we ponder and seek independence to figure things out! It can be a time of dissociation and self discovery but also a time of developing the lack of or the abundance of your own morals! Wether you’re harshly aspected or positively aspected in respect to whatever planet doesn’t matter as much here since Sagittarius is a benevolent planet! The main risk here is that you might run the risk of overindulging in something or someone if you’re not careful. Capricorn season: There’s two layers to this season. There’s layer one which occurs during the 1st decan of Capricorn which is Christmas time! This is the tender aspect! This is the slight level of responsibility we feel over our families and close loved ones to make them happy on that special day! It’s our willingness to help those who may not have anything and are desire to be kind to those we might not even know! Then comes Decan two and three which I like to call layer two of cap season which is the more intense part! Money matters and bills can pop up! It’s the recovery period where you have to face the consequences of what you’ve spent money on and your choices leading up to it! It’s when everything hits you in the face and feels like a month long hangover. People can disappear during this time and might grow a bit more somber. Aquarius season: This season can be hard to feel, you might not even notice it’s happening and that’s the point! Aqua season feels like “nothing” you’re not feeling much you’re not romancing the past or pondering on things you’re just living. It’s a time of dissociation and mental dexterity! Your mind is quick and even intuitive during this time! You want stimulation in a cerebral fashion and may be harder to reach with emotions during this time. This season is all about detachment, living in the moment and for the moment and nothing else! People are both chill during this time and even above there more messier emotions! Since this is an air season and the last one at that this can also be a time where electronics or media channels and or places either announce they’ll be shutting down or that they’ll be discontinuing their work and so on—this is also a time where new technology is either spoken on introduced! Usually in tandem with Gemini season. Pisces season:So we are currently in this one! So for starters Pisces season is intense it’s the last water season and it’s the last season of the previous year that walks into the present year so this can be overwhelming energy for most because it’s all of the year coming to an end! People can dream a lot during this time, vivid dreams. People can have moments of deja vu and even find themselves thinking about things from the year prior mainly because it’s as if everything is coming full circle. You’ll feel older during this season and might even start to slowly but surely feel like a snake shedding skin and abandon old habits and patterns previously plaguing you. As you’ll notice this is a more emotional time so sex is less of a focus here and intimacy is more of a priority! You might daydream more and even more so you might detach from situations more often! It’s a more simplistic moment in time without all the loud Noise. It’s about introspection and finally getting yourself ready for the new you that’ll come in Aries season. Hope this helps! And as a note aspects being made to your personal planets during these seasons Is important to look at as it gives you insight as to how that particular season will affect you! Example Aries season will square my sun Conjunct my moon and sextile my venus but it will square my mars and ascendant. My ego will be a little harder to express during this time and I might feel a bit more tension. And it’ll be a bit harder to properly assert myself(mars) during this time of even how I am perceived to others(ascendant) But emotionally ill feel great and might even have a complete make over on an emotional level and my sense of self and love nature might feel more free and relaxed during Aries season and so on!

[bangladesh-govt-job-study]

The BCS Civil Services Exam is one of the most prestigious examinations in Bangladesh. It is attempted by lakhs of people throughout the country every year. However, only a tiny fraction of them can fulfil their BCS ambitions. The BCS exam is not only challenging with respect to the length of its syllabus, but it is also daunting because of its exceptionally unpredictable nature.

In this article, you can receive all the info that you need on how best to get ready for the BCS exam, and change your destiny.

The BCS examination can’t be cracked by just being a bookworm. The last stage in the BCS exam process is the personality test around, whereas the BCS board would interview the candidate for assessing his/her personality and its suitability for a career in the employment. This requires an all-round maturation of the individual apart from academic understanding. And, even in academics, the focus should not only be on finishing the syllabus but on constantly acquiring information and insight in the latest happenings/current events inside the nation and beyond.

#How to prepare for BCS exam

This section lists important BCS prep tips for beginners. These tips aim at assisting aspirant invent a well-planned prep strategy for the upcoming BCS 2020 examination.

Tip #1: Prepare Yourself  | BCS Preparation

Before trying to understand how to start preparing for BCS in your home, you should prepare yourself for the journey.

Before starting your preparation, prepare mentally and physically for the exam. Establish objectives and devote time efficiently.

Understand the BCS exam pattern entirely, and rate your BCS prep accordingly.

The BCS examination has three phases — prelims mains along with also the interview.

If you are working and have determined not to stop your job, reevaluate the way you’d devote time for research and chart a program.

Today, with technologies such as the internet, it’s possible to balance both preparation and a job easily.

Watch our YouTube Channel to all the latest movies on BCS planning.

Tip #2: Make a Time Table | BCS Preparation

To become a BCS officer, it is necessary to be like an officer with a well-organized daily routine.

You should decide on a cozy timetable prior to your preparation and adhere to it.

Building a timetable will facilitate your groundwork and make it more streamlined. With deadlines, you would work better and finish the syllabus quicker.

Tip #3: Know the BCS Syllabus | BCS Preparation

The syllabus is the soul of any examination. Knowing the syllabus is the foremost thing to do before you go through the books.

The BCS has provided that the syllabus for the Civil Services Preliminary and Main examination in an elaborate fashion.

Aspirants should know and follow the syllabus for BCS civil service examination. Knowing the syllabus will help you choose relevant study materials, prioritize the subjects, etc..

Tip #4: Newspaper Reading/Current Affairs for BCS | BCS Preparation

The papers are the most essential aspect of the BCS exam.

If you do not read the daily newspaper or adhere to the daily news for the BCS examination, you can’t expect to clear this exam. Therefore, it is extremely important to stick to the relevant news things in your daily newspaper.

Tip #5: Choosing Optional | BCS Preparation

The discretionary subject accounts for 500 marks in the BCS final tally.

Hence, you should choose an optional subject wisely and following a thorough think-through of the pros and cons of the subjects, you have in mind.

A number of the factors to keep in mind before picking an optional would be:

Interest in the Topic

Ahead knowledge in it/academic background

Overlap with the GS newspapers

Tip #6: NCTB Book | BCS Preparation

The NCTB Faculties from classes to twelve play an extremely substantial part in BCS exam preparation.

Aspirants can get basic concepts and theories from NCTB textbooks.

These publications provide the information quite honestly. Furthermore, they are dependable and the origin is the government itself.

In previous years BCS has asked questions straight from NCTB textbooks.

Thus, NCTBs are undoubtedly the best books to begin your BCS preparation with. Get a comprehensive list of all NCTBs necessary for the BCS examination here.

Aside from the NCTBs, it’s also advisable to comply with a few other advanced textbooks.

For much more on which BCS Novels to follow, click here.

Tip #7: Making Notes | BCS Preparation

It’s helpful to create short notes during BCS preparation.

Considering that the BCS syllabus is very vast, it helps to keep a tab on the parts covered and also serves as a ready-reckoner for revision.

You can have separate files or notebooks for separate subjects. Documents are preferred by many because they help adding notes to a subject simpler. This is especially valuable in the event of incorporating present affairs-related information to a certain topic.

Tip #8: Answer Writing Practice | BCS Preparation

The BCS main exam papers are descriptive in nature.

It is mainly about testing your analytical, critical, and communicative skills.

It demands you to believe with conceptual clarity and organize your perspectives, perceptions, and ideas in a perfect way.

Another factor to be considered is that the space and time restriction in the response booklet.

Therefore, candidates have to answer the questions quickly and effectively and in minimum words.

This is not possible without sufficient response writing training.

Tip #9: Overcoming Previous Years’ BCS Query Papers | BCS Preparation

Previous question newspapers would be the most reliable sources of BCS pattern, difficulty level and question type.

You can judge the tendencies in the BCS exam paper readily.

It will also help you realize which regions are the most significant in a particular subject.

Lastly, it’s a fantastic supply of self-assessment on your BCS preparation.

Tip #10: Mock Test Series | BCS Study

Self-assessment is an essential part of BCS preparation.

It can help civil service aspirant in realizing and learning from errors, forming what approach they will need to follow in continuing the preparation and identifying strengths and weaknesses.

It is highly suggested to combine mock test series, particularly if you are preparing from house. This will help you assess your self and help you further.

Tip #11: Important Government Resources | Bcs Study

Your final goal when you are taking the BCS examination will be to work to your Bangladesh government.

Naturally, there are lots of government sources you can depend on during your preparation. Government sites such as the PIB, PRS, and national tv programs featured on the Rajya Sabha TV are extremely helpful. We cover important PIB posts every day.

We also cover important Gist of Rajya Sabha TV programmes for BCS. It is possible to read the Gist of RSTV content here.

Tip #12: Revision | BCS Study

Revision is quite important when you are confronting an exam as tough as the BCS examination.

Since the BCS syllabus is vast and varied, covering multifarious subjects, it’s normal to forget things you had researched earlier.

To avoid this, timely revision is crucial.

Tip #13: BCS Interview | BCS Preparation

As stated previously, the final stage in the BCS examination process is that the BCS interview or Personality Test.

This is an important point in the process and here, it’s something more than academics that will help you.

You will be evaluated on qualities like diplomatic abilities, communication abilities, presence of mind, reaction to pressure, etc..

Tip #14: Stay Positive | BCS Study

You will also be asked questions about your interests, hobbies, schooling and work experience, if any. So, you need to brush up on these aspects.

They contain important information on subjects like polity, governance, agriculture, economy, etc..

You’ll be able to get a gist of the Yojana, Kurukshetra and EPW magazines within our website.

The most important facet of the entire BCS travel is to keep positive.

There are times when it can become quite overwhelming and you’ll feel depressed.

Eliminate negative thoughts from your head and operate on.

Required Books for BCS Preparation | BCS Preparation

Current Affairs (Each Month)

Job Solution (Professor is the best)

Full set Book of Oracle or MP3 (Publications)

Two Preliminary Digest ( Assurance & BCS Inception)

Bangla Grammar & Literature | BCS Study

Bangla Basha o Shahitya Jiggasha Dr. Soumitra Sekhar

BCS Preliminary Bangla Guide MP3

Bangla Grammar Book (Class IX-X) Published by Board.

Lal Nil Dipabali / Bangla Shahityer Jibani Dr. Humayan Azad.

Ogrodut Bangla Mofizul Islam Milon

English Grammar | BCS Study

English for Competitive Exams Md. Fazlul Haque.

An ABC of English Literature Dr. M Mofizar Rahman.

A Passage to English Sentence SM Jakir Hossain

The Anatomy of English Sentence SM Jakir Hossain

English Grammar Wren and Martin

Applied English Grammar and Composition P. C. Das.

Saifur’s Student Vocabulary.

Bangladesh & International Affairs | BCS Preparation

MP3 Bangladesh & International Affairs

Daily Newspapers: Prothom Alo & Daily Star

Monthly Current Affairs

Confidence International

BCS preparation book list: MATH | BCS Preparation

Have to Finish All General Math Books (From Class VI-X)

Khairul’s Math

Zakir’s Math

MP3 Math

For General Science | BCS Study

Preliminary Science Guide Oracle

Have to Finish All Science or General Science Books (From Class VI-X)

Dr. Jamil’s Daily Science

Read Daily Science & Environmental Pages from the Daily Newspapers

Computer Knowledge for BCS | BCS Study

Easy Computer Easy Publications

ICT Board Books from Class IX,X,XI,XI I

BCS Mental Ability Books | BCS Preparation

Professor Mental Ability

Khairul’s or Oracle Mental Ability

Morality and Values and Good Governance | BCS Preparation

Secondary & Higher Secondary Pouroniti (1st and 2nd)

Assurance Guide

Geography, Environment and Disaster Management | BCS Preparation

Secondary Geography and Environmental Science(9th-10th)

Assurance Guide

Frequently Asked Questions on BCS Exam Preparation

Can I prepare for BCS at home?

You can, should you choose the ideal steps towards BCS prep. With online sources and strategy available, you can easily prepare yourself for the BCS test at home. With focus and commitment, and the ideal advice, it is possible to clear the BCS examination.

How to prepare for BCS at home?

Follow the Actions outlined below to kickstart your BCS preparation in your home:

Understand the BCS routine and process first.

Go throughout the BCS syllabus thoroughly.

Start reading a couple books and see video lectures on the internet for a few essential subjects like polity, history, geography, etc.

Read the newspaper frequently.

Chart out a prep time table and follow it rigorously.

Enroll to get a fantastic test series and get answer writing training.

Is 1 year enough for BCS preparation?

1 year is sufficient for BCS prep if you prepare.

How can I start my BCS preparation during graduation?

You can begin your BCS preparation during collaboration itself. All you must do is go through the syllabus and graph out a research plan for BCS. Beginning early has many advantages. You will have age on your side because the BCS age limit will probably be far away. Additionally, being young and still a student, you would be connected with academics, giving you an advantage over older opponents. Additionally, being in school, you can make use of your college library for your own preparation. And, make certain you take part in college fests and events as this experience can allow you to build a well-rounded character, and make up for your lack of job experience in case you clear the exam right after your school!

How to prepare for BCS exam after 12th?

If you are beginning your groundwork after 12th, you have the benefit of choosing a subject for cooperation that will be suitable for your BCS preparation. You can opt for graduation in areas like political science, history or sociology — subjects which will allow you to cover the BCS syllabus at a better way. This way, you can easily combine your graduation studies and BCS prep. Additionally, you’ve got enough time to hone your soft skills like communication skills and also develop a good hobby — both of which would aid you in the interview stage.

How to prepare for BCS while doing engineering?

Many candidates have cleared the BCS exam preparing for this while they were engineering students. Even though it can get hectic, it isn’t impossible. With a full-fledged plan and the correct guidance, it is likely to crack the toughest exam in Bangladesh while in technology school.

How can I apply for the BCS exam?

The BCS exam 2020 is already underway. The BCS 2020 will probably be held next year. You can apply for the 2020 prelims examination after the BCS Notification 2020 is outside. Visit our BCS Notifications page regularly. We update all of the relevant BCS news and information you need to understand.

[lets-get-fictional]

hello! I'm really glad to find your blog because it helps me a lot to get through many things for my future project! I also wanna know if you maybe can help me, bcs the world of my project is just like our own Earth, but there are monsters and people who can control elements like air, fire, etc. I'm still confused on how to make the world seems realistic and relatable to the readers, I wonder if you can help me? and I'm not a native English speaker, sorry if there is any mistake. thank you!

Hello, love!  Your English is great 👍  And thank you for following!

That sounds like a really cool universe :)  I strongly relate to your struggle with relatability – I tend to make my worlds complex and a bit inaccessible to readers.  And that’s the kind of problem that, when you look at it as a whole, feels pretty overwhelming.  That’s why I break it down into three different areas…

The Three C’s of Relatable Stories

In general, there are three big parts of your story that you’ll need your characters to understand and, on some level, relate to.  While your fictional universe should be unique and different from our real world – especially the more removed it is from real-life science and society – there should be a few common threads that your readers can see and think, “Oh, that’s just like real life!”  Examine your story in the following three areas:

1. Culture

This is the topic I’ll discuss most, so I put it first.  Your story’s culture is, for some readers (including myself), one of the most immersive and exciting aspects of your fictional universe.  Everything that creates your society – architecture, art, history, education, food, fashion, sports, politics, religion, medicine, community, major moral beliefs and conflicts – will shape how your readers experience your story.  Interesting fictional culture also promotes fanfiction, cosplay, and strong fandom ties that enable you to write sequels/spin-offs (J.K. Rowling is living off how strong her fictional culture was).

Because we want our cultures to be so unique and entertaining, though, many writers make the mistake of creating cultures too exotic or fantastical to reach readers.  But there are certain “human” parts of culture that reappear no matter what universe you’re in, so make sure your story has at least a few of the following:

Games.  Even wild animals, who have nothing to do with our society, play games with each other in real life – so unless fun and games are strictly outlawed in your universe, you should probably have some.  Games aren’t necessarily going to mirror ours; after all, we have board games, card games, video games, arcade games, sports games, drinking games, and games that don’t require supplies (guessing games, tag, hide-and-seek, charades, I-Spy etc.).  Different games are more appropriate for different ages – some are associated with certain genders, certain events, or certain environments.  Develop some of your own games, and maybe use some that mimic real games (with different names, of course).

Food.  Food isn’t just something we eat – it’s a culture.  Food culture = answering questions like:

Where do people of [lower/middle/upper] classes eat?

What sort of events are tied to food? (e.g. Thanksgiving, harvest festivals, etc.)

Are there special foods or meals for special occasions?

What do children eat in schools?

How difficult is it to get organic ingredients?

What is weight culture like?  In other words, are people viewed as more healthy when they eat more/less?  What figure is considered normal or attractive?  Do people diet?

Sports.  No matter where you live on planet earth, there’s generally some kind of sports culture – some sports are more dominant in some places than others (think about the U.S.’s relationship to soccer vs. everywhere else).  Some cultures use sports as a social activity for their kids, while others cultivate serious sports practice from childhood.  Certain sports are environmentally more relevant to certain places (which is why Canadians are so damn good at the winter Olympics).  Some sports are more violent than others – and each one has certain values: strength, speed, stamina, reflexes, agility, artistry, precision, rhythm, teamwork, or strategy.  Assess your fictional region’s values and develop sports culture that mirror said values.

Politics.  Every type of government comes with its own benefits, challenges, and conflicts.  Issues of allocating funds, handling corruption, checks and balances, legal rulings, outdated laws, controversial leaders, foreign relations, taxes, inequality, nature conservation, church vs. state, overpopulation – many of these problems will likely exist in your universe, in some form or another.  Pick and choose what political conflicts you’ll share with readers, and think about how they relate to and reflect in your fictional society.

Theology.  Decide on the majority worldview/s (theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, pantheism, new age, post-modernism, etc. – although these worldviews shouldn’t be mentioned by name in your work) of your universe.  Read about these worldviews and how they shape society’s morals, legal system, government, interpersonal relationships, parenting, and environmentalism.  Create characters who align with the majority, and characters who contrast with the majority – thus creating conflicts that are very familiar to us.  This doesn’t mean your story has to become a religious or political commentary, of course!  But these belief systems have effects on every aspect of life, including life-or-death situations, romantic entanglements, and day-to-day affairs like work, money, and school.

2. Characters

Arguably the most important aspect of relatability, your characters are the driving force of empathy and comfort for your readers.  Although your characters will have some level of difference from real people (especially if your genre is fantasy/supernatural), there are a few common things that your characters should more than likely have:

Desires.  Everyone everywhere has desires, both attainable and unattainable, that drive them through every action.  There are large-scale desires – dream colleges, dream jobs, dream power, dream relationships – and small-scale desires – to help someone through a hard time, to make money, to eat right, to be a patient person – and even unknown desires – answers, fulfillment, guidance, the “right thing”, passion – all of which will exist in each character simultaneously.  Decide what your character wants, and you’ve already got multiple platforms for relatability.

Weaknesses.  Where there are desires, there are weaknesses that get in the way of those desires – and that’s usually the best way to find them.  What gets in the way of what they want?  Look at the Seven Deadly Sins; look at your own flaws, and the flaws that annoy you the most in others, and the flaws you don’t mind in others.  If your character, for example, wants to become famous on Broadway… what makes it a challenge?  Does she have social anxiety?  Is she impatient?  Does she struggle with her responsibilities?  Does she struggle with internalized discrimination?  What makes her dream personally, circumstantially, or socially unattainable?

Self-image.  So they’ve got their desires, and the weaknesses that keep them from those desires, so the real question is: how do they see themselves?  Do they focus on their failures or their successes?  Do they see their dreams as attainable or impossible?  Do they make steps to better themselves or do they feel comfortable with who they are now?  Do they absorb other people’s opinions of them, or reject those opinions?  Self-image is almost more relevant to a character’s story than their actual image, because this directs a lot of how they behave, how they struggle, and most importantly, how they narrate their own story.

Sins.  Bad habits, conscious choices, past sins – the sins they don’t even know are sins – these things are the ultimate stuff of relatability.  When someone reads your book and sees a character who shares their struggles, they won’t put the book down.  Don’t be afraid to let your character do bad things.  Don’t try to make them lovable angelic cinnamon rolls who do no harm.  Let them do things that make your readers cringe because damn it, she’s yelling at the people she loves again – stop pushing them away!  This will keep readers involved and allow them to feel your character’s failures as if they were their own.

Humor.  Everybody’s got a sense of humor – even those dumbass middle school boys who joke about sexual experiences they’ve never had.  Everyone has their own type of humor based on the kind of people they live with and the TV shows they watch and the experiences they’ve had.  Writing humor, however, can feel less natural – because there’s this pressure to make everybody laugh.  Don’t worry about that.  Just give your characters their own senses of humor, and someone will find it relatable.

Love.  Even villains have love to give.  Every person, and therefore every character – from every background and every trauma and every bad relationship and bad childhood – has love in their heart, as cheesy as that sounds.  They have love they want to give to people (sometimes a particular person) and love they want to receive, and different methods of expressing their love (see: The Five Love Languages) to others.  They have love for themselves, too, and conditions on which they’ll treat themselves with love.  Determine their potential for loving themselves, for loving others – both platonically and romantically – and for unconditional love.  Then allow this to grow over the course of the story, and you’ll have a character arc everyone can appreciate.

3. Conflict

Here is a post I’ve written discussing 4/5 of the main types of conflict, which are:

Man vs. Man

Man vs. Nature

Man vs. Society

Man vs. Self

Man vs. Technology/Supernatural

The reason these categories of conflict are so popular is because they’re the same conflicts we face in day-to-day life.  The fight over territory with your roommate = Man vs. Man.  Trying to find your car in the rain = Man vs. Nature.  Making the same New Year’s resolution for the third year in a row = Man vs. Self.  So identify these conflicts in your story, both large-scale and small-scale.  Both are important, but the personal conflicts – the ones that most affect your characters, like their resolutions or their roommate, or the killer beast that’s trying to eat them or the A.I. that’s taken control of their spaceship – will give your story stakes that, on their basest level, your readers will understand.

That’s my only real advice for you, since this is something I also struggle to manage – but I hope some of this makes sense for you and your story.  If you have any further questions, hit me up and I’ll try to get back to you way sooner.  Good luck!

If you need advice on general writing or fanfiction, you should maybe ask me!

[welcometothisby]

Thoughts about the Time Period of The Scorpio Races, Including a Riveting Discussion of Tape.

There is so! much! analysis! happening here! I love it! I’m just going to put it all under the cut! 

@laizydaizy​ reblogged your post “What year do you think the story takes place in? (I don't think they mentioned it in the book) it doesn't seem very...”

I’m glad u like my ask! For my opinion I think the 1940’s would work pretty well. There’s also the thing going on where puck is the first girl to race which is pretty important because the 1900s was a very important time for women’s rights and I feel like the progression of this is shown throughout the story. Also like u said the setting is pretty timeless so you can’t really tell but I’d just place it in the 1940’s for my own ~ aesthetic ~ ALSO keep in mind thisby is an island which means technology would come to it much later

Hurrah! It was you! Thanks for sending the ask! I definitely think the reporter’s line about women’s suffrage is important, because it makes less sense the farther you get from the movement. The 1940s created many opportunities for women, so that seems fitting. I personally haven’t found any references to the war within the text, but I am curious about how it would have affected Thisby, both during and after the war. Since Thisby may or may not belong to the UK (we never learn the answer to George Holly’s question about home rule), we don’t know if they would have been involved or neutral. Whatever the case, I can imagine the waters around Thisby were teeming with U-boats!

@booknerdathogwarts​ reblogged your post:

Hello deary!

I just wanted to help clarify the timeline on the Scorpio Races.

You said 1930’s or 1950’s, but I’d like to add that duck tape- Puck actually says ‘black tape,’ but Finn was using it to patch up the seats of the Morris- wasn’t invented until WWII, putting the timeline in more of the 1950’s era. It’s possible it was a different type of tape, but the tape invention timeline comes down to surgical tape in the late 1800’s, masking tape in the 1920’s- which could possibly have been the tape Finn used, but masking tape on leather? Nuh uh.

Duck tape was made in the field during WWII for minor repairs, and honestly if I were to tape up a leather seat of a car, I’d use duck tape.

Hello, hello! 

Oh no! Brought down by TAPE! ;) Seriously though, no clue is too big or small, too extraordinary or mundane. Well spotted! I am most impressed by your knowledge of the history of tape! :)

You make a very compelling case! I will concede that one has to do far less acrobatics to make the technology fit if it has a 1950s setting. However, I am not afraid of a few somersaults and, as such, I will go to great lengths to justify my delusions an earlier setting!

A perusal of Wikipedia tells me thus: “In 1930, the magazine Popular Mechanics described how to make adhesive tape at home using plain cloth tape soaked in a heated liquid mixture of rosin and rubber from inner tubes.” As it’s not described as a roll of tape and inner tubes are black, I submit that Finn made his own “black tape.” See, I will not be dissuaded from my 1930s aesthetic! ;)

(But you’re probably right and it’s post-WWII duck tape! Drat!)

@skatzaa​ replied:

im sure im not the focus of the last part, but ive never weighed in on the time period question before, though ive read p much all your posts on it bc its drives me nuts. i dont even have anything productive to add, im just distraught over how much maggie left vague for the #aesthetic haha (but if pressed, i would also pick the 30s. the 50s just feel too...modern for me, even on a tiny island in the "middle" of the Atlantic, like Thisby, ya feel?)

I TOTALLY FEEL.

Yeah, I think there’s a difference between an island having a distinct identity from the mainland due to choice and necessity and an island untouched by the march of time. I don’t think the latter is true of Thisby, as the characters and their culture are very much pulled between tradition and modernization.

I also can’t square the mainland fashions of Sean’s childhood (bowler hats and canes and “wives who look like dolls”) with a 1950s timeline (with the event in question taking place a decade or so earlier)! Also, while social change did happen, it seems like much of the 1950s was about trying to undo the changes brought on by the war and get back to the way things were before, especially in regards to women. In the book, the traditionalists were trying to stop change from happening in the first place, which is a theme that appears to fit well with the interwar period, in my opinion.

I guess it comes down to this for me: attachment. The world of The Scorpio Races reminds me so much of the communities in National Velvet (1920s) and I Capture the Castle (1930s), which were both written within a decade of the respective settings and just sparkle with life. Historical fact or reality aside, I’m willing to accept some things as anachronisms if it means I get to experience that same stillness of the past on the cusp of colliding with a bustling world of change.

ANYWAY, thank you all! I’ve loved hearing your thoughts and learning new facts! And while it is sort of annoying to me that Maggie is so coy about the time period, it does at least give us the space to let our imaginations run wild! We get so many personal, alternate universes as a result, and so I guess that’s pretty magical? :)

[makeitwithmike]

12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers

By Curtis Foreman

JAPADOG is a wonderful little company that operates a food truck and restaurant in my hometown of Vancouver, BC with the stated mission of “making the world happy and alive through hot dogs!”

As you can imagine, some JAPADOG fans were devastated when this post appeared on Facebook:

As commenters began mourning the closing of the much-loved stores and carts and wished the owners well in their future endeavors, JAPADOG stepped in to clarify that they were just closing for the day.

This is a cute and harmless example (though the “I just had a mini heart attack” commenter might disagree) of a case where a few seconds spent editing a post for clarity could have prevented a misunderstanding. But the stakes aren’t always so low.

From accidentally tweeting images of national tragedies to unintentionally making light of domestic violence, the world of social media abounds with cautionary tales of brands reeling as slip-ups on social explode into PR disasters.

And while there have been some truly horrendous typos on social (such as Yahoo Finance’s now-legendary inadvertent racial slur), even a less cringe-worthy typo can do lasting damage to your brand. Research by Global Lingo has found that as many as 59 percent of customers won’t do business with companies that publish content with bad grammar or spelling mistakes.

A little good old-fashioned editing can save your brand—and possibly your job.

As an editor who started working back in the days when we’d print copy decks and mark them up with actual pens, I’ve seen many things change over the years. But the value of clear, precise writing hasn’t changed at all.

Here are my best tips to help you avoid the nightmares of a media manager and make editing a quick and painless part of your publishing routine on social.

Bonus: Download our free guide that shows you how to 10X your social media performance and beat your competitors. No fluff or tired tactics—features the tools, daily routines, and advanced techniques used by three world-class industry experts.

12 editing tips for social media posts

1. Edit like a trauma surgeon

Trauma surgeons use triage as a system to prioritize patient treatment and maximize the number of survivors.

As a social media manager, you might not have time to look up whether there’s one “l” or two in “traveling” (answer: it depends), but you should really spare a few seconds to ensure you and your team aren’t promoting your competitors or depicting implied sex acts in ads for a family restaurant.

Like a trauma surgeon, learn to identify life-threatening (or in your case, career-threatening) conditions and treat them first. Maximize the number of survivors.

2. Edit like Beavis and Butthead

Before posting something, read it like a junior high school kid looking for something to snicker at. If you’re not aiming for suggestive humor, fix it before the internet gets its dirty mitts on it.

For reasons that should be obvious if you’ve ever used the internet, supermarket chain @aldiaustralia soon regretted this tweet:

Photo from Facebook via Metro

3. Handle humor with care

Social media and humor make a great couple. Everyone loves a good laugh… except when they’re trying to find out how to return a defective product you sold them. Or when they can’t figure out why an error message keeps popping up in the software they bought from you.

Before cracking a joke, be aware of the emotional state of the people you’re speaking to, and of the wider context in which you’re communicating. Anyone who works in customer service will tell you that the people in the refund line are a tough crowd.

And as a social media professional, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s never a good idea to make a joke in which the punch line relates to a person’s ethnicity, gender, or economic status.

To bring this point home, here’s a now-infamous and spectacularly inappropriate #TacoTuesday tweet by Dave & Buster’s sports bar that never should have seen the light of day:

Photo from Twitter via AdAge

4. Have someone else edit your work

If I had to guess, I’d say none of the examples I’ve included so far in this article were seen by more than one pair of eyes before they were posted.

As writers, we all have our blind spots. (I’m pathologically and inexplicably incapable of remembering with confidence that gray is spelled with an “a” and have to look it up all the time. Go figure.)

Fortunately, we work with other people. Even if you’re a solo practitioner, there’s probably someone in your life with a decent sense of style and taste who wouldn’t mind glancing over your tweets before you release them into the wild. And if you’re at an agency or brand, you’ve likely got a team member (or an entire team) who will be more than happy to point out that you really should stop using commas to join independent clauses already.

5. Rewrite anything ambiguous

As the owners of JAPADOG learned, ambiguity breeds confusion. Before posting, ask yourself if what you’ve written could be misunderstood. If it could, look for a clearer way to write it.

“Biweekly” is a good example of an ambiguous term to avoid:

Biweekly: Twice a week Biweekly: Every two weeks

Sorry about that. http://bit.ly/2iZibc4

— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) August 6, 2016

When the dictionary apologizes for a definition, you know it’s time to look for another word.

6. Know the difference between good and bad compulsiveness

Yes, the rules of grammar and usage are important. No, every violation of these rules isn’t an error.

In The Elements of Editing (written in 1982, but still a good read), veteran editor Arthur Plotnik shares examples of bad compulsiveness (fussing over minor grammar and formatting rules) and good compulsiveness (obsessively rewriting a headline until it’s perfect).

Plotnik’s advice holds up today. When editing, keep your focus on making content as effective and engaging as possible, and on catching errors that actually affect readability and clarity.

Another editor whose take on this I love is Carol Saller, author of The Subversive Copy Editor and editor of the The Chicago Manual of Style Online Q&A. Her book is a worthwhile read on how editors can “resist compulsions, banish insecurities, and develop habits of carefulness, transparency, and flexibility.” If you’re a word nerd, follow her on Twitter at @SubvCopyEd.

“Bake for precisely 8-10 minutes.” #copyeditorbaking

— SubversiveCopyEditor (@SubvCopyEd) July 2, 2017

7. Choose your style authorities

A day in the life of a social media manager is far too short to waste debating whether to use the serial comma. (Want my opinion? Just use it.)

Decide on a few style authorities to use as a tiebreaker in these discussions (or better, to look up words and usage rules before you start arguing with anyone). If you work at an agency or in-house for a brand, your brand team may have sorted all this out for you already.

You’ll want a style and usage guide for general questions of style, plus a dictionary for spelling. Here at Hootsuite, we follow the Associated Press Stylebook for usage and style and Merriam-Webster for spelling (both have handy online versions, though you’ll pay a few bucks a month for the AP stylebook).

As your house style matures, you’ll likely diverge from at least some of the spellings and usage rules in your style authorities of choice—which is where your own style guide comes in.

8. Keep a house style guide

Every brand that publishes content should maintain a house style guide. A well-maintained style guide makes it easy for new writers on your team to get up to speed, and it ensures you’ll write content that’s consistent.

Established brands typically have more detailed and thorough style guides, especially if they’re in the publishing business. The Chicago Manual of Style is pretty much the gold standard for print, and the AP Stylebook is a popular one for journalism and general writing. I’ve long been a fan of the Mailchimp Content Style Guide, which perfectly strikes a balance between providing just enough guidance to write well without getting into overwhelming detail.

Your style guide doesn’t need to be beautifully designed or comprehensive, especially at first. Just create a document where you record style decisions as you make them, so you’ll never need to make the same decision twice. A cheat sheet of off-brand content or other words and phrases to ban is a helpful section to include.

If you’re ready to get started creating your house style guide, here’s where to start.

9. Know what works on your networks

Creating content that’s free of brand disasters, embarrassing typos, and inconsistent stylistic choices is a good baseline from which to start—but there’s not much point crafting perfectly edited content if it doesn’t inspire engagement and response from your audience.

Part of your job as an editor is to learn what resonates with your audience and do more of it. Learn how to measure the effectiveness of your content. Learn to use hashtags. Learn what works on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Help your team create and deliver more of what works.

10. Get help from technology

An editor’s job is to help writers deliver great content. Good old-fashioned copy editing is one way you can help, but there are a growing number of software tools that can do some of the heavy lifting for you.

Check out our list of writing tools and try using some of them with your team. I’m a fan of the Hemingway App for removing unnecessary verbiage, and of Grammarly for checking grammar, spelling, and internal consistency.

While you’re checking out Grammarly, I also recommend subscribing to their blog, if just for their cheeky editor-baiting welcome email:

11. Build editing into your social workflow

If you work at an agency or in-house for a brand, you probably already use social media management software to manage multiple social networks and accounts.

An essential feature of this type of software is the ability to manage approval workflows. Hootsuite’s Team, Business, and Enterprise plans let you set up your teams and workflows to prevent innocent errors—as well as not-so-innocent rogue posts.

HMV could have benefited from workflow and approval features during their very public Twitter meltdown:

Photo from Twitter via National Post

12. Write well

If you’re going to presume to improve the content a writer has agonized over, it’s a good idea to put yourself through a little of that agony yourself.

At the very least, practicing the craft of writing yourself will make you a more sympathetic editor. It will also help you continue developing a nuanced feel for the finer points of language—something that’s indispensible in both writers and editors.

If you haven’t read The Elements of Style, get it and read it now. It’s a classic and a quick read that covers the elementary rules of usage and composition every writer should master.

And for guidance on writing for social media, you need look no further than the wealth of guidance on this blog. We’ve written a wealth of advice on how to write calls to action, clickable content, and content that converts. Want to write faster? Want resources for non-writers? Inspiration from people who will help you write better? Inspired tweets? It’s all here. Enjoy.

There’s a lot more to editing than being a grammar grouch. (By the way, if you’re still using the term “grammar Nazi,” please read this piece from @grammargirl on why it’s time to stop).

From saving your brand’s reputation to helping your team grow as writers, you play a key role as a steward and champion of great content. In the words of Arthur Plotnik, “You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. We edit to let the fire show through the smoke.”

The post 12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers appeared first on Hootsuite Social Media Management.

The post 12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers appeared first on Make It With Michael.

from 12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers

[bizmediaweb]

12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers

JAPADOG is a wonderful little company that operates a food truck and restaurant in my hometown of Vancouver, BC with the stated mission of “making the world happy and alive through hot dogs!”

As you can imagine, some JAPADOG fans were devastated when this post appeared on Facebook:

As commenters began mourning the closing of the much-loved stores and carts and wished the owners well in their future endeavors, JAPADOG stepped in to clarify that they were just closing for the day.

This is a cute and harmless example (though the “I just had a mini heart attack” commenter might disagree) of a case where a few seconds spent editing a post for clarity could have prevented a misunderstanding. But the stakes aren’t always so low.

From accidentally tweeting images of national tragedies to unintentionally making light of domestic violence, the world of social media abounds with cautionary tales of brands reeling as slip-ups on social explode into PR disasters.

And while there have been some truly horrendous typos on social (such as Yahoo Finance’s now-legendary inadvertent racial slur), even a less cringe-worthy typo can do lasting damage to your brand. Research by Global Lingo has found that as many as 59 percent of customers won’t do business with companies that publish content with bad grammar or spelling mistakes.

A little good old-fashioned editing can save your brand—and possibly your job.

As an editor who started working back in the days when we’d print copy decks and mark them up with actual pens, I’ve seen many things change over the years. But the value of clear, precise writing hasn’t changed at all.

Here are my best tips to help you avoid the nightmares of a media manager and make editing a quick and painless part of your publishing routine on social.

Bonus: Download our free guide that shows you how to 10X your social media performance and beat your competitors. No fluff or tired tactics—features the tools, daily routines, and advanced techniques used by three world-class industry experts.

12 editing tips for social media posts

1. Edit like a trauma surgeon

Trauma surgeons use triage as a system to prioritize patient treatment and maximize the number of survivors.

As a social media manager, you might not have time to look up whether there’s one “l” or two in “traveling” (answer: it depends), but you should really spare a few seconds to ensure you and your team aren’t promoting your competitors or depicting implied sex acts in ads for a family restaurant.

Like a trauma surgeon, learn to identify life-threatening (or in your case, career-threatening) conditions and treat them first. Maximize the number of survivors.

2. Edit like Beavis and Butthead

Before posting something, read it like a junior high school kid looking for something to snicker at. If you’re not aiming for suggestive humor, fix it before the internet gets its dirty mitts on it.

For reasons that should be obvious if you’ve ever used the internet, supermarket chain @aldiaustralia soon regretted this tweet:

Photo from Facebook via Metro

3. Handle humor with care

Social media and humor make a great couple. Everyone loves a good laugh… except when they’re trying to find out how to return a defective product you sold them. Or when they can’t figure out why an error message keeps popping up in the software they bought from you.

Before cracking a joke, be aware of the emotional state of the people you’re speaking to, and of the wider context in which you’re communicating. Anyone who works in customer service will tell you that the people in the refund line are a tough crowd.

And as a social media professional, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s never a good idea to make a joke in which the punch line relates to a person’s ethnicity, gender, or economic status.

To bring this point home, here’s a now-infamous and spectacularly inappropriate #TacoTuesday tweet by Dave & Buster’s sports bar that never should have seen the light of day:

Photo from Twitter via AdAge

4. Have someone else edit your work

If I had to guess, I’d say none of the examples I’ve included so far in this article were seen by more than one pair of eyes before they were posted.

As writers, we all have our blind spots. (I’m pathologically and inexplicably incapable of remembering with confidence that gray is spelled with an “a” and have to look it up all the time. Go figure.)

Fortunately, we work with other people. Even if you’re a solo practitioner, there’s probably someone in your life with a decent sense of style and taste who wouldn’t mind glancing over your tweets before you release them into the wild. And if you’re at an agency or brand, you’ve likely got a team member (or an entire team) who will be more than happy to point out that you really should stop using commas to join independent clauses already.

5. Rewrite anything ambiguous

As the owners of JAPADOG learned, ambiguity breeds confusion. Before posting, ask yourself if what you’ve written could be misunderstood. If it could, look for a clearer way to write it.

“Biweekly” is a good example of an ambiguous term to avoid:

Biweekly: Twice a week Biweekly: Every two weeks

Sorry about that. https://t.co/8FBUonz7yq

— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) August 6, 2016

When the dictionary apologizes for a definition, you know it’s time to look for another word.

6. Know the difference between good and bad compulsiveness

Yes, the rules of grammar and usage are important. No, every violation of these rules isn’t an error.

In The Elements of Editing (written in 1982, but still a good read), veteran editor Arthur Plotnik shares examples of bad compulsiveness (fussing over minor grammar and formatting rules) and good compulsiveness (obsessively rewriting a headline until it’s perfect).

Plotnik’s advice holds up today. When editing, keep your focus on making content as effective and engaging as possible, and on catching errors that actually affect readability and clarity.

Another editor whose take on this I love is Carol Saller, author of The Subversive Copy Editor and editor of the The Chicago Manual of Style Online Q&A. Her book is a worthwhile read on how editors can “resist compulsions, banish insecurities, and develop habits of carefulness, transparency, and flexibility.” If you’re a word nerd, follow her on Twitter at @SubvCopyEd.

"Bake for precisely 8-10 minutes." #copyeditorbaking

— SubversiveCopyEditor (@SubvCopyEd) July 2, 2017

7. Choose your style authorities

A day in the life of a social media manager is far too short to waste debating whether to use the serial comma. (Want my opinion? Just use it.)

Decide on a few style authorities to use as a tiebreaker in these discussions (or better, to look up words and usage rules before you start arguing with anyone). If you work at an agency or in-house for a brand, your brand team may have sorted all this out for you already.

You’ll want a style and usage guide for general questions of style, plus a dictionary for spelling. Here at Hootsuite, we follow the Associated Press Stylebook for usage and style and Merriam-Webster for spelling (both have handy online versions, though you’ll pay a few bucks a month for the AP stylebook).

As your house style matures, you’ll likely diverge from at least some of the spellings and usage rules in your style authorities of choice—which is where your own style guide comes in.

8. Keep a house style guide

Every brand that publishes content should maintain a house style guide. A well-maintained style guide makes it easy for new writers on your team to get up to speed, and it ensures you’ll write content that’s consistent.

Established brands typically have more detailed and thorough style guides, especially if they’re in the publishing business. The Chicago Manual of Style is pretty much the gold standard for print, and the AP Stylebook is a popular one for journalism and general writing. I’ve long been a fan of the Mailchimp Content Style Guide, which perfectly strikes a balance between providing just enough guidance to write well without getting into overwhelming detail.

Your style guide doesn’t need to be beautifully designed or comprehensive, especially at first. Just create a document where you record style decisions as you make them, so you’ll never need to make the same decision twice. A cheat sheet of off-brand content or other words and phrases to ban is a helpful section to include.

If you’re ready to get started creating your house style guide, here’s where to start.

9. Know what works on your networks

Creating content that’s free of brand disasters, embarrassing typos, and inconsistent stylistic choices is a good baseline from which to start—but there’s not much point crafting perfectly edited content if it doesn’t inspire engagement and response from your audience.

Part of your job as an editor is to learn what resonates with your audience and do more of it. Learn how to measure the effectiveness of your content. Learn to use hashtags. Learn what works on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Help your team create and deliver more of what works.

10. Get help from technology

An editor’s job is to help writers deliver great content. Good old-fashioned copy editing is one way you can help, but there are a growing number of software tools that can do some of the heavy lifting for you.

Check out our list of writing tools and try using some of them with your team. I’m a fan of the Hemingway App for removing unnecessary verbiage, and of Grammarly for checking grammar, spelling, and internal consistency.

While you’re checking out Grammarly, I also recommend subscribing to their blog, if just for their cheeky editor-baiting welcome email:

11. Build editing into your social workflow

If you work at an agency or in-house for a brand, you probably already use social media management software to manage multiple social networks and accounts.

An essential feature of this type of software is the ability to manage approval workflows. Hootsuite’s Team, Business, and Enterprise plans let you set up your teams and workflows to prevent innocent errors—as well as not-so-innocent rogue posts.

HMV could have benefited from workflow and approval features during their very public Twitter meltdown:

Photo from Twitter via National Post

12. Write well

If you’re going to presume to improve the content a writer has agonized over, it’s a good idea to put yourself through a little of that agony yourself.

At the very least, practicing the craft of writing yourself will make you a more sympathetic editor. It will also help you continue developing a nuanced feel for the finer points of language—something that’s indispensible in both writers and editors.

If you haven’t read The Elements of Style, get it and read it now. It’s a classic and a quick read that covers the elementary rules of usage and composition every writer should master.

And for guidance on writing for social media, you need look no further than the wealth of guidance on this blog. We’ve written a wealth of advice on how to write calls to action, clickable content, and content that converts. Want to write faster? Want resources for non-writers? Inspiration from people who will help you write better? Inspired tweets? It’s all here. Enjoy.

There’s a lot more to editing than being a grammar grouch. (By the way, if you’re still using the term “grammar Nazi,” please read this piece from @grammargirl on why it’s time to stop).

From saving your brand’s reputation to helping your team grow as writers, you play a key role as a steward and champion of great content. In the words of Arthur Plotnik, “You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. We edit to let the fire show through the smoke.”

The post 12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers appeared first on Hootsuite Social Media Management.

12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers published first on http://ift.tt/2u73Z29

[unifiedsocialblog]

12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers

JAPADOG is a wonderful little company that operates a food truck and restaurant in my hometown of Vancouver, BC with the stated mission of “making the world happy and alive through hot dogs!”

As you can imagine, some JAPADOG fans were devastated when this post appeared on Facebook:

As commenters began mourning the closing of the much-loved stores and carts and wished the owners well in their future endeavors, JAPADOG stepped in to clarify that they were just closing for the day.

This is a cute and harmless example (though the “I just had a mini heart attack” commenter might disagree) of a case where a few seconds spent editing a post for clarity could have prevented a misunderstanding. But the stakes aren’t always so low.

From accidentally tweeting images of national tragedies to unintentionally making light of domestic violence, the world of social media abounds with cautionary tales of brands reeling as slip-ups on social explode into PR disasters.

And while there have been some truly horrendous typos on social (such as Yahoo Finance’s now-legendary inadvertent racial slur), even a less cringe-worthy typo can do lasting damage to your brand. Research by Global Lingo has found that as many as 59 percent of customers won’t do business with companies that publish content with bad grammar or spelling mistakes.

A little good old-fashioned editing can save your brand—and possibly your job.

As an editor who started working back in the days when we’d print copy decks and mark them up with actual pens, I’ve seen many things change over the years. But the value of clear, precise writing hasn’t changed at all.

Here are my best tips to help you avoid the nightmares of a media manager and make editing a quick and painless part of your publishing routine on social.

Bonus: Download our free guide that shows you how to 10X your social media performance and beat your competitors. No fluff or tired tactics—features the tools, daily routines, and advanced techniques used by three world-class industry experts.

12 editing tips for social media posts

1. Edit like a trauma surgeon

Trauma surgeons use triage as a system to prioritize patient treatment and maximize the number of survivors.

As a social media manager, you might not have time to look up whether there’s one “l” or two in “traveling” (answer: it depends), but you should really spare a few seconds to ensure you and your team aren’t promoting your competitors or depicting implied sex acts in ads for a family restaurant.

Like a trauma surgeon, learn to identify life-threatening (or in your case, career-threatening) conditions and treat them first. Maximize the number of survivors.

2. Edit like Beavis and Butthead

Before posting something, read it like a junior high school kid looking for something to snicker at. If you’re not aiming for suggestive humor, fix it before the internet gets its dirty mitts on it.

For reasons that should be obvious if you’ve ever used the internet, supermarket chain @aldiaustralia soon regretted this tweet:

Photo from Facebook via Metro

3. Handle humor with care

Social media and humor make a great couple. Everyone loves a good laugh… except when they’re trying to find out how to return a defective product you sold them. Or when they can’t figure out why an error message keeps popping up in the software they bought from you.

Before cracking a joke, be aware of the emotional state of the people you’re speaking to, and of the wider context in which you’re communicating. Anyone who works in customer service will tell you that the people in the refund line are a tough crowd.

And as a social media professional, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s never a good idea to make a joke in which the punch line relates to a person’s ethnicity, gender, or economic status.

To bring this point home, here’s a now-infamous and spectacularly inappropriate #TacoTuesday tweet by Dave & Buster’s sports bar that never should have seen the light of day:

Photo from Twitter via AdAge

4. Have someone else edit your work

If I had to guess, I’d say none of the examples I’ve included so far in this article were seen by more than one pair of eyes before they were posted.

As writers, we all have our blind spots. (I’m pathologically and inexplicably incapable of remembering with confidence that gray is spelled with an “a” and have to look it up all the time. Go figure.)

Fortunately, we work with other people. Even if you’re a solo practitioner, there’s probably someone in your life with a decent sense of style and taste who wouldn’t mind glancing over your tweets before you release them into the wild. And if you’re at an agency or brand, you’ve likely got a team member (or an entire team) who will be more than happy to point out that you really should stop using commas to join independent clauses already.

5. Rewrite anything ambiguous

As the owners of JAPADOG learned, ambiguity breeds confusion. Before posting, ask yourself if what you’ve written could be misunderstood. If it could, look for a clearer way to write it.

“Biweekly” is a good example of an ambiguous term to avoid:

Biweekly: Twice a week Biweekly: Every two weeks

Sorry about that. https://t.co/8FBUonz7yq

— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) August 6, 2016

When the dictionary apologizes for a definition, you know it’s time to look for another word.

6. Know the difference between good and bad compulsiveness

Yes, the rules of grammar and usage are important. No, every violation of these rules isn’t an error.

In The Elements of Editing (written in 1982, but still a good read), veteran editor Arthur Plotnik shares examples of bad compulsiveness (fussing over minor grammar and formatting rules) and good compulsiveness (obsessively rewriting a headline until it’s perfect).

Plotnik’s advice holds up today. When editing, keep your focus on making content as effective and engaging as possible, and on catching errors that actually affect readability and clarity.

Another editor whose take on this I love is Carol Saller, author of The Subversive Copy Editor and editor of the The Chicago Manual of Style Online Q&A. Her book is a worthwhile read on how editors can “resist compulsions, banish insecurities, and develop habits of carefulness, transparency, and flexibility.” If you’re a word nerd, follow her on Twitter at @SubvCopyEd.

"Bake for precisely 8-10 minutes." #copyeditorbaking

— SubversiveCopyEditor (@SubvCopyEd) July 2, 2017

7. Choose your style authorities

A day in the life of a social media manager is far too short to waste debating whether to use the serial comma. (Want my opinion? Just use it.)

Decide on a few style authorities to use as a tiebreaker in these discussions (or better, to look up words and usage rules before you start arguing with anyone). If you work at an agency or in-house for a brand, your brand team may have sorted all this out for you already.

You’ll want a style and usage guide for general questions of style, plus a dictionary for spelling. Here at Hootsuite, we follow the Associated Press Stylebook for usage and style and Merriam-Webster for spelling (both have handy online versions, though you’ll pay a few bucks a month for the AP stylebook).

As your house style matures, you’ll likely diverge from at least some of the spellings and usage rules in your style authorities of choice—which is where your own style guide comes in.

8. Keep a house style guide

Every brand that publishes content should maintain a house style guide. A well-maintained style guide makes it easy for new writers on your team to get up to speed, and it ensures you’ll write content that’s consistent.

Established brands typically have more detailed and thorough style guides, especially if they’re in the publishing business. The Chicago Manual of Style is pretty much the gold standard for print, and the AP Stylebook is a popular one for journalism and general writing. I’ve long been a fan of the Mailchimp Content Style Guide, which perfectly strikes a balance between providing just enough guidance to write well without getting into overwhelming detail.

Your style guide doesn’t need to be beautifully designed or comprehensive, especially at first. Just create a document where you record style decisions as you make them, so you’ll never need to make the same decision twice. A cheat sheet of off-brand content or other words and phrases to ban is a helpful section to include.

If you’re ready to get started creating your house style guide, here’s where to start.

9. Know what works on your networks

Creating content that’s free of brand disasters, embarrassing typos, and inconsistent stylistic choices is a good baseline from which to start—but there’s not much point crafting perfectly edited content if it doesn’t inspire engagement and response from your audience.

Part of your job as an editor is to learn what resonates with your audience and do more of it. Learn how to measure the effectiveness of your content. Learn to use hashtags. Learn what works on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Help your team create and deliver more of what works.

10. Get help from technology

An editor’s job is to help writers deliver great content. Good old-fashioned copy editing is one way you can help, but there are a growing number of software tools that can do some of the heavy lifting for you.

Check out our list of writing tools and try using some of them with your team. I’m a fan of the Hemingway App for removing unnecessary verbiage, and of Grammarly for checking grammar, spelling, and internal consistency.

While you’re checking out Grammarly, I also recommend subscribing to their blog, if just for their cheeky editor-baiting welcome email:

11. Build editing into your social workflow

If you work at an agency or in-house for a brand, you probably already use social media management software to manage multiple social networks and accounts.

An essential feature of this type of software is the ability to manage approval workflows. Hootsuite’s Team, Business, and Enterprise plans let you set up your teams and workflows to prevent innocent errors—as well as not-so-innocent rogue posts.

HMV could have benefited from workflow and approval features during their very public Twitter meltdown:

Photo from Twitter via National Post

12. Write well

If you’re going to presume to improve the content a writer has agonized over, it’s a good idea to put yourself through a little of that agony yourself.

At the very least, practicing the craft of writing yourself will make you a more sympathetic editor. It will also help you continue developing a nuanced feel for the finer points of language—something that’s indispensible in both writers and editors.

If you haven’t read The Elements of Style, get it and read it now. It’s a classic and a quick read that covers the elementary rules of usage and composition every writer should master.

And for guidance on writing for social media, you need look no further than the wealth of guidance on this blog. We’ve written a wealth of advice on how to write calls to action, clickable content, and content that converts. Want to write faster? Want resources for non-writers? Inspiration from people who will help you write better? Inspired tweets? It’s all here. Enjoy.

There’s a lot more to editing than being a grammar grouch. (By the way, if you’re still using the term “grammar Nazi,” please read this piece from @grammargirl on why it’s time to stop).

From saving your brand’s reputation to helping your team grow as writers, you play a key role as a steward and champion of great content. In the words of Arthur Plotnik, “You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. We edit to let the fire show through the smoke.”

The post 12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers appeared first on Hootsuite Social Media Management.

12 Quick Editing Tips for Social Media Managers published first on http://ift.tt/2rEvyAw