#im also experimenting with fairytale language

[valeriianz]

Would love to hear more about Little Red AU or Vamp AU, if either of those is still un-asked

tbh, ive lost a lot of motivation for this AU after not one, but two fics being written based on Mess' art :') but, as @seiya-starsniper has encouraged me, unlike the fics out there currently, mine does not contain monster fucking (not sure how impactful this makes it lol but!) it also goes in a very different direction than what many people are expecting... its the only reason im still clinging to it. anyway, here's a small, very vague, and very unedited snippet of my Little Red AU:

There is a witch in the woods; the villagers know this and remain wary of her provocation. She is powerful but she is also a hermit– quiet and bloodless, when ignored. Many elders in the village have spun up stories, history between them and her. Though it seems all unfounded, Hob had never been anything but curious, growing up with these tales of offering sacrificial goats in place of the children they believed her to steal, before moving on to setting up traps on the edge of the woods where their small hamlet lay.

Hob had also heard stories, though not many, of how she’d been run out, that there may be more of her kind hiding in secret within the community. This too, Hob doesn’t allow to bother him. He is surrounded by superstition and pays no mind to any of it.

Which is all to say, he’s encountered the witch on several occasions. 

And whatever tales Hob had grown up hearing of her comes to a screeching halt the day he first met her.

[silverflqmes]

໒⦂ 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐂𝐒.

synopsis. a compilation of headcanons that showcase the dating experience of the first class SOLDIER boys — along with a certain self proclaimed one..

genre. fluff + crack

ft. sephiroth, cloud strife, zack fair, genesis rhapsodos, angeal hewley

gender neutral! reader.

➫ 𝓢𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating sephiroth? it’s along the lines of sneaking around to meet at your most favorite spots, learning how to love, delicate touches and kisses, elements of forbidden romance, healing and deep conversations involving lots of reassurance.

⌗ sephiroth isn’t very familiar with physical affection, it’s something he never had the luxury of experiencing all his life.. so he would be a bit awkward with it, confused even, but he’s willing to learn cuz he wants to bond with you more! that and he’s hella touch starved.. although he won’t say🙁

⌗ love language, let’s see.. he also seems like the acts of service kinda guy, but values words of affirmation — whether towards himself or towards you. he doesn’t want his unwarranted popularity to bring you doubt of your own worth, but he also wants to hear he’s enough for you, since he, um, doesn’t view himself in the best light.. sobs.

⌗ the first date.. well, i would think you guys would have been together during the crisis core era cuz like.. after nibelheim.. kinda hard. unless you have jenova cells😭 anyways- the first date! he was not sure on where to take you, given his schedule and just him not um being sure on where to take you.. somehow, though, you ended up at a beautiful library, straight out of a fairytale setting. how he found such a hidden gem in midgar of all places stayed unknown to you, but it was such a lovely outing together<3 he seemed so carefree and at ease ( im sobbing. )

⌗ if anybody dares talk shit about sephiroth or make him feel outcasted, inhuman — whatever they have made him feel — BEAT THEM UP!! although, not actually.. because he won’t let you😐 still, he finds it sweet that despite his power and capability of ending somebody’s career — you won’t hesitate for even a second to stand up for him. likewise, if people dare to hurt you in anyway, it’s on sight.

⌗ ah, the i love you.. he would take a minute to say it because he’s still trying to understand the concept of love and process that you actually feel that way about him. but you wouldn’t say it first — he would. because you want him to say it when he feels it’s right, cuz you don’t wanna pressure him or anything..

⌗ sephiroth became a father of a very, very adorable feline friend that you surprised him with one day to keep him company. he was confused at first — but has grown fond of the cat and it’s his best friend now. they have the same eye color too and the cat has silver fur!!

➫ 𝓒𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝓢𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗘 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating cloud? it’s late nights underneath the stars, comforting words and squeezes, a rollercoaster of challenges that you will have to overcome in order to be with one another.. and emotional constipation on his end for sure, but he’s trying his best!

⌗ cloud isn’t exactly the easiest with pda, he gets embarassed easily and doesn’t seem like the type to uh.. want people watching him do something outside of his norm? not really the spotlight loving type despite the wall market arc.. but he is okay with handholding and locking pinkies even too<3

⌗ his love language, hm.. i think it would be acts of service on the giving end, and for the receiving end, i think words of affirmation would suit his wants. he just wants to make sure he’s doing okay for you, every now and again he needs to hear it. otherwise i do see physical affection behind curtains.. he’s not openly expressive on it — has a hard time asking for stuff🥹

⌗ first date, uhh.. i think he would’ve gotten with you by the advent children timeline, just because he wants to do some reflection and y’know get the angst out of his system.. but anyway, the date i think would be a drive on fenrir ( his motorcycle.. ) to the outskirts of edge, somewhere the stars can be seen. it’s simple, nothing complex, just to unwind and enjoy the other’s company.

⌗ cloud tends to get nightmares a lot, i mean, bro has unresolved trauma.. and doesn’t have all his memories back because of that. so i feel he would have developed insomnia or just fears going to sleep. when this happens, i imagine later down the line when you are comfy with each other, be there for him!! company helps, always<3

⌗ for the i love you.. well, i think you’ll probably be the one to say it first — but verbatim. cloud, however, would be the one to say it first.. but without actually saying those three words.

⌗ while cloud has a very idgaf attitude and demeanor, he won’t hesitate to kick ass if someone speaks bad on you or does anything harmful towards you. bro literally used to brawl with kids back in nibelheim😭 if he hears any shit spoken on you or sees you getting pushed around, the buster is coming tf out🫡 or well, i suppose first tsurugi if it’s ac..

➫ 𝓩𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝓕𝗔𝗜𝗥 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating zack fair? a total fever dream that makes you feel like a school girl in love, surprise attack hugs, being dragged to all sorts of places for dates, phone calls when you are apart and can’t sleep, convenience store trips at super odd hours and avoiding your responsibilities at shinra!

⌗ bro is so about pda, he can’t keep his hands off you!! wants to hug and hold you as much as possible, truly a puppy🥸 in public he likes to hold hands and walks with a skip in his step cuz he’s just so happy to be around you, also likes to wrap an arm around you for close proximity<3 doesn’t shy away from physical touch basically!

⌗ love language.. definitely physical affection, bro is totally the clingy type.. but i also believe he would value it a lot tbh — giving as well as receiving! then there’s acts of service, cuz i think that would also be his thing based on him telling aerith to make a list of her wishes for him.. OH, OH AND QUALITY TIME!! can’t forget that🙃

⌗ the first date was at costa del sol!! cc era too cuz um.. well.. y’know.. zack needed a break away from SOLDIER activities and hitting the beach seemed like a good way to go! catch some rays, chase those waves, maybe some volleyball, bbq and smoothies!! if you think it’s gonna be a relaxing day.. it’s probably gonna be a shit load of different activities.. but don’t worry!! you’ll get the absolute best sleep EVER afterwards. guaranteed!!

⌗ zack is a pretty emotional person, he feels very easily so if you’re hurt or upset, he aches for you. he rlly wants you to be happy, doesn’t want to see your smile taken away, ever. so he does everything in his power to ensure your happiness and if it’s people who have brought you sadness, then oh boy, they have another thing coming..

⌗ he kinda blurts the i love you out first without thinking tbh, it just comes out and he has the widest grin on his face when he says it. he fr doesn’t know what he’s doing to you, no matter how flustered or warm your chest feels, he’s so nonchalant about it😭 like why should he wait when he knows how he feels??

⌗ angeal had to give him a long ass talk about dating, honor, treating you well — you name it, your average angeal lecture🫡 but romance edition.. featuring genesis ( and sephiroth in the background smiling apologetically )

➫ 𝓖𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝓡𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗦 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating genesis? it’s like being in a fairytale or movie, having poetry recited to you on the daily to further emphasize his love, getting spoiled endlessly, touches that leave you wanting more and ending up with the prince of your dreams.. kinda.

⌗ he is very much about pda! likes to display that you are his, holds you in his arms at any chance he gets, peppers you with slow, yet lingering kisses that leaves you completely touch starved😪 angeal has to scold him sometimes when he takes too long saying goodbye, especially if they have to go on missions..

⌗ love language would be a mixture between gift giving and physical affection, but i could also see him wanting words of affirmation. i mean he feels like he’s the failed attempt at being sephiroth, believes that the top hero spot should be his and all.. but otherwise, giving gifts to you would definitely be smtn he’d wanna do, especially if his missions are outside of midgar.

⌗ ah, the first date.. well, once again your best chance at being with him would have to have been during the cc timeline cuz bro dips.. but anyway!! the date.. well, strap yourself in cuz you’re going to a living showing of genesis’ favorite, loveless. yes, yes he takes you to a play. how can he not? it’s his favorite work of literature, and he wants to share that love with you too!! he’ll dress you up fancy beforehand, bought you a whole outfit😵‍💫

⌗ circling back to the reassurance thing.. despite his arrogance, he feels like he’s not good enough a lot. feels like a failed project in a sense, and views himself as less because of his degradation — it’s just a slow burn for him. but a little bit of affirmation on your end and the promise of wanting him for him helps a lot<3

⌗ who said i love you first.. hm, he seems like the type to say it without actually saying those specific words. i think he would have said it several times via poetry before you fully register that this man fr said he loved you. awkward on your end. but when the pieces finally clicked together, butterflies swarmed your stomach hella but you adored every minute of it🫶

⌗ he shows off his relationship with you at any chance he gets to sephiroth and zack, angeal kinda but not really.. but he’s just super proud to have you as his and makes sure that it’s known among his colleagues at shinra😭 clown behavior fr but you love it anyway, it’s always nice to feel wanted — even if your man is flashy about it..

➫ 𝓐𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝓗𝗘𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗬 ୨୧ ˎˊ˗

⌗ what’s it like dating angeal? being treated with lots of care and gentleness, bit of a mom for a boyfriend at times cuz he wants to make sure you’re taken care of, cradling your face in his hands like you’re his everything and saving you no matter the odds, like a guardian angel.

⌗ pda won’t um.. be so much, bro is very respectful of space and has to be proper or whatever because of honor!! that and he kinda has an image to upkeep, especially with zack around — gotta show the right example of having a significant other! but when you’re alone, he likes to hold you close and just enjoy your presence tbh

⌗ the love language.. let me see, i think he would be a mixture between acts of service and quality time. he enjoys being with you and any company he can get when he isn’t called on missions or babysitting training zack. when he can’t be present, he does things for you to express his love — genesis urges him to!!

⌗ okay let’s see.. the first date, well — again, cc timeline here too since he also, um, leaves.. ANYWAY. where was the location of the first date, you might ask, well.. the museum tbh! i think he would enjoy the calmness of it and just looking at different works of art.. except his most favorite work would fr distract him from any other scenes — that being you. so plan failed on his end, but you had enjoyed yourself lots, and that made him happy to witness🫶

⌗ the amount of panic he would feel if he saw you hurt, like bro is meant to protect you — he promised that he would.. so angeal would feel like he failed you in a sense for not being there to prevent your pain, but you remind him that he’s there now and that you feel safe again, grounded in spite of the hurt you earlier felt.

⌗ i think the first i love you would come from you cuz he just.. wouldn’t know the right time or chance to say it LMAO so you end up saying it which brings this look of shock to his face, but then a warm smile would stretch across his lips, knowing you felt the same as he did<3

⌗ can’t sleep? he’s got plenty of stories to tell about his childhood and some silly events during his missions. it feels foreign to hear this lighthearted, less mature side to him, but it’s also a breath of fresh air and makes you feel special that he allows you to see this more relaxed side to him that isn’t a stoic overly responsible SOLDIER🗣️

notes. whew oh boy uhh second time writing ffvii, i hope it turned out okay :’) i kinda wrote these out of order so some might seem longer or shorter but i hope you guys enjoy!! ik it’s different from the fandoms i write for, but welp this is where my brain has been🫡

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[nipahnan]

realistically , how is it like living in japan ? i am a POC so our experiences would definitely be different .. but are you fluent in the language ? how is everyday life for you ? do you have a job there or remote work overseas in the US ? sorry for all the questions !! i'm hoping to move to japan myself eventually . ♡

Aaah I’m so happy to finally get a question, I’ve been waiting to be able to ramble about myself on here thehe :) This is gonna be a long one, so I’m sorry in advance, but I want to try and be as transparent as possible!♡

I don’t live in Tokyo, yet I have a bunch of friends who live there and who talk about their experiences very openly, so I’ll also talk about things they went through and that they observed. In general people of course need to make sure not to romanticize a country. Japan is a country like any other and a lot of people forget that. I’ve been interested in Japan since I was around 11 years old and I came to Japan knowing about it’s good and bad sides because I did research about it for years. So coming here with very realistic expectations and not thinking I’m gonna live in a fairytale, I’d say it’s great so far! :)

Of course I’ve only been here for 1 year now, but it’s definitely so much better than living in Germany. It just suits my lifestyle and general personal behavior so much better. I never felt connected to people in Germany with the way they behave and so I’m having it way easier here. I definitely aim to obtain permanent residence status one day because I really believe that I want to enjoy my life here. I definitely feel like foreigners who move to Tokyo have it so much easier than people who move somewhere else in Japan, because there’s so much more English writing or people who try and speak English since it’s full of tourists too, so it’s easier to navigate without learning any Japanese. When I first landed in Japan I literally only spoke English and I was kinda shocked since I didn’t expect that at all tbh. I actually know a few people who have lived in Japan for years without learning any Japanese and it kinda baffles me sometimes lol. I definitely recommend coming here with at least some basic Japanese and then trying to gradually learn more, that’s how I did it and it’s been working very well. Im not fluent at all yet, but im able to have conversations and I’m learning every day and that’s what counts :)

I also know a lot of people who realized how fake Tokyo can be and decide to move away from it quickly because of them getting mental problems or their mental problems worsening, considering how awful mental help in Japan is. They’re feeling very lonely, overworked, and even get bullied. It definitely depends on the workplace of course. But as long as you make sure to make genuine friendships and realize that Japanese people can be extremely blunt and that their behavior is overall quite different, you’ll have no problem with them. There’s a lot of rules and there’s no way you’re always able to remember them, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Definitely try and act according to how they act and you will be welcomed with open arms I’d say :)

I currently don’t have a job because I got hit with a very hard illness right after 3 months of living here which resulted in me almost dying that I’m still recovering from. So I didn’t have time to work with how many times I was in the hospital, yet I’m having an interview soon and I’ll hopefully be able to start work in the next month if everything works out :)

I have a spouse visa after finally marrying my partner that I’ve been with for 4 years, so that made immigrating here way easier for me of course and I definitely realize that I was very lucky to get here that way. I only had to wait 15 minutes and immediately had my visa, meanwhile a lot of people say how long they had to wait because they had a different visa and of course because the Tokyo immigration is so much fuller than the one in Nagoya.

Everyday life is very chill, it’s very quiet so as a person who is very easily irritated and overwhelmed by loud noises it’s so much better for my mental health. yet again I don’t live in Tokyo and in a very tiny town (13.11 km² big lmao) so I have to drive to Nagoya for some of the „fun“ parts.

Now for some of the VERY annoying parts.

Stares. People stare at you ALL the time. Even tho I’m white, they love staring at me like I’m some alien because I have blonde hair and stick out like a sore thumb here in my city where there’s such a tiny amount of foreigners(basically 0 lol) I’ve noticed that people usually say that old people are kind of rude to them and how nice young people are, yet for me it’s the complete opposite at times. Old people, especially old women, love randomly talking to me and are generally very nice to me. There’s this older lady who works at my local family mart and she is sooo nice to me, always giving me compliments and everything, she is so cute♡ Meanwhile young people love staring and making fun of me because they often think I don’t understand them. I get comments like „she looks cute but she’s kinda fat.“ „do you think she even understands Japanese?“ and they giggle all the time. Sometimes they also take pictures of me in the train and it feels very rude. As someone who never stood out in her hometown and always trying her best to not get any attention, it definitely hurts to suddenly hear comments like that and basically feeling like a zoo animal at times. Yet I knew this would happen so I was prepared for it and I know I just shouldn’t care about comments like that. Now idk how bad it is in Tokyo but I can imagine it’s not as awful since it’s way more diverse? Yet you still hear stories about how this also happens very often to POC and sometimes even white foreigners who just happen to have a different type of style. So it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

Also about the topic of getting called fat. Japanese people LOVE to call you fat in your face. As soon as you’re over 50kg no matter your height they will probably consider you fat. One time I had to state my weight at the hospital for a scan and the lady literally yelled „…kg???“ and then proceeded to giggle to her male coworker. Considering that coming from the hospital staff, it was definitely shocking. Especially since I was literally about to die that day? I was so shocked and felt so bad considering I gained 10kg during that time only due to steroid medication which I literally had no control over. So I’d definitely say it’s another thing to be prepared for.

Their clothing style is also pretty different from the west, you’ll see a lot of long skirts and blouses or sweaters. Tight fitting clothes or clothes showing of a lot of skin aren’t as common here and it definitely makes you stick out. One time I was wearing a tank top under a jacket and didn’t close the jacket all the way while going to get takeout and some school boys sitting at the table loudly made a comment about how giant my boobs are and didn’t stop staring and it made me insanely uncomfortable to which I immediately just closed my jacket. Most uncomfortable encounter I’ve ever had and made me stop wearing shirts that show cleavage lol.

Also there’s of course a lot of sexual harassment here, especially in Tokyo. There’s literally guys just staring at 🌽 that you can see in the reflection of the train window (I even saw that in person one time, absolutely insane) or just straight up jerkin off. They literally have posters at my train stations telling women to pay attention to their skirts because there could be someone taking pictures of your panties. So if you intend to wear short skirts you always have to wear shorts under it if you don’t want some pervert to take a panty shot of you. At this point they even have hidden cameras in their shoes which is just insane to me…

Overall, don’t believe most things those tiktok or YouTube videos from tourists tell you. They often times don’t have any knowledge about Japan or how it is to live here, often give misinformation or are just straight up romanticizing this country to the max. All my friends and me even absolutely hate these travel vloggers at this point because of how much bs they’re saying :,)

To sum it up: if you have enough knowledge about the country and the people, prepare yourself as much as possible and realize that it’s very different from what you’re probably used to, and most of all, that it’s just another country that you’ll be living in, you’ll definitely love it here! :)

I definitely could tell even more because I had so many crazy encounters already and so many cool places to talk about, but I think I’ve been talking long enough now :D

Hope my ramble was a bit helpful for you（╹◡╹）♡

[channoticedmeuwu]

hi >< i don't think ive ever sent u an ask before but looking at ur txt masterlist i have read some of ur works before n i do actually have a couple favorited so now i think i need to follow hehe ^o^

ANYWAYS the reason i wanted to send u this ask is to tell you how much i loved what u wrote for soobin [as ariana grande songs] your writing quite literally yanked on my heart strings and brought tears down my face :'( as a hopeless romantic who loves fairytale romance but unfortunately is bittersweet irl w love bc bad experiences ,,,, the way u wrote soobie described like everything i wish i had experienced djjsdjsn i have now favorited this work of urs too so i can come back and read when i need a good cry ㅠㅠ

and also the way u wrote soobin as a lover in love,, is accurate me thinks,, hes a simp n a sweetheart n just the softest boy 🥺 idek what else to say everything ab that was sooo perfect.

this is gonna sound kinda weird but every word of that drabble was hand-picked soso carefully and every word was just crisp imagery,,, its like hand-picking apples, finding the perfect one without any flaws, and take a clean crisp crunchy bite <3 IK IT SOUNDS WEIRD BUT UR WRITING JUST HIT DIFFERENT OKAY 😭😭 ITS SO 🤌🤌🥰

STOP RIGHT NOW ANON YOU CRIED???????? YOU CRIED?????????????? YOU CRIED?????????????? NOAOAOAOAOOAOAA plsss im beyond flattered that my writing brought out such raw emotions, im OVERJOYED to know that it made you so happy :(( but please I have to say, pls don't cry 🥲✋ it tugged at MY heartstrings when u said that noooo plsss

being a hopeless romantic is so relatable omg—but I'm so sorry that your expectations weren't met by people yet, everyone deserves to feel loved beyond comprehension, and I'm confident it's coming your way !! patience is the best virtue (says the girl with 0 experience 😭😭😭😭😭)

and yes, soobin being head over heels 4 u and going dumb in the head when u want something :(( doing everything in his capacity to give it to you and seeing you light up with joy, it's like the best reward 😋😋 in love with soobin and his love language being gift giving 😵‍💫😵‍💫

AND NO, NOT AT ALL ANON, YOUR DESCRIPTION OF WRITING IS SPOT ON !!! Anyone and everyone can think of a concept like soobin as ariana grande songs (pretty generic and expected), but not one person is going to write it in the same way. everyone's style is totally different, esp when you're passionate about it, and that's what makes you transform your emotions into words so well. I love the way you described writing the drabble, it was perfect and I could relate so well because it truly is like picking perfect apples in a basket and taking a crunchy bite in the end 😋😋😋😋 lylyly

thank u sosososososo much anon it literally made my day :(( read this ask multiple times ever since I realized it's in my inbox because I couldn't digest someone complimenting my style sm 😭😭😭

[belamuse]

Yet another way to look at why symbology, dreams, archetypes, fairytales and myths are potent facilitators of change.

You are an ecology of story. Inside and out. And, within this, you have oh so many parts. You have an inner council and perhaps an inner zoo. An inner kingdom or queendom and many characters vying for attention or, vying to steer the ship.

The mind and the logical talking self; the younger self or I like to think of it as the wonder self or the inner elf of the self. And the deep wise self/crone self goddess/numinous self, aka, the Wild remembering at the center self of all selves.

The mind can be a double edged sword. On the one hand, it’s brilliance can create new worlds and words. But it can be also limited by the rational, logical, analytical.

The younger self/wondering wandering self can be foolish and yet also can connect one to magic. This is the limitless wonderful wonderfilled self who sparks imagination and creativity. Who sees the world of the mundane magically and vice versa. Who translates from the realm of the deeper Wild remembering self in picture images or symbols, archetypes or fairy stories.

This vintage image makes me think of The Fool card in Tarot. There is something about wonder that connects us to the whole, to the magic of everyday life and the magic beyond. It’s a little bit of risk taking and stepping on top of one’s fear. It’s synchronicity and mythic timing. It’s laughter and mirth.

We’ve been through a lot the last couple years, no? Forever changed. The stories and their timelines are changing. The myths are letting go of former identities and weaving new cloths. There is much rewilding and rearchitecting yet to be done. The knowing self/talking self can lead the way to a degree, but knowledge can also be finite; the younger self sources source. She dances with wisdom without always realizing it. She is experience and story, adventure and movement, wander and wonder. Despite all the ways the stories of the last couple years has attempted to harden or contain, crystallize and make fixed, the wandering self is still playing with life. She is the art of life renewed. The inner joy maker despite and because of the fixed towers and castle walls. She is hiding somewhere within or she is standing on crocodiles in your dreams. You need her and she needs you. Because the world and all of it’s coming undone and unraveling and fixating and breaking needs her imagination. Needs her wonderful innocence, seasoned by the depths of self and the Wild remembering.

Does this make sense? It’s a bit of a ramble, but the girl riding a crocodile inside my soul made me do it.

All this to say,

She is another reason why the tarot makes more meaning out of the strange twists and turns of our lives and transitions. She is never fixed. The mind is. She is never static. The mind can be. She is the young heart holding hands with the wise heart and she holds the key to our Wild remembering.

She speaks the language of dreams and fairytales, myths and mirths, symbols and metaphors. It is her natural landscape.

Tarot, for me is the art of foreign language. Translating the younger, imaginal landscape to the thinking analytical mind. Catching mysteries together inside of the Wild remembering but spinning them into a story or a rhyme. Leading the heart towards deeper truths that she already knows. Playing with possibility. Loving fixed energy subversively. Because ultimately, that’s what the mythos does, what the fairytales do, and what there archetypal realm does. It’s a creative firebird inspirational cauldron realm. Sparking the imagination. Raising the dead (of spinning dead thinking) and giving birth to new neural pathways.

Come on now, says the rational. Fairytales, symbols, phooey….

The magi at the heart of imagination thinks differently.

Some say fairytales are foolish, stupid. Some say the same of tarot.

However, what if thinking were limited. What if, in the case of myth and metaphor, fairy stories and imagination…what if ’stupidity’ or mirth was infinite?

Isn’t that where wonder wanders? and where miracles are born?

Image: vintage. girl on a stuffed crocodile

[daubigny-stan]

so i wanna take a minute and compare 2 of the most recent Disney movies, Raya and The Last Dragon and Encanto. these movies are extremely interesting considering that Disney is moving away from vaguely European fairytales to fairytales of other cultures. looking at the general reception, critical acclaim, and people watching, Encanto has obviously captivated more hearts. as someone Southeast Asian (Indonesian) i cannot deny that i loved Encanto way more, We Don’t Talk About Bruno is in my head nonstop. but what should also be noted is that Encanto is also much more specific about which culture it wants to take inspiration from. is this a factor to its success? let’s discuss.

from the movies opening shot, to its inspiration, to its setting, to its credits theme Encanto is in Colombia, the movie gives us no room for doubt. therefore, it is much easier to pin down primary sources, references, and inspiration for the film. just ask Colombian people, go to Colombia, ask a Colombian anthropologist, etc. heck, this Colombian YouTuber is able to pin down the exact time in history it might’ve taken place. that makes the end product much more specific and ultimately a much richer experience. the setting feels like a real place, the story it tells is extremely relatable and feels real, the culture is much more immersive. if i were Colombian (which im not so take it with a grain of salt) i bet it would have been an even more breathtaking experience watching this movie. now look at Raya. you can see even from analyses of the movie’s wardrobe that it takes inspiration from all over the place sort of indiscriminately. although most of the movie is inspired by Thai places and culture, it takes references from all over Southeast Asia. the head of story is Thai (Fawn Veerasunthorn who I’ve followed for YEARS she’s great), the academic consultant is from Bali (iirc), and a lot of the cast is actually East Asian; it feels like they were grasping at straws to make the lore for this movie. i know what they were going for, a fantasy land based on Southeast Asian culture. but Southeast Asia isn’t a monolith. Southeast Asian countries being part of ASEAN is the last thing we have in common. we have vast array of cultures, languages, and beliefs. SEA countries on the mainland and SEA countries south of the equator are literally 2 different language groups. heck i don’t think the ones on the mainland have that much common with each other. Raya’s lore didn’t do justice to all these cultures. what should’ve happened was Raya should’ve been a TV show with proper built up lore to honor all these cultures OR Raya should’ve solely based on Thailand and stayed a movie. i think it would’ve been a much richer experience. this is coming from a place of disappointment for Raya. it was a movie i first heard when i was like 15 or 16 and i waited 5 years for it. i think i would’ve been just as happy if the movie was solely based on Thailand if it meant that it would be a much better movie. my first instinct was to forgive the movie; there isn’t a huge amount of Southeast Asian immigrants in the US, thus not everyone is familiar with the SEA experience. but no. Disney’s got the dough, it’s fucking Disney. they can get any resources they want. ultimately, it felt like Disney didn’t care enough about Raya to make it good. it didn’t think that Disney audiences would care enough about a Southeast Asian or a Thai story.

TLDR: Encanto is good because it respects the culture it takes inspiration from and Raya isn’t as good because it doesn’t.

[helpicant-stop]

sylvester do u have any song recs im asking because you’re a cool and funky person and also i need more songs

YES I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SO FUCKIN LONG TO BE ASKED THIS

we're going by genres now bitch

vocaloid: check here

dsmp: out of touch by tia jade if by some miracle you haven't seen it yet and also betray somebody by oh no he's here. also if you haven't seen derivakat/kanaya songs yet how the hell are you in this fandom /lh

songs for when you are a cat but also own a copy shop: copy cat by melanie martinez, copycat by vocacircus, my copycat by orange caramel, copycat by billie eilish

stuff that has fairytale vibes: jabberworky, tarts, winter moon, come little children, the willow maid all by erutan; sera was never cover by alina gingertail {erutan also has one on her instrumental channel the menagerie}; le bal des chats by cecil corbel

songs that are kind of dark but have fantastic vibes: the evelyn evelyn album {cw because i'm pretty sure sandy fishnets is about pedophilia}; the murder of jane crow {my lobotomy is a banger but cw for alcohol and [you guessed it] lobotomies}; we're all mad by the circus contraption; death of the cog by the cog is dead; blood right by madame macabre {fun fact i found this song about 4 years ago via a now deleted gachaverse series }; the silent by tragic tantrum {cw for like slight ableist language, parasitic behaviour, eating someone inside out without consent and general disturbing themes}; bully boys by the tiger lillies {this isn't even dark i don't think it's just a little quirky goofy silly and a little weird}

song that feels like if queer people turned the colour purple into a drink: all dolled up and cosmicandy girl by the orion experience {see also: adrianne by the orion experience. it doesn't have the same vibe i just love the song in general}

old songs with good vibes: the george baker selection {favourites are dreamboat and una paloma blanca} and bad girls by donna summer

metal/rock??: yorktown and monster ball by butcher babies; inkya impulse from asobi asobase {shoutout to the unused one that also slaps}; this guy called falkkone who makes banger covers {they did baby shark for april fools once and i listen to it every morning as motivation/hj}; linzey rae {she has her own band but she made a cover of shut up and dance like 6 years ago and i love it}; pisces by jinjer; idol, telephone, and toxic covers by lauren babic; anything by babymetal {but i love iine and shanti shanti shanti}; age age money by ladybaby; the in-between and as above, so below by in this moment; lies behind your eyes' cover of fake love; our last night's 7 rings cover; everything by the oozes but specifically wanker, bitchboy and cryin' (like a baby); the cover of usseewa by futakuchi mana

stuff with unplaceable genres but are really poggers: tantrum, maggots and daisy 2.0 by ashnikko and brutus by buttress {cw for murder}; undertaker by graveyardguy {cw for ??? weirdly graphic suggestive themes and a mention of maggots}

hyperpop: anything by dorian electra but specifically my agenda and ram it down; the friday remix and personal by rebecca black; toxic by pussy riot {cw for blood and a mention of a dick}; legend by alice longyu gao and alice glass; this one mashup of faceshopping by sophie and nicki minaj's monster verse or something; in my mouth by the black dresses {cw for suggestive themes}

this one artist with a genre that i can't describe: lil mariko but specifically boring and i'm baby {cw for suggestive themes in a lot of them}

songs that absoputely SERVE: fashionista by jimmy james; immature couture by poppy; hot couture and robbed by manila luzon; my beauty by beauty freak ft. malee; let's face it i'm cute by 11 acorn lane

poppy: poppy. she does like. so many genres you're bound to find at least one thing that bangs but for more pop-ish stuff go to girls in bikinis/am i a girl, for stuff that sounds like 90s rock (?) her and so mean are banger, for stuff that sounds calming go to poppy's christmas album or the majority of flux, for her like electronic(??) aggressive loud soundy stuff in a similar vein to derivakat's revived i really like the eat ep {cw for: political shit in CUE, antinatalism (???) themes in breeders and an ed in EAT} and the extras in i disagree. her music also frequently features screams! bite your teeth is i think one of the most traditionally metalish ones she has and i have no idea where meat, voicemail and choke fall but boy do they bang {cw for themes of consuming humans/slaughterhouse practises and asphyxiation}; she also has instrumentals, like music to scream to

also no idea what genres these are: jazmin bean's music bangs and is also really diverse. my personal favourites are super slaughter and worldwide torture but they're all amazing

musicals: lizzie the musical, especially the house of borden {general cw for domestic abuse, poison, food poisoning, death, prison and murder} ; the guy who didn't like musicals, especially join us and die {cw for gross cult shit??, murder, police brutality being satirised??, gore, and a small emetophobia warning}; chicago but my favourite changes depending on the day but cell block tango is a good start because it is about women murdering their husbands; and six, especially all you wanna do {cw for grooming. also haus of holbein has a historically inaccurate line about corsets}. avenue q is mildly questionable but boy if i don't listen to if you were gay every day {cw for ?? a song about racism ??? and suggestive themes but they're fucking puppets so idk man}; the cats musical but specifically mr. mistofellees, memory (reprise) and rum tum tugger {cw for vaguely suggestive cat behaviour}

opera {these are prety popular but i still like them okay}: habanera from carmen; the doll song from tales of hoffmann; fruhlingsstimmen {big q's lore stream had the instrumental version of this as the background music}, figaro's aria from the barber of seville; queen of the night from the magic flute

anime osts: the youjo senki and puella magi madoka magica osts (including the opening and ending), the asobi asobase ending song

horror(??) instrumentals: check out colin stetson! i especially love among the sef

classical: literally anything by tchaikovsky, but can can music by offenbach; in the hall of the mountain king by grieg {which, fun fact, was interpolated into ashnikko's halloweenie iv: innards. by the way if you watch innards it has very graphic body horror fx, insect mentions, and general unsettling themes}; beethoven's 9th symphony; the planets by gustav holst; and lacrimosa by mozart are also really good

rap ?? music: anything by rico nasty but i like the smack a bitch remix and ohfr and also pj by ppcocaine is really good {suggestive themes cw also i think there's a straight up moan in there at some point}; and roman holiday by nicki minaj {cw for converstion therapy and an exorcism if you choose to watch the grammys video of it}

childrens songs {mostly disney} that make me want to buy a giant oven and bake a failed elsa cake /pos: shiny; a girl worth fighting for; how bad can i be {i'm being so serious rn fuckin fight me on this /j/lh}; evil like me; the walrus and the carpenter; how can i refuse and barbie songs in general;

and lastly: threnody by missmi. yes i am fucking promoting her songs again because yall better listen to them they're legit so good. part 7 just came out yesterday and it's a banger now go watch them

[cruelsister-moved]

Drop the rec list plsss

ok this is gonna make me sound insane but like

this is a book, but tipping the velvet by sarah waters, she's actually the same 1 who wrote the book the handmaiden is based on but its just like. a lesbian book written by a lesbian and not interfered with like it's just so authentically lesbian. and it has drag kings and socialism and butchfem and like really ahead of its time exploration of like how upper class queer women exploit wc lesbians. the sex scenes are so gross bc like its set in victorian times so it tries to use victorian language like.. what the fuck is a quim ill kill myself. but it has straps and like no scissoring iirc so still a better depiction of lesbian sex than 99% ! (there are I think multiple TV/film adaptions of this idk I haven't watched them bc the butches didn't look butch to me so I didn't care)

yentl ♥️♥️♥️ literally a groundbreaking moment for women in film and even if it wasn't a secret butchfem magnum opus i would still recommend it because its a beautiful film with an amazing soundtrack and it's like a loveletter to prewar eastern european jewry. what baffles me is people always remark on the like gay man + transmasc subtext of this film but no one mentions that theres literally a butchfem lesbian wedding...its basically a choose your own adventure lgbt movie like babs literally put something for everyone in there. like if you want it to be a butchfemme film then it is. if you watch it you're going to be so confused for the first half an hour but just trust me. I feel insane like im frothing just thinking about it

i watched a film recently called drifting flowers which i really enjoyed! it's directed by zero chou who is actually a lesbian ♥️ it's again a really beautiful film and it has various lgbt characters and relationships between them like mlm/wlw solidarity or whatever. and it explores disability and gender a lot. and has like a reallyyyyy gorgeous butch main character. it's definitely really bittersweet but it's just so real and tender and there are some really good butchfemme moments that feel so real, like as much as i enjoy a fantasy fairytale it's also such a rare & special experience to see a relationship like yours on screen like.. i never see that!!

the rest from here down aren't explicitly butchfem but there's a French sitcom/drama idk called dix pour cent (it's on netflix) with like a really good lesbian romance and they lowkey have a butchfemme dynamic even though neither of them are butch. it's not ABOUT the lesbians but i literally love every single character idk it's like succession for normal people it has board meetings and everything. it's about an agency like for actors and the bit is basically every episode there is like a french actor playing themselves so if you're a fan of the isabelles (adjani huppert et al) and idk hot french lesbians in suits pls watch ♥️

i watched a swedish film recently called fucking åmal and all ill say is like. if youre a lesbian who came out during high school this film feels like looking in a mirror like it was literally EERIE to me i was like. they stole my life to make this film what the hell. but again like really sweet realistic characters and it has a sweet cathartic ending too.

and there's a bollywood film called ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laiga that i enjoyed sooo much and its really groundbreaking to have a lesbian lead couple in a bollywood film! its literally so fun and sweet and it has like really cute side characters and explorations of other social issues as well. i think the two leads are just sooo sweet and iirc they weren't allowed to show any kissing so they have gone to such efforts to show the affection and tenderness and chemistry between the couple. the screenplay is by a trans woman and its directed by a woman as well (no idea either of their sexualities but its such a good depiction of a lesbian relationship sooo)

um tldr. the golden rules are not directed by a man, had a lesbian involved w the writing/directing etc, look outside the US, and watch yentl or i will kill myself.

[thisweekingundamwing]

This Week in Gundam Wing 6-12 June 2021

Here’s this week’s roundup! June 6th -12th!

Remember to give your content creators some love! Be sure to join in on the events at the bottom! And remember to send in any new works you see or make next week!

~Mod Hel (Sorry this is so late all!)

Fanfiction/Snippets/AU Ideas:

@destinysblackrose​

Losing my Breath https://destinysblackrose.tumblr.com/post/653297355731435520/fic-losing-my-breath-gundam-wing-heero-x

F/M, Heero Yuy/Relena Darlian

Rated M for mature. Contains smut and angst.

Before his ‘reconnaissance mission’, Heero had been coaxing her, week after week. Waiting for her to become comfortable with this aspect of their relationship. Their last 'exchange’ gave him hope that maybe, they were getting closer.

The patience of a sniper. He used to hate it. Waiting. Watching. Aching. Breathing. Boring.

At least nothing about waiting for Relena was dull.

@lemontrash​

Pride Day 5 https://lemontrash.tumblr.com/post/653269838365638656/pride-day-5

5 It Used to be a Different Game - 1x5 SFW - UST.

After a war and a rocky experience with ambivalent heterosexuality, Wufei is not entirely sure what to make of this situation.

@noirangetrois​

Gundam Wing Diaries https://noirangetrois.tumblr.com/post/653438898421284864/the-gundam-wing-diaries

May 8, 2000 (Monday)

Episode 46 - “Milliardo’s Decision”

May 9, 2000 (Tuesday)

Episode 47 - “Collision in Space”

Gundam Wing Diaries https://noirangetrois.tumblr.com/post/653714468147265536/the-gundam-wing-diaries

May 10, 2000 (Wednesday)

Episode 48 - “Takeoff into Confusion”

May 11, 2000 (Thursday)

Episode 49 - “The Final Victor”

Of the Sea (Ch. 11) https://noirangetrois.tumblr.com/post/653792472043077632/of-the-sea-chapter-11-archive-of

M/M, Duo Maxwell/Heero Yuy

Mature, No Archive Warnings Apply, fairytale my way, Meroctopus!Dorothy, Slow Burn, Multi POV, POV Third Person Limited, merman au, MerMay, Fantasy Politics, mentions of abuse, Unnatural November

Heero Yuy will soon be reaching the age of majority, at which time he will ascend the throne of Wingaria. Before such time, he must needs choose a bride. But what if there are no good choices? What if someone else has captured his heart?

simulacraryn

Friday, I’m in Love https://archiveofourown.org/works/31705282/chapters/78469714

F/M, Gen, Zechs Merquise/Lucrezia Noin

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Hangover, Alcohol Mentions, Explicit Language, Established Relationship, Alternate Universe - College/University, 1995 college au, khushrenada family has more issues than a magazine, background Treize being a gremlin, unbetaed - we die like men here

[College AU, 1995] Zechs is well aware of the upcoming social obligations that come with being friends and sharing a home with a "snob". The issue is when said friendship is actually cramping his own style, then it's time to enlist his girlfriend in order to help the friend find a better coping mechanism for the upcoming activities.

@thaiteaaddict​

Reincarnated As A Minor Villiainess and I Survived Past My Death Scene (Ch. 28) https://thaiteaaddict.tumblr.com/post/653740109010747392/i-reincarnated-as-a-minor-villainess-and-i

M/M, F/F, F/M, Heero x Duo, Trowa x Quatre, Wufei x Meilan, Dorothy x Relena

Full cast

Teen, AU - Fantasy, AU - Isekai, POV First Person, Unreliable Narrator

After being killed in a traffic accident, Duo wakes up in a medieval fantasy novel - except he’s woken up as one of the novel’s minor villains who was supposed to have died in a main character’s backstory. Intent on righting the wrongs of his novel counterpart, Duo sets out to change his fate and just maybe improve the relationship between himself and his estranged husband, Duke Heero Yuy. (Duo is isekai’d into the body of a novel’s villainess character and runs with it.)

@zaganthi​

Catered https://zaganthi.tumblr.com/post/653846550482665472/catered-zaganthi-caffiends-tzigane-gundam

M/M, Chang Wufei/Quatre Raberba Winner

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Blindfolds; Demisexuality; Dinner; First Kiss; Hand Feeding, GW Pride 2k21 – Day 13, Blindfolds; Day 17, foodplay

“I would like you to do a blind taste test.” Quatre sat down across from him on the cushion, smiling that serene little smile that he only used when he was up to something. He’d done stranger things. That smile made him a little paranoid, though. Anyone with the least bit of sense would be paranoid when Quatre looked like that.

“All right.”

“Thank you.” Wufei could see the smile, but he could also hear it in Quatre’s voice as he moved behind him.

Gnossienne https://zaganthi.tumblr.com/post/653752431378890752/gnossienne-zaganthi-caffiends-perryvic

M/M, Duo Maxwell/Quatre Raberba Winner; Treize Khushrenada/Duo Maxwell; Treize Khushrenada/Quatre Raberba Winner; Trowa Barton/Chang Wufei

Explicit, No Archive Warnings Apply, Aged-Up Character(s) Quatre Raberba’s Uchuu no Kokoro | Space Heart; Preventers (Gundam Wing); Team as Family; Domestic Bliss; Friendship; Friendship/Love; talking with exes; Double Penetration; rompy sex; Aftermath of Violence; Mind Control Aftermath & Recovery; Awareness of the trouser legs of time; Talking about Therapy; Dinner Party; Swordfighting; Enthusiastic Consent

It was as if his words constituted permission because Quatre’s smile was blinding then as was his emotional reaction - figuratively and literally because he damn well started glowing as he said in a reverent whisper “Sandrock,…”

His Gundam impossibly powered up there and then right in front of them even as Quatre literally ran towards it. This time around he really got it, he could feel Sandrock as Quatre felt him - and it was a him strangely. Just as he felt that Deathscythe was more than just metal and technology, Sandrock had a presence. How, he didn’t know but it was like seeing him reunite with a beloved family member.

Fanart/Crafts/Photo Manips:

@alphaikaros​

https://alphaikaros.tumblr.com/post/653299730884050944/late-mermay-post

Dorothy/Quatre, fanart

https://alphaikaros.tumblr.com/post/653860625645256704

Relena/Heero, fanart

@anukisart​

https://anukisart.tumblr.com/post/653291417640304640/first-anime-crush-right-here

Heero Yuy, fanart

@babygray-dam​

https://babygray-dam.tumblr.com/post/653427876479303680/a-sketch-of-duo-maxwell

Duo Maxwell, fanart

@cloakandfire​

https://cloakandfire.tumblr.com/post/653518473738305536/milliardo-peacecraft-lucrezia-neuenheim-noin

Millidardo Peacecraft/Zechs Merquise, fanart

@duointherain​

https://duointherain.tumblr.com/post/653647734686072832/a-new-duo-render-from-violet-in-tooth-and-claw-i

Duo Maxwell, render

@gundayum​

https://gundayum.tumblr.com/post/653389873532796928/im-just-gonna-copypasta-from-ao3-lmao-sorry

Relena & Heero, fanart

@idrawprettyboys​

https://idrawprettyboys.tumblr.com/post/653393436572106753/duo-in-a-crop-top

Duo Maxwell, fanart

@twillpoint​

https://twillpoint.tumblr.com/post/653752343129636864/until-next-time-afternoon-tea-booth

Duo/Quatre, fanbook

Photosets/Gifsets/Screenshots/Manga Pages:

@cuteciboulette​

https://cuteciboulette.tumblr.com/post/653254092113723392/doujinshika-sango-show

Destiny, doujinshi

https://cuteciboulette.tumblr.com/post/653344695287775232

Duo & Heero Book, doujinshi

https://cuteciboulette.tumblr.com/post/653707101846306816/cuteciboulette-tsuki-no-kodomo-vol-3-full

Act 3, doujinshi

Head Canons:

@bryony-rebb​

https://noirangetrois.tumblr.com/post/653352279647371264/lemontrash-bryony-rebb-bryony-rebb

Trowa & Cathy, headcanon

@lemontrash​

Quotes:

@incorrectgundamwingquotes​

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/653552300665782272/duo-kinda-gay-to-make-a-wanted-poster-duo-why-do

Duo & Heero

https://incorrectgundamwingquotes.tumblr.com/post/653642909168631808/duo-im-hella-fucking-tired-but-i-need-to-go-to

Duo & Quatre

Calendar Events:

@gundamzine​

Rhythm Generation 2021

Meet the Mods: https://gundamzine.tumblr.com/post/636708854145613824/come-on-over-a-meet-your-2021-zine-mod-team-head

Check out the blog for the Zine schedule!

@gundam-wing-pride​

Gundam Wing Pride 2k21 https://gundam-wing-pride.tumblr.com/post/648237909672083456/incoming-transmission-faq

A Beautiful Rainbow of Prompts https://gundam-wing-pride.tumblr.com/post/649898271517573120/a-beautiful-rainbow-of-prompts

@gwcocktailfriday

Cocktail Fridays!

Post responses on Friday, during Happy Hour between 3 & 5 pm in your own timezone.

Here’s the prompt for Friday, ! [starting back up next week!]

In need of Summer/Fall(Autumn) prompts!

@gwshootingstars

Shooting Stars Online Convention https://gwshootingstars.tumblr.com/post/653339481502564352/hey-everyone-guess-whos-back-with-a-brand-new

This has been tabled for future action.

https://gwshootingstars.tumblr.com/post/653641678082752512/hi-all-thank-you-so-much-for-the-response-and

Latest news.

@oztober-rust

Welcome to Oztober Rust

We’re an up and coming Gundam Wing event with a slight twist! This page is still a work in progress, but you’re welcome to join us over on discord and get a feel for the event.

Have discord, will fan. https://oztober-rust.tumblr.com/post/647568110262566912/i-see-a-nice-and-steady-following-we-do-have-a

@seasons-of-gundamwing

Summer Event Prompts Needed https://seasons-of-gundamwing.tumblr.com/post/652830126852177920/alright-folks

@thisweekingundamevents

Events Calendar https://thisweekingundamevents.tumblr.com/post/644080386309275648/events-calendar-update

If you are hosting an event currently, or are planning on one, hit us up with links and dates! We’ll add them to the Calendar and reblog your notices to get the word out!

[guardevoir]

For the writing ask meme, A L L

pfff

Right, THAT was unexpected - but hey, challenge accepted!

1. What made you start writing?

Fanfic - I mean, I've always come up with stories for as long as I can recall, but fanfic made me realize that I, regular mortal being, can actually write them down and it'll be a story. Books are written by people, not by some mysterious eldritch entity from beyond time! Biggest revelation of my childhood, no joke.

2. How old were you when you started writing?

In a writing-things-down kinda way? Oof. The first thing I actually posted somewhere and thus have proof of was when I was 12; I don't recall if I really wrote much before that.

3. What was the first story you ever wrote about?

Again, I can't really recall - the first thing that stuck was a German-language Pokemon fanfic called "Pokeschool - Abenteuer im Schnee" (if I had to translate the title it’d be “Pokeschool: Snow Adventure” or something): A cheesy high school field trip AU about an extremely wild collection of assorted Pokemon characters going on a skiing trip. It was largely badly-written slapstick, but genuinely kinda entertaining in parts. And people did read it for some reason.

4. What’s your favorite genre?

Urban fantasy, probably - but I'm also pretty fond of sci fi and generally hard-to-classify alternate universe stuff. Bonus points if it's queer.

5. What’s your least favorite genre?

Don't really have one, but I'm not a fan of extremely gritty stuff. Also, not-queer, not-scifi/fantasy YA fiction. Don’t get me wrong, YA is absolutely an important and valid genre, I’m just still salty about never getting to identify with the protagonists, which kinda makes all the Coming Of Age stuff pointless. 

7. What’s your biggest strength as a writer?

Characters, allegedly. 

8. What’s your biggest weakness as a writer?

Pacing and... well, plot. 

10. What writing projects are you currently working on?

OH BOY! So, I have Death Of A Midnight Snack, a fun lil’ Urban Fantasy crime fiction thing about a sad, frail vampire and a young and very inexperienced witch, who are extremely unqualified to solve the crime they’re up against. Then there’s Equinox (and its fifty billion AUs, lol), a thing about two 30-something dorks having massive crushes on each other but thinking the other is way too awesome to love them back. Also there’s sentient flying tallships and political intrigue and a not-abducted prince and stuff. But really, it’s mostly unabashedly cheesy gay romance set in a kinda arcanepunk/alternate universe urban fantasy kinda world. Also, In Oscuram, about an unwillingly cyborgified captain of an experimental space ship, his weird crew, and their wacky adventures. Also, my dozens of Emergency! fanfic ideas.

11. Who’s your favorite author?

Ah, crap. I don’t have one, really - I mostly just have favorite books. For the longest time, I never really even bothered remembering the names of the people who wrote them. 

12. Who’s your least favorite author?

dunno, there’s a lot of awful authors out there. Some of them can’t write, some of them are just assholes. 

13. What’s your favorite book?

... remember how I just said I “only have favorite books”? WELL, actually there’s no fixed list of THOSE, either. Rivers of London is pretty good. The Bartimaeus sequence; huge influence on my sense of humor and general writing style. Took me years to get rid of all the footnotes again. The “Dark Reflections” trilogy, awful English title aside. The Imperial Radch books are a delightful experience if you’re patient enough. That one collection of Oscar Wilde’s fairytales; curse that man for making me feel things. Speaking of Oscar Wilde, The Canterville Ghost in particular was my favorite thing as a kid. Oh, and a more recent fave is Varney the Vampire! Don’t get me wrong, it fucking sucks, but I love that piece of trash with all my heart. There’s a bunch of others I’m forgetting - I can pretty much chronicle my life by favorite books (and songs) alone. 

14. What’s your least favorite book?

Don’t know, don’t care. I don’t usually bother having a “least favorite” of anything.

15. What’s your favorite trope?

Always depends on how you use it. 

16. What’s your least favorite trope?

Always depends on- well, you get the idea.

17. Have you ever gotten anything published?

Nope, mostly because I’m really bad at getting things finished, and haven’t really made any effort to publish anything in the first place - aside from, yknow, fanfic.

18. Do you prefer to type or write by hand?

Yes :P My current process goes (optional: handwriting ->) typewriter -> computer, and I’m pretty happy with that.

19. What’s your favorite literary magazine?

Don’t have one, don’t read any.

20. Are there any topics you don’t feel comfortable writing about?

Yes, honestly most of them. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

THAT is an EXCELLENT question. 

Do you prefer to write fiction or poetry?

Fiction; I’ve never successfully written poetry. 

How long is the stuff you usually write?

From 200-ish words all the way to novel-length.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

By giving up and being sad about Clearly Having Lost My Writing Skills Forever until I finally stop moping anywhere from 5 minutes to several years later. 

Have you ever taken any creative writing classes?

Nope! Maybe one day...

Which of your characters has the most in common with you?

Dunno - and even if I did, I probably wouldn’t tell you. Love me a bit of mystery.

Who is your favorite character you’ve written about?

Gus, from Death Of A Midnight Snack.

Who is your favorite fictional character in general?

Johnny Gage, Horatio Hornblower, Giovanni Auditore, in about that order.

What time of day do you usually write?

Way too fucking late at night :’)

How much planning and/or research do you do before you start writing?

Either none, or ALL the planning. The former’s the kind of story that actually gets written. 

What writing related accomplishment are you the most proud of?

Got asked about characters I posted some snippets for on a forum two years ago; apparently I’d left an impression. Also, posting 11 fics in 2021 so far.

Have you ever dreamt about your characters?

Probably, but I rarely remember my dreams.

What is your ideal writing environment?

Uncomfortable, unfortunate, and full of people who don’t want me to write. Idk, I’m just at my most prolific when I’m really supposed to be doing something else. 

Which published book do you wish you had written?

Whatever I’d have gotten the most money out of. No, hear me out - I don’t want to have written anybody else’s books, my stories are mine, their stories are theirs... but being able to live off of royalties to write the stuff I really do wanna write (not to mention the publishing clout) would be damnably useful. 

Which themes do you like to write about the most?

love conquers all - not necessarily romantic love, not even love towards a person, just... love for life itself and the world around them. Basically, I’m a big ol’ unapologetic sap. 

What is the best advice you have for a beginning writer?

Write, and keep an open mind. 

What is the worst writing advice you’ve ever heard?

“don’t use ‘said’!!!11″ ugh. This one mostly just bugs me as a reader because badly-used not-actually-synonyms are the worst.

Do you prefer pens or pencils?

Fountain pens. 

What traits do your protagonists usually have?

A healthy dose of various insecurities, an unfortunate self-destructive streak, a solid chunk of queerness, and a whole lotta heart. 

What is your ultimate writing goal?

Eh, I dunno. I just wanna write some stories I’d like to read and maybe improve some people’s days along the way. 

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever written about?

I don’t know, do the sentient tallships or the 1970′s homoerotic firefighter/paramedics rank higher on the weirdness scale?

What is the most random fact you’ve ever learned while doing research for a story?

Shit, I dunno, I have such a tendency to fall down research rabbit holes that it can be hard to tell what’s story research and what’s just “guardy enjoys learning new things”. I guess “Maria Theresa of Austria had to issue a decree in 1755 declaring that Vampires Do Not Exist, Stop Mutilating Corpses, Damn It” ranks pretty high on the list of random shenanigans.  

What would you do if you were suddenly teleported into your WIP?

Depends on the exact WIP, but “get some clothes that fit in better” is pretty high up on the list in any case. Except for DOAMS, where the answer would be “sincerely apologize to Gus, for the... the everything.”

How many drafts do you usually go through before you finish a piece?

For the fic stuff, it usually goes first draft -> second draft -> final edits -> post. I occasionally do a third draft as well, if I know I’ll likely struggle - but usually only for the problematic parts. 

Has your writing ever made you cry?

Not quite, but I did manage to give myself Feels once or twice. 

Would you rather have your WIP adapted into a movie or TV show?

TV show. 's better for character driven stuff. 

Where do you share your writing?

AO3 and tumblr for fics, occasionally Toyhouse for original stuff; I also toss a fair amount of snippets onto the NaNoWriMo forums for both. Also, sometimes I let friends read my notebooks. Does that count?

What’s your favorite line of your current WIP?

“It was dark and late and it was raining, really pourin’ it down, pounding against the roof of the Rover so loud it drowned out his racing thoughts, leaving nothing but emptiness and an icy cold clawing at him that might’ve been his emotions or just the frigid night air.”

What’s the first sentence of your WIP?

“Johnny had known it would be hard, going back to their old lives after this one night in that cold hotel room, hiding under that blanket like it’d protect them from the world.”

What’s the last sentence you wrote?

“Gage just muttered a quiet “gee, thanks” and walked away as Irvine sputtered an awkward apology.”

What inspired you to write your WIP?

My brain hitting me with “Joanne picks up Roy at the airport. Johnny picks himself up at the airport.” out of the blue. Hitch asking for a sequel to the fic this is a sequel to definitely helped, too.

What’s your favorite thing about your WIP?

There are already several scenes in there that I feel like an absolute tool for writing, in the most gleeful way possible. 

[morganalefays]

which countries have you visited? and what were your favorite parts of them?

I have been to a lot of countries but not spent that much time in any of them so theres still a ton to see! but here are some things i loved about the places i have visited.

China (Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou) china was sooooo cool. so unlike anything im used to. i could say many nice things but one thing is that they had these insane nightclubs, i have a video somewhere of me sitting on a curb digging silver confetti out of my bra

India (Goa) Definitely one of the most beautiful places i’ve been, all the flowers, trees and greenery were unreal

Egypt (Hurghada, Cairo) ok can i be honest with you guys........ i was probably most starstruck by seeing the pyramid of chephren BECAUSE we had to play this math PC game all the time in 8th grade where you were supposed to break out of the pyramid and when i saw it i was like wow i can’t believe i won the game

USA (San Francisco) i was obsessed with the redwood forests and san francisco really is unapologetically A LOT

Israel (Jerusalem, Bethlehem) i’ve never been somewhere more loaded with energy than Jerusalem. so much culture, religion and history. obviously a lot of that comes form tragedy and conflict but its a town that means a lot to many people and you can really feel that

Finland (Helsinki) i was only in helsinki for a day, but i love the palette of the city if that makes sense. like the colours and the architecture feels very fitting for its geographical location.

Denmark (Copenhagen) i go to copenhagen every year cause its just really easy to go over the day from where my grandparents live. Tivoli (an amusement park) is so magical to me and i just love the atmosphere even if i don’t go on any ride.

United Kingdom (London, Glasgow, Edinburgh) i’m so impressed with british theatre, i’v’e seen a few plays in london and they’ve all been really good. i feel like the culture around going to the theatre is much less elitist than in my country as well.

Iceland (Reykjavik) i think im gonna have to go live in reykjavik at some point. i just felt really at home in iceland. the nature is so beautiful it makes you want to cry this is some fantasy shit.

Germany (Berlin, Cologne) i like in germany how the history is always so present and made a part of the cities identity instead of hiding it away.

France (Paris, Bordeaux) france to me kind of really lives up to what you imagine france to be like. like “here’s a beautiful little town from the 12th century surrounded by winerys”. also had an absurd experience of going to a wine tasting with a class of 17 year olds

Spain (Tarragona) tapas!!!! my friend’s boyfriend who is from the region ordered all the food and showed us what is good which is really helpful when you’re a clueless swedish person (but also omg never getting used to eating dinner at like 10? he’d be like let’s eat and im like.... its bedtime)

Portugal (Lisbon, Sintra) sintra is something taken out of a fairytale! we did like three castles in one day and i loved every single one of them

Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna) if you love history, languages, religion and art like i do, italy is a fucking DREAM. you’ll just walk around and like stumble on the colloseum or something. i came upon this closed off ruin with like a million cats running around and i read the sign and it was just like “this is where caesar was murdered”

Russia (St. Petersburg) i was there with my russian class in high school and i fell in love with st petersburg, but especially seeing the winter palace was magical to me. and random but the metro stations are amazing? i vividly remember one with like whole ass chandeliers in it

Greece (a few different islands) i’m just gonna say it... greek people are very hot. also there are some really nice beaches

Turkey (Bodrum) all turkish people i have visited are so generous and loving and make the best food

[williford91slaughter-blog]

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[one-hell-of-otaku-is-here]

15 tag game

Not tagging anyone in particular so yeah im aready kind of breaking rules again but whatever lol. Tagged by wonderful @lycoryllis one again ^^

1. Are you named after anyone?

Nope, my name was chosen by draw by my fathers ex collegues. If I was a boy I would be either called Thomas or by my father Peter and knowing him he would definitely choose his name so yeah

2. When was the last time you cried?

Eeh probably two weeks ago?? I had a pretty bad weekend back then

3. Do you have kids?

No

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Sometimes, it really depends on the people I’m around. Tbh I do not see myself to be a sarcastic person so I guess it depends on the situation. I think that if I use it then i tis mostly around my family and close friends. I do not open up to strangers or at school or in  public to people so it is only natural I would be less sarcastic

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

In general, I think I look at theor face firts then rest of the body. I do think I judge people based on theri first impression on me at least for a while before i get to know them better soo I am not immune to making prejuduces about them. I guess if someone were to look in my head they would want to have nothing to do with me lol I tend to judge the way they talk or what face expression they make biut mostly I judge their appearance. Sight I think that is also why I cant get boyfriend – I have a certain prefernces even in looks but those guys tend to be the worst or the y are gay or they are taken so yeah

6. What’s your eye color?

Grey blue – I was born with blue eyes but you know how they change during life – my dad has very strange color combinantions and I inhereted that from him I guess – in differnt light they may appear green, gray or even blue. All in all just know they are mostly greyish blue

7. Scary movie or happy ending?

I generally don’t like scary movies unless we are talking about surreal horor or psychological horror such as was anime and game Higurashi. I do not do well with gore but that series was waay more than that and so I did not mind. I think I do like happy endings over scary ones – I grew up on  fairytales and later as a teen on rom cons after all- but lately since I started to like thrillers and crimi series –and played  lots of games with that genre- I started to welcome bad endings too. It is fiction after all and sometimes some pretty shitty but well written bad ending can be waay better than happy ending / thats is why I was sad to learn everything turned out well in Clannad – the ending with Tomoya losing all was freaking sad but amazing and realistic af which I always appreciate

8. Any special talents?

I tend to think I am just average in everything I do. I am so jealous over anyone who has high IQ for example it feels like those guys just swim through life without any worries or care in the world whike I struggle here in academics. If they appear arrogant about it that is. Aside from itellegence I do not excel in other areas that much as well.

9. Where were you born?

In a very small country in Middle Europe – we are surrounded by countries such as Poland, Hungary and even Ukraine and Austria. I was born in second biggest city here but compared to rest of Europe we do not stand out that much. I leave our flag here so you can check it out. We have a beautiful mountains up in north for which we are well known for and our surrounding countries often visit them

10. What are your hobbies?

I like lots of things but not all of them can be called hobbies I do not engage in them that much. Those hobbies would be walking with my dog, swimming, cycling and dancing. Then there are my true hobbies – those include reading books, playing otomr or RPG games and as you all know anime and manga. I used to draw a lot too as a kid but I am not good and i tis not something I can do as I am nt patient enough. Then I also used to sing a lot with my grandpa. I think singing would have becomem my oassion and a career if I could actually sing, Musicv is also one of my true hobbies I love listening to my favourite bands and my favourite anime opening, endings or OSTs. Mazbe one day I decide to learn how to play guitar – my one and only attempt to enjoy music at its fullest – I have been playing wit that idea from time to time in the past but again I am too lazy to star anything new at this point.

11. Do you have any pets?

We have a dog bamed Ben he is 12 years old now ^^

12. What sports do you play/have you played?

I did swimming, soccer, netball and volleyball school during PE pnly which I kinda enjoyed. Indon’t play any particular sports or exercise

13. How tall are you?

Around 5’1 (156.5 cm) yes I am a smol bean too(>_<) – it is a still mystery to me how I could stop and did not grow at least that 0.5 cm

14. Favorite subject in school?

History, Art -bless my elemetary days the only days I had art classes in my life-, Literature and Social studies – and that mainly Psychology and Philosophy- if I did not decide I am not gonna listen to people problems as to avoid possibe depression-and trust me I was thinking about taking Psychology course a lot -even my dad told me I should- then I would. Also I loved talking about philosophers I think history gaves us a very inetresting ones but once again I did not see any point in talking Philosophy if I am not planning to become philospher myself ofc. I guess I only liked to learn about them – not to study and analyse them for the rest of my life.

15. Dream job?

My decision to take English language course was probably not the brightest idea but it was the only idea I had and could take at the time. I still have not freaking idea what to do with myself I am kind of still stuck at stalemate. The first step was to stalemate what I did not wanted to do, and I found I mostly crossed every option I considered – I have enough thought about acting as I used to do that as a kid and was quite good, but I have not further experience for more than 10 years. The one thing I always loved are books and I used to think I could live as a writer, but real-life situation is different isn’t it. Well, I have never thought about it much up until I discovered Japanese literature thanks to BSD and it I like a whole new world opened to me so now there is a tiny voice in my head telling me that that’s what I must do. I still have no idea what job I am gonna do once I have my degree but one thing is certain to me- one day I am gonna wake up from this slumber and write a book – not because I have to but because I want to.

If anyone should do this then: @pastel-sea-creature and @blackandwhitemusician Ily guys

[jenroseyokel]

Awesome of the Year 2018: The Books

Happy New Year! ‘Tis the season for year end lists left and right as we attempt to figure out the best of everything from 2018. And of course, as a fan of books, music, and movies, it’s only right to get in on the list-making. Over the next week or so, I’ll be sharing my 2018 favorite lists. First up: books! This year, I set my Goodreads reading challenge at 40 books, and actually passed it. I’ve been setting arbitrary book goals for years, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve succeeded since 2007. Probably because of all the graphic novels and comic trades I read this year WHICH TOTALLY COUNT BTW. Ahem. Anyway. This isn’t really a best of 2018 list so much as a Here’s a Bunch of Books I Really Liked in 2018 list, split up into categories. I hope you’ll find something interesting here, especially if you’re looking for ways to spend bookstore or Amazon gift cards you got for Christmas… ;)

Newish Books by Rad Christian Women:

Every Arbitrary Book Goal should have a small correlated goal attached. This year mine was to make sure I read at least 50% women authors… and there have been a lot of GREAT new books from women writers in the past few years. If the “Christian women” section of your local bookstore makes you cringe a little inside too, check out these three wonderful books, all released in the past couple years:

Courage, Dear Heart by Rebecca K. Reynolds (NavPress, 2018)

Anyone who has read Rebecca’s writing knows she needed to write a book. She has a sharp mind, a poet's soul, a scientist's eye, and the most beautiful, tender heart. Also, she's an incredible writer who loves her readers with a love that radiates off every page. Buy a copy for everyone you know.

Wearing God by Lauren F. Winner (HarperOne, 2017) Girl Meets God was a formative book in my early 20s, and I’ve always meant to read more from this author, but somehow haven't. I finally picked up this one and oh man, for a solid month afterward I couldn’t stop thinking about it. With the eye of a scholar and the heart of a poet, Winner draws on personal stories, deep Biblical study, and a love of language to explore lesser known metaphors for God. Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2016)

Several years ago, James K.A. Smith’s Desiring the Kingdom helped me see liturgy in a new way, as not just religious practice, but the embedded routines that shape us. In this book, Tish Warren brings that idea to life as she walks through an ordinary day explores the holiness in our most mundane moments of living. You may not look at brushing your teeth or losing your keys the same way again.

Good Stories

This year, fiction reading was… all over the place? I don’t know if I read much that was OMG amazing, but here are a few that were fun…

The Fairyland Series 2-5 by Catherynne M. Valente (Feiwel & Friends, 2012-2015)

I am notoriously awful at finishing book series. I read the first Fairyland book maybe… two years ago? Yikes. Just finished the last one and wow, so fun. Colorful characters, a whimsical narrator, crazy locations, and a whole lot of heart make this Victorian fairytale meets contemporary fantasy a delight to read. 

Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Harcourt, 1956)

Lewis’ contemporary retelling of the Cupid and Pschye myth through the eyes of Psyche’s jealous sister Orual. Second read for me, and even better this time around. Pretty sure this is Lewis’ storytelling at his best.

Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw (Orbit, 2017)

This was a year to embrace fun, nerdy reads. So there was the Star Trek spoof Redshirts (with a plot twist I totally saw coming... and I am not good at guessing plot twists) and my first trip into the Star Wars extended book universe (or whatever the heck they call it these days) and… this. A story about a doctor for the undead in London, trying to solve the mysteries surrounding a murderous cult and keep her monster friends safe. Not the greatest, but a fun Halloween read. I’ll get to the sequel eventually. (See also: bad at finishing book series.)

Poetry for Everyone 

Another new reading practice this year: always keeping a poetry book on the bedside table. Poetry books are best for leisurely dipping in and out rather than reading cover to cover. If you think poetry is only for the ivory towers, give these writers a try and think again.

A Child's Year by Christopher Yokel (Independent, 2018)

Okay, I’m biased here, but hey! Chris quietly released a new poetry book into the world this fall, and I’m a big fan of Chris AND his poems. A Child’s Year is a season cycle, sort of like his last book A Year in Weetamoo Woods, but this time it’s anchored by a four part poem recalling the journey of seasons through childhood eyes. And according to our friend Kirsten’s 7-year-old son, he gets the experience right. ;) 

The Jubilee by John Blase (Bright Coppers Press, 2017) For his 50th birthday, John Blase released his first poetry book, with a poem for every year of life. It’s rare for me to make it through an entire collection start to finish but these were just so good. There are poems about aging — the author’s and his parents’ — and poems that evoke wide spaces and natural wonder. There are psalms and parables, and meditations on dying and, yes, living. All of them finely tuned with wisdom, gentle grace, and a touch of humor in all the right places. How I Discovered Poetry by Marilyn Nelson (Dial Books, 2014)

When I heard Marilyn Nelson read her poem “Thirteen-Year-Old American Negro Girl” on the On Being podcast, I was captivated. And when I found this lovely hardcover in a used bookstore back home in Florida, I knew I needed to read more. This is a memoir in poetry about growing up in a black military family during the American Civil Rights era, told with gentle lyricism, warmth, and humor. Plus, the book itself is lovely with whimsical illustrations and family photos.

Comics!

I’m always on a quest to get more comics in my life. Plus knocking out a whole series in a couple weeks is a solid way to pad out your Arbitrary Book Goal.

Amulet 1-7 by Kazu Kibuishi (Graphix, 2008-2016)

After their father’s tragic death, Emily and Navin move with their mom to a strange old house that belonged to their great-grandfather… and so the adventure begins. In this fantasy series, the two kids find themselves in an underground world of demons, robots, talking animals, and a dangerous and powerful Amulet. A captivating and beautifully illustrated fantasy tale. Ms. Marvel 1-5 by G. Willow Wilson (Marvel, 2014-2016)

Y’all, I super want to be a Marvel nerd. But alas, I can't keep up, so I get my sister to loan books to me. Ms. Marvel is my new fave. A Pakistani-American girl from Jersey City has the power to grow, shrink, and stretch her body at will. So she’s trying to fight crime, keep up at school, and well, stay out of trouble with her parents. So fun. (Dear Disney: I really want this kid to show up in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. before it gets canceled kthxbye.)

The Legend of Wonder Woman by Ranae De Liz and Ray Dillon (DC Comics, 2016)

Weren’t we all mildly obsessed with Wonder Woman after the 2017 film? Another one I borrowed from my sister. A solid take on Diana’s origin story that’s accessible for comic n00bs (ahem, like me) who can’t figure out where to begin with beautiful art and a lot of heart.

The Classic I Finally Read 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen I always try to tackle either a thick intimidating novel or an unread classic in the wintertime. This year, I worked on my Austen deficiency and discovered I relate a little too much to Elinor Dashwood.

What’s Next?

In the new year, I think my goal is less about numbers and more about reading widely. I liked the 50% women authors goal because it helped me actively choose to support women writers. This year, hoping to read more books by authors of color, explore some new ideas and genres, and hopefully do a better job reading deeply and taking notes. I’ve got my eye on Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge too, perhaps as a way to dig into new things I wouldn’t normally notice. And yeah... perhaps a monthly reading life update is a thing I can do here on the blog. :)

If you’re curious to see the full list of What I Read This Year and follow along with me in 2019, feel free to follow me on Goodreads!

What were some of your favorite reads in 2018? And what are your goals for the new year? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments!

[chokememrstark]

Tagged ♥

@brieflymaximumprincess tagged me in this and I’m very excited. BOOKS, YAY!!!

1. First things first, what’s you MBTI type?

According to a test I just took it’s INTP-T lol

So, I’m the Logician? Me, logic? Oh boy, this starts perfect XD

2. When did you learn to read?

I think I learned it before I was 6 already, but I can’t really say. I was a good reader in first class tho, so I guess that’s true.

3. What languages can you read in?

German and English ^^

4. What book are you currently reading, or most recently read?

Right now I’m reading “Four Past Midnight” by Stephen King, as it’s one of the bunch of books by him I got cheap a while ago that are in English. I usually get his books in German but I wanted to change it up a bit ^^ I have another book called “Teufel, Satan, Luzifer” by Gerald Messadriè that I’m reading bit by bit. It’s originally a French book about the “Universal history of Evil”. Let’s see how that plays out XD

5. Name three books you’ve never finished.

Not finish... a BOOK? Damn... I don’t think I do that very often... let me see if I can remember one. Does the Bible count? I mean, I knew the ending so I lost interest kinda... other than that I don’t think I remember any unfinished books. I tend to finish them all sooner or later.

6. What are your favorite books from your childhood?

I absolutely loved “Monsters In My Pocket” and really think about getting it for my son too XD It’s a book on monsters and where they live and, most important, how you can fight them ^^ Very cool. I also loved Fairytale books, especially those by Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. The original versions though, not the disneyfied ones XD Those were boring me.

7. Current favorite books?

Even if it’s been a while since I read it: “High Rise” by J. G. Ballard. It’s twisted, it’s crazy and even if it was hard to read due to some very interesting vocabulary, I really enjoyed it. Another one is “The Dome” by King and, as always “IT” by King ^^ Still hoping to get my paws on an English First Edition one day XD IF audio books count, I loved the Day by Day Armageddon book 1 by J.L. Bourne & Ronald M. Hahn , couldn’t continue listening to the others yet but I will. I mean, the German voice of Johnny Depp reads them, that’s a damn awesome experience in itself ^^

Multiple choice: (Bold those that apply to you and add choices if you must)

I will add my personal two cents bc I’m impossible XD

8. Favorite Genres?

Mystery/Crime/Sci-fi/Fantasy/Chick Lit/Young Adult/Horror/Nonfiction/Memoir /Dystopia/Poetry/Self-Help/Historical Fiction/Fanfiction/Realistic Fiction/Biography/Children/Picture Books/Contemporary/Classics

9. Your opinion on rereading books;

I do it all the time / has to be a really good book/I can’t stand it/I haven’t done it since I was a child/I only reread my favorite sections/should be done with caution

There are certain books I will reread again and again. For example, I usually once a year reread the Harry Potter books. No idea why, but sometimes I just want to. The same goes for “The Stand” by King. I LOVE rereading that one, can’t get enough XD

10. How long does it take you to read one book on average?

1 to 3 days/a week/a few weeks/about a month/several months/one day up to several months, completely depending on how busy I am/depends on which book im reading

Depending on how easy I get into reading and how much time I have it usually goes pretty fast. I finished “IT” a while ago in a week, would have been three days if I would have had more time XD I read fast most of the time. The English books I have now take a bit longer, but the experience is very interesting, so I don’t mind.

11. How do you typically read?

Every opportunity I get, in transit, while waiting, etc. (depends on where I am, what book it is, if I’m easily able to bring it along)/Before bed/On the go by audiobook/When I can truly relax/When I remember to

I used to read in the bathtub, but that shit is a bit too dangerous bc I’m clumsy af, so now I usually read on the couch XD

12. How many books do you typically read in a year?

None or 1/About 1 to 3/Maybe 4 to 10/At least more than 10/ At least 50/ Too much. I can’t keep track. /varies between 5 and 50/anywhere between 30 and 60

13. For school assigned book, what type of student are/were you?

I read all the books in detail/I read all but sometimes skimmed/I nearly read all, I may have skipped a few because they were too boring/I only read the interesting ones/There’s a reason why Sparknotes was made!

We had to read them all bc the internet wasn’t very helpful with information on them back in the day and after every book we had a presentation, so yeah. Booooring most of the time!

I won’t tag many people, but those I know love reading XD @sassysupernaturalsweetheart @shebahda

[itunesbooks]

German Short Stories - Dave Smith

German Short Stories 8 Easy to Follow Stories with English Translation For Effective German Learning Experience Dave Smith Genre: Foreign Languages Price: $2.99 Publish Date: September 15, 2018 Publisher: Mark Williams Seller: PublishDrive Inc. The Simple Way To Learn German... If you are curious about the German language, eager to know interesting things about Germany's culture and her people, or are just an ambitious reader looking for new short stories to add to your digital library, then this book would be a great fit for you! This book features several short stories in the Germanic tongue, along with their English translations. There are also sections dedicated to some grammatical and critical notes on the texts. The purpose of this book is not only to inform the reader about the German language, but also to entertain, and this short story collection does just that with ease. The topics that these stories cover range from private detective work to war, and from fairytale pancakes running from their evil captors to simple house tours. You won't want to miss out on any of it. This book is intended for use by beginner to intermediate German language level learners, so the reader need not be intimidated. Here, he or she will not find any technical jargon fit for a professional linguist or any esoteric German fit for a native German speaker. As was mentioned before, the purpose of this book is to inform and entertain, not to prepare the reader for a doctoral dissertation on German literature. The stories included in this book were written by a number of contemporary authors in a number of genres and styles. They are as follows: Daisy Macbeth by Crystal Jones Die Andernacher Bäckersjungen by H.A. Guerber Einkaufen im Supermarkt (Anonymous) Unser Haus (Anonymous) Die Suche Nach Lorna by Crystal Jones Der Hausvater by H.A. Guerber Das Reiterbild in Düsseldorf by H.A. Guerber Der Pfannkuchen by H.A. Guerber As mentioned before, these stories are not only featured in both English and German, they are also supplemented with additional notes exploring the storytelling elements of each story along with grammatical notes, tips, and such. Don't wait another moment to enjoy from this information – Get your copy of German Short Stories right away! http://dlvr.it/R6fvTj