#it's a masterclass in communications

[hussyknee]

[Video description: Dated black and white video of an interview between a man off-screen who speaks in an upper-crust English accent and a handsome brown man in his thirties seated at a table. He is lean with short curly dark hair, a very sixties moustache, and wearing a casual shirt with an open collar. The camera is zoomed in on him, leaning forward on his elbows, head low and tilted towards the interviewer, brow furrowed, and an intense gaze that flicks down at the table after each question in careful contemplation. He speaks with an Arab accent. The timer of the video recording ticks away at the top left of the frame.

Transcript:

Interviewer: "Why won't your organisation engage in peace talks with the Israelis?"

Ghassan Kanafani: "You don't mean exactly peace talks. You mean capitulation. Surrendering."

Interviewer: "Why not just talk?"

Ghassan: "Talk to whom?"

Interviewer: "Talk to the Israeli leaders."

Ghassan: "That's the kind of conversation between the sword and the neck, you mean."

Interviewer: "Well, if there's no swords or guns in the room you could still talk."

Ghassan: "No. I have never seen any talk between a colonialist case and a national liberation movement."

Interviewer: "But despite this, why not talk?"

Ghassan: "Talk about what?"

Interviewer: "Talk about the possibility of not fighting."

Ghassan: "Not fighting for what?"

Interviewer: "Not fighting at all, no matter what for."

Ghassan: "People usually fight for something, and they stop fighting for something so you can't even tell me speak about what—"

Interviewer: "—Stop fighting—"

Ghassan: "—Talk about stop fighting why?"

Interviewer: "Talk to stop fighting to stop the death and the misery, the destruction, the pain."

Ghassan: "The misery and the pain and the destruction and the death for whom?"

Interviewer: "Of Palestinians, of Israelis, of Arabs."

Ghassan: "Of the Palestinian people who are uprooted, thrown in the camps, living in starvation, killed for twenty years and forbidden to use even the name Palestinian?"

Interviewer: "Better that way than dead though."

Ghassan: "Maybe to you, but to us, it's not. To us, to liberate our country, to have dignity, to have respect, to have our mere human rights is something as essential as life itself."

Ghassan Kanafani is one of the heroes of the Palestinian liberation and celebrated in the canon of modern Arab literature. Forced out of his home with his family during the Nakba in 1948 at the age of ten, the shame of their surrender to Zionists moved him to devote his life to Arab nationalism, Marxist movements and Palestinian liberation through his career as a newspaper editor, journalist, novellist and non-combatant member of the armed resistance group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He coined the term "resistance literature" for the genre of his writing, that came to be instrumental in shaping the Palestinian national identity and ideology of its resistance. In 1972, he and his 17 year old niece were murdered in a car bomb by Mossad.

His obituary read:

"He was a commando who never fired a gun, whose weapon was a ball-point pen, and his arena the newspaper pages."

[estebunny]

esteban ocon and laura mueller after qualifying p11 in chinese grand prix

via teamestebanocon instagram reels

[draconiselegy]

thinking about how the dragons never speak and yet understand everything.

a meditation on silence, language, and loyalty in httyd.

—

what strikes me about How to Train Your Dragon—again and again—is the silence of the dragons.

not muteness, not absence. but willed quiet. a kind of knowing that refuses articulation.

toothless understands loss, grief, joy, betrayal—and he says none of it.

there’s something achingly old about that. like myth. like god before the word.

—

dragons in other media are orators, philosophers, wise with centuries and too many teeth.

in HTTYD, they are animals. but not just animals.

they are sacred, misunderstood, misnamed.

and yet they never need to explain themselves.

they look, they act, they remain.

—

there’s something profoundly Norse about that.

in the Eddas, knowledge is often kept secret. language is precious and dangerous.

Odin gives up an eye for a drink of wisdom,

and the cost of runes is blood.

HTTYD understands that silence can be intimacy.

a dragon doesn’t need to speak to be loyal.

a bond doesn’t need to be explained to be real.

—

sometimes i think about how language failed Berk for generations.

how all the speeches and warnings and war cries kept them from seeing what was right in front of them.

and how only a boy who didn’t speak over everything

could change that.

but this isn’t about him.

(for once.)

[wileys-russo]

mentally im still here (i never left)

[mischiefiswritten]

Key Takeaways - Neil Gaiman's MasterClass on Storytelling

I'm currently listening to Neil Gaiman's MasterClass on storytelling, and I thought I'd share some of my primary takeaways from the first few episodes.

There are a million bad lines inside of your pencil. Your job as a writer is to get them all out so that you can get to the good ones.

Your influences/inspirations as a storyteller are not just other fiction writers. Stop and think how musicians and other artists influence the stories you want to tell and how to tell them.

When you sit down to begin a new story or project, first take some time to write down everything you know about it so far. Write down all your ideas, sketch and doodle and annotate if you need to, and then look for connections. This is where a story emerges from a jumble of ideas.

What is it about? Every good story is saying something, even if it's not a deep social commentary. This is different from your concept and it will guide you as you go. Stories are about telling the truth through fiction (lies), so think about what truth you're trying to tell.

What do your characters want? This will help you establish conflict. Pick two of your characters, answer this question, and make their desires mutually exclusive. Characters will always get what they need, for good or ill, but not all of them can get what they want.

When you're stuck in your plot, you can also ask yourself what your characters want. They may just save you!

What happens next? This is the most important question, not just because you have to continually answer it to build your plot but because it's the question that makes your story matter. At the end of every chapter or at every shift in character perspective, etc., your readers should be asking this question. It's the only way to keep them turning pages. This question has to matter to you as well, because if the author doesn't care what happens next, neither will anyone else.

These were some of my favorite points or things that I felt were most foundational to young writers. I'm only partway through but I do recommend his MasterClass! It's very informational and uplifting, and he's easy to listen to. Check your local library to see if you can access it for free!

[orchard-bliss]

Billy Collins, “Connect With Strangers Through Form”; Reading And Writing Poetry; (Masterclass.com).

[novelconcepts]

tell 'em i'm a good kisser

Van finds herself stranded on the side of the freeway. Rescue comes in the form of a beautiful stranger with a truly idiotic price:

She just needs a fake girlfriend. Just for a little while. Just to avoid a few unfortunate feelings.

(A Tumblr prompt fill [owltrifecta]: Taivan meet cute.)

chapter 1/2 - sunburnt

chapter 2/2 - someone else's movie

M, 58k words

Taissa Turner considers herself one of the smartest people in just about any room—but even she has to admit that this? Might not have been her finest hour. “You sure you want to do this?” It’s the sixth time she’s asked. Six times granting them both an escape, a get out of jail free card. Six times—and, for the sixth goddamn time, Van only laughs. “If you want to bail, just say the word.” A challenge, if Tai’s ever heard one.

[eat-a-dicker]

this one really fucking hurts to say. beavis and butthead does clear the railway series

[88-special]

There’s a criminally low number of Jeff fan fics 😭 I love a master class in denial

I completely agree! I could only find a couple at the time of writing and needed more, so went all Thanos

Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

🖤🖤

[carinelian]

it is with great shame that i admit i pulled thru a writing funk simply by opening LinkedIn and seeing everyone dickride each other so hard it made me wish i can channel that level of fucking delusion to my gdocs

[writeincredibly]

Power Words, CTAs & Real Advice: What I Learned from Daniel Graf’s Copywriting Bible

Book Review: “Copywriting Masterclass - How to Become a Successful Copywriter Step by Step” by Daniel Graf

If you're an aspiring copywriter hungry for direction or an experienced wordsmith looking to sharpen your edge, “Copywriting Masterclass” by Daniel Graf delivers exactly what the title promises — a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to mastering the art and business of copywriting. This isn’t just another book filled with vague advice. Graf has created a results-driven guide that fuses strategy with creativity, offering practical tools and techniques that readers can implement immediately.

What sets this book apart is its clarity and structure. Graf expertly breaks down the writing process into manageable, actionable steps — from understanding your target audience and defining your tone of voice to crafting irresistible headlines and persuasive calls-to-action (CTAs). Whether you're writing sales pages, emails, ads, or landing pages, you'll find formulas, examples, and guidance to write with confidence and convert with power.

A standout feature of this guide is the section on voice development. Graf emphasizes that a great copywriter doesn’t just write well — they speak directly to the reader’s heart. He shows how to tailor tone and style to different brands and audiences, turning ordinary text into compelling conversation. This ability to create connection through words is what separates generic writing from copy that truly sells.

The 100 Power Words and curated CTAs are pure gold. Rather than leaving readers to reinvent the wheel, Graf hands over a toolkit that can supercharge any campaign or content. These aren't just buzzwords; they're tested, psychologically-backed terms that have been proven to trigger emotion, urgency, and action.

Moreover, the book’s use of real-world examples is both refreshing and essential. Graf doesn't talk theory in a vacuum—he shows what works, why it works, and how to make it work for you. From dissecting successful ad copy to reverse-engineering effective email funnels, he bridges the gap between knowledge and application with ease.

Publishing strategies also get their due. Graf walks readers through how to market their skills, build a freelance business, or break into agency life. For writers eager to turn their passion into a paycheck, this portion is not only encouraging—it’s empowering.

Above all, Graf’s tone is friendly, motivating, and no-nonsense. You feel like a mentor is walking beside you, offering clarity where there’s confusion, and lighting the path forward with genuine insight.

Final Verdict: “Copywriting Masterclass” is more than a how-to manual — it’s a trusted companion for anyone ready to take copywriting seriously. Whether you’re launching your writing career or revitalizing it, this book equips you with the tools, mindset, and momentum to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Don’t just read about writing—transform the way you write. Pick up your copy of Copywriting Masterclass today and start crafting words that not only capture attention but drive real results.

- Irfanulla Shariff

[draconiselegy]

Hiccup and Toothless at the Isle of Berk —video from @/disneyfoodblog on tiktok

[instantedownloads]

MasterClass Self-Help Program: Wisdom from World-Class Mentors

Most people who realize they need a lot of assistance in the way of a proven self improvement plan, decide to sign up with courses such as the popular Masterclass Personal Growth Course. Introduction In the realm of self-improvement, few platforms offer the caliber of instruction found in MasterClass. What began as an online learning platform featuring celebrity instructors has evolved into a…

[mtm-college]

🎨 Join Us for a Free Online Masterclass! 🖌️

This Thursday, November 28th, from 6 PM to 9 PM EST, dive into a Principles of Drawing Masterclass with artist and educator Nicole Ducker! Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this free online session is packed with valuable insights:

✨ Explore how to express 3D forms on 2D paper using shape, line, and tonal patterns ✨ Learn about line weight, proportion, and solid construction ✨ Get tips on creating captivating compositions

Plus, attendees will have the chance to ask questions and even get their work reviewed live during the session! Can’t make it live? No worries—a recording will be sent to all registrants.

📅 Save Your Spot Now! 💻 Held on Google Meets

Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your art skills from the comfort of your home!

Post artwork by instructor Nicole Ducker.

[vickiabelson]

Peter Onorati  Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

SO FUN! Spending time with Peter Onorati is like going out in the bright sunshine after a month in a dark cave. Such joy! We talked Italy and the wondrous vacation he treated his immediate family to visiting their extended family in towns I’ve never heard of and can’t begin to pronounce. But, I wanna go! Then there was Ravello, Positano, SWAT recognition, Rome, truffles, and a funny one that once made it home. There’s funny all over the place with Peter. 

A great story about Peter’s first son’s birth and his callback for Goodfellas - how he made the audition his - HISterical! And, a master class on how to make the audition yours… mine… ours… and some brilliant tips on acting, and reacting, in general.  He disappeared for about 2 1/2 minutes when his laptop died but came back with so much more fun.

Getting blacklisted by Les Moonves, the ER debacle, to Cop Rock, the best, as a non-singing actor hired to die, singing his ass off and becoming the central character of this historic iconic, ahead of its time, classic. 

Closing with a Miss Yvonne, Lynne Stewart, request, Peter regaled us with his mother/wedding story -so timely as I ready to be the mother of my daughter the bride. I’ll be shutting up now. 

What a great time. Someone, make him the updated, somehow related Columbo! He’d kill it! And SWAT, get hip, his fans want him back! And so do I. Any time!

Peter Onorati on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Wednesday, 7/15/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET

Streamed Live on my Facebook

Replay here:

[thisisgraeme]

Craftsmanship Workshops: How to Unlock Mastery and Foster Community

Unlock your creative potential with the 'How To Make Cool Stuff' eBook. Gain access to exclusive skills in leatherwork and more, plus a free 50-minute masterclass. Start your journey in traditional craftsmanship today!

Rediscovering Craftsmanship Workshops: Embracing the Way of the Craftsman It seems like a very long time ago now, but at AionCon 2020, I had the opportunity to speak on a topic close to my heart—craftsmanship. This theme is central to my eBook, How to Make Cool Stuff and something I’ve passionately discussed elsewhere. Today, I want to delve deeper into a crucial aspect of craftsmanship: the…