#w editing and querying

[armandaughter]

MY NOVELLA IS ALMOST DONE !!!

[literallydontknowdontcare]

idk if you’ve done this already bc all the vanessa fics r merging together in my brain, but maybe smtg where she has a very stressful day at work, and needs to take her anger out in a healthy way (by doing the reader!!!)

Taking It Out On You

a/n: I love this prompt but I was on a certain sleepy drug when writing (I'm sick as hell right now) so I have no idea if this is good LOL. Anyway, exams are officially over so MORE FICS! YAY! And thanks for the love recently, you all are amazing :) Enjoy!

Content/Warning: smut, choking, pussy slapping, fingering [all r receiving], exhausted/pissed off Vanessa, handcuff use, gun used on you to get you off, you being a good baker, side note I love the Elizabeth lail edits recently 

w/c: 2304

You swayed your hips to the radio. Recently, there was more 80s music than new age, which you weren’t complaining about; sure, you missed hearing the newly hyped singer Miss Britney Spears, but even you had to admit Tears for Fears had a kick to it. Kneading into the last of the cookie dough, you conveniently hear the rumble of Vanessa's police vehicle pulling up to your shared home. Smiling, you pause the music, swiping off the flour that dusted the white countertops onto your apron just as the engine outside slows to a halt. The bench is now fairly clean, you wait eagerly as you see the faint outline of your girlfriend emerging from the car through the window.

The front door clicks open. You hear Vanessa’s footsteps thud a lot less carefully; usually, she would sneak up behind you from wherever you were in the house. She gradually got better at it, too, her dangerous job teaching her a thing or two. It was unlike her to come home after a long shift careless, thudding her jacket and gear on the ground before pressing herself behind you. She inhaled the scent of your freshly washed hair, groaning.

“Bad day?”, you ask, grabbing the pan of unbaked goods and placing them into the oven, Vanessa moving with you so she didn’t have to remove her grasp around you. She huffed as a reply. As you stood back up, she whipped you around, momentarily giving you whiplash. You took in her expression for the first time; her eyes were essentially dead, her pressed lips giving the smallest of indications that she was happy to be home as she attempted a smile when your eyes met.

“It was... Definitely a day”, she sighed. You tilted your head, lifting your hands to cup her face.

“Want to talk about it?”, you prod gently. It seemed that Vanessa was experiencing harder rosters more frequently than before: you presumed it was the pressure of her father, whom she almost never talked about, getting to her. Vanessa simply stared behind you at the oven, her dull eyes beginning to twinkle. “Chocolate chip?”, she questioned, avoiding your query.

You bit your lip and nodded. Her eyes met yours again and you pushed your face closer to hers, not quite reaching her lips but certainly leaving the possibility. Maintaining eye contact, you reach behind her head and softly pull on the hairtie of her ponytail, letting her short, blonde hair loose. She fluttered her eyes closed, groaning. You slide your fingers through the strands of her hair, pulling on them slightly to release any tension. Vanessa inhaled deeply. Pressing your lips against her jaw, you start to pepper her face with small kisses when you feel her take her hands off you, to your dismay.

*Shuffle shuffle*

Vanessa fiddled with her police belt, something that made your groin twist deliciously just from the sound of it. It usually meant one of two things: either she was about to take it off and with it her pants, or she was about to use something *from her belt*. As you attempt to part your lips from her face, she cuts you off.

“Don’t look”, she retorts. As much as you’d like to disobey those orders, there was no way you wanted to be her day even shittier. Swallowing a lump in your throat, you rest your head against her neck as you feel her take something off her belt. Smirking, she raises the object up to your stomach, pressing it deep into your flesh. You gasp and jump back, the coolness startling you. Before you could look down, she spun you around, slamming you against the sink. You whine, your knuckles gripping onto the counter. Vanessa returned to your behind in a flash, grinding her front against you. Disappointingly, you couldn’t feel a strap underneath her pants. You huff, which she notices immediately.

Grabbing onto your neck with a force that startled you, she brought you up so that you were standing straight up as opposed to being bent over. “With what I’m about to do to you, we won’t be needing my cock, baby”, she growled, her hand beginning to tighten around the sides of your neck. You gasp out, your hands rising to your neck to ease the grip, only to be yanked away behind you.

“Vanessa”, you cautioned, unsure of what she was getting at. You heard the jangle of the metal cuffs and froze. “You wanted to help me, yeah?”, she sang sweetly. “Baking me something, cleaning up the front of the house for me”, regarding the time you spent earlier today reorganizing and decorating the place for winter to make it homier.

“You want to make me feel good?”

You don’t hesitate to answer. “Always”

“Then let me use you”. You hear the clank of the cuffs being closed around your hands tightly, Vanessa's leg coming up between your legs that you opened just for her. “Let me see you come with my gun in your mouth”. At that sentence alone, you couldn’t help but let out a moan, jolting your hips involuntarily down on the thigh she had graciously given you. She laughed darkly behind you, removing herself completely from you, making you cry out and turn around to face her. You already missed her manicured hand that fit so perfectly around your neck, acting like a necklace you wished you could always have.

“Couch, baby”, Vanessa demanded, allowing herself to watch you as you made your way out of the room; God, you being in her handcuffs with a vacant, submissive look in your eyes made her want to double down on being rough with you. She followed you soon after, the only thing missing from her outfit being the cuffs that were around your hands and the gun... That was being held so confidently in Vanessa's right hand.

You shifted from your position on the couch, unsure. She laid it beside you, her mouth twitching at your confusion, before climbing on top of you to straddle your waist. She slammed her lips onto yours passionately, hot saliva mixing on both lips. Your moans gradually got louder as her hands attached to the back of your head, roughly pulling at your hair. Vanessa bites your lip harshly, grinning as you try to back away. Her hands leave your hair and begin to forcefully strip your pants from your body. Parting your lips from hers, you lift your legs up to assist her. The soft warm light from the living room lamp perfectly accentuated each other's features; Vanessa's eyes were completely focused on you, taking your sticky panties and flushed cheeks.

“Top off”, she leaned back, watching you rush to meet her demand, smirking as you fumbled with the buttons of your shirt. Now being completely naked, your skimpy bra and underwear being the only things covering your very aroused parts, she spread your thighs with an air of smugness.

“Vanessa”, you pout, jerking your pussy up. She trailed a slim finger along the top of your briefs, pulling them down slowly. Your breasts rise and fall rapidly at the sensuality of it all: the relaxed pace made you even more blushed. Moving her fingers around your folds, you lean your head back, closing your eyes in pleasure. Suddenly, Vanessa slapped at your pussy. Crying out, you snap your head back up and shut your legs. She didn’t like that. Narrowing her eyes, she yanked them back open, harshly slapping the inner side. “Keep them open. Don’t make me tie up your legs as well”. You squirm as she rubs her middle and ring finger quickly on your puffy clit, mewing out loud at the vulgar noises she was creating.

“So sweet like this, hm? Think you can last more than... What was it? Eight seconds?”, Vanessa snickered, recalling the time you came so quickly underneath her that it was actually dismal. You blush at her mocking tone. She swirled her fingers around your opening, her mouth twitching at the way your pussy spasmed when she pumped them in. You lay down, whimpering as she picked up the pace. With no regard to how prepared you were, she shoved two more fingers in. Wailing, you move your hips with her, remembering that she wasn’t doing this for you; she was doing this for her. The thrusts turned into a heavy pound, your moans making it known that you couldn’t take it. Vanessa feasted her eyes on your body, licking her lips at the way your arousal pooled on the leather of the couch. As you were distracted with the overwhelming urge to come right there and then, she reached for the gun. Too zoned out to notice, you felt her lips attach to your neck. “Don’t make a mark”, you plead as best as you can. She ignores you, licking at your sweet spot before sinking her teeth into the flesh. Hissing, you pull away before stopping dead in your tracks.

Pressed against your stomach was Vanessa’s gun. Just a Glock 22, you knew that much, as it was the same one every cop used around here. Though, the coldness of the frame stunned you, both from the Glock and Vanessas stared. She stared you down as she removed her other hand from your pussy, smirking at the yelp it caused. Your fluids glistened on her hand in the warm light. You wearily watch her stroke her hand up and down the tip of the gun.

Once satisfied, she pointed the gun at your stomach, tilting her head at your small gasp of exhilaration and fear. “I won’t do anything you don’t want to do. Are you sure about this?”, she asked sweetly. Her gun was completely empty, for she always took the bullets out at the office after a shift. You didn’t know this, though. You would be relying completely on her skill and carefulness in handling a gun. Vanessa's stomach twisted deliciously at your utter dependence on her. Sucking a breath in, you nod.

She trailed the cool gun up your body, stopping short at your mouth. Pulling your messy hair back, your face red, she tapped the tip of your swollen lips. “Open up for me baby”, she husked. Opening your mouth, you stick your tongue out and swirl it around the muzzle, breasts rapidly rising and falling from the thrill of it all. She forces the frame in, resting her finger on the trigger. You groan at the taste of your own cum. “See? Look how good you can be”, Vanessa murmured, shifting her body as she felt her own pussy thud. Unable to go slowly anymore, she began to roughly thrust the gun in and out of your throat, abusing it as she would with her strap. You gag as it passes your comfort zone, rolling your eyes back when you feel her other hand slap your pussy once more. She stands up, laughing darkly to herself at your obedience. Your eyelashes flutter, saliva dribbling onto the glock. Holding onto your head, she takes out the gun and pulls you up to turn you around. Your hands, still cuffed, grab onto the top of the back pillows, your knees digging into the seat.

“You going to punish me, officer? I thought you said I was a good girl”, you purr. You felt Vanessa’s hands wrap around your front. Your neck was snapped back as she gripped you, sliding the gun through your folds. “If you think this is me punishing you, you better hope you don’t disobey me”, she taunted. She plunged the muzzle into your pussy, groaning at how easily it slipped in. Almost immediately, she rammed it at a swift rate, choking you when your sobs went too loud. Widening your eyes, you lift your bound hands to your neck and grab onto her hand to ease the grip. “Enough”, she spat, fucking you faster and squeezing your neck harder. Your hips were slamming between the cushions and Vanessa's thighs, arousal streaming down your body. With a muffled cry, you tightened your grip around her hand, signaling your need for release. By some sort of miracle, she went even faster. The combination of Vanessa's grunts, the pressure on your throat, and the gun that was currently abusing your overworked pussy made you scream out in pleasure.

“Uh uh. Tell me what you want”, Vanessa asked, refusing to accept your nonverbal request to cum.

Swallowing once, twice, you manage to simper out, “Pl-Please officer. Let me cum, please please please plea-”

In a flash, she released her grasp from your neck and shoved her fingers into your mouth, her pace in your pussy unchanging. You cum with a scream, your body jolting at the stimulation.

“There's a good girl”, she cooed, slowing her thrusts before removing the gun from your destroyed pussy. You flop your head backward onto her shoulder, staring at the ceiling as the world around you doubles. You felt Vanessa softly rub your thighs, whispering words of encouragement as you faded back to earth from your high.

“Always such a good girl when you play sweet”, she smiled as you turned your head to kiss her. Deepening the kiss, she placed the soaked gun down and wrapped her hands fully around you, inhaling your scent. She moved her lips to your jaw, where she peppered soft kisses as you giggled.

“Vanessa”

“Mh?”

“The handcuffs”

Vanessa laughed on your neck, pulling herself away from you.

“Stay there, I’ll be right back”

As she walked out of the living room and into the kitchen, you remembered the cookies that were still baking. “And check on the oven as well”, you shout out, collapsing onto the couch with a small grin.

[kimyoonmiauthor]

Better Novel Scrivener Template

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[agendabymooner]

colour me your colour || toto w. x ofc (9)

toto w. x ofc (hearth sister!ofc)

Summary: Tilly Marie nearly loses faith in her passion as she refuses to listen to everyone who told her to quit. Everyone but one. And it’s the man she met years ago at a racing event she didn’t want to attend. Who would have thought that her father’s partial ownership of three brands could take her to the zone of Mercedes and meet the love of her life?

Chapter summary: Tilly goes on a date with Toto after responding to an email that could potentially change the course of her career. Two words that explained their relationship and her career: Serious business.

Content warning: Use of explicit language, never edited these, Lewis Hamilton being a resident piece of shit, 2014, flirting, banters

Note: This is very old. A very old draft (I have two more chapters to post hehe), I know better than what I knew a year ago so please... bear with my old writings. enjoy xx

colour me your colour masterlist

f1 masterlists: a - n o - z

SENDER: Emily Smith [esmithªhearthautog.com]

TO: Tilly Marie [tilly.fordhearthªhotmail.com] 

[CONFIDENTIAL] Meeting Request: Paperwork Signing for Hearth Automotive Groups

Dear Miss Tilly Hearth,

I hope this email finds you well. We kindly request a meeting to discuss and sign the necessary paperwork regarding the ownership of Hearth Automotive Groups and its subsidiaries. The office was recently acquired to make certain changes as the owner, Mr. Julius Hearth, was given the promotion in an association of a different field. He believes that it is in his best interest to rename the owner and shareholders of his business and would like you to get involved in the process as well. 

To ensure a smooth process, we would greatly appreciate your presence during this meeting. It will provide an opportunity to address any concerns or queries you may have regarding the ownership transfer.

Proposed Meeting Details:

Date: July 8th, 2014

Time: 15:00 PM

If the proposed date and time are inconvenient, please let us know your availability, and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule.

Please bring any relevant identification documents and additional paperwork related to the ownership of the company and its subsidiaries.

Kindly confirm your availability and preferred meeting details by the sixth. You can reach me directly to this email. A notary will be contacted as soon as we’ve gotten a response from you. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Finalizing the ownership paperwork is crucial for the smooth operation of Hearth Automotive Groups and its affiliated companies.

We look forward to meeting with you soon.

Best regards,

Emily J. Smith

Secretary to the Chairman

Hearth Automotive Groups

SENDER: Tilly Marie [tilly.fordhearthªhotmail.com] 

TO: Emily Smith [esmithªhearthautog.com]

RE: [CONFIDENTIAL] Meeting Request: Paperwork Signing for Hearth Automotive Groups

Good evening,

I will be there at the expected date and time. I am also expecting for Julius Hearth to be there if I were to sign and if I don’t get any confirmation from anyone prior to the meeting or I get a news that he wouldn’t be there because he couldn’t find any time, then consider my obligation nullified. I wouldn’t find any time for his company either. 

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Tilly Marie.

FRISKY TILLY: The Hearth Heiress Celebrates Red Bull’s P3 Finish with a Shoey

“Danny Ric and Lewis Hamilton brought the fun out of the distressed writer.”

“You have to admit, that’s a good headline,” Lewis says to me as he leans forward, eyes peering down on my screen as he reads the article. “Tilly Hearth, daughter of FIA Executive Julius Hearth, had gone wild as she, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo celebrated his P3 finish alongside her best friend, the winner of the Silverstone Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton— oh look, that's me!” 

Locking my phone shut, I look at Lewis with a frown. “You need to stop giving me that attitude,” Lewis huffs out petulantly, “I haven’t done anything today but land in the first place. And why aren’t you getting enough appetizer from the buffet? Haven’t you mentioned that you’re going to snack on some stuffed mushrooms?” 

Right. 

It’s been an hour since we left the venue. Now we’re inside a restaurant, feasting and celebrating Lewis’ home race. Regardless of whether or not he’d win, it’s a tradition to celebrate his home race with his family. I’m fortunate enough to celebrate with them this time. Plus, my sisters and mother are here—making Lewis even happier.

Stevie is sitting next to Lewis and on his right happens to be me. I’ve been trying my best to socialize with his sisters and brother, but my mind is occupied by one thought. Toto Wolff. 

Of course he isn’t here. It’s a family dinner. But his tall figure remains memorable (and his godlike figure after he was sprayed with champagne) and our plan for tonight remains in my mind. Fuck, I do need to get out soon. 

Clearing my throat, Nicholas shoots me a questioning look as I lean forward and murmur, “I need to get out soon, Nico.” 

“Oh?” Nicholas asks me quietly. He, too, leans forward, making Sylvie and Lewis look in our direction while he continues to ask, “Why?” 

“I’ve got an agenda to follow,” I answered quietly.

“A date?” He asks. I nod. “Wait. Is this the lad that Lewis talks about?” 

“Lewis is talking about what—now?” The man next to me also leans over in our direction. Sylvie’s curiosity got the best of her as she finally gave in and leaned.

“Sylvie— go eat or something—“ I hissed, trying to shoo her away, “the adults are talking.” 

“No—“ she whisper-shouts, “are you going to see Toto?” 

Lewis, hearing the name finally, leans back and smirks at my direction. The smug little bast— I reach out and pinch him in his side as he lets out a groan, trying to get out of my grasp as he accidentally leans back at Stevie. The noise gathers the attention of the older people as they look at our direction, wondering what the hell is going on. 

“Tilly,” Maman calls from the other side of the table, sitting next to Lewis’ mother as she continues, “Don’t do that to Lewis.” 

“Oh nothing’s happening, Maman,” Sylvie denies helplessly. “I think an ant got to Lewis’ polo and it’s pinching him.” 

Maman and the other adults laugh at the sight in front of them before they return to their conversations. I pull my hand away from Lewis. 

“If you want me to go on a date with your boss, quit teasing,” I warn him with a glare, “you’re making me want to chicken out.” 

“I’m not going to let you dip out,” he shakes his head insistently, “not when it’s my boss and my best friend.”

“I thought you had to go soon?” Nicholas asks with a frown, “why are you still here?” 

There’s a vibration coming from Lewis’ pocket, making him grunt in annoyance before he pulls out his phone to see which person decides to text him this time. He suddenly looks up at me with a grin and says, “He’s outside.” 

What? I don’t recall telling him to pick me up here? 

“I told him you were heading here before I pulled you out of your team’s debriefing,” he explains before he pulls up my purse and jacket. “I knew you planned on going out with him tonight but I pulled you for a family dinner.” Slipping on my light coat, my movement catches the eyes of the adults once more as I stand up.

“Where are you going, love? Finishing dinner so soon?” Lewis’ mother asks me. 

Lewis answers her with, “She’s having one someplace else, Mum. She just came with us to celebrate a little bit.”

“Well, I hope you enjoy it!” Lewis’ father tells me with a cheeky grin, “Don’t enjoy it too much, though.” 

I roll my eyes with a smile, leaning forward to kiss Lewis on the cheek before saying, “I’ll text you when I get back.” 

“You better,” he mutters. “I did not set you up with Toto only for me to live under the rock.” 

“And I will see you all at the next celebration!” I exclaim at Lewis’ relatives. Walking away at the table, I then look back at my siblings before saying, “Maman, Stevie. Drive my Bentley?” 

Stevie’s smile widens as she nods eagerly, catching my car key as she lets out a loud ‘woo’ as I dash out of the restaurant. A black Mercedes is already parked at the front, making it easier for me to slip into the passenger seat with a cheeky smile. 

The Austrian, who remains handsome even after he was soaked by the champagne, smiles at the sight of me. “Have you eaten yet?” He asks.

“Hello,” I greet him, “No I haven’t. Have you?”

“I’m waiting for you,” he shrugs. 

I nod, “‘Kay good, because I am famished. Where are we off to?”

“I hope you are hungry for some Italian food,” he grins lazily. My hand takes the seat belt and buckles it in. 

“I can be hungry for anything,” I tell him with a laugh. “You can take me to a pub, I’ll be starving for a good fish and chips.”

He laughs heartily, his joyous expression brightening the dimming road as he begins driving off. 

I swore to myself that I wouldn’t read much into our conversation and strange affections. But I can’t help it; I keep finding myself wanting to hold his hand. There’s no such thing as proximity when I don’t want a space between us. 

Perhaps the bottle of cabernet sauvignon that the waiter served tastes better than usual. I have always been a sauvignon blanc kind, but there’s a hint of romance that comes with the red wine. As if it was a witchcraft of some sort. 

Ugh. Romance. Feelings. Butterflies in my stomach. It’s so 2004.

I still can’t help it. I could barely pay attention to the slice of pizza margherita in front of me. My eyes are looking at his handsome face as he continues to talk about his family in Austria. He speaks highly of them. He tells me about his home race— which was when Christian lost his shit when Mercedes took the P1. He tells me a lot about Austria and how I’ll like it there. Sounds a lot like the future, huh?

Then he asks me about myself— or whatever I have regarding that area of discussion. I only chuckle, “Haven’t I told you enough about my family?” 

“You did not tell me more about yourself, I am certain of that,” Toto tells me with interest. Finishing the rest of my wine, my hand reaches for the glass of water as the liquid almost immediately washes the intoxication away. “Tired of wine?” 

“Well I cannot be the only one drunk here,” I grin, “I’d hate to leave you sober by yourself. So… what would you like to know?” 

It started there. From the most superficial interests and opinions toward the most competitive team principals to my personal life. It was immediately uncovered by the time that I finished the rest of my food. 

“I personally didn’t think that you would be interested in this… what do I call this. Dinner,” I tell him meekly. “Normally, I would be rattling off about my little world and all I’d see is a man who’s practically begging me to shut up.”

“It’s a good thing that I don’t like normal,” he tells me with a smile. “It is quite foolish of them to think of you that way. Your words are more interesting than anyone else’s.” 

“Gee, thanks,” I murmured and joked, “where were you when I needed that boost of confidence?” 

“Something tells me that I was still working hard enough with Niki to sign Lewis to my team,” he says, “otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.” 

My face turns red, yet without any mention, I continue on, “You would have. Still met me I mean. But, it’s not going to be the same. I’d be even more miserable.” 

“If I had not met you beforehand,” he starts with a glint in his eyes, “Christian would have kept you away from me.” 

“How is that?” I ask him. 

“You were at the entrance when I first saw you,” he shrugs, “with the Red Bull ID. Something told me you were important to the team.” 

“Don’t tell me that you stalked me on the way to the Mercedes hospitality, too,” I smirk mischievously. 

He laughs aloud, “I do not think I will end up in this place if my behaviour goes along the lines of being weird, no?” 

“Fair enough,” I nod.

“But yes,” he continues, “Christian probably would have kept you under wraps if Lewis hadn’t brought you to the hospitality. Was I ever thankful that he did.” 

“He’s not exactly being subtle about setting us up on a date,” I giggle, my eyes squinting in joy.

“Have you ever been a thing?” He asks me, curiosity written all over his face. “You and Lewis… have you ever…”

“Oh!” I exclaim before shaking my head, “No! I would never. I do not like him that way. We’ve been friends for so long that I never even thought of him that way.” 

“Oh,” he replies quietly. One simple word, yet it lifted the weight off his shoulders like he was dreading me to say yes.

“Yeah,” I huff out a laugh, “my sister Stevie has always had a crush on Lewis. Whereas I wouldn’t even step foot into that kind of situation with him.”

“That’s good—with you not dating Lewis, I mean. But, I wouldn’t let her near him,” he tells me, “I’ve seen how he is at the afterparties. He is a good driver but— he simply takes his pick of the week before he moves on to another.”

Sucking on my teeth, I can’t help but nod. Toto isn’t wrong. Lewis, even if he’s my best friend, isn’t someone I wouldn’t trust to be around Stevie or any of my sisters. I’ve seen him parade some women around every other 3 months. And each time he did, Stevie ended up in her bedroom with her head tucked in a book. I thought her interest in him was going to fade away by the time she went to university. It didn’t.

It’s hard not to tell her about moving on. I don’t want to be an arse about her unrequited love for Lewis. At some point, maybe they’ll cross each other’s paths. But it’s something that I have no control over. 

Still, Toto is right. I’m worried about Stevie. What if she suddenly became his target of interest? No. He won’t do that. 

He’s my best friend. He isn’t a manwhore who would sleep with his best friend’s sister. He wouldn’t dare disrespect our friendship like that. 

“There’s only much that I can do,” I shrug, nonetheless, “she’s… an adult. She’s a model. She knows what she wants. But for now, I can just support and navigate.” 

He stares at me for a moment, and I’m holding eye contact for as long as I can. He lets out a small smile. 

“I admire your dedication,” he tells me. “You’re protecting your sisters and still respecting their boundaries. I like that about you.” 

“Thank you,” I smile gleefully, “I’m the eldest sister for a reason.” 

“And you keep your head up regardless of how exhausted you are,” he continues, “sometimes, it never hurts to rest.” 

“This is me relaxing,” I gesture at my sitting figure, making him laugh, “I don’t need much to rest besides a cigarette and… this.”

“I sure hope I am making you feel at ease,” he says with a hopeful smile, “that’s the purpose of the dinner.” 

“If this is the kind of treatment I get every major event,” I pause before leaning forward. “I can barely imagine what it’s like everyday being around you.” 

His mouth snaps shut for a moment, the tip of his ears turning red as he tries to keep his composure. Two can play at this game. 

“As I said before, liebling,” he says with a smirk, “I like to take my dear time. I suppose you’ll expect nothing of normalcy.” 

“Sounds like a convincing case for me,” I grin. I did not even realize my foot swinging underneath the table until I felt his brush over mine. 

He acts as if he doesn’t know what he’s doing as he asks, “So, are you heading back to London tomorrow?” 

“I’ll be driving back, sadly,” I roll my eyes, the game of footsies long forgotten as I continue, “Go back to my sad little flat. In my sad little office. Writing my sad little articles.” 

“Well, if you want,” he leans back finally. “You can always come to the next race.” 

My gaze hardened at the thought. I have to write. I can’t just leave my passion behind just like that. Nah uh. 

But then again, I tell myself, I’m about to become a big part of Formula One. Fuck, I’m going to be a somebody in this industry — they recognized either talent or my title. At least they gave me what I thought I deserved— recognition.

“Tempting, but,” I pause for a second, “I’ve a book to write and a work to go to.” And a work to quit from.

“You are writing a book?” Now he’s curious.

I nod, “Novel. Fairly close to writing the epilogue actually.”

He continues to beam and asks, “Any spoilers for me? An exclusive thing, perhaps?” 

I giggle and roll my eyes, “I’ll give you the first signed copy.” 

“I will make sure to put it in my office,” he laughs. “It would be an honour to have your first signed copy.”

“I hope you won’t sell it,” I joke.

He quips, “Darling, I own a racing team. I think I’m quite satisfied with where I’m standing at now.” 

The response only brings me closer to tears. My eyes water as I laugh silently, trying to gather my breath.

“I feel honoured,” I tell him, a grin still on my face as I continue, “I don’t have to do something for profit, for once.”

“It’ll be priceless,” he tells me, “I’ll be the first to criticize you.” 

“Oh please,” I nearly pleaded. “You would do me a huge favour if the annotations come from you.” 

“Does this mean that you’ll be in contact with me?” He proposes with a murmur, “I definitely do not mind that.” 

“Are you kidding me,” I gasp in disbelief. This man. I have been flirting with him for a weekend straight, and he’s asking me if I want to keep seeing him? Does he take me for someone who loves summer romance? 

His expression tells me he didn’t get the memo, so I continue, “Darling, all of those drivers who tried to grab my attention would be upset to learn that I chose the Mercedes Team Principal over them.” 

Clearly intoxication plays a role in my decision making. I’m not even buzzed, but my mouth told him everything I never would’ve thought I’d say to anyone. 

But I suppose this is what happens when you give an attractive, older gentleman to a love-deprived younger woman. The last thing that you would expect from this is an unattached result. Nobody can ever come out of this situation without any evidence that they’ve somehow fallen one way or another. 

But his eyes are saying something. You would think that he would be running off after all of the confessions that I made over the round table, in front of these candles and bottles of wine that’s not even half-empty. I would have expected him to drop me off then go. That he’s just joking about keeping in touch. His eyes told me otherwise. 

And it wasn’t even lust. His eyes were telling me that he wanted something brighter than a casual dating situation. 

Who am I to deny that?

[literaticat]

I’m really really sorry to ask a WC question and I told myself I wouldn’t send this, but… I’m losing sleep over word count woes. I sometimes dream about word count. I’ve read your dracula post, where you write that anything up to 90k in an Upper MG fantasy might be okay. Is this STILL accurate in 2025, particualrly given the slumping MG market/new trend toward shorter titles?

Do you think an 88k Upper MG fantasy will be an instant reject for many agents? My story is tightly paced (I’ve spent months mercilessly line editing/killing my darlings/deleting what scenes I can w/o breaking the story… it was originally 120k). I think the tight pacing will be clear if the agent makes it to the pages/even just the first scene. The query/first 50 pages has been reviewed by an ex-agent turned freelance editor on Reedsy who said the pacing was solid and that the story moves right along (judging by the first 50). But she also said MG should top out at no more than 50k words. There’s just such a huge range/so many mixed opinions. So I’m worried most agents will read “88k” and auto-reject before reading the blurb/pages. Should I put my ‘housekeeping’ paragraph beneath the blurb for this reason? But it won’t make a difference for QM.

Is it ever acceptable to just leave the word count out of the query? But I feel like that might be a worse red flag if it makes them assume its like a 250k doorstopper. But again, if the agent uses QM, it wouldn’t be possible. 

Is it ever aceptable to ‘round’ to say 85k from 88k? How much rounding is acceptable? I’m assuming an agent probably expects some flunctuation if a writer continues revising a manusript after querying. But I also don’t want to straight up lie. I just want them to look at the first page.

I could get the story down to 79-80k by removing a significant sub-plot and I have a version where I did that. But I truly feel it hurts the story, so I don’t necessarily want to send that version. But if it actually would make a difference and increase the already small chance of getting ANY version of my story out into the world, maybe it’s worth it. Would those 8-9k words make a huge difference to the eye of an agent?

(Feel free to toss this if you just can’t with another WC question. I get it. But I felt compelled to type this out. It was oddly therapeutic. Maybe the dreams will stop.)

I was going to roast you mercilessly for asking about word count in the LONGEST QUESTION OF ALL TIME, but then I realized that would be hypocritical since half my answers are the longest answers of all time. Looks like we BOTH have a problem with keeping it concise. ;-)

I hope typing all this got it out of your system.

I do get why authors worry about this. The Word Count guideline is one of the only things that seems firmly within the author's control -- you can't really help it if an agent likes your book, but at least you CAN make sure you've followed every instruction to the letter!

The problem is, I'm afraid there is wayyyyy too much emphasis put on this poor little guideline in author circles. There is ZERO reason you should be stressed out or losing sleep here. Over 3k words? 8k? Come ON. Do you really think an agent really cares about 3k-8k words more or less in a novel-length work? If I'm loving the book and zipping through it, I wouldn't NOTICE 3k or 8k words.

Please snap out of it and listen to me.

I'm going to be super blunt:

NOBODY GIVES A SHIT WHAT YOUR WORD COUNT IS IF YOUR BOOK IS GREAT.

AND IF YOUR BOOK ISN'T GREAT -- IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR WORD COUNT IS.

We don't ask for word count because we care about word count. For the most part, neither editors nor agents really care about word count! Surprise! (The exception being certain publishing imprints that have extremely specific guidelines, such as leveled early readers or certain kinds of educational books or certain kinds of category romance, which you would know if you were writing a book like that, if you don't know, that means you aren't!)

We don't ask about word count because we are looking for a reason to auto-reject. It's not a test. Really!

We just want to make sure your thing is *the length of a book* -- it would be a red flag if your word count was so high or so low that it wasn't within shouting distance of the "normal" range, because that tells the agent that you really don't have a firm grasp on what category you are writing or the realities/norms of publishing.

But the "normal range" is very large. And you are firmly within it. So relax.

As to the other part: FWIW, I don't mention word count in my pitch or put it on the front page of the ms when I am sending to editors. It's actually fine by ME if you don't do either of those things, either, as I can see your word count in the QM form. But other agents might feel strongly about wanting it in the query itself , so... whatever. Just round it and put an "approximately" sign if you are worried about it. After all - it's not going to be the same length when it is published, right? IF anyone asks, which they almost certainly will not (because they don't care), you can just say, hey, always revising, exact word count fluctuates, but it's around this. Which it is.

[adhdo5]

oh I am interested to ask if you had any spoilers when reading/watching mdzs the first time? especially did you already know _the thing_ with nie huaisang like you did with junwu or not?

also as I already said I really love your art your style is absolutely perfect >>>>>

Okay second query first THANK YOUUUUU I am so . Ahwhwhdhegegeg ;w; tht my Images are well received in the world

And first query second: I didn't! I went into CQL pretty much entirely blind –and really bc I knew it was in Mandarin and my friends were doing a watch party so I was like Oh I'll hang out and get some listening practice in! – and I had some REALLY good experiences for it. I did not even suspect the Thing with NHS and the friends I was watch partying with had a BLAST about this it was so funny reading the thread rewatchers were talking in after we finished the series bc I immediately LIKED NHS and I was going Omg yay NHS my perfect meetup boy right up until the Reveal during which I was like OH MY GOD???? MY PERFECT MEETUP BOY!!!!!!! and by god I've been Xiyao posting too much I need to NHS post again I love that guy so MUCH he's a solid favorite character contender and the first I recognized

The only thing I was ~spoiled on was Meng Yao getting a new name bc one of my friends slipped up and called him JGY once and I saw it before they edited the message, and that's only a spoiler in CQL (though tbh I prefer the pacing of how CQL introduces you to JGY, hot take; it's probably in solid part because I was show-first and am just biased toward the thing I knew first, but also the thing is . It was SO fun to meet and get attached to Meng Yao and then see him do more and more fucked up things and go UM . WHAT THE FUCK. literally Lan Xichen simulator)

More fun things from watching CQL blind

I fully bought the core misdirection, in part because I was kind of confused as to what was going on the whole time

When we started I was like "this is fun and charming! I like these characters and such I'm interested in seeing where this goes, though this isn't Seizing me like a new Thing or like Hannibal did it's not lifechanging" And then we got to Lotus Pier arc, and for like three days of episodes in a row (we would watch 2 eps a day) I cried every single time,and then I was like HEY GUYS... I THINK THIS IS LIFE CHANGING NOW

When we finally got out of the time skip I did some speculation as to who died and in fact called that it was Nie Mingjue because in terms of status quo changes "NHS is sect leader now" would function and give NHS something to do that he didn't have otherwise and NMJ was the most narratively killable

After WWX got stabbed at Carp Tower I was genuinely very afraid for a second that she was going to actually die for real, and my friends were like THIS IS A ROMANCE THEY HAVEN'T EVEN CONFESSED?? and I was like YEAH BUT WHAT IF THEY FINALLY CONFESS AND SHE SUCCUMBS TO HER INJURIES IN LWJ'S ARMS OR SOMETHING!!! IT'S SAD AND I'M SCARED??? and had to be assured that it's in fact not the kind of romance where Anyone Can Die™ and happy ending for the main couple is genre guaranteed. But there's a canon divergence idea for you

Before we watched the finale I speculated FURIOUSLY as to who was going to die. Hang on lemme get screenshots

I also remember saying something along the lines of specifically "I'm scared that Jin Guangyao is going to merc Lan Xichen and NO ONE is going to be happy about that, least of all Jin Guangyao" but I can't find it. Kind of yuri of absence about the actual Xiyao ending. Sorry I'm frenzying I just checked the clock and I have an hour to eat breakfast before we watch the finale

Bonus:

[maerossi]

Just saw a post that really demonized freelance editors who work with authors who want to get traditionally published.

I don't disagree with all of its points, although it did make freelance editors seem like greedy leprechauns who are swimming in gold, which, lol, I don't know a single freelance editor who makes a sustainable income by working with authors. Like, you go into editing thinking that's the goal, but you quickly realize you're actually going to be paying your bills by editing university textbooks or Uber ads or resort brochures. C'est la vie.

I never thought, when I started editing, that I would do edits for people who aim to be traditionally published. I also thought that seemed scammy and unethical.

But I ended up working with three such clients last year, and they had a few things in common:

They'd already tried getting published traditionally on their own, and it hadn't worked out. As in: They'd already gone through multiple drafts, receiving beta reader feedback, querying agents, etc., and they'd gotten a lot of rejection in response, but they still believed in their books.

They knew what they were doing! They were English professors and had MFAs, etc. One owned her own publishing house. They were connected to the book world and weren't, like, people I was scamming on Facebook or something.

They sought me out, not vice versa.

They were very good writers who I genuinely felt should be published.

They had disposable income. I don't expect the average person to be able to pay me enough money to add up to a sustainable income; that's why I contract with publishers and packagers. But for these writers, one month's worth of my income meant very little to them.

They wanted a clear plan to improve manuscripts that they'd completely lost perspective on because they'd been through so many drafts. For one client, she'd received extensive advice from a best-selling novelist as a part of a prestigious MFA program. The advice? Completely sucked. I felt like I was helping her to rediscover the beauty in her own words, and she told me I got her out of a years-long funk.

In all these circumstances, it was clear that it was no great sacrifice for the writers to pay me, they realistically had a solid shot at being published, they desperately wanted to be edited, and their very worthwhile manuscripts were going to sit unread otherwise. So of course I edited for them.

The post that demonized freelance editors who work with trad-hopeful authors also implied that we're taking away jobs from editors who would like to be formally employed.

Firstly: I would like to be employed by a publisher, thanks. But the US publishing industry has never made economic sense in its entire history of existence. New York publishing in particular has always been like a collection of made-up jobs for upper-class white people living off their parents' money. As a poor disabled person, working in NY publishing is economically out of reach for me. Freelancing has allowed me to use the skills I honed for years and the training I've undertaken to edit where I live now with accommodations that work for my disability. The idea that there was once some utopia where any qualified person could become an editor (before those nasty freelancers showed up!) is flatly wrong.

Secondly: It was publishing companies, not freelancers, who decided editors should focus more on things like marketing and acquisitions and less on, you know, editing. It was publishing companies, not freelancers, who decided to outsource actual editorial labor. Freelancing sucks in the US, tbh; the idea that we're plotting to ensure that publishing companies eliminate jobs is kind of hilarious. I'd love to have someone else pay for my health insurance.

Thirdly: The need for freelance editors wasn't created by writers going to editors, getting their manuscripts polished, and then going to agents with great manuscripts. Again, it started the other way around: Agents decided to do less editorial work because it's unpaid and the ROI is uncertain. In-house editors were given less time to do meaningful editorial work for, again, the same reason. This created the need for freelance editors.

Scott Norton puts this well in his book Developmental Editing. He highlights how the value of a good developmental edit is hard for publishers to see. Let's say chapter 7 of a manuscript sucks. What's an editor to do? They could help the author fix it, but would that really result in the book selling more copies--and even if it did, how could the editor prove that? On the other hand, if they specifically focus on editing chapter 7 and then readers complain about chapter 7, the publishing company will let the editor take the fall for that internally. So over time, in-house editors have become much less likely to do meaningful editorial work. This is why there's now a demand for freelance developmental editors.

So what to do if you're a writer who can't afford a freelance editor?

Have no fear. Just go in clear-eyed: Seek out literary agents who are open about contributing editorially to their clients' manuscripts. Agents usually mention this upfront on their websites. If you query an agent and get an offer, ask them about the kind and level of feedback they give on their clients' manuscripts. In general, you want a hands-on agent whose creative vision/literary tastes mesh well with your own.

Additionally, when your agent shops your manuscript around, ask them what they know about different publishers' editorial processes. Go with publishers who are known to give detailed editorial feedback and/or are happy to hire a freelance developmental editor on your behalf.

Cheers.

[andampersandampersand]

Ah, my apologies- Hadn't seen you there. Ahem.

Hello, my name is; and, I am a Grade 4 Fixer.

This is my "blog" or such, I'm not sure yet what the word means, but I won't query. As stated, I am a fixer—of the Office Duke—and a veteran too. If you'd like to know more, simply ask. I will answer when free off work. I think that is all? Probably. Good day. (more info about & and me, the creator, under the read-more!)

(ooc time now >:3 so, uh... hihi! ^w^ this is my oc & (pronounced as it is seen, spelled as it is written) and he/they live in the city :0 thats Project Moon's The City to be precise, from such games as Limbus Company, Library of Ruina, and Lobotomy Corporation)

(& is a "good soldier" (read: mind-bogglingly obedient to higher authority) and a smoke war veteran with a few tricks up his sleeve and has an odd quality of stuffing "puns" in where they shouldnt go (might need to add periods or remove commas for them to work)(read: & has an odd quality of... my name is &. i am a grade 4 fixer... etc. etc.), but other than that? welllll i guess his big secret is that... >:3 i wont give it all away at the moment... merhehehehehe... youll have to... titter, titter, askblog me! hahahahahahahahaha..........fuck)

(as for the askblog itself... if youre gonna be nsfw, go easy on it? hold back a bit, yknow? thanks i think... uhm... also... chill with gore... also... I HAVENT EVEN STARTED CANTO SIX YET AAAAAAA AAAAAAA AAAAAAA STOP RUSHING ME!!!! D: D: D: its so bad... theyre gonna kill me im so behind... anyways so ya i guess... spoil me if you want but like... slowly... (but i dont care about ruina or lobcorp spoilers really but idk so!! so??)

(as for myself... im this blogs owner! im a touch new to tumblr, a touch newer to askblogs (of which this is as you could guess), and dont know any of the other pmoon askblogger/RPers so please treat me kind /w\ thats not all yet, right..? ah... hrm.... i go by any and all pronouns outside of the RPs/asks! and will try my best to stay active-ish... but... this is, geez... really scary >~< so please be patient with me? maybe? just a bit?)

(ooh! ooh! and, one last thing!!! i will, if i work through my unmedicated fugue state long enough, be writing a fanfiction with & (and other such pmoon OCs, none of which im likely to make a blog for right now yet) and if that happens ill certainly post a link but for now i might just write snippets of his backstory?? idk?? okie thats all now baibaiiiii ^w^w^w^w& )

(...guess ill go pester someone through their asks now... wish me luck, chat :saluting_face: )

(edit: tags to note! &sk blog, reblog ch&in, & short stories, nonc&non (wild ramblings from me, the mod of the blog, probably about &, maybe from their perspective), & some quotes (quotes i think are relevant to; and, would like to share), & some stories (for the short short short stories i release about him infrequently))

[blissfullyunawares]

I’ve edited 10 chapters so far! Looking to start querying w publishers in the next 3 months 😊

[bananaandkale]

the seventeenth:

woke up and instantly left for work

sat in the peer tutoring office and waited for students to show up while preparing criminal procedure provisions on arrest, discharge, justice of peace, cognizance by magistrate, first information report, etc.

had chai and paratha and omelete. the men at the counter gave me my food first because i was the only woman there. sometimes i dont mind being a woman. then some men came to renovate the office. they were nice about it.

left and started studying in the reading room, a classmate came, and we studdied 22-A together.

then i went to the ALR seminar room for my office hours there, completed quiz prep at last.

someone was waiting outside Legal Writing Lab so I took them on even though it wasn't my duty hour. replied to an email query and assigned another one.

prayed

attended my ta ship class. drafted written cp prompt. replied to 50 queries. sent a list of kids missing too many classes to the prof. marked cp. marked attendance. edited previous entries.

got chai and a sandwich. drank the chai.

next: quiz, prayer, class, delivering lecture, spending time w bf, prayer, compiling case brief draft tonight, prayer. hope all goes well. inshAllah.

[televinita]

The results of April's book sale bonanza, four library sales in two weeks! Long text post incoming...

Left stack in the first photo is from one sale, right stack is two other sales, and the final photo is from the last one alone. Somehow acquired more in April than I had Jan-March combined. I don't even want to count up how much I spent, so I'm simply going to decide it was worth it because so many pretty books, exciting finds, and fun!

I will say, the craziest thing to me is that the super-mega-huge sale, the one I made an effort to drive an hour for on Wednesday night? It was indeed huge and I spent 3 hours there & had a good time, but only found seven books, pictured in the right hand stack - from The Darcys & The Bingleys up through the 3 skinny paperbacks (plus a couple of CDs I took a chance on, didn't like). And the sale that usually doesn't have much of anything, that I barely had an hour in? The best sale of the month.

I tried to organize the cover photos mainly by age group, with YA blending into adult, so I think that's actually the order in which I'm going to go through them, not least because I missed a couple of them for the stacks.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

1. A Dog Named Wolf - Erik Munsterhjelm (1973): I snagged it mainly because vintage dog/wildlife novel, but then I realized it's actually on my OpenLibrary TBR, so now I don't have to read it that way!

2. Mr. Cat - George Freedly (1960): not really a kids' book but small enough to put here. Apparently a bind-up w/ "More Mr. Cat" but I cannot imagine how short these were originally, as together in a mass market paperback it's still only 160 pages. I assume he was already a famous enough writer, even if only at a newspaper, to be granted the indulgence of publishing a memoir about his cat....

[edit: "theatre critic, librarian and founder of the Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library, Freedley was a regular columnist for PLAYBILL, and the drama critic, book editor, and feature writer for the Morning Telegraph (New York)"]

3. The Black Pearl - Scott O'Dell (1967, 70s edition): not unlike Call it Courage, this is another one I remember really liking in elementary school but the details have been forgotten.

4. BSC Super Special #7: Snowbound: only grabbed because it was super-cheap; it's not in great condition but super-specials are a little harder to spot in the wild so while I'm not trying to collect this massive series, I can't help having a soft-spot for a few reps. (side note: the Karen/Little Sister novelty book "School Scrapbook" was also there, which I thought might be a fun collectible, but it had already been mostly filled out by its previous owner. Still fun to read her answers, though! I would cherish having something like that from my own 3rd grade year).

5. Two-Minute Mysteries - Donald J. Sobold (1967, 90s edition): even though a teacher's name is inked on it, I couldn't resist this nostalgic read! My 4th/5th grade teacher used to read these aloud to us and challenge us to solve them, and you know what? They're STILL kind of hard to solve. You have to pay really close attention to specific wording and tiny details.

6-7. Animal Inn #3 + 6 - Virginia Vail: remember this series I love? By wild coincidence, these are the exact same ones I read from a Little Free Library in 2020, but where those copies were in horrible water-damaged shape, these are as good as can be expected from cheap-pulp kids' paperbacks of the 80s

8. The Dog In My Life - Kurt Unkelbach (1966): yay! I'm interested in all his books but have been wanting to read this ever since I solved it on a Goodreads "What's The Name of That Book?" queries (one of my first, and one I worked very hard on finding!)

9. The Black Stallion & the Girl - Walter Farley (1971): only grabbed this because it was so cheap; it's not in great shape and I probably won't keep. I always wanted to love this series more than I actually did growing up -- everyone who likes horse books always says this is their favorite, and I just never got the hype beyond the first couple! -- but there were a few I really liked. Maybe this could be one of them.

10. A Summer of Horses - Carol Fenner: I see an 80s teen horse book paperback, I buy. Unsure if I'll keep it after reading, but it's not that thick so probably.

11. Flash of Phantom Canyon -- Agnes Ranney (1960s): I see a vintage Scholastic horse book, I also buy. I ended up deciding to read this right away, mostly because it was small and light and easy to carry in a shoulder bag while walking on trails in search of a good reading bench. Honestly, it's as much historical fiction/history lesson as it is horse book and if I ever make myself weed through the Scholastic Stack this is probably a donation candidate...but not just yet.

12. The Stallion of Box Canyon (1997): part of the Treasured Horses collection I owned several of as a kid from Scholastic book orders and LOVED, but sold off when I outgrew them, and have now been grabbing back. When I learned in 2020 that there were model horses to go with them, as well as more books than I knew about, my interest increased, and this one about a Mustang was my #1 most wanted!

13. Foxy - Helen V. Griffith (1984): Dog book! I think I read this in elementary school but want to be sure. May or may not keep, depends how sad it is.

14. The Collector - K.R. Alexander (2018): the modern-day counterpart to Mary Downing Hahn, I freaking love this scary-as-hell cover. I listened to it on audio but I wanted a physical copy as well.

15. The Sun Will Come Out -- Joanne Levy (2021): it was simply too beautiful and pristine -- it looks off the shelf new -- not to buy, knowing I could flip it to Half Price. I think I probably will do that now that I've read it, but I did enjoy it.

16. The Diddakoi - Rumer Godden (1972): figures that I find it just one year after I finally caved and read it on OpenLibrary last year after 6 years on my TBR. But this is the first time I've seen a physical copy. This edition is not my favorite cover so I'm not sure if I really want to keep it, but I did enjoy the book.

17. Tucky the Hunter - James Dickey (1978): pictured in the last photo, I bought one (1) picture book because the illustrations were so beautiful, and the rhyming text written in calligraphy. Do I agree with the story theme of a child dreaming about all the animals he wants to shoot? Not really, but...

YA/TEEN

1. Seventeenth Summer - Maureen Daly (1942, 2006 edition): it's only a mass market paperback, but still thrilled to finally have this classic in my hands to read when ready!

2. City of Darkness - Ben Bova (1976): I just couldn't resist the premise of this one -- Manhattan is now under a dome and only "open" in the summer as a tourist spot, but a kid sneaks in and gets stuck there to find out that gangs secretly live there year-round, fighting for sheer survival? I intended to read & release because it's not in the best condition, so I read it right away, but now I think this is so creative I want to keep it around.

3. In the Hand of the Goddess (Alanna #2) (1984, 2011 edition) - Tamora Pierce: ex-library but I think I can peel the tape/stickers off. I've decided to collect both this version of the series and the mass-market paperbacks as I find them because I love them equally for different reasons.

4. In Front of God and Everybody: The Confessions of April Grace - K.D. McCrite (2011): technically middle grade but putting it here because it's a visual match. I saw this at the sale a few years ago but gave it a pass because it was Christian fiction. Now that bothers me less, and I'm so glad I changed my mind because I read it last week and it was HILARIOUS and I want the rest of the quartet. (also very minimally "Christian Book" -- it shows only in that the family goes to church/says a blessing before dinner and lives by the principle of "be kind to others no matter how ungracious they are")

5. Pretty Fierce - Kieran Scott (2017): a 5-star swoon-worthy YA spy thriller! So happy it's mine.

6. Top Ten - Katie Cotugno (2017): as recently mentioned in the reading triage, this is ex-library w/ a broken spine so I mainly bought it to dismantle for the snapshots on the cover and endpages, but then I realized ah heck, this sounds pretty good and I want to read it after all. I'm 70 pages in and really enjoying it, but saving it for the sunny days.

7. What Comes After - Steve Watkins (2011): one of my standout YA reads in *checks notes* actually 2011, wow! I still think about it regularly -- orphaned teen is sent to live w/ only remaining relatives, an abusive aunt & cousin; finds solace in caring for the goats

8. This Is What It Feels Like  - Annie Barrows (2018): has been on my summer TBR 2 or 3 years running, now I can stop worrying about when the library will weed the last copy.

9. In Real Life - Jessica Love (2016): an underrated read from, I think, 2018? Again with the sweet romance.

10. The Girls of No Return - Erin Saldin (2012): a much more serious book about girls in a wilderness therapy camp/school that really impressed me, thrilled to have one in pristine condition.

ADULT FICTION

Now we're gonna mix it up a little as fiction and non aren't separated in the above photos, mainly to match size & color, but I'm listing all the fiction first.

Driftwood - Elizabeth Dutton (2014): I thought it was a misplaced YA when I bought it, until I started reading and MC is twenty-eight. It promised a solo California road trip, following a route left in letters by her late father, so I decided to take a chance. It seemed so perfect for the weather I ended up starting it in a nearby park before I even went home, and finished the next day. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, I'm glad I bought it

2. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - Michael Chabon (2000): I bought husband a brand-new copy of the newer edition w/ four extra short-stories in the back, which he never read and now I'm kind of glad he didn't so it stays pristine in a way only I can manage, and meanwhile, I decided to get this one too because it is MUCH, MUCH floppier and more comfortable to read.

3. Maurice - E.M. Forster: I've never read this and kind of want to. I've started making it a habit to look for nice editions of classics at these sales, and while this isn't amazing, it's like new, a floppy paperback, AND it has horses on the front, so.

4. Where the Forest Meets the Stars - Glendy Vanderah (2019): I've been flirting with the idea of reading this and while my library DOES have it, I'd love a perfectly-new copy of my own for $2.

5. The Haunting of Gillespie House - Darcy Coates (2015, 2020 edition): same with this one. I still can't believe that after discovering a whole shelf of her books at the library in 2022 and being like "I'm gonna read them all!", I actually only read one. But this was definitely high on my interest list!

6. The Darcys and the Bingleys - Marsha Altman (2008): had there been more at this particular sale I wanted, I might not have bought it, but the library doesn't have it and my interest is piqued by this P&P fanfiction sequel (which...is the first of ten in a series?? good lord this one is already large enough).

7. Coffee Train - Margarethe Erdahl Shank (1953): It's in terrible shape -- awful foxing on the pages -- so I really shouldn't have, but I'm Intrigued by this vintage read; my family has no Scandinavian roots but much of Minnesota (including my husband) does so I have a soft spot for it. Even though this takes place in the state next door, I think it will be very charming.

Through the eyes of little Mugs, a Norwegian-American girl, we see life in North Dakota with Norwegian Lutherans in the days following World War I.

8. The Dogs of Christmas - Bruce Cameron (2013, 2018 edition): I absolutely loved this book and this is the "author's preferred edition" with an extra chapter at the end! I saw it at a garage sale 3 years ago and resisted like an IDIOT who was trying not to over-buy books she didn't ~need~; have regretted and been looking for this version ever since, now it's mine.

9. The Christmas Dog - Melody Carlson (2009): I couldn't resist this slender novella. This year's December reading is gonna be SO CHRISTMASY I swear it.

10. Christmas at Corgi Cove - Annie England Noblin (2023!): aaand now I am back up to owning 3 unread books by her after having only read 1 and given it 3 stars. But hope springs eternal and all that.

11. Roxane the Blue Dane - Alice Kingham-Lechevre (1988): "a series of short stories chronicling the relationship between the author and her favorite show dog, Roxane, told from the perspective of the great dane." Takes place in France, so I had a devil of a time trying to figure out why this author was famous enough to write about her pet, and finally deduced she was a decently well known English/French artist/illustrator, particularly of animals, born late 19th century. It seems quite wonderful from the chapter or two I've read.

12. The Sccrets of Pistoulet - Jana Fayen Kolpen (1996): this one I'm actually really excited about because a) it's in a slipcase, which I didn't previously know because I read a library copy, and b) I spotted it in the cookbooks section I only ever skim (for Susan Branch). I don't actually love the story, which is a murky magical-realism adult fable set in France, but I do love that it's mixed-media with transparent overlays, at least one card that opens up, and several recipe cards you can physically remove from envelopes.

NONFICTION

1. Unauthorized X-Files -- Hatfield/Bur (1996): I would have climbed over people to get my hands on this in high school. "In this ultimate game book for X-philes, the authors have put together a collection of trivia challenges: Some are based on specific episodes from the first three seasons (brief episode summaries are provided); others address behind-the-scenes and on-the-set information, site locations, dialogue between characters, more. Testing methods vary, ranging from multiple choice to fill in the blank. Also included are actor and character profiles, memorable Mulderisms, and scintillating Scullyisms!"

Even though it's limited to the years of TXF I mostly avoid rewatching, the vestigial Phile in me is still intrigued. By the same authors, I also saw Unauthorized X-Cyclopedia, which tempted me, but I figured I'm unlikely to actually use it for reference and tbh, it'll just annoy me that it doesn't cover the full series.

2. Growing With the Grass - Ted Hall (1992): a small local press-published memoir of a boyhood circa the 1920s, arranged as a collection of brief anecdotes & vignettes, snagged because Old Frontenac is a lovely day trip visit and still just as much of a village as ever. I don't know if this will fully be to my tastes or a keeper, but I couldn't resist.

3. House Lessons - Erica Bauermeister (2020): a memoir of restoring an old house on an island off the coast of Washington, crossed w/ life lessons. Would you believe I was on a Libby waitlist for the audio for three months as our library doesn't have a physical copy, finally finished it during first week of driving to book sales, and then found a physical copy at the last one! Decided I liked it enough to own, at least for a while. Plus physical copy has little sketches before each chapter!

4. The Big House A Century in the Life of an American Summer Home - George Howe Colt (2003): now for the opposite coast...I think I put this on a TBR before; our library only has one copy and I really want to read it but I'm never quite in the mood. Now it's mine forever!! (I was SO excited to find this with you lmao)

5. Cold Antler Farm - Jenna Woginrich (2014): I read her first book twice (Made From Scratch), and while unfortunately there are 2 more memoirs to go before I chronologically reach this one and the library doesn't have any, I'm really excited I have this one!

6. Connemara Mollie - Hilary Brandt (2012): I'm ALSO super excited to try this one, never heard of it but it's a memoir of a long-distance pony trek the author took around Ireland in 1984.

7. Brother Super - Bill Rice (1961): Pet memoir about another Great Dane, this time a family pet.

OTHER MEDIA (not pictured)

Audiobooks: When We Were Lost by Kevin Wignall, a cracking good YA adventure about a plane crash in the jungle, and Why Not Me?, so now I have both of Mindy Kaling's memoirs in her voice! (someday I'll listen to it...)

DVDs: Spiderman: No Way Home; Uncharted

CDs: Patty Larkin - "Watch the Sky," and Matt Wasner's eponymous album/limited advanced edition copy (I took a chance on these based on appearance, because nothing is more fun than guessing right on something random that becomes a new fave!, but unfortunately I didn't like either of them so they will be leaving)

[abhay-saxena-seo-expert-delhi]

How to optimize a service webpage as per "Genrative Engine Optimization" prospective in 2025?

Optimizing a service webpage for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) in 2025 means tailoring it to appear in AI-powered answers, such as Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE), Bing Copilot, and other AI Overviews. The goal is to make your page a trusted data source for AI models. Here's a step-by-step guide to GEO-focused optimization:

✅ 1. Start with a Clear Search Intent

Identify specific questions your audience might ask.

Example for a service page: "What does local SEO service include?" or "Affordable SEO services in Delhi"

Tool Tip: Use tools like AlsoAsked, AnswerThePublic, or Google’s “People also ask”.

✅ 2. Add an FAQ Section with Schema Markup

Include concise Q&A sections relevant to the service.

Use FAQPage schema to make it machine-readable.

htmlCopy

Edit

<script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is included in Local SEO services?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Local SEO services include GMB optimization, local citations, map ranking, and review management." } }] } </script>

✅ 3. Use Conversational, Natural Language

Write like you're answering a real person’s query, not stuffing keywords.

Use Grade 6–8 readability level.

Prefer active voice and short, simple sentences.

✅ 4. Structure Content with Headings & Lists

Use <h2>, <h3>, <ul>, and <ol> to make content scannable and AI-friendly.

Example:

htmlCopy

Edit

<h2>Steps to Get Started with Our SEO Services</h2> <ol> <li>Book a Free Consultation</li> <li>Audit Your Website</li> <li>Custom Strategy Creation</li> <li>Implementation & Reporting</li> </ol>

✅ 5. Add a Direct Answer Paragraph ("AI Summary Box")

Place a short 2–3 sentence paragraph at the top that directly answers the search intent.

Example:

htmlCopy

Edit

<p>Our Local SEO services help businesses improve their visibility in local search results through GMB optimization, local directory listings, and location-based keyword targeting. We specialize in driving foot traffic and local online visibility.</p>

✅ 6. Include Author/Business Credibility Signals

Add about the business, credentials, testimonials, reviews, and case studies.

Link to author bio or company page to build E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust).

✅ 7. Optimize for Featured Snippets & AI Overviews

Include content formats like:

✅ Step-by-step lists

✅ Pros & cons

✅ Tables

✅ Definitions ("[Service] is...")

Keep answers concise (40–55 words).

✅ 8. Add Relevant Visuals with Alt Text

Use original images, infographics, charts, or diagrams.

Always include descriptive alt text to help AI understand them.

✅ 9. Use Internal Links to Related Topics

Link to blog posts or other service pages with descriptive anchor text.

This helps AI bots understand topical depth and relevance.

✅ 10. Implement Advanced Schema Markup

Use additional schema types if possible:

Service

LocalBusiness

Review

HowTo (if applicable)

This supports AI understanding and context mapping.

BONUS: 🧠 GEO-Ready Content Checklist

ElementOptimized?FAQ Section with Schema✅Direct Summary Paragraph✅Structured Headings & Lists✅Natural Language Copy✅Original Visuals w/ Alt Text✅Topical Internal Linking✅Trust Signals (E-E-A-T)✅

Would you like me to create a sample layout or optimize a specific service page of yours (like Local SEO or Web Design) using this strategy?

You said:

Yes Please

ChatGPT said:

Great! Let's create a sample optimized service webpage from a Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) perspective for 2025. I'll use your background as an SEO expert based in Delhi and take “Local SEO Services” as the example service.

✅ Sample Layout: “Local SEO Services in Delhi | SEO Pathshala”

🟢 Hero Section (Top of the Page)

Title (H1): Local SEO Services in Delhi to Boost Your Local Visibility

AI-Friendly Summary Paragraph (AI Answer Box):

htmlCopy

Edit

<p>Our Local SEO services help Delhi-based businesses rank higher in Google Maps and local search results. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to building consistent citations, we ensure your business gets noticed by nearby customers.</p>

Call-to-Action Button:

Book Free Consultation

🟢 Section 2: What Is Local SEO? (H2)

Definition Paragraph: Local SEO is the process of optimizing your business for location-based search queries. It helps you appear in “near me” searches, Google Maps, and Google Business Profile results.

🟢 Section 3: What’s Included in Our Local SEO Services? (H2)

htmlCopy

Edit

<ol> <li>Google Business Profile Optimization</li> <li>Local Keyword Research</li> <li>NAP Citation Building</li> <li>Local Link Building</li> <li>Review Generation Strategy</li> <li>Geo-Tagged Image Optimization</li> <li>Location-Specific Landing Pages</li> </ol>

🟢 Section 4: Why Local SEO Matters in 2025? (H2)

🧠 AI Overviews prioritize local intent

📍 Google’s SGE shows map packs in AI results

🔍 78% of mobile local searches result in offline purchases (source: Google)

🟢 Section 5: FAQs (with Schema Markup)

Visible HTML:

htmlCopy

Edit

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>What does Local SEO include?</h3> <p>Our Local SEO services include GMB optimization, citation building, keyword research, and location-based content.</p> <h3>How long does it take to see results?</h3> <p>Typically, you’ll start seeing results in 3–6 months, depending on your competition and current visibility.</p>

Structured Data (FAQ Schema):

jsonCopy

Edit

<script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What does Local SEO include?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Our Local SEO services include GMB optimization, citation building, keyword research, and location-based content." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does it take to see results?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Typically, you’ll start seeing results in 3–6 months, depending on your competition and current visibility." } }] } </script>

🟢 Section 6: Testimonials (H2)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “After hiring SEO Pathshala, our clinic started showing up in top map results for ‘physician in Delhi.’” – Dr. A. Saxena

🟢 Section 7: Local Business Info (H2)

Add LocalBusiness schema markup with:

Business Name

Address

Phone

Geo Coordinates

Opening Hours

🟢 Section 8: Related Services (Internal Links)

→ [National SEO Services]

→ [Google Ads Management]

→ [Website Audit Services]

🟢 Section 9: CTA Block (End of Page)

Text:

Ready to dominate your local market? Let SEO Pathshala help you get there.

Button:

Get Started Now 🚀

[korshubudemycoursesblog]

2025 AI Mastery: Unlock the Power of ChatGPT, Midjourney, Firefly & Gemini

Artificial Intelligence is no longer science fiction—it’s your everyday assistant, your creative partner, and your business growth engine. If you’ve ever wondered how people are using AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, and Google Gemini to automate tasks, generate art, write marketing copy, or even build businesses, you’re in the right place.

2025 is shaping up to be the year of AI fluency. The individuals and companies who take the time to understand and master these tools will be the ones leading the digital charge.

So, how do you get started?

Let’s dive into the powerful ecosystem of modern AI tools—what they are, what they can do, and how you can master them to transform your creativity, productivity, and income.

Why AI Mastery Matters in 2025

The speed at which AI is evolving is staggering. ChatGPT went from being a cool chatbot to a full-blown co-pilot for writers, marketers, coders, and educators. Midjourney and Adobe Firefly are producing jaw-dropping visuals that rival professional designers. Google Gemini is integrating deep AI search and reasoning into everyday queries, changing how we think about search engines.

But here's the catch: The tools are only as powerful as the person using them. That’s why AI mastery isn’t just about using a few prompts—it’s about understanding how to think with AI.

Let’s break down each platform—and how you can learn to use them like a pro.

1. ChatGPT: Your Smartest AI Sidekick

By now, you’ve probably heard of ChatGPT. But are you really using it to its full potential?

This conversational AI can help you:

Write blog posts and newsletters

Draft business plans or product descriptions

Build social media content calendars

Generate code and debug software

Simulate conversations, customers, or training scripts

Create marketing funnels and strategies

And that’s just scratching the surface.

Want to level up your marketing game with AI?

👉 Check out this essential course: ChatGPT in Marketing: Introduction to ChatGPT AI Marketing – it walks you through practical, real-world uses of ChatGPT that can directly impact your marketing efforts and ROI.

Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or business professional, ChatGPT will save you hours while enhancing your creativity.

2. Midjourney: Visual Storytelling on Autopilot

Let’s talk about art.

Midjourney has become the go-to AI image generator for creators, marketers, and even authors. You type a sentence, and out comes a stunning, imaginative, high-resolution image.

Some real-world uses of Midjourney include:

Creating thumbnails for YouTube and courses

Designing unique T-shirt graphics

Generating visual assets for websites and ads

Building product mockups without Photoshop

Here’s the magic: You don’t need to be a designer. Midjourney interprets your prompts and turns them into detailed, artistic images.

With a bit of prompt engineering, you can even match brand aesthetics or replicate certain styles—perfect for businesses who want original, eye-catching visuals without hiring a design team.

Pro tip: Combine ChatGPT and Midjourney to brainstorm visual themes, write descriptions, and refine your prompt ideas.

3. Adobe Firefly: AI for Creatives, Made by Creatives

Adobe didn’t just join the AI race—it brought its design legacy with it.

Firefly is a dream come true for creatives, marketers, and agencies. It lets you:

Generate editable text effects and AI art

Automatically remove backgrounds

Recolor or enhance images in a click

Fill or extend backgrounds using AI

Add contextually aware content to images

The best part? It integrates directly into Photoshop and Illustrator—tools you or your team may already use.

Why does this matter?

Because Firefly is commercial-use safe. You can use your generated content in client work, product ads, or merchandise without legal grey areas.

If you’re building a personal brand or a creative business, Firefly’s AI boosts your workflow without compromising quality or rights.

4. Google Gemini: The Next Evolution of Search + AI

If ChatGPT is the brain and Midjourney the eye, Gemini is the research assistant.

Formerly known as Bard, Google Gemini brings AI into the heart of your daily web tasks:

Summarize complex articles or data instantly

Draft emails or documents inside Gmail or Docs

Offer step-by-step coding help (especially in Python, JavaScript, etc.)

Enhance search with contextual, multi-turn conversations

Integrate with Google Workspace tools seamlessly

For students, marketers, and solopreneurs, Gemini turns your browser into an intelligent productivity machine.

It’s also cross-platform. Whether you're on Android, iOS, or desktop, Gemini keeps learning your preferences and improves over time.

The Real Secret: These Tools Work Best Together

Here’s where things get exciting.

When you combine these tools, you unlock exponential potential:

✅ Use ChatGPT to draft marketing copy → ✅ Feed it into Midjourney for a custom image → ✅ Refine with Firefly to fit your brand palette → ✅ Use Gemini to research trends or boost SEO.

That’s an AI-powered content engine, from ideation to execution, without hiring a team.

This kind of synergy is what sets apart beginners from true AI masters.

How to Start Your AI Mastery Journey (Even If You’re Not Techy)

AI tools today are designed for non-coders, non-designers, and non-marketers. They are intuitive, fun, and powerful.

Here’s how to start:

✅ 1. Learn the Foundations

Take a course that gives you practical experience with prompts, workflows, and use cases. The ChatGPT in Marketing: Introduction to ChatGPT AI Marketing course is a great entry point for marketers, freelancers, and small business owners who want to see fast results.

✅ 2. Practice Prompt Crafting

Prompts are the new programming. Learn to speak “AI language.” Try variations. Use templates. Save your best prompts.

✅ 3. Create a Personal Project

Start with something fun: an AI-generated comic, a travel blog, or even a YouTube channel intro made with AI assets.

✅ 4. Share and Iterate

The AI community is incredibly active on Reddit, Discord, and Twitter. Share what you’re making, get feedback, and stay inspired.

Who Should Be Learning AI in 2025?

Honestly? Everyone.

But here’s a breakdown of who benefits the most:

Freelancers: Scale faster by offering AI-enhanced services

Content Creators: Produce faster, more consistently

Entrepreneurs: Cut costs by automating content, branding, and email copy

Students: Learn better, faster, and present with flair

Marketers: Generate campaign ideas, ad copy, email sequences, and visuals in minutes

Educators: Build AI-enhanced curriculums and training material

Job Seekers: Use AI to write resumes, cover letters, and prep for interviews

Avoid These Common AI Learning Mistakes

Not Practicing Daily AI gets better when you use it. The more you interact, the better results you’ll get.

Overcomplicating It You don’t need fancy jargon or advanced tools. Start with simple goals and grow from there.

Ignoring Courses Self-learning is great, but structured courses like the ChatGPT in Marketing program give you a huge head start with examples, demos, and real results.

Trying to Learn Everything at Once Focus on one tool first (like ChatGPT), then layer others as you grow.

Final Thoughts: 2025 Is the Year to Master AI

In the next few years, the gap between those who understand AI and those who don’t will become much more obvious.

Companies are already seeking “AI-literate” employees. Freelancers are raising their rates because they can work faster. Startups are using AI to scale without hiring huge teams.

You don’t need a technical degree. You need curiosity, a laptop, and a little guidance.

Whether you're a creative, a business owner, or someone exploring a new path, this is the year to claim your space in the AI revolution.

Ready to get started?

Don’t just use AI—master it with the ChatGPT in Marketing: Introduction to ChatGPT AI Marketing course. It’s your first step into an exciting, AI-powered future.

[winklix]

How to Build Custom Apps on Salesforce Using Lightning Web Components (LWC)

Salesforce is a leading platform in cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM), and one of its standout features is the ability to create custom apps tailored to an organization's specific needs. With the introduction of Lightning Web Components (LWC), Salesforce developers can now build faster, more efficient, and more powerful custom applications that integrate seamlessly with the Salesforce ecosystem.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the process of building custom apps on Salesforce using Lightning Web Components.

What Are Lightning Web Components (LWC)?

Before diving into the development process, let’s briefly explain what Lightning Web Components are. LWC is a modern, standards-based JavaScript framework built on web components, enabling developers to build reusable and customizable components for Salesforce apps. It is faster and more efficient than its predecessor, Aura components, because it is built on native browser features and embraces modern web standards.

Why Use LWC for Custom Apps on Salesforce?

Performance: LWC is optimized for speed. It delivers a faster runtime and improved loading times compared to Aura components.

Reusability: Components can be reused across different apps, enhancing consistency and productivity.

Standardization: Since LWC is built on web standards, it makes use of popular technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, which makes it easier for developers to work with.

Ease of Integration: LWC components integrate effortlessly with Salesforce's powerful features such as Apex, Visualforce, and Lightning App Builder.

Steps to Build Custom Apps Using LWC

1. Set Up Your Salesforce Developer Environment

Before you begin building, you’ll need a Salesforce Developer Edition or a Salesforce org where you can develop and test your apps.

Create a Salesforce Developer Edition Account: You can sign up for a free Developer Edition from Salesforce’s website.

Install Salesforce CLI: The Salesforce CLI (Command Line Interface) helps you to interact with your Salesforce org and retrieve metadata, deploy changes, and execute tests.

Set Up VS Code with Salesforce Extensions: Visual Studio Code is the most commonly used editor for LWC development, and Salesforce provides extensions for VS Code that offer helpful features like code completion and syntax highlighting.

2. Create a New Lightning Web Component

Once your development environment is set up, you’re ready to create your first LWC component.

Open VS Code and create a new Salesforce project using the SFDX: Create Project command.

Create a Lightning Web Component by using the SFDX: Create Lightning Web Component command and entering the name of your component.

Your component’s files will be generated. This includes an HTML file (for markup), a JavaScript file (for logic), and a CSS file (for styling).

Here’s an example of a simple LWC component:

HTML (template):

html

CopyEdit

<template> <lightning-card title="Welcome to LWC!" icon-name="custom:custom63"> <div class="slds-p-around_medium"> <p>Hello, welcome to building custom apps using Lightning Web Components!</p> </div> </lightning-card> </template>

JavaScript (logic):

javascript

CopyEdit

import { LightningElement } from 'lwc'; export default class WelcomeMessage extends LightningElement {}

3. Customize Your LWC Components

Now that your basic LWC component is in place, you can start customizing it. Some common customizations include:

Adding Dynamic Data: You can use Salesforce data by querying records through Apex controllers or the Lightning Data Service.

Handling Events: LWC allows you to define custom events or handle standard events like button clicks, form submissions, etc.

Styling: You can use Salesforce’s Lightning Design System (SLDS) or custom CSS to style your components according to your branding.

Example of adding dynamic data (like displaying a user’s name):

javascript

CopyEdit

import { LightningElement, wire } from 'lwc'; import getUserName from '@salesforce/apex/UserController.getUserName'; export default class DisplayUserName extends LightningElement { userName; @wire(getUserName) wiredUserName({ error, data }) { if (data) { this.userName = data; } else if (error) { console.error(error); } } }

4. Deploy and Test Your Component

Once you’ve created your components, it’s time to deploy them to your Salesforce org and test them.

Deploy to Salesforce Org: You can deploy your component using the Salesforce CLI by running SFDX: Deploy Source to Org from VS Code.

Testing: You can add your LWC component to a Lightning page using the Lightning App Builder and test its functionality directly in the Salesforce UI.

5. Create a Custom App with Your Components

Once your custom components are developed and tested, you can integrate them into a full custom app.

Use the Lightning App Builder: The Lightning App Builder allows you to create custom apps by dragging and dropping your LWC components onto a page.

Set Permissions and Sharing: Ensure that the right users have access to the custom app by configuring user permissions, profiles, and sharing settings.

6. Iterate and Improve

Once your app is live, collect user feedback and iteratively improve the app. Salesforce offers various tools like debugging, performance monitoring, and error tracking to help you maintain and enhance your app.

Best Practices for Building Custom Apps with LWC

Component Modularity: Break down your app into smaller, reusable components to improve maintainability.

Optimize for Performance: Avoid heavy processing on the client-side and use server-side Apex logic where appropriate.

Use Lightning Data Service: It simplifies data management by handling CRUD operations without the need for Apex code.

Follow Salesforce’s Security Guidelines: Ensure that your app follows Salesforce’s security best practices, like field-level security and sharing rules.

Conclusion

Building custom apps on Salesforce using Lightning Web Components is an effective way to harness the full power of the Salesforce platform. With LWC, developers can create high-performance, dynamic, and responsive apps that integrate seamlessly with Salesforce’s cloud services. By following best practices and leveraging Salesforce’s tools, you can build applications that drive business efficiency and enhance user experience.

If you're interested in building custom Salesforce applications, now is the perfect time to dive into Lightning Web Components and start bringing your ideas to life!

[uniathena7]

ChatGPT 4 vs Gemini: A Practical Comparison of Leading AI Models

In today’s rapidly evolving AI landscape, two standout platforms leading the way are ChatGPT 4 and Gemini AI. Both are powerful, user-friendly tools designed to enhance content creation, facilitate conversation, answer queries, and troubleshoot. Despite their similarities, each brings unique strengths and specific areas for improvement. Let’s explore these two cutting-edge AI models to understand what makes them different.

ChatGPT 4: A Friendly Conversational Partner

ChatGPT 4 is a powerful AI that excels at understanding and responding naturally to user inputs, much like having a conversation with a helpful assistant. This model leverages extensive data to provide intelligent, responsive answers across various topics. Whether you’re looking to solve a problem, get advice, or just chat, ChatGPT 4 is there to engage meaningfully.

Imagine having a query or needing a quick summary; you type it out, and ChatGPT 4 comprehends your message and responds in a clear, useful way. This AI model has a unique capability to “learn” from ongoing interactions, making it feel more conversational and human-like over time. ChatGPT 4 is ideal for situations that need a friendly touch and reliable answers.

Gemini AI: The Intelligent Assistant

Gemini AI, on the other hand, functions as an advanced assistant focusing on deep understanding and learning. This tool is based on artificial intelligence techniques designed to make computers smarter and more adept at human-like reasoning. Gemini uses massive datasets to make decisions, offering accurate predictions and responses that aid in analyzing complex ideas and situations.

For instance, Gemini can assist in recognizing objects in images or interpreting complex data sets. It enables computers to make smarter, contextually aware choices. Think of it as a tool that supports analytical tasks or areas requiring in-depth reasoning — perfect for industries needing precise interpretations or future predictions.

Comparing the Strengths: Is Gemini Better than GPT-4?

Both models are state-of-the-art AIs with unique strengths. Google’s Gemini shines when it comes to advanced reasoning and grasping sophisticated concepts. It’s like having an assistant who’s a deep thinker, capable of tackling complex topics such as scientific theories or philosophical ideas. Gemini’s specialty lies in complex, nuanced problem-solving.

Conversely, ChatGPT 4, short for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4,” excels in understanding and generating human-like language. It’s a great fit for more conversational tasks, such as customer support, writing assistance, and day-to-day inquiries. ChatGPT 4 works like a supportive friend who is skilled at making conversation and responding in a way that feels intuitive and meaningful.

Gemini vs. ChatGPT 4: Additional Differences

Aside from differences in language processing and data, ChatGPT 4 and Gemini AI have some specific functional variations:

Conversational Learning: ChatGPT 4 can retain context in conversations, which enhances continuity. Gemini AI also has this feature, though it’s currently more limited.

Response Drafts: With Gemini, you can review multiple drafts for a single query. ChatGPT 4, however, offers one response per question.

Editing Responses: While you can modify responses in Gemini, ChatGPT doesn’t support post-response edits.

Real-time Internet Access: ChatGPT recently enabled real-time web access, though only for premium users. Gemini has had this feature for some time.

Photo-based Responses: Gemini can search for images via Google due to its internet access. ChatGPT Plus users can now generate unique AI images as well.

Text-to-Speech: Gemini supports text-to-speech, while ChatGPT currently lacks this feature.

Conclusion

Both ChatGPT 4 and Gemini AI offer impressive capabilities, though each shines in different areas. ChatGPT 4 is a fantastic choice for seamless conversation and straightforward answers, whereas Gemini excels in more analytical, complex problem-solving.

For professionals, students, and businesses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, understanding these differences can be pivotal when choosing the right tool. Each of these AIs can enhance productivity and improve learning, but your specific needs should guide your choice. And if you’re eager to maximize your AI expertise, consider exploring UniAthena’s “Mastering ChatGPT” course for a deeper dive into AI-powered communication skills.

Bonus Insight:

While the free version of Google Gemini offers powerful features, a premium upgrade brings even greater functionality. However, in terms of refinement and responsiveness, ChatGPT remains the more mature tool, with faster, smoother processing of user requests.

[jihadsoyon]

CSS Uncovered: A Closer Look at Its Role in Web Development

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is one of the foundational technologies in web development. It is a language used to define the presentation of web pages, dictating how HTML elements are displayed on the screen. From fonts and colors to layout and spacing, CSS provides web developers with the tools to create visually appealing and functional websites. Without CSS, websites would appear as plain, unstyled HTML documents, lacking the design elements that make them engaging and user-friendly.

What Does CSS Stand For?

CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets, and each part of the name carries significance. The term "cascading" refers to how styles are applied in a layered manner. If multiple styles are set for the same HTML element, CSS decides which style to use based on specificity and importance. This cascading nature allows for flexibility in design and enables developers to manage complex styling easily.

CSS separates a website's content (HTML) from its design using style sheets, creating a clear distinction between structure and presentation. This improves readability and maintainability and allows developers to make site-wide design changes more efficiently by updating a single CSS file rather than editing individual HTML pages.

Why CSS is Essential for Web Design

CSS is a fundamental tool in web design because it enables websites to be visually attractive and functional across different devices. With the rise of mobile browsing, responsive design has become a key aspect of modern web development, and CSS plays a critical role in ensuring websites look good on screens of all sizes. Through media queries and flexible grid systems, CSS allows websites to automatically adjust to the dimensions of the user's device, creating a seamless user experience.

Furthermore, CSS gives developers control over design elements such as typography, color schemes, and spacing. These visual aspects are critical in branding and user engagement. A well-designed website can make a lasting impression, while poor design can drive users away. CSS ensures that design consistency is maintained across all site pages, contributing to a more professional and cohesive user experience.

The Connection Between CSS and HTML

CSS is the language used to structure web content. HTML lays the foundation by creating headings, paragraphs, and images, while CSS styles these elements to enhance their visual appeal. This combination of HTML and CSS allows web developers to build rich, dynamic, functional, and aesthetically pleasing websites.

One of CSS's key advantages is its ability to separate style from structure. This means developers can update a website's look and feel without altering the underlying HTML code. For example, if a company wants to update its website's color scheme, they only need to adjust the CSS file rather than modify each HTML page individually. This separation streamlines the development process and makes implementing design changes as required easier.

Different Methods of Applying CSS

There are three main ways to apply CSS to a web page: inline, internal, and external. Each method has its specific use case, and understanding these approaches is key to efficient web development.

Inline CSS is used to apply styles directly within an HTML tag. While this method is convenient for making quick changes, it could be better for larger projects, as it can clutter the HTML and make the code harder to manage. Internal CSS involves placing style rules within the head section of an HTML document. This method is useful for applying styles to a single page but could be more efficient for larger websites with multiple pages. External CSS is the most commonly used approach, where a separate CSS file is linked to the HTML document. This method keeps the design separate from the content and allows consistent styling across multiple pages, making maintenance and updates more manageable.

CSS and the Future of Web Design

CSS remains at the forefront of innovation as web design continues to evolve. New layout systems such as CSS Grid and Flexbox have revolutionized how developers structure web pages, providing greater flexibility and control over the design process. These tools allow for the creation of complex, responsive layouts that automatically adjust to different screen sizes, ensuring that websites are functional and visually appealing across all devices.

In addition to new layout tools, CSS preprocessors like Sass and LESS have expanded the capabilities of CSS. These preprocessors introduce advanced features such as variables, nesting, and mixins, which allow developers to write more efficient and maintainable code. Preprocessors are then compiled into regular CSS, making them compatible with all browsers while offering enhanced functionality during development.

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is critical to modern web development. It enables developers to create visually appealing, responsive websites that provide an optimal user experience across all devices. By separating design from structure, CSS makes maintaining and updating websites easier while ensuring consistency across multiple pages. Whether you are building a simple website or a complex web application, understanding CSS and its various features is essential for creating polished, professional websites that meet the needs of today's users. As web technologies advance, CSS will remain an integral part of the web development process, offering developers the tools they need to stay on the cutting edge of design.