#you enter our Blog you play by our Rules and rule One is Read pinned post before follow!

[euclydya]

from now on if people do not like our pinned before following i will Assume they have not read it and will softblock .

[heloisedaphnebrightmore]

Heloise's 3.5k Followers Sleepover [Closed!] and Writing Challenge [Closed!]

Hello my lovelies <3

On Wednesday we reached another milestone once again! I can’t tell you how happy I am to know that so many of you have been enjoying my writing. All the support I’ve gotten from my followers has been beyond my expectations and I’m just so very grateful. I never imagined getting 50 let alone 3500 followers. Mind blowing really! I wanted to do something fun for such a huge milestone and as it’s a writing blog, I thought, let’s write. I want the writers to enjoy writing and the readers to enjoy reading. However, on the other hand, I didn’t want to leave out my non-writer followers so a sleepover should be in place as well.

Therefore, welcome to⁠—

Heloise’s 3.5k followers Sleepover and Writing Challenge

Part 1. Sleepover [Closed!] (Please click on the link above!)

Part 2. Writing Challenge [Closed!] (See below the Keep Reading option!)

Let's have fun and send your Ask! ^^

Heloise's Map | Masterlists

Heloise’s 3.5k Followers Writing Challenge Masterlist

Part 2. Writing Challenge!

Disclaimer! I do not own any of the prompts listed below, they all belong to @screnwriter and @dreamy-prose and each prompt list I have used for creating this event are listed at the bottom of the post. [Numbers] next to prompts refer to the prompt lists you can find them at.

Rules!

➵ You don’t have to follow me to participate, although it would be much appreciated. ➵ Chose as many prompts as you’d like. No limits. ➵ Write for any universe and any pairings, I basically read everything. ➵ No incest, racial, religious, or sexual hate openly, not related to the story line, but to hurt others. If you have any of the above in your fic, I will not reblog it. ➵ Fluff, angst, smut, anything goes, just please use appropriate Warnings!  ➵ Use the Keep reading option above 500 words. Tutorial from phone is Here! ➵ No deadline for submission, but deadline for entry closes on 27 September 2021. Clarification: You can submit your fics even next year if you wish. End date is only for entering the event. I will not be able to accept entries after 27 September 2021. ➵ If you would like to participate, just send me an Ask with the prompt(s) and character and Reblog this post. ➵ Please use the tag #heloises3.5kcelebration and tag my name @heloisedaphnebrightmore when you post your fic. If it's not reblogged in 48 hours, please send me an Ask or DM. My tags seem to be funny at times. ➵ And most importantly, Have fun! :)

I decided to use both Scenario prompts and Dialogue prompts to take on a different approach compared to my last writing challenge.

Scenario prompts

Enemies to lovers / Tension prompts

1. “I’ll kiss you right now to prove that I don’t feel anything for you.” “Okay.” The two characters kiss, and whoops they felt something, followed by lingering, as they’re catching their breath, trying to make sense of what just happened, and the feelings rushing through them, and then there’s this urge to dive back in for another kiss. [5]

@goddessofdawns (x) Loki Laufeyson x Reader

2. Your enemy has never let anyone touch their scar, until you come along. [7]

@natashxromanovf (x) Bucky Barnes x Reader

3. Character A and B kiss each other to prove there's nothing going on between them, but they get so caught up in each other, they prove the exact opposite. [2]

@wearywinchester (x) Dean Winchester x Reader

4. For one night, Character A and B give into temptation and sleep with each other, hoping it will solve the tension building between them. It does the opposite. [2]

5. Character A and B avoid each other after sharing an intimate moment, be it a kiss, a hug, holding hands, or just looking at each other's lips longer than appropriate. [1]

@wearywinchester (x) Dean Winchester x Reader

6. You're upset one night, and you don't know where to go, so you end up at your enemy's house, and as they open the door, you stay silent for a second, before saying “I don't know where else to go.” Your enemy doesn't say anything, instead they pull you into their arms, giving you a shoulder to cry on. [1]

@goddessofdawns (x) Bucky Barnes x Reader

7. The best friends to lovers “Let’s just kiss to see what it’s like.” They kiss, followed by the characters pulling away, eyes still closed, forehead against forehead, lingering… and then they go in for the second kiss. [5]

@goddessofdawns (x) Newt (Maze Runner) x Reader

8. You threaten your enemy, and when they close the distance between you, you realize how attracted you truly are to them. [1]

9. Pinning your enemy against the wall. Or straddling your enemy’s hips whilst they pin your arms above your head. [1]

@theravenclawgal (x) Sirius Black x Reader

10. You end up on your enemy's lap, and you yank the belt from their pants “Let's just get this over with.” [1]

11. You're about to leave the room, but your enemy slams the door shut, and with one hand on either side of your head, barricade you against the wall... (cue the reckless make-out session). [2]

@band--psycho (x) James Potter x Reader

12. You’re sharing a bed with your enemy and being told “Stay on your side or I'll set this whole bed on fire”. Only to wake up the next day with your enemy's arms wrapped around you. [2]

@forever-and-more (x) Lorcan Salvaterre (Throne of Glass) x Reader

13. Your enemy has been badly wounded, and somebody needs to bandage them up, so you agree to help them, and suddenly they're shirtless, and you can't help but admire their body, something that cheeky bastard takes notice of. [1]

14. You've been wounded, your face is all bruised up. Your enemy puts a finger under your chin, bringing your eyes to theirs, asking “Who did this to you?”. When you don't answer, they ask you again “Who did this to you?”. [1]

@band--psycho (x) Klaus Mikaelson x Reader

@grimdevil (x) Regulus Black x Reader

15. You've just been hurt, you're bleeding out, and your enemy is freaking out, dropping the “I love you. I can't lose you” card, begging you not to close your eyes. [2]

@goddessofdawns (x) Loki Laufeyson x Reader

@forever-and-more (x) Lorcan Salvaterre (Throne of Glass) x Reader

16. Two characters look at each other, a tense silence between them and then bang, lips crash into each other as they can’t resist anymore and then one of them pins the other against the wall. [6]

@forever-and-more (x) Lorcan Salvaterre (Throne of Glass) x Reader

17. You had a really good time on the date tonight, and your date is asking for a good night kiss. It was only meant to be on the cheek, but then you pull back, our eyes meet, and there's a gravitational pull pulling you closer again. [6]

18. You’ve never been kissed before so your friend volunteers, but you decline because you’ve been best friends and it would be weird. But a couple hours later you lay awake in bed and can't stop thinking about what it would be like to kiss them and suddenly you regret what you said. [6]

@queen-of-brokenhearts (x) Hermione Granger x Female!Reader

Intimate / Domestic prompts

19. You are wearing your lover’s clothes when they say, “Can I get my shirt/hoodie back?” and you say “No.” or “Come and get it.”. [4]

@oliverwoodmarrymepls (x) Oliver Wood x Reader

20. You're talking on the phone and your lover quietly comes up behind you, wraps their arms around you, and starts gently kissing your neck. You begin to lose focus on your phone call as you concentrate on not making any noise. [3]

@band--psycho (x) Fred Weasley x Reader

21. You’re supposed to be mad at your lover but they’re holding your face and smiling, and you just can't resist it when they're pouting like that. [6]

22. You and your lover sitting next to each other at a table, and they rest their hand on your thigh, gently rubbing their thumb back and forth. [3]

23. Looking at your crush or lover only to find them already looking at you and when you make eye contact, they smile at you. [3]

@iliveiloveiwrite (x) - Benedict Bridgerton x Reader

24. You think mistletoe kisses are lame, but your love interest brings you under one, regardless of the season and suddenly you're all for it. [6]

25. You and your lover are in bed, when you say, “It’s time to get up.” and your lover pulls you back down, wraps their hands around your body, snuggles up close, preventing you from getting out of bed. [4]

26. Your lover is resting their head on your lap, falling asleep whilst you are playing with their hair. [4]

@oliverwoodmarrymepls (x) Oliver Wood x Reader

@band--psycho (x) Young!Remus Lupin x Reader

27. Having a piece of hair brushed off your face as you're reading or looking down. [3]

28. You're sick, and you can't kiss your lover, and it's an absolute torture. [6]

@msmarvelouswinchester (x) Jensen Ackles or Dean Winchester x Reader

29. Being asked “Are you sure?” (There's nothing sexier than consent) [3]

30. When it’s a slow burn, and the characters just look at each other like “Fuck it, I’m done with this.” and they finally kiss. [4]

@acourtofbooksandfantasy (x) Azriel (ACOTAR) x Reader

Dialogue prompts

Flirty / Sarcastic prompts

1. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I like the sound of your voice, because you don’t seem to ever shut up.” [9]

2. “Is that a challenge?” [9]

3. “You’re cute when you’re nervous.” [15]

@will-be-a-fineline (x) Harry Styles x reader

4. “When have I ever put you in danger? Actually, don't answer that.” [11]

@wearywinchester (x) Dean Winchester x Reader

5. “I dare you.” [9]

6. “If you don’t shut up, I might as well kiss you to put that mouth to good use.” [9]

7. Character A: “Do yourself a favour, get laid.” Character B: “Why, are you offering?” [9]

@grimdevil (x) Draco Malfoy x Reader

@theravenclawgal (x) Sirius Black x Reader

8. Character A: “What if bite you?” Character B: “I’m into that.” [10]

9. Character A is returning a priced procession to Character B and says, “I want something in return.” Character B “What?”  Character A “You.” [2]

10. Character A: “What changed your mind? “ Character B: “You.” [7]

11. Character A: “What do you want?” Character B: “You.” [9]

12. Character A: “Just admit it.” Character B: “Admit what?” Character A: “I’m the best you’ve ever had.” [13]

13. Character A: “You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said, have you?” Character B: “And yet for some reason your mouth just keeps on going.” [8]

@wearywinchester (x) Dean Winchester x Reader

@theravenclawgal (x) Sirius Black x Reader

14. Character A: “I shouldn't have kissed you” “ Character B: You're right. But I should've.” [7]

15. Character A: “Do you flirt with everyone?” Character B: “Unfortunately, you’re the only one who caught my attention.” Character A: “Unfortunately?” [8]

@sexysirius (x) Sirius Black x Reader

16. Character B: “I like to keep my options open.” [8]

17. “I hate you. Oh, I hate you so much right now.” [11]

18. “Jesus Christ, you're annoying.” [11]

First kiss / Confession prompts

19. Character A: “Come over here.” Character B: “Why?” Character A: “You said you’ve never been kissed before. I’m planning on changing that.” [10]

20. Character A: “Just… don’t make this weird, all right?” Character B: “Meaning what?” Character A: “Meaning, don’t treat me like I haven’t been kissed before.” Character B: “But you… haven’t been kissed before.” Character A: “Look, I just want this over and done with, okay. I don’t want to be treated like a delicate flower. Kiss me like you mean it.” [10]

@band--psycho (x) Damon Salvatore x Reader

21. Character A: “I love you.” Character B: “I know.” Character A: “You knew?” Character B: “You haven’t exactly been discreet.” [15]

@band--psycho (x) Natasha Romanoff x Reader

22. “Listen, I know you’re busy, but… it’s important.” [15]

23. “I love you, and I don’t care if you don’t love me back. I just need you to know that I do.” [15]

24. Character A: “Do you have feelings for me?” Character B: “What?” Character A: “Do you have feelings for me?” [14]

25. “Is that truly, all it is? Just, two friends, hanging out?” [14]

@pregnant-piggy (x) Sirius Black x Reader

26. “I need to ask you something and I don’t want you to brush off the subject or turn it into a joke… I need you to be honest with me.” [14]

@grimdevil (x) Young!Sirius Black

27. “Are you… are you in love with me?” [14]

28. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” [14]

29. “All this time I thought you didn’t want me.” [14]

30. “If there’s something you want to tell me, now’s the time.” [14]

@wearywinchester (x) Dean Winchester x Reader

31. “There’s nothing going on between me and Character C. because the person I want to be with is standing right in front of me.” [14]

32. Character A: “I want this to work. I really do.” Character B: “Then we’re on the same page.” [16]

33. “I’ve missed you so much. I didn’t even think it was possible to miss someone this much.” [16]

34. “I know we're not together, but I might die today so I'm going to kiss you just in case there is no later.” [6]

Reassurance / Sweet prompts

35. “You could stay here, tonight. For as long as you'd like.” [7]

@oliverwoodmarrymepls (x) Oliver Wood x Reader

36. “Could you ever love someone like me?” [7]

37. Character A: “I've never been in love before.” Character B: “Then let me show you.” [7]

@goddessofdawns (x) Sam Wilson x Reader

38. “I can’t get up. You’re gonna have to carry me.” [11]

@goddessofdawns (x) Sam Wilson x Reader

39. “Are you okay with me kissing you?” [12]

@deanwanddamons (x) Jensen Ackles x Reader

40. “I feel safe with you. I always have.” [12]

@band--psycho (x) Newt (Maze Runner) x Reader

41. “I need you to know that you can always come to me.” [12]

@iliveiloveiwrite (x) - Benedict Bridgerton x Reader

42. Character A: “You’ll wait for me?” Character B: “For as long as I need to.” [12]

43. “I’ll always be there for you. Don’t you ever doubt that.” [12]

@band--psycho (x) George Weasley x Reader

44. “Don’t hide from me. you’re even more beautiful in the morning.” [13]

@will-be-a-fineline (x) Harry Styles x reader

45. “I’m going to kiss you until you’re sick of it.” [13]

@goddessofdawns (x) Sam Wilson x Reader

46. “Just hold me. I’m not ready to wake up.” [13]

@pregnant-piggy (x) Sirius Black x Reader

If you have any questions, don’t be afraid of sending me a message. My inbox is always open for everyone :)

Prompt lists used from @screnwriter and @dreamy-prose

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

[lancetuckershairgel]

Countdown

Part of the Phone Sex Series

Phone Sex

Wrecking Ball

Punished

Switch

Jealousy

Birthday Surprise

Characters: Sebastian Stan x Reader

Word Count: 2180

Warnings: real person fic, BDSM, established d/s relationship, spanking, dirty talk, Sebastian speaking filth in Romanian, teasing, orgasm denial, forced orgasm, multiple orgasm

Tag List: @southernbell91 @marvelgirl7 @jobean12-blog @anxiousamandapanda @loricameback @louisianaspell @cchellacat @book-dragon-13 @marvelandotherfandomimagines @randomfandompenguin

"I'm an old man, baby" Sebastian chuckled when you had asked him if he wanted to do anything for New Years Eve. "Let's just stay home and have our own party" 

You tried to argue that thirty seven wasnt that old but Sebastian's mind was made up. The two of you were to stay home, but little did you know that Sebastian had a plan to have a very exciting evening. 

The morning of December thirty first your eyes fluttered open and a soft gasp left your lips. Sebastian was between you legs and already having his morning dessert, lapping at your pussy hungrily.  Your hand moved to lazily tangle in his hair, giving what you could grasp a tug in effort to urge him on. He sucked against your swollen nub, flicking his tongue over the sensitive head as his fingers moved to push into your hole. A comment about how wet you were went unheard as you arched your hips into his touch. He lifted himself to his knees and bent your legs back, his mouth still latched onto your pussy as you moaned out his name. 

"You're too good at this, Seb!" You gasped out "I'm gonna..I'm close...dont stop"

"Not yet, baby" 

Sebastian pulled away, hovering over your body with a smirk upon his wet lips. You whined at the loss of his mouth and looked up at him with a pout. 

"Tease."

"Oh good, you figured out the theme for today" 

He grinned, moving your arms to pin them above your head before lowering to take your mouth into a heated kiss. You could taste yourself on him and moaned, his tongue finding it's way inside your mouth to give you more of the flavor. As his erect cock slid along your pussy you shifted your hips in an attempt to have him enter you but he just hooked your leg with his, pinning you to the mattress. 

"You're going to abide by my rules today, understood?" 

"Ohh, is daddy feeling dominant today?" 

Your teasing remark was met with the sharp thrust of his cock entering your pussy, bottoming out and stilling until Sebastian willed himself to move. The walls of your pussy squeezed around him, begging for more. He laid still inside of you as he continued to kiss your lips and softly. You whined, attempting to roll your hips but his weight held you taught. 

"Don't make me punish you." He murmured, lips soft as a feather as he lightly brushed them over your collar bone. 

"I need you" you whimpered out

With a low growl he began to fuck you, slow and deep so that you felt every inch of his thick cock stretching you open. He held you against the bed, taking his time, ignoring your pleading as he took his pleasure. When he began to speed up his thrusts you cried out, the head of his cock hitting your sweet spot straight on and you leaked juices around him as you felt your orgasm building in the pit of your belly. He buried his face in your neck, his hips snapping in quick and sharp motion. 

"Oh God, Sebastian! It feels so good. Harder!"

His hand clamped over your mouth to silence your commands. This wasn't about you, this was about him taking his pleasure and leaving you a mess for the rest of the morning. 

"Dont you dare fucking cum" he ordered in your ear as he began to relentlessly pound into you 

You now knew his goal and your pussy gushed even more upon the realization that you would spend the entire day being teased and tortured, another one of his games that you both loved and hated to play. 

You could do nothing but lay under him as his cock greedily slid in and out of you, his moans and Romanian swears causing you to begin the inward battle to resist having an orgasm. You closed your eyes tight and tried your best to think of anything else besides the large clock's punishing thrusts, or the muscular body holding you down, or the heavy hand still pressed over your mouth, or the scent of expensive cologne and last nights cigarette wafting off or your lover. It was too much, your pussy seized around him as you began to tip over the edge. 

"No!" Sebastian growled, pulling out quickly before your orgasm could come full circle

He flipped you over onto your stomach and began slapping your ass, surely leaving handprints. You squealed under the blows your aching pussy leaking its juice down onto the sheets with every strike of his hand. As he spanked you he stroked his cock, the animalistic grunts and growls he was making almost sending you over the edge again. He came, hot streams of cum falling onto your red ass as you panted. As he finished, Sebastian slid his cock between your ass cheeks and dipping the head into your neglected hole just to tease you more. You shivered as he peppered between your shoulder blades with light kisses, his panting breath hot on your skin. 

 The entire day was spent having Sebastian relentlessly teasing you, keeping you on edge of orgasm any chance he got, only to deny your release with a grin. While the two of you made breakfast he kissed your neck, whispering the filthiest Romanian in your ear that made you squeeze your legs together and squirm. You let out a sigh of relief when it was time for the morning run,  meaning he'd be too busy to torment you but being the masochist that you are you put in your headphones in and turned on the playlist of songs the two of you had made for the bedroom. Even at the grocery store Sebastian made sure to tease you. In an empty aisle he pushed you against the shelf, sliding his hand inside your yoga pants to rub your clit with his fingers as he kissed you. When he pulled away you caused after his lips, wanting more of his taste. He just chuckled as he picked up a bag of corn chips, tossing them into the basket. 

"Asshole." You muttered, the heat between your legs driving you mad

That night Sebastian had you splayed out on the bed, hands tied to the headboard  with velvet ropes and a black ball gag was pushed between your lips. You laid waiting for Sebastian to come in and finish his plan for you, your pussy soaking through  your black lace panties as you tried to press against the Hitachi he had strapped with bobdage tape against your thigh. He left it turned off just to fuck with you and went diwnstajd to get the champagne. It was ten thirty, you noted the time as you turned your head to the clock on the nightstand. The sound of the door clicking open made your oussy clench, knowing that your boyfriend was entering. Holding two glasses of champagne and a bowl of chocolate covered strawberries, Sebastian made his way over to stand next to the bed and look down at you with a smirk. 

"Comfortable, baby?"

"Fuck you." You grumbled behind your gag, eyes playfully gleaming up at him

"Oh what was that, Prinţesă? You're not being mouthy are you?" 

You shook your head and he smiled softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He pulled the gag out of your mouth and dropped it to hang against your neck before he ran his fingertips over cheek as he leaned down to kiss you. 

"Want some champagne?" He asked

"Before midnight?!" You gasped in mock offense 

"Yeah. I have a feeling you're going to be quite busy at midnight"

Sebastian's hand trailed down your body and inside the hem of your panties, pushing between the vibrator and your mind until he found your clit. 

"Incă atât de umed pentru mine" 

His words sent a shiver down your spine and you mewled beneath him. You hardly ever knew what he was saying when he spoke his native language but it sounded so incredibly hot that you didn't care. 

"Wh-what?"

"Dont worry about it" He chuckled, rubbing his fingers in a circular motion over your clit  "I could read you my grocery list and you'd cum, wouldn't you, Prinţesă?" 

"Probably,  yeah" you shuddered unashamed 

"Asta e curva mea"  That's my whore

You knew what that meant and you nearly came then and there but he quickly removed his hand and placed his slick fingers against your lips. You placed your mouth on them and sucked him clean, eyes rolling back at the taste of your own arousal. When he removed his fingers, he picked up one of the champagne glasses and took a sip, leaning down to press his lips against yours allowing the alcohol to pour from his mouth into yours. You swallowed, eyes filled with fiery lust, hungry for more.  He repeated the action, giving you another drink, then held one of strawberries up to your mouth and smiled as you took a bite. He fed you champagne and strawberries until the first glass was empty. He picked up the second glass and took a sip, swallowing as he looked at his watch. Grinning and without warning he switched on the vibrator onto the lowest setting. He then stripped himself of his clothes and laid down beside you and replaced the ball gag. For the next forty five minutes Sebastian made you edge close to orgasm as he played with your breasts and spoke the filthiest words in your ear as his other hand tangled in your hair. 

"Don't you dare fucking cum" he would growl when you got close 

When you thought that you couldn't take anymore Sebastian checked his watch again before he sat up and laid your panties to the side, causing the head of the Hitachi wand to press directly against your ready clit, still on low. 

"Its 11:58 and some odd seconds. At 11:59, I'm going to turn it all the way on high. If you cum before midnight, January won't be a fun month, mă înțelegi?"

"I..I understand" you panted, fingers gripping the headboard tightly as you prepared yourself 

"Fata buna" Good girl

Sebastian watched his clock count the seconds and then right on the minute mark, turned the vibrator on high,  causing you to shriek. It was too much, too high against your overly sensitive clit and it almost burned. There was no way you would be able to cum not like this. Sebastian waited until there was thirty seconds left in the year and wrapped his hand around your throats applying pressure. He hovered over you, his face inches from yours as he began to speak again. 

"Tine-l copil" That's it, baby

"nu cum încă" don't cum yet

"asta este fata mea bună" that's my good girl 

"dracu 'ești atât de frumoasă" you're so fucking beautiful

"curva mea murdară" my dirty little whore 

"ai face orice pentru mine nu-i așa?" You would do anything for me, wouldnt you?

"da, ai vrea." yes, you would

"esti gata, draga mea?" Are you ready, darling? 

"zece" ten

"nouă" nine

"opt" eight

"asta este fata mea bună" that's my good girl

"Șapte" seven

"şase" six

"poți să o faci" you can do it 

"cinci" five

"haide, suntem aproape acolo" come on baby, were almost there

"patru" four

"Trei" three

"Două" two

"unu" one

"cum pentru mine!" Cum for me

Sebastian inserted two of his fingers inside of you and began to thrust them in and out hard as you came, soaking the entire bed and his arm with your cum. Everything went white and you felt as if you had flown off the bed and was floating in space as your orgasm ripped through you, the vibrations from the sky unrelenting as it took what Sebastian wanted. Your pussy gripped his fingers tight as he pressed them against your gspot, more of your juices flowing from you. Your stomach muscles seized, your breath hitched mid orgasm and you didn't breathe again until he had removed his hand from you and switched off the vibrator. You collapsed against the bed in a heap of sweat and exhaustion, your calf muscles twitching and your eyes still seeing sparks. 

"F-f-fuck me, Sebastian!"  You managed to gasp out "I need you" 

Sebastian needed not be told twice, within seconds he had the vibrstir and tape removed and he pushed his cock inside of you with a low groan, burying his face in your neck as he rocked against you, for how long you didn't know, all you knew is that you couldn't stop cumming. 

He kissed you as you rode the wave of your third, maybe fourth orgasm, clenching around his cock and milking him of his own. Holding you close. Sebastian stilled his movements and remained inside of you, continuing to plant soft kisses on your lips as you drifted off to sleep in his arms with a murmur. 

"I love you too, Prinţesă. Happy New Year."

[carat82]

To my readers I ask a question- “What is the most important aspect you look for in a historical era heroine?”

Her wit? “Why should I be embarrassed I was fully clothed?”

Tenacious spirit? “My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.”

Intelligence? “It is not what we think or feel that makes us who we are. It is what we do...or fail to do.”

Her ability to stand up for herself? “I have as much soul as you-and full as much heart!”

Hair?

Clothes?

“Wait what?!”

“I though we were discussing aspects of the heroines endearing qualities? Her hair? Isn’t that kinda superficial?” Yes,yes it is. Yet even in our day and age despite the need for us to see strong independent women portrayed on screen, some tend to nit pick the appearance of our heroine more then anything else. People have become experts about an era they never lived in or rely solely on what they have seen in portraits of that time period or perhaps read. Let’s face it we all have done this to a certain extent. But when such things as hair styles or perhaps even some costume choices in film or TV adaptations are different from what have been taught are indictative of that era, is this a valid enough reason to insist the story is no longer worthy to watch or to discourage or disparage others from entertaining themselves with that series or movie? To some the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes. To others the answer is a resounding no. The purpose of this latest blog is to broaden our horizons as to why certain choices are made in regards to the outward appearance of our heroines - at perhaps the expense of “historical accuracy”. For those who stand by their views of 💯 accurate, this is in no way meant to offend or upset you. Just a different perspective.

So without further adui let’s begin shall we?

(*note- when I use the term “many” this does not imply that there there are not those who completely diagree with my assessment. I know the examples I’m using have some or perhaps many who do not regard such as good adaptions and even have issues with the acting. Again just using these examples as a whole)

Many adaptations of the Regency era have been done on film and TV over the past 80 years. One of the first was Pride and Prejudice with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier

This is regarded by many as a fine and worthy adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. But let’s face it anything with Sir Olivier is perfect in my book🥰. Both these actors do a fine job portraying these classic characters. But look closer....what is she wearing?? Wait is that dress from the 1830-1840’s. Yes it is. Isn’t this is supposed to be 1813? Yes, yes it is. So what happened? Well movie studios, back in the golden age, were known to reuse costumes in an attempt to save on the bottom line. Since MGM had produced several movies set in the middle to late 1800’s up to that point and had plenty of costumes to therefore reuse, we have Elizabeth Bennet wearing a full style dress that would come into fashion years from when the book was set. However, this in no way takes away from the performance of the actors and the movie as a whole. Even the most strict historical accurate fans still watch and enjoy this film for what it is. Yet, when other adaptations of novels come along and choices in costuming and hair are made that are more “modern” and deviate somewhat from that time period, those films and shows are chided for not following the rules. Why? How is what the studios did back in the in 40’s to Pride and Prejudice different from what is done now? Why the double standard? Let’s skip forward to the 80’s and 90’s. We saw costume dramas stick very closely to the correct rules of dress and grooming. Several adaptations were delivered to our TV and movie screens that are now considered the gold standard- Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensability, Emma,etc. Majority of us still enjoy and praise these adaptations 20-30 years later. But I must admit that when I rewatch these now, there is a dated feel about them. Now don’t get me wrong, they are still wonderful but it is quite obvious that they were produced 20-30 years ago. The musical score, if it had one, was fairly basic. Nothing that really stayed with you. The costumes were fine and the hair was... OK. Again most of these things stayed the same from one adaptation to the next . What stood out in these movies and series was the acting! Regardless of what they wore or how their hair was styled, we loved these adaptations because of how the actor embraced these roles and delivered to us the audience a memorable version of a beloved character.

So as we entered the 2000’s, filmmakers, who love these stories as much as we do, decided that it was time to “update” the look and feel of a period piece. They wanted to reach a younger more modern audience that perhaps had never watched a classic period piece before. And there was nothing wrong with that! These directors wanted others to enjoy the classics as much as they did. But they were wise and realized that a fresh take was needed to entice and draw a new audience in. This could not be a costume drama that their mothers and grandmothers watched. No, they needed to appeal to a younger audience. Which is what ALL filmmakers do, regardless of the genre. It’s how the big and small screen survive. So out went the hair and wigs with the historically accurate styles. The costumes had a few more modern cuts to them but all in all stayed relatively the same. Some of the dialog had a few updates so that an audience with not much experience in 1800’s literature ( which let’s face it is majority of us) could understand. Musical scores were updated so as to play on our emotions and draw us deeper in the story. And the result- some very fine and worthy adaptations- Joe Wright’s 2005 Pride and Prejudice. Andrew Davies 2008 Sense and Sensabilty. Jim Hanlon’s 2009 Emma. Let’s just focus on one of these adaptations- 2005’s Pride and Prejudice.

Kiera Knighly delivers to us the audience a fine portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett. But notice her hair. It’s down in some scenes.

We had not seen this before in other adaptations yet here we have Lizzy approaching Netherfield with long flowing hair. Why? We as the audience need to connect with Elizabeth. Again remember- new audience, younger demographic. This tells us that she really doesn’t care what the opinions are of a certain Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys. She is being herself-walking to the house alone and not caring about the state of her tresses. Does this detract from the story and Kiera’s acting? No. It gave me the audience a new fresh way to appreciate her character. Joe Wright wasn’t trying to mimic adaptations of years past. Why should he? His Pride and Prejudice was a much needed change from that we had seen before. And guess what? It paid off. A younger audience who had never seen Pride and Prejudice came to love this movie and 15 years later this is still their go to PP. After all isn’t that what we all want? For more people to experience Jane Austen’s stories? Who says that they have to be portrayed the same way each and every time. Isn’t that kinda... boring? Predictable?

Now let’s skip ahead to 2019. If you have read my other two blogs you know where this is going. So if you don’t want to hear about my defense of Sanditon I suggest you turn back now.

Andrew Davies introduces to us a character of Jane Austen that has never been portrayed on the screen before-Charlotte Heywood.

And as such we do not know who or what her character is like. We find out that at 22 she had never left home, having grown up on a farm with 12 siblings. That alone tells us that her appearance is going to be what some call “modern” and out of place but what I call practical and normal. Her father,while respectable and gentleman, is a farmer. She more and likely had chores like anyone else. Do you really think she had the time to care if her hair is pinned up. Uhh...nope. The first scene we see her in she is shooting rabbits! This tells us she is not Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood or Anne Elliot. And Miss Austen wasn’t trying to write her as such. She is her own person. And as such will have things that set her apart from other Austen characters. As the series progresses we come to to learn she is practical, intelligent, sweet, but naive and inexperienced. Davies also decided to make a choice that would serve as her hallmark- her shoulder length hair that she wears down most of the time. Again, filmmakers have to appeal to their current audience. And again, like Joe Wright, he was hoping to get a younger more modern audience to tune in and enjoy a period piece or perhaps a Jane Austen adaptation for the first time. Frankly, this was a clever move on his part. He needed to show throughout the series that this adventure to Sanditon is truly unlike anything she has ever experienced. Charlotte is full of youthful exuberance with those doe-like eyes that are longing to experience life outside sleepy Willingdon. But remember, that while we love her, she has a lot to learn and is truly out of her depth at first around some of the situations and people she encounters. However, despite that she is true to herself- which is also a hallmark of all Jane Austen heroines. So as such there is no reason Charlotte needs to change her hairstyle when she comes to Sanditon. She is accepted as who she is by those around her. She is our Charlotte Heywood- using her ingenuity to help with the growth of Sanditon, trying to be a good friend, and exploring her new surroundings. Her hair is the least of anyone’s worries. And as an audience we find that Charlotte’s unpinned tresses make her approachable.Unpretentious. Human. More like us. Is there anything wrong with that? No. Being historically accurate is all and well, but when that is placed above all else in a series or movie it runs the risk of being just another adaptation. And that does not draw in a new, younger, more modern audience. Regardless of whether you agree with that statement or not, that is how the entertainment business is run today. So please if any readers are on the fence to watch this series because of some more modern uses in hair and grooming I ask that you to accept why the production crew made these choices and give it a try. As us fans wait on baited breath to see if another network will pick up our beloved Sanditon and continue with a second season-just remember you may get your heroine wearing her hair up. After all, Jane Austen characters usually go through a metamorphosis of some kind due to the need to adapt, grow, and perhaps even survive. Our Charlotte may find herself more grown up and guarded after a summer spent in Sanditon and this could well show in her appearance next time we see her... or not. I guess we will have to wait and see.

[wewillwriteyou]

Friends Will Be Friends || Chapter 8

A few elements from the main plot: A very special group of friends: early days, drama, laughter, booze, success, rock stars life, girl power, friendship, love, sex, music, misunderstandings, some more drama, family. Pairings in the tags

Summary Chapter 8: Chelsea and Roger

Word count: 2.4K

Warnings: SMUT aaand... that’s it. 

A/N: GUYS!! We think you’re gonna enjoy this one too 😏 so we’ll not bore you with many premises and leave you to it. In theory, in order to read this one, you could have not read the others because this is not strictly linked. However, we always recommend to make sure you got the previous parts (you find the link into the description of this blog) to get better clarity. Stay tuned for the next ones lovesies 💖😏 As usual, if you like what you read, comment, like, reblog and share this with others! For everyone who follows and supports this story, thank you guys (you know who you are)! You are real stars! ⭐💗

A ray of sun spied the couple, that was lying in bed.

It entered the window shyly, crashing itself on Chelsea’s eyelids. She started to rub her sleepy eyes, trying to wake herself up. She immediately felt Roger’s warm body hugging her from behind and a pleasant heat started to expand on her skin and inside her bones.

His arm was resting under her breast and his nose was tickling her neck; she closed her eyes and smiled, still incredulous of what had happened a few hours earlier.

“Why are you smiling?” Roger’s sleepy voice sounded so cute, that made Chelsea smile even brighter.

“Nothing” she mumbled under her breath, without facing him.

He started to leave a trail of sloppy kisses on the back of her neck and then under her ear.

“You’re already in the mood and you just woke up” Chelsea said to Roger when she started to feel him getting harder under the blankets.

“It’s your fault” he whispered and kissed her on the cheek.

She turned around, finally looking him directly in the eyes.

“Hi there” Roger said, pulling her closer to him to being able to kiss her on the forehead.

“Tell me: why is it my fault?” Chelsea’s flirty voice made him chuckled.

“Because you’re sexy. And naked. And definitely, you were the best shag of my entire life” she laughed at his words, but deep down she was quite proud of herself.

“Well, thanks. But I knew it” Roger bit his lips. Chelsea smiled and started to snuggle on his chest. He welcomed her with his arms, starting to caress her whole body. He then lifted her chin, so that they were staring into each other’s eyes.

“I think it’s better if we wait until we both brush our teeth” Chelsea suggested when Roger’s lips were just a few millimetres away from her. He pouted, like a kid, Chelsea laughed and gave him a kiss on the nose, before getting up.

Roger sat on the bed and admired her naked body, while she was standing across the room, in front of the open wardrobe.

“You can use my shirt if you want. I know you like using my clothes” he winked at her and saw how a warm smile appeared on her face. She took the shirt that was still on the floor and wore that. It was long enough to cover her body, arriving to touch her knees.

“Now, you just wait here. I go to the kitchen, prepare something to eat and then I come back. I would like to avoid you a meeting with my roommate, after the first time you sleep here” said Chelsea, approaching the bed to give Roger a little kiss on the head.

“Can I just use the bathroom? I really would like to brush my teeth, if you know what I mean” he replied, with a grin on his face.

“Deal. Let me brush mine first. When you hear a knock on the door it means it’s your turn” Chelsea said, getting up and walking towards the door.

“What kind of game is this? Are we playing hide and seek?” he teased her, when she turned around she saw an amused look on his face, as he was resting with his back on the headboard and his arms crossed behind his head. She rolled her eyes and then closed the door behind her.

Chelsea looked around, to see if John was there, while her heart was beating fast for the tension. But John wasn’t there.

Chelsea smiled, thinking that she could have guessed where he was. And with whom he was. As she entered the bathroom she decided that she needed to talk with Mel. Especially after the night she had spent with her brother.

While she was washing, first her hands, then her teeth, she looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled at the sight of numerous hickeys decorating the skin of her neck and she blushed just at the idea of Roger’s lips on her body.

She left the bathroom and, as promised, she knocked on the bedroom’s door. Roger appeared just a few seconds later, wearing only his black boxers. She smiled and ignored the horny look he gave her before entering the bathroom. She needed to concentrate on breakfast for at least one minute. Chelsea opened the cabinet and started to prepare two mugs of hot tea. But her mind was somewhere else, running wild through the memories of the night before.

When she had called him the afternoon before, she would have never imagined how their evening would have ended.

Roger went to pick her up at seven o’clock and, when Chelsea had seen the look on his face, she was so happy that she had decided to wear her little black dress. Throughout the whole dinner, they were both all giggly and flirty, but they also had the chance to get to know each other.

He had passionately kissed her in the car and Chelsea, almost unintentionally, asked him if he wanted to come upstairs with her. A moment after they were making out in the elevator and, as they stumbled in the apartment, they were already taking each other’s clothes off.

“What are you thinking, honey?” Roger’s voice woke Chelsea up from her trance. She tried to seem occupied, but she knew that all over her face it was written I’m just thinking about the amazing sex we had last night. He hugged her from behind, resting his chin in the crook of her neck. She left the two cups on the kitchen’s counter and abandoned herself against his chest, caressing his hands with her fingers.

“I brushed my teeth” he whispered in her ear. She smiled and turned around. She put her arms behind his neck, while his hands laid on her lower back.

“Me too” Chelsea announced a second before getting on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Roger’s hands travelled under the shirt, on her naked body, making Chelsea moan on his lips. She pulled him back by the hair, just to kiss his neck and hear him groan in pleasure. Their kisses were hungry and passionate and Chelsea could feel Roger’s bulge hitting her thigh.

An interesting idea popped out in her mind.

“Would you like to take a hot shower with me?” she asked him, between the kisses. He smiled on her lips and then nodded.

“I didn’t hear you” she teased him, placing her hand on his boxers.

“You’re such a naughty girl. I’d love having a shower with you” he said, while with his two fingers he caressed her lips. She took him by the hand and dragged him into the bathroom.

Roger closed the door and pinned her against it, before starting to kiss her again. His hand slipped out under the shirt and he started to touch her, making her moan loudly, while her nails were dragging in the skin of his back. Roger smiled and kissed her neck, causing Chelsea to moan again.

“You’re so wet for me, honey” he whispered in her ear, his voice was low and warm, while his fingers started to rub faster.

When Chelsea started to feel close, Roger pulled away. His hand, leaving her with trembling knees and a deadly look in her eyes. She looked at Roger with her lips slightly part and, as an answer, he just put his fingers in his mouth and gently sucked on them.

“You taste so good” he said when Chelsea got closer. She bit her bottom lip and caressed his lips, before kissing him again. When Roger started to put more passion into their kiss, she stepped away.

“New rule: you can’t touch me until we get in the shower” she teased him, while the water started to run. It became hot in a minute and both of them found themselves surrounded by a steam’s cloud.

“You’re such a teaser,” Roger thought out loud, looking at her as she took off the shirt, standing completely exposed in front of his eyes.

“Says the one who left me bothered, on my way to the orgasm” she replied, but she said it in such a sassy way, that left Roger speechless. He looked at her as if she was the best thing he had ever seen in his life.

And he was quite sure she was.

She entered the shower, but then her head popped out to look at Roger.

“What are you waiting for?” she asked him, waking him up from his thoughts. He nodded and took off his boxers, revealing his erection. Chelsea smirked and, in a moment, Roger joined her under the hot water.

“Hi there. Again” Roger said smiling and looking down on her.

“Hi” Chelsea replied while the water was running on her skin.

Without adding anything, she slowly got on her knees and Roger started to fantasize about her mouth wrapped around his length. But Chelsea, laughing out loud, took the bottle of the shampoo in her hand and got up again. Roger was trying to look disappointed, but he was smiling with his cheeks flushed.

“What did you expect?” Chelsea mocked him and he rolled his eyes in response.

“Would you mind?” he pointed at the bottle she still had in her hands, suggesting he washed her hair. She smiled and nodded, handing him the shampoo.

“Turn around” Roger chuckled and she obeyed. His fingers started to gently rub her head, massaging her hair, and Chelsea closed her eyes. Even the softest touch was a turn on.

“Do you like it?” he whispered in Chelsea’s ear and a shiver ran down her spine. She turned around and found herself completely mesmerized by his beauty; his blonde hair was darker and was softly falling on his shoulders. The water painted the features of his face, making him look more feminine than usual.

“You’re so beautiful” the words rolled out so naturally from her lips, that she covered her mouth in embarrassment after saying them. She buried her face under the stream of water but felt Roger’s hands fell on her waist.

“Thanks, honey, you’re gorgeous too,” he said, a minute before kissing her.

He lifted her up and she crashed her back against the cold paving, attaching her legs around his waist. She could feel his erection touching her inner thigh and she softly moaned on his lips.

Roger was kissing her neck, probably leaving other love bites on the way to her shoulder. He put her down and started to kiss the space between her breasts. Chelsea abandoned her head on the wall when Roger’s tongue started to lick her nipple. She put her hands in his hair and couldn’t help but groan his name; Roger smirked and started to suck on her breast, causing her to arch her back. He stood up again and she immediately pulled him closer to kiss him again.

“I need you, Rog. I need you now” she whined, caressing his back. He proudly smirked and turned off the water. They both stumbled out of the shower and, after they tried to dry their bodies up, enough to not soak everything, they reached the bedroom.

In a moment Chelsea was on her back and Roger was on top of her, kissing her roughly. His hand went down on her body and his fingers, without warning, slipped inside of Chelsea, making her scream.

“Do you like it, baby?” he asked, moving his fingers faster. Chelsea nodded, pressing her hips against his hand to have more friction.

“God, you’re so beautiful” he said, looking at her moaning under his touch.

“I – I’m so close, Rog” Chelsea stumbled on her own words, feeling the heat growing wider in her lower area. Roger smirked and started to rub her clit with his thumb, making Chelsea moan out loud his name, as the orgasm hit her. Her body started to shake and Roger kissed her, more gently than before, while Chelsea was trying to calm her breath down.

Her hand started to travel down his body to touch his erection, but Roger stopped her.

“Not now baby, I want to be inside you as soon as possible” his tone was so desperate, that Chelsea laughed. She stretched her arm and reached the nightstand to open the drawer and she pulled out a condom.

Roger took it in his hands and opened the pack with his teeth.

He adjusted himself and then went down on Chelsea again.

“Are you ready?” he whispered on her lips.

“Yes” she didn’t have the time to reply that Roger thrusted softly inside of her, making both of them moan. He buried his face between her neck and shoulder, while he was starting to move his hips.

Having him again inside of her was making Chelsea feel so good. She caressed his butt, as he started to move faster.

His body was pressed against hers and she spread more her legs to give him more access and freedom to move inside and out of her.

Roger was breathing heavily and Chelsea understood he was close when his movements became irregular. He was trying so hard to keep going and seeing him struggle like that in pleasure was making Chelsea come for the second time. She kissed him passionately and her teeth pressed on the skin of his neck were enough for Roger to let go. He let out a loud moan and they both came together, groaning and breathing into each other’s arms. Roger collapsed beside Chelsea and, as he pulled out, she immediately felt empty. He removed the condom and put him on the other nightstand on his side of the bed and the crashed again his back on the mattress.  

They remained there in silence for a moment, looking at the ceiling. Roger reached for Chelsea’s hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. She turned her face in his direction and they both smiled at each other. Then Roger looked away and smiled even wider.

“You were indeed the best shag of my life” he stated, making Chelsea laugh. Punched him on the shoulder and then she perched herself on him, tangling their legs together. He started to rub her back and kissed her on the hair, that was still wet.

“Shouldn’t you go now?” he asked her, chuckling.

“Where?” she was confused.

“Yesterday, during the dinner, you told me you had classes to attend today” he looked down to her and she looked up at him.

“Fuck classes” she said, snuggling her face in his neck. A little laugh escaped from Roger’s lips, as he kept caressing her back.

“I agree. Fuck classes” he echoed her, making Chelsea smile against his skin.

Chapters: ⤎ previous | next ⤏ 

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Cheers, folks! ✌

[grassshrimp56-blog]

How I Found My Dad Again on a Solo Trip to Vietnam

Pancakes were my dad’s specialty, mostly because he made them on special occasions: when his parents came to town, after I won a roller skating competition, before a drive to nearby Sequoia National Park.

His favorite special occasions were when his beloved Los Angeles Rams played the San Francisco 49ers. Before his friend Arlie, a Niners fan, would arrive to watch the game with him, he’d make his pancakes. It was a pre-game ritual and a prayer rolled into one: “Dear Heavenly Father of Football, bless these pancakes we are about to receive—and also, if you wouldn’t mind, bless the Rams with strong defense and a lot of touchdowns today.”

The pancakes he made weren’t distinctive. They weren’t whisked from scratch or shaped like hearts or topped with a blueberry smiley face. They were made with Bisquick, oil, and eggs.

Sometimes he’d let me pour the batter into the pan, and together we’d marvel at the sharp, short-lived sound it made on impact. Tzzzuuhhh, tzzzuuhh. How quickly it spread, how gracefully, I thought, each pancake stopped just shy of a collision with the other. We never poured more than two at a time.

“Nobody likes to be crowded,” he’d say.

The result was my then-favorite food: pancakes thick in the center, burned at the edges, and drowned in buttermilk syrup. Pancakes made by my dad and me.

Cooking wasn’t something he did often. Neither was showing up for dinner on time. Vast swaths of my childhood are usurped by the memory of a single, recurring event: my kid brother and I sitting at the dinner table watching ketchup bubble and drip down the sides of a steaming meatloaf, my mother shouting to us from the kitchen, “Look but don’t touch.”

We were waiting for my dad to come home. When at last he'd arrive, he’d kiss my mom on the cheek, and together we’d eat and watch Wheel of Fortune.

This ritual ended right before my 10th birthday, when my dad stopped coming home at all. Soon after, my parents divorced. My dad remarried and my mom got a second and a third job. Lines were drawn, sides were taken. I was not on his. We rarely met, and when we did, we masked our hurt with small talk and wooden smiles. Our before, as in “before the divorce,” became a hollow, infinite after.

Time passed. He started a business and divorced again. I moved to Los Angeles and then to New York. Our fragile “after” morphed into a series of stops and starts, the former marked by awkward attempts at recapturing our pancake days; the latter by the silences between them.

Fast forward to 2010. I am married and living in Tel Aviv. It is late May, and the hamsin have arrived, kicking up dust and stirring the heat. I sit alone on my balcony watching a bougainvillea tree sway in the wind and thinking of the night before. Last night, my husband made his safta’s ktsitsot, and after placing three perfectly round meatballs on his plate, turned to me and said, “I don’t love you anymore.”

He’d spend the next day moving out.

Where will I go?, I think to myself. I am not yet a resident and will have to leave Israel. I think of the friends I will lose and the money this will cost. And then, I think of my dad. Specifically, I think of the day when, while playing with my brother in our overstuffed garage, I found a black, dust-covered box with a gold medal inside. I’d taken it to my mom to ask if I could keep it.

“Where did you find that?” she said, breathless and impatient. “Put it back before your father sees it.”

I would later learn that it was an award my dad won for heroism and valor. In 1969, he killed an enemy soldier while on night watch in Vietnam. Presumably, he’d saved his platoon from a surprise attack. He was barely 20 years old.

He didn’t tell me this. My mother did. I recently read somewhere that over a quarter of a million Vietnam veterans still have PTSD. I’m not sure if my dad ever had any psychological trauma relating to his service. (His hearing, on the other hand, was greatly affected, a fact that makes it difficult for him to converse on the phone, and consequently, difficult for the two of us to converse at all.) Like so many veterans, he never talked about the war. Even now, the subject of Vietnam remains private, off limits to everyone, perhaps even to himself.

On the balcony, a cluster of pink flower petals has collected in a corner. I pick them up and throw them over the crumbling cement ledge. “Vietnam,” I say to the bougainvillea tree. I will go to Vietnam.

I decided to fly from Tel Aviv to Bangkok, with a loose plan to spend three months making a loop: Thailand to Laos to Vietnam to Cambodia. And then? I didn’t yet know the answer.

At the start of my trip, I didn’t think about my dad at all. I was too busy getting lost and feeling out of place and tasting foods I’d never seen before. In Thailand, I ate laap and durian ice cream. In Laos, I toured rice and mung bean farms, and played duc day with locals over Beerlao and tam. I saw ballets, went hiking, and took questionably constructed buses to villages with no name. Through it all, I rarely thought about my dad.

Eventually, however, the eagerness that required I accept every invitation and see every recommended sight subsided, giving way to a slower, more peaceful pace. I spent long, lazy afternoons reading and people-watching and drinking too many Thai iced teas. With more time to think, my thoughts turned to my dad.

These thoughts became especially vivid while researching routes and transportation between Laos and Vietnam. If I heard a laugh like his, I thought of him. If I saw a man with a mustache, I thought of him. If I smelled pancakes on the street—they are ubiquitous in Southeast Asia—I thought of him. Vietnam’s proximity was stirring my emotions. By the time I left Laos, my dad was the only thing on my mind.

When I arrived in Hanoi, the sensory overload shocked me. Vietnam is, at once, familiar and distant. In Halong Bay, endless mist floats over and into junk boats and cliff edges. In Vinh Moc, dank tunnels attest to lives lived entirely underground. In Ho Chi Minh City, buildings with ornate ceilings and bright tiled floors whisper of past French colonial rule.

I was unprepared for the real Vietnam. For its sounds and smells and breadth. For its darkness and vitality and cool. For its many thousand layers of tradition and lore that can never be fully peeled back.

I wondered, everywhere I went, if my dad had once been where I stood. In Hoi An, a port city and UNESCO World Heritage Site near My Lai and the former Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone, he came into particularly sharp view.

I am starting the long walk back to Hoi An’s city center after a day on the beach. Hungry, I turn off the main road and enter a bungalow with a sign that, I hope, says “restaurant.” There’s an upper deck and a small bar and two wooden tables set with unlit candles. In the back, a pond with a bird feeder at its center. There are no customers.

“You want eat?” A woman appears and sets a metal basket full of neon condiments on the table in front of me. “I bring menu for you.” Her voice is staccato and quick, a medley of diphthongs and off-glides and abrupt nasal stops. It is also kind.

When she returns and hands me the menu, I stammer and shrug. It’s written in Vietnamese and has no pictures.

“You want noodle? You want soup?”

“Noodles?” I ask more than state.

“Noodle good. Pork okay for you?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Okay. Cao lầu. Famous food for Hoi An. Only make in Hoi An. I bring you.”

She leaves and turns on the radio behind the bar. I sit and watch the birds stop at the edge of the pond, then quickly fly away.

When my meal arrives, I cup the bowl and admire the salty perfume. There are bean sprouts and greens and chiles. There are peanuts and a squeeze of lime. Fried pork rinds are sprinkled on the braised chunks of pork. Lining the cao lầu’s perimeter are the long, square-edged noodles that give the dish its name. I mix all of these together and take my first bite. It’s acidic and sweet, tacky and dense.

Legend has it that cau lầu noodles can only be produced in Hoi An. Of their three ingredients—water, ash, and ground rice—two can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It is said that the water is from an ancient Cham well just outside of town, and the ash is made from firewood on the nearby Cham Islands.

With each bite I take, a stream of memories pours forth. My dad washing our dog. My dad playing cards. My dad on a ski lift with me. We’d gone snowboarding when I’d visited him in Reno on my 21st birthday, and when his back had acted up, he’d nursed three cups of cocoa in the lodge so that I could have a full day on the slopes. Recalling this, I start to cry. Another memory: My dad pinning my Bluebirds badge on a pig-tailed, six year-old me. And another: My dad clapping wildly for me at my college graduation. And still another: My dad sitting across from me seven years earlier at a restaurant in New York, the last time I’d seen him.

I’m openly weeping now, hunched over my bowl and what remains of my new favorite dish. I can’t stop crying, and I can’t understand why I started.

Now, nearly a decade later, the reason is clear. Though my dad and I didn’t talk during my travels and we don’t speak often now, it was as if he was there with me. Alone in Vietnam, eating a dish whose ingredients aren’t available anywhere else, I felt closer to him than I had in 25 years. It was as if he had finally come home.

Source: https://food52.com/blog/24232-cao-lau-noodles-in-vietnam

[puckish-saint]

hiya~ just passing by and thinking about reaper76 (no reader insert) and their pretended marriage au 😏 whatcha' thinking 'bout that love? p.s. just wanted to tell you that your writing always bring smile on my face, the way you have with words captivated me from your first posts and i don't think i will ever forget your style (just really love your humour the jokes in it work every time) (although i find your blog only when you started writing overwatch fics i wish i found you sooner)

(my jokes work, thank god. You have no idea how long I’ve been chewing on that one, waiting for someone to tell me if my attempts at humour land. This really made my day Also Fake Marriage, yes pleas.Because just, hnnngh. Gabe more or less reluctantly teaming up with Overwatch after it turns out he’s been set up/lots of misunderstandings/shenanigans. But he and Jack have been drifting apart for so long and even though both technically know they’ve been played out against each other, knowing it and acting accordingly are two very different things. They fight, they argue, they can’t stand being in the same room and it’s worse because both remember they used to be inseparable.So, shit happens and they have to pretend to love each other. They have to dig deep under all the baggage to find that affection they used to hold for each other, and what’s scary is that it’s easy.The first morning Gabriel shovels six spoon fulls of sugar into his coffee cup, hesitates, then just upends the whole damn sugar bowl into his coffee, Jack doesn’t have a problem hugging him from behind and kissing him good morning.And when Jack loses horribly at some video game because he’s too busy admiring the scenery (”look at those trees, Gabe, they’re all handcrafted. Every one of them. Look at the trees.” “Will you please look at the giant venomous spider instead?”) Gabriel laughs like he hasn’t in ages.

I will go down with that trope tbh, and because I have no restraint, I wrote just under 2k words which may or may not be the beginning of a multichapter fic I’ll be putting on AO3.

Gibraltar base in low energy mode creeps out everyone. The lights are low, turning longhallways into twilight suffused tunnels with no end in sight, entireportions of the base void of life and activity. Only the dormitoriesand kitchens still have full power, a warm haven surrounded bymonsters in the dead of night. Everyone deals with the creepiness intheir own way. Lena drives her accelerator to its limits, skipping inand out the darkness as fast as she can. Mei asks a friend toaccompany her, whereas Hanzo plain refuses to go.

Lúcio talks.

“I’m here one time and theymake me go to the damn locker rooms to get some trivial shit nobodycares about,” he mutters under his breath, chasing away theoppressive silence. “First time in months we see each other and Ibrought them all souvenirs, but they’re all like, oh Lu-lu can youdo us a huge favour and get this random shit from our demon cellar,and if you get eaten do we get your skates?”

He turns a corner and comes face toface with a demon. Black holes where the eyes should be, a being ofpure darkness melds from the shadows to take his soul. Lúcio’scomplaints stick in his throat, hiding just like he wants to be. Theshadow seems to stare right through him. Then it moves.

“Gabe! Puta merda, you scaredthe crap out of me.”

Gabriel chuckles deeply and the grimreaper hunting for his innocent soul becomes the latest addition totheir ragtag bunch of misfits. They fall in step together, Lúciomuch more at ease now that he has someone tall and strong to protecthim from Overwatch’s version of a haunted house.

“Wimp,” he says good-natured.“We’re needed in the conference room. Something came up.”

“What, now?”

“No, the next Saint Patrick’s day.”

In the beginning Gabriel’s sarcasmput him off, but by now Lúcio has learned to appreciate it. Theyspend more time together than most anyone on base, seeing as hismusic is what’s slowly but surely healing Gabriel of his specialproblem.

“Your skin hurt again?” he asks,gesturing to the mask he wears again. Lately he can go mostly gowithout, but every now and then the degeneration flares up again andforces him to protect himself. Gabriel shrugs.

“It’s nothing compared to what itused to be like.” he says.

“Still. I can write you something tohelp, okay?”Gabriel argues only a little and by the time theyenter the conference room he has convinced him. Half the team hasgathered, including Fareeha through video conference from Cairo.

“... spotted them twice coming in,but they have an alternate route for leaving. I’m on it right now.”

“Good work, Amari.” Winston turnsto face the team. “We have eyes on Vishkar’s top suppliers. Idon’t need to tell you this op could make or break our effortsagainst them. Yes, Lúcio, you’ll be on the team to take them in.”

Lúcio has barely opened his mouth andnow grins, leaning back as they watch the low-res pictures Fareehamanaged to take of the couple they’ve been after for months.Vishkar’s increasingly unsavoury activities rely almost completelyon these two people, elusive as they are efficient, supplying Vishkarwith everything from stolen technology to weapons. Whatever thecorporation needs, they can get it. And now Overwatch knows wherethey are.

“We need to send in a strike-team,”Jack says once they’ve gone over the bullet points. “And quick. Idon’t suppose we can get Miss Song on such short notice, but withmyself, Lena and Fareeha we can move quickly enough to evade a drawnout fight. Lúcio should stay back until we’re well into it. Ifthey spot him before-”“Hey,” Gabriel barks. “Who died andmade you boss?”

“I don’t see you contributinganything of value.” Jack shoots back with just as much venom.

“You wouldn’t let anyone get a wordin edgewise, golden boy.”“You act like I’ve beenmonologuing for hours, it figures you have to make up something to beupset about-”“You don’t even hear yourself speak, doyou?”“Guys? Stop fighting.”

Both Jack and Gabriel fall silent underLena’s soft but firm rebuke. They won’t look at each other, sitwith crossed arms through the rest of the briefing. Two teams will goin, one lead by Fareeha closing in on their targets, the other leadby Reinhardt blocking off their escape. Winston reminds them to atleast try and bring them in alive for interrogation.

A few hours later the team sets out.

A few hours after that, a furious duetof Amaris relays the mission to Winston.They’re speaking over eachother, curse the sky green and look one wrong word away from becomingphysically violent.

“-completely disregarded theplan-”“-charged in there like madmen, fighting each other,like they didn’t even see all those damn turrets-”“-Reinhardtkept shouting at them to listen but they were too busy with theirpissing contest-”“-had to double back and bail them out, TeamB got pinned down by drones-”“-targets almost got away, if ithadn’t been for my daughter, we’d be back to zero-”

“-can’t work with those two, theycompromised the mission, the team, themselves-”“-likechildren in a playground, no professionalism-”“Alright,alright!” Winston interrupts holding up his hands to protecthimself from the Amari wrath. He doesn’t want to know what Jack andGabriel had to hear before they called. “I’ll talk to them. Inthe meantime, what about our targets?”

The targets are secure and brought tothe base and surprisingly accommodating. They have no loyalty forVishkar and eagerly share everything they know in return for a deal.Jack and Gabriel are taken off the mission roster for the time being,although both had to be persuaded to stay at all, ready to walk outafter this latest fiasco that proved to them trying to work togetherafter everything that happened is a moot exercise.

“We used to joke they could read eachother’s minds,” Reinhardt says while they wait for Winston andAna to finish up with the intel they gathered from their targets.“You have never seen closer friends.”

Lúcio looks up from his tablet to giveReinhardt a look of pure doubt.

“Hard to imagine, I know” Jessesays, smoking despite everyone’s subtle and not so subtle-nods tothe no-smoking rule. “But it’s true. Took the UN almost twodecades to push them apart, and that’s sayin’ somethin’...”

Lena makes to answer but is interruptedby the arrival of Winston, followed by Ana and, surprisingly, Jackand Gabriel.

“Thought we were benched.” Jackvoices everyone’s thoughts.

“Something came up,” Ana repliescurtly and loads their info up on the main screen. “We got ourtargets just in time. They were ready to retire and Vishkar promisedthem new identities and a safe home.”

“If Vishkar made them disappear, we’dnever have found them,” Lúcio says and then whistles when Anabrings up a picture. “That what I think it is?”

“Jannat, Vishkar’s top-secret gatedcommunity. It’s their magnum opus, located an hour’s drive fromUtopaea. The families of their top executives and scientists all livethere. It’s also where they keep all their records.”

“So what?” Jesse says. “We’regonna wire them and let them go?”

“Better,” Ana shows a grin that’sall teeth and even though she hasn’t so much as glanced at Jack andGabriel, they both swallow, knowing whatever she has planned, they’llbe the butt of the joke. “Our targets were extremely careful. Noteven Vishkar knows who they are. They have a vague description of twomales in their fifties or sixties, one of which is black or latino,which puts us in the prime position of being able to send two of ouragents in their stead.”“Fuck that.” Gabriel says, wellaware of who’s going to end up playing the part. Jack at leasttries to be a bit more subtle about it.

“Reyes and I aren’t exactlynobodies. They’ll recognise us.”

“They’ll recognise your faces, butit won’t matter. We can fool their DNA sensors.”

“Still, they might getsuspicious.”“It’s a risk we’re going to have to take.This is our only chance to get into Jannat and we don’t have thetime to hold castings.”

Jack knows when he lost a fight, butGabriel keeps arguing. He damn near flips the tables when Winstonwon’t be persuaded to use someone else, gets into a shouting matchwith Ana that lasts for hours. Mission prep lasts a little under aday and when it’s done and their identities forged, they have todrag him kicking and screaming onto the plane, less metaphoricallythan anyone would prefer.

“He’ll get us killed,” Gabrielspits while Lúcio walks him through the last few points. “He didit before.”

Jack tenses but says nothing, sittingat the opposite end of the aircraft and pretending to read the news.

“It’s going to go fine,” Lúciosays cheerfully. “Mister Jack’s got you. Now listen, because asfar as we know there’s a sort of quarantine and we won’t be ableto talk for at least a month. I’ve built you a miniature version ofmy sonic tech and packed every song I ever wrote on that. Nothingwill go wrong with our treatment plan, but if it does something onthere will help you, okay?”“Yeah, yeah, fine.” Gabrielswats at him, cheeks hot with embarrassment at being mothered bysomeone half a foot shorter and almost three decades younger thanhim.

And then it’s just them and Lena inthe cockpit, flying them to their destination. In less than an hourthey’ll be Sam and Steve Carter, married for thirty two years,criminals for slightly longer. They’ll have to kiss and hug and saystupid corny shit and for all that Gabriel wants to forcefully ejecthimself from the plane, he knows they can’t blow this one. The endof Vishkar for good lies just within their reach. If he fucks this upbecause he couldn’t play nice he’ll never be able to look Lúcioin the eye again. The kid was the only one who accepted him with openarms after the whole mess with Mercy and the UN was over. When evenReinhardt and Ana kept their distance, it was Lúcio who sat with himfor breakfast, who included him, who went up to him in all his 5’3’’glory and asked to spar because even Jesse wouldn’t. He can’tfuck this up.

They step into the sweltering Indianheat arm in arm and gritting their teeth.

[imagineclaireandjamie]

Love your blog so much! Just curious does the Jamie in FMM Carey any weapons?

Flood my Mornings: Some Sunday Morning 

Notes from Mod Bonnie:

This story takes place in an AU in which Jamie travels through the stones two years after Culloden and finds Claire and his child in 1950 Boston.

See all past installments via Bonnie’s Master List

Previous installment: Aisles (Jamie visits a modern supermarket)

September, 1950

Some Sunday morning is goin’ to be 

Some Sunday morning for someone and me! 

Bells will be chiming an old melody, 

‘Specially for someone and me!

“I truly dinna understand it Claire,” Jamie said, shaking his head at me. 

“What?” 

“I canna remember ye ever being musically inclined, back in the days before, but seems every moment I turn around, now, you’re fair bursting out into song!” 

“What can I say, darling?” I sighed dramatically, batting my lashes. “You put a song in my heart!” 

Our eyes met and we both burst into gales of laughter at the sickly-sweet endearment. 

Sickly-sweet….but accurate, I thought, my heart feeling light. 

We turned the corner onto Burnham Avenue, pushing Bree before us in her pram. It was a little chilly for a September morning, and there was a whiff of winter in the air; not enough to keep us from our usual Sunday walk before mass, but enough that Jamie kept his arm around me as we walked, and I snuggled happily into his shoulder. 

“Summ-summy-morneeen,” sang Bree.  

“Oh, so she’s a wee songster, as well!” Jamie said, amused, peering down at her. “I’m to be overrun by you tuneful lot, then!” 

“I think I picked it up from Uncle Lamb,” I mused. “He used to sing under his breath as he dug or wrote. Used to drive me bananas, in fact,” I said, laughing. “I’ll do my best to cut it out, I promise!”

“No, no,” Jamie replied hastily, grinning. “It’s charming, Sassenach, truly. I only wish I could join along wi’ y–” 

Jamie stopped dead, staring ahead as I was… at the swarm of police cars at the end of the street. 

“God, it’s…just terrible,” I said for perhaps the dozenth time. I could see the reflection of my hands shaking as I finished pinning up my hair in the mirror. 

Approaching the melée of flashing lights and sirens, hearts pounding, we had joined the small huddle of concerned neighbors, hearing the story that trickled back in low whispers.

The Nortons. That was their name. We had never known that, just recognized them from occasionally crossing paths at the park or market: a husband, wife, and three small children, all with white-blonde hair, such that Jamie had always referred to them fondly in passing as ‘the ducklings.’ The father was a banker, someone said. The mother was often to be seen in her yard tending flowers. Nice people. Normal people.  

An armed man had broken into the family’s house in the night, threatened them, then beat and bound the parents before locking all five of them in a windowless closet. The vandal then stripped the house of its valuables and made off into the night. It was nearly eight hours later that a paperboy happened to hear the children’s cries and the family was rescued. No lasting injuries sustained, thank God, but all five severely and understandably terrified by the ordeal of the night.

“Terrible,” I said again, shuddering at the memory of the five blanked-wrapped figures clinging close together in their front yard. 

As I finished affixing my hat, Jamie walked down the hall to join me in the foyer. He had said nothing the entire walk back to the house. He’d remained silent as we’d washed and dressed and gotten Bree ready, preparing for the service. 

“We’d best get on our way, I suppose,” I said, less than enthusiastically checking my wristwatch and scooping Bree off the living room rug. “Only fifteen minutes to mass.” 

“I’m no’ going to mass this morning,” he said with almost no inflection. 

“Oh, good,” I said, relieved, though a bit miffed that he hadn’t said so before I’d made a to-do of getting myself and Bree dressed and coiffed. “I’m not much in the mood eith–wh–?….Jamie, where are you going?” For he had taken up his hat and overcoat and was putting them on, clearly meaning to go out. 

He didn’t look up. “To buy a weapon.” 

Taken aback by this blunt answer as I was, I supposed it was only natural given what we’d just seen. He’d slept with a dirk under his pillow for the first three years of our marriage, had he not? I shifted Bree in my arms, letting her play with my hair. “I’m not sure there will be many stores open on a Sunday morning where you can buy a decent knife. You may want to wait until—”

“No’ a knife, Sassenach. I’m going to buy a pistol.”  

“Like hell you are.” 

He stared at me, for a moment perfectly blank with surprise. I stared right back, one eyebrow raised in defiance. He was actually speechless. He opened his mouth to speak, then shut it again. I heaved a sigh, half-laughing. “God, men and their love of toys.” 

“Toys?” Jamie whispered, sounding as though he didn’t believe his own ears. 

“Toy-toysies-toys!” came a far more cheerful voice at my ear. I knelt to set Bree down on the living room floor, opening the basket that held a small selection of toys and books. She set to her work, happily finding George the Rabbit and her favorite wooden blocks. 

Jamie was still standing in the foyer, I could see from the corner of my eye, giving me a patient look as he explained, “It’s to keep in the house, Sassenach, the pistol. I dinna mean to carry it about wi’ me.”

“Even so,” I said, rising and facing him with my arms crossed. “Absolutely not.” 

Jamie’s face hardened and reddened now. “After learning what we did this morning…? How could you possibly not wish to see us better protected, Claire?”

“The burglar didn’t discharge his weapon, Jamie. He didn’t shoot at the family. He just had a gun.”

“Ye think every scoundrel will be satisfied wi’ that? The Nortons were lucky, that’s all. We willna be caught empty-handed like they were.” 

“Jamie, darling,” I said through slightly gritted teeth, “this is a different time.” 

Jamie made an angry sound in his throat, gesturing sharply. “But there’s still evil in the world, no? I read the newspapers, Claire–I ken fine that there are as many sick bastards now as in 1743, if none so recognizable at first sight. So dinna give me that tripe that there’s no danger to be had in 1950.”

“Yes, but this isn’t the bloody Highlands, either,” I snapped, picking up my coat and purse and brushing past him, feeling the alarming heat of true discord boiling between us for the first time in recent memory, and wanting to blink my eyes and have all melt away.

“And what’s that meant to signify?” came the sharp question from behind me.

“This is an advanced civil society the like of which no one of your century could have even dreamed,” I said crisply, opening the door to the closet at the end of the hall. “There’s rule of law that keeps your ‘sick bastards’ from extorting and murdering people with impunity.” 

“Oh, aye? So it’s all well and good if Claire Fraser is shot and killed, because the perpetrator will go to prison for it in the end, is that it?” 

“AND–” I ignored this jab out of hand. I was angry and getting angrier, but I was slow and fussy with hanging my things l, not ready to turn and face him as I barrelled forward. “–the other side of that ordered society is that even if Jamie Fraser thinks it’s merited, he can’t just shoot someone at the slightest provocation!” 

“I dinna intend to shoot at any provocation….” He was straining to keep calm, but I could clearly hear the danger rising between his clenched teeth. “…except that someone enters this house to do violence against my family.”

I turned on my heel and gave him a look of steel. “Jamie, I won’t have a gun in this house. They’re dangerous and unnecessary.”

“’Unnecessary’?” He was almost six feet away, but even at that safe distance, his own look could have sliced me in two. I jumped back in reflex as he snarled, “You would rather be shot–rather *our daughter* or the next bairn be killed before our eyes– than have me keep a weapon under our roof? Is that what you’re telling me?” 

I threw up my hands in abject frustration and panic. “Jamie, that isn’t bloody fair!”

“How? HOW is what I’m saying unreasonable, Claire?” He was shaking with rage. “DAMN YOU, Claire, TELL ME!”  

“What if Bree got hold of your bloody pistol without you knowing and thought it a toy and pulled the trigger?? She could—”

He was seething, deep scarlet, moments from complete eruption. “Ye think—I’d be—so careless—as to—”

“Accidents, Jamie!” I said, throwing up my hands and bustling into the bedroom to escape that look. “Accidents happen! Don’t you ever see that in your newspapers? And it’s not just Bree I’m worried about—YOU could shoot someone out of your bloodyminded warrior instinct and be put away for life to rot in some prison cell, and THEN where would we fucking be??”

His voice was low and lethal from the doorway, barely a whisper.  “In all the years you’ve known me… in ALL the dangers we’ve faced…have you ever known me to act rashly in danger? EVER?” he hissed. “Have I ever struck or killed by accident?

“Jamie that’s beside the—” I turned, pleading, and suddenly he was only inches from me, his breath hot on my face. “Dar–Darling, listen, you have to trust m—”

“NO!” he bellowed, leaning down so close to me that I tried to step back but was trapped by the wall, trapped by those blue eyes blazing. “No, Claire, I DO NOT have to trust you on this. What ye choose to wear, what profession you pursue: concerning those I have chosen trust you, no matter how much they might gall me–.but I will not TRUST you and Bree to the CHANCE that invaders will be merciful or stupid!  Do ye hear me?”

“Jamie, I–”

“I will NOT live knowing myself to be at a disadvantage to those that would attempt to harm my family. And the fact that you would leave ME to be shot first wi’ only a knife in my hand–That your–your–PRINCIPLES are more important than–”

“…Da?” 

We both snapped our heads to the bedroom door, where Bree stood clutching George, eyes overflowing with tears, her sweet face a mask of horror.

Jamie made a sound….a pitiful sound…shame and despair….and turned away from us both, retreating to the space between the bed and wall.

I went at once to Bree and swept her up into my arms, patting and soothing. “It’s alright, baby, hush, now, everything’s fine.”

It wasn’t fine…but God, he was right. 

It wasn’t my ‘principles,’ though. As much as I did think it dangerous to allow the easy purchase of guns generally, that wasn’t the reason I didn’t want one in our house. 

It was that I was afraid of being afraid again. I didn’t want to live once more in a world where people sought to attack, maim, rape, and destroy me and those I held dear. Knowing evil exists in the world is one thing; acknowledging that such dangers might find me, my loved ones–that was what had pierced me with terror; as if arming against danger would call it forth. 

…which was utterly foolish, I realized as soon as the thought crossed my mind. The English deserters in that long-ago glade after our first wedding had not attacked me because I carried a sgian dubh–the having of it had simply allowed me to do what needed to be done to defend myself…and Jamie.

His face was averted, hung between his shoulders as he leaned with both hands against the wall; but I could see his shoulders shaking, and hear the desperate effort to which he went to suppress (almost suppress) bitter sobs.

I came close behind him, slowly, Bree sniffling and gasping on my shoulder as her own tears failed to subside. I laid a hand softly on his arm and said firmly, but I hoped not coldly, “If we must have it….we’ll keep it locked in the bedside drawer.”

“Thank you,” he said softly. Then after a long silence he turned fast and crushed us to him. “I’m sorry….sorry, Claire….I didna mean… I ken ye dinna want this…but…” 

I crushed him right back, or as best I could with only one free arm. 

No, I didn’t want this, but he was right: never once had I seen him err in battle or hand-to-hand combat. In decisions? In words? God, yes; too many times to count. But In blows? When lives were on the line? Never. There was no one on earth I trusted more than him, not just in some romantic, theoretical way; but also in the capability of his mind and body to act with decision and incision. 

I hated this…but I was choosing to trust him. 

“I’m sorry, Sassenach. And you, a leannan,” he said to Bree, “Da is verra sorry he frightened ye.” 

He spoke gently in Gaelic to her–I love you, sweetheart–and kissed her cheek, wrapping his arms around us both again and exhaling heavily. 

“Claire, I–” he said, haltingly, and I could hear the pain in it; the regret. “I ken there’s no valor in this. It’s fear that screams at me to insist upon this thing, rather than submit and trust that all will be well. It’s just that…” His mouth went dry and he had to swallow. “I’ve nothing in the world save you two.”

“You think I have?” I choked out, his fear seemed to creep across the space between our feet and snake up my leg into my heart. 

He pressed his cheek hard into the top of my head. “I pray wi’ all my soul, Claire… that we never once have to unlock the drawer.”

Song: Some Sunday Morning from San Antonio (1945)

[next chapter]

[dopingertr-blog]

Pinterest SEO: More Attention & Traffic Through SEO

If Pinterest only means cookie recipes and bathroom remodel ideas to you, you’re missing out. Talking about the importance of visual content is one thing. To understand what matters is a completely different one.

Companies (and self-employed) who are successful with it do two things:

They produce visual content in a targeted way to generate attention and generate traffic.

They have visuals firmly integrated into their content strategy and work sustainably.

In this article, we do not want to develop such a strategy, but to approach it more pragmatically and look explicitly on Pinterest. Because while everyone focuses on Instagram and increasingly Snapchat, Pinterest is becoming more and more attractive in our eyes.

Precisely because the competition there is not (yet) so big, but also because the use of the platform has positive effects on other areas of content marketing (SEO, social media, etc.).

Let’s take a look at what Pinterest has to offer and how you can benefit from it.

Pinterest Is Different and Better in Many Ways

In the shadow of Facebook, Instagram, and others, Pinterest – as a research tool and a content channel – has developed into a relevant platform for content marketing. Pinterest has become the perfect platform for marketers and primarily serves them.

Pinterest is a catalog of ideas. I think that’s a very different thing than a social network. On a social network, you upload photos for other people to like. Pinterest, on the other hand, is self-serving.

Silbermann could not have characterized his platform more accurately.

You can also like this post: eBay SEO: Techniques to Increase Visibility and Sales

Pinterest has become a place of inspiration for around 335 million users worldwide (as of 2019/Q4). Their motto is “Discover instead of search.” Everyone is looking for new ideas, but also sharing their own. According to their statements, there are now over 100 billion in number. Everyone who participates in uploads their suitable images and contributes to the “value” of the platform.

“Consumers use Pinterest to curate their vision of their ideal self.”

The “Beauty” of Pinterest Is

Personalization (from a user perspective) – On one hand, Pinterest makes content recommendations based on your activities within the platform (likes, comments, repins, etc.). On the other, you can allow Pinterest to take your activities on other websites into account to clarify these recommendations. This relates to your use of “Pint it” buttons on sites and the data circulating in the advertising network. In addition, there is, of course, the possibility to create your boards and curate content thematically.

The possibility of directing users to their website (from the marketers’ point of view) – Each Pin is (ideally) provided with a corresponding backlink so that users can consume further content with a simple click. Provided, of course, that the link does not lead to your homepage, but a thematically appropriate “content page.” The backlinks are not necessarily the best thing about Pinterest. According to studies and data from Pinterest, 96% of active users use the platform for general research, and an impressive 93% to plan future purchases. The fact that 87% of the users buy speaks for Pinterest’s influence on the customer journey and ultimately for the purchase decision. 72% of users were even introduced to new brands through Pinterest.

Pinterest Is a Platform, Not a Strategy

We agree that a more extended look at Pinterest is worth it, right?! Well, then let’s take a look at what we should pay attention to.

Step 1: Research Topics & Keywords

“It is important that the user intention for the selected keyword/topic is based on an image search,” says Fion Kientzler, Managing Partner at suxeedo. “Images from Pinterest also often appear in Google Image Search, which should be taken into account when describing the image with appropriate keywords.”

You can also like this post: SEO for Wix Sites: Positioning on Google

The typical approach to keyword research also works for Pinterest:

Brainstorm keywords

Complement ideas using Google Keyword Planner

Check keywords for search volume and competition

Identify “valuable” keywords

However, this method is based on searches via Google, and Fionn warns:

“There are subject areas that work excellently on Pinterest, such as living, decoration, or fashion. With these topics, you don’t have to do the keyword analysis as meticulously for the search engine. It is more about defining categories and subcategories for the browsing of the user.”

It is, therefore, worthwhile to enter the keywords directly into Pinterest in the search slot.

Even before you start the search, you will receive search suggestions, similar to Google – and not just search terms, but also matching accounts and boards. This opens up further research sources!

After you have started the search, you will see countless pins. From now on it will be exciting because you have to look closely:

What kind of content do you see? Can you deduce what users expect from the search using the respective search terms?

How much content do you play? Do you find thematic gaps that you could fill?

Who does the content come from? People or brands? How strong is the competition?

How “popular” is this content (with a view to likes, repins, comments, etc.)? Can you deliver better content – in terms of content or design? If you have answered all of these questions, you will have refined your keyword list on the one hand, and on the other hand, you will have a good sense of how you can best implement your content ideas.

But Wait, There’s More!

You may have noticed the search suggestions directly below the search field.

You can also like this post: What Is Google Pirate and How It Works?

This is Pinterest’s “Guided Search”. Like the end of the Google search results page, Pinterest also makes suggestions for further search terms. If there are new ones here, you should also take a closer look at them.

Insider Tip: Keyword Research via Boards. If you have created your keyword list in the classic sense, use it to create a new board. Pinterest then spits out similar/relevant suggestions that you can use for your boards or descriptions (see screenshot). Admittedly, I came across it by accident, but that’s what makes it so interesting. Because I have never read about it anywhere, you could also use the Pinterest Keyword Tool or Pinterested tool, which is specially developed by Kitchen Stories CMO Szymon Wilkosz.

So far, so good.

Now it’s time to use our keywords.

This mainly concerns the design and description of individual pins, but we can use them beforehand to describe our boards.

Step 2: Design and Describe Your Pins

The design is not a classic “SEO factor”, but the more appealing your content is, the more users will interact with it – and that is a ranking factor.

If I had to reduce it to the essentials, I would recommend that you focus on a consistent and recognizable (corporate) design and optimize your content for viewing on mobile devices. In this regard, the same rules apply to your website or blog, Facebook, Twitter, and all other social media.

Use a vertical picture format (at least 2:3 aspect ratio) for your pins, use meaningful pictures, and as little text as possible. Pay attention to the size of the text that is easy to read on your smartphone.

After the visual impression, descriptions are the second important element – so that your content can be found. This is where your keywords come in:

You can also like this post: SEO WordPress: The 2020 Definitive Guide

Include them in the title of your pins.

Make sure to include them in the title of the linked content (e.g., your blog articles), as this is also displayed via rich pins.

Use them in the picture descriptions on your website (alt tags), because these are adopted when pinning via the “Pin it” button and are not always changed by the user.

Name image files using keywords (e.g., “pinterest-seo-board.png”).

Describe your pins using (longtail) keywords. According to Dan Zarrella’s analysis, the ideal length of your description is between 200 and 310 characters.

Remarks: Despite all the need for keywords, you should not do any keyword stuffing and use as many search terms as possible for the better. Always keep the search behavior of the user in mind and use synonyms or paraphrases if necessary. Often the user does not know which keyword would be the right one for him. Incidentally, keyword hashtags are of little relevance to Pinterest. They are only clickable in descriptions and then basically lead to the same search results as the search for the same word without the hashtag. They only make sense if they are used in campaigns and are used for assignment.

Step 3: Share and Promote Your Pins

Similar to other platforms, Pinterest marketing lives from consistency and frequency. Only those who regularly share good content will be successful in the long term.

Adobe recommends four to ten pins a day, other sources such as buffers even recommend up to 30 a day.

We usually only get this number through repins, since we cannot produce as much content ourselves. The more of our content we can contribute, the better, but anyway, it is good form to appreciate the work of other users. The more you interact with others, the more they are likely to interact with you.

If there are “pinfluencers” in your area, you should build good relationships with them. They can help you with the distribution of your pictures and support you in building the brand as a whole. So think carefully about how you want to retaliate for it. Besides, you could try the following tips to promote your Pinterest content:

Share it on other platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter).

Integrate it with a widget in the associated blog article so that readers are aware of your Pinterest account.

Make your content aware of certain people for whom it may be relevant.

Ask friends and acquaintances to support you with your doctorate.

Send it in a newsletter – but please don’t bundle it 30 a day!

Share it at different times and on different days.

Outlook: Pinterest Promoted Pins. Pinterest Ads (also known as “Promoted Pins”), as the name suggests, are “regular” contents that advertisers have in terms of reach and interaction (likes, repins, comments), traffic to your website or app installations. For targeting, we can filter by keywords, interests, categories (own pinterests), location, language, gender, and device, or upload a custom target group. Similar to Google AdWords or Facebook, a CPM or CPC is used for billing. A big advantage of ads will be that we can compare content and thereby define success criteria even more precisely. And while we are talking about money and performance, one last aspect must of course not be missing: measuring success.

You can also like this post: HTTPS: Differences With HTTP & SEO Importance

Pinterest Analytics and Additional Pinterest Tools

With Pinterest’s business variant, you get an extensive analytics tool to measure your reach, interaction, and activity. The all-time function also gives you an overview of your most successful content. In contrast, the people-you-reach feature gives you information about the demographic aspects and interests of your visitors.

It’s Your Turn: Use Pinterest to Get a Head Start!

Do it like Springlane and get a head start by using Pinterest.

The “Online Shop for Kitchen and Pleasure” achieve over 400 million content impressions per month with its Pinterest account – even though it “only” has just under 120,000 followers!

The team behind their success relies, among other things, on rich pins for recipes, but also pays attention to producing predominantly content that can be distributed via several channels.

“For this, we use a “Sharable” version at Pinterest and a standard article image. Among other things, this has an optimized image size and an eye-catching text overlay. We also use corresponding metadata (rich pins for recipes).”

That’s what I meant by “sustainable” and “positive effects on other areas of content marketing”.

For example, in comparison to Instagram, content is prepared exclusively for Pinterest, but not exclusively designed and produced for it. This is a huge difference because it makes use of -emphasis on “value”- we suddenly find content ideas several times.

And you know what positive (SEO) effects result from it.

All Springlane pins are linked to the online magazine or recipes, some even directly to the shop. In any case, they all permanently ensure new visitors.

It is crucial that the content complements each other and not twice! While the images, for example, tease a dish (and thus do justice to Pinterest’s inspirational character), the website provides the user with detailed cooking instructions or general kitchen tips.

You can also like this post: What Is Shopify SEO: A Complete Guide

Pinterest now generates more traffic than any other Springlane social media channel.

Practical that through this tandem, they have enough usable content to use other platforms, i.e., Facebook.

That’s what I call a holistic concept!

Some FAQs on Pinterest and SEO

Eliminate or maintain poorly performing pins?

According to some studies, deleting Pins with few re-shares can increase the quality of the Pinterest account. On the other hand, pins that are not performing today but may have remained viral for months or years before. And they can cause you thousands of visitors. So it all depends on your choice.

When you Repin to other users’ content, should you change their description?

Many bloggers and website owners don’t know much about Pinterest. As a result, many fantastic and interesting articles are “disassembled” from poor and keyword-free descriptions. It certainly takes time to write a good description for each pin, but for a blogger or a brand that wants to invest in Pinterest, it is very important and will lead to results. A good description for both the Pin and Repin leads to an improvement in your pin’s quality to get more Repins. Try yourself and see your results so that you can evaluate them against the time invested.

Use or not use hashtags?

Until recently, Pinterest was an anti-hashtag platform. Today, however, hashtags are accepted, but Pinterest still recommends not to use more than 20 per pin. You can click and search hashtags, but unlike other Pinterest content, search results based on hashtags show the pin in chronological order, rather than starting from the best.

You can also like this post: Etsy SEO Tips to Improve Product Visibility

How can you make sure that optimized descriptions are used by users when they post your blog posts?

How can you make sure that optimized descriptions are used by users when they post your blog posts? You can consider setting up your blog on WordPress. There you will have the chance to use plug-ins like Social Warfare to make sure that the description and image in your blog post are used by users when they download the post. Alternatively, if you don’t use a plug-in, add the description to the alt-text of the image.

Conclusion: Accelerate Your Business With Pinterest

Pinterest is one of the best traffic sources for many websites, and some online brands confirm this. For this reason, many companies want to find out more about how Pinterest works.

If you want to achieve real growth and see Pinterest as a possible solution, you must commit yourself to design Pins that induce people to click on them.

With the tips discussed in this article, you can optimize your pins for clicks and increase traffic on your website.

https://www.dopinger.com/blog/how-to-do-pinterest-seo/

[sinrau]

Some states and counties are delaying and even reversing reopenings as virus cases mount in the South and West. Experts say more opening and closing could go on for months.

Patrons at Gritty’s enjoyed outside seating on Tuesday in Portland, Maine. Credit…Greta Rybus for The New York Times

By Jack Healy, Mitch Smith and Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio

June 24, 2020Updated 3:43 p.m. ET

DENVER — Soaring cases of the coronavirus are forcing cities and states across the country to halt plans to restart their economies and even reimpose earlier limits on public life, increasing worries that premature reopenings could lead to a second round of closures.

In Texas, which reported a record high of more than 5,000 new cases on Tuesday, the governor told local officials they could restrict outdoor gatherings to 100 people and urged residents to stay home. Maine officials called off plans to allow bars to resume serving drinks inside on July 1. The governor of Kansas said rising cases showed that the state was “not ready” to continue easing restrictions. And in parts of central Idaho, where coronavirus cases have exploded in recent weeks, bars are shutting down and gatherings of more than 50 people are again outlawed.

“We may have let our guard down a little bit,” said Julie Gibbs, the health officer in Riley County, Kan., home to Kansas State University, where officials said they would tighten restrictions on large gatherings after the county’s total virus cases increased by 50 percent over the past week.

With the number of new daily cases now rising in more than half of the United States, the debate over whether to reimpose restrictions or push ahead with reopening is creating divides between neighboring cities and states that mirror the scattershot responses that emerged as the country went into lockdown this year.

A store worker in Kansas City, Kan., counted customers as they entered on Tuesday. The governor said rising cases showed that Kansas was “not ready” to continue easing restrictions.Credit…Kendall Short for The New York Times

“There’s very little appetite among the American public to go backwards,” said Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “As reopenings started there were no plans for what would constitute a red flag to close things down. People just said, ‘We’re reopening, everything’s fine, let’s move ahead.’”

But public health experts who supported the original shutdowns now worry that governments will not be able to constrain the resurgent coronavirus with a blizzard of shifting restrictions that can change the moment a person crosses a city limit or state line.

Hundreds of city, county and state governments have created their own reopening plans, each with different “phases” of economic reopening and each with their rules for how many people can gather at a party, what portion of a restaurant’s tables can be full and when people must wear masks. The results can be a baffling patchwork, and one that residents are left to navigate on their own.

Much of the new tension over the safety of reopening is playing out in the West and South, where the numbers are getting worse, and has split along partisan lines.

The governors of Louisiana and Oregon, both Democrats, recently paused their plans to ease restrictions on businesses and public life, saying it was not yet safe to more fully reopen. And on Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington ordered most people to wear face coverings in public.

“It is clear that Covid is alive and well in Louisiana, and as we see more people testing positive and admitted to hospitals, we simply are not ready to move to the next phase,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said, noting that about 90 percent of new cases were coming from spread in the community, not within nursing homes or other group living facilities.

But Republican governors in Florida, Arizona, Texas and other states grappling with rising daily case levels have resisted the prospect of locking down again.

Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas has declined to require Texans to wear masks and said that locking down the state again would be a last resort. But on Tuesday he urged residents to stay home in an interview with the television station KBTX.

“Because the spread is so rampant right now, there is never a reason for you to have to leave your home unless you do need to go out,” he said. “The safest place for you is at your home.”

In Utah, Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, said he had “no plans to shut down Utah’s economy” after the state’s epidemiologist warned that the “only viable option to manage spread and deaths will be a complete shutdown” and urged the governor to reimpose tougher limits on public life.

Shelby County, Tenn., which includes Memphis, was poised to ease its coronavirus restrictions to “phase three” last week, allowing businesses to operate at 75 percent of their normal capacity, but county leaders reconsidered as the number of active cases grew to more than 2,000. Since the start of the pandemic, about 8,000 people have been infected across the county, and 165 have died.

“We ramped up to reopen too quick,” said Tami Sawyer, a county commissioner who has urged the county to impose even tighter limitations. “We weren’t ready.”

Restaurants and bars underwent a phased reopening in New Orleans last month. Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana recently paused plans to ease restrictions, saying it was not yet safe to more fully reopen. Credit…Emily Kask for The New York Times

With guidance from governments hard to pin down, the burden of deciding whether to stay open or shut down again in the face of a positive coronavirus test is falling on individual businesses.

Restaurants, electronics retailers, salons and bakeries across the country have been reopening only to shut down weeks later after workers or customers report illnesses — a pattern that business owners fear will repeat itself for months until there is a vaccine or treatment for Covid-19.

#web #website #copied #to read# #highlight #link #news #read #blog #wordpress post# #posts #breaking news# #Sinrau #Nothiah #Sinrau29

[myrobertallen-blog]

Insta Stories 2.0 Review and bonus

Insta Stories 2.0 is a brand-friendly and makes it simpler to follow brands, like their messages and also reveal approval of their content, which is good for gauging interaction.

Official site: https://www.socialleadfreak.com/insta-stories-2-0-review/

Instagram Stories: How You Can Utilize It Like a Pro as well as Develop Your Audience Everyday, over 300 million people use Instagram Stories, the Snapchat-like attribute that develops photo and also video clip series that go away 24 hours after being published. That readies information for the countless organisation profiles on the system because, on average, one in five Stories obtains a direct message. When a prospective consumer connects to your business on Instagram, that's a lead. Want more leads? This short article will certainly assist. This short article is for marketing experts who wish to much better recognize how to use Instagram Stories-- practically in addition to purposefully-- to develop authentic, interesting web content that drives attention and also action. The best ways to utilize Instagram Stories If you're new to Instagram, this area is an excellent place to start. It explains ways to utilize Instagram Stories with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. If you're an even more knowledgeable user, feel free to skip to the Concepts section to explore the imaginative ways effective brands make use of Stories to stand out. And listed below that, there's a suggestions and methods section that highlights the very best practices every marketing expert must understand. Now, allow's address some novice Frequently asked questions: " Just how do I PUBLISH an Instagram Story?" After establishing a Service Instagram account, it's time to produce material to inhabit your Stories. Open up the Instagram app Tap the electronic camera symbol in the top-left corner Select the format of your web content below the display. You could develop a KIND, LIVE, NORMAL, BOOMERANG, SUPERZOOM, REWIND, HANDS-FREE, or STOP MOTION piece of material Touch the white circle at the end of the display to take a photo. Press and hold the white circle to take a video clip Note: Shoot vertically, so your web content will take up as much space on the display as feasible. New markets are open With the production of right-to-left language assistance, millions of prospective consumers are now able to easily connect on Instagram. The system currently had actually 33 languages supported-- including Chinese, Oriental and also Japanese-- that can be read right-to-left as well as leading to bottom. However solely right-to-left languages-- such as Arabic, Farsi as well as Hebrew-- are brand-new to the visual system. Just what this indicates for Insta Stories 2.0 online marketers is that they have to recognize and able to determine and get to appropriate audiences in the MENA (Center East and North Africa) area, where those languages are greatly talked. Additionally, a new plant of influencers will certainly be starting up their accounts and also catching the attention of this audience on the system. This opens up a whole new swimming pool of influencers for brand names, but it will certainly be difficult to handle as well as take advantage of in-house. But not all the adjustments ready ... Some adjustments do not involve individuals positively, and also brand name marketing professionals as well as influencers have to recognize consumer view. The biggest one that enters your mind is an upgrade from September that saw Instagram making it possible for video clips to auto-play with audio. Formerly, video clips would play silently till the customer involved, preventing invasive noise from unexpectedly blasting. While one can say that this might assist content creation, since this presents brand names with a greater likelihood of accessing an additional essential feeling of their individuals, marketers have to bear in mind that millions become irritated by unanticipated audio to the factor where the interruption can potentially transform them off the item. An additional huge change from April was the intro of online video notifications. Live programs can be fantastic for your brand, but they could also be intrusive to force all fans to enjoy a product-focused livestream. This tool must be conserved that for a special minute when obtaining everybody's concentrated interest is vital, otherwise users will certainly start to tune you out. Marketing professionals as well as influencers have to remain on top of the changing attribute collections as well as regulations as they relate to influencer advertising, yet this could swiftly become a herculean task. The time, interest and also involvement should make certain rules and etiquette are being complied with could rapidly exceed the advantages. The proliferation of new functions and also languages could drive smaller sized advertising and marketing groups and influencers to count extra greatly on third-party specialists, firms and marketplaces to ensure that they benefit from Instagram's continuous advancement.

Exactly how do I add a HASHTAG to my Instagram Tale?" Hashtags will aid leads locate your content: Step 1: Create an image or video. Step 2: Click the Aa symbol in the top-right corner. You'll see a cursor appear in the facility of the screen. Step 3: Readjust the dimension, shade, as well as area of the cursor. Tip 4: Touch the # sign first, after that create a word or sentence, without areas, as well as press RETURN to produce a hashtag. Note: Instagram enables a maximum of 30 hashtags each Insta Stories 2.0 article, however you shouldn't create that several. According to a research study by TrackMaven, average interactions per article drops off after about 5 hashtags.

" Just how do I include an AREA to my Instagram Story?" The majority of locations (read: cities) around the globe have their very own Stories, which are curated by Instagram from posts that contain area tags. Articles that obtain selected for an Area Tale obtain even more reach, visibility, and also interaction: Step 1: Produce a photo or video clip. Action 2: Tap the folded symbol on top of the display, which will bring up an assortment of stickers. Step 3: Touch the AREA sticker label, after that pick exactly where the picture or video clip was taken. " How do I add a STICKER LABEL to my Instagram Tale?" Sticker labels are photos that you could pin to an image or video. They include an additional measurement to your web content, making it a lot more intriguing: Action 1: Create a picture or video. Step 2: Touch the folded icon at the top of the screen to bring up the sticker labels food selection. Action 3: Select a sticker label, squeeze it to make it smaller sized or larger, after that move it anywhere on the screen. When it prepares, press the sticker label until you see a PIN button show up in the bottom-right edge. Touch it.

2. Go online usually Alongside other prominent trending Stories in the Explore web page are the "Leading Live" messages. As we've discussed a fair bit on our blog site, live video is becoming an arms race and also Instagram is pushing it just as hard. If you're going real-time and supplying fantastic web content, even more people are going to listen. These video clips usually revolve as more visitors tune in, and also live videos end. So by going real-time typically, you're giving on your own a chance to show up as well as acquire more followers:

3. Point out people It's obvious that individuals like attention, specifically on social media. Give individuals exactly what they desire using the mention attribute in your Instagram Stories. You can label consumers, followers, or those that motivate you with a tailored message. This sends a notification to the individual who will certainly more than likely see the content. Be careful with this one, though. You don't intend to break your welcome by over-tagging individuals. 4. Gain extra fans This one seems very simple because it is. The more fans you have, the extra possible your Instagram Stories have to be seen. Comply with various other customers, utilize appropriate hashtags on normal articles, and also engage with the material of those you would love to follow you back. 5. Produce terrific content Once again, not groundbreaking yet still the best way to naturally grow your adhering to. The even more accounts that are watching your Stories, sending messages, and engaging with them in various other ways, the far better possibility your Insta Stories brand name's account has of appearing on the "Explore" page along with various other trending Stories:

6. Run Instagram ads This is a lot more indirect, but running advertisements is a great way to raise both followers and also engagement on your account. Plus, it could supply an increase to your mathematical score. Subsequently, this can make it more probable that your Stories will certainly appear on the Explore web page. Why brands should use Instagram Stories Among the most important factors for companies to make use of Instagram Stories is relevancy in your fans' feeds. Considering that Instagram updated the feed to be algorithmic in June of 2016, having stories always show up on top of a fan's feed aids your brand name remain top-of-mind. Popular Stories likewise show up on top of the Explore web page, aiding acquire an also bigger reach:

6. Instagram surveys for competitions-- Cannnapet

Instagram surveys in Stories have actually ended up being rather popular among individuals. They tend to be enjoyable and appealing and that's exactly what brand names also try to take on. Cannapet has actually determined to introduce a survey to get their followers' interest. The next Story was advertising their contest, while the following one was motivating customers to tag a good friend. The combination of the three blog posts is calculated enough to go for engagement, but likewise participation in the competition. This example shows how a brand could use several aspects as part of a Tale to generate the very best possible outcome for their objectives. 7. Using tale highlights for Stories-- Airbnb

Airbnb has launched Stories for #TravelTuesday as an added means to develop engagement with their 2.7 million fans. They are posting a location on Tuesday together with the hashtag #TravelTuesday as well as they are producing a poll to check if individuals can guess the area. This idea blends involvement with enticing pictures to produce a terrific result that matches the brand name's visual emphasis. In addition, they are conserving the Tale as a highlight, which suggests that it's readily available for greater than 24-HOUR by going to the brand name's profile. Overview What we could learn from all the instances above is that there many means to be creative on Instagram. Instagram Stories have actually aided more brand names to explore their aesthetic restrictions as well as believe outside the box. All the brand-new features that show up each week make Instagram Stories much more enticing for brand narration, raised involvement, however also brand-new conversions. Just what is necessary is to bear in mind the following simple suggestions before posting a new Tale on Instagram: Keep your target market in mind. Create content that they intend to see from you. Do not hesitate to stun them, though. See to it your Instagram Stories reflect your brand's identity. Even if they are a lot more fun, does not imply that you should take on a completely different intonation. Allow your Insta Stories target market to be entailed. Make your material as interesting as possible. Allow your target market belong to it and keep them returning for even more interesting experiences. Going "live" has a similar influence as users will obtain a push-notification if they haven't turned real-time alerts off. Instagram even has a "finest of live" that shows up together with other stories if no one in your network is online at that moment. Use this expertise to create a strategy for promoting your brand name, welcoming fans behind the scenes, and also expanding your target market with premium online video and also tales. Numerous other firms are already succeeding at Instagram Story advertising and marketing. How to use Instagram Stories There are many innovative methods brands are making use of Instagram already. Ultimately, it boils down to exactly what your campaign objectives are for Instagram. Are you trying to give your audience an appearance behind the scenes at your business? Do you want to assist a promotion get a wider target market? Are you trying to drive more web traffic to a blog post, landing page, or video clip? Step one is to define your goals, then you could take a look at exactly how a few bigger brand names are attending to these challenges. Among the largest advantages that brands have more than normal accounts is the capability to link to an outdoors website. This feature is not yet offered to specific accounts however is something many brands are acknowledging as a method to order a target market that is already involving with the brand straight as well as guide them to a specific blog post, web site, or touchdown page. It is essential to keep in mind that web links could only be included in an Instagram Story, not an online video. Don't allow that stop you from getting creative in your video, though. You could still inform visitors to go to a web link in your account biography, compose an URL and reveal it on-screen, and even inform them the LINK if it isn't really too complex. If you do this, make sure to have the LINK be short so customers could remember it and also visit the page later. Let's take a look at how a few business are using Stories right now. 1. J.Crew J.Crew has started utilizing Instagram Stories to advertise featured post by including a couple of images to introduce the write-up's property and also sending visitors to the blog post. This tale highlights exactly how a brand could obtain creative with its CTA. J. Staff's Tale was three images in total amount, with the 3rd asking users to Swipe Approximately review the blog site as the CTA. When a company adds a connect to an image, the "See Even more" as well as upward pointing caret are added by default. However, J.Crew identifies that this is a bad CTA experience, so they supplemented it with the text as well as coloring attributes

Tags: Insta Stories, Insta Stories Review, Insta Stories 2.0, Insta Stories 2.0 Review, Insta Stories OTO, Insta Stories 2.0 Bonus, Insta Stories 2.0 OTO, Insta Stories 2.0 Reviews, Insta Stories 2.0 Bonuses, Insta Stories 2.0 Review and bonus, Insta Stories 2.0 Reviews And Bonuses

[ronaldmorton]

Cocker Spaniel Winter Games Photo Contest

Snow, cold, ice, old man winter…whatever you call it, this time of year means many parts of the world are feeling the effects of winter’s chill. Fidose of Reality plans to heat things up and have some fun with our Cocker Spaniel Winter Games Photo Contest. You and your Cocker Spaniel can win prizes which feature some jewelry “medals!”

How to Enter the Cocker Spaniel Winter Games Photo Contest

You must be a member of the Club Cocker: Wigglebutts Worldwide Facebook Group.<=== click this link to join and enter.

You can enter AS MANY photos as you like, but you must identify what category you are entering. There are five categories, which means five prizes!!!

Photos must be owned by you and cannot be photoshopped nor can they contain humans. The dog(s) in the photo must be Cocker Spaniels or Cocker mixes. Both English and American Cockers are welcomed to enter.

This Photo Contest is open worldwide!

Any photos submitted with text will be disqualified. You cannot alter the photo. If you have a watermark on it, this is the only acceptable form of text that is allowed.

What Are the Categories?

Category One: Outdoor Snow Fun: Must depict your Cocker/Cocker Mix outdoors in the snow. The dog can be sitting, walking, or playing. Your choice.

Category Two: Sweater Weather: Not all dogs are athletes nor do they like the snow, so this category is dedicated to Cockers wearing their winter apparel.

Category Three: Winter Athlete: Your Cocker performing in some sort of outdoor winter activity: Action shots preferred.

Category Four: Bench Warmer: Your Cocker staying cozy and comfy indoors: Let’s see those relaxing and sleeping indoors.

Category Five: Winter Humor: Funny photos featuring your Cocker in some sort of winter scene that will make us BOL (bark out loud) and LOL (laugh out loud).

REMEMBER, you must identify what category you are entering.

JUDGES’ CHOICE: Judges will choose one photo from all submitted for the grand prize pack. Keep reading.

When Does the Photo Contest End?

When the winter games end on television, so does this photo contest. So on February 25, 2018, this photo contest closes on Club Cocker: Wigglebutts Worldwide Facebook group.

What Is the Judging Criteria?

You will be judged on: 50% adherence to contest rules and photo contest theme and 50% overall photo appeal/clarity and originality to the theme of this contest.

Who Are the Judges?

The two Club Cocker admins will judge from all entries submitted.

When Are Winners Announced?

Winner will be notified and announced in the Club Cocker Facebook group AND on this blog post on Fidose of Reality blog on Monday, 02/26/18. Winners must provide name and mailing address so we can ship you the prizes.

You must be a member of the Club Cocker: Wigglebutts Worldwide Facebook Group.<=== click this link to join and enter.

What Are the Prizes?

  What Are The Prizes? 

JUDGES CHOICE PRIZE PACK:  Dog Lover Prize pack consisting of: Wigglebutt Warriors t-shirt, Club Cocker magnet, and a My Heart Beats Dog magnet.

Category One: Outdoor Snow Fun: “Watch Over This Woman/Watch Over This Dog” matching jewelry. The bling measures 1 inch in diameter and arrives on a 18 inch black leather braided bolo cord for the person. The dog’s pendant is secure on a stainless steel split ring to fit on any size D-ring on a dog’s collar. The jewelry is nickel-safe and incredibly unique.

  Category Two: Sweater Weather: Celebrate the bond you share with your dog by wearing Harper Hound’s finely crafted necklace. Nickel safe stainless steel with contrasting color, this is an adorable necklace for a dog lover. Comes with an 18″ link chain.

Category Three: Winter Athlete:  My Heart Beats Dog Necklace: Beautiful bubble glass pendant necklace is made with My Heart Beats Dog adhered to the domed glass & then attached permanently to the pendant tray. Ready for gift giving in a beautiful organza pouch with filling. Dressy enough for an evening out and looks great worn casually or to work. Show off your love of dogs!

Category Four: Bench Warmer:  My Heart Beats Dog magnet and pin from the Fidose of Reality “My Heart Beats Dog®” collection.

Category Five: Winter Humor: Harper and Hound Rescued Charm for Dog Collar and Club Cocker Magnet

You must be a member of the Club Cocker: Wigglebutts Worldwide Facebook Group.<=== click this link to join and enter.

Note: There was no monetary exchange for the above prizes. Facebook is not associated with this contest, and this is a fun photo contest to bring Cocker Spaniel lovers together and to beat the Winter Blues!

The post Cocker Spaniel Winter Games Photo Contest appeared first on Fidose of Reality.

Cocker Spaniel Winter Games Photo Contest syndicated from https://thehappypoochweb.wordpress.com/

[isabellelambert1975]

The best blogging tips of the year….

What are your best blogging tips of the year? I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours.

Britmums is a blogging collective. Although it’s mainly for parenting bloggers, it has some great resources and a fab BML (BritMumsLive) conference every year. I find that most of the advice given by panellists is appropriate to all lifestyle blogs. Currently Britmums have a linky running where you can share your post on the best blogging tips of the year.

If you’re wondering what a ‘linky’ is, it’s a series of linked posts, usually on a single topic, from lots of different blogs. You can submit your own post, and it’s a way of promoting your blog to people who wouldn’t normally see it. And it’s a way of finding interesting posts, you yourself wouldn’t otherwise see.

 Blogging is ‘back’

2017 was the year that blogging ‘came back’ in a big way. A few years ago, people said that ‘blogging was dead’ because people were moving to Instagram, Pinterest and more.

As indeed, they did. But all the social media channels do suddenly change the rules. Instagrammers and Pinners suddenly noticed that they’d lost a big chunk of their audience, apparently overnight, due to an ‘algorithm change’. It’s Instagram or Pinterest’s platform. Their territory, their rules.

But your blog (if you own the domain name and pay for hosting) is your very own. No-one can take you down unless you break the law. If you have a free blog, it belongs to the company that hosts it, such as WordPress, Wix or Blogger (Google) but they don’t seem to change the rules in quite the same way that Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and others do. If you’ve got X hundred people on your mailing list, they are your readers. It’s between you and them.

Get to grips with Google Analytics

If you have a website or a blog, you need to find out what works and what doesn’t with Google Analytics.

I was in the bottom division in Maths at school. The Maths teacher told me that if there was a division below that, I would have been there. In those days it was called Maths O level and I struggled to pass it. I am not being cute about this. Now that we have established that I am neither numerically literate nor young – if I can understand Google Analytics, anyone can.

Google runs free online Google Analytics courses. But if the sight of any sum in double figures throws you into a panic, then invest in some personal tuition (not from your son/nephew etc). Find a professional who is Google Certified.

I had a one-to-one session of Google Analytics from Mark Jennings at Stormchasers Digital in Rochester. I also won a place at one of their all-day workshops, when I was a finalist in the Kent Creative Live awards, which they sponsor.

Mark explains things very clearly (he needs to, with me). And actually, it’s fascinating. One of the best blogging tips he gave me was to highlight my links in a stronger contrast colour. This immediately increased the number of people reading more than one post.

What does Google Analytics do?

Google Analytics shows you how many readers visited your pages, so I can see that the Middlesized Garden has had just over half a million page views since this time last year.

It also shows where they came from -most Middlesized Garden readers come from search engines or are subscribers, but I get nearly 20,000 page views a year from Pinterest. But only 64 views a year from Instagram! Do I up my Instagram game or spend less time on it?

Analytics can also show you where readers go after they’ve read one post. This is interesting because some posts are successful and people go on to read more posts. Others may be equally popular but don’t seem to inspire readers to go any further.

Analytics tell you how long your pages take to load, what other interests your readers have (homes, interiors, travel, food in my case) and more.

If you’re already using Google Analytics but don’t know where to go after seeing how many people have read your blog this week, go to Behaviour/Site Content/Content Drilldown to find your posts listed in order of popularity. My favourite page.

Stormchasers Digital’s one day courses are £395. They are running some shorter, affordable introductory workshops in 2018, and they have an online video course for £20 a month.

Interact with other bloggers

This is another trend that has ‘come back.’ When blogging started, part of the excitement was the interaction between bloggers. Bloggers quoted each other, commented on each other’s posts and recommended lists of other blogs to follow. It was part of getting your own blog noticed.

Then, as blogging became a business, bloggers started to be more competitive. Why, after all, should you mention and link to another blog? Won’t your readers just go off and read that blog instead? Won’t it be like when your best friend dropped you in Year 8, and became Maisie’s best friend instead?

Well, Google likes to see you link out to other sites, if they’re good, reputable ones. It calculates that it makes you more useful to people.

Then there’s karma. The more you give, the more you get. Bloggers that share on social media are more likely to get shared back.

And when you’re not yourself writing a post, you’ve still got something to offer your social media followers. I actively look for other bloggers’ posts and tweets that I think Middlesized Garden readers would enjoy – and I find interesting things to read in the process. Win, win. (I think most garden blogger interaction is probably on Twitter rather than as comments on blogs…what do you think?)

And there’s being stronger together. Many bloggers are approached by PR companies for reviews or collaborations. What or when should we charge? How should we disclose our fees? And what about when someone steals your posts and puts them up on their own blog? It is all so much easier when bloggers share information or act together when necessary.

At the Fiskars’ Make a Terrarium Day with James Wong. Everyone was doing Instagram stories….

Also, you can learn a lot from other bloggers. That doesn’t mean copying them, it means picking up ideas and doing them in your own way. For example, at the Monty Don book launch, we were all taking photographs of the canapes, then Instagramming them. One clever blogger (sorry, can’t remember who, excellent cocktails) Instagrammed us all photographing the canapes. Nice twist – I’ll try to remember to take  more ‘behind the scenes’ pix, too in future.

And when I noticed that the other bloggers at a Fiskars’ lunch were all doing Instagram stories, I tried it too. I’m not very good at it, though, so follow Hannah Bullivant’s Instagram   or Julia Rebaudo on Stylonylon to see it done well.

Canapes at the Ham Yard Hotel for the Monty Don Down to Earth book launch. But the Instagram shot of us all photographing the canapes was much more fun!

Above all, it’s enormous fun to talk to people who do the things you do, and who understand the frustrations you may have.

Do joined-up social media thinking

Connect your social media channels and your blog in a joined-up way. Because we’re all so busy, that means working out a formula so that you don’t forget anything. It helps enormously if your blog name is also your Twitter name, the name of your Facebook Page, your Pinterest Page and so on. It should all lead back to your blog, and your blog should connect out to your social media wherever possible.

So every post gets a Pin (made with Canva.com). I also now include a YouTube video, where relevant. I’ll tweet the post several times, and put it on the Middlesized Garden Facebook Page once. I don’t personally find Instagram gets me a lot of readers, but I know other garden bloggers do. For successful Instagrammers, look at the Anxious Gardener, Higgledygarden,  Mr Plant Geek

I looked at lots of other blogs to see how they were positioning their Pins. Some bloggers were putting a Pin near the beginning of the post, with the words ‘No time to read now? Pin for later.’

This seemed like good advice, but a bit distracting. I imagined everyone pinning for later and never reading the post. Then I spotted that Catherine from Growing Family puts her ‘Pin for later’ at the end of the post, which seemed to make much more sense.  So I do that now, although I call it ‘Pin for reference’ as that’s how I think of Pins. Thank you, Catherine.

Best blogging tips – always enter awards

If you’re not in it, you can’t win it. Don’t wait for the perfect post or the magic number of readers. Just do it. The fact is that most people who enter awards don’t win, however wonderful they or their blogs are. Never enter an award with any expectation of winning. But, suddenly, you’ll find yourself short-listed when you least expect it.

From right: Garden Journalist of the Year 2017 finalists: Nick Bailey (winner), Annie Green-Armytage, me, Stephanie Mahon (Property Trade Press finalist) and Barbara Segall

This year, I was a finalist in the Property Press Awards Garden Journalist of the Year. As the other finalists were Monty Don, Joe Swift, Caroline Donald, Nick Bailey, Veronica Peerless, Annie Green Armytage and Barbara Segall, I didn’t expect to win, but it was huge fun to be short-listed alongside such names. Nick Bailey won it, and we all had another glass of champagne.

I did win one award this year, though, The Kent Creative Live Award for publishing, which I co-won with Faversham Life, a beautiful online magazine about Faversham.

And I’m nominated for UK Blog Awards 2018, so if you could bear to vote for me, I’d be extremely grateful. It’s in the Lifestyle section, which is usually dominated by homes and interiors blogs, so it would be great to see gardening get something. You could vote for Agents of Field, too, who are also nominated. Let’s get two gardening blogs up there! I’m tired of gardening playing second fiddle to homes/interiors/fashion.

Practice video…

All the pundits say that video is going to get bigger and bigger. Like many people, I’ve never been comfortable with seeing myself in photos or on screen, so initially I thought this would stop me vlogging (video blogging).

However, as with everything, it’s just a matter of practice. I’ve been working on the Middlesized Garden’s YouTube channel this year. Video definitely does offer an extra dimension to blogging. And the only way to get over feeling self-conscious in photos and video is try, try and try again. YouTube have lots of excellent video-making advice available free on YouTube Creator Academy.

And when I went to Britmums BML17, there was an excellent session given by YouTube experts. One of their best blogging tips was to do a video ‘challenge’, such as Vlogmas. Vlogmas means uploading a video every day in December, or until Christmas. I’m doing Vlogmas this year, and it’s very time-consuming. But it’s also exciting, and I’m learning so much. The videos are far from perfect, but that’s the whole point. See below for the latest one!

Vlogmas 8 – turn your photos into Christmas cards…

So what are your best blogging tips from the year? Let me know, either in the comments below or on Twitter or Facebook.

Pin for reference:

   The post The best blogging tips of the year…. appeared first on The Middle-Sized Garden.

from The Middle-Sized Garden http://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/best-blogging-tips-year/

[houstonphotojourney]

(Above:  @treesmcgee)

What’s better on a hot, Houston day than being in cool air conditioning? Seeing great art with the A/C blowing! Here is a little overview of my visit to Sawyer Yards last “Second Saturdays”…. guess it’s art week here at Houston Photo Journey 🙂 ! It was just such a treat for the eyes and imagination that I had to take you with me!!!

Entering the Silver Street Studios Parking area (#Verny)

Fotofest had numerous artists featured throughout the gallery halls.  (Left to Right) Yen Pham, Helen Nguyen and Sarah Ansell – thanks for your helpful answers ladies!

Art of any imaginable sort was there!

I really enjoyed this piece by Martin Schoeller

These ladies were hilarious and just all around fun! From the Houston Contemporary Arts Museum, (left to right) Ms. Adrianna Benavides and Ms. Ryah Barazi.

I mentioned to a nearby man how cool and different I thought these butterflies were – turns out I was speaking directly to the artist! Mr. Sam Steph – what a nice guy, so down to earth and easy to talk to!!  I wish I had a 3-D camera to capture the detail – great pieces!!! They are all very unique and just gorgeous.  I’m always drawn to conversational pieces and these certainly checked off that box! You can envision Sam Steph’s artwork in so many diverse settings!! 

Sam grew up in a small West Texas town, where the stark, picturesque surroundings fostered an appreciation for shape and form. His interest in design prompted him to study architecture at Texas Tech University.

Opportunities in the fashion industry lead Sam to travel and work in exotic locations and experience other cultures. His travels to Japan and Asia were to be of specific influence on his evolution as an artist. This exposure drew him to make the diverse urban setting of Houston Texas his home.

His techniques in woodworking and furniture-making are evident in his abstract creations.

“Reconstruction” is a word I’ve used to describe my style. As a child I was always taking things apart and rearranging them to suit my sensibility.”

To see more of Mr. Steph’s artwork visit www.artofsamsteph.com or via email at samsteph@me.com 

Sadly, I didn’t get this gentlemen’s name who was showing everyone how to play these instruments

I met T. Haven Morse, (pen name) – “a multi-genre writer of writer with a focus on writing poetry, stories, articles and essays that speak to the heart of readers” while visiting Mr. John Bernhard’s studio.  Can’t wait to read Flooded By!  Ms. Jody T. Morse additionally, is a Boutique Publisher at www.BountifulBalconyBooks.com

“I love artistic collaboration, that’s why I chose cover art for “Flooded By” from an artist I know, love, and wanted to celebrate. In the future, I hope to make all of my literary endeavors mashups between artists of varied mediums: words, visual arts, performing arts, and more. We, artists, have to stick together.” –  T. Haven Morse/Jody T. Morse

Please be sure to visit and learn more about Ms. Morse on her Amazon Author page, You can also read (listen to really :), this raw, real story I believe you will all enjoy as much as yours truly did at Winning Short Story: TEARS FOR MY BABY SISTER by Jody T. Morse.  “When in our twenties, my sister and I led very different lives. For instance, while I resided in Germany and toured Europe with a dance company, she happened to be a resident of the Kentucky State Penitentiary – for running a crystal meth lab. This story is of the first time I visited her in prison – how I felt and who we both were in that moment. This piece is about the triumph of sisterly love.”  (Source:  https://novelwritingfestival.com)

I was so tickled when Ms. Adrianna Benavides (left), hunted me down to give me a cute button pin she made using my business card! Thanks Adrianna!!! I’m rockin’ my button pin! 🙂 

Mixed Media Artist, Adriana LoRusso of Silver Street Studio #326 at 2000 Edwards Street, Houston, TX 77007 @alorusso in front of her latest piece titled “Journey”.

I don’t think I met a rude person the entire day and Ms. LoRusso was certainly no exception.  She has that same vibrance to her personality as her art! Doesn’t her art just make you happy??!

Ana Archer, Abstract Artist

Ms. Ana Archer’s art is wild, vivid and fun! I’m a big fan of bold colors!  Be sure to check out her website for a cool slideshow of her work!

I think her color choices are beautiful!

Ana Archer’s Studio (#323 of Silver Street Studios at 2000 Edwards St., Houston, TX 77007)

Lily Gavalas, Acrylic Artist in Studio #119 of Silver Street Studios was simply enjoying playing her piano as I entered her studio full of adorable painted pet portraits and more. 

Lily says, “My rule for my art is that the style and execution should capture the inner life, personality, or mood of the subject.” (Source:  lilygavalas.com)

I certainly wasn’t alone in my art stroll but it was never uncomfortably packed!

  Hoooo (ha!) doesn’t love Owls?!

Loved this mural!

Great shadow on the mural too!

Art was everywhere! @treesmcgee

Time to go now but “stay tuned” for more! Thanks so much for stopping over!!!

Elizabeth and Max

P.S. Just my own opinions, haven’t been paid, etc. for reviewing, or whatever 🙂 Never met these artist before, just happy I did 🙂 ,,, I MUST work on disclaimer etiquette! 🙂 The ad you see at the bottom, I offered to place on my blog free as I believe Houston needs a magazine like this one (more on that later).

Max

  Houston’s Art Scene Comes Together (Above:  @treesmcgee) What's better on a hot, Houston day than being in cool air conditioning? Seeing great art with the A/C blowing!

[mediacalling]

127 Time-Saving Keyboard Shortcuts for Social Media Marketers

I used to think the few seconds I save by using keyboard shortcuts are not useful. I mean, what can I do with those few seconds?

A lot, it seems…

A few seconds here and there can add up. And according to Brainscape, you can save up to eight workdays per year! Just by using shortcuts—enough time for a long vacation.

Being a social media marketer, you spend a lot of time on the various social media platforms and your favorite social media tools. Often repeating the same actions: Like, reply, and more.

Let’s help you save your eight precious days every year with these social media keyboard shortcuts.

Top Social Media Keyboard Shortcuts to Save You Time

Here’re all the social media platforms and tools we’ll cover in this blog post. Click on the respective bullet point to jump to the platform or tool you’re interested in:

Social media platforms

Facebook

Messenger

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram (mobile app shortcuts)

Pinterest (mobile app shortcuts)

Google+

YouTube

Medium

Tumblr

Tools

Buffer

Respond

Feedly

Pocket

Canva

Trello

One Keyboard Shortcut to Rule Them All

I struggle to remember all the keyboard shortcuts since different platforms and tools tend to have different keyboard shortcuts (even for similar actions such as Liking a post).

Fortunately, many platforms and tools have a keyboard shortcut to show all the keyboard shortcuts! If there’s one to remember, this is it.

“?” or Shift + /

Facebook Keyboard Shortcuts

Facebook keyboard shortcuts differ by computer operating system and by browser:

Chrome for PC: Alt + #

Firefox for PC: Shift + Alt + #

Internet Explorer for PC: Alt + #, then Enter

Chrome, Safari, and Firefox for Mac: Ctrl + Opt + #

Replace # with the following numbers to access the respective features or pages on Facebook. For example, Alt + 1 will bring you to your Facebook home page on Chrome on a PC.

0 – Help

1 – Home

2 – Timeline

3 – Friends

4 – Inbox

5 – Notifications

6 – Settings

7 – Activity Log

8 – About

9 – Terms

Here’re a few more keyboard shortcuts for actions you might regularly take:

j or k – Scroll down or up between News Feed stories

Enter – See more of the selected story

p – Post a new status

l – Like or unlike the selected story

c – Comment on the selected story

s – Share the selected story

o – Open the link or expand the photo from the selected story

/ – Search

To see the full list of keyboard shortcuts, type “?” on any Facebook page.

[Back to navigation]

Messenger Keyboard Shortcuts

Increasingly, more businesses are using Messenger to provide social customer support. Being able to speed up your workflow allows you to reply your customers faster. The only keyboard shortcut for Messenger seems to this:

Opt + Up arrow or Down arrow / Alt + Up arrow or Down arrow – Jump to the conversation above or below

If you want to enhance your Messenger workflow, Allen Guo has developed a Chrome extension and a Firefox add-on, which adds several useful keyboard shortcuts to the Messenger web app (i.e. messenger.com).

Here’re two handy ones to know:

Opt + Shift + (number) / Alt + Shift + (number) – Jump to the X-th conversation from the top (e.g. Opt + Shift + 3 brings you to the third conversation from the top)

Opt + Shift + q / Alt + Shift + q – Search

[Back to navigation]

Twitter Keyboard Shortcuts

Hop to different Twitter pages with these keyboard shortcuts:

g + h – Home

g + n – Notifications

g + r – Mentions

g + p – Profile

g + l – Likes

g + i – Lists

g + m – Messages

g + s – Settings

g + u – Go to user…

Here’re a few more keyboard shortcuts for actions you might regularly take:

n – New tweets

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Send tweets

j or k – Next or previous tweet

l – Like

r – Reply

t – Retweet

m – Direct message

Enter – Open tweet details

o – Expand photo

/ – Search

To see the full list of keyboard shortcuts, type “?” on any Twitter page.

[Back to navigation]

LinkedIn Keyboard Shortcuts

It seems that LinkedIn does not have keyboard shortcuts for navigation and actions. But here’re two browser shortcuts you can use when commenting on a post:

Tab + Enter – Add an image

Tab + Tab + Enter – Post your comment

Do you know of any other handy LinkedIn keyboard shortcuts? Share them in the comments.

[Back to navigation]

Instagram App Shortcuts

While Instagram doesn’t have any keyboard shortcuts, it has some shortcuts for its mobile app.

Tap and hold a post in grid view in Search & Explore or on a profile – Expand the post (then swipe up to like the post, view the profile, or send the post as a message)

Tap and hold a profile or hashtag on your feed – Get a preview of the recent posts (then swipe up to view the profile, turn post notifications on, or send the profile or hashtag as a message)

Give the app icon a firm press – Get shortcuts to create a new post, view activities or direct messages, search, and more (only for iPhone 6s or later)

[Back to navigation]

Pinterest App Shortcuts

Pinterest also doesn’t have any keyboard shortcuts but if you use Pinterest on your mobile phone (iPhone 6s or later, Android 7.1 or higher), give the app icon a firm press and you’ll see four Pinterest shortcuts.

Lens – Find pins related to anything you snap (only available to users with the Lens feature)

Explore – See the trending ideas for the day

Saved – Jump right to the ideas you saved

Search – Search for ideas on Pinterest

For Android users, you can even move the shortcuts onto your home screen by tapping and dragging the shortcut over.

[Back to navigation]

Google+ Keyboard Shortcuts

Google+ uses a few different keyboard shortcuts from most social media platforms for common actions such as comment and +1 (or Like). Just type “?” on most Google+ pages when you want to see the keyboard shortcuts.

j or k – Next or previous post

/ – Search

c – Create a new post

r – Comment on selected post

s – Share selected post

v – View attachment on selected post

+ – Add or remove a +1 on the selected post

Here’s a little bonus: Google+ might be the only major social media platform where you can style your text with markdown.

– (dash before and after the text) – Strikethrough

* (asterisks before and after the text) – Bold

_ (underscore before and after the text) – Italics

[Back to navigation]

YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts

YouTube has over 30 keyboard shortcuts. Here’re the few you might use most often:

k or Spacebar – Play or pause video

Left arrow or j – Go back 5 or 10 seconds

Right arrow or l – Go forward 5 or 10 seconds

1 to 9 – Skip to X0 percent of the video (e.g. 5 skips to 50 percent of the video)

0 – Restart video

> or < – Speed up or slow down the video

Shift + n or p – Next or previous video in the playlist

c – Turn captions on or off

If you would like to learn all the keyboard shortcuts, Hong Kiat has compiled a great list on its site.

[Back to navigation]

Medium Keyboard Shortcuts

Medium does not have keyboard shortcuts for navigation but its keyboard shortcuts for editing and formatting can save you quite some time!

Here’re a few notable ones:

Cmd + k / Ctrl + k – Add a link (works for images, too)

Cmd + Alt + 5 / Ctrl + Alt + 5 – Block quote (press again for a pull quote)

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Add a separator

t + k – Leave a TK reminder

Cmd + Alt + 8 / Ctrl + Alt + 8 / Shift + f – Set image as featured image

Opt + Click / Alt + Click – Set focal point on featured image (which will be taken into account when the image is cropped on the feed)

` + ` + ` – Add a code block

To see the keyboard shortcuts while you are writing your Medium post, hit Cmd + ? or Ctrl + ?.

[Back to navigation]

Tumblr Keyboard Shortcuts

Tumblr has keyboard shortcuts for navigation, posting, and composing (such as inserting a GIF ). Type “?” on your Tumblr dashboard to pull out the list of keyboard shortcuts.

Here’re a few you might use more frequently:

j or k – Next or previous post

l – Like a post

s – Share a post

n – View a post’s notes

Enter – Open a post’s blog

/ – Search

Opt + c / Alt + c – Compose a new post

Opt + r / Alt + r – Reblog a post

Opt + e / Alt + e – Add a post to your queue

Oh, and of course,

Cmd + Shift + g / Ctrl + Shift + g – Insert GIF

Tumblr keyboard shortcuts also work on its mobile app if you have a Bluetooth keyboard connected to your mobile device.

[Back to navigation]

Buffer Keyboard Shortcuts

We also have some nifty keyboard shortcuts for the Buffer app and browser extension to help you speed up your social media sharing and management.

Opt + (number) / Alt + (number) – Switch between your connected profiles in the Buffer dashboard

Opt + b / Alt + b – Open the Buffer browser extension if you have it installed

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Add updates to your Buffer queue

You can customize the keyboard shortcut for opening the browser extension in your browser extension settings. For example, for Chrome, go to Settings > Extensions > Options (under Buffer).

[Back to navigation]

Respond Keyboard Shortcuts

We built Respond to help you engage with your social media fans more effectively. Naturally, we included many keyboard shortcuts to help you zoom through your social media conversations. (This is the secret to our fast responses during #bufferchat!)

Here’re the few shortcuts that I use regularly:

g + o – Go to team inbox

g + m – Go to mine (conversations assigned to you)

f – Like a tweet or Facebook comment

w – Follow user

e – Archive conversation

Enter – Focus on the composer

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Send reply, archive conversation, and move to the next conversation

Cmd + Shift + Enter / Ctrl + Shift + Enter – Send reply and stay in the conversation

: – Insert emoji (e.g. :smile:)

You can see the full list of keyboard shortcuts here or from the app (Help > Keyboard Shortcuts).

[Back to navigation]

Feedly Keyboard Shortcuts

Feedly is my go-to tool for staying up to date with industry news. Learning its keyboard shortcuts allowed me to quickly navigate around my Feedly dashboard and catch up on the blogs I’m following.

Here’re the few I found very useful:

g + g – Search and navigate to a particular feed or source

g + f – Go to Favourites feed

g + l – Go to Read later feed

n or p – Next or previous story

o – Open or close currently selected story

v – Open original in a new tab

x – Mark as read and hide

[Back to navigation]

Pocket Keyboard Shortcuts

Pocket is one of our favorite content curation tools, and I found out that it also has several keyboard shortcuts to help me navigate and find the articles and videos I want quickly.

Here’re the ones I like:

g + l or f or a – Switch to My List, Favorites, or Archive

g + r or v or i – Filter by articles, videos, or images

g + s – Search

j or k – Next or previous item

a – Archive the selected item

f – Favorite the selected item

o – Open the original of selected item in a new tab

[Back to navigation]

Canva Keyboard Shortcuts

We use and recommend Canva regularly because it’s easy and quick for creating social media graphics. With its keyboard shortcuts, you can reduce the time you take to create graphics even further.

Here’re a few handy ones to know:

t – Add a text

Opt + Shift + b / Alt + Shift + b – Add border around your text box

Cmd + Shift + k / Ctrl + Shift + k – Transform your text to uppercase

Cmd + Shift + l or r or c / Ctrl + Shift + l or r or c – Left or right or center align your text

Cmd + g / Ctrl + g – Group elements (Add Shift to ungroup)

Cmd + Click / Ctrl + Click – Select elements behind other elements

Cmd + Up arrow or Down arrow / Ctrl + Up arrow or Down arrow – Move an element in front of or behind other elements

Cmd + ; / Ctrl + ; – Turn grid lines on or off

Canva provides tutorials where you can learn and practice the most useful keyboard shortcuts.

[Back to navigation]

Trello Keyboard Shortcuts

Trello is a great tool for managing your social media schedule (and a tool we heavily rely on in the marketing team). While Trello is already easy to use, knowing the keyboard shortcuts can help you quickly create, change, and archive your cards.

Hover over a card to use the respective shortcuts on the card.

e – Open quick edit mode (for changing the title, labels, members, and more)

l – Open labels option

c – Archive the card

d – Set or change due date

f – Open card filter menu

, or . – Move the card to the bottom of the list on the left or right

< or > – Move the card to the top of the list on the left or right

[Back to navigation]

What are your favorite keyboard shortcuts?

With so many keyboard shortcuts available on all the social media platforms and tools, I’m sure you have found several that you love and use regularly.

Which are the ones that you use most often or the ones that save you the most time?

—

Image credit: Unsplash, Tumblr, MacRumors, and Hong Kiat

127 Time-Saving Keyboard Shortcuts for Social Media Marketers posted first on http://ift.tt/2qbaJ0t

[mariemary1]

127 Time-Saving Keyboard Shortcuts for Social Media Marketers

I used to think the few seconds I save by using keyboard shortcuts are not useful. I mean, what can I do with those few seconds?

A lot, it seems…

A few seconds here and there can add up. And according to Brainscape, you can save up to eight workdays per year! Just by using shortcuts—enough time for a long vacation.

Being a social media marketer, you spend a lot of time on the various social media platforms and your favorite social media tools. Often repeating the same actions: Like, reply, and more.

Let’s help you save your eight precious days every year with these social media keyboard shortcuts.

Top Social Media Keyboard Shortcuts to Save You Time

Here’re all the social media platforms and tools we’ll cover in this blog post. Click on the respective bullet point to jump to the platform or tool you’re interested in:

Social media platforms

Facebook

Messenger

Twitter

LinkedIn

Instagram (mobile app shortcuts)

Pinterest (mobile app shortcuts)

Google+

YouTube

Medium

Tumblr

Tools

Buffer

Respond

Feedly

Pocket

Canva

Trello

One Keyboard Shortcut to Rule Them All

I struggle to remember all the keyboard shortcuts since different platforms and tools tend to have different keyboard shortcuts (even for similar actions such as Liking a post).

Fortunately, many platforms and tools have a keyboard shortcut to show all the keyboard shortcuts! If there’s one to remember, this is it.

“?” or Shift + /

Facebook Keyboard Shortcuts

Facebook keyboard shortcuts differ by computer operating system and by browser:

Chrome for PC: Alt + #

Firefox for PC: Shift + Alt + #

Internet Explorer for PC: Alt + #, then Enter

Chrome, Safari, and Firefox for Mac: Ctrl + Opt + #

Replace # with the following numbers to access the respective features or pages on Facebook. For example, Alt + 1 will bring you to your Facebook home page on Chrome on a PC.

0 – Help

1 – Home

2 – Timeline

3 – Friends

4 – Inbox

5 – Notifications

6 – Settings

7 – Activity Log

8 – About

9 – Terms

Here’re a few more keyboard shortcuts for actions you might regularly take:

j or k – Scroll down or up between News Feed stories

Enter – See more of the selected story

p – Post a new status

l – Like or unlike the selected story

c – Comment on the selected story

s – Share the selected story

o – Open the link or expand the photo from the selected story

/ – Search

To see the full list of keyboard shortcuts, type “?” on any Facebook page.

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Messenger Keyboard Shortcuts

Increasingly, more businesses are using Messenger to provide social customer support. Being able to speed up your workflow allows you to reply your customers faster. The only keyboard shortcut for Messenger seems to this:

Opt + Up arrow or Down arrow / Alt + Up arrow or Down arrow – Jump to the conversation above or below

If you want to enhance your Messenger workflow, Allen Guo has developed a Chrome extension and a Firefox add-on, which adds several useful keyboard shortcuts to the Messenger web app (i.e. messenger.com).

Here’re two handy ones to know:

Opt + Shift + (number) / Alt + Shift + (number) – Jump to the X-th conversation from the top (e.g. Opt + Shift + 3 brings you to the third conversation from the top)

Opt + Shift + q / Alt + Shift + q – Search

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Twitter Keyboard Shortcuts

Hop to different Twitter pages with these keyboard shortcuts:

g + h – Home

g + n – Notifications

g + r – Mentions

g + p – Profile

g + l – Likes

g + i – Lists

g + m – Messages

g + s – Settings

g + u – Go to user…

Here’re a few more keyboard shortcuts for actions you might regularly take:

n – New tweets

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Send tweets

j or k – Next or previous tweet

l – Like

r – Reply

t – Retweet

m – Direct message

Enter – Open tweet details

o – Expand photo

/ – Search

To see the full list of keyboard shortcuts, type “?” on any Twitter page.

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LinkedIn Keyboard Shortcuts

It seems that LinkedIn does not have keyboard shortcuts for navigation and actions. But here’re two browser shortcuts you can use when commenting on a post:

Tab + Enter – Add an image

Tab + Tab + Enter – Post your comment

Do you know of any other handy LinkedIn keyboard shortcuts? Share them in the comments.

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Instagram App Shortcuts

While Instagram doesn’t have any keyboard shortcuts, it has some shortcuts for its mobile app.

Tap and hold a post in grid view in Search & Explore or on a profile – Expand the post (then swipe up to like the post, view the profile, or send the post as a message)

Tap and hold a profile or hashtag on your feed – Get a preview of the recent posts (then swipe up to view the profile, turn post notifications on, or send the profile or hashtag as a message)

Give the app icon a firm press – Get shortcuts to create a new post, view activities or direct messages, search, and more (only for iPhone 6s or later)

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Pinterest App Shortcuts

Pinterest also doesn’t have any keyboard shortcuts but if you use Pinterest on your mobile phone (iPhone 6s or later, Android 7.1 or higher), give the app icon a firm press and you’ll see four Pinterest shortcuts.

Lens – Find pins related to anything you snap (only available to users with the Lens feature)

Explore – See the trending ideas for the day

Saved – Jump right to the ideas you saved

Search – Search for ideas on Pinterest

For Android users, you can even move the shortcuts onto your home screen by tapping and dragging the shortcut over.

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Google+ Keyboard Shortcuts

Google+ uses a few different keyboard shortcuts from most social media platforms for common actions such as comment and +1 (or Like). Just type “?” on most Google+ pages when you want to see the keyboard shortcuts.

j or k – Next or previous post

/ – Search

c – Create a new post

r – Comment on selected post

s – Share selected post

v – View attachment on selected post

+ – Add or remove a +1 on the selected post

Here’s a little bonus: Google+ might be the only major social media platform where you can style your text with markdown.

– (dash before and after the text) – Strikethrough

* (asterisks before and after the text) – Bold

_ (underscore before and after the text) – Italics

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YouTube Keyboard Shortcuts

YouTube has over 30 keyboard shortcuts. Here’re the few you might use most often:

k or Spacebar – Play or pause video

Left arrow or j – Go back 5 or 10 seconds

Right arrow or l – Go forward 5 or 10 seconds

1 to 9 – Skip to X0 percent of the video (e.g. 5 skips to 50 percent of the video)

0 – Restart video

> or < – Speed up or slow down the video

Shift + n or p – Next or previous video in the playlist

c – Turn captions on or off

If you would like to learn all the keyboard shortcuts, Hong Kiat has compiled a great list on its site.

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Medium Keyboard Shortcuts

Medium does not have keyboard shortcuts for navigation but its keyboard shortcuts for editing and formatting can save you quite some time!

Here’re a few notable ones:

Cmd + k / Ctrl + k – Add a link (works for images, too)

Cmd + Alt + 5 / Ctrl + Alt + 5 – Block quote (press again for a pull quote)

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Add a separator

t + k – Leave a TK reminder

Cmd + Alt + 8 / Ctrl + Alt + 8 / Shift + f – Set image as featured image

Opt + Click / Alt + Click – Set focal point on featured image (which will be taken into account when the image is cropped on the feed)

` + ` + ` – Add a code block

To see the keyboard shortcuts while you are writing your Medium post, hit Cmd + ? or Ctrl + ?.

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Tumblr Keyboard Shortcuts

Tumblr has keyboard shortcuts for navigation, posting, and composing (such as inserting a GIF ). Type “?” on your Tumblr dashboard to pull out the list of keyboard shortcuts.

Here’re a few you might use more frequently:

j or k – Next or previous post

l – Like a post

s – Share a post

n – View a post’s notes

Enter – Open a post’s blog

/ – Search

Opt + c / Alt + c – Compose a new post

Opt + r / Alt + r – Reblog a post

Opt + e / Alt + e – Add a post to your queue

Oh, and of course,

Cmd + Shift + g / Ctrl + Shift + g – Insert GIF

Tumblr keyboard shortcuts also work on its mobile app if you have a Bluetooth keyboard connected to your mobile device.

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Buffer Keyboard Shortcuts

We also have some nifty keyboard shortcuts for the Buffer app and browser extension to help you speed up your social media sharing and management.

Opt + (number) / Alt + (number) – Switch between your connected profiles in the Buffer dashboard

Opt + b / Alt + b – Open the Buffer browser extension if you have it installed

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Add updates to your Buffer queue

You can customize the keyboard shortcut for opening the browser extension in your browser extension settings. For example, for Chrome, go to Settings > Extensions > Options (under Buffer).

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Respond Keyboard Shortcuts

We built Respond to help you engage with your social media fans more effectively. Naturally, we included many keyboard shortcuts to help you zoom through your social media conversations. (This is the secret to our fast responses during #bufferchat!)

Here’re the few shortcuts that I use regularly:

g + o – Go to team inbox

g + m – Go to mine (conversations assigned to you)

f – Like a tweet or Facebook comment

w – Follow user

e – Archive conversation

Enter – Focus on the composer

Cmd + Enter / Ctrl + Enter – Send reply, archive conversation, and move to the next conversation

Cmd + Shift + Enter / Ctrl + Shift + Enter – Send reply and stay in the conversation

: – Insert emoji (e.g. :smile:)

You can see the full list of keyboard shortcuts here or from the app (Help > Keyboard Shortcuts).

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Feedly Keyboard Shortcuts

Feedly is my go-to tool for staying up to date with industry news. Learning its keyboard shortcuts allowed me to quickly navigate around my Feedly dashboard and catch up on the blogs I’m following.

Here’re the few I found very useful:

g + g – Search and navigate to a particular feed or source

g + f – Go to Favourites feed

g + l – Go to Read later feed

n or p – Next or previous story

o – Open or close currently selected story

v – Open original in a new tab

x – Mark as read and hide

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Pocket Keyboard Shortcuts

Pocket is one of our favorite content curation tools, and I found out that it also has several keyboard shortcuts to help me navigate and find the articles and videos I want quickly.

Here’re the ones I like:

g + l or f or a – Switch to My List, Favorites, or Archive

g + r or v or i – Filter by articles, videos, or images

g + s – Search

j or k – Next or previous item

a – Archive the selected item

f – Favorite the selected item

o – Open the original of selected item in a new tab

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Canva Keyboard Shortcuts

We use and recommend Canva regularly because it’s easy and quick for creating social media graphics. With its keyboard shortcuts, you can reduce the time you take to create graphics even further.

Here’re a few handy ones to know:

t – Add a text

Opt + Shift + b / Alt + Shift + b – Add border around your text box

Cmd + Shift + k / Ctrl + Shift + k – Transform your text to uppercase

Cmd + Shift + l or r or c / Ctrl + Shift + l or r or c – Left or right or center align your text

Cmd + g / Ctrl + g – Group elements (Add Shift to ungroup)

Cmd + Click / Ctrl + Click – Select elements behind other elements

Cmd + Up arrow or Down arrow / Ctrl + Up arrow or Down arrow – Move an element in front of or behind other elements

Cmd + ; / Ctrl + ; – Turn grid lines on or off

Canva provides tutorials where you can learn and practice the most useful keyboard shortcuts.

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Trello Keyboard Shortcuts

Trello is a great tool for managing your social media schedule (and a tool we heavily rely on in the marketing team). While Trello is already easy to use, knowing the keyboard shortcuts can help you quickly create, change, and archive your cards.

Hover over a card to use the respective shortcuts on the card.

e – Open quick edit mode (for changing the title, labels, members, and more)

l – Open labels option

c – Archive the card

d – Set or change due date

f – Open card filter menu

, or . – Move the card to the bottom of the list on the left or right

< or > – Move the card to the top of the list on the left or right

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What are your favorite keyboard shortcuts?

With so many keyboard shortcuts available on all the social media platforms and tools, I’m sure you have found several that you love and use regularly.

Which are the ones that you use most often or the ones that save you the most time?

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Image credit: Unsplash, Tumblr, MacRumors, and Hong Kiat

Thank 127 Time-Saving Keyboard Shortcuts for Social Media Marketers for first publishing this post.