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thehiddenbaroness · 3 months

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15 People, 15 Questions

I was tagged by @plumcoloredblazer -- sorry it took me a hot minute to get to it! I appreciate it. <3

1. Are you named after anyone?

I've long disliked that none of my names are 'mine', in that both my first and middle names are from other people -- my first is my maternal grandfather's middle name (which he also sorta went by), while my middle name is my mother's middle name (which she went by when we moved to the UK).

2. When was the last time you cried?

I had a few frustrated tears over the weekend, but it's rare nowadays that I actually cry-cry.

3. Do you have kids?

I do not, unless you count the two fur-babies. No intention to.

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

I played field (read: astroturf) hockey for a few years in middle school; before that, I was a dancer (yes I count dance as a sport). Lately I'm not really a sporty type but I am getting more active.

5. Do you use sarcasm?

Moi?

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

Usually what comes out of their mouth, but also how they carry themselves -- do they look interested in where they are? Are they engaged with what's at hand? Do they have good posture? Are they trying to shrink into themselves? Are they oblivious to being in someone's way? Are they close to the gap?

7. What’s your eye color?

Dark brown.

8. Scary movies or happy endings?

Err...I hesitate to say neither, because while I don't like scary movies and don't *dislike* a happy ending, movies with ambiguous/bittersweet or even tragic endings are typically the ones I've enjoyed more.

9. Any talents?

Writing, I'd like to think. I'm organized and efficient. I have a deep well of empathy and understanding and feel like I'm good at helping folks wrestle with life's troubles. I'm a spice sorceress.

10. Where were you born?

Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

11. What are your hobbies?

Writing (who knew?), history (especially art and natural, and archeology), reading, word games, languages, organizing and decorating, gaming somewhat, jigsaw puzzles, travel.

12. Do you have any pets?

We have two! Molly, our sensitive and loving Shepinois (German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois mix), and Penny, our eccentric and brave gray/peach dilute calico shorthair.

13. How tall are you?

A delightfully average 5'4; as my mother used to say, at least I don't have to bend down as far if I drop something.

14. Favorite subject in school?

I actually had a love/hate relationship with English since it was the one I was most invested in, but I liked it the most because I did the best in it.

15. Dream job?

Taking this to mean more of an occupation than a *job* -- since I think if something is a job it's not especially enjoyable or rewarding -- the answer is perhaps obvious: a published fiction author. But really, I want to be occupied with my writing, tending our dream house in the woods, making my own salves and tinctures, reading, entertaining close friends with the finer things. I'd like to be occupied with love in its different forms, and for my time to be largely my own.

===

No pressure, those of you who I'm tagging! Just something to perhaps fill an idle few minutes. @ohtobealady, @in-a-storm-glass, @dahliasgloom, @malglories, @webedragons, @oftwodarkmoons, @lastoftheptolemies, @daughter-rhaenyra, @karrova, @ofallingstar, @marrogerson, @naryamirie, @aryasnow, @modernamericangirl, @saffron-mantled-dawn

#scrapsofbiography #tag game

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thehiddenbaroness · 7 months

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Three: Songs, Books, and Movies

Thank you again, @daughter-rhaenyra! <3

Songs

+ River, by Anonymouz + The Real Warrior, by Yutaka Yamada (from the Vinland Saga Season 1 OST -- genuinely a beautiful cello piece) + Gospel of the Throttle, by Minutes to Midnight

Books

+ The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng + Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury + The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

Movies

+ The Last of the Mohicans (1992, Michael Mann) + Dune (2021, Dennis Villeneuve) + The Deer King (2022, Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyagi)

I tag: @ohtobealady, @in-a-storm-glass, @ofallingstar, @dahliasgloom, @plumcoloredblazer, @aryasnow, @malglories, @karrova, @naryamirie, @saffron-mantled-dawn, @oftwodarkmoons, @motorradfahrerin, and @lastoftheptolemies. No pressure! And if I missed you it wasn't intentional -- consider yourselves tagged!

#scrapsofbiography

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thehiddenbaroness · 9 months

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Getting to Know You

I was tagged by the incredibly sweet @yelena-belxva -- thank you darling! It's been a long time since I've done one of these. I in turn tag: @ohtobealady, @malglories, @dahliasgloom, @plumcoloredblazer, @juniperajar, @aryasnow, @saffron-mantled-dawn, @oftwodarkmoons, @karrova, @ofallingstar, @lastoftheptolemies, and @webedragons! But don't feel obliged! BOLD WHAT APPLIES TO YOU!

APPEARANCE

i’m over 5’5” // i wear glasses/contacts // i have blonde hair // i prefer loose clothing to tight clothing // i have one or more piercings // i have at least one tattoo // i have blue eyes // i have dyed or highlighted my hair // i have gotten plastic surgery // i have or had braces // i sunburn easily // i have freckles // i paint my nails // i typically wear make-up // i don’t often smile // i am pleased with how i look // i prefer nike to adidas // i wear baseball hats backwards

HOBBIES AND TALENTS

i play a sport // i can play an instrument // i am artistic // i know more than one language // i have won a trophy in some sort of competition // i can cook or bake without a recipe // i know how to swim // i enjoy writing // i can do origami // i prefer movies to tv shows // i can execute a perfect somersault // i enjoy singing // i could survive in the wild on my own // i have read a new book series this year // i enjoy spending time with friends // i travel during school or work breaks // i can do a handstand

RELATIONSHIP

i am in a relationship // i have been single for over a year // i have a crush // i have a best friend i have known for ten years // my parents are together // i have dated my best friend // i am adopted // my crush has confessed to me // i have a long distance relationship // i am an only child // i give advice to my friends // i have made an online friend // i met up with someone i have met online

AESTHETICS

i have heard the ocean in a conch shell // i have watched the sun rise // i enjoy rainy days // i have slept under the stars // i meditate outside // the sound of chirping calms me // i enjoy the smell of the beach // i know what snow tastes like // i listen to music to fall asleep // i enjoy thunderstorms // i enjoy cloud watching // i have attended a bonfire // i pay close attention to colours // i find mystery in the ocean // i enjoy hiking on nature paths // autumn is my favourite season

MISCELLANEOUS

i can fall asleep in a moving vehicle // i am the mom friend // i live by a certain quote // i like the smell of sharpies // i am involved in extracurricular activities // i enjoy mexican food // i can drive a stick-shift // i believe in true love // i make up scenarios to fall asleep // i sing in the shower // i wish i lived in a video game // i have a canopy above my bed // i am multiracial // i am a redhead // i own at least three dogs

#scrapsofbiography #long post #tag game

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thehiddenbaroness · 7 months

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Thank you darling @daughter-rhaenyra! <3 Instructions:

1. Do this uquiz.

2. Do this picrew.

3. Tag people.

I tag: @ohtobealady, @herewego-rosie, @modernamericangirl, @myarapoliarco, and anyone else who would like to! No pressure!

#scrapsofbiography

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thehiddenbaroness · 3 months

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saturn, gemini and mars?

Thank you, darling Anon! You're so sweet. <3

Saturn: What are the things you consider you struggle with the most? It's very difficult to get myself to do something I don't want to do, especially when it comes to Normal Adult (TM) things. This can range from the incredibly mundane, like the hoops I will jump through to avoid making a phonecall or appointment, to the grand, like determinedly tapping out of the rat race. So I guess you could say that then creates a massive category of things I struggle with if I cannot successfully avoid them, haha. Also basic math.

Gemini: Do you have a good relationship with your siblings? If you're an only child, would you like to have siblings? How many? Biologically I'm an only child and to be honest was content to be so, then I acquired a stepbrother at a young age, but we didn't grow up together full-time -- so in a sense I had enough of a taster. Beyond the normal sibling annoyances when we *were* living under the same roof when we were younger, we've always gotten along well. As it happens, recently we've come to a deeper understanding due to some bizarre behavior from our parents; it's been nice to connect as adults.

Mars: Are you the type to approach others first or do you like others to do that instead? Depending on my mood and the setting this can honestly go either way! If the other person is the 'newcomer' I'm more inclined to be the one to help them get comfy, even if it's so they feel like they have someone they can be comfortably silent with; if I'm the newcomer I'm more likely to wait to be approached (mostly because I'm unfortunately okay with being quiet and alone, haha).

Questions of Astrological Importance Done: Mars, Gemini, Saturn

#scrapsofbiography #tag game

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thehiddenbaroness · 3 months

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Jupiter, Ascendant, and 1H please :)

Thank you, darling wifey! <3

Jupiter: Do you consider yourself a lucky or unlucky person? Largely lucky, in that my misfortunes tend to lead to good things (albeit sometimes it takes a while). I don't think I'm especially lucky in the casual, roll-of-the-dice sense, though. Ascendant: Do you believe in love at first sight? As a romantic person I'm fond of the idea, but I am also a practical person so I'd actually have to say no. I do, however, think you can experience a sort of...intrigue at first sight -- like you can instantly pick up on some chemistry, or magnetism, or potential for a deeper relationship of whatever kind. Hitting it off! That's the term. 1H (First House): Describe your style. I'm gonna assume we're talking about clothes and such SO, pretending for a moment I have money to spend on these things and an average life that requires regularly going places and seeing people: jewel tones and black, with a good balance of structured and unstructured pieces, and more on the feminine, dressier side of things. I like looking elegant and put-together, and to highlight my best features without going overboard. A go-to outfit would be a knee-length A-line dress with tights, boots, and a casual blazer over the top plus a patterned scarf and dangly earrings. In summer I am rarely wearing sleeves or closed shoes. Questions of Astrological Importance Done: Mars, Saturn, Gemini, Jupiter, Ascendant, 1H

#scrapsofbiography #tag game

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thehiddenbaroness · 2 years

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Getting to Know You

(Or for some of us, a check-in on the status quo!) Tagged by @ohtobealady -- thank you darling wifey! <3

Rules: Tag 10 people you want to know better!

Favorite time of the year:

Traditionally I grow more powerful feel more like myself in autumn, but the past couple of years I have a new appreciation for spring. Winter comes close just because frankly it's more comfortable down here.

Comfort foods:

Can't go wrong with a warm meat in gravy with a starch: pasta, stews, savory pies, risotto (in a way), (lately) curries... But I also have a sweet tooth so pastries and cobblers are also up there. At a simpler level, I enjoy warm buttered bread with honey.

Do you collect anything?

I'm a collector by nature and have been my whole life, probably a trait from my mother. My collections are currently tempered by space (and not wanting to inundate the house I share with my Darling Viking more than I already have!) and money, but a few: Japanese porcelain, antique Blue Willow china, a specific pattern of Noritake Morimura, gemstones and minerals, fossils and other natural specimens (responsibly-sourced when not personally found) such as feathers, scarves, perfumes, antiques in general...

Favorite drink?

Probably very boring but I really do love water. I'm also very partial, currently, to my extra-hot caramel macchiato.

Favorite music artists:

I tend to gravitate more toward songs than individual artists, but some coincidental favorites to that end: Thomas Newman, Breaking Benjamin, The Goo Goo Dolls, Ludivico Einaudi, Simon & Garkfunkel, Hiroyuki Sawano, Linkin Park, Michelle Branch, Sash!, Yoko Kanno...

Current favorite songs:

'Midnight Moon' by Eydís Evensen ft. GDRN thanks to a concert by the pianist linked by @karrova; 'Age of Men' by Jo Wandrini because it gives me certain shippy feelz for my novel; 'Firedancer' by Rúnfell because I'm on a Valheim kick recently and it helps keep me motivated for my latest build project; 'Notorious' by Bonnie Grace for more novel work; and 'Dead Man Walking' by Jelly Roll for an added surprise, simply because it's catchy. I should also add that I'm really into Japanese-themed lo-fi lately because it helps me concentrate on my state projects.

Favorite fics:

I'll admit I don't really read much fic presently for various reasons, with the exception of my inherent bias toward @ohtobealady's ouvre, but I have immense respect for all the tireless work everyone in the Downton fandom does. I may be just a satellite to that dreamworld but y'all are amazing from out here.

I'm tagging: @aryasnow, @yelena-belxva, @elegant-moonlight, @plumcoloredblazer, @of-dahlias-gloom, @karrova, @malglories, @oftwodarkmoons, @webedragons, @insomniarama But only if you feel like it, lovelies!

#scrapsofbiography

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thehiddenbaroness · 1 year

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I posted 8,636 times in 2022

That's 867 more posts than 2021!

23 posts created (0%)

8,613 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@infected

@lastoftheptolemies

@ofallingstar

@crowcoyote

@malglories

I tagged 1,231 of my posts in 2022

#a sensible chuckle - 190 posts

#long post - 109 posts

#epicurean - 101 posts

#soapbox - 87 posts

#lingerie - 85 posts

#mineralia - 73 posts

#scrapsofbiography - 72 posts

#lotr - 50 posts

#fav - 38 posts

#weaponry - 37 posts

Longest Tag: 136 characters

#not my fandom but incredibly good points here for writers and worth the read for those of us concerned about character depth and realism

My Top Posts in 2022:

Wow, four followers short of a thousand and so close to my birthday? How unexpected and lovely! <3

Glad you're enjoying your stay and welcome to new folks!

5 notes - Posted December 1, 2022

Please spare a thought or two over the next couple of days for our newest furbaby Ariel; he's been hospitalized for some gastrointestinal problems. <3

10 notes - Posted April 5, 2022

Getting to Know You

(Or for some of us, a check-in on the status quo!) Tagged by @ohtobealady -- thank you darling wifey! <3

Rules: Tag 10 people you want to know better!

Favorite time of the year:

Comfort foods:

Do you collect anything?

Favorite drink?

Probably very boring but I really do love water. I'm also very partial, currently, to my extra-hot caramel macchiato.

Favorite music artists:

Current favorite songs:

Favorite fics:

15 notes - Posted August 22, 2022

Baroness' General Writing Tips, Part II

Part I Here's Part II of my general writing tips I've started to compile of little (and big) things I've learnt over the 20+ years I've been compulsively recreationally putting one word in front of the other; I hope it's helpful or at least reassuring!

While much of this is slanted toward fiction, a lot of it applies to nonfiction as well. I've also gone for more general tips this go round. You're welcome to pick my brain about specific topics and I'll do my best to answer.

Again, the key thing to remember is that this is what I have personally found helpful; they may have more or less degrees of usefulness or relevance to you personally, but they can still serve as starting points.

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(12) Remember that your goal is a read-worthy narrative, not a product.

Not everything you write has to be published to be considered valid. Hell, not everything you write has to see the light of day. Your writing is for you. IMO it verges on a spiritual need and whatever actualization of it brings you joy is good and right. Don't let capitalism fool you into thinking all that matters is profitability and never let any kind of numbers dictate your self-worth or smother your creative spark.

(13) Embrace whatever keeps the flow going.

Placeholders are your friends. Write the ending first or start in the middle. Write a scene as a skeletal script to fill in later. Whatever gets the job done.

(14) If you need an outline, make one. If you don't, don't...

There's a lot of documented discussion about 'types' of writer -- you may hear terms like 'gardener' versus 'architect' or the like. Don't feel like you have to fall into one category only or remain the same for the rest of your life. You may find it helpful to do in-depth planning before you even get started, or you may prefer to wing it.

I also find that different projects require different approaches, and that actually the same project can require different approaches at different stages of development. The key thing is that your skills are going to carry over regardless the more you practice them.

(15) ...but keep notes for longer projects.

However, I heartily recommend keeping notes in some shape or form -- the more organized the better -- to help with consistency in longer projects. This will save you time and frustration, trust me.

(16) Keep a writing journal/workbook.

Writing is a mental muscle and part of exercising it is in changing how you process the world. Having a journal or workbook of some kind to jot down ideas for titles, character names, new projects, scene or dialogue snippets, and so on helps your brain learn to transform raw inspiration into new narrative, making it easier to get to work when you have time to sit down and actually write.

And no, you don't need fancy writing software or expensive notebooks. There is no 'doing this properly'. If it brings you joy to have an exceedingly organized writing journal bound in Italian leather, great, as long as you don't spend more time color-coding than you do writing.

(17) Find first readers you trust...

Not everyone has access to a writing group, but at some point you will need to find your first reader. Although I recommend finding one or two people to read your first draft, they can come in at the second, third, or final draft.

At some point you've stared at the project too long and you will be biased, no matter how trained of an editor you are. Fresh eyes will help spot both big plot holes and tiny typos. Find people you trust to give you balanced criticism, rather than just fluff your feathers.

(18) ...but limit access to drafts.

Too many cooks spoil the broth. If you involve too many readers at the drafting stage, you risk losing your own instincts or saturating the work trying to make everyone happy. It can simply lengthen the writing process unnecessarily, too.

Also, remember that some of these early-stage first readers may have been better suited as finished-work first readers; a first draft may put them off from reading the end result, however much it's changed and however much they love you. Curbing your enthusiasm now may yield greater rewards later, in other words.

(19) Remember to look after your physical wellbeing.

It's tempting to romanticize the writer who shuts themselves away in an attic for a week and doesn't eat or sleep until they emerge with a polished draft -- don't do it. Look after your posture, eyes, hungers, and thirsts. Get sleep. Move around frequently. Go outside. Check in with loved ones.

(20) Self knowledge is power...

Find what environment facilitates your best work. For me it's typically isolation, appropriate music, and evenings. Also note this may differ between when you want to write and when you need to edit. Equally, find what inhibits you. For me I know I can't read sink my teeth into a TV series or novel in the same genre and write original copy at the same time. I also find it hard to concentrate when I have paid projects on the books or my house needs cleaning.

(21) ...but accept that part of learning the discipline is being able to work in imperfect conditions.

See #2. By the time you found the right music for that one scene, you could have written the damn scene and half of the next. Often, we will never have enough time or the right time. Learn to work with what you have.

(22) "Write what you know" is generally bullshit...

See the full post

19 notes - Posted July 24, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Baroness' General Writing Tips, Part I

I decided to finally start compiling little (and big) things I've learnt over the 20+ years I've been compulsively recreationally putting one word in front of the other; I hope it's helpful or at least reassuring!

The key thing to remember is that this is what I have personally found helpful; they may have more or less degrees of usefulness or relevance to you personally, but they can still serve as starting points. Part II

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(1) Your method is your method...

This goes for whether you plan ahead or just roll with it, but also things like when/where you write.

(2) ...but discipline and practice will help you do the heavy lifting.

At some point the difference in your personal skill plateaus is down to how often you write regardless of your mood, knowledge of where it's going, or perceived skill. Persistence will be your strongest ally during the inevitable droughts and valleys of self-doubt.

(3) Reading is good and helpful...

Read widely, read deep. Learn from the successes and mistakes of others. Learn what you want to emulate and what you want to avoid. Broaden your perspective, take note of different techniques, build your knowledge base. Train your discernment. Likewise, back-reading your own material to see where you left off can be useful if you struggle with consistency / sticking to the point. (4) ...but don't let it distract or saturate. Sometimes, back-reading your own work can scratch the itch you had to work on something and you end up not writing new material. This can happen with others' work in a related genre/field -- it scratches the itch you had for that type of content, or conversely you begin unhelpful comparisons between their work and yours.

Most of all, you will need to learn the difference between being inspired by something and mimicking it to the point of plagiarism.

(5) Learn to take a break, not to quit. If you feel a piece truly isn't working, don't let your first response be to give up on it. Put it away for a while and come back to it, then maybe try, for example, a different angle or point of view. (6) Light immersion in related media helps with burnout while still being useful. Sometimes writing isn't going to be the most helpful thing to do. You will always need to replenish your creative batteries, but sometimes this can feel like avoidance or laziness -- it isn't. Browse concept art. Sketch. Work on some worldbuilding that'll never make it in. Visit a museum. Listen to an audiobook in your genre. Watch a documentary on the same topic.

(7) Your first draft is just that -- a draft. Be open-minded and forgiving, and embrace the process. The most important thing in this stage is to get content on the page, because you can't do anything without it. Trust your gut and let the words flow how they want.

(8) There is immense opportunity in the editing process... Often the best breakthroughs come through asking questions during your editing. The answers can forge new links or callbacks, or open up new avenues for plot, or enrich what's already there. Editing isn't pass/fail -- it's a conversation. (9) ...but don't be a forever-editor. Perfectionism is the enemy. Nothing will ever be perfect to you -- accept that sooner rather than later -- but it will be perfect to someone out there. Yet they'll never see it if you don't let the project out into the world. (10) Read it aloud. No matter your experience, this will inevitably catch clunky sentences, weak pacing, and even sub-par semantics. It's very important to do this with dialogue so that it sounds natural.

(11) Accept you belong in the writerly ecosystem just as you are.

There's three aspects to this: first, that everyone feels like an imposter at some point and probably will in the future, regardless of their experience or how much they have published. Second, that there are no new ideas, but your telling will always be new. And third, that you remain a writer if you haven't written for years or struggle to jot down a sentence a week just as much as if you churn out a book a year. Don't let these things hold you back.

20 notes - Posted July 24, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #scrapsofbiography #long post

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