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ao3feed-piltovers-finest · 2 years

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Hi! A while ago you made a post with some great Violyn recs, and I bookmarked and went through and loved all of them, but I didn’t do the same with some that were in progress, so could you link them again? And then also, do you have some new recs? :)) There’s so much stuff out there right now and it’s a bit hard to sift, so unbiased suggestion for something interesting and well written would be much appreciated. I don’t really care about the length as long as it’s good, in character and hopefully canon compliant? Or anything else that stands out, really. As for ratings everything is a go, just a big NO to abo (even if we put noncon issue aside, sorry but there’s only a limited amount of blowj*bs I can take in my basic lesbian p*rn, lol) or gross monster stuff unfortunately abundant these days. Also, nothing wrong with WIPs but preferably finished stories? And TYSM. For what you’re doing there, and for all the recs, past and present! <3

Hey there! :)

First of all, thank you for your kind words, and second - apologies for a relatively tardy reply (also, if you sent this message twice by mistake, the reply's to the greyface one - in case you wanted to retain anonymity, if that's okay?) since it took a bit to compile appropriate thoughts and words for a decent response. But since below the cut you'll be able to find not only links but also (unsolicited? :) reviews, I hope it'll at least give you enough of a fix - for a while?

Now, let's start with...

That post, that I think you can still find under 'fic recs' section on the main page, there were two WIPs there, if I recall? One of them is still a fun read (the unpretentious, fun AU one that I think I tagged as my 'guilty pleasure' at the time?) and the other, well - despite having a really intense beginning it got convoluted and overly watered down half-way, and lost me. (So, no more recommending WIPs, yes - check. Lol.) But to answer your other question - in the meantime I read, loved, and would wholeheartedly recommend... hmm. Ok, since you basically gave me free range apart from the omgaverse (for which - no worries, I don't care for it either, I've seen dozens of them passing over this page, but only one well-written, with an actual interesting plot and character dynamics - but a WIP, so we might go back to that one at some later point? ;) the ONLY criteria now I guess would be...

The works of some new and/or underrated authors? How's that, to fulfill the primary intent of this blog, which is to promote and/or send appreciation to those who really truly deserve it?

So, yeah. In no particular order, here are some of my recent faves:

Digging Like You Can Bury Something That Cannot Die series by shoutoutout

@shoutoutout

Canon compliant, a study on guilt, loss and acceptance. A truly gripping study, a recontextualization if you will (expanding the context span, filling in gaps) with emphasis on that residual emptiness that one never truly accepts, just learns how to live with. The way in which Vi is given facing, then coping with all of it in such a simply human, fight or flight way - is incredibly relatable. While the first part written from Cait's perspective gives a unique insight into her upbringing, her heritage, her relationship with her mother (which, perhaps it's just me - but I love seeing it explored beyond what we've seen onscreen, especially with that last scene, where it's evident that no matter how much she disagrees with her mum she still looks to her for comfort when she is despair) and then of course - grief flooded with regret. Really masterfully written.

Grenadier by antistar_e (kaikamahine)

@kaikamahine

Set post-finale, this is basically a character dynamics piece, written from Vi's perspective. It's a gentle, at times funny and yet gritty and profound exploration of regret, mourning and unhealthy coping mechanisms - on everyone's behalf, with developments between Vi, Cait and Jinx (yes, all three of them - but don't let this deter you just because Jinx has absolutely no boundaries ;) this is uniquely beautiful portrayal of sisterly relationship. The simple way Vi explains her love for Jinx will break your heart, because she loves her despite everything, the guilt, lack of remorse - it's the love that doesn't preclude justice or exempt her from consequences, but just grows, adapts, restitches its seams. It has elements of romantic developments (in different directions?) but the central part is the sisters, and to be completely frank it's the best fic I've ever read exploring these dynamics, post finale. Both characterisation as well as style wise.

Drink from the Cup of Fortune by xanthinriff

@xanthinriff

'Does happiness bloom from the soil of pain, or is pain a byproduct of happiness lost?' If you've ever read anything else written by this author, you'll know that their writing simply cannot be summarized, objectively or rationally. And this one is not an exception, it is post finale, post everything and beyond, and it gives us Vi's perspective on - grief, guilt, need to belong, the feeling of loss, helplessness, selfishness, mental self-flagellation... gosh, I've said it before and I'll say it again, xanthinriff has a uniquely, gut-wrenching writing style that packs a punch - undaunted to tackle even the most complex, or darkest of emotions so it's definitely not for those who want a sappy, trite emotional lemonade. But rather real raw human emotions, such as... well, those listed above?

Now, the author has deleted their A03 account for personal reasons, but this specific work is still available per request, exclusively here (author's prerogative, of course) so if what you read there got you intrigued - send us a DM and we shall deliver.

(This is also valid for some of their other work, previously referenced and recommended on this page)

sweet & bitter by garcondencre

@garcondencre

Canon compliant. An exploration of what happened between the moment Caitlyn and Vi found themselves alone in Cait's bedroom and the moment they left each other in the rain. A beautifully heartfelt character study, a train of thought from Vi's perspective, if you will. Characterization is spot on, emotions are intense and tangible, and the inner conflict fleshed out so viscerally, painfully well.

The Power of a Name by kendricked

@caitkirammans

One of those 'five times' prompts, written from Caitlyn's perspective. A very interesting take on how she viewed things that happened, and then those that [spoiler]. It contains some missing bits, or interludes, if you will. They speaks volumes on Caitlyn herself, seamlessly showing that cross between that naivetee and genuine selflessness - and also how she saw, and sees Vi. Emotional intensification written and depicted at its best.

keep your head low by espressbian

@espressbian

Canon compliant. An amazing dive into Caitlyn's mind (ok, I guess Vi’s as well - in the second chapter?) showing us their respective perspectives on things that happened - through this very skillfully written inner dialogue, depicting the inner workings of both of their minds, but especially Caitlyn's... I found it gripping, touching and impressively intense all at the same time.

no powder but stardust by softnyx

(tumblr unknown - let us know, if you do?)

I think I already mentioned this one? It's a one-shot, but is contained of eight episodes with time gaps, featuring snippets of scenes from different, not-so-random periods. Starts with that beautiful childish pure innocence and veers off into... well, two diverse worlds, a canon divergence AU (star-crossed lovers of sorts, comes to mind) that grows close to the one of game canon-world? The characterisation is endearingly tangible and wholesome, and it is absolutely amazing what a skillful author can do in such little space and with so few words.

Wrap ya gun in giftwrap by Latenightsgunfights

@latenightsgunfights

This is quite a short piece, basically just smutty. Why on this list, you might wonder? Well, the way it shows Vi struggling between how she sees herself, the subtly shown conflict between the tough front and bravado and how she feels about herself in regards to Caitlyn, how it manifests in their physical connection - the implication how certain feelings can be put into submission... it's quite a lot (yeah, no one's immune to hot smutty ones, but I prefer them with some substance, alright? ;) for a short piece with barely 1k of a wordcount.

Chances by mira_blue

@mira-blue

To be completely honest, this is not really CaitVi (they're just acknowledged in the passing) but rather a canon-compliant take on Vi's complicated relationship with her sister, post S1. (Yeah, I've been kinda leaning towards those, recently - can you tell? :) Pieces like this, exploring this kind of dynamics of theirs are quite rare, and this one may seem like just a drabble - but try to get into Jinx's fragmented stream of consciousness. It's uncomfortable, realistic and tangible, all at once. I've seen very few well-written ones and this one is my absolute favourite one.

Shadow of Nothing by UmbreonGurl

@umbreongurl

Quite sure you've read some of the other works of this author as well, but this one is a bit different from all of their other (AU? fluffy? comedy? romcom?) work, and a bit underrated in my opinion. In a span of a single chapter it covers literally everything, from the prison break till post finale - while at the same time being a character study of Cait. It's simple, unpretentious, with effective time lapses, and an interestingly different, more realistic view of Vi - as it makes more sense that she'd be more distrustful, standoffish and defensive to start with in the beginning. But it's a quite fresh and intimate take on Cait, and it's not that angsty (like the rest of the stuff from this list), so...

Dust Collected OnMy Pinned-Up Hair by tailoredjade

@tailoredjade

Ok, there are so many high-school AUs out there, but there's just that something about the pacing of this one. It covers a longer timespan, with smaller/larger gaps and ellipses, but the way it captures the yearning and pining is incredibly palpable. It's friends-to-lovers, but in a way also a compelling character piece that captures Cat's inner workings (exasperation? anxiety?) rather well. Quite interestingly written (in terms of sentence structure, or how it follows the character's thought-process) it's a fittingly positive one, for the end of this list?

Aaand - that'd be all.

As always, if you enjoy any of these (and even if they're not really new for you - and you already had, lol) go drop these lovely people out there a positive note, some appreciation and encouragement - and then let us know as well.

Cheers! 🌈💖

#caitvi #vicait #caitlyn x vi #piltover's finest #vi x caitlyn #piltovers finest #violyn #arcane (league of legends) fanfiction #fic recs #anon #replies

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frobin · 3 years

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Random consideration: there is an online legend about Oda can change story events if someone on the web/fans guess the thing. So... what do you think about this topic? It can be really valid? If yes, even for whatever eventual not-canon ships? I don't know, because ships are just a very side element in the story, and not like main events of the storyline. (And for my opinion, for Jin:be father topic, I could agree with who said is for the age, maybe. Anyway, I will ship FroBin forever).

Hey anon! Thank you for your question!

Maybe Oda really made Jinbe the dad because of age. right now Oda and Jinbe have the same age (46). He has two children who are (if the internet and my math are correct) 15 and 12 years old. So may it’s not unlikely? If he connects with Jinbe he would rather see him as a dad than a grandparent or a weird uncle.

Now, to the rest... I have to say sorry for answering so late but as of right now I’m writing parts of my answer and I literally pulling my hair because I really try to make sense of the whole situation and trying to understand the intention of a 46 year old japanese man. And this is long again so sorry about that. Anyway...

I have heard about that. I remembered something about Oda not reading Fan Theories and now I googled once more. Apparently this is the newest Information:

"Oda once said he will change OP story if it coincides with fan theories. But according to TV show today, Oda will never change his plan about "final chapter" even if a fan theory hits the nail on the head. Oda said in 1999 that he had already decided final panel and chapter."

https://twitter.com/sandman_AP/status/1352851201478418432?s=20

I don’t think Oda is actively browsing the web for OP content ( how would he have time to) but he gets fanmail with questions and suggestions. And considering that over 4 million people are One Piece fans... one of them has to get it correct eventually. Trying to avoid any similarity with any fan-theory is IMPOSSIBLE.

And I do believe that Oda knows how he wants One Piece to end and won’t change that, no matter what.

As for the details in-between........ I wouldn’t say Oda is not prone to be a Troll and sometimes downright an ass towards his fans. XD Never out of malice but because he thinks it’s funny.

I’m also sure he will never focus on romance in the manga, but since love is an important part of life it will come into play now and then. Classic romance (?) more with side-characters (Roger/Rouge, Sai/Baby5, Bege/Chiffon) than with main (Strawhats) but still possible.

He may very well edit less-important plot lines if they don't change the ending.

That also includes, that I absolutely think it’s possible that the Strawhats will have romantic involvement at the end of the story. At the moment it is never in the focus, except for plot reason (Whole Cake Island for example, though that is an entirely different topic) but absolutely possible.

Because the Strawhats boning each other or maybe someone outside of the crew will not change the story. It has no influence to anything, except if it’s on a higher scale, like if Luffy really suddenly married Boa Hancock. That would influence the political outline of the world.

Meanwhile Pauli/Iceburg or Noland/Cagara or Bartolomeo/Cavendish have literally no influence to the story (anymore). And I don’t think I have to start on things like other rare pairs or even OC-ships.

That being said, and having more stuff in mind, I wouldn’t put it past Oda to actually focus more on Jin/Bin.

Why? Well...

we had so many interactions between Robin and Franky after the time skip that it was almost ridiculous. In every single arc we see them fight alongside each other. We had strong romantic tropes portrayed with them:

Their meeting after the timeskip (Sabaody Archipelago)

Franky having his head in Robins lap (Punk Hazard)

Wearing the same shirt (Dressrosa)

Finishing each others sentence (Zou)

Franky offering Robin a ride and her answering with a heart (Wano)

And the moment the internet exploded when Robin was holding Frankys face. Which yeah, only a Colorspread and not canon yadda yadda

For now let’s gloss over all the other moments that showed that they cared for each other.

... so many.

Anyway what I want to say is that Oda had declared “All the Strawhats are in love with adventure.” and “I won’t focus on romance.” but is seemingly showing a connection between Franky and Robin, that made one think that he might actually be aboard the ship even if the fandom itself is rather silent and small.

Meanwhile when Jinbe appeared (in the timeskip) he was instantly a hit. His popularity then rose thanks to Fishmen Island Arc. And again I can’t blame anyone. On the other hand Franky always had a hard stance. This was recently shown again because is the lowest ranked Strawhat in the popularity poll.

One (Oda) might come to a conclusion here:

Maybe people don’t like Franky and so would dislike FRobin. But since Oda also seems to enjoy grown up relationships (?) maybe he thinks Jinbe is the only reasonable replacement? -> It could be a tactial decision.

Maybe he really changed his opinion and personally likes one more than the other. He was a FRobin supporter but now likes JinBin more? It wouldn't change anything for the story and there wouldn't be any harm -> It could be a personal decision.

Maybe he fears that he put too many hints in the manga and now has to paddle back? Because let’s be honest, until the colourspread with Robin putting her hand on Frankys face... the FRobin fandom was on the backburner. And so he wants to throw out some Red Herrings. -> Again a tactial decision

Maybe he never inteded to make it romantic and it is actually all just friendship. Subtext is something many authors use without being aware of it. (Just ask anyone who is a lesbian!Nami fan. They have good points.) -> A mistake from the very beginning.

And you can use these same thoughts for every other non-canon ship.

Please take everything of this with a grain of salt because I try to understand the intention of a man who is more than 10 years my senior and from a culture I can’t even start to try to comprehend (sometimes I don’t even get my own culture), who is the head figure of a money-making machine. So it’s hard to tell what else influences his decisions.

My interpretations are influenced by my own experiences and knowledge which is big and vast but also stretched very thin.

Last but not least I want to make clear that any speculation is really the same as asking a crystal ball. In the western fandom we have only few people who can even slightly try to give an insight to the whole thing and they (smart enough) keep out of any shipping discourse.

tl;dr: I don’t think Oda will change the ending. But I do think that he is willing to change minor plotlines and so yes I think Oda might change couples for any possible reason, as long as it does not change the ending, and he does not even has to choose a good reason because in the end they are his characters and he is free to do whatever he wants with them.

#FRobin #One Piece Meta #One Piece Analysis #One Piece Shipping #One Piece Storytelling #long post #text #ask #if in the end it turns out that Franky is gay and just friends with Robin I'll drink a lot #Not because I wouldn't accept that but because I got it SO wrong #Should I make videos of some of my postings?#kon #Anon

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yi-dashi · 4 years

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The Smoke Burned Black Over Bahrl

— two.

“You were wearing them upside down, you know.”

For a moment, the words washed over Yi as he tried to make himself comfortable. Though the smooth outcrop was wide enough for two to sit, it didn’t make the wind any less intimidating up so high.

“Huh..?”

“The Seven Lenses of Insight. A simple mistake. I was thinking of mounting them in a helmet, even if that’s a quaint solution.”

“Oh. Ah…” He pulled the bulky piece of machinery over his head, his amethyst eyes taking in its peculiarities before he set it upon his lap, “It doesn’t seem to work less, whether you wear it one way or the other.”

“And what do you see with them, Young Master?”

For whatever reason the curt question stuck into him, steeling his face against the view of the world below. A world so vast and distant that it plucked against the strings of his imagination. The joy of the unknown was there, though so too was the terror of things he would never know, now they were engulfed in flame. Out there lay the guilt of being able to fight, and the anguish of people who could not.

“Vulnerability.” Yi offered, though his uncertain tone betrayed his forced cordiality.

“Interesting,” Doran took his thick, braided beard in his hand, “I would have thought you’d say, ‘Well honestly, Master Doran, out there I see my distain for authority, and I’ve about broken all the teapots that Wuju has to offer at this point.’ Something like that.”

“Master.” The then student bit the inside of his cheek, quashing any outbursts before they had a chance to fly, “… It’s more than that. You know it’s more than that.”

“Do I? Are you claiming to know the function of my mind?”

“That… You—”

“— Though, I suppose I can’t know the function of your mind either, and that’s certainly been a puzzle.” Yi took a half breath to quip something back, but his Elder merely raised his voice over anything he tried to say, “What I really want to know, then, is what you’ll see once you’re down there, and you look up this way. Will you see a future up here, or will the smoke blind you to anything but the present?”

Yi’s brow unwound. Agitation became confusion. He’d never heard any of his Masters misspeak, or at the very least say something without clear intent behind every word. But the implication of being down in the faraway lands one day, or any day,

“… What do you mean, ‘When I’m down there?’ ”

“I’ve known you for every moment of your life, Yi. In fact, I’ve known your mother for every moment of her life, and her father, and even his mother. I’ve known a Yi for as long as I’ve been here, and I know the spirit behind the name.” Against all the seriousness of his façade, and the statuesque property of his stance, the Master broke character for just a moment. He looked at Yi out the corner of his eye, his lips pursing for a moment, “A Yi never makes a good Wuju student, because a Yi is somehow honour bound to their sense of adventure. That’s why the Yi family are our bladesmiths, and the entertainers of our Lowlander guests. That’s why they aren’t Wuju students.”

“But I am.” Yi blurted out, to which Doran equally exclaimed,

“I know, yet I’m sure your spirit has already decided what you want. You’ve already made up your mind, yet the Wuju student is here in my loft. The Wuju Student breaks in. He skirts the rules, and is generally miserable. You’re trying your hardest to fulfill your spirit while maintaining Wuju law. You can’t do both, Young Master. You’ve made an utter fool of yourself over these last weeks.”

The agitation crept back. Yi almost jumped off his stool, ready to shout back with a red-hot temper, but caught himself with clenched fists. If anything, it was the way the lenses clunked against their casings that alerted him to his ire. Somehow, the rhythmic adjusting brought him back down, and he could take his breaths in step with them. That wasn’t to say he didn’t feel attacked, but he at least took time to break down the feeling. His Master seemed to return to his previous state by the time he opened his mouth again. Unfeeling and distant; who was he to talk about one’s duty and one’s spirit?

“Why are you talking like I’m not forbidden from stepping a foot off this mountain? It’s not as if I have a choice to do what’s right. None of this matters.”

“You’re right.” Doran replied with a slight shrug, “This mountain is surely guarded at all hours by the hundreds of Wuju Masters we certainly have.”

“What?”

“The Masters we hide away, of course. Those ones that will physically draw a sword against you to enforce our decree.”

“Why are you…” Yi shook his head, “… What?”

“There’s this one delusion you hold, that’s stopping you from thinking clearly about all the options laid before you. Consider it a moment, then tell me when you understand. I’d rather see you thinking critically – making the right choice from a reasoned standpoint – than hiding behind arguably fake ultimatums. It can be damned what any of us Master say. What we say, and reality, are different, aren’t they?”

And Yi took his time as the gale whipped up from the swell below. The iron boxes out to sea inched closer, and the fires still burned, and people still suffered some unimaginable crisis. He took in the continuing disaster so far away, and he searched for some hidden command or lesson. Yet, the longer he thought, the more it seemed so simple.

“No one is to stop me,” He muttered to himself, “if I venture down the mountain? No one is to actually chain me, or fight me, if I try?”

“Congratulations, Young Master. You have remembered the very function of this School. Words above all other solutions, and action as less than a last resort. Anyone who stands against you is just as bad as you are.” Yi didn’t see the Master’s hand lash out, but he felt the sting when the Craftsman’s grasp wrapped around his wrist. The pain stole his gaze, and his eyes widened as they locked with the Old Master’s, “So stop using words as an excuse to act out. I’m tired of you shouting from templetops, and self-harming through tribunal punishment. You’re a Wuju Bladesman, at least right now, with a Wuju sense of mind. You know you have a choice to stay, or to go. Your choices are yours, but don’t pretend like this, or any of your stunts, are accomplishing anything. Indecision aids no cause but one that disrupts you, me, and all other disciples.”

Yi dared not try to break the grip, in part for fear of falling to his death, but also because of the sensation that he deserved it. Pinpricks shot up and down his fingers, but that was little against the unknowable expression of his mentor. Something akin to frustration, but with a note of sadness below the surface. He supposed he must have been looking into a mirror. Frustrated sadness was a good way to describe how he’d felt up until this moment. The feeling was slowly lifting however, replaced instead with what felt like… begrudging empowerment? Who could even know how to feel, in times like this?

“So, I’ll ask you again.” Doran continued, his calloused hand slipping away from Yi’s wrist, “Slowly, this time: When, or if, you go down there, will you see a future anywhere? Surely right now you can see your future down there, but what about once that future is your present? What then? Would you rather be assured in a future here, or uncertain in a future down below?”

“… I’d rather do what I think is right.” This time, Yi let the first thought out his mouth that came to mind, regardless of if he felt it ill considered. If he couldn’t explain away what he felt because he’d been ordered not to feel it, then he could only offer his heart, “Whether there’s a future in it is not a factor for me. I look down there, and I see a problem. I will look up here, and Wuju will continue on without me, as it has always done. The time to plan the rest of my life is after hard work is done, whether Wuju is a part of it or not. Who else is going to do it?”

“That’s stupid,” The Artificer sighed, “but it’s something Yi Hui would say, isn’t it? This School is too amoral and timeless for you. You’re just like your mother, eh?”

“The present is the only time we can take action. I cannot change the past, and the future is the sum of too many working parts to perfectly predict. You should understand that better than anyone.”

“I’ll not argue analogy with you at length, because I’m getting cold and we’ll be here all day. All I can say is that a machine with unknowable parts is not a machine, but an abomination. Reality has knowable parts, and can be known in all ways. Even if they are the function of mind, which I’ve yet to find all the working parts in. Just because you’re not aware of the parts, doesn’t mean they can’t be known eventually.”

“Absolute awareness in all things…”

“Including awareness of the things you can do wrong in this life, so that you won’t do them.” The desperation of the last comment had Yi cocking an eyebrow. Yet Doran was still and considered in his presentation, and rose from his stool with the same collected poise, “Doing something, while knowing there will be a negative gain for you, is idiotic. Gallantry, by nature, is one sided, because once you surrender to it there’s never an end. That’s not even beginning to consider the sanctity of what you know, and what should be done with it.”

“Master Doran.” He too stood tall, as his wind-spun hair flew about his face, “I’m so sorry, but I cannot agree with that. I understand what you are saying, but I can’t bring myself to agree.”

“Then I’ve said my piece. You know that the choice is binary. No more of this mucking about. Make your choice and live with it…”

“Yes, Master.” With a sombre dip of his back, Yi offered the last bow he could imagine giving to any of his teachers. As he bent down, he held the lenses in both hands towards their craftsman. Instead of feeling the weight lift, he heard the pad of Doran’s feet against the stone,

“Keep them, and go. I made them for you, anyway. You’ll find the helmet for them somewhere amongst the mess you’ve made. I also suggest you don’t be seen in the catacombs, if you’ve taken anything I’ve said to heart.”

Stunned, Yi merely hunched there for a moment. Eventually, he stared at the goggles as they looked back at him, ticking still. He thought it might have been a test, so it seemed right to set them down and go. But he stared, and so did they. They’d been party to the discussion, and seemed to know what he truly felt. Truly a Doran’s craft, so he put them around his neck once more. Giving one last glance to the smoke, burning black in the sky, he turned on his heels and walked back into the mountain.

Get a helmet, commission his parents for armour, and live for the present.

#drabble #blehhh #BLehhhHH #Yi and Doran have a powwow #Please forgive me me and my writing I am just trying to feed off inspiration while I have it #2020 resolution: Write things and don't feel anxious about said things #even if they aren't perfect #Now I just have to work out how to approach people for RP loooool X_x

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mybookplacenet · 4 years

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Featured Author Interview: Jordan Church

Tell us about yourself and your books.: I write erotica. Sharing the inner thoughts and emotions of characters is the ultimate voyeurism. I am a big believer in plot and character development. I want the characters to be as real as possible. Character motivations drive the events and sexual activities. Sex scenes are detailed and graphic. I want to always give a perfect picture of exactly what is happening and why and how and how the characters feel physically and emotionally. While I believe there is way too much shaming out there in the world when it comes to sex and things sexual I also think dirty acts and a sense of wicked naughtiness are wonderful in erotica. I have two degrees and am dedicated to providing the highest quality erotica. Do you have any unusual writing habits? I'm sure my massive intakes of caffeine are quite normal for an author.... Considering the genre I write in it may be considered unusual I often write (type) with people near me in various settings who have no clue what I'm up to on my laptop. When I edit a book I do three complete edits where I read every word. The unusual part is that I also do each one a little differently. In order to better spot errors, even small ones like an extra space between words, I change the font, font size, and type color with each edit. Edit 1 : Times New Roman, 12 point, black Edit 2: Bookman Old Style, 14 point, green Edit 3: Random grab bag font, 16 point, purple Even with that I still miss some errors! What authors have influenced you? The living legend JJ Argus and the other living legend, silkstockingslover. Her works, mostly short stories, can be found on literotica.com. And Stephen King! Do you have any advice for new authors? I'm pretty new myself so advice from me is presumptive at best. However, I can pass on advice I received (okay, some from me as well). That is to be patient. When you write and publish something no one knows unless they are psychic. No matter how good it is it may not get sales. For instance, "Moby Dick", the great classic, after the initial poor first year of sales, went on to sell an average of 27 books a year for 34 years. Once the author Herman Melville died it later became popular and "discovered". And Melville was a successful author BEFORE he published that book! Once someone finds one of your books you, as an author, need to make sure it make them, the reader, happy. The book is for the reader, not the author. That is the mission. Take the time to edit thoroughly, have someone else read it to make sure each little part makes sense to others. Make sure it is realistic even within the realm of the fantastic. Realism is more interesting than having readers say again and again, "That would NEVER happen." If your story loses credibility than you, the author, automatically do as well. Cream rises to the top but can also float up a bit faster if you communicate in all ways -- email responses, blog, web site, and, yes, promotion. What is the best advice you have ever heard? Patience. That so many authors write a book and expect the world to stop on a dime for it. Time and continued effort. Drive quantity while never giving up quality and, if you have to choose, take quality over quantity. What are you reading now? Two Stephen King books (Gunslinger IV and "Doctor Sleep", a Michael Connelly "Harry Bosch" novel, a couple fantasy novels (I recommend Marc Turner BTW), a few history books. I read five to ten books at the same time (same day not the exact same moment) and jump between them as the urge moves me. What's your biggest weakness? Candy. No, wait. caffeine! No, wait, it must be porn! Despite my genre (?) I am, like most people, a total sap for animals (Human Society volunteer) and children. What is your favorite book of all time? There are so many it is really hard to choose. That said, coming most quickly to mind: Mainstream: "The Stand" by Stephen King. Modern classic! Read the book, no movie can do it justice. Surprise maybe: "Japanese Destroyer Captain" by Tameichi Hara. It is just amazing what that man accomplished and lived through and the ending is like a Hollywood movie ending. Just amazing. What has inspired you and your writing style? As they always say, write about what you enjoy. It does make writing even more enjoyable! It is somewhat reverse inspiration because, really, I've read a lot of poor erotica. And erotica that sounds one way in the blurb and then goes in some other direction. And erotica with one good scene possibly but then the rest is mechanical or repetitive and goes no where. And a whole lot of characters that are just names and maybe titles or roles and nothing else -- no personality, no voice, sometimes not even a description! Obviously there are some excellent writers out there and I mentioned a couple already but, overall, there is a lot more bad than good. That inspired me to try to do it. You know, invent a better mouse trap and all that. I'd say my writing style is detailed with a balance of the external (events, action, dialogue) and the internal (emotions, sensations, motives). I think plot is important and conflict drives plot. The conflict in my books is typically a seducer wanting someone(s) who do not want to be seduced and there is the struggle for them to accomplish this, the seductee's struggle to resist, and the seductee's struggle to understand how this is happening to them, why it makes them feel this way, and the new reality it will bring about if they "lose". What are you working on now? Editing "Lesbian Stalker Stalks Again" which is Part IV of the "Lesbian Stalker's Pets" series and writing, nearly done, with "Lesbian Stalker On The Prowl" which is Part V. Also working on "Mother-In-Law's Gift Cards For Lesbian Seduction" which is a free ongoing book (actually it will be 3 or 4 books ultimately) on my web site (https://lesbianseductionfiction.com/) and a couple other projects as well. What is your method for promoting your work? In a sense, making sure the finished product is the best possible. If you stumble across one of my books and find the description intriguing and the genre acceptable then I make sure you will like the content, get exactly what you expect (or more!), and then want to get the other books available as well. I just published my 20th book. If you like one of them you will like (or more than like!) all the rest. What's next for you as a writer? Write write write. How well do you work under pressure? Fine because all the pressure on me is self-imposed and I have no time to argue with myself. I say do it and I hop to it. How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing? This is an interesting question. I'm not sure that I truly "decide". Each character has motives and intents. They have a plan for their lives or a plan regarding another character. Each character has a voice from age, background, lifestyle, origins, education, intelligence level, and so on. I get a clear picture or feeling for each character, what is driving them, their motives, and then they interact in my mind. Almost like an artificial world set up and left running to see the end results. The inhabitants of this world have no idea they are figments of imagination. They think all these crazy things are really happening and they have strong feelings about it! In addition to the plot and sex almost always at some point I involve humor and maybe an insight or two on society or human nature. This is just the characters being themselves. But I don't try to erase it or edit it out. It can be there and readers can either enjoy it or ignore it as they wish. The insights are brief and don't get in the way. The humor is short when it happens and if it leads to a laugh from a reader from time to time, it is all good. That said (that these are short) there is, admittedly, about a page of dialogue in "Lesbian Stalker Stalks Again", before the sex scenes and events get extremely outrageous and hot, that I find hilarious and hope readers will as well. Author Websites and Profiles Jordan Church Website Jordan Church Amazon Profile Jordan Church's Social Media Links Twitter Account Instagram Account Read the full article

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popcorn-for-dinner · 5 years

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Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: Steve Rogers

As nationalism continues to rear its head out of the shadows, Steve Rogers paints the image of the patriot we all need to be.

“The price of freedom is high, always has been but it’s a price I’m willing to pay. If I’m the only one, then so be it but I’m willing to bet I’m not.” - Steve Rogers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

The world is very strange right now. In the midst of Pamela Anderson defending Julian Assange, measles making a comeback nobody asked for, somehow, Nazis seem to be back in vogue. As weird as it may seem, the very worst parts of Nationalism have been on somewhat of a reunion tour. Even weirder still, people are singing along to some of its greatest hits. Spearheaded by Brexit and 45’s 2016 Presidential win, nationalist ideological policies have risen to the highest forms of power in places like Hungary, India, Italy and Austria with many other traditionally center-right parties adopting more nationalist policies and ideologies.

Cut off one head and two more take its place.

So, why am I talking about Nationalism? Well, in the lead up to Avengers: Endgame, I’ve been thinking a lot about what Captain America means to me and more frequently about the quote at the top of this piece.

Steve Rogers: Captain America

“Captain America” was created in 1941 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, two poor, often bullied Jewish kids. He was created as the superhero personification of those ideals society should strive for- Liberty, Freedom, Justice. He was the hero to stand up for the little guy. Of course, the “little guy” at the time were members of Simon and Kirby’s Jewish heritage.

Cap’s desire to stand up for what was right is best exemplified by the image of him punching Hitler on the cover of his first comic (March 1941). A cover which was designed to and succeeded in making a huge impact, not least because America was still 9 months away from joining the war.

Captain America- The Propagandist

A common criticism levied against the Captain America character is that he is merely American propaganda. It is not difficult to understand why anyone would hold this view, he literally has “America” in his name. He is also fully draped in the American flag with a big and bold “A” on his helmet. The man isn’t winning any stealth competitions. However, while I can understand the propaganda criticism, it has always seemed a bit half-baked and myopic to me.

Admittedly, at his creation, Captain America was unabashedly a propaganda machine. But, that was okay at the time! America was on the right side of that war. It wasn’t a bad thing for him to be the mouthpiece of a downtrodden class like the Jewish Americans. The propaganda he was representing was objectively good propaganda.

Once the war was over, however, and with the Cold War not really providing much action material for comics, the character began to stall. He was becoming stale.

After being discontinued for several years, Stan Lee brought him back in 1964- his story having been retconned to explain that he had been frozen in ice since before the end of the war. He was still the square-jawed boy scout with those aspirational ideals but he was now, in addition, a man literally out of time. How did he reconcile what he believed to be right and just with the actions of his current Government? All of a sudden, this was a new, more interesting character. This masterstroke by Stan Lee led to a dynamism in the character that many future writers would successfully exploit and which would help the Russo Brothers, their writers and of course, Chris Evans, create the best iteration of the character.

Steve Rogers- The Patriot

Coming out of the ice, Steve Rogers was now in a position where his, admittedly, romantic ideals and belief in people were coming into constant conflict with the thoughts and actions of those entrusted to lead his country, those he was pledged to serve. What he staunchly believed to be just and fair was not what his beloved country and indeed wider international community was practising. How could he navigate this conflict?

But first, quickly, Chris Evans

When the casting of Chris Evans was announced, there was a general sense of, “huh? HIM?”. It was confusing that Marvel had tapped the guy that played Johnny Storm and was in those mediocre rom-coms to portray this deeply historical character. “What were they thinking?”, everyone collectively thought. We would quickly realise that yeah, Chris Evans had a good grip on this whole acting thing and that he was the perfect person to embody Captain America. However, as it turned out, the scepticism wasn’t only confined to the fans.

Chris Evans has openly spoken about his hesitancy to take up Marvel’s offer to play Cap. Sure, there was his well-documented fight with anxiety but as he recalled in a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he didn’t really see how he could get audiences to connect with a character like Captain America.

“There’s no real darkness to him. How do I make this guy someone you want to watch? I don’t get jokes. I’m not Wolverine. I don’t have dead parents, like Batman. I’m just, like, ‘Hi, I’ll walk your dog. I’ll help you move.’”

The Russo Brothers, co-directors of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame, have also spoken about a similar fear they had that they couldn’t make Cap relatable or interesting to audiences, having never really been fans of the character. This objectivity perhaps, helped them, Chris Evans and their writers, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Captain America: Civil War. Avengers: Infinity war & Avengers: Endgame), somehow mould Cap into a constantly relevant character.

Captain America’s reinvention, and coincidentally, his best moments have always come as a result of his ideals clashing with the nation’s. The first major one came in the wake of the Watergate scandal (back then having a President so flagrantly undermine the rule of law was a very big shock to Steve Rogers). This scandal would inspire the 1974 “Secret Empire” storyline. Another major turning point was the passing of the Patriot Act in response to the 9/11 bombings. This would inspire the pivotal “Civil War” storyline.

On screen, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), these moments have mainly come in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War.

“You cannot have a character called Captain America without examining the politics of what that means, especially in this day and age” - Joe Russo

The Winter Soldier is a pivotal movie for both the MCU and the perception and understanding of Cap as a character. Coincidentally, at a time when most Americans were growing in their distrust and paranoia of the Government here was this superhero literally named “Captain America” going through very similar emotions.

Cap finds out that SHIELD is in the final stages of a project appropriately named “Project INSIGHT” (because that’s not nefarious at all). The aim of this project was to help SHIELD “neutralise a lot of threats before they happen” by listening in and monitoring everyone via their phone calls, social media posts etc. so the accompanying algorithm could preemptively decide who was a security threat.

Of course, at the time of the movie’s release, Americans, and the world had only recently learnt about the Obama administration’s terrorist kill list and had even more recently learnt from Edward Snowden that their Government was most likely listening to their phone calls. The movie’s real-world relevancy, though entirely coincidental was incredibly eery.

SHIELD and the World Security Council believed that the safety of the citizens and the strength of the organisation/nation were the most important things- it didn’t matter what other liberties you had to cross to achieve that.

Steve disagreed.

He believed that while the safety of the individual was highly important, the paramount thing was the citizens’ liberty: their freedom.

“It’s not unpatriotic to denounce an injustice committed on our behalf, perhaps it’s the most patriotic thing we can do.”- E.A Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Steve is at a moral and philosophical crossroads. He now has knowledge of the actions of his superiors and these are actions he is categorically against. While he may accept that the intentions were good, he does not see the end result as being nearly as good. “This isn’t freedom, it’s fear”. So, he chooses to stand up for what he believes in, irrespective of who he may have to stand against.

He places the liberty, wishes and lives of (all) individuals over that of the country. He is not blinded by his love and service for the country, nor is he willing to take questionable orders just because they come from an authority he is meant to respect and follow. If anything, the surprise reveal that HYDRA has infiltrated the highest levels of SHIELD and is the real mastermind behind “INSIGHT” only helps to prove his point that nothing gives Government/Governing bodies the moral or philosophical high ground to encroach on the rights of its citizens in such a monumental way.

Of course, Steve Rogers’ rebellious arc comes to a natural conclusion in Captain America: Civil War when he refuses to sign the UN’s accords that require all superheroes to register with the United Nations and only act when instructed by the UN Security Council.

The paranoia of Government from 2014 had now grown into a large distrust and a belief in the Government’s ineptitude, again mirroring real life feelings (Brexit and 45’s electoral win were only a few months away). This distrust leads to Cap’s refusal to sign the Accords. Yes, he accepts that the UN Security Council is not a Government of a country or SHIELD or HYDRA but it is still “run by people with agendas and agendas change”.

He would rather stand up for each individual’s (in this case, powered people) liberty and right to choose what they do with their powers rather than the Government keeping a registry of these people and using them as their personal watchdogs.

This signified completion of his arc, from the “company man” who followed orders irrespective of who was running the company, to believing and advocating for the self over the nation. He went from the literal personification of America and this big propaganda machine to this defiant “rebel” who advocated for the individual over the country. Importantly, this was not because he had fallen out of love or respect for the country but it was this love that had influenced his decisions. He believed that these policies were wrong and harming the thing he was meant to be patriotic to- the people. So, as a true patriot, he sought to fix this even though it meant going against the country.

“My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”- Carl Schurz

Nationalism, has at different points in history, been an effective unifying tool, especially in wartime. However, nowadays, the most abhorrent facets of the ideology have become its most recognisable calling card with its supporters emphasizing that they are only “patriots”- they just want what’s best for their great country. I am not going to analyse and deconstruct the principle of nationalism and its policies e.g immigration, mostly because many smarter people than I have already done that.

What is important to note, however, is the central thesis of nationalism, as described by George Orwell, “(nationalism) is the habit of identifying oneself with a single nation or other unit, placing it beyond good and evil and recognising no other duty than that of advancing its interests.” Patriotism, on the other hand, is a devotion to the liberties and freedoms of the people that constitute this state. The belief that the people are what matters most and that those in charge can be wrong and when they are, should be challenged. In which case, patriotism, true patriotism could be the solution to the evils of nationalism.

This is why I chose to speak about Steve Rogers’ patriotism. Despite the consequences, he chose to challenge the policies of his country/governing body because he saw them as harmful to large groups of the populace. His allegiance was to people and their liberties, not the government.

Captain America is going to represent different things to different people. He is not going to be everyone’s favourite Avenger. There is, however, one thing we should all learn from Cap, especially Chris Evans’ run as Cap- the strength to be unwavering in our own senses of morality and decency. There is a point where constant compromising becomes an issue in of itself.

In the words of Peggy Carter (probably the only person that could match Steve Rogers’ old fashioned, romantic sense of morality), “compromise where you can. But where you can’t, don’t. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right, even if the whole world is telling you to move it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree and tell them ‘No, you move’”.

CUT FOR TIME

Chris Evans really is the perfect Captain America and honestly, that’s a whole other article that I’ve been wanting to write for a long time (I have drafts). While Robert Downey Jr has, over the years, masterfully created a version of Tony Stark perfect for the here and now, Chris literally seems to have become Steve Rogers and has imbued his performances with the core essence of what this character has been from the very first pages of his first book.

Additionally, over time, both he and the character have slowly meshed into one. He has definitely learnt the right things from Steve Rogers. Whether, it’s his constant, humorous, takedowns of 45 and his cohorts on Twitter, his random gentlemanly acts (that really shouldn’t be a big deal but are sadly not as common anymore) or taking an active role in politics, he ever so often reminds us that he is indeed Captain America.

The rebellious side of Steve Rogers didn’t suddenly come out in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While always a dutiful soldier, he was never really a blind follower. In Captain America: The First Avenger, tired of being the Government’s ineffectual propaganda show monkey, he disobeys a direct order and goes on a covert mission to help rescue captured prisoners of war.

I also love the portrayal of Steve’s flaws in the MCU, especially in Civil War. A lot of people, understandably, have issues with his actions regarding Bucky and Tony in that movie. I like that the movie doesn’t try to make excuses for his actions, it merely explains them and personally, it’s an explanation I understand. I would probably do the same thing if I were in his position.

Speaking of, I had wanted to write a similar article pre- Endgame on Tony Stark- another character I love, especially RDJ as Tony Stark but life got in the way (!) So, please revisit my pre- Infinity War article on the Father-Son dynamic in the MCU, especially with Tony and Howard Stark.

In honour of Endgame, I have *tried* to rank all past 21 MCU movies on my Twitter. Feel free to discuss the list with me (don’t worry, I’m pretty sure you disagree).

Finally, this is my first MCU related post since Stan Lee’s death so please head over to my twitter for what I briefly said about the impact he’s had on my life.

Excelsior!

Bankole Imoukhuede,

@banky_I

#marvel cinematic universe #steve rogers #captain america #avengers endgame #nationalism #patriotism #tony stark #stan lee #jack kirby #joe simon #captain america civil war #captain america the first avenger #captain america the winter soldier #russo brothers #mcu #marvel #film

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secretshinigami · 7 years

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Mu Is Other People

Author: Yagami-Raito-Kun For: Zenthisoror Pairings/Characters: Light Yagami, L Lawliet Rating/Warnings: Teen and Up Prompt: Light and L are stuck in a room representing the afterlife with no memories of each other. Together, they must piece together clues to their former lives. Author’s notes: Your prompt gave me a very “No Exit” vibe (one of my favorite plays), so I decided to work that in there explicitly. I hope you like it!

“This room is yours, sir.”

Light stepped past the dour concierge, peering through the newly opened doorway. Like the rest of the strange hotel, the room was cramped and colorless, lacking even a window to disrupt the monotony of the walls. The carpet was a dull, pale gray, and the room was unfurnished except for three sad-looking armchairs – one of which, to Light’s surprise, was already occupied.

“You’ve made a mistake,” he said. “This isn’t mine. Someone’s already in there, look.”

“There’s no mistake. This room is yours, sir.”

“I’m not sharing with a stranger. That’s absurd.”

The concierge’s expression never changed. “This is your room. Will you go inside now, sir, or will I have to call the manager in?”

“Call him. I’d like to file a complaint.”

“Very well, sir. But I’m afraid you’ll have to wait inside.” Impatient, the concierge motioned toward the room. “If you please.”

Light sighed and walked in. A moment later, the door slammed shut behind him. Annoyed, he turned back, intending to give the concierge another piece of his mind.

“Don’t bother,” said his roommate, amused. “You can’t get out that way. It’s locked.”

Light tugged at the handle anyway, ramming the door twice with his shoulder before giving up. “So much for customer service.”

The man shrugged. “Welcome to the Hotel California.”

“Huh?”

“An old song. Never mind.” He gestured at one of the empty chairs. “Come sit.”

“I’m waiting for the manager.”

“So am I. He’s not coming anytime soon, you know. You might as well sit down.”

Light complied, watching his roommate warily. The man looked to be around Light’s age, though far more untidy, and his eyes bored just as intently into Light’s. There was something familiar about him – a vague flicker of warning at the back of Light’s mind – but the moment Light tried to pin the feeling down, it vanished. “I’m Light Yagami. And you are?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure?”

“No.”

“Of your own name?”

The man cocked his head, black hair falling across one eye. “What do you do for a living, Light?”

Light opened his mouth to answer and froze, confused. “I don’t know.”

“Are you married? A father? Single?”

“I’m not – I can’t remember.”

“Exactly. Memories work strangely here, when they work at all. When you’ve been here as long as I have, you’ll figure that out.”

“And how long is that?”

“I’m not sure.”

Of course not. Disturbed, Light looked around the room. Three glass display cases on pedestals lined each wall, save for the side through which he’d entered the room, but only the ones behind himself and his roommate held anything of interest. The third set were as empty as the chair in front of them, waiting for something – or someone – to fill them up. There were no windows, no clocks, no possible metrics by which to mark the passage of time. In this place, it seemed, time had no value, or had simply stopped passing at all.

Oh, no.

“We’re dead,” Light said softly. “Aren’t we?”

The nameless man nodded. “That was my theory as well, yes.”

“So we’re here forever, then? The two of us?”

“That seems the logical conclusion. Though given the extra chair and boxes that appeared when you did, I suspect we’re still waiting on a third.”

“Or more. If more things appear when the third arrives – ”

“No. There’s only three of us. I read that once, somewhere.” The man raised a thumb to his lips, pensive. “I believe it was in a play.”

Light raised an eyebrow. “That hardly sounds like a credible source.”

“Perhaps not, but I remember it. That must mean something, here.”

He remembers a play, but not his name? Light studied the man across from him like a textbook, taking in the dark hair, the rumpled t-shirt, the faded jeans. Another dim spark of recognition lit his brain, but once again, it failed to catch. “Don’t sit like that.”

The man blinked. “Like what?”

“That. With your legs crossed. It’s wrong.”

“You’re sitting the same way.”

“I know. But when you do it, it just looks…” Light trailed off, fully aware of how absurd he sounded. “I don’t know. It’s wrong, somehow.”

The man looked down at himself, then up at Light, his dark eyes shrewd. “We’ve met before.”

“We must have, yes. Which would explain why we wound up roommates.”

“I have no memory of you.”

“Nor I of you. But we used to, and we’re supposed to figure it out. I’m certain of that.” Light rose, walking over to the glass display cases behind his roommate’s chair. “What are these?”

“Possessions, I think. Things I once owned. I looked them over when I got here, but – ”

“But you still don’t remember what they mean.”

“Correct.”

Light peered into the case nearest the door. “A pair of long chain handcuffs. Kinky.”

The man shrugged, but his lips curved slightly. “I didn’t ask for judgment.”

“I’m not judging. I’d just hate to have lost the memories assorted with that one.” Light studied the next cases. “A black notebook, and…huh. Looks like a computer in there.”

“What a clever deduction.”

“I wasn’t talking to you. Just thinking out loud.” He rattled the handle of the case and found it locked. Damn it. Annoyed, he punched the case instead, his fist blazing up in pain as the glass shattered. Damn it! With a yelp, he sank to his knees, cradling the injured hand to his chest.

“Out of curiosity,” asked his roommate, droll, “what exactly did you expect to happen just then?”

“Shut up.” Light examined his throbbing hand, startled to find it apparently whole. No blood. Either this is a dream, or I really am dead. Looking up, he saw that the glass had reformed around the computer, undamaged and sparkling clean. “It was worth a try.”

“You could have asked if I had the key first.”

Oh. “Do you?”

“Of course. As I said, I examined those objects when I first arrived here. They did nothing for my memory. I can’t imagine they’d do anything for yours.”

“We knew each other. We’re supposed to learn something from these clues. I might have some insight – ”

The man gave him a withering look, and Light gave up. He won’t let me look at his things, but he can’t stop me from looking at mine. If he had a key to his, then maybe… Light rummaged through his pockets and withdrew a small key from his suit coat. “Aha.”

“You’d do better to leave well enough alone,” the man said firmly. “My items didn’t help me. I doubt yours will be any different.”

“You may be right.” Light tested his key in the lock on the computer display case, but it didn’t fit. Hauling himself to his feet, he went over to his own boxes instead. “Let’s see. A watch, a gun, and another black notebook. ‘Death Note.’ Odd.” Light glanced back across the room, frowning. “The cover of yours is blank, but mine has writing.”

“Strange.”

“Indeed.” There was something ominous about the notebook, just as there was about his roommate, but Light ignored it, opening the case with the watch first instead. I know this. I’ve seen it. I –

“Graduation,” he blurted. “Dad gave me this watch as a gift, for getting into To-Oh. I was going to join the NPA, like him. I remember now.”

“You were a detective?”

“I intended to be. I still can’t remember if I succeeded.” He turned the watch over in his hands, stroking it with his thumb before returning it to its case. “A detective. That might explain why I’m so determined to figure this out.”

The man made a noncommittal noise, and Light turned his attention to the next case. “This is a service revolver. NPA.”

“So you did become a detective.”

“I did, but…this is weird. It’s not mine.”

“If it’s in there, it must be yours. You just don’t remember it.”

“No. I’m certain. It’s not mine.” Light inspected it, frowning. “All the casings are empty. It’s been fired.”

“Perhaps you were attacked in the line of duty, and emptied your gun at your killer.”

Annoyed, Light shook his head, returning the gun to its case. “It’s not mine. How many times do I have to say it?”

“Why would it be in your case if it wasn’t yours?”

“If I could remember that, I wouldn’t be looking at these display cases, would I?”

Light started toward the last case, but his roommate’s voice stopped him. “Not that one. Don’t.”

“Why not?”

“There’s something wrong with it. I can tell. It feels wrong.”

“That’s not very convincing.”

“It’s the same thing you said about me sitting. I can’t explain it, Light. I just know you should leave that notebook alone.”

“It’s the only chance I have to get my memories back.”

“You’ve remembered enough. What does it matter now? You’re dead. Remembering won’t change anything.” Concerned, the man gestured at Light’s chair. “You’re waiting for the manager, remember? He’ll straighten everything out. Let’s just talk until he gets here.”

“Talk about what, exactly? The lives we don’t remember? The view from the windows we don’t have? We’re dead, damn it. There’s nothing we have left except the past.” Wresting open the last display case, Light seized the notebook in both hands. An instant later, he collapsed screaming, his hands clutching the sides of his head.

It hurts, it hurts…

“Light?”

Panting, Light looked up. His roommate stood over him, dark eyes hard and grim – and for the first time, Light knew exactly who he was.

“You,” he spat.

“Me,” L agreed, extending a hand to help him up. “And you, it seems. You remember everything, don’t you?”

Light nodded. “You had your memories the whole time.”

“Yes. I simply thought, for both our sakes, it would be best if you didn’t regain yours.”

“Tch.” He shoved L’s hand aside and pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the dizziness he still felt. “Even in death, you’re a goddamn liar.”

“I see losing hasn’t improved your charming disposition any. Not that I expected it to.” L sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Hell is other people.”

“Huh?”

“Huis Clos. 'No Exit.’ The play I mentioned earlier. Three people incapable of being happy in each others’ company, trapped in a room together forever. In this case, you, myself, and – ”

“Misa.”

“Most likely, yes. The one person who could make us both more miserable than we already are.”

Horrified, Light shook his head. “They can’t do that.”

“Apparently, they can. I told you once our fates were bound together, Light. It appears fate took me at my word.”

“No. I can’t accept that. I refuse.” Light charged the door, frantic, flinging his whole body weight against the wood. “Let me out!”

“Don’t be childish, Kira.”

Light ignored him, hammering the door with his feet and fists. “Let me out, damn it! I know someone’s listening! Let me out!”

All at once, L’s arms were around him, dragging him back from the door. Light yelped in protest and lashed out, and L dumped him unceremoniously on the floor. “Light, stop that. Stop.”

“Get away from me! Let me out!”

“If I could, I would. I’ve been attacking that door since I remembered who I was, Light. It won’t budge.”

“So this is it, then?” Light said bitterly. “You, me, and Misa, tormenting each other to madness. Forever.”

“Well, there’s one other option.”

“Which is?”

“We could forgive each other and start again.”

They stared at each other a moment, detective and killer, inscrutable as stones. Then they began to laugh.

“Us?” said Light, amused. “Not fucking likely.”

“Not at all. But it doesn’t hurt to be thorough.”

“I guess not.” Whatever now passed for Light’s body ached from his futile assaults on the door, but he refused to let L see it. Returning to his chair, he seated himself with frigid dignity. “What do we do now?”

Hawk-like, L perched himself on his own chair, all traces of amusement gone. “Make each other suffer, I suppose.”

“Good. I’d hate to suffer alone.” Light leaned back and closed his eyes, the word forever echoing in his skull. Forever and ever… “Let’s get on with it, then.”

#fanfiction #submission #Light Yagami #L Lawliet #ratings: general #pairings: none #yagamiraitokun #zenthisoror #Light's Birthday Extravaganza 2017 #death note

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those70scomics · 7 years

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Hi, everyone! This week’s interview is with @jacquelineshyde / PoetDameron, an author who’s been posting her That ‘70s Show fanfic and poetry since 2016. Her prose and poetry have a gracefulness to them, in both imagery and subtext. Shades of emotion blend into one another, giving us a deeply complex and satisfying exploration of the characters.

The interview has been split into two parts. This is part 1.

Those ‘70s Comics: What first inspired you to write That '70s Show fanfic?

jacquelineshyde: The bad ending. After watching season 8, there were a lot of things I had to say about it and about how things went down between Hyde and Jackie. It made me sick how the writers let go of such [a] wonderful couple and great characters, so I first started having ideas of how to fix the season; then I started ignoring the hell out of it and [created] plots out of season 7's mess. After a while, the ideas started to [gel] and make me want to try writing [stories]. Inspiration came quickly; it stormed my brain, and the words came out one after the other until I had three one-shots and two chapters of what today is Heart Like Yours (HLY: FFnet / AO3).

T7C: What was the first fanfiction story you ever wrote, posted or unposted, and for what fandom?

jacquelineshyde: It was a five-page piece about dogs [on] vacation, written when I was five-years-old. A Lady and the Tramp fanfiction. Isn't it funny that fandom tends to compare that story with Hyde and Jackie? I must have a type for OTPs.

T7C: In addition to prose, you also write poetry for That '70s Show -- from Hyde's point of view, in particular. It's full of evocative, sensory, and sensual imagery. What inspired you to write poetry for T7S and from Hyde's point of view?

jacquelineshyde: The first poem I wrote for [Hyde and Jackie] is called “so don't lose hope”. It's about how Hyde believes Jackie always had everything but suddenly, out of nowhere, she wants him -- even when he has nothing and can't give her any (material) things.

This poem was inspired by Hyde yelling, "No, you don't!" at Jackie when she tells him he believes he is "the sweetest, coolest guy [she has] ever met" (”Moon Over Point Place” [2x26]). [That moment] made me think [that] he can't accept anyone thinking so highly of him (aside from the fact that she was [...] disrespectful of his personal space and life during those episodes [...]). Hyde's POV is very difficult for me. At first I thought it was [that] I had a hard time liking the character during seasons 1 and 2, but then I realized it was [that] he reminds me of two people in my life: myself and Someone Else. Someone Else always had this way of speaking that made me see the color purple in different tones inside my head -- and black melting into grey and then white -- and starless nights that get rainy, and I started to associate Hyde [with] all that imagery. My mind kept [conjuring] another image every time I tried to do Hyde's POV: a girl laughing on a comfy nest of blankets, with her cheeks pink and her nose red, and black hair everywhere on the pillows, tiny fingers touching his face, and Mila Kuni's bicolor eyes (I know Jackie's eyes are brown, but it's a mental image, and I've been liking MK since Forgetting Sarah Marshall). The image of the sun came afterward, and I thought of how much I loved my first girlfriend and how much I loved Someone Else, and the poetry came along. Hyde does show a [...] talent for [mental quickness with] words [in “Jackie Bags Hyde” (3x08) when he comes up] with the haiku (lol), and he is shown to read a lot and be insightful, a brilliant mind who tries to hide behind a lazy mask. [All of this developed into the Jackie on My Mind Poetry Project, written in] a black Moleskine, and a boy who tried to avoid the monster under his bed that turned out to be his own mother, [a boy] who then fell in love and realized it was possible for someone else to love him.

T7C: What's your process for writing poetry?

jacquelineshyde: Well, I actually don't think I have one. When I write, I don't think, I don't eat, I don't sleep. It just happens. Poetry is easy for me [to write] for some reason. I never think about it because maybe if I do, I will try to make it perfect, and the shine will be gone. I tend to ruin my own stuff when I want it to be perfect, so I don't give it much thought. Maybe the solid answer would be that I get a word or a image, and I want to put it down in a [short monologue], and the poetry comes.

T7C: Does a particular mood, thought, or emotion you want to explore inspire the beginning of a poem?

jacquelineshyde: Most times, yes. When I get a prompt for poetry, the first thing I do is [make a] list in my head about what the prompt makes me think, then what it makes me believe, and finally what it makes me feel. This all happens in [a matter] of seconds, and then [the poem] just goes [from there].

T7C: What's one of your favorite Jackie/Hyde moments from That '70s Show? And what's one of your least favorites?

jacquelineshyde: A favorite would be Jackie telling Hyde she can't stop him from breaking up with her [in “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You” (5x14)] but that it would be a [waste] since she has fallen for him. I believe she knew [she loved him] for a while [before] that moment, and I also believe it wasn't truly her intention that her first, “I love you,” would come out like that, but she was also sure he needed to hear it (after four seasons of manipulating Kelso into staying with her and making it clear she was not going to let [Kelso] go until she said otherwise). Hyde is very vulnerable during this moment, and the entire arc is incredible when it comes to his feelings. She shows a growth she didn't have during her first relationship, and it says [a lot] about her and her relationship with Hyde. She understands where lines are drawn and that she can't control him or make him love her back. All she can do is love him and wait for him to understand it's real. And he does. And the one I hate, no doubt, is [in “Winter” (7x11)]: Hyde making this idiotic face at Jackie [when she asks] him if he seriously preferred to play with stolen toys instead of going with her [to the Ladies of Point Place party], even knowing he had broken a promise to her. It's the worst thing the writers could have done to him. The second I saw the moronic and asshole way he acts during this whole episode, I felt like it was the beginning of the nightmare that followed [during] the rest of season 7 -- and then the pit of despair that is season 8.

I hate the episode “Winter” with all my being. And, believe me, I'm going to quote my acting professor on this, "Don't underestimate Nina's capacity for rage out of dislike."

T7C: Of all the T7S fanfics you've written so far (or are in the middle of writing), which are you the most proud of?

jacquelineshyde: I must say I love my upcoming story Wear My Arms. It's a Hyde/Jackie Soulmate AU, in which one [experiences] the life of one’s soulmate for an hour, [as if watching] a movie. You fall asleep, and you see [your soulmate’s] life through [his or her] eyes for an hour. Hyde sees Jackie's life during season 1 when they aren't on good terms, and the story goes from that on. The entire fic is an ode to Hyde's complex character, his big capacity for love, how much he [grows] to love Jackie and -- through [his love for her, learns to love] himself. [Wear My Arms] has helped me a lot [in writing from] his POV and in my understanding of his character. Not to mention, this is literally the story of my poetry project Jackie on my Mind. This is the story where Hyde writes poetry and gets to see Jackie laughing in a nest of blankets. I'm very excited for other people to read this story!

Read part 2 here.

#That 70s Show #That '70s Show #Jackie x Hyde #Steven Hyde #Jackie Burkhart #jacquelineshyde #Interview #T7S Fanfic Author Interview #Special

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attendantdesign-blog · 7 years

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New Post has been published on Attendantdesign

New Post has been published on https://attendantdesign.com/hot-do-it-yourself-diy-tips/

Hot Do It Yourself (DIY) Tips

About a decade ago, I become the Freelance Writing Guide for About.Com, an agency that rigorously trains its employees in search engine optimization (search engine marketing). In addition to receiving that formal schooling, I locked myself away in a café for every week and studied what was then a leading e-book on all matters search engine marketing, to help wrap my brain around the ideas I changed into gaining knowledge of.

Eventually, I left the Freelance Writing Guide position and released my personal blog, Dancing with Pain®, which shot to the number one spot on Google, for the key-word natural pain relief. Then, as I segued into public family members control, I continued to implement the entirety I had learned, in addition to intuited, approximately search engine marketing through the years – amongst other things, producing inbound links to my customers’ websites, from top media shops –with the end result that my customers’ web sites shot to the number one spot on Google, for the diverse keywords of desire.

Recently, however, search engine optimization got so damn convoluted,

with algorithms converting every six minutes, that I stopped seeking to maintain up and now advocate clients to convey an SEO professional on board. For the ones on a price range, but, I figured it’d be helpful to skip on those hot DIY pointers from Tommy Landry, a search engine marketing professional from Austin, Texas. Like a right geek, Tommy uses several technical terms when discussing search engine marketing. To make sure that even the beginner knows the concepts to which he is referring, you may find those terms linked to blog posts on topic – both those Tommy wrote himself or those he recommends from other search engine optimization professionals.

Loolwa Khazzoom: What is the #1 most crucial factor that people want to recognize about search engine optimization?

Tommy Landry: SEO is a protracted-haul method, and there are not any powerful shortcuts to success. Plan to dedicate time, energy, and resources to search engine optimization, and the outcomes will come. Anything that tries to boost up the procedure by using “gaming” the device will backfire finally, normally with the aid of way of a penalty from Google.

LK: What is the biggest mistake you discover people making, whilst attempting to manage SEO on their personalities?

TL: Most human beings have, at exceptional, an oversimplified idea of what SEO is and how it works. We speak to people all the time who say they recognize about SEO. In most cases, “knowing search engine optimization” approach producing content with on-web page optimization (i.E. Placing key phrases in all of the proper locations for Google to find and index them), then hoping the scores observe. Without understanding more in-depth topics including technical search engine optimization, off-page search engine optimization, superior key-word filtering, and semantic markup, DIY SEO may be hard-pressed to expose real consequences from their efforts.

LK: Is there ever a time that human beings can or possibly even need to ignore search engine marketing Tips Hot Yourself

TL: More than half of ways Google makes a decision to rank web sites depends on who hyperlinks from their internet site to yours. The greater authoritative the internet site that links in your area, the better your content material will rank, by means of a distinctive feature of affiliation with stated authority.

This is why your clients’ and your web sites speedy have stepped forward in ranking for various keyword searches. By producing coverage among excessive authority domain names which include The New York Times and Dr. Oz, you have got secured a number of the most coveted inbound hyperlinks, passing alongside authority of these web sites to the websites of your customers and yourself.

For websites that already have established hyperlink profiles and area authority, publishing content material must suffice for search engine marketing advantage. Those websites quick will rank and clearly will earn greater hyperlinks, because of the inherent visibility of their domain names as a whole. There are also industries where the target market both isn’t always online (as within the case of products concentrated on oil rig workers who cross offshore to paintings) or isn’t always in all likelihood to do a search for options (as within the case of nicely-established industries, wherein there are best a couple of nationally-recognized options).

LK: What are your guidelines on balancing the art of writing with the functionality of search engine marketing – in web sites? In we blog posts?

TL: Previously Google targeted on “man or woman matching” algorithms, scanning for web pages with exact words and characters typed right into a seek discipline. Today, but, Google makes a specialty of seeking motive, scanning for web pages associated with the meanings of words typed into a seek subject. A properly-constructed listing of semantic search engine optimization topics identifies key-word variations and synonyms – providing various verbiage that facilitates maintaining the content reading obviously and making it less complicated to optimize content material. Semantic search engine marketing is paramount to powerful SEO overall performance in 2017.

It additionally pays to recognize semantic markup or to hire a person to attend to it for you. Semantic markup enables you to establish “entities” through the code, which Google and the opposite search engines can use to help higher interpret the intent of your content material. Semantic markup will help you rank higher on low volume/low competition searches, a lot of which take place for the primary time ever on a daily basis (up to 25% of each day searches have by no means occurred before, consistent with Google).

LK: For small commercial enterprise proprietors without the price range to hire a search engine marketing expert, what are your pinnacle 3 tips for selecting and incorporating keywords?

TL: Think approximately how someone would possibly seek online, for the forms of products or services you provide. For instance, keep in mind a problem for which your product or service gives an answer, and build key phrases around solving that hassle. Do your keyword research, to discern out what number of searches every keyword receives on a month-to-month foundation, however additionally component in seek competition (i.E. How tough it will be to rank for a keyword, based totally on the power of websites already ranking for it). High volume key phrases are nearly certain to have excessive opposition, so lesser-volume, however, greater practicable options may be preferable. Among other issues, assume in phrases of subjects (comparable keywords to use in tandem, including “Auto Shipping,” “Car Shipping,” “Auto Transport,” “Vehicle Shipping,” and many others.). These subjects can be peppered into your frame reproduction, and also used within the most important on-web page factors with the intention to inform Google what you’re focused on, inclusive of web page title, meta description, and many others.

LK: Would you endorse any online gear for selecting keywords?

TL: I always advocate starting out with the Google Keyword Planner, for all and sundry who has access to it. That’s an incredible manner to generate an initial keyword list, based on a move slowly of your internet site. It additionally could be insightful for seeing what Google “thinks” your website online is ready (which might also surprise you). Next, evaluation the consequences and pick what you maximum want to pursue. If possible, evaluate what your competitors are pursuing as well, and recollect including the ones key phrases in your listing. Get admission to a top rate keyword device, to layer in the SEO competition/key-word issue metrics (SEMrush, Moz, chiefs, and Market Samurai are tops in my book). If you don’t pay to apply any of those top class/paid equipment, understand that any well-certified search engine optimization expert can have to get entry to at least one or more of them.

LK: For ecopreneurs coping with every factor in their commercial enterprise, having to reflect on consideration on and implement search engine marketing on every internet site web page and weblog put up can sense overwhelming. Is there such a component as fast and clean SEO implementation, or are there no shortcuts?

TL: Yes and no. Generating pinnacle media coverage will virtually help you rank and improve your area authority (DA). Better yet, but, if you may get a 3rd birthday party to include a hyperlink to your site within a contextual piece, i.E. Non-promotional in nature, you’ll get even extra DA weight with Google.

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swunlimitednj · 7 years

Text

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

Posted by randfish

Friends and fellow SEOs, I just need a few minutes of your time. This is gonna be short and sweet.

If you're optimizing a page to rank well for a keyword or set of keywords, you probably use some sort of checklist to make sure you're doing the right things. That might be through an SEO plug-in like Yoast or through Moz Pro's On-Page Grader, or it might be just be a mental checklist. The problem is, there's a crucial set of flaws in how I've seen a lot of marketers and SEOs approaching on-page SEO in the last few months, and I want to help.

These five mistakes and biases are popping up too often in our field, so let's address each with simple, tactical fixes.

#1: Kill those keyword repetition rules

I know. Many tools, free and paid, check for how many times a keyword is used on a page and in certain elements (like alt attributes of images or meta description tags or in bold text). Our tools, Moz's included, are far behind Google sophistication in this sense, but you don't have to be. Use tools' simple rules and checks to make sure you're meeting the minimum bar, but don't fall for advice like "1 use of the keyword phrase every 100 words" or "at least 4 uses of the keyword in HTML text."

The MozBar's on-page suggestions are pretty good for this (though even it has some flaws, e.g. 75-character URL limits strikes me as too short), and don't get bogged down in much X number of repetitions malarky. Remember that Google cares a lot about how visitors interact with your content. If searchers don't click on your listing, or do, but bounce back to the SERP because you're not delivering the content or experience they want, you'll soon be off page one (see Brafton's excellent, recent case study on this).

Bottom line: Yes, it's still wise to use the keyword that searchers type into Google in your title, your description, and on the page. But repetition-based rules are not gonna boost your rankings, and may inhibit your usability and content quality, which have far greater impacts.

#2: Searcher intent > raw keyword use

Serve the goals of the searcher. Deliver the experience they need and the answers they want. This is vastly more important than any simplistic keyword use rule.

Want a quick and easy way to figure out what searchers are seeking around a broad keyword? Do some basic keyword research!

E.g. I popped "faberge eggs" into Keyword Explorer, looked at the suggestions list, chose the "are questions" filter, and BOOM. KWE is giving me insight into exactly what people want to know about the eggs: What are they? How do you make them? How much do they cost? How many were made? Who was Faberge?

You don't have to use KWE for this; most keyword research tools — even free ones like Ubersuggest or AdWords — will get you there. The goal is to understand what searchers want, and deliver it to them. For example, there are a lot of image searches for Faberge Eggs, suggesting that photos are critical to delivering the right user experience. The many questions and searches related to price and construction suggest that some folks want their own and, thus, providing links or information about how to craft replicas or where to buy them probably makes great sense, too.

In my experience, it's vastly easier to create content of any kind that serves your visitors first, then retrofit that content with keyword rules vs. the other way around. I get deeply worried when I see marketers or content creators putting the cart before the horse and focusing on keyword use as though some precise placement will incite Google to rank you ahead of all those content pieces that satisfy and delight their searchers.

Bottom line: Discover what searchers want and deliver it to them before you worry about keyword use or repetition in your content.

#3: Related topics and keywords are ESSENTIAL

Raw keyword repetitions and simplistic rules don't take you far in 2017, but... related topics absolutely do. Google wants to see documents that intelligently use words and phrases that connect — semantically, lexically, and logically — to the queries searchers are using. Those topics help tell Google's on-page quality analysis systems that your content A) is on-topic and relevant, B) includes critical answers to searchers' questions, and C) has credible, accurate information.

Let me show you what I mean:

Check out that badass featured snippet. It's not the #1 ranked page. And strangely enough, it's the page with the fewest links and linking root domains on page one of Google's SERPs. But it NAILS the content optimization, providing the right answers in the right format for both Google and searchers.

Seriously, that's the competition — 9 sites you've definitely heard of, whose media brands and domain authority would make you think a come-from-nowhere underdog wouldn't stand a chance in these SERPs. And yet, there it is, like a beautiful Cinderella story dominating page one.

Want to replicate this success? It's not that hard.

Step one: Use related topics and keywords. The MozBar makes this easy:

I believe there are a few other tools that provide this functionality, including the Italian SEO Suite, SEOZoom. The MozBar gets its suggestions by crawling the pages that rank for the keyword, extracting out unique terms and phrases that appear on those pages more frequently than in other content across the web, and then listing them in order of relative importance/value.

It makes sense that words like "Peter Carl Faberge," "Tsar," "Imperial Easter Egg," and "Faberge Museum" would all belong on any content targeting this search query. If you're missing those terms and trying to rank, you're in for a much more difficult slog than if you employ them.

Step two: If there's any chance for a featured snippet in the SERP, aim for it by optimizing the format of your content. That could mean a list or a short explanatory paragraph. It might mean a single sentence atop the page that gives the quick-and-dirty answer while beckoning a searcher to click and learn more. Dr. Pete's guide to ranking #0 with featured snippets will give you more depth on how to get this right.

The best part about this is that few SEOs are doing this well right now. Many don't even know these processes or tools exist. And that means... it's still a competitive advantage if you do it :-)

Bottom line: There are keywords beyond synonyms or raw repetitions that can help you rank and claim the featured snippet position. You can find them manually or with tools, and employ them in your content to dramatically boost on-page SEO.

#4: Stop assuming links always beat on-page

This one's dead simple. We need to change our biased thinking about links and content from the days of 2012. Back then, it was still the case that a few more links with anchor text would move even an irrelevant, low-quality page of content above better and more valuable pages. Today, it's vastly more likely that very-well-linked-to pages (as in the example above) are getting their butts handed to them by marketers who go above and beyond with their on-page SEO efforts, winning despite a link deficit because they deliver the content and the experience Google (and searchers) want.

Bottom line: If you're ranking on page 2 or 3, blunt-force link building shouldn't be the only tool in your wheelhouse. Modern on-page SEO that better serves searchers and more intelligently considers content formatting and word usage and searcher satisfaction has got to be part of the equation.

#5: Pages matter, but so, too, do the sites hosting them

In 2012, Wikipedia and big sites like them dominated many results simply by virtue of their raw link authority and importance. Today, domain authority still plays a role, but it's not just link equity or the size and popularity of the site that matters. There's an element of topical authority and expertise in Google's algorithm that can deliver dramatic results to those willing to lean into it.

For example, in the SEO field, Moz has topical authority thanks to our years of writing about the subject, earning links from the field, becoming associated with the subject, and the close semantic connection that the words "Moz" and "SEO" have all over the web. The entity *Moz* surely lives in some Google database with a close word-association to SEO, just as SeriousEats lives alongside recipes, Dribbble lives alongside design, Zappos lives alongside shoes, and Zillow lives alongside real estate.

Last year, I showed off this slide when talking about the power of brand associations:

In many cases, it's not just about optimizing a page for a keyword, or earning links to that page, but about what your brand means to people and how the entity of your brand or organization might be associated with topics and topical authority in Google's eyes. This means that "on-page optimization" sometimes extends to "on-site optimization" and even "off-site brand building."

If Moz wanted to start ranking well for keywords far outside its current areas of thought leadership and topical relevance, we'd likely need to do far more than just go through the on-page SEO checklist and get some anchor text links. We'd need to create associations between our site and that content space, and indicate to Google and to searchers that they could trust us on those topics. If you're working on ranking for sets of keywords around a subject area and struggling to make progress despite nailing those two, topical authority may be to blame.

How do you build up authority around a topic? You associate your brand with it through online and offline campaigns. You publish content about it. You earn links from sites that talk about it. Your brand name gets searched for by people seeking it. You develop a following from the influencers around it. You become synonymous with it. There are thousands of tactics to pursue, and every organization is going to do best with the tactics that work for their audience, play to their strengths, and enable them to uniquely stand out. Just make sure you figure this into your calculus when considering why you may not be ranking, and what you may need to do differently.

Bottom line: Websites earn associations and connections with subject matter areas in Google. To earn rankings, you may need to address your entire site's brand focus, not just an individual page's keyword targeting.

As always, I look forward to your thoughts around these issues and the tips I've given. I know many SEOs are already on top of these, but given how often I still see old-school on-page SEO practices in play, there's clearly still an opportunity to stand out by getting them right.

Sign up for The Moz Top 10, a semimonthly mailer updating you on the top ten hottest pieces of SEO news, tips, and rad links uncovered by the Moz team. Think of it as your exclusive digest of stuff you don't have time to hunt down but want to read!

from Blogger http://ift.tt/2levTnq via SW Unlimited

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lawrenceseitz22 · 7 years

Text

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

Posted by randfish

Friends and fellow SEOs, I just need a few minutes of your time. This is gonna be short and sweet.

These five mistakes and biases are popping up too often in our field, so let's address each with simple, tactical fixes.

#1: Kill those keyword repetition rules

#2: Searcher intent > raw keyword use

Serve the goals of the searcher. Deliver the experience they need and the answers they want. This is vastly more important than any simplistic keyword use rule.

Want a quick and easy way to figure out what searchers are seeking around a broad keyword? Do some basic keyword research!

Bottom line: Discover what searchers want and deliver it to them before you worry about keyword use or repetition in your content.

#3: Related topics and keywords are ESSENTIAL

Let me show you what I mean:

Want to replicate this success? It's not that hard.

Step one: Use related topics and keywords. The MozBar makes this easy:

The best part about this is that few SEOs are doing this well right now. Many don't even know these processes or tools exist. And that means... it's still a competitive advantage if you do it :-)

#4: Stop assuming links always beat on-page

#5: Pages matter, but so, too, do the sites hosting them

Last year, I showed off this slide when talking about the power of brand associations:

from Blogger http://ift.tt/2la2zTm via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Blogger

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seoprovider2110 · 7 years

Text

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

Posted by randfish

Friends and fellow SEOs, I just need a few minutes of your time. This is gonna be short and sweet.

These five mistakes and biases are popping up too often in our field, so let's address each with simple, tactical fixes.

#1: Kill those keyword repetition rules

I know. Many tools, free and paid, check for how many times a keyword is used on a page and in certain elements (like alt attributes of images or meta description tags or in bold text). The SEO software world's on-page suggestions, Moz's included, are far behind Google sophistication in this sense, but you don't have to be. Use tools' simple rules and checks to make sure you're meeting the minimum bar, but don't fall for advice like "1 use of the keyword phrase every 100 words" or "at least 4 uses of the keyword in HTML text."

#2: Searcher intent > raw keyword use

Serve the goals of the searcher. Deliver the experience they need and the answers they want. This is vastly more important than any simplistic keyword use rule.

Want a quick and easy way to figure out what searchers are seeking around a broad keyword? Do some basic keyword research!

Bottom line: Discover what searchers want and deliver it to them before you worry about keyword use or repetition in your content.

#3: Related topics and keywords are ESSENTIAL

Let me show you what I mean:

Want to replicate this success? It's not that hard.

Step one: Use related topics and keywords. The MozBar makes this easy:

The best part about this is that few SEOs are doing this well right now. Many don't even know these processes or tools exist. And that means... it's still a competitive advantage if you do it :-)

#4: Stop assuming links always beat on-page

#5: Pages matter, but so, too, do the sites hosting them

Last year, I showed off this slide when talking about the power of brand associations:

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2kxQcx0

#DIYS

0 notes

goldieseoservices · 7 years

Text

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

Posted by randfish

Friends and fellow SEOs, I just need a few minutes of your time. This is gonna be short and sweet.

These five mistakes and biases are popping up too often in our field, so let's address each with simple, tactical fixes.

#1: Kill those keyword repetition rules

I know. Many tools, free and paid, check for how many times a keyword is used on a page and in certain elements (like alt attributes of images or meta description tags or in bold text). The SEO software world's on-page suggestions, Moz's included, are far behind Google sophistication in this sense, but you don't have to be. Use tools' simple rules and checks to make sure you're meeting the minimum bar, but don't fall for advice like "1 use of the keyword phrase every 100 words" or "at least 4 uses of the keyword in HTML text."

#2: Searcher intent > raw keyword use

Serve the goals of the searcher. Deliver the experience they need and the answers they want. This is vastly more important than any simplistic keyword use rule.

Want a quick and easy way to figure out what searchers are seeking around a broad keyword? Do some basic keyword research!

Bottom line: Discover what searchers want and deliver it to them before you worry about keyword use or repetition in your content.

#3: Related topics and keywords are ESSENTIAL

Let me show you what I mean:

Want to replicate this success? It's not that hard.

Step one: Use related topics and keywords. The MozBar makes this easy:

The best part about this is that few SEOs are doing this well right now. Many don't even know these processes or tools exist. And that means... it's still a competitive advantage if you do it :-)

#4: Stop assuming links always beat on-page

#5: Pages matter, but so, too, do the sites hosting them

Last year, I showed off this slide when talking about the power of brand associations:

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2kxQcx0

#DIYS

0 notes

seo78580 · 7 years

Text

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

Posted by randfish

Friends and fellow SEOs, I just need a few minutes of your time. This is gonna be short and sweet.

These five mistakes and biases are popping up too often in our field, so let's address each with simple, tactical fixes.

#1: Kill those keyword repetition rules

I know. Many tools, free and paid, check for how many times a keyword is used on a page and in certain elements (like alt attributes of images or meta description tags or in bold text). The SEO software world's on-page suggestions, Moz's included, are far behind Google sophistication in this sense, but you don't have to be. Use tools' simple rules and checks to make sure you're meeting the minimum bar, but don't fall for advice like "1 use of the keyword phrase every 100 words" or "at least 4 uses of the keyword in HTML text."

#2: Searcher intent > raw keyword use

Serve the goals of the searcher. Deliver the experience they need and the answers they want. This is vastly more important than any simplistic keyword use rule.

Want a quick and easy way to figure out what searchers are seeking around a broad keyword? Do some basic keyword research!

Bottom line: Discover what searchers want and deliver it to them before you worry about keyword use or repetition in your content.

#3: Related topics and keywords are ESSENTIAL

Let me show you what I mean:

Want to replicate this success? It's not that hard.

Step one: Use related topics and keywords. The MozBar makes this easy:

The best part about this is that few SEOs are doing this well right now. Many don't even know these processes or tools exist. And that means... it's still a competitive advantage if you do it :-)

#4: Stop assuming links always beat on-page

#5: Pages matter, but so, too, do the sites hosting them

Last year, I showed off this slide when talking about the power of brand associations:

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2kxQcx0

#DIYS

0 notes

tracisimpson · 7 years

Text

It's Time to Stop Doing On-Page SEO Like It's 2012

Posted by randfish

Friends and fellow SEOs, I just need a few minutes of your time. This is gonna be short and sweet.

These five mistakes and biases are popping up too often in our field, so let's address each with simple, tactical fixes.

#1: Kill those keyword repetition rules

#2: Searcher intent > raw keyword use

Serve the goals of the searcher. Deliver the experience they need and the answers they want. This is vastly more important than any simplistic keyword use rule.

Want a quick and easy way to figure out what searchers are seeking around a broad keyword? Do some basic keyword research!

Bottom line: Discover what searchers want and deliver it to them before you worry about keyword use or repetition in your content.

#3: Related topics and keywords are ESSENTIAL

Let me show you what I mean:

Want to replicate this success? It's not that hard.

Step one: Use related topics and keywords. The MozBar makes this easy:

The best part about this is that few SEOs are doing this well right now. Many don't even know these processes or tools exist. And that means... it's still a competitive advantage if you do it :-)

#4: Stop assuming links always beat on-page

#5: Pages matter, but so, too, do the sites hosting them

Last year, I showed off this slide when talking about the power of brand associations:

#The Moz Blog Blogger

0 notes