#Broader questions/guides will be less structured

[keef-a-corn]

I came across your blog while surfing the tfe bumblebee tag, and read some of your tfe posts. I would love to hear your rant if your still interested in sharing :) .

SORRY THIS TOOK FOREVER TO ANSWER!

*insert the ‘you want to hear about my theories?!’ Audio from She-Ra*

This is the worst mistake you’ve ever made, thank you.

Now *cracks knuckles* Let’s talk about TFE Bumblebee. (all screenshots are unrelated, just wanted to spice up the post)

First and foremost- BEST VA CHOICE FOR BUMBLEBEE EVER. (With the exclusion of the beeping voice) I usually don’t like Bumblebee voice actors because somehow they’re always wrong. Like there’s always slightly off. But this time I think it was perfect.

Then you have his design- which is sinfully beautiful. He took ‘cute and hot’ put it into a blender and made it a new definition. That definition being ‘TFE Bumblebee’.

He’s a ten but he has cheese knees.

Now I cannot have a good thing without complaining about it, that’s just how I roll..

His relationships and decisions..

Him and Arcee? I love their siblings vibe, silly af.

Bee and Alex? 10/10

Bee and Breakdown? Gay. Gay af. So gay they don’t even know.

Like Bee and the other human Maltos usually just coexist. The Terrans see him as a teacher- that’s about it.

I WANNA KNOW BEE’S DYNAMIC WITH ELITA-ONE AND MEGATRON SCREEEEEE

Because I don’t fraggin know! We hardly see them interact.

ESPECIALLY Megatron and Bumblebee. We got one episode where they properly interacted and it was disappointing.

I want more Wheeljack and Bumblebee. I need them to have a dynamic too..

Now finally.. finally my least favourite dynamic.

What. The. Fuck. Is. Up. With. Optimus?.

Really?.

R e a l l y ?

I hate the running gag that Optimus never picks up Bee’s calls. Optimus is his mentor..

I hate to do it again-

Like during… episode 9? When Bee and Optimus were along they were making small talk. SMALL. TALK!

WHY THE FRAG WERE THEY MAKING SMALL TALK?! OPTIMUS STOP LEAVING YOUR CHILD ALONE FOR SO LONG YOU HAVE TO MAKE SMALL TALK!

(I strongly believe Bee could've fit)

Okay- as for the decisions..

Can we leave the ‘not gonna get stronger characters/characters in charge to help’ prompt in the past? PLEASE?!

If you’ve read my TFP ep notes, you’ll know I find it annoying when they don’t involve Optimus in situations that he needs to be involved with by excusing it as ‘him being busy’.

I hate how often in happens in TFE- especially so when related to Bumblebee.

Like why did he choose not to call Optimus, Megatron, or Elita-One during Family Matters?! Or during episode 17 & 18?! Why did he claim he didn’t have time to caLL FOR HELP AND INSTEAD RECRUITED THE CHILDREN?!

Because no one would help.

Because he’s called Optimus in times of need and he wouldn’t help because he wouldn’t pick up.

That better be it.

I want little Bee boi taking on too much because he doesn’t trust the older bots anymore. Not because of GHOST, but because he doesn’t believe they’ll actually commit.

Also as another person mentioned to me once- It's annoying how when he's absent literally no one cares. Like come on! BE SAD! ACKNOWLEDGE HIS ABSENCE!

I sincerely hope that in the future of this show they give Bee a proper recovery arc and give him a bit of a rescuer complex (Or saviour complex- either way the idea that Bumblebee feels the a desire to help others, that he's responsible for their safety yadda yadda yadda.) Final point, and this is just a general- I hope they give the other bots survivors guilt. I just think that should be thought about. Sorry this took forever to share, I started writing then I never got back to it-

#transformers #maccadam #tfe bumblebee #tfe #I just talk about bumblebee #it's so incoherent #I had no guide #I'm sorry #ask #ask me #like go ahead #ask more questions #Broader questions/guides will be less structured #sorry

[adelphenium]

hello, I just want to tell you that I love your art! Also, the Robo one you did a while ago really made me happy. As someone of East Asian descent, it's kind of frustrating to see drawings/paintings of other East Asian/Pacific Islander people where they just... look White (though I understand that sometimes artists have certain styles/aren't skilled enough to create subtle differences like that). Your depiction of Robo was awesome and I loved to see it! Thank you. :)

ahh i'm really glad to hear my depiction of robo really resonated with you!! :,)

as someone who's also of east asian descent, i do end up reflecting a lot on what it means to represent poc, especially in the sphere of mainstream hockey and its particular institutional setup + organizational makeup (which is a very different context from the other fandoms i've come from) -- but i also think it's a much broader question that all artists should engage with!

there's no easy way to work through it, just based on all the structures of normativity that surround us (cough my self-portraits as a kid cough, most manga/manhwa coughcough); in that sense i'm a little less inclined to see it as being just about individual skill per se.

it also gets so much more complicated when there's all these subtle differences, as you've mentioned -- e.g. how to balance characterization vs caricaturizing, how to maintain a consistent style without falling into a euro-centric same-face syndrome......

that being said, there are plenty of guides + resources out there from other artists of colour much more qualified to talk on these matters than i am, and i totally get the frustration from a representational standpoint as well.

i'm also always reflecting on how to go about my art, and comments like yours mean a lot to me!! i hope you're having a lovely day; thank you for the ask and for opening up the conversation!

#this ended up pretty long but i'm just excited to be able to talk about this topic hehe ty! :D<3 #ask! #hockey meta #ish?

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

Is there such thing as "gifted kids" on Gallifrey? (also, would it make sense that, if they are, that they'd go to the Academy earlier in life because brain buffing took less time?) <ps. I am very well aware that logical conclusions may be the only way to answer this question>

Very interesting question, let's have a poke around and see what we can come up with ...

What happens with 'gifted kids' on Gallifrey?

Gallifreyan education follows quite a rigid path, with all childrene going through brainbuffing and then the Schism initiation at age 8. Even those considered 'gifted' seem to follow a similar timeline without fast-tracking to the Academy.

🌱 Advanced Topics During Brainbuffing

In Gallifreyan brainbuffing (a period of time after birth/loom where they learn an immense amount of knowledge in a tiny space of time), gifted childrene can study more challenging subjects earlier than their less gifted peers.

🚪 No Early Entry

Although gifted students in brainbuffing could run through much more advanced topics, this doesn't mean they're fast-tracked to the Academy, suggesting that a structured timeline is followed regardless of individual skill levels. This consistency aligns pretty well with the broader cultural emphasis on discipline, duty, and a common experience, ensuring that all Gallifreyan childrene develop a sense of community and shared learning, reflective of the ideas of the Matrix. (See: How does the Matrix work?)

⚖️ Case Studies

There are certainly gifted childrene on Gallifrey, usually with talents in certain areas. A few Gallifreyans noted to be particularly all-around intelligent:

Ushas (AKA the Rani);

Vansell;

Tebediatroculozan, one of the best brains of his generation.

Ushas and Vansell are noted to have probably started a couple of semesters before the Doctor/the Master etc. and gained their title of Junior Time Lords earlier than them. However, so did Rallon, who although was in the Deca, isn't explicitly noted to be particularly gifted, suggesting that's more of a chronological thing rather than any form of fastracking.

It should also be noted that in one version of events, Vansell was recruited by the Celestial Intervention Agency before he even attended the Academy, which suggests gifted kids might be accelerated in different ways ... *insert shrug here* 🤔

🏫 So ...

Being gifted doesn't appear to typically lead to early Academy entry. The Gallifreyan educational system seems to prioritise a standardised approach, emphasising a fairly consistent timeline for all students, even those with exceptional abilities.

Hope that helped! 😃

-------------------------------------------------------

》📫Got a question / submission? 》😆Jokes |🫀Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts 》📚Complete list of Q+A 》📜Masterpost If you like what GIL does, please consider buying a coffee or tipping below to help make future projects, including complete biology and language guides.

#doctor who #gil #gallifrey institute for learning #dr who #dw eu #gallifrey #gallifreyans #ask answered #whoniverse #gallifreyan culture

[nothorses]

I think what's especially annoying to me about the "culturally Christian" argument is that people pushing the phrase (as a way of referring to individuals) tend to argue that it's describing a difference in what you know about cultures and religions outside of Christianity.

That's how they justify applying it to atheists and agnostics who don't come from a minority religion background, right? You don't know about any other religion, you must know about Christianity no matter what because that's the dominant religion here, which means you're closer to Christianity than anything else.

But like.

I was raised atheist by people who were raised atheist. Adults around me knew about Christianity, but because we never talked about it, I didn't know anything about any religion for a good chunk of my childhood.

I found out Christmas was a religious holiday when I was like 9; I thought it was about Santa before that, and I literally did not know what the nativity scene was.

I thought Easter was about eggs and bunnies until I was about the same age. I did not understand who Jesus was when it was finally explained to me; I received that information in 7th grade social studies class, when my teacher was explaining the divergence of the three Abrahamic religions.

I learned the vast majority of what I know about Christianity in art history classes I took for my degree, and I was, at the same time, working at a Jewish afterschool program; a not-insignificant part of my job was helping to lead Shabbat prayers and teaching kids about upcoming Jewish holidays. We discussed Jewish values and how they related to the structure of the program very regularly. I cannot stress enough that this was part of a Jewish community center in which a Rabbi worked and relevant gatherings and celebrations happened.

I would say I know more about Christianity, but it's not a huge margin, and a lot of that is repetition; things I've learned about Christianity have been reinforced and repeated over time, and that's not really true of Judaism for me. Had I worked at the JCC for more than two years, my answer might be different.

I would say that I received a lot of Christian messaging growing up, because our broader cultural values are heavily rooted in those ideas. Everyone gets that messaging. What they do with it might depend on their family's culture and religion, and it might depend on their own internal processing. I can say, personally, that much of that messaging didn't stick for me; I realized there was no "real" reason for those beliefs at a pretty young age, and spent a lot of time obsessing over the internal consistency of my own value system. I rejected a lot of them, often without even knowing where they were coming from.

So yeah, you could absolutely say I know more about Christianity, I've been exposed to more of it, and that I've been surrounded by more of it. But everyone in this country experiences this too some degree; to draw highly individualized conclusions about that based on the fact that I'm an atheist alone feels disingenuous, to say the least. Atheism is why I was questioning those things, and rejecting many of them; how is that different from other beliefs? Why does the fact that there is no higher power involved make that less significant than for those who do believe in one?

Don't get me wrong, our culture is Christian. This has an impact on individuals, and I think it's fair to say that some people are more driven to challenge those ideas than others. I'd argue that atheism does require challenging Christian ideas on its own, but I can concede that as a generally self-directed thing, it's easier for folks to just not self-reflect in that way than it might be when going through a guided conversion process.

But.

That line isn't hard and fast, and it's unfair to insist that it is just for the sake of convenience. Particularly when Christians themselves are unwilling to include anyone different from them, especially for the sake of sharing their power.

#atheism

[aresmarked]

I liked this event a lot, but it's pretty frustrating how after a whole lot of 'the Inquisition considers itself unaccountable to everyone' 'the Inquisition arrested people from Gran Faro on a purely racial basis, and never released even the ~60 people they couldn't pin any charges on and missing the non-Aegir cult members' 'Carmen thinks SOME Aegir MAYBE being involved in the Silence justifies lynchings', Irene's last word is 'it was justified and a less harsh try wouldn't have worked' (1/2)

(2/2) Girl, your CURRENT METHOD didn't work, the hard-hearted way of doing things made people like Thiago think that no good could possibly come from reporting to the Inquisition! And in her interlude Carmen assumes she's come to question how they assign guilt and she goes 'no that's all fine.' And all that after Granny Petra's speech in UT too. I know it'll probably come back for anniversary 4, and I like characters having to truly learn, but in the meantime, wow do I want to shake her a bit. (3/2, sorry)I admit some of my frustration here is just. The framing of the Inquisition as heroic warriors standing for civilization, Dario's last stand, 'the Inquisition gives people the energy to wipe the dirt from their faces' in Jordi's profile, when the real Spanish Inquisition stole and murdered thousands, tore families apart, and their targets were mainly Jews and Muslims who wanted to keep their faiths after being forced to convert. Even in a fantasy world that doesn't sit right with me.

So! I see how you got that feel from the event, but for me my impression of the event/the game’s presentation of the Inquisition was more, ‘despite the genuine desires for protection/standing for one’s beliefs that do exist in the members of the Inquisition, despite the efforts of this organisation to address threats—the Profound Silence(s), the assimiliation of all life and culture on land into oneness with the life of the Seaborn—that doesn’t justify decisions that disregard ‘the few’ the prevent the worst outcomes, as evinced by Irene’s comments on SN (and presumably also influenced by her experiences in UT) in her 100 Trust file, which is (currently for me, since I don’t yet have the Trust for her operator record) the thing closest to Irene’s ‘last word’ on this event. Plus Kal’tsit’s comments on how both the Hunters and Inquisition are working.

To me many of Arknights stories examine how it is not that the ‘Other’ is inherently dangerous, but danger exists in the instinct, rationalisation, and structuring of acts of ‘Othering’, and I do feel SN is one of those.

Wanting to shake Irene I think Is Incredibly Valid, and I do think that’s on purpose: Irene as she is in SN is akin, IMO, to Greythroat and Ch’en in the Lungmen chapters of the main story, where she’s at a point that she must reconcile personal experiences with the broader societal realities. Yes, the Iberian Scriptures have guided her through, as has her teacher and master Dario, but these are points that do not outweigh the harm that has been shown in UT/SN... and these are things it’s going to take Time for Irene to move through, having only known, really, that sort of perspective until recent.

(A great deal of me seeing it this way is because of who I am of course. Someone who also has had to examine the beliefs I was raised with, that Did teach me to be wider with my love and how to reconcile with others rather than continue cycles of harm, but was also undeniably twined with harm and continues to have effects today. Canadian Catholics baby~)

Mm... I’ll say this in conclusion. HG was, obviously, deliberate in naming the Inquisitors That. And evoking/referring certain acts of national powers—one thing I was reminded of while reading, being Canadian, was the War Measures Act, which was a statute that essentially granted the government special powers to allow for function during war, invasion, insurrection... and has been used to, among many acts, intern Ukrainians and other Eastern Europeans during and after the first WW, the Japanese in the second, and seize their property, much of which was never returned.

Folk like Carmen and Dario... of course they would be the representatives of people who said, ‘we had to do this, we had no choice, how else could we have handled potential threats’. Everyone’s actions are justified in their own minds, after all. But Irene is where we can pin hopes—and again as you said, who we want to shake—because her heart’s not so hardened yet. And we know that.

Her note from other Operators, after all, is her studiousness in Rhodes’ library.

#finally able to sit down tho im still tiering #put this down in and around it #war replies #anonymous #warproduct rambles #arknights #is this focused? have a natural flow? IDK! but my thoughts are naturally more mind-mappy anyway #if people want me to write proper essays they can toss me a kofi XD

[vivekavicky12]

Decoding Data Roles: A Comprehensive Guide to Data Analysts and Data Scientists

In today's data-driven landscape, the roles of data analysts and data scientists share some similarities but differ significantly in terms of their focus, skill sets, and the scope of their work. As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of these roles, the demand for skilled professionals has led to the emergence of various data science institutes. Let's explore the nuances that differentiate a data analyst from a data scientist, while also considering the importance of choosing the best Data Science institute for a comprehensive education in this field.

Let's delve into the nuances that differentiate a data analyst from a data scientist.

1. The Scope of Work:

Data analysts and data scientists play distinct roles when it comes to the scope of their work.

Data Analyst:

Data analysts are the interpreters of historical data. Their primary focus lies in uncovering trends, generating reports, and providing insights that aid day-to-day operations within an organization. They work with structured data, employing tools such as Excel, SQL, and visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI. The problems they address are typically well-defined and pertain to specific queries.

Data Scientist:

Data scientists, on the other hand, have a broader scope. While data analysis is a part of their work, they are also deeply involved in more complex tasks. This includes developing machine learning models, engaging in predictive modeling, and conducting advanced analytics. Data scientists deal with unstructured or semi-structured data, addressing more intricate and less defined problems. Their role extends beyond routine data interpretation to include exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, and the development of algorithms.

2. Skill Sets:

The skill sets required for data analysts and data scientists highlight the differences in their roles.

Data Analyst:

Data analysts need a strong foundation in statistical analysis, data cleaning, and proficiency in tools like Excel and SQL. While they may have some programming skills, they typically do not require the same level of expertise in machine learning. Visualization tools are a key part of their toolkit, enabling them to communicate insights effectively.

Data Scientist:

Data scientists require a more comprehensive skill set. They need a deep understanding of statistics, machine learning, and programming languages such as Python or R. Proficiency in data preprocessing, feature engineering, model selection, and evaluation is essential. Data scientists often work with big data technologies and possess advanced knowledge of analytical techniques, enabling them to create and implement complex algorithms.

3. Problem Complexity:

The complexity of problems tackled by data analysts and data scientists varies significantly.

Data Analyst:

Data analysts generally deal with well-defined problems and questions. Their focus is on providing answers to specific queries based on structured data. The insights they provide contribute to the day-to-day decision-making processes within an organization.

Data Scientist:

Data scientists thrive on addressing more complex and less structured problems. They engage in exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, and the creation of models capable of handling unstructured or semi-structured data. The solutions they develop often contribute to strategic decision-making, driving innovation, process optimization, and the creation of new products or services.

4. Business Impact:

The impact of data analysts and data scientists on an organization's decision-making processes is another area of distinction.

Data Analyst:

The insights provided by data analysts are integral to operational improvements and day-to-day decision-making. Their work contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of ongoing processes within the organization.

Data Scientist:

Data scientists play a more strategic role in decision-making. Their insights have a broader impact on the organization, driving innovation, shaping long-term strategies, and contributing to the development of new products or services. The impact of a data scientist's work extends beyond routine operations, influencing the overall direction of the organization.

5. Educational Background:

The educational backgrounds of data analysts and data scientists reflect the differences in the complexity of their roles.

Data Analyst:

Data analysts may have a background in fields such as statistics, mathematics, economics, or business. While a bachelor's degree is often sufficient, some roles may require a master's degree.

Data Scientist:

Data scientists typically hold more advanced degrees, such as a master's or Ph.D., in fields like computer science, statistics, or data science. The nature of their work demands a deeper understanding of advanced mathematical and statistical concepts, as well as expertise in machine learning.

In conclusion, the divergence between data analysts and data scientists is profound, marked by distinctions in complexity, skill prerequisites, and organizational impact. Data analysts concentrate on offering actionable insights from existing data, enhancing day-to-day decision-making processes. In contrast, data scientists embark on tackling intricate issues, employing advanced analytics and machine learning to derive predictive and prescriptive insights that play a pivotal role in shaping an organization's strategic direction.As the demand for skilled professionals in these domains grows, the relevance of quality education becomes paramount. Choosing the best Data Science courses in Chennai is a crucial step in acquiring the necessary expertise for a successful career in the evolving landscape of data science.

#data science certification #data science course #data science training #datascience #technology

[philonob]

Hello, sorry if you've answered this question before, but what advice would you give to a absolute beginner learning to draw fantasy character illustration art? (Also do you draw while high? Since that is the only way I know how I can experience new methods of thought openly without judgement.)

No it's completely fine! I haven't been asked about this per say. My own TL;DR tip would be just look at references and study real life animals and creatures and adjust that knowledge and understanding accordingly. Also I don't draw while high as I don't even smoke lmao- but on the other hand I can't focus on drawing either if I'm drunk so I guess the equivalent of that that I tend to do is like.. staying up too late and drawing at 5am lmao but that's not really something I can really recommend. But if you are an insomniac like me ig you can use tha awake time on something else than just spinning around in bed :') Rest I'll be putting under a read more as this is more writing than I anticipated lol

Fantasy characters/monsters have been something I've more or less drawn my whole life so far, but I'd say gathering a personal inspiration gallery/pinterest board or whatever helps a lot already at least when it comes to concepts and ideas for character creating and illustration in general. It can be basically whatever, other designs you already like, colors, patterns, shapes, general feeling, animals, people, makeup, you name it! Same goes with exploring the medias and character designs you already consume and like personally to get started, for example for me those being games like Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy (xiv). Mayhaps pick up the designs you especially like. What do you want to include of them into your own art?

Is there a spesific theme that you like? What kind of art are you wanting to make spesifically? Do you want to make it borderline realistic or more stylized? Is your focus on the anatomy, colors, light or for example in composition? Are you wanting to draw more humanoid or animalistic creatures? Are you focusing on the character design itself or purely the illustration but just focusing on fantasy creatures?

I guess that is more of the those are some points that help out on where to aim yourself/own goals from there on. When I personally do fantasy characters/illustrations I personally have been focusing especially as of late on the anatomy and how to make them *work* relatively realistically, where looking at and studying on real life animals from skin to bones will help.

There are some books like "Fundamentals of Creature Design" from 3dtotal Publishing written by many different character design artists, "Science of Creature Design : Understanding Animal Anatomy" written and illustrated by Terryl Whitlatch are good books when it comes to applying knowledge of anatomy of real life creatures into something fictional and not existing. I've found that to be helpful for me as understanding things like how the bones actually work, how the muscles are attached in with different kind of animals, how the body parts themselves are structured. James Gunrey's "Imaginative Realism" is also a good guide for such but it is much broader with the concepts of imaginitive realism as it also touches subjects such as environment, architecture, fictional cultures, clothing, wehicles, etc. Relating to imaginative reality also paleo art is good when it comes to this topic as all the reconstructions and art pieces that we have are more or less all based on our knowledge of real animals and anatomy. And some artistic freedoms but you get the drill.

Uh,, that was a mouthful and most likely overwhelming and all over the place as my feverish brain can barely think straight but those are bits and pieces of what I'd recommend to study and look up. If nothing else the general studies and the inspiration boards are something I especially recommend :') I hope this helped even a little bit!

#answered #anonymous #rises up from my c0vid grave to answer to this

[onewomancitadel]

I always lie when I say it's my last post on something. The question of the structure of romance which either leads or ends with a kiss and love confession is really interesting to me because it's kind of taken as a foregone conclusion. A corollary of this might be the reveal of the murderer in the murder mystery. That's the direction the genre has to take because the entire point is figuring out the mystery and/or the realisation of feelings. This becomes a little dicey when talking about the various different romance genres and romance subplots (see more under my romance tag) especially because there are stories which expect the kiss to happen within the first act of the story, with physical intimacy and/or confession of feelings to happen therein, followed by a third act breakup and then reconcilliation.

I would personally view the slow burn as superior, but I think it's probably true that unlike the murder mystery, the payoff of romance can be a little more elastic. A lot of romance subplots will now skirt around build-up and then work to break up the pair as quickly as possible because it's hard to write romance well and believably (and the broader tropes of it are better understood than its actual substance) and since it's assumed couples in stable relationships are boring and/or hard to write for, the couple has to immediately be broken up. You see symptoms of this in the third act breakup which is basically necessitated for the dramatic payoff at the end when you don't have a slow burn on your hands.

Is the kiss and feelings confession the necessary third act payoff? I actually don't know. I think that this is something you could argue is contingent upon the story you're telling. There might be different, grander gestures, and equally it might just be worth considering what works for your characters. On the other hand I think that there is a reason structural rules like these exist because it gives form to the genre and after all, romantic relationships are defined by their beginning... on the other hand, what about their middle? That is actually hard to write, for what it's worth, and to maintain tension. Tension is key.

What immediately comes to mind for me, in the murder mystery comparison, is The Secret History, which is a reverse murder mystery. That it's possible to write something I would view as being pretty tightly genre constrained in a unique way (certainly not in a common way) suggests something, at a bare minimum, interesting about the expected conventions of something you'd ordinarily expect unswayable. Of course, what's unique is that it's a reverse of the murder mystery because of who commits what and why, and its structure is grounded in Greek tragedy. By contrast, romance doesn't have such distance between its agents (the detective can be swapped with the murderer and radically alter things) which really would mean it's little more than a perspective swap. But maybe the question lies less in that and more to do with, what is the fundamental question I'm asking about how their relationship ought to evolve? What does it narratively realise? Of course - the one question you need to answer - what's keeping them apart?

But I think the more urgent address when it comes to romance is its character- and plot-intelligibility, less so its trope-laden points and structural necessities. It's pretty natural that the feelings confession - in whatever form that takes, whether that is actually verbal or not - and the kiss happening on the terms of the needs of the characters will guide you in the right direction anyway. I also especially want romance to be present at every point, believably, in that character's emotional world - not cordoned off to the kiss or the feelings confession - I want them to be thinking and feeling in a realistic way, according to the way they would (character-wise) express those feelings. So the confession is less about strict verbalisation, and more about the communication of the characters and what's keeping them apart and what isn't now. It all comes back to mechanical questions.

#on romance once again #a series of posts about the kiss #requisite the secret history is not pretentious literature. to me. and the point is that beauty without substance is evil #dark academia STEALING and MISUSING one of my favourite books to fuck with me

[ellisolivia]

How Much Does SEO Services Cost?

In today's digital landscape, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has emerged as a crucial strategy for businesses looking to enhance their online visibility and attract more traffic to their websites. SEO is a complex field involving various techniques and strategies that aim to improve a website's ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). However, one of the most common questions that businesses have is regarding the cost of SEO services. This comprehensive guide will delve into the various factors that influence SEO pricing, with a special focus on SEO packages in India.

Understanding SEO Services

SEO services encompass a range of activities designed to optimize your website for search engines. These activities can be broadly categorized into on-page SEO (such as keyword optimization, content creation, and website structure improvements) and off-page SEO (such as link building and social media marketing). The goal is to increase the site's visibility and drive organic traffic by improving its rank in search results.

Factors Affecting SEO Services Cost

The cost of SEO services can vary significantly based on several factors:

The Scope of Services: The more comprehensive the SEO strategy required, the higher the cost. This includes the number of pages to be optimized, the amount of content to be created, and the extent of link building needed.

The SEO Agency's Expertise and Reputation: Agencies with a proven track record and high expertise usually charge more due to their ability to deliver better results.

Geographical Location: SEO costs can vary depending on the country and region. For instance, SEO packages in India are often more affordable than those in the U.S. or Europe due to lower operational costs.

Target Market and Competition: The competitiveness of the industry and the target keywords can also significantly affect pricing. Highly competitive markets require more intensive SEO efforts, leading to higher costs.

SEO Pricing Models

SEO services typically follow different pricing models, and understanding these can help you budget more effectively:

Monthly Retainers: This is the most common pricing model where businesses pay a fixed fee each month for a set of SEO services. This model is ideal for long-term projects where ongoing optimization is required.

Project-Based Pricing: Some agencies offer project-based pricing for specific SEO campaigns. This can be suitable for businesses with a well-defined project scope that requires specific SEO work.

Hourly Rates: Smaller tasks may be charged on an hourly basis, especially if the work is ad hoc or requires specific consultancy.

SEO Packages in India

In India, SEO packages are particularly popular among small to medium-sized businesses due to their affordability and comprehensive service offerings. Here’s what businesses can typically expect from SEO packages in India:

Basic SEO Packages: Starting from as low as INR 10,000 per month, these packages offer basic SEO services such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and basic link building. They are suitable for small websites or businesses in less competitive industries.

Standard SEO Packages: Ranging from INR 15,000 to INR 50,000 per month, these packages are more extensive. They include more in-depth keyword optimization, content creation, and more aggressive link building strategies. This is suitable for businesses looking to target a broader market or facing moderate competition.

Premium SEO Packages: These can cost anywhere above INR 50,000 per month and are tailored for large businesses or those in highly competitive markets. These packages involve advanced SEO strategies, including comprehensive link building, detailed analytics, ongoing content creation, and conversion optimization.

How Much Should You Spend on SEO?

Determining how much to spend on SEO depends largely on your business goals, the size of your market, and your competitive landscape. As a general rule, SEO should be seen as a long-term investment. Businesses should plan to invest in SEO for at least 6 to 12 months to see significant results.

For those considering SEO packages in India, it's essential to balance affordability with the quality of services. While SEO packages in India are generally more cost-effective, businesses should still ensure they choose a reputable provider capable of delivering the desired outcomes.

Conclusion

Investing in SEO is crucial for any business looking to improve its online presence. The cost of SEO services can vary widely based on several factors, including the scope of services, agency expertise, and geographical location. SEO packages in India offer an attractive option for businesses looking for cost-effective solutions. By carefully assessing their needs and budget, businesses can select an SEO package that not only fits their financial constraints but also effectively boosts their online visibility.

#seo packages in india #best seo packages in india #best local seo packages in india

[compiledautumn]

Topic Cluster

Building Topic Clusters in Website SEO: Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome to the world of topic clusters, where relevance, authority, and comprehensive content reign supreme. In this guide, we’ll explore how topic clusters are your go to technique in the realm of search engine optimisation (SEO).

We’ll break down the concept, understand its benefits, and learn how to implement it effectively to boost your website’s visibility, traffic, and overall SEO success. So, let’s dive in and unravel the secrets of topic clusters!

What Are Topic Clusters?

Topic clusters are a game-changer in the world of SEO. They involve grouping related assets and creating a web of interconnected content that addresses user questions and satisfies search intent.

In SEO we mainly use Hierarchical Clustering

Hierarchical clustering produces a hierarchical structure of clusters. It is an ideal approach for data with a hierarchical structure, like taxonomies.

In addition, another advantage is that any number of clusters can be chosen by selecting the number of cluster content (supporting posts) at the right level for your SEO.

At the heart of this strategy lie two essential components: pillar content and cluster content.

Pillar content serves as the foundation of your topic cluster. It focuses on broad top level keywords and aims to cover the main topic comprehensively.

cluster content zooms in on specific subtopics (longtail keywords) within the broader theme. By organising your content in this way, you establish authority, increase relevance, and cater to a wide range of user queries.

Each cluster content piece is interlinked with the pillar page and other cluster content, creating a network of interconnected information.

This structure enhances the overall relevance and authority of your website while allowing users to explore related subtopics in-depth.

Why create topic clusters?

Creating topic clusters is essential for improving your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO) and enhancing user experience.

By organising your content into topic clusters, you establish a clear content hierarchy and provide comprehensive coverage of a specific topic.

This structure helps search engines understand the relevance and authority of your website, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Additionally, topic clusters enable you to target a wide range of user queries and cater to different search intents, ensuring that you capture a larger audience and drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Why are topic clusters important?

Topic clusters are important because they align with the evolving algorithms of search engines like Google. These algorithms now prioritise content that demonstrates expertise, relevance, and comprehensiveness.

By implementing topic clusters, you can signal to search engines that your website provides in-depth knowledge on a specific topic. This can lead to higher search rankings, increased visibility, and improved organic traffic.

Topic clusters also enhance the user experience by providing organised, interconnected content that addresses various subtopics within a broader theme.

This makes it easier for users to navigate your website, find the information they need, and engage with your content.

The Power of Topic Clusters: Boosting SEO and Driving Web Traffic

Now that we understand the structure of topic clusters, let’s explore the immense benefits they offer to your SEO efforts:

1. Establishing Authority: Topic clusters enable you to demonstrate expertise and establish your website as a go-to resource in your industry.

By covering a topic comprehensively and interlinking relevant content, you showcase your authority and build trust with both users and search engines.

2. Ranking for Less Competitive Keywords: Traditional SEO often focuses on highly competitive keywords, making it challenging to rank.

However, with topic clusters, you can target long-tail and less competitive keywords and search terms associated with specific subtopics. This approach opens up new opportunities to rank higher and attract targeted traffic.(widening the keyword net)

3. Driving Targeted Traffic: By catering to a wide range of user queries through comprehensive topic coverage, topic clusters drive targeted traffic to your website.

Users searching for related information are more likely to discover your content, increasing the chances of engagement by casting a wider net of keywords, helping conversions, and ultimately, business success.

How do you create a topic cluster and pillar page?

(This is an older video that covers the basic cluster concept.)

Implementing Topic Clusters: Best Practises and Strategies

Implementing topic clusters can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step guide that makes it a breeze.

Step 1: Identify Broad Topics

Start by brainstorming broad topics that your audience is interested in and that are related to your business or blog. For example, if you run a fitness website, broad topics might include “weight loss,” “nutrition,” or “home workouts”.

Step 2: Create Pillar Content

Next, create comprehensive content, known as pillar content, around each of these broad topics. These pillar pages should provide a thorough overview of the topic at hand, ideally covering all the basic information a visitor should know about the topic.

Step 3: Research Subtopics

For each pillar topic, identify subtopics that delve into more detail. Using the fitness website example, if your pillar content is about “nutrition”,

Subtopics could include:

“healthy eating habits”

“meal planning”

“macros and micros”.

Step 4: Create Cluster Content

Now, it’s time to create content for each of these subtopics. Each piece of content should be informative and in-depth, focusing on one specific subtopic. Don’t forget to naturally incorporate related NLP keywords and entity’s to boost your SEO!

Step 5: Link It All Together

Once your pillar and cluster content is ready, interlink them. This means you should add hyperlinks from each subtopic content piece back to the pillar content, and vice versa. This step is essential for creating the ‘cluster’ part of a topic cluster.

Step 6: Monitor and Refine

Finally, once your topic cluster is live, don’t forget to monitor its performance. Use analytics tools to track how each page is performing in terms of traffic, user engagement, and search engine rankings.

If a certain page isn’t performing as well as you’d like, don’t be afraid to tweak your content or your linking strategy.

Remember, with topic clusters, your goal is to become the go-to resource for your readers on a specific topic. So, don’t rush the process. Take your time to create quality content that your readers will find useful and informative.

As you add more content over time, your topic clusters will become more robust, helping you build authority and improve your SEO performance. And if you need a little help along the way, Red Kite SEO is always here to guide you!

Also Watch How to Create and Plan a Topic Cluster

What is a topic cluster example?

Watch here as Dixon Jones explains about knowledge clusters on the web.

When planning a website, utilising categories to create subtopics is an effective way to organise your content and improve the user experience. Let’s consider a website about cooking as an example:

Here’s an expanded list of keywords for each category page based on the example of a cooking website:

Pillar Page: Recipes

– Recipe ideas

– Cooking techniques

– Meal inspiration

– Culinary tips

– Recipe collections

– Cooking basics

– Recipe categories

– Featured recipes

Subtopic: Healthy Recipes

– Nutritious meals

– Clean eating

– Weight loss recipes

– Low-calorie dishes

– Gluten-free recipes

– Vegan and vegetarian options

– Superfoods

– Meal prep for healthy eating

Subtopic: Dessert Recipes

– Cakes and cupcakes

– Cookies and bars

– Pies and tarts

– Frozen treats

– Chocolate desserts

– Baking tips and tricks

– Festive desserts

– Decadent indulgences

Subtopic: Vegetarian/Vegan Recipes

– Plant-based meals

– Meatless alternatives

– Vegan desserts

– Dairy-free recipes

– Protein-rich vegetarian dishes

– Vegan pantry essentials

– Vegan cooking tips

– Plant-based nutrition

Subtopic: Quick and Easy Recipes

– 30-minute meals

– One-pot recipes

– Instant pot meals

– Sheet pan dinners

– Simple weeknight dinners

– Meal planning hacks

– Make-ahead recipes

– Quick breakfast ideas

These keywords can help guide your content creation and optimise your website’s pages for search engines.

Incorporating these relevant keywords within your subtopic cluster pages will attract organic traffic from users searching for specific recipe categories, cooking tips, and culinary inspiration.

Remember to create valuable and engaging content around these keywords to provide a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts visiting your website.

Start by identifying the main topic, such as “Recipes.”

Create a pillar page dedicated to the main category, providing an overview of different recipe types and cooking techniques.

Then using relevant subtopics or recipe categories that fall under the main category, like the example shown above.

Ensure seamless navigation by linking the subtopic cluster pages to the main pillar page and cross-linking between related subtopics when appropriate.

By utilising categories and creating subtopics, your website becomes a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts.

What are best practises for implementing topic clusters effectively?

1. Optimising Titles and Headings: Crafting optimised titles and headings is crucial for topic clusters. Ensure they accurately represent the content and incorporate relevant keywords to enhance visibility and attract both users and search engines.

2. Internal Links: Internal linking is the glue that holds your topic clusters together. By linking related content within your website, you create a web of interconnectedness, allowing users and search engines to navigate through your content seamlessly.

This practise boosts your SEO efforts and strengthens the authority of your website.

3. Avoiding Keyword Cannibalization: Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your website compete for the same keyword, resulting in a dilution of your SEO efforts.

To prevent this, ensure that each piece of content within your topic cluster has a distinct focus and targets specific keywords.

4. Building Backlinks to Pillar Pages: To solidify your website’s authority and boost its long-term SEO success, it’s essential to build high-quality backlinks to your pillar pages. Backlinks from reputable sources signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Filling the Content Gaps: Bridging the Online Information Divide

(Cooking website example)

While topic clusters offer a powerful SEO strategy, it’s important to identify any underserved topics or content gaps within your industry.

In today’s digital landscape, addressing content gaps is crucial for establishing your brand as a knowledgeable and authoritative voice within your industry.

By bridging these gaps, you can provide valuable information and insights to your target audience while positioning yourself as a go-to resource.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you address the online content gap on a topic in your industry:

1. Identify the Gap: Start by conducting thorough research to identify areas within your industry where there is a lack of comprehensive or up-to-date information. Look for topics or subtopics that are underrepresented or not adequately covered by existing content.

This could include:

emerging trends

niche subjects

specific challenges faced by your target audience.

2. Understand User Intent: Once you’ve identified the content gap, delve deeper into the needs and intentions of your target audience. Gain insights into the specific questions they have, the problems they need solutions for, and the information they are seeking.

This will help you tailor your content to address their unique needs effectively.

3. Conduct In-Depth Research: To fill the content gap, it’s crucial to gather accurate and reliable information. Conduct extensive research using:

reputable sources

industry reports

case studies

expert opinions.

This will ensure that your content is well-informed, credible, and provides valuable insights to your audience.

4. Create Comprehensive and Authoritative Content: Armed with your research findings, create high-quality, comprehensive content that addresses the content gap effectively. Craft informative blog posts, in-depth articles, or even downloadable resources such as whitepapers or guides.

Provide detailed explanations, actionable tips, and practical solutions to establish your brand as a trusted source of information.

5. Optimise for Search Engines: As you create content, ensure that it is optimised for search engines. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally throughout your content.

This will help search engines understand the relevance of your content to user queries and improve its visibility in search results.

6. Promote and Share: Creating great content is only the first step. To bridge the content gap effectively, you need to promote and share your content with your target audience.

Leverage social media platforms

industry forums

email newsletters

and partnerships with influencers

or industry experts

To spread the word about your valuable content.

Engage with your audience, encourage discussions, and invite feedback to foster a sense of community around your brand.

7. Continuously Update and Improve: The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and new information emerges over time. To maintain your position as a trusted resource, regularly update and improve your content.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, incorporate new research findings, and respond to user feedback. By continuously refining and expanding your content, you ensure its relevance and long-term value.

By following these steps, you can effectively address the online content gap in your industry and position your brand as a leading authority.

Red Kite SEO understands the importance of content gap analysis and can assist you in implementing a comprehensive content strategy to fill those gaps.

Let Red Kite SEO be your partner in providing valuable information and bridging the online information divide within your industry.

Conclusion on Topic Clusters

Topic clusters are indeed a game-changer in the world of website SEO. By strategically organising your content and leveraging internal linking, you can establish authority, drive targeted traffic, and enhance your website’s overall performance.

Remember, the power of topic clusters lies not only in their ability to optimise your SEO efforts but also in their capacity to address user needs and deliver comprehensive, valuable information.

So, let Red Kite SEO guide you through the realm of topic clusters and unlock the true potential of your website’s SEO strategy.

With their expertise in branding services, content creation, and cutting-edge SEO techniques, Red Kite SEO is your ultimate partner in achieving digital success.

Embrace the power of topic clusters and watch your website soar to new heights in the search engine rankings.

Read more here https://redkiteseo.co.uk/topic-cluster/

#SEO #Website #searchengine

[websitesabqnm]

Unlocking the Potential of Your Small Business with Albuquerque SEO and WebsitesABQ

In the fast-paced digital world of today, establishing a robust online presence is no longer an option; it's a necessity for small businesses in Albuquerque. The key to achieving this lies in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), including the specialized field of Albuquerque SEO. Albuquerque SEO is your ticket to making your website more visible to search engines, with the ultimate goal of connecting you with a broader audience. And when it comes to realizing the full potential of SEO in Albuquerque, the solution is using WebsitesABQ. In this comprehensive guide, we will lead you through a series of vital SEO strategies tailored to small businesses in Albuquerque, helping you shine in the online landscape.

Step 1: Understanding Your Audience

Before you delve into the world of Albuquerque SEO, take the time to grasp the nuances of your target audience. Develop detailed buyer personas that mirror the demographics, preferences, and pain points of your ideal customers in Albuquerque. This valuable insight will serve as the foundation for your content creation and keyword targeting.

Step 2: Strategic Keyword Usage

Keywords form the backbone of any successful SEO strategy, including Albuquerque SEO. Begin by identifying relevant keywords and phrases that are specific to the way your Albuquerque audience searches for products or services similar to yours. Tap into keyword research tools to uncover high-impact keywords. In particular, focus on long-tail keywords (phrases containing three or more words), as they are often less competitive and can deliver superior results.

Step 3: Elevate Your On-Page SEO

A well-optimized website is critical for Albuquerque SEO success. Here are the key aspects to focus on:

A. Crafting Engaging Titles and Meta Descriptions

Each page on your website should feature unique and compelling title tags and meta descriptions that incorporate Albuquerque SEO keywords naturally. This can enhance your page's visibility in search results.

B. Structuring Content with Header Tags

Effectively organize your content with header tags (H1 for the main title and H2, H3 for subheadings). This practice not only aids in SEO in Albuquerque but also improves the readability of your content.

C. Delivering High-Quality Content

Develop informative, engaging content that caters to the needs and questions of your Albuquerque audience. High-quality, relevant content not only attracts visitors but also keeps them engaged on your site.

D. Image Optimization

Ensure that your images are optimized for quick loading and include descriptive alt text. This ensures a seamless user experience and accessibility for all, including individuals with visual impairments.

E. Effective Internal Linking

Leverage internal links to connect relevant pages within your website, providing a smoother user experience and helping search engines understand your site's structure.

Step 4: Prioritize Mobile Optimization

Given the surging number of mobile device users, it's imperative that your website is mobile-responsive. Google places significant emphasis on mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor. Make certain that your Albuquerque SEO strategy includes a responsive design that adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes.

Step 5: Dominate Local SEO

For small businesses in Albuquerque, local success is often the key to survival. Implement the following strategies to capture local traffic:

A. Maximize Google My Business

Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing, ensuring that your business's name, address, phone number, and other details are consistent and accurate across all online directories.

B. Leverage the Power of Online Reviews

Encourage satisfied Albuquerque customers to leave positive reviews on platforms such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Positive reviews can bolster your local Albuquerque SEO search rankings and build trust with potential customers.

Step 6: Building a Strong Link Profile

Backlinks are the currency of SEO Albuquerque. Prioritize quality over quantity:

A. Engage in Guest Blogging

Write guest posts for Albuquerque-related websites and subtly include links to your site in your author bio or content.

B. Outreach Efforts

Engage with influential Albuquerque bloggers or industry experts and propose collaborations or content sharing opportunities.

C. Excel in Content Marketing

Develop compelling, shareable content that naturally attracts backlinks. Examples include infographics, comprehensive guides, and original research.

Step 7: Monitoring and Analysis

Albuquerque SEO is an ongoing journey, and it's essential to keep a close watch on your progress. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website's performance. Regularly check your keyword rankings, organic traffic, and user engagement metrics.

Step 8: Staying Ahead of the Game

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, staying informed about Albuquerque SEO trends and algorithm updates is vital. Adapt your strategies and content to align with evolving search engine algorithms and user behavior.

The Power of WebsitesABQ

Now, let's address the game-changer, WebsitesABQ. In the world of Albuquerque SEO, WebsitesABQ is the solution that can make all the difference. WebsitesABQ is not just a web design company; it's a partner in your digital success. WebsitesABQ specializes in creating SEO-optimized websites that are tailored to your business and target audience in Albuquerque. Their expertise in SEO and web design ensures that your website not only looks fantastic but also performs exceptionally well in search engine rankings. By collaborating with WebsitesABQ, you're tapping into a team of experts who understand the intricacies of Albuquerque SEO and will help you take your online presence to new heights.

Albuquerque SEO is a potent tool for small businesses, facilitating increased online visibility and attracting potential customers. And the solution to SEO in Albuquerque is using WebsitesABQ. This comprehensive guide equips you with an effective SEO strategy that not only enhances your search engine rankings but also amplifies the overall user experience on your website. Remember that Albuquerque SEO is an ongoing journey, and continuous optimization is the key to long-term success. So, embark on these steps and witness your small business in Albuquerque thrive in the digital realm. By strategically implementing SEO in Albuquerque and leveraging WebsitesABQ, your online presence will not only shine but thrive, leading to increased success in the local market. Your small business's online journey has only just begun, and with WebsitesABQ, you have a powerful ally in your quest for digital excellence.

With the right strategy and the right partner, there are no limits to what your small business in Albuquerque can achieve in the digital landscape. So, get started today, and watch your online success unfold. Your audience is waiting; make your mark in Albuquerque with SEO and WebsitesABQ.

#Albuquerque seo #Albuquerque seo company #Best seo services albuquerque #Seo services in albuquerque #Seo expert in albuquerque #Seo optimization in albuquerque

[a7s77]

Topic Cluster

Building Topic Clusters in Website SEO: Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome to the world of topic clusters, where relevance, authority, and comprehensive content reign supreme. In this guide, we’ll explore how topic clusters are your go to technique in the realm of search engine optimisation (SEO).

We’ll break down the concept, understand its benefits, and learn how to implement it effectively to boost your website’s visibility, traffic, and overall SEO success. So, let’s dive in and unravel the secrets of topic clusters!

What Are Topic Clusters?

Topic clusters are a game-changer in the world of SEO. They involve grouping related assets and creating a web of interconnected content that addresses user questions and satisfies search intent.

In SEO we mainly use Hierarchical Clustering

Hierarchical clustering produces a hierarchical structure of clusters. It is an ideal approach for data with a hierarchical structure, like taxonomies.

In addition, another advantage is that any number of clusters can be chosen by selecting the number of cluster content (supporting posts) at the right level for your SEO.

At the heart of this strategy lie two essential components: pillar content and cluster content.

Pillar content serves as the foundation of your topic cluster. It focuses on broad top level keywords and aims to cover the main topic comprehensively.

cluster content zooms in on specific subtopics (longtail keywords) within the broader theme. By organising your content in this way, you establish authority, increase relevance, and cater to a wide range of user queries.

Each cluster content piece is interlinked with the pillar page and other cluster content, creating a network of interconnected information.

This structure enhances the overall relevance and authority of your website while allowing users to explore related subtopics in-depth.

Why create topic clusters?

Creating topic clusters is essential for improving your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO) and enhancing user experience.

By organising your content into topic clusters, you establish a clear content hierarchy and provide comprehensive coverage of a specific topic.

This structure helps search engines understand the relevance and authority of your website, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Additionally, topic clusters enable you to target a wide range of user queries and cater to different search intents, ensuring that you capture a larger audience and drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Why are topic clusters important?

Topic clusters are important because they align with the evolving algorithms of search engines like Google. These algorithms now prioritise content that demonstrates expertise, relevance, and comprehensiveness.

By implementing topic clusters, you can signal to search engines that your website provides in-depth knowledge on a specific topic. This can lead to higher search rankings, increased visibility, and improved organic traffic.

Topic clusters also enhance the user experience by providing organised, interconnected content that addresses various subtopics within a broader theme.

This makes it easier for users to navigate your website, find the information they need, and engage with your content.

The Power of Topic Clusters: Boosting SEO and Driving Web Traffic

Now that we understand the structure of topic clusters, let’s explore the immense benefits they offer to your SEO efforts:

1. Establishing Authority: Topic clusters enable you to demonstrate expertise and establish your website as a go-to resource in your industry.

By covering a topic comprehensively and interlinking relevant content, you showcase your authority and build trust with both users and search engines.

2. Ranking for Less Competitive Keywords: Traditional SEO often focuses on highly competitive keywords, making it challenging to rank.

However, with topic clusters, you can target long-tail and less competitive keywords and search terms associated with specific subtopics. This approach opens up new opportunities to rank higher and attract targeted traffic.(widening the keyword net)

3. Driving Targeted Traffic: By catering to a wide range of user queries through comprehensive topic coverage, topic clusters drive targeted traffic to your website.

Users searching for related information are more likely to discover your content, increasing the chances of engagement by casting a wider net of keywords, helping conversions, and ultimately, business success.

How do you create a topic cluster and pillar page?

(This is an older video that covers the basic cluster concept.)

Implementing Topic Clusters: Best Practises and Strategies

Implementing topic clusters can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step guide that makes it a breeze.

Step 1: Identify Broad Topics

Start by brainstorming broad topics that your audience is interested in and that are related to your business or blog. For example, if you run a fitness website, broad topics might include “weight loss,” “nutrition,” or “home workouts”.

Step 2: Create Pillar Content

Next, create comprehensive content, known as pillar content, around each of these broad topics. These pillar pages should provide a thorough overview of the topic at hand, ideally covering all the basic information a visitor should know about the topic.

Step 3: Research Subtopics

For each pillar topic, identify subtopics that delve into more detail. Using the fitness website example, if your pillar content is about “nutrition”,

Subtopics could include:

“healthy eating habits”

“meal planning”

“macros and micros”.

Step 4: Create Cluster Content

Now, it’s time to create content for each of these subtopics. Each piece of content should be informative and in-depth, focusing on one specific subtopic. Don’t forget to naturally incorporate related NLP keywords and entity’s to boost your SEO!

Step 5: Link It All Together

Once your pillar and cluster content is ready, interlink them. This means you should add hyperlinks from each subtopic content piece back to the pillar content, and vice versa. This step is essential for creating the ‘cluster’ part of a topic cluster.

Step 6: Monitor and Refine

Finally, once your topic cluster is live, don’t forget to monitor its performance. Use analytics tools to track how each page is performing in terms of traffic, user engagement, and search engine rankings.

If a certain page isn’t performing as well as you’d like, don’t be afraid to tweak your content or your linking strategy.

Remember, with topic clusters, your goal is to become the go-to resource for your readers on a specific topic. So, don’t rush the process. Take your time to create quality content that your readers will find useful and informative.

As you add more content over time, your topic clusters will become more robust, helping you build authority and improve your SEO performance. And if you need a little help along the way, Red Kite SEO is always here to guide you!

Also Watch How to Create and Plan a Topic Cluster

What is a topic cluster example?

Watch here as Dixon Jones explains about knowledge clusters on the web.

When planning a website, utilising categories to create subtopics is an effective way to organise your content and improve the user experience. Let’s consider a website about cooking as an example:

Here’s an expanded list of keywords for each category page based on the example of a cooking website:

Pillar Page: Recipes

– Recipe ideas

– Cooking techniques

– Meal inspiration

– Culinary tips

– Recipe collections

– Cooking basics

– Recipe categories

– Featured recipes

Subtopic: Healthy Recipes

– Nutritious meals

– Clean eating

– Weight loss recipes

– Low-calorie dishes

– Gluten-free recipes

– Vegan and vegetarian options

– Superfoods

– Meal prep for healthy eating

Subtopic: Dessert Recipes

– Cakes and cupcakes

– Cookies and bars

– Pies and tarts

– Frozen treats

– Chocolate desserts

– Baking tips and tricks

– Festive desserts

– Decadent indulgences

Subtopic: Vegetarian/Vegan Recipes

– Plant-based meals

– Meatless alternatives

– Vegan desserts

– Dairy-free recipes

– Protein-rich vegetarian dishes

– Vegan pantry essentials

– Vegan cooking tips

– Plant-based nutrition

Subtopic: Quick and Easy Recipes

– 30-minute meals

– One-pot recipes

– Instant pot meals

– Sheet pan dinners

– Simple weeknight dinners

– Meal planning hacks

– Make-ahead recipes

– Quick breakfast ideas

These keywords can help guide your content creation and optimise your website’s pages for search engines.

Incorporating these relevant keywords within your subtopic cluster pages will attract organic traffic from users searching for specific recipe categories, cooking tips, and culinary inspiration.

Remember to create valuable and engaging content around these keywords to provide a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts visiting your website.

Start by identifying the main topic, such as “Recipes.”

Create a pillar page dedicated to the main category, providing an overview of different recipe types and cooking techniques.

Then using relevant subtopics or recipe categories that fall under the main category, like the example shown above.

Ensure seamless navigation by linking the subtopic cluster pages to the main pillar page and cross-linking between related subtopics when appropriate.

By utilising categories and creating subtopics, your website becomes a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts.

What are best practises for implementing topic clusters effectively?

1. Optimising Titles and Headings: Crafting optimised titles and headings is crucial for topic clusters. Ensure they accurately represent the content and incorporate relevant keywords to enhance visibility and attract both users and search engines.

2. Internal Links: Internal linking is the glue that holds your topic clusters together. By linking related content within your website, you create a web of interconnectedness, allowing users and search engines to navigate through your content seamlessly.

This practise boosts your SEO efforts and strengthens the authority of your website.

3. Avoiding Keyword Cannibalization: Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your website compete for the same keyword, resulting in a dilution of your SEO efforts.

To prevent this, ensure that each piece of content within your topic cluster has a distinct focus and targets specific keywords.

4. Building Backlinks to Pillar Pages: To solidify your website’s authority and boost its long-term SEO success, it’s essential to build high-quality backlinks to your pillar pages. Backlinks from reputable sources signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Filling the Content Gaps: Bridging the Online Information Divide

(Cooking website example)

While topic clusters offer a powerful SEO strategy, it’s important to identify any underserved topics or content gaps within your industry.

In today’s digital landscape, addressing content gaps is crucial for establishing your brand as a knowledgeable and authoritative voice within your industry.

By bridging these gaps, you can provide valuable information and insights to your target audience while positioning yourself as a go-to resource.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you address the online content gap on a topic in your industry:

1. Identify the Gap: Start by conducting thorough research to identify areas within your industry where there is a lack of comprehensive or up-to-date information. Look for topics or subtopics that are underrepresented or not adequately covered by existing content.

This could include:

emerging trends

niche subjects

specific challenges faced by your target audience.

2. Understand User Intent: Once you’ve identified the content gap, delve deeper into the needs and intentions of your target audience. Gain insights into the specific questions they have, the problems they need solutions for, and the information they are seeking.

This will help you tailor your content to address their unique needs effectively.

3. Conduct In-Depth Research: To fill the content gap, it’s crucial to gather accurate and reliable information. Conduct extensive research using:

reputable sources

industry reports

case studies

expert opinions.

This will ensure that your content is well-informed, credible, and provides valuable insights to your audience.

4. Create Comprehensive and Authoritative Content: Armed with your research findings, create high-quality, comprehensive content that addresses the content gap effectively. Craft informative blog posts, in-depth articles, or even downloadable resources such as whitepapers or guides.

Provide detailed explanations, actionable tips, and practical solutions to establish your brand as a trusted source of information.

5. Optimise for Search Engines: As you create content, ensure that it is optimised for search engines. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally throughout your content.

This will help search engines understand the relevance of your content to user queries and improve its visibility in search results.

6. Promote and Share: Creating great content is only the first step. To bridge the content gap effectively, you need to promote and share your content with your target audience.

Leverage social media platforms

industry forums

email newsletters

and partnerships with influencers

or industry experts

To spread the word about your valuable content.

Engage with your audience, encourage discussions, and invite feedback to foster a sense of community around your brand.

7. Continuously Update and Improve: The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and new information emerges over time. To maintain your position as a trusted resource, regularly update and improve your content.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, incorporate new research findings, and respond to user feedback. By continuously refining and expanding your content, you ensure its relevance and long-term value.

By following these steps, you can effectively address the online content gap in your industry and position your brand as a leading authority.

Red Kite SEO understands the importance of content gap analysis and can assist you in implementing a comprehensive content strategy to fill those gaps.

Let Red Kite SEO be your partner in providing valuable information and bridging the online information divide within your industry.

Conclusion on Topic Clusters

Topic clusters are indeed a game-changer in the world of website SEO. By strategically organising your content and leveraging internal linking, you can establish authority, drive targeted traffic, and enhance your website’s overall performance.

Remember, the power of topic clusters lies not only in their ability to optimise your SEO efforts but also in their capacity to address user needs and deliver comprehensive, valuable information.

So, let Red Kite SEO guide you through the realm of topic clusters and unlock the true potential of your website’s SEO strategy.

With their expertise in branding services, content creation, and cutting-edge SEO techniques, Red Kite SEO is your ultimate partner in achieving digital success.

Embrace the power of topic clusters and watch your website soar to new heights in the search engine rankings.

Read more here https://redkiteseo.co.uk/topic-cluster/

#Website #searchengine

[novak-z]

Topic Cluster

Building Topic Clusters in Website SEO: Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome to the world of topic clusters, where relevance, authority, and comprehensive content reign supreme. In this guide, we’ll explore how topic clusters are your go to technique in the realm of search engine optimisation (SEO).

We’ll break down the concept, understand its benefits, and learn how to implement it effectively to boost your website’s visibility, traffic, and overall SEO success. So, let’s dive in and unravel the secrets of topic clusters!

What Are Topic Clusters?

Topic clusters are a game-changer in the world of SEO. They involve grouping related assets and creating a web of interconnected content that addresses user questions and satisfies search intent.

In SEO we mainly use Hierarchical Clustering

Hierarchical clustering produces a hierarchical structure of clusters. It is an ideal approach for data with a hierarchical structure, like taxonomies.

In addition, another advantage is that any number of clusters can be chosen by selecting the number of cluster content (supporting posts) at the right level for your SEO.

At the heart of this strategy lie two essential components: pillar content and cluster content.

Pillar content serves as the foundation of your topic cluster. It focuses on broad top level keywords and aims to cover the main topic comprehensively.

cluster content zooms in on specific subtopics (longtail keywords) within the broader theme. By organising your content in this way, you establish authority, increase relevance, and cater to a wide range of user queries.

Each cluster content piece is interlinked with the pillar page and other cluster content, creating a network of interconnected information.

This structure enhances the overall relevance and authority of your website while allowing users to explore related subtopics in-depth.

Why create topic clusters?

Creating topic clusters is essential for improving your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO) and enhancing user experience.

By organising your content into topic clusters, you establish a clear content hierarchy and provide comprehensive coverage of a specific topic.

This structure helps search engines understand the relevance and authority of your website, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Additionally, topic clusters enable you to target a wide range of user queries and cater to different search intents, ensuring that you capture a larger audience and drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Why are topic clusters important?

Topic clusters are important because they align with the evolving algorithms of search engines like Google. These algorithms now prioritise content that demonstrates expertise, relevance, and comprehensiveness.

By implementing topic clusters, you can signal to search engines that your website provides in-depth knowledge on a specific topic. This can lead to higher search rankings, increased visibility, and improved organic traffic.

Topic clusters also enhance the user experience by providing organised, interconnected content that addresses various subtopics within a broader theme.

This makes it easier for users to navigate your website, find the information they need, and engage with your content.

The Power of Topic Clusters: Boosting SEO and Driving Web Traffic

Now that we understand the structure of topic clusters, let’s explore the immense benefits they offer to your SEO efforts:

1. Establishing Authority: Topic clusters enable you to demonstrate expertise and establish your website as a go-to resource in your industry.

By covering a topic comprehensively and interlinking relevant content, you showcase your authority and build trust with both users and search engines.

2. Ranking for Less Competitive Keywords: Traditional SEO often focuses on highly competitive keywords, making it challenging to rank.

However, with topic clusters, you can target long-tail and less competitive keywords and search terms associated with specific subtopics. This approach opens up new opportunities to rank higher and attract targeted traffic.(widening the keyword net)

3. Driving Targeted Traffic: By catering to a wide range of user queries through comprehensive topic coverage, topic clusters drive targeted traffic to your website.

Users searching for related information are more likely to discover your content, increasing the chances of engagement by casting a wider net of keywords, helping conversions, and ultimately, business success.

How do you create a topic cluster and pillar page?

(This is an older video that covers the basic cluster concept.)

Implementing Topic Clusters: Best Practises and Strategies

Implementing topic clusters can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step guide that makes it a breeze.

Step 1: Identify Broad Topics

Start by brainstorming broad topics that your audience is interested in and that are related to your business or blog. For example, if you run a fitness website, broad topics might include “weight loss,” “nutrition,” or “home workouts”.

Step 2: Create Pillar Content

Next, create comprehensive content, known as pillar content, around each of these broad topics. These pillar pages should provide a thorough overview of the topic at hand, ideally covering all the basic information a visitor should know about the topic.

Step 3: Research Subtopics

For each pillar topic, identify subtopics that delve into more detail. Using the fitness website example, if your pillar content is about “nutrition”,

Subtopics could include:

“healthy eating habits”

“meal planning”

“macros and micros”.

Step 4: Create Cluster Content

Now, it’s time to create content for each of these subtopics. Each piece of content should be informative and in-depth, focusing on one specific subtopic. Don’t forget to naturally incorporate related NLP keywords and entity’s to boost your SEO!

Step 5: Link It All Together

Once your pillar and cluster content is ready, interlink them. This means you should add hyperlinks from each subtopic content piece back to the pillar content, and vice versa. This step is essential for creating the ‘cluster’ part of a topic cluster.

Step 6: Monitor and Refine

Finally, once your topic cluster is live, don’t forget to monitor its performance. Use analytics tools to track how each page is performing in terms of traffic, user engagement, and search engine rankings.

If a certain page isn’t performing as well as you’d like, don’t be afraid to tweak your content or your linking strategy.

Remember, with topic clusters, your goal is to become the go-to resource for your readers on a specific topic. So, don’t rush the process. Take your time to create quality content that your readers will find useful and informative.

As you add more content over time, your topic clusters will become more robust, helping you build authority and improve your SEO performance. And if you need a little help along the way, Red Kite SEO is always here to guide you!

Also Watch How to Create and Plan a Topic Cluster

What is a topic cluster example?

Watch here as Dixon Jones explains about knowledge clusters on the web.

When planning a website, utilising categories to create subtopics is an effective way to organise your content and improve the user experience. Let’s consider a website about cooking as an example:

Here’s an expanded list of keywords for each category page based on the example of a cooking website:

Pillar Page: Recipes

– Recipe ideas

– Cooking techniques

– Meal inspiration

– Culinary tips

– Recipe collections

– Cooking basics

– Recipe categories

– Featured recipes

Subtopic: Healthy Recipes

– Nutritious meals

– Clean eating

– Weight loss recipes

– Low-calorie dishes

– Gluten-free recipes

– Vegan and vegetarian options

– Superfoods

– Meal prep for healthy eating

Subtopic: Dessert Recipes

– Cakes and cupcakes

– Cookies and bars

– Pies and tarts

– Frozen treats

– Chocolate desserts

– Baking tips and tricks

– Festive desserts

– Decadent indulgences

Subtopic: Vegetarian/Vegan Recipes

– Plant-based meals

– Meatless alternatives

– Vegan desserts

– Dairy-free recipes

– Protein-rich vegetarian dishes

– Vegan pantry essentials

– Vegan cooking tips

– Plant-based nutrition

Subtopic: Quick and Easy Recipes

– 30-minute meals

– One-pot recipes

– Instant pot meals

– Sheet pan dinners

– Simple weeknight dinners

– Meal planning hacks

– Make-ahead recipes

– Quick breakfast ideas

These keywords can help guide your content creation and optimise your website’s pages for search engines.

Incorporating these relevant keywords within your subtopic cluster pages will attract organic traffic from users searching for specific recipe categories, cooking tips, and culinary inspiration.

Remember to create valuable and engaging content around these keywords to provide a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts visiting your website.

Start by identifying the main topic, such as “Recipes.”

Create a pillar page dedicated to the main category, providing an overview of different recipe types and cooking techniques.

Then using relevant subtopics or recipe categories that fall under the main category, like the example shown above.

Ensure seamless navigation by linking the subtopic cluster pages to the main pillar page and cross-linking between related subtopics when appropriate.

By utilising categories and creating subtopics, your website becomes a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts.

What are best practises for implementing topic clusters effectively?

1. Optimising Titles and Headings: Crafting optimised titles and headings is crucial for topic clusters. Ensure they accurately represent the content and incorporate relevant keywords to enhance visibility and attract both users and search engines.

2. Internal Links: Internal linking is the glue that holds your topic clusters together. By linking related content within your website, you create a web of interconnectedness, allowing users and search engines to navigate through your content seamlessly.

This practise boosts your SEO efforts and strengthens the authority of your website.

3. Avoiding Keyword Cannibalization: Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your website compete for the same keyword, resulting in a dilution of your SEO efforts.

To prevent this, ensure that each piece of content within your topic cluster has a distinct focus and targets specific keywords.

4. Building Backlinks to Pillar Pages: To solidify your website’s authority and boost its long-term SEO success, it’s essential to build high-quality backlinks to your pillar pages. Backlinks from reputable sources signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Filling the Content Gaps: Bridging the Online Information Divide

(Cooking website example)

While topic clusters offer a powerful SEO strategy, it’s important to identify any underserved topics or content gaps within your industry.

In today’s digital landscape, addressing content gaps is crucial for establishing your brand as a knowledgeable and authoritative voice within your industry.

By bridging these gaps, you can provide valuable information and insights to your target audience while positioning yourself as a go-to resource.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you address the online content gap on a topic in your industry:

1. Identify the Gap: Start by conducting thorough research to identify areas within your industry where there is a lack of comprehensive or up-to-date information. Look for topics or subtopics that are underrepresented or not adequately covered by existing content.

This could include:

emerging trends

niche subjects

specific challenges faced by your target audience.

2. Understand User Intent: Once you’ve identified the content gap, delve deeper into the needs and intentions of your target audience. Gain insights into the specific questions they have, the problems they need solutions for, and the information they are seeking.

This will help you tailor your content to address their unique needs effectively.

3. Conduct In-Depth Research: To fill the content gap, it’s crucial to gather accurate and reliable information. Conduct extensive research using:

reputable sources

industry reports

case studies

expert opinions.

This will ensure that your content is well-informed, credible, and provides valuable insights to your audience.

4. Create Comprehensive and Authoritative Content: Armed with your research findings, create high-quality, comprehensive content that addresses the content gap effectively. Craft informative blog posts, in-depth articles, or even downloadable resources such as whitepapers or guides.

Provide detailed explanations, actionable tips, and practical solutions to establish your brand as a trusted source of information.

5. Optimise for Search Engines: As you create content, ensure that it is optimised for search engines. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally throughout your content.

This will help search engines understand the relevance of your content to user queries and improve its visibility in search results.

6. Promote and Share: Creating great content is only the first step. To bridge the content gap effectively, you need to promote and share your content with your target audience.

Leverage social media platforms

industry forums

email newsletters

and partnerships with influencers

or industry experts

To spread the word about your valuable content.

Engage with your audience, encourage discussions, and invite feedback to foster a sense of community around your brand.

7. Continuously Update and Improve: The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and new information emerges over time. To maintain your position as a trusted resource, regularly update and improve your content.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, incorporate new research findings, and respond to user feedback. By continuously refining and expanding your content, you ensure its relevance and long-term value.

By following these steps, you can effectively address the online content gap in your industry and position your brand as a leading authority.

Red Kite SEO understands the importance of content gap analysis and can assist you in implementing a comprehensive content strategy to fill those gaps.

Let Red Kite SEO be your partner in providing valuable information and bridging the online information divide within your industry.

Conclusion on Topic Clusters

Topic clusters are indeed a game-changer in the world of website SEO. By strategically organising your content and leveraging internal linking, you can establish authority, drive targeted traffic, and enhance your website’s overall performance.

Remember, the power of topic clusters lies not only in their ability to optimise your SEO efforts but also in their capacity to address user needs and deliver comprehensive, valuable information.

So, let Red Kite SEO guide you through the realm of topic clusters and unlock the true potential of your website’s SEO strategy.

With their expertise in branding services, content creation, and cutting-edge SEO techniques, Red Kite SEO is your ultimate partner in achieving digital success.

Embrace the power of topic clusters and watch your website soar to new heights in the search engine rankings.

Read more here https://redkiteseo.co.uk/topic-cluster/

#SEO #DigitalMarketing #searchengine

[forfurlovers]

Topic Cluster

Building Topic Clusters in Website SEO: Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome to the world of topic clusters, where relevance, authority, and comprehensive content reign supreme. In this guide, we’ll explore how topic clusters are your go to technique in the realm of search engine optimisation (SEO).

We’ll break down the concept, understand its benefits, and learn how to implement it effectively to boost your website’s visibility, traffic, and overall SEO success. So, let’s dive in and unravel the secrets of topic clusters!

What Are Topic Clusters?

Topic clusters are a game-changer in the world of SEO. They involve grouping related assets and creating a web of interconnected content that addresses user questions and satisfies search intent.

In SEO we mainly use Hierarchical Clustering

Hierarchical clustering produces a hierarchical structure of clusters. It is an ideal approach for data with a hierarchical structure, like taxonomies.

In addition, another advantage is that any number of clusters can be chosen by selecting the number of cluster content (supporting posts) at the right level for your SEO.

At the heart of this strategy lie two essential components: pillar content and cluster content.

Pillar content serves as the foundation of your topic cluster. It focuses on broad top level keywords and aims to cover the main topic comprehensively.

cluster content zooms in on specific subtopics (longtail keywords) within the broader theme. By organising your content in this way, you establish authority, increase relevance, and cater to a wide range of user queries.

Each cluster content piece is interlinked with the pillar page and other cluster content, creating a network of interconnected information.

This structure enhances the overall relevance and authority of your website while allowing users to explore related subtopics in-depth.

Why create topic clusters?

Creating topic clusters is essential for improving your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO) and enhancing user experience.

By organising your content into topic clusters, you establish a clear content hierarchy and provide comprehensive coverage of a specific topic.

This structure helps search engines understand the relevance and authority of your website, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Additionally, topic clusters enable you to target a wide range of user queries and cater to different search intents, ensuring that you capture a larger audience and drive more targeted traffic to your site.

Why are topic clusters important?

Topic clusters are important because they align with the evolving algorithms of search engines like Google. These algorithms now prioritise content that demonstrates expertise, relevance, and comprehensiveness.

By implementing topic clusters, you can signal to search engines that your website provides in-depth knowledge on a specific topic. This can lead to higher search rankings, increased visibility, and improved organic traffic.

Topic clusters also enhance the user experience by providing organised, interconnected content that addresses various subtopics within a broader theme.

This makes it easier for users to navigate your website, find the information they need, and engage with your content.

The Power of Topic Clusters: Boosting SEO and Driving Web Traffic

Now that we understand the structure of topic clusters, let’s explore the immense benefits they offer to your SEO efforts:

1. Establishing Authority: Topic clusters enable you to demonstrate expertise and establish your website as a go-to resource in your industry.

By covering a topic comprehensively and interlinking relevant content, you showcase your authority and build trust with both users and search engines.

2. Ranking for Less Competitive Keywords: Traditional SEO often focuses on highly competitive keywords, making it challenging to rank.

However, with topic clusters, you can target long-tail and less competitive keywords and search terms associated with specific subtopics. This approach opens up new opportunities to rank higher and attract targeted traffic.(widening the keyword net)

3. Driving Targeted Traffic: By catering to a wide range of user queries through comprehensive topic coverage, topic clusters drive targeted traffic to your website.

Users searching for related information are more likely to discover your content, increasing the chances of engagement by casting a wider net of keywords, helping conversions, and ultimately, business success.

How do you create a topic cluster and pillar page?

(This is an older video that covers the basic cluster concept.)

Implementing Topic Clusters: Best Practises and Strategies

Implementing topic clusters can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step guide that makes it a breeze.

Step 1: Identify Broad Topics

Start by brainstorming broad topics that your audience is interested in and that are related to your business or blog. For example, if you run a fitness website, broad topics might include “weight loss,” “nutrition,” or “home workouts”.

Step 2: Create Pillar Content

Next, create comprehensive content, known as pillar content, around each of these broad topics. These pillar pages should provide a thorough overview of the topic at hand, ideally covering all the basic information a visitor should know about the topic.

Step 3: Research Subtopics

For each pillar topic, identify subtopics that delve into more detail. Using the fitness website example, if your pillar content is about “nutrition”,

Subtopics could include:

“healthy eating habits”

“meal planning”

“macros and micros”.

Step 4: Create Cluster Content

Now, it’s time to create content for each of these subtopics. Each piece of content should be informative and in-depth, focusing on one specific subtopic. Don’t forget to naturally incorporate related NLP keywords and entity’s to boost your SEO!

Step 5: Link It All Together

Once your pillar and cluster content is ready, interlink them. This means you should add hyperlinks from each subtopic content piece back to the pillar content, and vice versa. This step is essential for creating the ‘cluster’ part of a topic cluster.

Step 6: Monitor and Refine

Finally, once your topic cluster is live, don’t forget to monitor its performance. Use analytics tools to track how each page is performing in terms of traffic, user engagement, and search engine rankings.

If a certain page isn’t performing as well as you’d like, don’t be afraid to tweak your content or your linking strategy.

Remember, with topic clusters, your goal is to become the go-to resource for your readers on a specific topic. So, don’t rush the process. Take your time to create quality content that your readers will find useful and informative.

As you add more content over time, your topic clusters will become more robust, helping you build authority and improve your SEO performance. And if you need a little help along the way, Red Kite SEO is always here to guide you!

Also Watch How to Create and Plan a Topic Cluster

What is a topic cluster example?

Watch here as Dixon Jones explains about knowledge clusters on the web.

When planning a website, utilising categories to create subtopics is an effective way to organise your content and improve the user experience. Let’s consider a website about cooking as an example:

Here’s an expanded list of keywords for each category page based on the example of a cooking website:

Pillar Page: Recipes

– Recipe ideas

– Cooking techniques

– Meal inspiration

– Culinary tips

– Recipe collections

– Cooking basics

– Recipe categories

– Featured recipes

Subtopic: Healthy Recipes

– Nutritious meals

– Clean eating

– Weight loss recipes

– Low-calorie dishes

– Gluten-free recipes

– Vegan and vegetarian options

– Superfoods

– Meal prep for healthy eating

Subtopic: Dessert Recipes

– Cakes and cupcakes

– Cookies and bars

– Pies and tarts

– Frozen treats

– Chocolate desserts

– Baking tips and tricks

– Festive desserts

– Decadent indulgences

Subtopic: Vegetarian/Vegan Recipes

– Plant-based meals

– Meatless alternatives

– Vegan desserts

– Dairy-free recipes

– Protein-rich vegetarian dishes

– Vegan pantry essentials

– Vegan cooking tips

– Plant-based nutrition

Subtopic: Quick and Easy Recipes

– 30-minute meals

– One-pot recipes

– Instant pot meals

– Sheet pan dinners

– Simple weeknight dinners

– Meal planning hacks

– Make-ahead recipes

– Quick breakfast ideas

These keywords can help guide your content creation and optimise your website’s pages for search engines.

Incorporating these relevant keywords within your subtopic cluster pages will attract organic traffic from users searching for specific recipe categories, cooking tips, and culinary inspiration.

Remember to create valuable and engaging content around these keywords to provide a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts visiting your website.

Start by identifying the main topic, such as “Recipes.”

Create a pillar page dedicated to the main category, providing an overview of different recipe types and cooking techniques.

Then using relevant subtopics or recipe categories that fall under the main category, like the example shown above.

Ensure seamless navigation by linking the subtopic cluster pages to the main pillar page and cross-linking between related subtopics when appropriate.

By utilising categories and creating subtopics, your website becomes a comprehensive resource for cooking enthusiasts.

What are best practises for implementing topic clusters effectively?

1. Optimising Titles and Headings: Crafting optimised titles and headings is crucial for topic clusters. Ensure they accurately represent the content and incorporate relevant keywords to enhance visibility and attract both users and search engines.

2. Internal Links: Internal linking is the glue that holds your topic clusters together. By linking related content within your website, you create a web of interconnectedness, allowing users and search engines to navigate through your content seamlessly.

This practise boosts your SEO efforts and strengthens the authority of your website.

3. Avoiding Keyword Cannibalization: Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your website compete for the same keyword, resulting in a dilution of your SEO efforts.

To prevent this, ensure that each piece of content within your topic cluster has a distinct focus and targets specific keywords.

4. Building Backlinks to Pillar Pages: To solidify your website’s authority and boost its long-term SEO success, it’s essential to build high-quality backlinks to your pillar pages. Backlinks from reputable sources signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, leading to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

Filling the Content Gaps: Bridging the Online Information Divide

(Cooking website example)

While topic clusters offer a powerful SEO strategy, it’s important to identify any underserved topics or content gaps within your industry.

In today’s digital landscape, addressing content gaps is crucial for establishing your brand as a knowledgeable and authoritative voice within your industry.

By bridging these gaps, you can provide valuable information and insights to your target audience while positioning yourself as a go-to resource.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you address the online content gap on a topic in your industry:

1. Identify the Gap: Start by conducting thorough research to identify areas within your industry where there is a lack of comprehensive or up-to-date information. Look for topics or subtopics that are underrepresented or not adequately covered by existing content.

This could include:

emerging trends

niche subjects

specific challenges faced by your target audience.

2. Understand User Intent: Once you’ve identified the content gap, delve deeper into the needs and intentions of your target audience. Gain insights into the specific questions they have, the problems they need solutions for, and the information they are seeking.

This will help you tailor your content to address their unique needs effectively.

3. Conduct In-Depth Research: To fill the content gap, it’s crucial to gather accurate and reliable information. Conduct extensive research using:

reputable sources

industry reports

case studies

expert opinions.

This will ensure that your content is well-informed, credible, and provides valuable insights to your audience.

4. Create Comprehensive and Authoritative Content: Armed with your research findings, create high-quality, comprehensive content that addresses the content gap effectively. Craft informative blog posts, in-depth articles, or even downloadable resources such as whitepapers or guides.

Provide detailed explanations, actionable tips, and practical solutions to establish your brand as a trusted source of information.

5. Optimise for Search Engines: As you create content, ensure that it is optimised for search engines. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally throughout your content.

This will help search engines understand the relevance of your content to user queries and improve its visibility in search results.

6. Promote and Share: Creating great content is only the first step. To bridge the content gap effectively, you need to promote and share your content with your target audience.

Leverage social media platforms

industry forums

email newsletters

and partnerships with influencers

or industry experts

To spread the word about your valuable content.

Engage with your audience, encourage discussions, and invite feedback to foster a sense of community around your brand.

7. Continuously Update and Improve: The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and new information emerges over time. To maintain your position as a trusted resource, regularly update and improve your content.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends, incorporate new research findings, and respond to user feedback. By continuously refining and expanding your content, you ensure its relevance and long-term value.

By following these steps, you can effectively address the online content gap in your industry and position your brand as a leading authority.

Red Kite SEO understands the importance of content gap analysis and can assist you in implementing a comprehensive content strategy to fill those gaps.

Let Red Kite SEO be your partner in providing valuable information and bridging the online information divide within your industry.

Conclusion on Topic Clusters

Topic clusters are indeed a game-changer in the world of website SEO. By strategically organising your content and leveraging internal linking, you can establish authority, drive targeted traffic, and enhance your website’s overall performance.

Remember, the power of topic clusters lies not only in their ability to optimise your SEO efforts but also in their capacity to address user needs and deliver comprehensive, valuable information.

So, let Red Kite SEO guide you through the realm of topic clusters and unlock the true potential of your website’s SEO strategy.

With their expertise in branding services, content creation, and cutting-edge SEO techniques, Red Kite SEO is your ultimate partner in achieving digital success.

Embrace the power of topic clusters and watch your website soar to new heights in the search engine rankings.

Read more here https://redkiteseo.co.uk/topic-cluster/

#onlinemarketing #DigitalMarketing

[undergraduateprojects]

Sex Education And Moral Upbringing Among College Students

Sex education, also known as sexual education, sexuality education or sex ed, is the instruction of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduction, safe sex and birth control, sexual health, reproductive health, emotional relations and responsibilities, age of consent, and reproductive rights.

SEX EDUCATION

In the West, at least, the term sex education has been most strongly associated with a constructivist psychological framework. Sex education is the attempt to promote the development of children’s and adolescents’ moral cognitive structures (moral reasoning stages) in school settings.

See Samples Of Free Undergraduate Projects For Students In Nigeria

These stages were argued to be universal in nature and sequence. From an educational standpoint, there were two main, and interrelated, pedagogical approaches to promoting such development. The less complex is moral dilemma discussion, which entails facilitated peer-group discussions of open-ended moral problem stories. The more complex, which incorporates moral dilemma discussion, is the Just Community School, a radical experiment in direct democracy in small sub-school settings or in small elementary schools. These small democracies are explicitly focused on promoting justice and community. Important characteristics of both of these pedagogical strategies are that they are theory driven, heavily influenced by psychology, designed to promote the development of moral reasoning stages and well-researched. One important distinction that remains to be made is between the psychology of (specifically) cognitive moral development and moral psychology more generally. Like moral development, the latter tends to be both empirical and theory-driven, as well as heavily influenced by psychology; however, it includes many other psychological concepts beyond those studied by moral development (i.e. moralreasoning stage development). For example, moral psychology includes concepts such as conscience. A few attempts have been made to offer an integrative model of moral psychological development (including moral reasoning development). Because the main disagreements between sex education and character focus on the moral reasoning perspective of the former, we will focus mainly on the narrower domain of moral cognitive development, although we will turn to the broader domain of moral psychology as a means of attempting to integrate these various fields.

APPLICATION OF SEX EDUCATION IN THE CLASSROOM

The promotion of sex education in the classroom can occur in a variety of ways. Role-playing and the use of children's literature are two ways educators can promote character education. Picture books and children's literature have been used over many years to entertain, inform., engage, and evoke thought in the classroom. Since teachers are already using literature with pupils, it is imperative that they make their instruction more meaningful by engaging their pupils and promoting important moral values. If children are exposed to character-rich literature in a manner that can serve those dual purposes, character education can be taught, encouraged, and promoted in the classroom. Role-playing is a type of teaching tool that has shown to have positive effects when promoting values. Sex education can be very effective when used with role-playing and children's literature since both have such promising outcome on affecting pupils' value development. There are many strategies teachers can incorporate when utilizing literature that have important character-building issues. One particular study indicates that teachers should preview the books used carefully. Having background knowledge of the issue involved in a piece of literature with a moral dilemma helps teachers guide class discussions. Teachers should ask questions and provide details that will have children begin thinking about the circumstances or the story's dilemma.

OBJECTIVES OF SEX EDUCATION

We encountered quite a number of articles that only give general guidelines for structuring the teaching, learning process and focus primarily on what sex education should be aimed at. Therefore, we will first present the objectives of curriculum-oriented sex education and the learning outcomes intended in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Focusing on how various authors legitimate sex education, two aspects can be distinguished. Firstly, the personal development and welfare of students is considered to be important. Education must endeavour to guide students towards adulthood and stimulate their identity development. Secondly, the importance of sex education is emphasized from the perspective of society. By enhancing the prosocial and moral development of students, sex education contributes to the quality of society. Both sides of the moral task of education are closely linked, even though an analytical differentiation can be made.

METHODS OF SEX EDUCATION

Classroom discussion

Although the importance of classroom discussion seems to be almost self-evident in studies on curriculum-oriented sex education, only a few authors elaborate on the specific teaching strategies it requires. Most suggested formats for discussion take the form of a dialogue. A dialogue facilitates the development of critical thinking and independency of mind in particular, as well as attitudes such as tolerance, respect and responsibility. Most proposals centred on classroom discussion that we encountered in the review study make use of the Socratic method derived from Plato. The teacher leads the students through a series of questions to a ‘conclusion’, which may be predetermined. It is a relatively teacher-centred method and calls on the skills and beliefs of teachers. Several variations, however, can be found in the literature under the heading Socratic method. We discuss a few exemplary studies below. In line with the ‘direct approach’ within character education, the Socratic method is used to reach a moral conclusion predetermined by the teacher.

Drama and literature

The main argument for using literature and drama is that they provide a stimulating context for students in which they can think and reason about moral dilemmas. From the perspective of character education; the use of literature because it confronts students with moral values and ethical issues. This can help to avoid moral relativism. He argues that ‘solving’ moral dilemmas is not a matter of presenting the right arguments but of placing values in a historical and cultural context. Students can learn the values of their cultural inheritance through literature.

Social group differences

The multicultural dimension of contemporary society is reiterated again and again in the studies reviewed. Most authors argue that one of the objectives of sex education is to teach students how to cope with cultural diversity. However, teaching strategies that take social differences between students in the classroom into account are sparse. It is striking that most of the studies depict students as a more or less homogeneous group in terms of values, prior knowledge, learning strategies, and so on. As a consequence, little attention has been paid to the differential learning outcomes of a specific moral-education curriculum.

MORAL UPBRINGING IN THE MODERN FAMILY

Family is a part of a social and cultural surrounding that plays an essential role in shaping the child’s personality. Its educative function is mainly to introduce the child to the widely understood social and cultural life together with rules, values and moral standards related to it. In order to fulfil that function, the family has to meet the basic biological and psychical needs of the child, the need to be loved, feel safe, appreciated and accepted. It should also provide the child with socially required patterns of behavior and emphasize values, norms and rules of coexistence typical in the society. Parents are the first role models of moral behaviors for children. The process of their personal development takes place in the atmosphere of norms, rules and moral principles which are followed in the family. The child observes what is going in the family environment and follows certain patterns of behavior. Thus, it can be stated that the moral system of the child is shaped through observation and imitation of conducts which were presented to the child in the course of a family upbringing in which the process of personality shaping takes place during various life activities.

SEX EDUCATION AND MORAL UPBRINGING OF STUDENTS

The role of religious institutions in the sex education of the child cannot be overemphasized. Historically, moral teachings have been central to all religions. For instance, historically speaking, since the time of the Bible, moral teachings have been central to Judaism. The Bible is, at its core, a book of ethical teachings. Talmudic sages are seen as moral exemplars, and medieval writers such as Bahya ibn Pakudah and Maimonides, Moses Haylm Luzzatto in the 18th century and the Musar Movement of the 19th century developed a systematic approach to the ethical teachings of the Bible and Talmud in order to teach morals. The same goes for the Islamic religion. Religious institutions have a way of imparting moral lessons in their adherents and this is no more news to many in our country today. In fact, the present in focus of both national and international organization to the exploration of involving and using religious leaders in the campaign against the hydra-headed monster called HIV/AIDS because it is believed that the religious leaders exercise a significant level of control/influence on many people’s thought process and decision making further confirms the importance and relevance of the religious organization in the moral development of the students especially the final year students.

#undergraduate project topics #sex education #morality

[beeblackburn]

The Philosophy of Reading Tag

Tagged by the bracing @books-and-doodles, who knew full well how much of a long-winded shit I am. Can’t warn one who tagged me, knowing full well of that. 😎

cracks knuckles, y’all buckle up, this is a 11,500~ words post

1. What’s most important…a good character, plot, or message?

I think the fact that I got into A Song of Ice and Fire when I was 14, primarily on the basis of Sansa Stark and Jaime Lannister’s character developments, then fell into the rabbit holes of the other well-developed characters, probably says a lot about my priorities out of the three choices, even from adolescence.

For me, my guiding light is that: I can have a bland or cookie-cutter plot (Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself or The Heroes aren’t hugely revolutionary in that aspect) or messages that I don’t agree with (some of the The First Law’s more cynical ruminations), but so long as I have strong, memorable, thorny, and complex characters that I can attach to, I will care far less, because my readership can rest on the weight on characters I care about. And character psychology is timeless.

That’s not to say I don’t care about plot (okay, maybe not plot, The Goblin Emperor was reasonably plot-less and I did not care a lick because Maia 😍) or themes, or that it’s that simple a divide. What I love in a book is an accumulation, from characterization, the nuts-and-bolts of sentence craft or broader sweeps of writing, themes, plot, point-of-view structure, and setting. They inevitably synthesize into how I take to a book.

But if we’re talking about importance of those three? Of course it’s characterization that’s first and foremost. If I can’t care about the people I’m following, why should I care about messages or plots, conveyed through them? But I can certainly care about a book with a strong message and lesser characters and plot, if not to the same degree. I’m not sure I can say that for a strong plot and lesser message or characters.

I also wonder if there’s something to be said about a cross-genre approach to this question, but then I remembered that I don’t hugely take to romances, mysteries, or science fiction, the former two super reliant on structure and pacing, and all of whom don’t hugely boast the greatest variety of characterization. Oops. Except maybe science fiction, but I really need to dip my toe more in that pond.

2. Should one read books about ideas or opinions they disagree with?

So long as you keep an open mind and that the book in question is engaging in good faith, sure. I will never read a book that tries to promote the pseudo-scientific discrimination against genderqueer people for a start, because the author’s clearly engaging in bad faith and I don’t particularly feel inclined to mentally bloody my knuckles against a book for the right of my existence, when it should be matter of fact to me by dint of pragmatism. 

However, I could absolutely see myself being fascinated by the institution of Catholicism alone, despite being an agnostic and the horrors of the Catholic Church. I’m not sure I fully agree with or could follow Buddhism’s tenets, but it sounds like something I’d dig in the reading. You can read a polemic you don’t agree, and, at least, come out of it more informed of another side. No one says you have to swallow it wholesale. You still have a brain and cause to concede or disagree with an idea.

And, putting aside that, you can read a thing and study how the author presents their case, their writing craft, and the arguments or tools (case examples, anecdotes, ad hominem, and/or strawmen fallacies, for one) used. There’s plenty of merit in seeing how another side sees and presents their side of the world by approach alone, beyond content, and using that to add to your knowledge, toolbox, and critical thinking.

At heart, all you can do is be curious as best as you can, about the ideas/opinions in flux that you’re unsure of or feel you could change your mind on, and avoid books that cannot offer the basic respect of your uncertain position, given your own good faith. If a book cannot give you that, then you’re not going to have a good time, nor will you be convinced by a book that demands your agreement, solely on their bad faith. You can’t sacrifice yourself for that.

3. As tech advances, what do you think will be the role of books?

As primitive bludgeoning weapons, if Sanderson will have his way with page count, for a start.

Okay, for the serious answer, we’ll still have books, we already have audiobooks and ebooks as bodies of content alone. And while I don’t take to them as a reading medium, I know plenty of people who wouldn’t have tried out the texts by themselves without them, so the more, the merrier.

Given environmental costs of books and e-readers’ growing energy efficiencies and evolving out the growing pains of its initial user interface, there will likely come a point where paperback/hardcover publishing houses will have to slow down or change up things to contribute as little environmental damage as possible. However, we all thought the advent of e-readers, the original one in the 2010s, would kill the paperback books business and it didn’t, for an abundance of copyright and technological limitation reasons. So that time won’t come anytime soon, but I suspect it’ll come eventually.

That being said, if we’re talking “books” in this question to mean hardcover/paperback formats, as a paperback proponent... well, they’re never going to die entirely. The presence of small publishing houses that service a niche will make damn sure of that. Some people respond well to the tactile feel of them, there’s a physical stimulation to the papery touch that we can’t quite get with the smooth feel of screens, there are scientific papers devoted to how paper books allow us to more substantially build up our memories of them through the physicality of turning pages, like mental footprints. I’m not sure any amount of future technology’s going to change up that. Beyond that, even in the future, there is no way paperback books won’t have a retro element to them that make them delightful collectible items for people.

To quote one of my favorite anime villains:

I don’t think tying ourselves solely to that medium of content is necessarily feasible or good, mind you. Because some people take to visual or audio medium better, there’s plenty to be said the evolution of content to be more accessible to those from far-reaching areas and disabled people. If technological advances allows for more people to take in content that they wouldn’t have before, paperback books can take a backseat for that allowance.

However, there is one consideration that makes me utterly chill at the advent of ebooks, in light of that: the idea that you don’t actually own your ebooks. If you “buy” them, you just license them. And that if something happens to a retailer or business and they decide to shutter off their ebook section, you are fucked and have just lost all the books you own. Hell, if your Amazon account just violates some term, you can lose all the ebooks you bought from them. In that regard, I would much rather stay with paperback publication, solely on the basis that it’s something I own own, and that years from now, when some technocrat demands I pay them a monthly fee for continuing to license books, I will have physical copies that I can read at my own leisure and/or can give to a library so others may enjoy them for free.

4. How important are summaries, review, and art in your book choosing?

Summaries... well, Assassin’s Apprentice is pretty bare-bones in terms of plot summary, and its synopsis really undersells what I love about that book (its interpersonal dynamics, characterization, slice-of-life beats, and meandering pace). I really doubt summaries hold that much weight to me, because if summaries couldn’t do my favorite series justice, well, then what’s the point of them as a means for book choosing? I think summaries/synopsis can help with a foot in the door, but you can have a great synopsis and the actual execution of it in-text can be utter dogshit different from your first impression.

By art, do you mean cover art, illustrations, or fanart? Because, if we’re talking cover art, I definitely checked out Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself, Marlon James’ Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Devin Madson’s We Ride the Storm, and Nghi Vo’s The Empress of Salt and Fortune on the strength of those covers. They can absolutely attract me to a prospective read, though they’re still mostly a foot in the door in the way summaries/synopsis are. I mean, it’s not like George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire’s paperback covers light the world on fire.

If we’re talking inner illustrations... eh. I mean, it helps, especially if they’re great, but they’re like. Only maybe 1-5% of a book’s body? And that’s being really generous most times. That’s not a major enough sway to base buying a whole book over, especially if the book sucks.

If we’re talking fanart though... well, I did buy Gideon the Ninth, solely on the basis of its fanart. Seriously, I know way more about the fanart than I do about the book’s content at this point. Then again, I also bought it because of the hype, so there’s that to consider.

Reviews are where the importance lies in me with choosing a book. They’re certainly not the end-all of how I decide what books I choose. I buy a book out of impulse a few rare times, or a creator I trust is attached to it. How a reader, or even a plurality of readers, took in a book certainly helps me decide what I should be expecting out of a book and whether I’ll enjoy it or not. It helps with expectation management and knowing things that’ll piss me off beforehand. And, in some cases, it tells me something the synopsis omitted or how an author executed it ahead of time, like with Alex Pheby’s Mordew, which a reviewer pointed out, the attractive premise doesn’t hugely kick in until the last hundred or two pages. 

5. Should one ever skim or scan a book?

I mean, I generally do that my first read. I think there’s merit in your first read with not getting hung up on the smaller details in an attempt to discern future developments or reveals. I mean, I won’t deny it can be fun to try and piece together future developments ahead of time. I’m the kind of reader who either gets spoiled ahead of time, which means I just enjoy the craftwork of sentences and how well characterization or foreshadowing holds up, or just skims the entirety of the book my first time, then delights in the details I missed in my future reread.

Also, skimming to avoid excessive scene-setting and authors painting in too languishing strokes? Totally valid. I did that for patches of Christopher Paolini’s Eragon and definitely most of his Eldest, as well as a huge chunk of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time. In which case, yeah, if it’s slowing down your reading progress and you don’t feel like you’re getting anything substantial from it, just skim. Epic fantasy alone can be pretty damn replete with overstuffed descriptions and landscape-painting, and unless those sentences are works of art, why get hung up on them, so long as you appreciate the greater whole?

I think you can always slow down and take note in a reread, you won’t note or appreciate them in their totality your first read anyway. There will be a sentence or passage or two that takes my breath away in the first read, but that’s because even with the skimming, I’ve caught them and they were poetry to the scanning eye alone. Granted, all this advice is for rereaders. Some people genuinely don’t have time for that. In which case, you should probably take your time, because you won’t have another read to appreciate all the beauty and nuances of the prose.

6. Should reading always be enjoyable?

Absolutely not. At bare minimum, it should be engaging, either with your emotions or your mind and the pillars inside it, but plenty of dark reads I’ve taken in haven’t been enjoyable in the emotional pleasant sense. It’s bracing, and it helps strip away a cloistering feeling that potential more enjoyable readings can foster by accumulation. 

To read less-enjoyable books, even just once in a while, helps us look at and cope with the humanistic unpleasantries and ugliness inward, or in the world around us through knowledge and/or emotional catharsis. 

Granted, there are limits to reading unpleasantness. I’m not sure I hugely take to R. Scott Bakker‘s Second Apocalypse for sheer awfulness. At some point, a book has to tonally balance its darkness and bright spots to work for me.

7. Is it important to be well-read?

By the Merriam-Webster definition of well-read, “well-informed or deeply versed through reading,” ... depends on what your goal is. I’ve heard prospective authors need to be on the pulse with the genre they’re publishing in, so that they can get in on a fad, or tailor their queries to comparisons from contemporary published books, to give readers something to hang their expectations on. In that sense, yes, it’s crucial to be well-read in your genre.

As a hobbyist writer who just wants to improve... yes, if to learn via example about sentence craft, how grammatical rules are established (and broken for effect), intimacy or distance of point-of-view, how to build characterization, scene-setting, genre trappings, textual sketching of visuals, and sensory engagement, all that and more. You can also learn a lot of running themes and motifs of another’s culture if you read a wide breadth of books.

As someone who just wants to learn information... not necessarily. Podcasts, long-form video essays, televised panels, and other wells of information and discussion exist. At the end of the day, books or essays or research articles are just mediums to communicate through, and no medium is superior to another. We all take in information differently, I know that I’ve got a tin ear for audio learning, for a start.

I think it’s fair to say you shouldn’t limit yourself to one medium of information, if you’re not barred from them. You can miss out so much, if you willfully close yourself to other wells.

And if you just read for fun, who gives a flying fuck about being well-read. Just read the stuff that makes your brain all engaged and that jazz without compunction of being ignorant of a wider field.

8. What is your book buying process?

I’ve actually answered this, to an extent, awhile ago here. Though, that doesn’t cover the different considerations I have for nonfiction and comics, because the former is a field I’m not hugely capable of discerning fact from crap and need others to recommend on, while the latter... is a land-mine of creators who need all the profit to fuel their ongoing titles or indie books. Also, non-fantasy books, which is a whole other field of research.

That being said, I’ll tackle all four right now:

With fantasy, I take a look at releases of the year, maybe divide or filter it by subgenres, see a title or cover I like, read the synopsis and see if it scratches my interest (maybe I catch a review of it on Strange Horizons or Nerds of a Feather, Flock Together first and it piques me), maybe read a preview to get a sense of the prose/storytelling, read reviews to get a sense of the book’s execution or lack of, think about my current wallet’s money content, decided whether it’s worth it or not, and wait for the next major sale period at my bookstore’s online catalog. I’ll also consider debut authors, particularly marginalized, non-white, and/or underrated authors, and carve out a little space in my wallet for considering them, especially since other more established authors will get by just fine if I delay my purchasing of their books. Who knows, I might find a new author that I delight in, if I look around hard enough. Granted, if it’s a favorite author, it’s an instat-buy, no questions asked.

With non-fantasy, the above, with some additional caveats. I’ll also take a look at the tropes involved (I’ve got pretty hard lines with what I’ll consume out of my romance with its Love at First Sight or science fiction having technobabble up the wazoo). And I definitely want to search around and read whether the book I’m about to buy has good characterization or not, specifically. I can mind not the best characterization in fantasy. It’s not my ideal, but the fantastical concepts alone are in my genre wheelhouse that I’ll generally be game for it. When I’m in unknown genre waters, my tolerance for genre trappings alone lowers and my demand for solid characterization to buoy the narrative rises. 

With nonfiction, I either ask a historian on my fandom server for recs and she supplies them or I look around top ten lists online, leaf through the choices to see if anything interests me, see if it’s a memoir, personal account, or a history. If it’s the former two, I’ll read reviews and decide there and then, maybe wait for my bookstore’s online catalog sales, which has some nonfiction sales from time to time. If it’s the latter... definitely will consult the r/AskHistorians sub at reddit and whether it’s credible or not, or ask my historian fellow on whether they’ve read it or not. If it is, I’ll definitely consider getting it. If not, why burn money for shoddy historical sources? I can get that from online assfucks telling me that the medieval times were realistic for having gratuitous sexual violence or that queer people didn’t exist then, so stop being a SJW. 😒

With comics, I definitely take a look at what’s the buzz on Comics Twitter (that I follow), taking special note at particular creators, with a focus on writers (Al Ewing, Kieron Gillen, Grant Morrison, Chip Zdarsky, Kurt Busiek, Simon Spurrier, and Alan Moore, for starters), then at their non-Big Two catalogs, Image Comics, Boom Studios, Oni Press, Dark Horse Comics, etc., and scan around for interesting books that they have. If there is, I immediately decide to buy/pre-order it, future sale pending. I try my best to engage with the fantasy genre here, but a. the comics scene, even the indie section, is lacking in fantasy titles, compared to science fiction or superhero titles, and b. I’ll admit that if a creative team or premise seems strong enough, I’ll ignore staying in my genre wheelhouse to try something new out. These creative teams really need all the profits they can take from me. I might dip into Big Two comics themselves, but I usually take a look at mini-series, rather than ongoing titles, for things to buy. This isn’t always the case, because if there’s a creative team that I really like on an ongoing title, I’ll at least buy the first volume to support it and play my part in stopping it from getting cancelled prematurely.

9. What is your reading process?

What reading process, y’all think I read? 😂

I mean, it’s been a bit of a rough two years, in terms of reading. I just felt so apathetic and lethargic with the act of reading and I keep putting it off. Some of that might’ve had to do with potential (untreated) depression. Likely to do with a listlessness of life, an ennui that might’ve a decent amount to do with gender thoughts. More recently though, it’s been work that’s drained my motivation and enthusiasm for reading. Whenever I crash back to home, I just wanna play a game or rewatch a show (it’s Ted Lasso right now). Something that doesn’t require chewing through something new.

That being said, for my reading process when I’m less a sack of shit? Well, I definitely start slowly, given the above, but once I get revved up... I will definitely steamroll through entire chapters, one book at a time, because I want to know more, whether because the book is engaging me, or if there’s going to be more interesting stuff later on. I’m not sure if what I do can be considered skimming, considering I seem to catch and ruminate on way too much random details or bits of foreshadowing or sharp character morsels, especially with my favorite authors, but I definitely would sacrifice a more detailed read for speed and getting the broader picture of the entire novel first and foremost. After that, I give some thoughts to my friendly acquittances at the fandom server I practically live in, either to get a second opinion or just share how much I liked/loved a book. Then I consider if I want to reread it, whether now or down the line, depending on if it’s a book that benefits from my immediate re-experience or needs to sit a bit before revisiting.

I think I need some specific conditions to get into a mood of reading, though the past two years muddles things a bit there. Some of why I don’t read nowadays is:

Being scared of missing a message either direct or from the fandom server. I’m the kind of person who gets very scared about making someone feel like they’ve been ignored, so I try my best to answer as soon as possible, and that means, if I’m reading... I’ll either get interrupted a decent amount, if the conversation I get into goes on for a bit, or I’ll leave someone unreplied to for hours. Granted, the fandom server’s members have timezones that are convenient for a nightly read, but I also know a friend who’s available at that time as well, and I’m afraid of not replying right away to any message she gives my way. What if that friend or DMer is distraught and I’m not there to help them? And I’ve abandoned them to silence? It’s almost too much to bear.

Attendant anxiety at my family calling for me and interrupting me from a reading session. I like to do things in large, uninterrupted chunks of time, and that also goes for reading (I finished both The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance in a solid 13-15 hours stretch), and when my family interrupts me... it breaks my groove. It’s like an engine that got turned off and is slow starting back up. And it does not help that my father has a quality to his voice, borne from childhood experiences, that legit makes me wince. It’s a killer to my motivation to read, because I have to dread him asking me for something else that only I can do (lol, no, I just do it at a faster pace than them). Though, the problem with this is that my parents were reasonably not around during their work shifts in the half-year in-between me finishing university and getting my current job, and I still didn’t read. At the very least, the idea of being interrupted is a sizable part of the problem.

Needing rain or rain ambience. It’s a nice white noise to fill the air and I love me some rain. The smell of petrichor, the chill of a coming rain, the foreboding darkening outside the windows, the sound of pitter-patter against the rooftops, and the repetition of it against the walls, mmmmmmmm. Just a perfect atmosphere for reading, as if I’m the master at a gothic library.

I also prefer a comfy chair, but given that I was reading Robin Hobb’s Tawny Man during my transit commutes during the day and night from home to school, and I was managing at least 30-50 pages per one-two hours, it’s not essential. I miss those bus-readings, honestly. There was a practical vibe to them that reading in a coffee shop or McDonalds or at home doesn’t. Given those bus readings, I do seem to have a preference for reading at night. If I read during the day, I have so much to anticipate like classes, parents, changing buses, that I feel less in a mood to read as a result. If I read during the night, well... I might have homework or (often last-minute) exam-studying, but the evening feels like an unwinding time for me, by comparison. The end of a day, free from petty consideration and annoyances.

I actually wonder how well I’d do with future buddy read/book clubs, to be honest. Because the last time I tried it, N.K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season, I... out-paced the others by like half a book while they were around a third or half-way through. Granted, I was circumspect about spoilers, but still! I wouldn’t mind doing it more, I think discussing things with another makes me more engaged to actually think about the minute details of the text, and catch things from others that I missed myself.

Either way, I’m generally a slow-starter and I need to start revving my engine this year, if I want to make a sizable dent in my growing library with far too many books, nooooooooooooooooooo. 😂

10. How do you use what you read?

Oh, lots of ways! Far too many.

My first use of it was escapism, and while that’s lost a bit of its shine nowadays (The Fifth Season and The Trouble with Peace aren’t exactly escapist reads), I’ve come to take to a similar interpretation as J. R. R. Tolkien’s meaning of escaping into what he called “fairy-stories,” with regards to reality: “Why should a man be scorned if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if, when he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls?” We can envision more, different worlds, through reading them in fiction, free from the confines of reality, and think how best to use it to add to the tools of our minds, and I use it to try and envision a better world through me.

My primary use nowadays, as a means to strengthen my empathy. The nature of fiction and its point-of-view structure, attaching us to many characters, is that I can know and connect to an abundance of different people, know their emotions, their trains of thought, their hurts and glories, and their virtues and vices, all filtered through culture and individual psychologies. I try to use that fictional lens to give more real-life people the benefit of the doubt, that people are complex and multi-faceted, and might even have their reasons, good or bad. To hear them out, if my heart can give for fictional characters. Of course, I can’t always exercise that. I fail or I’m embittered by repeated empathy burnings by the same type of people. But I still try and use seeing through fictional eyes to see matters through the eyes of others in real life, those who don’t deserve my distrust.

Another primary use is to study the tools of a writer’s craft through reading them. There’s plenty to be said about disassembling the prose and word craft of another’s writing, and chewing them over, how a writer uses their tools to engender empathy in the quarrelsome and difficult, nurse negative emotions towards asshats, seep world-building out like a quiet leak in a pond, paint a word landscape in succinct strokes, place motifs looming like silent gargoyles over the greater work, tighten their tones as a virtuoso’s fingers tinker minutely their violin strings, construct characterizations through the bricks of stream-of-consciousness prose, or withholding personal information in the narrative until its relevance. I’ve studied from a decent breadth of authors, and try to take the lessons I’ve had to better my writing. To learn from their mistakes and their triumphs to make my own writing the best it can be.

Another primary use is to give me questions about life to ponder on. From Martin, to Abercrombie, Hobb, Moore, and Jemisin, for example, they’ve given me heavy topics and lingering questions to contemplate in life. Does life ever end? Can the ends justify the means? Can lasting change occur inside us? Can we work inside our institutions to change them for the better? Can we ever love something and live that love without hurt? Will knowing everything rob an foundational aspect of us, to kill our wonder and curiosity? I’m a person who loves to ask many questions, of myself and others, and I do enjoy mulling over whether my answers change over the years or getting another’s perspective on said questions.

A less omnipresent, but still crucial, reason for nonfiction: as world-building/thematic or just characterization fodder for my own works. I mean, I do try to use what I learn from nonfiction works in terms of rewiring my mindset on a general level, but in terms of my particular focus? I use what I’ve learnt by giving my works the frisson of substance from historical experience. If I’ve read a book about Catholicism? I want to use it to pen a story about the struggles of one’s belief in their Church and personal faith. If I’ve read a book about fencing? I want to use it to write about vengeful fencers in the Renaissance Period. If I’ve read a book about domestic relations in the medieval times? I want to use it to punch up the nuances of my almost-post medievalesque fantasy. 

Adding to that, I can use what I’ve read out of something as incentive to find more topics to read into. If I’m reading about pasta, maybe the tomatoes in it can lead me to studying the agriculture of tomatoes in contemporary times. From there, what other plants or fruits can be studied? Grapes? Great, I’ll study grapes and their history throughout the world. I see something about how modern viticulture came to be? Then I think about how the villas with their vineyards were run and look into the structure of them, and it’s just a bunch of rabbit holes. In a fun way, granted! But definitely losing myself in a bunch of Wikipedia posts and peer-reviewed papers as a result.

Also, a slightly important reason, especially with fanfiction: to gain greater appreciation for the canon text (or what the canon could be, if it had more attentive writing, or different talent behind it). A different interpretation on the same source material can make such a difference on my feelings for the source material. I’ve consumed some fanfiction that tries achingly hard in their own way, even more so than maybe the source material itself, and have such quality packed into it, and love it in a way the canon text never approaches.

11. If you could download a book to your brain, would you still read?

The entirety of Hobb’s The Farseer, Tawny Man, and the Fitz and the Fool trilogies, as well as her Dragon Haven, along with Abercrombie’s The Heroes and his The Age of Madness trilogy are burnt into my brain through rereading, anyway. I still reread them. 

Mind you, I think there’s a difference between reading a thing before your eyes or knowing it through the mind or memory. I’m not sure I’d be used to “reading” a book in that sense. We’re more used to traditional ways, our brains aren’t wired to have books downloaded into our brain and remembered that way. Maybe the next generation, more enmeshed in the notions of downloading books into their brain, might enjoy it without feeling growing pains. 

I’ll stick to reading. There’s a sort of... intimacy with leafing through the pages, looking through the words at your own pace, you control how you take in a word, a sentence, a passage, and it changes how you feel about certain parts of a book, and it will change your impression per reread as well, that sense of experience and how fluid it can be. That’s something the instant gratification of a book downloaded into my brain wouldn’t give me.

12. What are your views on rereading a book?

Well. I’ve reread Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora at least thrice, Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor thrice as well, and Abercrombie’s The Heroes five times, for a start. I get the faint sense I’m one hell of a rereading proponent. Who’d thunk it.

On a more serious note... I think rereading a book can be an interesting experience, for the variables you can control and those you can’t.

For starters, just from the off-set, you’ve finished a book and you’re coming at the reread with knowing (either faintly and with a vice grip) details and threads that are going to tie together to make a wonderful pattern at the end. Meaning you’re already coming at this experience from a far different vantage point, almost like reading a tragedy: instead of being surprised by the plot or characterization elements, you’re taking stock of the railing tracks that lead you to the inevitable end of the road.

Secondly, you can change up your pace. If you read fast your first time, you can go slower and help yourself absorb all the smaller details, considering you might have been overwhelmed trying to follow the plot your first read. You can focus on different aspects of the writing, characters, or world-building notes. The tiny slivers of subtle humor you missed the first time. It changes your perspective of what the book was in a way your first read missed and gives you a better understanding of the work construction altogether.

Thirdly... we all age. We change. Perhaps we even grow up. Every time we reread a book, we’re different people, even if we reread right after the first time. I definitely remember, after years of being suffocated by grander, bigger stakes in fiction with diminishing returns in my emotional investment in the characters, returning to Abercrombie’s Red Country and being impressed by how small his stakes were, how little the people involved here were, no kings or queens or lords or ladies, either facing a kingdom-ruining crisis, or an impending empire on the horizon, or the end of the world by some overpowered assfuck. Instead, they were just random strangers wandering the Far Country, trying to be (or stay) better people. And those years of mine before returning to Red Country, were also spent reflecting on the nature of financial security and legacy for me, personally, and you know? It struck me far more potent, bittersweet with that lovely hurt, than it did my first time during my mid-teens. We can even view a book through a different lens and get something valuable out of it. A child’s eyes, viewing with innocence, are different from a young adult or a grown adult’s, the latter more worn by time, knowledge, and accumulated hurts.

13. What makes a book good?

It says something about the particular gears in my brain that I left this and the next question for last because boy, these questions are a lot tougher for me than you’d think, because I delineate between decent, good, and great, and strangely, what differs between them isn’t just a matter of literary quality by itself.

Great books go without saying: the majority of Realm of the Elderlings and The First Law, half of A Song of Ice and Fire, and individual books like The Fifth Season and Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen. Books that have the highest caliber of characterization, interesting enough worlds or settings, and timeless and weighty themes executed sharply, things that will linger years later in my mind and urge me to reread, I need that synthesis of the above, that entrenched memory, and that hunger to reread multiple times for a book to become great to me.

Decent books are a little trickier to define for me: they’re the popcorn books. Stormlight Archive, any of Anthony Ryan’s books, any of Michael J. Sullivan’s books. They’re not meant to linger in my mind beyond the periods I read them, they pass and go almost immediately after, but they have enough quality character substance and dynamics and aren’t hugely problematic enough for me to write them off as bad. I will say, though, that the lack of lingering memory and drive to reread them entirely even once definitely crowbars them away from being “good.”

As for what actually makes a book at least “good,” in my opinion? Well, quality of characterization, themes and execution of them, and interesting enough world-building, for a start, but if that were the case, what separates the good books from the greats beyond the nebulous quantifying of characterization quality? 

Is it willingness to go into their fandoms? No, I joined up with Wings of Fire’s fandom and while I still believe its first arc is Good, Actually™, I stayed even after its quality abruptly turned to shit really badly by its second arc’s Talons of Power and it never came back from that. And while I did join up (and still very much enjoy!) the The First Law’s fandom server eventually, I’ve been a bit hesitant at joining the Realm of the Elderlings’ fandom server.

Is it whether it’s capable of generating discussion that’s beyond an hour or two’s time in one sitting? Not a bad rule of thumb, I can talk The Black Company, The Dagger and the Coin, and The Memoirs of Lady Trent alone for under two hours in one sitting, if someone gives me the chance, but I’m not sure I could continue past that, where I could talk and bleed hours of rambling from the stones of all three of my all-time fantasy greats.

Is it how much textual/subtextual meat there is in the content? Hmmm. I’d say there’s plenty of world-building, thematic, and character meat in The Curse of Chalion and The Traitor Baru Cormorant to chew over alone, perhaps equal to the accumulation of quality meat of The First Law alone, and yet I wouldn’t consider those among the greats, though they edge close to them. There’s some wriggle room there.

Is it the lack of problematic material? It doesn’t hurt, but honestly, all three of my all-time greats have some pretty 😬 problematic moments, and not in the way that makes one chew over things. Hobb has her narratively endorsed pedophiles, Abercrombie has his handling of Terez and Cathil, and GRRM... has all the racist elements of Dany’s plotline, exploiting sexual violence as a bit of a prop at times, and sexist world-building that enables the sexualization of teenage girls, sometimes without a thoughtful approach or lens on it (and it happens! Cersei alone is full of angry resentment towards that). They’re still greats in my eyes.

Really, I think what makes a book just good to me, what separates it from decent and great, are two points of personal criteria: 

Will it stay in my mind past the first reading, and for years to come? Large swathes of Realm of the Elderlings, The First Law, and A Song of Ice and Fire have practically imprinted onto my mind ever since my first reads, way back in my mid-to-late teens. With decent books, they immediately faded from my memory like a passing wind. With good books, though, I will remember the best parts, and around half of The Black Company, The Dagger and the Coin, and The Memoirs of Lady Trent, but the strict plot progression will elude me, whereas I’ll generally know, note-for-note, how things progressed in The Age of Madness alone. And I don’t trust my memory to retain the events of just-good books in years to come, whereas I won’t have that problem with greats. 

Do I want to reread this only once or twice, and am I driven to do so? With a great book, I want to reread it all the time, even if I remember a majority of it, and with a decent book, I don’t even wanna reread it in its entirety once. I might reread select parts, but the whole thing? Gods no. With a good book, I wouldn’t mind rereading the entirety of it once or twice, but I’m in no driving rush to do so. I might have a taste for it, and I'll reread select chapters to refresh my memory of the excellent bits inside, but the entire text’s not going anywhere and I can afford to wait. Granted, technically The Lies of Locke Lamora and The Goblin Emperor both exceed this, but I don’t remember all the strict plot progression of either for them to count as great.

I think the broad strokes of what makes a book good to me, are its literary quality, especially its characterization, its ability to generate one sitting’s discussion for an hour or two, how long the memory of it lingers, and whether I want to reread it at least once to get something new out of the experience.

14. What makes a book bad?

Same as the prior question, I differentiate between bad and mediocre. 

Mediocre book can have crappy plot resolutions, bland characterization, bad dialogue, unfun prose. As much as I railed against Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, it’s just pathetic and mediocre in the end. He’s not espousing evil or actively shitty sentiments, so much as wanking off to his White image of the 1980s. Eye-rolly, yes, but not hugely worth getting angry at or stamping with a bad label. It’s not just a matter of problematic material presence, as established above, my all-time trio are no bundle of cheribs there. It also has to do with pure incompetence from pure writing craft.

For me, what makes a book bad...

Out of character writing, and not in the “they’re very complex and inconsistent that way” manner. I can take a degree of bland characterization, so long as it’s consistent, but the moment your main character has done an out-of-character action and not hugely earned it, you have broken my immersion into them and my willingness to invest in them and that’s a deal-breaker to how much shit I can swallow, once I know you’ll treat your characters as interchangeable pieces to move plot.

Espousing a contemptuous philosophy through the narrative without narrative pushback or good faith. Gone with the Wind was a downright evil book. The Wise Man’s Fear��genuinely had Kvothe defend vivisection for the stupidest of reasons. Sword of Truth was vile Randian dogshit that increasingly caricatured its opposition. I can find a book mediocre, downright stupid, or pathetic, but most times, they’re not worth getting furious over. Not those three above, which made me fume with rage for the sheer odium involved with their thematic runtime.

Does it make me want to destroy the book, and not by intent? See, if Sword of Truth or Gone with the Wind wanted to rub how assholish and scummy everyone in their books were by design, that’s another thing altogether, because I can enjoy wanting to hate antagonistic people. I like tearing into and gnashing my teeth against Prince Regal, Kyle Haven, and Hest Finbok! And I sure do love hating Galen and Nicomo Cosca. But if the author wants me to treat the characters like saints, when they’re dumpster fire people, and not in the fun way? I absolutely resent my feelings being forced like that, and I end up wanting to destroy it for sheer gulf between intent and execution.

I can find a lot of books being mediocre or decent, but just not my thing, but those are 100% three of the forefront reasons why a book is bad to me. Bear in mind, I don’t like even bruising books, so that’s how hot my fury gets with a bad book, if I’m seriously contemplating book destruction.

15. How do you feel about not finishing a book?

Honestly? Deeply uncomfortable with the notion.

Don’t get me wrong, I definitely get the practical logic behind it, and it’s a fair approach to treating books, when you only have so much time alive, and you might as well treat that time to a good book. There are perfectly valid reasons for dropping a book (getting triggered by intense content, not liking the writing or characters for a good stretch of time, seeing a sexually repulsive action that was narratively endorsed). I’m not hugely judging anyone for DNFing a book. A small part of me would want someone to try out the entire book before condemning it, but that’s ultimately their call to make.

But, for me, who usually pays for a book, having researched enough of a book’s premise, prose, and reviews, to get a decent sense of what I’m getting out of it... well, I keep a book long enough that I can’t really return it anymore. So I’ve already spent the money on it and I’m not getting it back. Not reading and finishing it would feel like a waste of that money. Granted, I could save some time, and that’s not an unfair rebuttal to make against how I grind through. To me, there’s usually merit to most not-good books I read, even if it’s just serving as a case lesson of how not to write or “so bad, it’s good” quality. 

But I am much more okay with DNFing previews or sample excerpts. I didn’t pay for it, for a start, so I don’t feel like I wasted my money if I don’t continue. Also, it’s small enough a body of text that I haven’t put a ton of emotional investment into it. It’s a sampling, the intent should be to sample a thing to see if it’s your taste. If not, no harm, no foul. I bounced really hard on Gardens of the Moon thrice and that was a whole-ass book (I don’t hugely regret giving money to Erikson, mind you, but it sucked to bounce off so badly), and A Memory Called Empire’s excerpt, I bounced real damn hard off of, because of all the technobabble from the get-go. I didn’t feel huge guilt over those two.

That being said, I 100% DNF’d Ready Player One and not a single regret was had, if not for the fact that I kept going until that point, expecting it to get better, hoping beyond good sense that it would and just giving up. Well, goes to show we need the exception that proves the rule.

16. Should the author’s personal life matter at all?

In terms of the business end? Honestly, absol-fucking-lutely yes. Giving money to a known popular transphobe like J. K. Rowling who’s the sole creative force behind her main work, and outwardly uses her profits to actively contributing to the misery of people like me? You can’t expect me not to, at bare minimum, side-eye the hell out of anyone for doing that, if they know that. You can’t divorce the personal life from the business end, if the person is living, because the latter feeds into the former and has consequences that current people will live with. J. K. Terfing herself will have to rip the pennies from my cold, dead, non-binary hands before she gets any money from me.

That being said, someone like Joe Bennett, who’s not only supported a transphobic remark on his instagram awhile back, and had a popular shitting-his-pants of sneaking in antisemitism into his sequential art? Well, fuck him, but he also worked on the same title of The Immortal Hulk with Al Ewing and colorists who seem like pretty cool people who didn’t seem to know about his behavior prior, and when it was brought up to them, absolutely vocally ripped against his bullshit and took responsibility for that. It’s, at least, a little trickier when the asshole isn’t the sole creative force behind a book and I can see myself trying to figure out ways to read or get the book without actually fattening Bennett’s wallet (discount bins, secondhand bookstores, and libaries exist!)

However. Someone like Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns, Cameron Stewart or Eric Michael Esquivel? The former three inappropriately abused their position as comic creators or higher-ups to hook up with young women, (or even fucking groom late-teens in Johns case, the fucker!) The latter is a known rapist and emotional and sexual abuser. No matter how nice the other people on the creative teams they were a part of, and I’m sure they were horrified enough once they found out that shit, and whether my money, or lack of, towards those (popular, in the former three’s cases) books would make a difference or not, those are just hard lines I cannot financially support out of a creator. I’m sorry, I can pay for the other creative members’ past or future books, but giving money to the above men? Fuck no.

Same goes for people like Paul Krueger, Sam Sykes, and Myke Cole, who are all the sole creative forces behind their works, and sexually inappropriate assfucks, by the way. I’ll just quote what I said back in my Anti-TBR tag post, “fuck all three of these men and the idea that I’ll pay for their stuff. While I can’t demand any of you not buy from them and I’ll hardly claim to be a saint in terms of ethics, purchase-wise, I would beseech you all please don’t buy from these three authors who have a history of inappropriateness.”

(Trust me, with all the scumbags in comics, I’ve given this question, and similar considerations in ethical consumption and purchasing, lots of thought, if not ink. Up to a point, every major comics publisher is compromised alone, we all live in an ethical quagmire and we all have to draw our own lines in the sand with buying stuff, given how much shady shit capitalistic corporations get into on a far more widespread reach than most authors will ever do. And sometimes we have to decide, case-by-case, how much our principles will bend, depending on the what negative stuff we’ve heard about a creator and how much damage they’re doing. And it’s fair to point out that “said something really fucking dumb” can be radicalized into demonizing someone’s entire character and, please, let’s exercise some good sense there. At the very least, I’d request people to treat “not a sexual harasser/rapist/pedophile” as an perfectly achievable baseline. I mean, being a transphobe or a Chinese racist alone certainly puts a creator on my shitlist, personally, but being a non-rapist/pedophile is something 99% of people just are.)

In terms of analysis of the text? No, only if you want it to matter. I certainly ascribe to Death of the Author myself, but reading the socioeconomic factors out of an author’s life, their beliefs, and relations, certainly makes connections in one’s works pop. George Eliot’s life is a treat to read and, just from a cursive look, you certainly get a ton of where her themes, premises, character archetypes, and general writing were going, once you get that context.

(Also, she was pretty damn wild, having an affair with a man in an open marriage of his! Also, she got a Queen to commission fanart for her works. I wish I was as cool as her.)

And Martin’s writing of the Targaryens as exiled nobility alone gets really interesting and a little soberingly sad, once you get into his familial history of having been formerly wealthy, but cast down and lost it all in the Great Depression. Also, his religious beliefs as a lapsed Catholic really sheds quite the context to his writing of Stannis, Thoros, and the High Sparrow, and the bitter ruminations of Sandor, Jaime, and the Red Lamb.

Also, Hobb marrying her high school sweetheart at eighteen... actually suggests a lot about how she approaches her fictional romances (not in a great way, mind you, but it sure explains a lot!)

Like, even if you didn’t touch any of those personal life details, you’d still get something satisfying out of the textual analysis, of course, but it doesn’t hurt my understanding and love for texts to know those things. Even the negative details, so long as they’re not utterly horrific. If anything, the personal details helps imbue more understanding into my final analysis.

17. If you could only read one genre for the rest of time, what would it be?

looks at my bookshelves, full of a sprinkling of historical nonfiction, a dash of science fiction, a smattering of literary fiction... oh, and just a tiny sliver of being 90% stuffed with fantasies

I choose to read the blueberry genre, of course. Can I also pick the bilberry subgenre too?

Okay, on a serious note, I don’t know. Picking fantasy alone... feels like it’s cheating, because fantasy can cover a whole bunch of different subgenre grounds. You want to read a Western? Weird West subgenre. You want to read some science fiction? Science fantasy subgenre, bruh. You want to read a romance? There are romantic fantasies up the wazoo. You want to read about crime? Fantasy Noir or paranormal mysteries are a thing. Add in my personal stake in loving my genre wheelhouse so much that I literally spend hundreds on dollars on it every year? Of course I’m going to pick fantasy. Why wouldn’t I pick fantasy?

So, I’m going to try and answer the spirit of this question by narrowing it down even further and answer which fantasy subgenre I’d read for the rest of time: low fantasy, as defined in the link. I love the stripped-down scope of its world-building, the lessened (or dangerous and unknown) presence of magic, the realistic storytelling focus, the shades of gray it implicitly promises, and the characterization, painting less in broader archetypes, and more in the nitty-gritty of the non-fantastical, plausible psychologies. Plus, all three of my utmost favorite fantasy series are entries below, The First Law, Realm of the Elderlings, and A Song of Ice and Fire (as well as Glen Cook’s Black Company and Marie Brennan’s The Memoirs of Lady Trent as well!), so I already know I’m going to be comfortable reading this subgenre until the end of time (meaning getting comfortable in my cyborg body).

Heroic fantasy doesn’t hugely do it for me, along with the general attendant racism and sexism of its entries. High fantasy is... well, I could go into a laundry list, but really, all I can say is that I only truly love The Lord of the Rings, Earthsea, and Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn out of that subgenre, and they’re not my utmost favorite reads, the rest I’m not hugely attached. Yes, I am including Sanderson’s Cosmere in that rest grouping. Historical fantasy... possible, but I’d prefer a flat-out different world, not just our real world with some of the place names changed up. Keep some of the wonder of a new world with me. And, as much as one would think dark fantasy would scratch my itch, I generously only utterly love Abercrombie’s The First Law out of that subgenre, and he’s got more levity with his grim tone, to boot. Not to mention how rampant sexual violence gets in an attempt to get across as edgy and dark and realistic the works are. Ugh. Spare me.

Therefore, low fantasy’s my pick.

18. Do you ever read a book without knowing anything about it?

looks at the answer for 8. Hahaha.

I mean, I will generally instat-buy from favorite authors, but even then I check out the synopsis, at bare minimum. It’s not a matter of trust, so much as I wanna know what I’m getting from them. Even with comic creative teams, I still at least take a look at the premise and read some preview pages, at least. 

I mean, if we’re talking about something that fits the spirit of this question... The Spirits Up by Todd Babiak is the closest thing that fits. I saw the cover, read that if you love Schitt’s Creek, you’ll love this book, and that it was discounted at 30% off, I snagged it up without much thought. I can impulse-buy sometimes.

Granted, I haven’t actually read it yet, so... who knows. Down the road, I might pay closer attention to reviews, instead of diving head-first into this book. Generally, 99% of the time, I’m meticulous about studying everything about a book before buying and reading it, so I know I’m guaranteed a decent read.

19. What author, genre, series, or culture can you just not get into? Why?

Well, I’m definitely tackling these, one by one.

Authors:

Terry Goodkind Terry Goodkind Terry Prickin’ Shitkind: You know, I almost didn’t put him here, half because I originally put in Leigh Bardugo on here before realizing that since I liked Six of Crows enough, that probably disqualifies her, and half because since he’s dead, it almost feels like punching down on a man after he can’t respond from his grave. Then I remind myself this is the same Randian pretentious fuckclown who increasingly caricatured his political enemies into fictional strawmen antagonists to cartoonish levels, ratcheted up the amount of sexual violence towards women in his books to the point of wallpaper, and, most damningly of all, mocked Robert Jordan’s dying condition to the point that Jordan noted it in his last ever blog post. I have nothing good to say about the man’s writing and the biggest positive thing he added to his net worth as a writer and person? The act of dying. Good riddance.

Neil Gaiman: I don’t hugely get Gaiman’s popularity. I do get it to a point, but I feel Gaiman rests on aesthetics of being creepy and/or weird and people just gravitate to that sort of vibe, rather than any sense of substance of his writing. His prose strikes me reasonably straightforward and full of child-like wonder, rather than being poetic and gorgeous as fans of his would espouse it is. Thematically, he loves to wank off to the power of stories and change, which, okay, I don’t disagree. I just ironically wish his storytelling was better. Also, Grant Morrison wanks off to similar, and they had Santa Claus get visited by psychedelic aliens, to boot.

Brent Weeks: He makes up a White Male Trio with Anthony Ryan and Brian Staveley, in terms of being bland white-bread popcorn fantasists (Sanderson is pretty popcorn to me as well, but he’s got enough imagination and neat narrative turns to elevate him), but darker in tone, so They’re Cool™ in a grimmer fantasy landscape. There’s not a lot to say about Weeks as a writer, he’s basically Sanderson, except darker, meaning more needless sexual violence. Of course. I’ve heard that he’s a cool enough dude from a few decent gestures, but the quality of his work leaves so much to be desired and I don’t get why people like him, when there are better popcorn fantasists.

Patrick Rothfuss: I mark this with almost 100% sincerity when I say The Name of the Wind is one of fantasy’s best comedies. It is hilariously “so good, it’s bad” quality. The prose is pretty decent enough, but then Kvothe looks at a woman and/or the characters actually start talking and it all goes to shit so badly, my ribs. The premise alone feels like a bodice-ripper without the integrity to admit itself as such. The Wise Man’s Fear is also pretty amusingly bad, given the scene where Kvothe out-bangs a sex Fae, but also genuinely, gut-wrenchingly, bad, given said sex Fae effectively raped Kvothe and then the discussion of vivisection and how Kvothe’s effectively pro-vivisection of countless citizens because it advanced medical science and that last part makes me Groan so hard, my first name’s become Titus. Just. God, I 110% don’t get Rothfuss’ popularity at all. I legit think it would’ve been better for everyone, including him, if he didn’t get blown up to the hype he got.

Steven Erikson: I really tried thrice with Erikson. It really isn’t personal with him, his series does sound interesting and complex, but Gardens of the Moon’s prose was so overwrought and self-consciously emulating this needlessly grim vibe, and these characters seem to talk, not to actually explain shit, but tease meaning for the long narrative game. And while my peek into Deadhouse Gates showed that the prose was much better there, I’m not really sure I’m up for trying to chip through 500+ pages, just for the potential of better. Granted, I’ve heard plenty of people talk about how good Malazan Book of the Fallen is, from a world-building and character level, especially its later books, but gods, I just don’t see it now. It doesn’t help that Erikson insisted on publishing a first book whose writing quality was ten years before his actual better foot forward. Revision, Erikson, the art of it exists for a reason!

Genre:

I’ve actually talked about romance once before here, and most of it remains utterly true to me, especially in the fact that it’s usually an entire genre revolved around the build-up to a relationship and that’s always going to annoy me when I even try to crack open a typical romance book (I want my money back after the few first pages alone, hell, after the free preview alone), however... I think I need to cut my teeth on more queer romances and Jane Austen’s works before giving up on the genre wholesome. Queer romances because, you know, I’m queer, and it might, I stress might, be possible queer writers will do things differently from heteronormative writers, so I might take a look at Alexis Hall’s Boyfriend Material, and Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop before judging the genre harder (I wouldn’t mind looking into some AMAB genderfluid romances, mind you, but those are the ones that were personally read by a fandom member I trust). And Jane Austen, because, you know, it’s Jane Austen. I own most of her books anyway.

I also find mystery’s drier function and more episodic nature... kind of limiting to how much long-term characterization can be done, outside the detectives? The structure of the genre effectively means the amount of characterization you can get out of the suspects is filtered through the mystery, meaning it ends up feeling like a jigsaw puzzle of figuring out how all the clues fit together, either through process of elimination (in which case, who gives a shit about the characterization of a suspect once you’ve ruled them out?) or genuine detective reasoning (which, fair enough, but that’s harder, and from the mysteries I’ve read and didn’t like, they’re reasonably without the guts of characters). The only mystery I can more than stomach is Umineko no Naku Koro ni, and that’s partly because the cyclical, yet differing, nature of the catbox means you get the broad strokes, but different nuances of tragic assholes with each iteration, and its focus on the “heart,” the raw, ugly, achingly heartbreaking, yet terrible motives behind the murders. I’m not sure that even counts against my apathy towards the mystery genre, given it’s so different from the rest of the genre.

Series:

Malazan Book of the Fallen for all the reasons I’ve detailed above, which is a bit of a shame, because I think it’s not a bad series. Just not for me, even though I haven’t given up yet.

The Cosmere, and I differentiate between this and Stormlight Archive. I like Sanderson enough, and, as tedious and long as Stormlight Archive can run, those books did not need to be 1000+ pages long, the characters and imagination and plot developments in that series are enough to keep me going, if not enthusiastically. The Cosmere itself as a meta-series, though? I think it took Rhythm of War’s Zahel sparring session for me to realize I don’t much care for the Cosmere as a whole. Not when it’s throwing terms like “Type Two Invested entity” in my face. And yes, the in-universe character it’s being thrown to doesn’t get it either, so Sanderson’s got enough self-awareness to know not everyone’s going to get it, but it’s clearly meant to be a sly wink to the readers who are in the know with having read Warbreaker, and boy, even if I did read it, the Easter Egg would’ve broken my immersion into the world, given it’s dependent on me having read an entirely different book of his. At least, the Ghostbloods and Odium add to the story without needing to read other books, while being connected to a greater whole. Zahel’s inclusion just feels like “hey, you know that guy, right?” interconnectivity for the sake of itself and I don’t care that much for Sanderson’s non-Stormlight Archive or The Emperor’s Soul works to get the full context.

The Kingkiller Chronicles, for all the reasons above, because I can handle “so good, it’s bad” writing, but when you’re claiming your male virgin is So Good at Sex that he can satisfy a sex Fae his first try, and vivisection was Good, Actually, and likely using that as the example of a bad act in service of a greater good, leading towards the titular king killing, as if you can morally equivalate the two at all? Well. I can see the writing on the wall and refuse to be suckered into a sunk-cost fallacy.

The Dresden Files, because while I love fantasy and the themes of noir, noir’s had an entrenched problem with sexism, and fantasy’s not hugely better in that department, but at least more progressive people pen more in it. And from what I’ve heard of Butcher’s later writing, he apparently doubled down on the sexism. Just a case example, there’s a woman who orgasms in a morgue and two men nearby find it arousing (then asks if the woman is underaged) and. Well. That sure ain’t a good look for my chances of getting into the series.

The Dark Tower, partly because @books-and-doodles pointed out that Stephen King’s revealed himself to be a bit of a douche in his memoir/writerly help book, but more crucially, someone on my fandom server DM’d me about King’s long-standing issues with mental health exploitation and his voyeuristic misrepresentation of them, some in his The Dark Tower series itself. Needless to say, it didn’t leave me with a dying hunger to cut my teeth on his works.

Culture:

I mean, I’m game for 99% of all cultures. I might take issue with the storytelling focus, but if lots of people of color authors and Guy Gavriel Kay have any say in the matter, it’s that any culture can and should be made interesting and worthwhile, and they should all have their chances to be written about. However, I wouldn’t mind more Medieval European-centric fantasies breaking out of that mold. It’s what first attracted me about The Age of Madness and what appeals to me about Discworld’s growing world. The world changes, we should move forward from the old ways of the Medieval Era or the Middle Ages.

20. Do you think everyone should read? Why?

Fuck no. Just from personal preference, I have a tin ear for audiobooks, so others might not have an eye for reading. There are different mediums of content, tv shows, podcasts, movies, documentaries, all that good stuff, to take in for fun or information. If you don’t take to reading, there’s plenty of other platters of delicious story or content at the feasts. I think it might be nice to read, but some people just aren’t readers. That’s okay.

I think everyone should develop better critical thinking, at least. It doesn’t matter if you read, watch, or listen, if you’re approaching what you’re consuming without any consideration of authorial bias or ability to evaluate how the creator(s) crafts their content and the message and intent behind it, then it won’t matter if you’ve consumed one or one thousand bits of papers, documentaries, shows, or podcasts, etc., you’ll always remain an ignorant frog in the well in your mind.

I mean, I’ve hung around academia and trans circles enough to know that there are and will be university-diplomate professionals who fudge their methodology and study design in service to higher money for the former, or use shoddier sample sizes or incomplete context to weaponize their transphobia and demagoguing it under the veneer of diplomate-grade research for the latter. Reading isn’t cracked up to be the silver bullet to ignorance we’d like it to be.

In the end, we all take in different forms of content in our own ways. But we should, at least, be more mindful of how and what we take in. Otherwise, you get horseshit opinions like “Red Country was character assassination of X and Y!” or people thinking vaccinations cause autism without proper comprehension of themes or research study methodology, which would help one see the truth of those bits of content.

Tagging: @xserpx, @vera-dauriac, @autoapocrypha​, @doublehex, @random-jot, @jumpydr4gon, @bloody-wonder, and @mytly4 and whoever else that is following me and wishes to do this tag (I’d like to read your posts, so please tag me! :D)

#books #book tag #the philosophy of reading tag