#i am going to make a list of every book in this drawing later

[peevishpants]

/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\: u like book? u want buy book? two dollar *falls asleep*

available as a print here!

#CAT #artists on tumblr #i am going to make a list of every book in this drawing later #they are all some of my faves!!! #i ripped this joke from bts's suga from that show where they had to demonstrate american swag #weiwei art #pls reblog this its my favourite thing ive drawn all year

[french-unknown]

Hiii!!!

Can you please write something about a reader who wants to get self-improved?

What I am trying to say is, the reader is kinda of lazy and all they do is sleep, eat, and read. Neglecting studies and being unproductive.

But they want to change. They tried so many times, but they became their previous self again after 2 or 3 days.

Can you please write something like Law, Shanks, Mihawk, and Ace to help them to become their best self?

Like you know motivational and inspiring thing...

I don't know if you can understand this. English is not my mother language. So it's so hard to explain. Sorry about that.

Thank you so much for writing.

With lots of love...❤️❤️❤️

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐅-𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒: law, shanks, mihawk, ace 𝐂/𝐖: fluff 𝐀/𝐍: Hi! Thank you very much for appreciating what I wrote and don't worry about your request, I understood. I hope you will like it and have a nice day! (｡◝‿◜｡) 𝐖/𝐂: 1.2k +

| m a s t e r l i s t |

𝐋𝐀𝐖

✧ You had been locked in your room for several weeks and you didn't want to come out. You didn't want to see people. You didn't want to listen to them. You didn't want to talk to them.

✧ You just wanted to spend your days alone in your blankets reading quietly with Law visiting in the evening to sleep.

✧ Everyone outside, even your friends, bored you: their conversations didn't interest you and their reactions annoyed you. Besides, you didn't see what you could talk to them about and, even when you tried, you were cut off. this invisibilization irritated you so much that you ended up not saying a word, plunging yourself even deeper into your boredom, and no longer coming.

✧ You had tried several times to come back to them but your interactions turned on you more and more until the arrival of the Straw Hats who had finished isolating you for good.

Their captain who shouted everywhere and ruined your peace. Their swordsman who turned on his heel in the middle of your sentence when you tried to talk to him. Or their navigator who had cut you off to call out to Shachi who was passing behind you with his winnings from his bets with the crew.

✧ You hadn't left your room since.

✧ Law didn't see your isolation in a good light so, given that you were only reading and your reading stock was dwindling, he mentioned the very well-stocked library of the Straw Hats. Innocently, of course.

✧ He arranged for the Straw Hats to start a party before you could get out. Not wanting to get stuck in the hubbub on your way back to your room, you decided to stay reading in the Sunny Library until the crowd dispersed. Law sent Robin to the library to read her book.

✧ You came home the next morning to talk to Law about the archaeologist who was nice and whose invitation you thought you would accept to meet up to read together. He just calmy replied: “Cool” even though he was very satisfied inside to see you regaining confidence in socialization.

𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐒

✧ You didn't have the motivation to do anything to advance your goals. You always pushed everything aside with an "I'll do it later" to continue reading until you found yourself in the evening and said to yourself "It's too late to start, I'll do it tomorrow".

✧ It was like this every day.

✧ One morning, Shanks came into your room humming after you went back. He approached you under your suspicious gaze and took your book from your hands before going to the window and casually throwing your book into the water over his shoulder.

You could have ripped him alive just for that.

✧ However, he took out an old crumpled sheet of paper from his pocket with a quill already inked on it and wrote your objective in large letters at the top of the page. Then he spent the rest of the morning with you on the bed figuring out all the steps to take before reaching your goal. He embellished the page with little drawings here and there to make it more “cool”.

✧ He called himself "the Emperor of the to-do list" throughout.

✧ The next day, you did one of the tasks on the list because it didn't take much time / effort and you could do it from your bed. You simply checked it off and, when Shanks came back in the evening, you showed him.

✧ Every time you checked a box, he showered you with a shower of congratulations as well as special drinking parties to celebrate your accomplishment.

✧ The whole crew also ended up getting involved and they all encouraged you in their own way.

𝐌𝐈𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊

✧ He was genuinely starting to worry about you: you didn't want to go out anymore and it had been weeks since you had seen the light of day.

No matter what he does, you always return to your bed after stocking up on food in the middle of the night in the castle kitchen. You stay all day under your covers. You would refuse his invitations every time he offered to accompany him outside the castle or during his missions outside Kuraigana. You always justified that you were more comfortable in your bed and that you didn't see the point in going out.

✧ He ironically thought that he was the one called a vampire.

✧ Finally, he got fed up. He waited for you in the kitchen during the night and started talking to you for a long time. You find his behavior quite strange but you keep talking, hoping that he will make fewer remarks to you later about the fact that you always stay locked in your bedroom.

However, when you opened the door to your room to finally snuggle into your soft pillows and blankets, you noticed that your bed was gone. Your bed was missing. You tried all the rooms in the castle but all the beds had disappeared. As well as all the pillows and blankets. There were none left in the entire castle.

✧ He then guided you towards Hitsugibune where his usual seat had been replaced by your blankets and pillows. You were shocked while he gave you the choice between staying on the island and sleeping on the cold stone floor or boarding with him and sleeping in comfortable bedding.

After toying with the idea of sleeping on the cold castle floor just to annoy him, you finally agree to go on his boat.

✧ After a few weeks of traveling, you realize that getting out of bed was the best solution because your days were no longer an endless blur. They no longer paraded at full speed without your having the slightest memory of them.

𝐀𝐂𝐄

✧ You wanted to start sport but you couldn't stay regular.

✧ You could tell yourself all the benefits it would give you (post-session well-being with endorphins, being more active in everyday life, more energy etc.) but you couldn't do it. Even motivational phrases like “the hardest part is to begin!” only made you feel even more depressed when you found yourself hopelessly in sportswear in your bed.

✧ You motivated yourself to do a week then you missed a session because you had aches. And another because you were tired. Then another one because you were lazy and, at rhis point, it wouldn't make a difference.

And you always ended up stopping.

✧ But Ace wanted to help you so he offered to accompany him on his next mission. You never refused to spend more time with him so you agreed.

✧ However, this trip as a couple was very different from the previous ones where you made all your trips at sea with his striker and those on land with the island's transport.

✧ This time, you did everything by yourself.

You paddled on the Grand Line while Ace helped you while telling you about his fights with Sea Kings. You hiked from one town to another while arguing with your idiot lover who had forgotten to take money for transportation. You climbed mountains hand in hand with him as you chatted happily.

✧ Finally, you got a taste for these privileged private moments with your boyfriend. They provided you with enough physical exercises to satisfy you without constraining you and you no longer felt the duty to do these sessions alone.

Congratulations, you found my 3rd Easter Egg Here a ʚ 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 ɞ as a token of my admiration

𝐉𝐎𝐈�� 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @iheartamora @bontensh0e @opchara @lys-ada @xomingyu @dozcan123 @kai-wifey

#one piece #one piece x reader #trafalgar law #law x reader #shanks #shanks x reader #dracule mihawk #mihawk x reader #portgas d ace #ace x reader

[sualne]

Sorry if you're already working on this but with Luffy in Croc dad what's his hobby?? Like he's the biggest ball of energy and I think if wasn't fighting wild animals as a kid he would vibrate into another dimension from lack of stimulation. Does he draw and develop his art skills, has he taken up music or is he invested with the void century with Robin? Croc wants to keep him inside and safe so what did he think would be best to entertain him or does he buy a new thing every week that Luffy says he suddenly wants to do. Yes he looks at books but is that it. Also sorry if you answered this before and I've missed waht you said, I am pretty sure I've seen all your comics on this but I haven't seen all your ask answering questions.

i hadn't gotten these questions and im so glad you ask!! :D

so! luffy doesn't have one specific hobby and croc does end up giving him whatever he wants when he suddenly gets a new obsession, one of the reason he's so excited with finding the jewelry box and getting a dagger is because it's finally something new! after that he gets really into rings and knives until it gets bored of it and switch to something else again.

about him and learning about the void century with robin i actually got a comic later for that so i won't say anything here!

im going to make this a list and explain how it goes, under read more:

Fighting: this luffy doesn't know how to fight, but he still love the concept! he gets really excited hearing stories of fights, duels, martial arts and all the rest! In practice though, since he's been so sheltered and only ever saw one real fight that ended up with people being killed in front of him as a kid, if (haha) he were to witness another real fight he wouldn't be as giddy about it as when he hears stories. he does also learn the tiniest bit of kenpo from bonclay!

Dancing: luffy in canon loves dancing (and partying), here too! he doesn't know/master any specific styles but likes to drag people into dancing with him, if no one is around he'll grab some of the smaller bananawani instead.

Singing: he's still very bad at it.

Music: croc noticed how he'd taps on thing and tried to get him to learn some percussion, unfortunately for him, luffy doesn't care about music theory and just does whatever makes him happy. he also love loud noises and croc has to find a way to stop him from making a racket at any hours of the day, it gets worse when luffy loses some of his hearing and needs to make everything even louder. eventually he gets bored of it too.

Cooking: him and croc cooks together pretty often, if no one is there to supervise him luffy will ignore recipes and common sense, making all kind of abominations. it's a miracle he never set the kitchen on fire.

Bugs: he loves them! he collect them! alive. croc is horrified one day when he finds out baby luffy has been letting some food to rot so he could observes flies and larvae going through their little bug lives cycle. later croc gives him those pinned dead bugs collection boxes thinking luffy will like it, he doesnt.

Board&Cards Games: he mostly has to play them by himself, he doesn't like being alone so he'll often ends up playing it "with" the banawanis. after he loses a few too many times against the banawanis and can't get croc to join in for the millionth time he gives up on them. even when robin joins baroques works he still expect her to be too busy to play with him and doesn't ask (she would have accepted if he had asked).

Art&Craft: he tries a bit of everything, doing it his own way meaning most of it is kind of hideous or about to fall apart, canon luffy is completely fine with that, au luffy though, he's having ton of fun at first but when he gets old enough to see that his dad cant quite fake his enthusiasm or interest towards his disastrous creations he gets frustrated and stops for a while. later, robin finds an old drawing of his and thinks its cute so he start doodling a little again for her.

basically, he struggles keeping a hobby, some like fighting, dancing, bugs and staring at pictures in geography books he keeps through his life but mostly, he's very lonely and bored out of his mind, he's depressed, that's not something that can be helped for as long as he's isolated.

when robin becomes a part of his life everything gets better for him! she spends time with him, read stories for him, helps him get out more often, they even meet bonclay and for a few years he's genuinely happy.

#crocau ask #crocodad au #<- this one gets in the main tag cause this is important lore #i probably wont be able to show all of that in comic form so im glad i get to rant about it here!! it also turned out sadder than i expecte

[writeblrfantasy]

writeblr celebration!

it's been an incredible year for writers everywhere, and in a time when it's harder and harder to get recognition for your work, during a year that has given so much to me, i just wanted to give back and shout some people out. this is just a very, very small chunk of the writeblr pie!

first off, a huge congratulations to @ashen-crest for the explosive and incredible launch of a rival most vial. watching this go from your brainchild to the blorbos on my dash to a fully formed book to a viral sensation on indie lists and fantasy contests everywhere. it was, no question, my favorite read of the year. there is genuine magic in those pages, i am convinced. it's been magic to watch the book soar just as it deserves.

i hope the success continues to follow you in the new year!! you deserve every bit of the reward for all of your hard work. congratulations, and i can't wait to see what you come up with next!

next, @magic-is-something-we-create finished whispers, a lifechanging and deeply emotional read that i still think about 7 months later. watching you write this was inspirational and incredible to witness, you are an absolute Writing Beast. it's my favorite book of yours now. in my head, whispers is still just a concept that you'll write someday. it's crazy to remember that it's fully just. done. whoa

(go beta it for him if you have the time to read a Thick novel! you won't regret it. like i said, lifechanging) in addition, your drawings only get better and better with each one. watching how fast and how amazingly you completed each one was the best part of my week. you are a stunning artist in every way, and i wish you the best of luck in 2024 <3

@aritany, congratulations on surviving the tradpub trenches and emerging on the other side with your book!! your book is gonna be out in the world so soon! that's so cool, and so hard, and i'm so proud of you for making it through. i know your publishing career is going to be incredible.

(congrats on slaying nanowrimo, btw!! 10th novel is no joke) and i just can't wait to see what you come up with in the future. every idea and concept of yours is god tier. i always get so excited talking to you when you have a new wip, it's literal magic in the air. happy 2024 to you, may it be prosperous physically and mentally!

to the lovely @abalonetea, congrats on publishing your novels this year. the success of IDS85 has been incredible to witness; you deserve every bit of that reward. i only wish that all of your books got such recognition! it's always so fun to see what you're doing, what wonderful ideas are cooking up in your brain. no one does horror like you do, and the fact that you do it while balancing your day job is so impressive. i'm wishing you luck and love and ease in 2024!!

and for my good friend @ettawritesnstudies, where to begin! it was such a pleasure to meet you in person this year, a pleasure to watch and cheer you on as you graduated (!!) and worked on runaways. i hope i get to hold that book in my hands someday soon, or whatever else you publish. if you have one fan, it'll be me. if you have one person buying your books, it'll be me.

(i need to be like sleepy and have a dedicated shelf of writeblr friend books.) all the luck and vibes and love to you for 2024, i'm so excited to see where you go next.

and last but not least, @sleepyowlwrites holds this whole community together. writeblr is made so much better because of you, how inclusive, thoughtful, and kind you are to each one of us. thank you, sleepy, for everything you do and your gentle soul. i think of you often. i wish you the best of luck with your wips in 2024 and beyond, and i hope the best of successes touches you!

life is busy, and we all get caught up in the day to day, but i'd love if you could take a moment to spread the love! reblog with your favorite writeblrs and their greatest accomplishments. i want to end the year/start the new one with a vibe of positivity and sharing the successes we've all had. let's pass it on <3

#writeblr #writing #fantasy writeblr #original fiction #writers #indie authors #fantasy #fiction

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

every single book I read in 2022. all 129 of them.

jesus christ

let's start with the best of the best; everything else will get listed beneath the read more because I'm not an animal. even just picking out my favorites is honestly probably going to get pretty lengthy, even though I'm trying to keep the synopses short.

batmanisagatewaydrug's noteworthy books of 2022

Complaint! (Sara Ahmed, 2021) - necessary for anyone doing diversity work in higher education, tbh

America is Not the Heart (Elaine Castillo, 2018) - achingly gorgeous novel of heartbreak and healing.

The School for Good Mothers (Jessamine Chan, 2022) - honestly? I feel very good calling this my favorite book of the entire year. sensitive, smart, chilling.

Black Feminist Thought (Patricia Hill Collins, 1990) - truly ashamed to say I didn't read this sooner. Collins' clear-eyed analysis remains crazily spot-on 30+ years later.

Hurts So Good: The Science and Pleasure of Pain on Purpose (Leigh Cowart, 2021) - I read this book so early in 2022 and literally have not stopped thinking about it since.

Batman: King Tut's Tomb (Nunzio DeFillippis, Christina Weir, José Luis García-López, and Kevin Nowlan, 2009) - dare I say the most fun I had with a comic all year.

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (Akwaeke Emezi, 2022) - a romance unlike any other. queer, fun, sexy, bold as hell, and joyfully life-affirming.

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed (Mariana Enríquez, trans. Megan McDowell, 2021) - DELICIOUSLY creepy short stories that will lurk in your brain forever.

Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century (Kim Fu, 2022) - if a more perfect short story collection exists I am yet to find it.

The World We Make (N.K. Jemisin, 2022) - I normally hesitate to include sequels on a list like this, but god DAMN Jemisin is the queen of modern spec fic for a reason.

We Do This 'Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice (Mariame Kaba, edited by Tamara K. Nopper, 2021) - excellent collection of Kaba's abolitionist writings, drawing on years of organizing experience and wisdom.

Jade City (Fonda Lee, 2017) - look out! new favorite doorstopper fantasy series alert!

Priestdaddy (Patricia Lockwood, 2017) - about the best damn memoir I've ever read. heartbreaking and hysterical in turns, poetry the whole way through.

Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory (Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, 1996 and 1999) - it's always so exciting when something much-hyped lives up to the hype in every way. Batman at his grim and moody Batmaniest with a Gotham that’s deliciously bleak.

Station Eleven (Emily St. John Mandel, 2014) - I didn't think I'd like this book much at all, then ended up proposing on the second date. oops!

I'm Glad My Mom Died (Jennette McCurdy, 2022) - you will also be glad McCurdy's mom died, and also experience every other known human emotion along the way.

Kaikeyi (Vaishnavi Patel, 2022) - SPLENDID mythology retelling + political fantasy.

My Body (Emily Ratajkowski, 2022) - haunting haunting haunting personal essays about Ratajkowski's life as a model and subsequent alienation from her own body.

Batman: Bruce Wayne, Murderer? (Greg Rucka et al, 2002) - genuinely what can I say I'm a messy bitch and I love when the Bats are having a terrible time.

The Batman Adventures Vol. 2 #1-17 (created by Dan Slott, Ty Templeton, Rick Burchett, Terry Beatty, and Bruce Timm, 2003) - a continuation of the Batman: The Animated Series universe that frankly just fucking rules.

Little Rabbit (Alyssa Songsiridej, 2022) - a potent and erotic adult coming of age story.

The Right to Sex: Feminism in the Twenty-First Century (Amia Srinivasan, 2021) - thorny, difficult, vital essays.

Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia (Sabrina Strings, 2019) - jaw-droppingly thorough research into the role of fatpobia played and plays in the project of race-making.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (Ocean Vuong, 2019) - yeah so it turns out no one was REMOTELY exaggerating. Vuong really is That Good.

Hench (Natalie Zina Walschots, 2020) - wild fun with a ruthless protagonist and her sex villainous beetle man boss; what more could you ask for?

Love Your Asian Body: AIDS Activism in Los Angeles (Eric C. Wat, 2021) - learning about queer history makes me feel like I’m holding something so vibrant and fragile and precious right in my little queer hand. this book is an emotional journey in such a shining way.

Never Have I Ever (Isabel Yap, 2021) - EXCITING short story collection centered on girls having Just The Weirdest Time.

and everybody else:

fiction:

Light From Uncommon Stars (Ryka Aoki, 2021)

Our Wives Under the Sea (Julia Armfield, 2022)

A Tiny Upward Shove (Melissa Chadburn, 2022)

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy (Becky Chambers, 2022)

Disorientation (Elaine Hsieh Chou, 2022)

The Laws of the Skies (Grégoire Courtois, trans. Rhonda Mullins, 2019)

The Monster Baru Cormorant (Seth Dickinson, 2018)

The Tyrant Baru Cormorant (Seth Dickinson, 2020)

Greenland (David Santos Donaldson, 2022)

Dead Collections (Isaac Fellman, 2022)

The Halloween Moon (Joseph Fink, 2021)

A Dowry of Blood (S.T. Gibson)

Nightmare Alley (William Lindsay Gresham, 1946)

The Vegetarian (Han Kang, trans. Deborah Smith, 2015)

The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka, trans. William Aaltonen, 1915)

Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Toshikazu Kawaguchi, trans. Geoffrey Trousselot, 2019)

Woman, Eating (Claire Kohda, 2022)

Long Division (Kiese Laymon, 2014)

Jade War (Fonda Lee, 2019)

No One is Talking About This (Patricia Lockwood, 2021)

Portrait of a Thief (Grace D. Li, 2022)

Elatsoe (Darcie Little Badger, 2020)

A Snake Falls to Earth (Darcie Little Badger, 2021)

Glitterati (Oliver K. Longmead)

Gideon the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir, 2019)

Harrow the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir, 2020)

Nona the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir, 2022)

The Memory Police (Yoko Ogawa, trans. Stephen Snyder, 2019)

Even Though I Knew the End (C.L. Polk, 2022)

100 Boyfriends (Brontez Purnell, 2021)

Flowers for the Sea (Zin E. Rocklyn, 2021)

Any Way the Wind Blows (Rainbow Rowell, 2021)

Interview with the Vampire (Anne Rice, 1976)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Benjamin Alire Sáenz, 2012)

Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World (Benjamin Alire Sáenz, 2022)

Into the Riverlands (Nghi Vo, 2022)

Siren Queen (Nghi Vo, 2022)

Strange Beasts of China (Yan Ge, trans. Jeremy Tiang, 2020)

short story collections:

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer (Janelle Monáe, Yohanco Delgado, Eva L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, and Sheree Renée Thomas, 2022)

Walking on Cowrie Shells (Nana Nkweti, 2021)

Terminal Boredom (Izumi Suzuki, trans. Polly Barton, Sam Bett, David Boyd, Daniel Joseph, Aiko Masubuchi, and Helen O’Horan, 2021)

nonfiction:

Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (Judith Butler, 1990)

How to Read Now (Elaine Castillo, 2022)

Playing the Whore: The Work of Sex Work (Melissa Gira Grant, 2014)

What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat (Aubrey Gordon, 2020)

White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color (Ruby Hamad, 2020)

Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness (Da'Shaun L. Harrison, 2021)

Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service (Tajja Isen, 2022)

One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter (Scaachi Koul, 2017)

How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America (Revised Edition) (Kiese Laymon, 2020)

Sister Outsider (Audre Lorde, 1984)

Conversations with People Who Hate Me: 12 Lessons I Learned from Talking to Internet Strangers (Dylan Marron, 2022)

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism (Amanda Montell, 2021)

World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments (Aimee Nezhukumatathil)

Histories of the Transgender Child (Jules Gill-Peterson, published as Julian Gill-Peterson, 2018)

Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance (Jessamyn Stanley, 2021)

A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk (edited by Valerie Steele, 2013)

Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution (Revised Edition) (Susan Stryker, 2008)

The End of Policing (Alex S. Vitale, 2017)

The Trouble With Normal: Sex, Politics, and the Ethics of Queer Life (Michael Warner, 1999)

Read My Lips: Sexual Subversions and the End of Gender (Riki Wilchins, published as Riki Anne Wilchins, 1997)

poetry:

Short Talks (Anne Carson, 1992)

Content Warning: Everything (Akwaeke Emezi, 2022)

Prelude to Bruise (Saeed Jones, 2014)

Alive at the End of the World (Saeed Jones, 2022)

Bright Dead Things (Ada Limón, 2015)

Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals (Patricia Lockwood, 2014)

Nature Poem (Tommy Pico, 2017)

Night Sky with Exit Wounds (Ocean Vuong, 2016)

Time Is a Mother (Ocean Vuong, 2022)

comics:

Batman: One Bad Day - Mr. Freeze (Gerry Duggan, Matteo Scalera, and Dave Stewart, 2022)

Spandex - Fast and Hard (Martin Eden, 2012)

Harley Quinn: The Animated Series: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour (Tee Franklin, Max Sarin, and Marissa Louise, 2022)

Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert, 2009)

The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes (Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcom Jones III, 1988)

The Sandman: In the Doll's House (Neil Gaiman, Michael Zulli, Mike Dringenberg, Chris Bachalo, Malcolm Jones III, and Steve Parkhouse, 1989)

The Sandman: Dream Country (Neil Gaiman, Kelley Jones, Malcolm Jones III, Colleen Doran, and Charles Vess, 1991)

The Sandman: Season of Mists (Neil Gaiman, Kelley Jones, Malcom Jones III, Mike Dringenberg, Matt Wagner, P. Craig Russell, George Pratt, and Dick Giordano, 1992)

The Sandman: A Game of You (Neil Gaiman, Shawn McManus, Colleen Doran, Bryan Talbot, Stan Woch, and George Pratt, 1993)

Run, Riddler, Run (Gerard Jones and Mark Badger, 1992)

Catwoman: When in Rome (Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, 2005)

Batman: Year One (Frank Miller and David Mazzicchello, 1986)

Batman: One Bad Day - Penguin (John Ridley, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Arif Prianto, 2022)

Batman: Bruce Wayne - Fugitive (Greg Rucka et al, 2002)

Batman: One Bad Day - Two-Face (Mariko Tamaki, Jaiver Fernandez, and Jordie Bellaire, 2022)

Batman & Robin Eternal Vol 1 & Vol 2 (James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder, 2015 and 2016)

Batman: Their Dark Designs (James Tynion IV, Guillem March, and Tomeu Morey, 2020)

The Joker War Saga (James Tynion IV and Jorge Jiménez, 2021)

Papergirls Vol. 1-6 (Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, 2016-2019)

Real Hero Shit (Kendra Wells, 2022)

Poison Ivy #1-6 (G. Willow Wilson and Marcio Takara, 2022)

and some gaming guides!

Monster of the Week (Michael Sands, 2012) - great game. so cool. cannot wait to actually play it someday.

Thirsty Sword Lesbians (April Kit Walsh, 2021)

special shame zone because I want you to know how bad this sucked, do not read this:

Rethinking Sex: A Provocation (Christine Emba, 2022). patronizing, puritanical, reductive, painfully cisheteronormative. weirdly afraid of group sex. not actually that provocative, just aggressively Catholic.

and last but most certainly least, a comic that I want to remind you all fucking sucked just one more time before the year is done.

Batman: One Bad Day - The Riddler (Tom King and Mitch Gerads, 2022)

Tom King, go fuck yourself. Mitch is cool though, the art slapped.

#bookblr #if you find a typo in here no you didn't xoxo #feel free to tell me your thots or ask about any of these i love to talk about my unhinged reading habit

[spooning-pluto]

Grey (a Snape x wife!reader oneshot)

Summary: After a rough day for you, Snape discovers your first grey hair. Back in the day it used to be you who talked some confidence into him, but suddenly your roles switch. Set in a Snape lives au.

Warnings: none, just pure fluff

Notes: This is a lot of dialogue with big monologues in between. Writing this I imagined Snape to be in his early 50s, the reader in her late 40s, but their ages are not specifically mentioned in here.

“Earlier I didn’t even ask you how your day was, I’m really sorry about that,” Severus said as you slipped underneath your duvet to join him in bed. It was true, he has not asked about your day over dinner, but you didn’t care since he was well distracted by a big change his editor wanted to do in Severus’ manuscript of the new second year potions textbook. “No big deal. I know how important that textbook is to you and I absolutely love how passionate you get about it, so don’t worry, okay?” you replied, crossing your legs and leaning against the headboard.

He only disapprovingly waved his hand and cleared his throat. “Would you mind telling me about your day now?” He was impatient to make up for what he thought was a mistake he made. You couldn’t help but smile a little at this character trait of his. “You look... exhausted today,” he added, his voice laced by a bit of concern.

“To be honest, I am”, you deeply sighed,” And not just a bit. When I went into the grocery store today it was jam-packed, it took me almost two hours to get everything from my list and there wasn’t even that much on it. After I’ve brought the groceries home I sat at the café for almost an hour until Narcissa finally arrived. Turns out she was shopping for a birthday gift for Scorpius but couldn’t find anything she thought he would like, because she – as she admitted to herself – doesn’t even really know what he likes. I felt pity for her so I recommended her that book we wanted to get him -”

You stopped your flow of speech as you realised that getting him that exact book was actually Severus’ idea and you suddenly felt guilty for giving it away. “Was that okay?” you timidly asked. He looked at you with his eyes wide open and quickly nodded, urging you to go on. “Well, that left us with no birthday gift for Scorpius and me with another task for today. First I scanned every bookshop around the area for something I have not yet seen on his shelves yet and wasn’t very successful, as you can imagine. Until I had an idea. I apparated to London and got him a childrens’ encyclopaedia at a muggle bookshop. And then I apparated home to you to help you with-” Your own yawning put a more dramatic ending to your story than you had intended.

“Oh love”, Severus said, his brows furrowed, taking your hands in his, “I wish I could have accompanied you for at least half of your day. I really am so sorry for letting you run all of those errands for both of us today. Can I - can I do something for you now? Do you want to take a bath, shall I give you a massage – anything, just say the word.” You merely shrugged your shoulders and replied “Stopping to fuss over this and cuddling me will do, Sev.”

He softly laughed as he let go of your hands and wrapped his arm around you to pull you closer. He moved to kiss the crown of your head but briefly stopped mid movement, then he continued like nothing had happened. A few years back you would probably not even have noticed that something had stopped him in his tracks, but over the course of your relationship, and later marriage, you have gotten used to almost all of his movements. And that one you just witnessed was odd.

“Is everything alright?” you asked. “Yes,” was his only answer, his bright smile detectable in his voice. Carefully he ran his index finger from your hairline towards your ear. Abruptly you jerked your head up to look at him, causing him to draw his hand away again. “What are you doing?” you asked, with more urgency in your voice than before.

“You’ve got a grey hair,” he stated plainly, his rare expression of pure enthusiasm still not leaving his face. “Wow”, you sarcastically commented, “I wouldn’t be surprised if I got that one today.” Snape looked into your eyes for a moment, regarding your reaction, his bright smile faded into a mildly concerned frown. “You really are not the slightest bit excited, are you?” he then asked.

“Counter question – why on earth are you? Is it that satisfying to you to watch your wife grow old right in front of you?” It stung his heart to see how insecure you were about this. First he wasn’t sure how to phrase what he wanted to say without hurting you any further, but he decided to go for it anyway. “Look at this”, he said, holding his left hand so close to your face you had to acknowledge it, “I wouldn’t have this ring if I didn’t sign up for you watching me grow old and vice versa. It’s going to happen to both of us and is certainly nothing we should be afraid of. So actually, yes, I am looking forward to it.” You let out one loud breath, an attempted laugh that got stuck in your throat, as tears threatened to fall. Suddenly it felt terrible to be so scared of something he was so kind and positive about.

You looked up at him, finally looking into his eyes again, swallowed and whispered “thank you” so quietly that it made you feel even worse. It made you feel bad for not even being able to phrase your feelings properly. And as he pulled you into himself once again you couldn’t keep a few stray tears from rolling down your cheeks.

“It actually isn’t the first one. I plucked the actual first one out maybe two weeks ago,” you admitted rather to his neck than to him after a few moments of silence, you couldn’t bear looking him in the eye. “Age is something I always thought is so far from us that I never gave it a second thought – but now that I am sweating constantly, my skin becomes sort of loose and I apparently grow grey hair – it’s so real all of a sudden. I am just - so afraid of soon not being attractive to you any more, of being an undesirable, dull, wrinkly, old lady, that I couldn’t find the courage to tell you about my first grey hair to you or even show it to you. Instead I chose to pretend I didn’t see it either. I know that that’s stupid.”

“It is not”, he explained, drawing tiny patterns on your back with his fingers, “I know what it is like to feel like you’re aesthetically not pleasing enough for your partner. And I also know how long it takes for one to believe their partner when they say that that’s nowhere true. But if I am honest, a part of me is also relieved that it seems that I can now repay the confidence lessons you taught me all those years ago.”

He pulled away a bit to look at your face, relieved that your silent crying had come to a halt. You blinked a few times as you looked up at him, then you smiled softly. “Would you do me the honours?” you asked shyly. Once again he took both of your hands in his and began to quietly tell you things that sounded like he was prepared to say them for years.

“You are the most beautiful creature on this earth to me, but others are aware of that, too. For example when I’m out shopping with you, other men often tell me how lucky I am to have you when I am waiting for you in front of the changing cubicles. Or remember Lupin’s and Black’s reactions to finding out about us? It was something like ‘how did Snape bag her’ both times. They didn’t even know how brilliant, kind and intelligent you are yet, they all say that just about your appearance. And those comments only increase with the time we are together. You still have that muggle bias that makes you believe grey hair and wrinkles are unattractive, while actually they just show that you’ve lived, that you laugh frequently and that there is a huge personality behind that pretty face. And, Y/N, you’re a witch. If anything makes a witch even more powerful than she was before, then it’s her looks matching up to the wisdom she has.”

He tenderly wiped away some of your once again falling tears with his thumb and gave you a few moments to collect yourself. Just as tenderly he then kissed your cheek, his lips lingering there for a short instant before he continued praising you. “In the following years I will get to see a new kind of beauty on you, a kind of beauty that will suit you amazingly well. So please, Y/N, let your body unfold it’s true magic that it has been building up and working on your whole life. I can’t wait to see it.” A slight blush replaced the streaks of fallen tears on your cheeks as you tried to come up with anything to reply. But you were too choked up with emotion to give a verbal response, instead you just leaned towards him, the side of your nose brushing his before your lips met in a chaste but loving kiss.

A moment later you combed through his thick, still completely raven black hair as you looked into his nearly as dark eyes. “I think your hair will never turn grey, Sev,” you sighed, half sarcastically, half in earnest. “It does seem that way right now”, he gave in, “but I am not immune to ageing either. Sometimes my bones crack so loudly you ask me if I’m alright. From the other room.” With the laughter you both shared after this remark of his, all of your fears were gone.

“And besides that,” Severus slid a hand down his torso, following it with his gaze, “I’m gaining weight. Nothing I’m necessarily proud of, but that’s what happens, I guess.” You joined your hand to the one of his that was resting on his stomach, caressing the back of it with your thumb. “But I really like that! It makes you look as cuddly and soft as you have always been on the inside.”

“See? And your grey hair makes you look as wise and brilliant as you have always been.”

“Yes, I see.”

Later, after you have turned off all the lights and cuddled into Severus’ side, ready to fall asleep, he whispered into your ear “If you should really feel terrible with it and not feel comfortable in your own skin any more, you know that there are potions that temporarily return the hair’s colour. If it would make you happier, I would brew them for you, but still I ask you not to take them. I’ll think you’re beautiful no matter what colour your hair has.”

“Don’t worry”, you answered, “I won’t ask for them. I’m not that afraid of ageing any more, as long as I know that you are by my side, with all your cracking bones and your bit of tummy fat. I love you so much, Severus.”

“I love you even more. Now sleep well, you deserve rest after a day like this, my love,” he said, kissing the spot where he memorised his now most cherished hair of yours.

#don’t mind me I’m just glorifying witch menopause over here #snape is having the happy and healthy relationship he deserves in here #so he’s a bit ooc #pro snape #severus snape #snape x reader #snape x wife!reader #snape x reader fluff #snapedom #severus snape x reader #severus snape x wife!reader #confident snape

[lady-wallace]

INTEREST CHECK RESULTS

Alright, it took me longer to get this up than intended, but mostly because I've actually been busy working on stuff behind the scenes for the paperbacks/merch the last couple weeks.

Thanks to everyone who sent in their feedback for the project! It really gave me some fun ideas for the merch that will be included.

First of all, I'm excited to announce that the 3rd title you all voted on will be FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

(now I get to draw a lot of shirtless Abbacchio, thank you <;3)

Our full lineup for this round of paperbacks will be:

-Time in a Bottle -All Along the Watchtower -For Whom the Bell Tolls

All three will be released in both paperback and PDF copies, fully illustrated and with full edits/ possible additions. Time in a Bottle is getting a new one-shot addition involving Dio showing up at Giorno's graduation.

MERCH

With the breakdowns from your feedback, this is what I have come up with for the merch options.

REGULAR MERCH: (these items will be included in the base price of the paperbacks)

-Stickers -Prints -Bookmarks -Exclusive One-Shot PDF

BUNDLE MERCH: (these items will be available for the upgraded bundle option in addition to the items listed above. Please note that all of these items will show up in some form but not all of them will be available for every bundle, i.e. you might get an acrylic keychain with one book bundle, but an acrylic pin with another. I may also make a couple of these items into an add-on you will be able to add to any order)

-Acrylic Keychain -Washi Tape -Notebook -Stationary Set -Acrylic Pin -Buttons

The full merch packages will also be available as an upgrade for people purchasing just PDF copies or PDF bundles

Official pricing is still TBD as I will have to figure out base costs of items to make sure I can fit everything into the voted on price range if possible, but the aprox range of costs for each item is listed below (not including shipping):

-PDF (no merch) $5-8 -PDF (with base merch) $8-12 -PDF (with bundle merch) $15-18 -Paperback (with base merch) $15-20 -Paperback (with bundle merch) $45-55

~~~~

ONE SHOT IDEA SUBMISSIONS

Since an exclusive one-shot will be part of the merch pack, I am looking for ideas for the story. If you have an idea you would like to see, please submit it in the form below! I'm mainly looking for Part 5 based ideas--they can be related to one of the stories or they can be totally original. If I choose your idea, I will be crediting you in the author's note of the story.

This form will be open through mid-March so if you can't think of anything right now, you can come back to it later :)

SUBMIT HERE

~~~~

In other news, considering the votes on the interest check, the Vampire Hunter AU will be next up on the docket for a paperback edition.

~~~~

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via tumblr asks!

More news will be coming within the next month, but if you want to stay up to date or get to see things early, come join my discord server (we also just have a lot of good fandom chatting going on over there)

#jjba #jojo's bizarre adventure #interest check #jojo zine #jjba zine #jjba merch #jjba fanfic #vento aureo #golden wind #jjba part 5 #time in a bottle #all along the watchtower #for whom the bell tolls #paperback fanfic #team bucciarati #jjba fanart #leone abbacchio #giorno giovanna

[the---hermit]

My Thesis Notebook

I have mentioned on several thesis diary entries that I keep all my notes and informations related to my thesis in a specific notebook. In one particular thesis diary I think I mentioned a few of the spreads I have created, but since I am now a bit more experienced (and almost at the end of this first notebook) I decided to do a specific post. I also got a couple of suggestions to make a specific post so here it is. It's goint to be a long post, so consider yourselves warned. (I will not include photos of the spread since they would make the post even longer, but if there's people who would like to see a few of them I could always make a separate post!)

I'll start by saying that I am getting my degree in history, which of course influences me on creating certain spreads that are not necessarily useful for everyone else. Although this I feel like the majority of these spreads can be either used by anyone or can be modified according to your needs.

The notebook:

For my own thesis notebook, I got this spyral notebook that has in itself three divided parts. This is in a way helpful, but I prefer things that are a bit more costumizable, so a good alternative could be either creating your own dividers when you need them, or using a binder. Both of these options could be a bit better than mine, because they give you a chance to keep everything as organized as possible. I still found my ways to oranize the notebook, but I'll talk about it later. I personally don't like binders because I find them uncomfortable to work in, and I do not like having loose papers everywhere, but it's a very personal things, and I get how functional they can be.

How to keep your notebook organized (and find things quickly):

If you decided to use a binder you can skip this part, but if you have a regular notebook these are things that are helping me to keep everything easy to find.

Big and bold headers at on each page can help you find things quickly, you could also decide to colour code them.

An index. I personally added post it notes at the beginning of each pre-made section of my notebook and wrote the contents as I was creating different spreads. Once I'll be done with the notebook I will add a proper index page to help even more.

Tab notes. These have become my best friends, I got a set of them with little owl drawing at the end of each, and since these illustrations are very different from one another in colour and design, I decided to assign a specific meaning to each one, to help me find important pages quickly. I have many spreads of the same kind scattered in the notebook, with this system I make sure I find everything super quickly.

Colorful dividers, if you are collecting you notes in a binder these are the best thing you can do to keep everything tidy. If you do have a notebook, but start working on it with a clearer plan than I did you could decide to do them yourself in the notebook, to have all the same spreads one near the other.

Types of spreads (I have used so far):

These have no specific order other than what I decide. I wrote them down as they are placed in my notebook, but you should order things in the best way for your work, or according to where your work is bringing you at the moment.

General notes. This is one of the most basic but useful spreads I have been using. As mentioned I have a big header on top of each of these spreads, and I have assigned a specific type of tab to find them quickly. I use these spreads for all the informations and thoughts that have no clear place in my notebook. I like to write the date of when I am writing each thing. In these spreads I have annotated part of my research process, reminders for when I had to go to the archive, important things to keep in mind, to do lists, generic informations on books and articles I wanted to read, and so on. These act like a sort of brain dump. I found it to be very useful to reread these notes every once in a while, and I have highlighted the most important stuff I have written on these spreads.

Thoughts and ideas. This is one of the most important spreads, if not the most important. To write an historical thesis you have to pose questions on an event, and use sources to find the answers (this is a very reductive description but it gives you an idea). In this spread I have annotated all the interesting questions that came to my mind, as well as all the interesting thoughts and reasonments that I had while working on the trial I am researching. To have a specific place to write all of these things down is fundamental, it's a place where all the inspiring things you thought of can be together for you to reread and share them with the professor who is following you during this work.

Specific notes/annotations of articles and books you read. These are very similar to what a normal study notebook looks like for me, but some things to keep in mind are: have the basic informations of the article/book written out (title, author, year of pubblication, where you found it, all the stuff that you'll need to quote it in footnotes, and to look for it again in the future), the page on which you find every piece of information you write down (it will save you a lot of time in your writing process). Finally have your own thoughts and ideas written in a different colours, this way you can tell apart the information you got from the book from your own work.

In my case, since I am also working on documents found in archives I have spefic spreads dedicated to notes regarding those documents. They are more or less similar to the previous spreads, but I prefer to mark them with a differet type of tab, that I am using only for archival sources.

Chapter ideas. Once you have a bit more of a plan on what your thesis will look like having a spread to write down all the chapters you'll have to write can be helpful. This way you can tick off each chapter as you write it (you very seldomly get to write things in order, so this way you have a clear plan in mind).

Sources spreads. I would recommend having a digital version of this, as it's going to be useful while you are writing, but I also like to have things written down by hand. In these spreads I simply wrote down the basic informations of all the sources I indend to use in my thesis. To have all of them in one place is a time saviour, and writing things down as you read them will make the task less overwhealming.

Chronology spreads. This is probably very specific for an historical thesis, but maybe someone could find this helpful. I have a couple of spreads with the basic chronology of the events I am studying. This way if I am in doubt whether a certain interrogation happened before or after other important events I have an easy way to access that information. These are very useful for when I work with archival sources that usually just have dates but no context beyond that.

Characters spreads. Similarly having a simple list of all people that play a role in the events can be so useful. You'll come across the same names over and over, but certain people are very loosely spoken of so this type of spread can help remember about them. It's also useful to write down basic informations, so their age, the city they are from, their profession, what role they have in the events, and so on.

Writing brain dump sections to plan ahead your writing, what is going to be in each chapter, in which order, etc. I personally have a specific notes secion, and then I plan on doing a brain dump for each chapter as I work on it. I write down everything I want to talk about in it, and then I just put a bit of order to my ideas, and create a more structured plan. I feel like having these things written down can help a lot. You'll have to remember less things, and you can tick them off as you go which is very satisfying, but also helps you remember about everything.

These are more or less all the spreads I have created and used so far in my thesis notebook. I also use my bullet journal for planning my work, but I will make a separate post on that.

I feel like this is all I can say for now about my thesis notebook. I am learning as I go, and I will surely figure more stuff out with time. But since when I started working on my thesis a couple months back I couldn't find any tips of this kind I thought it might be useful for someone else. If you are interested in other thesis content I journaled a bit my experience and progress so far in my daily entries. All posts that include these entries are tagged as #thesis diary. I have also made a post with a few tips and useful information on the writing process that you can find here. As I mentioned I will also post more on the subject, and although I am still working on my thesis my inbox is always opened if you need to ask something, or just want to share your own experience. This type of work is exciting, but scary as it's an important conclusion to your years of studying, so talking to other people can be very helpful to get some of your anxieties out.

#studyblr #studyinspo #og post #original post #my thesis notebook #thesis diary #thesis journal #thesis notebook #thesis #uniblr #university #historyblr #study advice #study tips #tips #studying #mine #the---hermit

[herebedragonsbooks]

Storyteller of the month: October, Alice Oseman

Every month from now on I will be publishing a post talking about a storyteller (a writer, director, musician… mostly all kind of artists) who I admire and/or whose works I deeply enjoy. This is a mere way of spreading some online positivity, give some content recommendations and show my love for the people that bring to live the worlds I adore to get lost in. For the first post of this kind, I will be talking about Alice Oseman. Hope you like it 🫶🏼

Alice Oseman is a British writer, illustrator, and screenwriter who is known for their graphic novels Heartstopper and their standalone novels Solitaire, Radio Silence, Loveless, and I was born for this, among others. Their books are an incredible accurate portrait of adolescence at the same time they talk about deep themes like bullying and mental health problems. And of course, we can’t forget that they played an important role in how the LGTBQ+ community has won more representation in YA literature and TV in recent years.

 I thought that starting with them would be a good option, since I have just finished watching Heartstopper first season and I recently read Solitaire and Radio Silence. Yeah, I am in my Osemanverse era, and I am going to make it everyone’s else problem 😅 So, without further ado, here is why I love their work so much.

I was introduced to this fandom in a completely unexpected way, through finding a cute picture drawing of Charlie and Nick hugging each other with the words “I want a relationship like theirs” edited above it on Pinterest. I didn’t think much about it, I didn’t even know anything about the books nor the series back then. I just smiled, said to myself that the art style was really cute, and keep scrolling through the app. After that, many Heartstopper related drawings appeared on my dashboard, and I finally decided to give it a try and read it online. Now, I can say without exaggerating that Oseman’s stories are some of the most heartwarming I have ever seen.

Finding myself enjoying this type of content was really strange for me at first, why for? Because until a year I whole heartily believed that I hated romance books (except classic literature ones) just because I felt they were nothing like how imagined being in love would be like for me (Sugarcoat relationships between plain main characters? Thanks but no 😓). That was my first mistake, Heartstopper is not your average romance novel. Yeah, ofc it talks about love but not only romantic love! Loving yourself (with your quirks and little imperfections) your family, your friends… They are also important topics in the Osemanverse, that I really needed to read and learn about.

Alice's books taught me that everyone deserves to be accepted and cared about. That even when anxious thoughts creep inside my mind, there will always be someone to listen and help me go through it. That I could learn to love myself if I tried. That sooner or later I will be end up finding my people. It also made me more aware of the LGTBQ+ community around me, and it was incredibly helpful to tear down some stereotypes that media or other people have made me believe about queer people.

For some personal reasons I related in some aspects to three characters since the begining, Charlie, Tori and Aled. It may sound weird, but seeing them overcoming their problems and finally being able to grow up as the wonderful people they were meant to be was so touching for me. I am really thankful to the author for telling their stories, because no one could have talked about these topics and have reached as many readers as they did. Reading these books made me realize that I was not alone and that I could do it too. So thank you from the bottom of my heart Alice Oseman, really

To finish with, I will say that I recommend their books to anyone who wants to have some new comfort characters on their list or enjoy this fluff, hurt/comfort type of literature. Give it a try, you won’t regret it!

Thanks for reading, until next month! 👋

#Storyteller of the month #author appreciation #Alice Oseman #osemanverse #heartstopper #solitaire #charlie spring #oseman tag #Osemanverse books

[madebysamael]

It's breakdown time again.

My mental health hasn't been great for a while. Tbh, it started tanking after I worked as a vendor selling my handmade jewelry at pride shows in June.

Which went great!! I had best-selling shows and people were really excited about my art. It was awesome.

And then I had to go back to work.

I work full-time, at a desk job in a corporate office. The company is in an industry often used to represent soulless antagonists in movies. My job itself is a specialized position that requires a lot of mental labor. Finding time and energy to create is a challenge, even in the times where things are balanced.

And lately it's been really tough, because the work that needs doing is what I, a person who suspects myself to be on the autism spectrum somewhere, find hellish: I have to navigate bureaucracy and act as a diplomat. I have to coordinate projects between different people and act as a liaison. Most of my job isn't doing anymore, it's figuring out who I need to reach out to, and when, and how do I phrase this so I don't offend anyone? It's inefficient, circular, and often requires me to dance with office politics.

I'm. So. Exhausted.

So, after dragging myself away from the laptop where I've been sending emails and updating spreadsheets all week, I was so excited, because last weekend, I got to escape to my favorite fantasy world: Good Omens. To a life in color, to an eternity ever after.

You all know what happens.

It opened the floodgates. I started losing focus at work, couldn't remember where we were at on projects, who I was waiting on, who I needed to contact - hell, I couldn't even remember to bring my lunch.

I was thinking about GO, but not about the story itself. Instead, it was about how, best-case scenario, it will be 2+ years before they get their happy ending. About how leaving them in limbo for so long fucking hurts.

About how 2-3 years is a long time. Long enough for Neil, David or Michael to have an accident, an illness. About how it would never be the same if they had to recast, or if someone else wrote. Imagine GO without Michael's microexpressions, without David's face reading like an open book even with glasses on. Without Neil's love for the world he shared with Terry pouring out into every single frame of it.

2-3 years is a long time. Long enough for me to get in a car accident, to develop cancer. I already had a cancer scare in 2022; luckily, I was fine. One of my best friends got lymphoma around my age. She, luckily, is also fine now.

But one of my other best friends, who had a heart attack, just a few years older than me... He's in a wooden box in his wife's living room.

And his 10-year wedding anniversary was on July 27, 2023. The day GOS2 was released.

So here I am. A week later, trying to keep it together and failing, thinking it's just a fucking TV show, it shouldn't matter so much...

But it's never just one thing. Every pain carries the weight of all the pain that came before it. I'm carrying the weight of Karl's death, of Steph's cancer, of the family members I've lost that would take too long to list here, several before even David's age.

And I'm struggling to even draw now. Or make jewelry, or sew. The creative pursuits, the things that are supposed to make the rote office job worth it, the things it supports... I feel no joy for them. Even simple things like screenshot studies are excruciating, taking far too long. My problem-solving skills are completely drained at work, and that makes drawing so much harder.

I see so many others creating beautiful things from the pain and getting well-deserved recognition for it. But the ideas aren't coming for me, and even if they were, where would I find the energy?

I don't know how to dig myself out of this spiral. It's so very tiring, and so very, very lonely.

#venting #personal

[starlighthan]

[21:05] ALWAYS SAFE — hwang hyunjin

genre: fluff, established relationship

warnings: none

word count: 1.4k words

note: this is for @neo-shitty​’s collab, 24/8! i am so excited to read other’s works! i enjoyed writing this, thank you so much for this opportunity <33

tag list: @plutominho

© starlighthan - all rights reserved. please do not copy, translate, modify, repost, or claim as yours.

“Do you have any plans on getting out of here?”

“It’s still early!”

“Shush! We might get kicked out!” The man beside you covers your mouth right away. 

Even at this hour, the two of you spend time in the library. Hyunjin sketches random things he sees around or whatever idea pops up in his head, while you—having drawing abilities that are not on the same level as Hyunjin's—read novels and comics on these four walls.

It’s a calming atmosphere for both of you. You satisfy yourself and complete your books-to-read list by reading almost every material here, and Hyunjin gets to pour all of his creativity on paper in peace. Occasionally, you talk about what just happened in the middle of your leisure—like an exciting and breath-taking chapter that flashed right before your eyes or an amazing detail that Hyunjin got to accomplish without scrapping his first attempt on his drawing.

Hyunjin, being a nocturnal and a homebody, often asks you if it would be fine to spend the rest of the night at home. You'll be doing the same thing, except that you’re in your very comfortable apartment a few blocks away from this library. He doesn’t like staying outside way too long—the two of you might be in danger when the darkest time of the night falls. 

Yes, he’s also concerned that he’ll be in danger. Not just you. The two of you are very clumsy, so nobody’s safe.

The two of you look around. There aren’t that many people in the library compared to earlier this afternoon. Luckily, nobody held any of your shoulders and complained about the noise you made. These people are too busy with their work, all of them drowning themselves in papers and books, just like you. The only difference here is that you’re not doing it out of stress.

Your hand under his, he smoothly rubs the top of your hand. He always thought that your hands were as soft as a baby’s. It always feels like he’s in heaven with your touch.

“Shall we go?” His question makes you look at him. His eyes shining from the dim lights above you gave you a thought that maybe you’re in an indie romance film. Everything feels so secretive and full of passion. It’s just between the two of you only.

You nod, trying to hide a big smile on your face. You know that there will be a thrill later once you’re out of this library. No matter how simple or challenging your way home, something fun and absurd happens.

Pulling your bags and putting your things back in a dash, Hyunjin pulls you towards the doors. With an abrupt stop on his feet, you accidentally trip on the steps towards the cemented ground outside. Fortunately, you did not fall face first this time.

“_____! Are you okay?” He gently slips his arm on your waist, the other arm slowly caressing your face. “You’re lucky that you didn’t fall that hard. I’d be so mad at myself if you get any wound on yourself.”

“Don’t worry. It happens once a day, at least,” you chuckle. You pull down his entangled hands around you, giving yourself a chance to clean yourself and brush off any dirt from your clothes. 

You did not feel electrified by Hyunjin’s touch on your face and body—you did not. The lack of any sensation in yourself feels so unusual. But you cannot deny that his touches did something to you, aside from his immediate concern over that incident. Stop denying that happened.

“You’re getting red. We should head home.” Hyunjin slips his hoodie out of him and hands it to you. You’re blushing, nice. You cannot believe that you still get flustered because of this man.

Pushing away from the hoodie and his hands, you shake your head. “I’m all good. You didn’t have to remove that. We’ll head home soon anyways. I could heat myself after our little trip.”

His hand is on yours again, and you feel that buzz again. There it is, for another time. Is it because it’s chilly tonight? “No, we’re not going to walk home. I’m going to get a taxi.”

“Are there any cabs in this hour here?” You slowly follow his steps, his hand still entangled in yours. The street in front of the library is narrow—you’re not sure if any vehicle passes here. There isn’t even any space for parking.

Hyunjin glances at you. “Of course, there is,” the two of you walk past the library gates, pointing to the intersection nearby, “we’ll always do something to make that happen.”

With a satisfying sigh, you are impressed. Hyunjin doesn’t usually respond like this and resorts to asking you about your plan and panicking. Nodding, you respond, “Right, right. You’re correct this time. We’ll do something, yes.” 

“Finally using your brain, Hwang?” You bump your hips to him, teasing him. Do you think you’re going to take this seriously? Of course not! 

Groaning, he bumped you back with his hips, almost making you trip once again on the pavement. “I’m so sorry! _____, we shouldn’t form a streak of tripping, please.”

“Yeah, you better. It’s a miracle that you haven’t messed up tonight,” you pinch Hyunjin's cheeks, receiving a dramatic whine from him. “Maybe the skies are telling you that you’re too cute which is why you haven’t gone to any accident tonight. What an advantage.”

Your comment leaves Hyunjin a long round of giggles, swinging your hand while walking to the end of the road, meeting the intersection.

The adorable look on Hyunjin right now makes your heart leap. The jacket he took off on top of his shoulder, a big smile on his face, his cute shoulder bag hanging around, and his hand on yours. He has no idea that he affects you by simply existing. The buzzing from his touch is coming back once again.

You thought that you wouldn’t dare to walk at the pedestrian here near the intersection. The city is so alive in this area. You did not know about this, especially since you usually go in the opposite direction on your way home.

A taxi stops in front of you, Hyunjin got to hail a taxi right away? You hold on to his hand more, making you feel more flustered than ever.

“Get in! Let’s go!” Hyunjin enthusiastically says, carefully placing his head over yours. He tries not to make you hit yourself on the door frame like you always do. He often says that he wouldn’t be surprised that there would be lots of dents on your head in a few years because of this. “Lower down, don’t hit your head as usual.”

Smirking, you got to sit down comfortably in the taxi. Patting the seat next to you, your boyfriend slowly gets into the taxi.

When the driver asks where you’ll be going, Hyunjin answers for you and proceeds to put your head on his shoulder. “We’ll be going to Maya St. We’re gonna get some dinner before going home.”

“I thought we’re going straight home already?” You tilt your head to see Hyunjin above you. “What are we ordering?”

“Let’s get some noodles, baby. I don’t want you starving,” he pats your head. “The last time you ate was earlier this noon before we went to the library.”

Reaching out for his hand, you respond, “That’d be nice. You're tired of my panini?”

Chuckling, he gets your hand and traces whatever on your palm, “I don’t, _____. I just want to get something different tonight, you know?”

With his touch lulling you to sleep, you mumble, “Yeah, great idea. I’ll pay for that later.” 

Lightly shaking his head, Hyunjin whispers, “I’ll cover it, don’t think about it.”

Smiling, he glances at you and looks back to the window beside him. He seriously wouldn’t know what to do without you. You’ve been the most caring and you made him feel secure. He’s secure enough with you, and he’s very contented with that.

He hopes you wouldn’t mind the seafood noodles later, he brought some antihistamine just in case you’d get the allergies. He even thought it’d be entertaining to see you suffer from the very spicy noodles he might order for himself later. Either way, he’s gonna take care of you whether you like it or not. He’s in love with you for way too long to let you take care of yourself.

He chuckles and decides to say it to you directly, “I love you very much, _____. Thank you for being with me always.”

#ficscafe #wkcnet #koffeenet #stayhavennet #k-radio! #kflixnet #straykidsland #Hiraya-M #stray kids oneshots #skz oneshots #stray kids fanfic #skz fanfic #stray kids drabbles #skz drabbles #stray kids fluff #skz fluff #stray kids scenarios #skz scenarios #hyunjin oneshot #hyunjin fanfic #hyunjin drabbles #hyunjin fluff #hyunjin scenarios #hyunjin imagines #hyunjin x y/n #hyunjin x reader #hyunjin x you #hyunjin au #hwang hyunjin imagine #hwang hyunjin au

[i-can-even-burn-salad]

WIP Wednesday

I was tagged by @winterandwords to uh... talk about a WIP I guess? :D

I'll pass on this tag toooo... @starlit-hopes-and-dreams (as always <3) but I'm not sure who else, so if you feel like talking about a WIP, consider this an open tag.

Oh boy, which to pick. There are currently only 2 projects where the P in WIP actually stands for "progress" (for the others it stands for "procrastination".)

I think I'm gonna pick Till Death. It is the one I am currently obsessed with, and the only one I am writing, not editing.

Here's the blurb:

Finnian is a wandering healer down on his luck. When one of his patients dies, the village turns against him, beating him half to death and leaving him for thirst and scavengers to finish what they started.

Eilis lives deep in the forest, hiding from the world. When she finds him, impaled on a tree and barely alive, she can‘t leave him to his fate, even if it means upending the peaceful life she has built for herself.

As Finnian slowly recovers, days filled with quiet companionship make the prospect of him staying less daunting than either of them had expected. But he carries too many scars, and Eilis too many secrets, threatening to destroy their fragile relationship as the shadows of the past draw closer. When everything falls apart, will they save each other, or will the price be too high?

You see, in April I finished the last chapter of all my ongoing stories, which left me in a very weird mood. For 1,5 years I always had something to work on, and suddenly, there was nothing started. Sure, I had a few outlines, but nothing really called to me, with the added problem that for those, I have to figure out bullshit like politics. I needed something new. New chars I didn't know yet, a fresh story - and 🌟violence🌟 :)

I've been talking about wanting more gore with happy end, but sadly, existing OCs are so fragile, I can't even break all their bones without them dying 🙄 So it was time to fuck up another healer.

For a few weeks, I threw concepts against a wall like cooked spaghetti, grabbed whatever stuck, and then I just started. It's the first time in a year that I actually write a story without posting as I go. I can leave a little note "this sounds weird, fix later" or remember "shit, I forgot this injury" or change a name halfway in. I know. That's how a draft is supposed to work 😅

I'm at over 60k words, and it's looking good. There's a few 'first times' for me, a lot of things I love and a lot of things I am excited about. I have a rough outline of events still to happen that leaves me enough freedom to go wild. And wild I go; half of the scenes are gratuitous pain and suffering, and there will be more - but it's also a story of love and finding a place to belong. Which brings me to the next point:

I'm tired. Tired of feeling like I don't belong anywhere. Of having no genre and being "just whump" because it fits nowhere else. Of being "not enough whump" while still finding myself on every squick list.

So this one's written for a target audience of some very close friends - a target audience for which I don't have to write CWs at the top of each chapter, a target audience who doesn't grow bored at the first calm moment, a target audience who will call me a bitch while asking for more pain.

I love you, pocket friends 💜

Here's the start of the book (unedited, rip):

Finnian hated dealing with sick people.

Considering the fact that he earned his money with healing, that was rather unfortunate. If he didn’t want to starve to death, he had to grit his teeth and ignore the stench of sweat and blood while taking care of coughs and aches and fever.

Sometimes, he wished he had learned something else after it had become clear that this wasn’t the right profession for him. Then he wouldn’t be sitting here, explaining to a grown ass woman that when he had told her to keep the wound clean, that included keeping the bandages away from dirty water. And that yes, it fucking hurt, because now it was infected, and if she didn’t plan on losing a finger or two, she’d better keep her hand dry and clean this time. And that perhaps, just perhaps, that was a bit more important than cleaning the windows.

Unfortunately, he had not learned anything else, so he left the house half an hour later with barely enough coins in his pocket to make up for the supplies he had used. Most roots and herbs he could gather himself, but bandages and tinctures didn’t grow on trees.

#salad-tag #WIP Wednesday #wip: till death #not in the best place lately can you tell #it's too warm i am ~stressed~ #and between staff changes and uh general focus on this site #it's all just very discouraging

[ordinaryschmuck]

The Owl House from Worst to Best:

Salutations, random people on the internet who certainly won't read this! I am an Ordinary Schmuck! I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

With The Owl House sort of returning in about a week, I figured that to celebrate, I would do the impossible: Rank the series from worst to best.

Why do I say that's impossible? Because The Owl House is one of those shows that makes me so happy that, while at its lowest...it's not that bad. Yes, even the episode you already know will be the worst isn't exactly the worst written episode in television's history. It's just that compared to the series at its highest, when you look at what's at the bottom, the cracks start to show.

So, you might as well say this is a "worst" to best list. Some might disagree, but hey, you try judging a show that makes you feel this happy.

Also, since I've talked about every episode in The Owl House, I'm not going in-depth on what I think about them. I'm using one to two sentences maximum. Three, if I really want to push it. If you really wanted to know what I think about each one, here’s a masterpost of every review I’ve ever made about The Owl House.

With that said, let's start this list off with, let's be honest, the one you already knew was going to be considered "the worst."

(Also, it goes without saying, but there’s going to be spoilers in this. That’s what happens when you talk about every episode of a series.)

40.  “Once Upon a Swap”-Again, it's not bad, as there are some decent jokes sprinkled in...but "Once Upon A Swap" is pointless. Other episodes at least have outstanding character interactions and plot relevance for me to consider them essential to the series. But this episode really is the one where if you cut it out, you'll miss nothing (just put Lilith revealing that she and Eda wanted to join the Emperor's Coven in another episode).

39. “Really Small Problems”-I love the exploration between King and Luz's relationship and appreciate that it was an accident that he shrunk Gus and Willow...and that's all the compliments I have. The jokes aren't as funny as they could have been, Tibbles really is the worst character in the show, and Eda's subplot is...painful. Not bad, but just below average isn't pretty either.

38. “Sense and Insensitivity”-I don't dig Luz and King's story about writing a book, nor do I enjoy how quickly it's resolved, but Eda and Lilith's B-plot saves this episode. You get a sense of how much they care about one another which, in turn, adds extra pain in "Agony of a Witch," making this episode a C+ to a B-.

37. “The First Day”-The pacing really is what kills this one. There's so much "The First Day" has to do, and the writers have so little time to do it that when they do some familiar story beats, it comes off as disingenuine and out of nowhere. Still love it, though, for the new characters introduced and the lesson being told, but that doesn’t automatically make this episode better.

36. “A Lying Witch and a Warden”-Yeah, the message is heavy-handed, and the pacing's all kinds of wonky, but I still say this pilot does its job in making us like the series while future episodes reveal why we should love it.

35. “Hooty’s Moving Hassle”-I was entertained by the shenanigans Luz, Gus, and Willow got into and felt the shock in that reveal of Willow and Amity's past friendship...but did Eda really need to be that incompetent? The Hexes Hold'em thing manages to come back later in a much better episode, but I don't know. I feel it would take more than Tibbles to trick Eda that easily.

34. “I Was A Teenage Abomination”-Initially, you don't care that Luz and Willow cheated because they were standing up to the mean, one-dimensional bully. But, now knowing who Amity is and why she acts the way that she does, you start to see that she has a right to be mad and that Luz and Willow really shouldn’t feel too proud of what they’ve done. At least this episode gets points for introducing the rest of our main cast and having a fun B-plot with King and Eda.

33. “Something Ventured, Someone Framed”-Why does Gus' first episode have to be a liar reveal story? It's not as bad as it could have been, but it does leave a sour impression of what Gus episodes could be. On the bright side, we see how determined Eda is to make Luz happy, which is always lovely.

32. “Witches Before Wizards”-This was the reality check that Luz needed to see that the Boiling Isles isn't a fantasy world she can just escape to. Are Eda and King a little too mean spirited when it comes to joshing on Luz about her being the chosen one? Maybe, but they hardly knew her at this point, and I feel like Eda and King coming to save Luz more than proves that they'll always be there for her despite the occasions they'll laugh at her.

31. “Adventures in the Elements”-King's B-plot of dealing with evil stuffed toys is funny, but having it hurts Luz's story. If we really got to see what she went through in training with Eda, it would make Luz's big outburst genuine and understandable rather than impatient and whiney. At least I still get chills (ha) at seeing her learn a second spell, so I guess things aren't too bad.

30. “Escape of the Palisman”-Luz's story is engaging, and King's is weirdly cute...but the overall episode didn't wow me, you know? It's hard to explain, but for me personally, "Escape of the Palismen" is missing that extra zip that makes it go from good to great.

29. “Any Sport in a Storm”-I loved the stuff with Hunter and Willow, showing so much about their characters while maybe sparking a relationship that could hopefully go somewhere...but that subplot with Luz and Amity is worse on a rewatch, oh my word! We do not need half an episode dedicated to why Amity has The Great Witch Azura books when a seven-second conversation of her finding them washed up on the shore or buying them off of Eda would work better. The stuff with Willow and Hunter at least saves this episode, but man, does that stuff with Luz and Amity sting.

28. “Enchanting Grom Fright”-A beautiful episode that digs deep into Luz and Amity's anxieties (mainly Luz's) while ending with an explicit reveal that made the entire LGBTQA+ community watching this feel their jaw drop. It's great...though I will admit, I feel like this episode gets worse the more I rewatch it. NOT BAD, but the cracks (King's subplot, how it takes place in one day when it feels like two, and the fact that they let children fight a monster) become more difficult to ignore despite how the incredible stuff makes me want to.

27. “Wing It Like Witches”-In this episode, Willow proves how much she's changed by going against Boscha, a character who doesn't want to change. Meanwhile, you have Amity doing the same thing by choosing to be a part of the wildness that is Luz's friend group instead of siding with such trivial things as social status. Some people remember this as the goofy sports episode with Amity acting as a gay disaster but, to me, "Wing it Like Witches" celebrates character growth and development, and I am all here for it.

26. “Lost in Language”-Sure, we get a "two idiots and a baby" subplot, but at least we get a great "don't judge a book by its cover" storyline that finally kickstarts Amity's road to redemption. You see, this is how the good stuff outweighs the bad: Having more good and less bad.

25. “The Intruder”-It has a decent spooky atmosphere that introduces Eda's curse and how it cleverly ties into a chronic illness allegory, to the point where fans debate that she shouldn't have it cured, thus telling you how impactful that allegory is. It still bothers me a bit that King takes most of the blame when Luz's attitude contributed to his error, but I don't find as much issue with it as I used to. It's all still great.

24. “Covention”-I still stand by this being the perfect episode to show a friend if you want to get them into The Owl House. "Covention" has most of our essential characters, features some stellar writing that makes the episodes before it pales in comparison, and it's early enough where it won't spoil much. If you want people to watch The Owl House, start here and then show them the rest of the series so they know the kind of quality they'll be signing up for.

23. “Them’s the Breaks, Kid”-A cute, fluffy episode that manages to be the most essential at the literal last minute. Hats off to these writers for expertly making something that gives us a break from the story while still giving us important story beats at the same time.

22. “Young Blood, Old Souls”-A solid, tense, and emotional ending to the first season even if Lilith's redemption and the overall story could have slowed down a bit.

21. “Keeping Up A-Fear-Ances”-This episode is really engaging in the beginning and jaw-dropping in the end. It's just the stuff in the middle that could have used a lot more polish.

20. “Separate Tides”-A solid beginning to the second season, catching fans up on what they missed between seasons and letting the characters adjust to these new shifts in the status quo. Not as spectacular as the rest of Season Two, but still pretty great.

19. “Escaping Expulsion”-We're finally officially introduced to Amity's parents, not only giving Amity one last test of her loyalty to Luz but showcasing Luz's loyalty to her friends with how far she'd go to help them. Now, maybe Eda acts a little too recklessly, and Gus and Willow get sidelined a little too hard...but the amount of excitement I felt in seeing Luz blush at Amity is immeasurable. So leave me alone if I consider "Escaping Expulsion" is worth ignoring those two valid criticisms!

18. “Understanding Willow”-An incredible episode that gives us great insights into both Willow and Amity, their histories, their friendship, and how they became the people they are today. And, hey, the B-plot doesn't detract too much from the A-plot's drama and story. That's a plus for a Season One episode.

17. “Follies at the Coven Day Parade”-This almost felt like a season premiere. It had big, epic scenes, some compelling character moments, and established a sense of dread that remains consistent with the rest of Season Two. It really is outstanding...too bad Luz desperately wanting to help Kikimora is too insane of a concept that it severely hurts the episode.

16. “Through the Looking Glass Ruins”-A Gus episode that gives his character much-needed development that also gives us a Lumity subplot about them being cute while developing their relationship? Can I get a "HECK YEAH?!"

15. “Eclipse Lake”-A great episode that allows our two redeemable characters to talk and bond, with Amity proving how much she's changed by trying to offer the same chance to Hunter, despite how he's not ready to take that step just yet. It's all good...but what's with writing Eda as an idiot and letting Gus and Willow get sidelined again?! C'mon, writers, you're better than this!

14. “Agony of a Witch”-This was a tense and emotionally painful episode that is only a taste of the kind of stuff we'll get in Season Two. There's nothing to complain about here. It's just too good.

13. “Hunting Palisman”-Hunter's kickstart to the path of redemption, paired with an episode that's more or less about Luz figuring out what she wants in life and confronting the fact that she doesn't think stuff through. It's a great character study about our protagonist and our favorite bad yet sad boy that may or may not have sparked an AU of mine. I can't help but have a warm spot for it.

12. “Echoes of the Past”-An episode that finally gives King some depth, making him more than just a comedic sidekick in everyone else's adventures while giving him a real purpose in life. I always felt like King was directionless in Season One as his whole "becoming a tyrant" never felt like nothing more than a child playing make-believe to me, so I'm grateful "Echoes of the Past" gave him a path to get started on. Even if said path took him to darker places.

11. “Eda’s Requiem”-This episode not only introduces a fan favorite with Raine but also provides some character depth to Eda as she struggles to hang onto the past rather than ignore her problems with the present. Eda goes out of her way to keep her kids with her forever and possibly rekindle an old flame, only for life to provide both good and bad surprises that allow Eda a chance to accept what life throws at her instead of letting things be the same. Such a great episode that's only shy of making the top ten because others are better than it.

10. “Elsewhere and Elsewhen”-Here, we get a celebration of Lilith's character growth in how much fun and respect she shares for Luz, set up to a major reveal that most of us had already seen coming, and a phenomenally performed and even better-written scene between Eda and her father. Initially, I felt that Eda talking with her dad should have been something for its own episode rather than being the subplot of another, but with how great it is, who am I to really complain? Especially with how great everything else is.

9. “Yesterday’s Lie”-A Luz solo adventure (which is already winning some points on that concept alone) that introduces fan-favorite #3, Vee, and proves, even more, why Camila is a great mom. The woman saw a scared child and took her in, and cried her heart out because her daughter has been in a strange, unfamiliar environment that is far from Camila's protection. If your takeaway from this episode is that Camila's an awful mom despite all the evidence proving otherwise...you're beyond help.

8. “Reaching Out”-The episode that finally shows us the pain that Luz is keeping deep inside herself and how she's willing to find ways to find distractions rather than deal with the pain she feels in her heart. We also get some great insights from the rest of the Blight family (primarily Edric, Amity, and even Alador). And while that's all good, I wouldn't go so far as to say that they don't steal away from what Luz is going through, as she still has her own time to mourn and decompress.

7. “Hollow Mind”-Easily the darkest episode in the show, giving us a glimpse inside the mind of a madman and witnessing the many crimes and murders he committed before rising to power. What's even better is that we are, not once, supposed to feel sympathetic toward Belos but instead feel fear towards what he's done and what he plans to do. And it would be the best episode if not for the fact that literally every episode after just gets better and better.

6. “Edge of the World”-This one (mostly) brings King's arc to a close, giving him the answers he's been searching for but in a way that shocked most and left others afraid, given the current environment that he is in.

5. “Labyrinth Runners”-This one proves that the rest of the characters can stand out on their own without our main trio, each of them getting so much development and proving how powerful they can be.

4. “O’ Titan, Where Art Thou?”-This one allows King the time he needs to cope with new surprises while upping the intensity and drama as Luz and Eda literally fight over whether they can defeat Belos.

3. “Clouds on the Horizon”-This one, despite partially setting up the big finale, still stands out on its own as an episode that brings Amity's arc regarding her family to a close, all in a way that's...satisfying, depending on how you perceived Alador. Still, I'll be damned if I ranked the episode with Lumity's first kiss any lower.

2. King’s Tide-And this one...was an intense finale that allowed every character to contribute in their own way, all while ending on a cliffhanger that left me with no idea how things would get resolved. Amphibia's "True Colors" at least left me with some clue, but with "King's Tide," I've got nothing, and I am both excited and scared to find out what happens next. And this would have been the best episode...but...

1. “Knock, Knock, Knockin’ on Hooty’s Door”-Let me explain (and I will have to break my rule for this): To me, the best episode for a show isn't one that has higher stakes or more hurtful emotions. Instead, the best episode is the one that features everything that's to love about the series. And that really is "Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Hooty's Door." It has hilarious jokes, fantastic character insights, some real dark s**t, compelling drama, and some of the best LBGTQA+ representation, all through an adorable romance between two girls. And it accomplishes all of this while being an episode about Hooty. Hooty! The character we all wrote off as the comedy relief and nothing more manages to be the same character that gave us everything we could have ever wanted. If that doesn't prove how amazing The Owl House is and how "Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Hooty's Door" is the best episode...I don't know what will. It's great, you all know it's great. Why bother debating on it?

And you might have noticed that it doesn't take long until I start singing an episode's praises more than I talk about what went south with it. That's because, as I've said, The Owl House doesn't really have bad episodes. Even as I made this list and saw where some episodes were ranked, I found myself thinking, "That's not fair. This episode should be that bad." And it's not about how one episode is good or even about how one was bad, but because some episodes are better than others. "Wing it Like Witches" isn't a poor episode because it's #27. It's there because it couldn't measure up with what's above it. And is that really something to complain about?

If The Owl House is still passable at its worst, then that tells me what I already know: We have nothing to worry about when it comes to Season Three. The writers might have less time, but they're competent enough to at least make something that’s a hoot in a half.

#the owl house #luz noceda #king clawthorne #eda clawthorne #amity blight #willow park #gus porter #toh hunter #the golden guard #lilith clawthorne #toh vee #camila noceda #the owl house reviews #what i thought about

[transmasc-wizard]

hey nico! been a while! i think since around the time i first started following you i wanted to ask how you personally go about outlining your wips! i never used to outline my stuff but recently i've been getting back into writing so i figured i might as well finally ask you for any advice you can give :)

im so sorry if this took me a really long time to answer, my perception of time exploded awhile back and i have no idea how long this has been sitting in my ask box. but on we go

so basically. my outlines. are a mess. but it is a mess with PROCESS so i will try to explain (<- hasn't outlined in like 8 months)

my outlining process always starts with. idea. like a scattered handful of ideas that i have. major themes, the biggest plot point i have in my head, whatever the actual concept is, etc. and then i pull together my characters FIRST. i don't try to outline till i have a good grasp on who those fuckers are (their motivation, main personality traits, biggest fears, what makes them feel safe, main philosophy, style, culture, what's important to them, their approach to other people, what they want, what's stopping them from getting it, that sorta thing). once i've got my blorbos, i take the concept i have and wonder why They're there. i figure out why they're the main characters, basically. what they have to do with the plot. how they get INVOLVED. and with that, i've got my inciting incident (the shit that made them have to Be There and Have/Solve Problems!)

then i decide generally how i want it to end. i need to know where i'm headed. this can change later on somewhat but usually i have a pretty good idea of it. then, extrapolating from my concept, characters, their dynamics with each other, anything i know about the world, that end, and the scattered ideas that i started with, i make like. 5-10 major scenes i want. and i write those down. THEN is the fun part

i open a new document, with all my notes to the side, and make. literally just a list. i list off what i want to happen. i can get really detailed here; i've had like 300-500 words describing a scene before. but, depending on how much i've got in my head, it can be as little as one sentence. i just keep going till i've got a bullet point list of every single scene i want to happen in the book, with all the plots and subplots and arcs and thematic moments, and then maybe go back and flesh some of it out, and then. im Done . and i can start writing ! i don't follow it exactly all the time, and often i add or take away entire scenes while drafting, but like. it gives me a really good road map that helps me stay with a project a lot longer and make the draft a lot neater than anything i just wing.

as for actually coming up with all that plot and subplot and character arc stuff for the list, it's mostly a loooot of daydreaming while drawing or on walks or generally doing something else, and then also letting the parts naturally connect to each other (this is part of why starting with fleshed out characters helps so much; they Are going to do certain things if they're defined people, so coming up with plot becomes much easier).

i hope that ! makes sense ! i am scattered and sleepy ! if you have any follow up questions about my process or if your immediate reaction was "nico what the fuck are you talking about" please feel free to ask !

#writblr #writeblr #outlining #asks #goofy-gay-anarchist #outlines

[lauvra]

This accidentally became an unco day in the life / nostalgic tangent as always I guess, I'm insane, enjoy. There were 40+ canvases against the edge of my bed and beneath you know what, never mind I want to talk about why I ALWAYS FROWN AT ATTRACTIVE MEN. I CAN'T HELP BUT PULL A DISGUSTED FACE WHENEVER I'M WALKING PAST A HOT HOT DUDE. A TATTOOED DUDE, A FACE TATTOOED DUDE, A BALD, INVARIABLY PIERCED, FACE TATTOOED BALD MOTHERF DUDE I first think 'REDACTED' because REDACTED, then my legs want to quit and I think 'no legs, not now legs, keep going but normal, no what are you doing lil buddy, pal, legs of mine' then I scrunch up my nose and thin my lips. This occurs as naturally as bass-face. It's a defense mechanism like I know you couldn't be attracted to me in the way I'm intensely attracted to you, so I'm going to make sure you think I hate you inexplicably? and am repulsed by you? I CAN'T CONTROL IT, IT'S SO COUNTER-INTUITIVE TO HOW I FEEL. IN MY FANTASY A SCARY ALTERNATIVE MAN WILL STICK HIS FOOT IN FRONT OF MINE RIGHT AS WE'RE PASSING, SO I FALL ONTO THE CONCRETE, THEN HE'LL GASLIGHT ME AND JOKE THAT I'M CLUMSY AND OUTSTRETCH A HAND THEN TELL ME WHERE WE'RE GOING AND THAT HE'LL SPEAK ON MY BEHALF FROM THIS DAY FORWARD. So I was sorting through these paintings of abstract acrylic backgrounds and abandoned oil sketches of the panopticon shining it's searchlight up my pussy after Ben asked what role the panopticon played in my life post-Astragal. I thought I was witty / deep but never finished reading Sarrazin's book because the dual desperation and apathy of the character hit too close to home. So, once I was done scheming new works and re-arranging old ones I started going through boxes and found the picture frame behind which held several mementos including a photo, poem, drawing, journal entry, tattoo transfer paper and a list I wrote of every bad thing I could think of that happened to re-enforce during moments of weakness that I should remain romantically isolated. Reading the list was interesting, things I'd completely minimised at the time of their occurrence like someone throwing a lit cigarette at me during a drunken episode. I replaced the documents with a black and white picture of a woman in the 70's performing fellatio and hung it on my wall. What else did I do today, I watched a missing persons report then paused it on the cute face of an old man who looked like a smooshed Koala, sketched him quickly then exited the window. Of course I hope they find that woman; "she's a mother." It reminded me of a case where an American woman went missing on a hike in Hawaii then was discovered by helicopter weeks later and the very community so dedicated to her safe return turned against her once she was found because she called the ordeal a spiritual experience and had no regrets despite sustaining multiple serious injuries and having thousands in resources allocated to her safe return. So I hope they find the missing mother and I hope she's good and distraught for the cameras. My mind is still occupied by the idea of a heavily tattooed guy tripping me over in the street then branding my ass with a cattle prod because I'm a traditional lady and obviously I am not healed enough. Sorry guys, I've had a weird couple days and this is a dark dark world because my boobs are so soft and warm and nobody loves me. Back to you,

#me #word

[monster-noises]

so I finished my last book/series and had my day off and now I'm reading a non-fiction book about Fantasy Art and oh my goooooood this book is written like the final thesis of a college freshman who has Way too much unfounded confidence in their abilities to write a grounded, engaging, and informational essay about the history of pulp fantasy art. I"m gunna read the whole thing, because it appears to be a series of essays and ancedotes by various authors and the artists themselves, but hooo my Goodness Gracious it's so... it's sO.... it's SOOOOOO.... every like Four lines you can hear the author go 'ohohoho, isn't This a clever little sentence' but it's not, it's not a clever little sentence and then it's like a chunk of text that's all names and dates and then it's back to weird non-informational prose-ing like they just "covered" the part of modern sci-fi/fantasy history centered around the Comics Code and they didn't... explain anything about what it was. They just said it was There.. and then listed a bunch of names and dates that things either shut down or got published. There's no Narrative, there's no Pull, there's no details, it's not a compelling History of Fantasy Art; it's 90% fluffy pontificating and like 2% actual information and the other 8% is the author making weird horny references to the way women are usually depicted in this genre of art.... (I'm not generally one to rag on someone being Horny, even in a professionally published non-fiction book, and Hell the way women are and have been depicted in Fantasy is Something to Talk about, but if I have to read the sentence 'Supple Flesh' in a cheeky reference to a woman's ass One More Time I'm going to start Biting)

They said 'Heironymous bosch -often considered the first Fantasy Artist" and then made it clear they Disagreed like two pages later because Mr. Bosch didn't draw any fucking Dragons like hhhhwhaT? Again interesting debate to be had: where does the turn from mythological/religious iconography to Fantasy happen? how do you apply modern labels to things from the past? should you? what level of content or Style will/does/did define something as Fantasy, as opposed to other possible labels? but this author pushes all that aside and is just like 'it's about the DRAGONS' and it continues to be a running theme like every second paragraph they have something to say about Dragons as the leading Icon of Fantasy Art (I would argue if you were going to give that label to anything it would be Wizards but perhaps I am Biased.)

It's not the kind of Bad writing that makes one Genuinely angry, but is more just...comically Flabbergahsting. Makes you sit there and go; What are you Talking About???? Not to mention the illustrations on each page don't... fucking match the text at all, the author is talking about the works of fantasy artists around world war 2 and the accompanying image is a japanese wood block print from 1 8 3 5 this essay has said 0 words about japanese wood block prints. I am astounded, and frankly, astonished.

#monster noises #also they've only mentioned Jeffery Catherine Jones one time #and they left out the Catherine #which gets a Mega Fucking Side-eye from me ><>