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#maybe cass clare can count in this too
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How YA authors show their feminism
Author: so there's this girl. 🧚‍♀️She's not beautiful but she has long golden blonde/white blonde/honey brown/red hair to her waist, extremely tiny waist, blue/green/grey eyes. Now despite her lanky frame, she can wield 101047472 weapons 🗡🗡🗡🗡and she's a badass😏 and a lost princess/queen/monarch/head of a space organization.💫💫👑👑🙈🙈 Her world is filled with evil men🤢🤢🤢
It's extremely patriarchal so I can show how ✨different✨ she is
She has to work so hard to be on par with men. 🥺🥺
But she hates soft, girly women. Because they are airheads 🤬
Every plan of hers works flawlessly because she is also smOrt👌👌👌. Everyone loves her but no one bothers to call her out on her bullshit, even as she burns down cities.
She will not take your shit but she will take her creepy, immortal 1020102920 year old love interest's shit😔✌👌.
Or alternatively,
Author: so there's this girl🧚‍♀️
She's the best!!! The smartest!!! But she's very plain (jk, she has eurocentric features and make up transforms her into a swan 🤪🤪)
Kinda bossy and nagging but it's cute☺️☺️
Has one (1) female friend so that she has a someone to call her best friend without any scrutiny. Usually more popular than her😒
She can do a ton of questionable things, hit her love interest, manipulate people around her, physically harm "traitors". She also hates those gossipy bitches those girls who don't study😱 but are popular and play sports and like makeup 😱😱
But that's okay. She's not like them. She's a badass feminist💫💫🗡🗡
So everyone will just like her actions and she'll never need to develop or have character growth because she's strong and my fAvouRitE
Or alternatively,
Author: my main girl looks exactly like me🤪🤪🤪
She's the most beautiful, but kinda plain and doesn't think of herself much because she's that kind and that good🥺🥺🥺
And she manages to make a broody, abusive angsty bad boy change for her. 🥺💫❤❤
You know how? Because she's not like other girls😤😤😤
They wear makeup. She doesn't because it's 💫fake💫
They're all boring plastics, gossiping bullies and she's quirky and nerdy and clumsy and like reading books and drinking tea and being alone.🍵🍵☺️☺️
And the bad boy wants her because she is sassy with him🤪🤪 and wants to change him🥺🥺❤❤🙈🙈. Doesn't matter that he's emotionally, verbally, physically abusive.
What, the boys?
Oh they'll all be hot, 6+ feet, abs, black/blonde hair, gemstone eyes, pale skin, no scars unless they're hot, no acne, nothing except American or European😍😍😍🥵🥵🥵 and seventeen/eighteen so it's not creepy and pedophilic for me to write some sexy times😏😏😏
And other than that... eh not much. They're just there for the romance. It's not like we can create good role models right🤔😒
Setting: mostly America, European middle ages, Europe, or alternatively, Victorian era, futuristic Europe. No mentions of colonization or genocide because what's research?☺️✌
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acciowests · 3 years
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Call Me Maybe
WORD COUNT: 850
PROMPT: My family is picking out a tree, but I'm so cold I'm just waiting by the warm doors and you came to stand next to me because you have no desire to hear your siblings argue over the right tree to buy.
If there was one thing Nesta hated more than Christmas, it was the cold. Feyre had been persistent that the three Archeron sisters picked out their Christmas tree that year, driving to the closest garden centre that sold them. The Christmas tree section was outside, and as much as Nesta wanted to make Feyre and Elain happy, she was also far too cold. Alas, she now stood beside the automatic doors, feeling the warmth of the shop behind her as she watched her sisters browse. There was a group of young men browsing too, all with golden skin and dark hair. Nesta pulled her phone out of her cardigan when it sounded, a text from Clare awaiting her.
"Don't fancy tree picking?"
Nesta looked up, a man stood before her with a smirk. His long hair was tied into a bun, apart from the few strands that framed his face. He wore blue jeans and boots, a black long-sleeved shirt topped with a leather jacket that hung from his wide, muscular shoulders. Nesta blinked, slipping her phone back into her pocket. Clare would have to wait.
"Not really," she admitted, "Though, I'm mainly just cold."
The man emitted a laugh that made Nesta's core tighten. He loomed over her, far taller than she was used to. His hand slipped into the pocket of his jacket casually, "Well you're just in a cardigan and leggings. I would be surprised if you weren't cold."
He was right, and that annoyed her. Nesta narrowed her eyes, "And what are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd join you. I have absolutely no desire to hear my siblings argue over fucking Christmas trees." He shrugged, big, brown eyes staring intently into her own.
Nesta snorted, "Grinch."
He bit down on his bottom lip, shooting a look over his shoulder. Nesta followed his gaze to see that both of their siblings had met, Feyre talking to one of the brothers while the other stood behind with a sweet but shy smile. Turning back, the man offered Nesta his hand, "Cassian."
Nesta slipped her hand into his, his palm was callused and rough but she didn't mind, "Nesta."
Cassian smiled, a wide teasing smile that had Nesta pulling her hand back and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "How old are you?" He asked, tilting his head as though he could read her.
"Twenty three."
Cassian bobbed his head slowly, thinking. "Let me take you out for a drink."
If he had been anyone else, she would have told him to fuck off. But there was something about Cassian that made Nesta want to know more. Want to know what that tattoo peeking out from his shirt was, how her fingers felt gripping his hair...
Nesta chuckled, "You're not my type."
Rolling his eyes, Cassian pulled his phone out, opening it up and showing it to Nesta. "Put your phone number in, bet I can change your mind."
Nesta hummed, pressing her lips together as she took the phone. At first, she debated putting in a fake number, but she really did want to see Cassian again. Reluctantly, Nesta put in her number, passing the phone back to Cassian as soon as she was done. Cassian held it in his large hand, tapping a button and waiting a moment. Nesta's phone started to ring and she didn't have to check it to know who was calling.
Ending the call, Cassian stuffed his phone back into his jeans. "And now you have my number, do with it what you want." He smiled, tongue flicking out to lick his bottom lip.
"Sure you weren't just checking to see if I gave you a fake?" She teased, crossing her arms over her chest, knowing how the movement pushed up her breasts within her top.
His eyes did not drop to her cleavage as he looked to her, "You wouldn't, I'm far too pretty."
Nesta bit down on her cheek, suppressing a laugh that would only boost his ego. Before she could reply, one of Cassian's brothers called him, pointing at a tree with a wide grin. "Cass, help me carry this one!"
Cassian's other brother was still talking to Feyre, her sister blushing as she spoke to the mysterious man. Cassian sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his boots, "I'll guess I'll see you soon?"
Nesta nodded against her own advice, "I'm free Saturday. Do with that information what you will."
Cassian smirked, nodding, and turned without another word. Nesta checked her phone, at last, a miscall from a number she didn't have saved and an unread text from Clare.
CLARE: girls night this weekend?
Nesta smiled to herself, looking over at Cassian who was now lifting a Christmas tree on his shoulder with the help of his brother. She typed out her message and pressed send before pocketing her phone and moving to meet her sisters once more.
NESTA: can't, i'm busy.
* * *
if you want to be added to my acotar taglist just send me a dm, comment or an ask!!
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mytileneve · 7 years
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11 Questions Tag - Part I
Thank you to the lovely people who tagged me: @illyriangoddess @runesandfaes @justbooklover @aelin-and-feyre ​! I’ll try and squish all the answers in one post and if any questions are repeated I’ll skip them just so this doesn’t take up half your dash! 
1. Author you’d unconditionally buy anything from? Cassandra Clare probably. I haven’t read her Magisterium series but I’m going to pretend that doesn’t really count cause it’s co-written. Maybe SJ Maas too. 2. Favourite Flower? Peonies (and hydrangeas) 3. What kind of Music do you like? I have a really eclectic music taste. I like a lot of stuff 😂 4. Hogwarts House (obviously)? Ravenclaw  5. Star Sign? Leo 6. Cats or Dogs? Both!  7. Favourite Classic Novel? Just one? The Great Gatsby. The Catcher in the Rye. Pride and Prejudice. A Tale of Two Cities. The Bell Jar. Little Women. The Secret Garden. Wuthering Heights. (how can I choose?) 8. Favourite Contemporary Novel? The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo. 9. Favourite Fantasy/Sci-Fi Novel? Just one (part 2)? ACOMAF/ACOWAR, Lord of Shadows, Empire of Storms. Six of Crows. City of Heavenly Fire.  10. Do you have a (celebrity) crush atm? Just one (part 3)? Gal Galdot is an utter babe. Matthew Dadario is a hottie. Josephine Skriver. Always. I drool over her every photo on insta. Chris Hemsworth (this one doesn’t need any explanation). And I’ve just seen Rogue One and Diego Luna is pretty cute and has an adorable accent. 11. If you could change something in the world what would it be? More tolerance and empathy. Also chocolate that grows on trees would be pretty fab.
1. When is your birthday? 12th of August 2. Favorite season? Spring or Autumn 3. Favorite villain?  The Darkling from The Grisha trilogy, Sebastian/Jonathan from The Mortal Instruments series or Amy Dunne from Gone Girl 4. Stars or the Moon? Stars.  6. An unpopular opinion? Flip phones are cool and need to make a comeback. 7. If you could be any mythological/magical creature, what would you be? Mermaid or siren or any variation of that.  8. Which book character can you see yourself in the most (Personality/Character traits-wise)? Ugh, this is so hard! I have no idea...? I see bits of myself in loads of characters but idk who I’m most like overall. 9. Which book character, in your opinion, do you think would be the best partner for you? I think it’s weird because my favourite characters aren’t necessarily people I think I’d be compatible with but I think I’d get along just fine with Dorian Havilliard or Cassian or Julian Blackthorn ... 10. If you could control any one of the 4 elements, which would you choose? I’d be a water bender 😎 11. Your OTP? Me + my bed. The best love story there ever was (I’m tired)
1. Cold or hot weather? I’m bad with both but hot I guess 2. Favourite sweet food? cookie dough ice cream 3. Favourite movie/s? Inception or Shutter Island 5. What do you like to do in your free time? Read, write, waste my time on Tumblr...  6. Have you ever wanted to smack someone’s face against a wall? Yep 7. Do you smile often? I think so but when I don’t I look like a pissed off bitch so I think it balances out 8. Pineapple on pizza? DEAR GOD NO! 10. Single, taken or waiting for a special fictional character? Single as a pringle 11. Sweet or salty popcorn? Why not both😁?
1. How did you get into SJM? I randomly read the first two back in 2014 when only Tog and Crown of Midnight were out because they were popular on bookstagram and then I forgot about the series until last December when I binge read all of them + ACOTAT & MAF 2. What would you do with a million dollars? Pay off my student loans, give some to my parents, buy myself a house somewhere in the world, find other hardworking students/ prospective students who can’t afford university and pay off their tuition and lastly donate to charity and buy small gifts for people with the rest 3. Do you consider yourself a morning or night person? I’m a night person who tries to be a morning person. I go to bed late and always insist on waking up early and I’m perpetually tired 4. What tv series are you into right now? I haven’t watched any TV shows in so long 😭 6. If you had to pick one fictional character to spend the rest of your life with, who would it be? Nesta Archeron. We’d just chill and talk about books. If she brings Cass along, even better. 7. If you were stranded on a deserted island and there was one naturally growing thing there for you to eat, what would you want it to be? POMEGRANATES. My favourite thing ever. 8. How many followers do you have atm? a bit over 2.1k 9. What would you say is your favorite thing in the world? words 10. Would you go back inside a burning house to save your pet(s)? I don’t have any pets atm but I’d go back to save other people’s pets 11. Have you seen/did you like Spiderman: Homecoming? I haven’t seen it yet
I tag: @nessiansmut @cassiancalore @dr-woodsprite @modernbookfae @paperbacktrash @highladyofnorta @highladyofdreamcourt @rowan-buzzard-whitethorn
1. What is a book you have that has sentimental value to you? 2. Is there a scent that reminds you of something nice? 3. Who would you choose to be stuck in a lift with for 24h (real life person or fictional character)? 4. Do you have a lucky item? 5. What would you order if you went to a restaurant right now? 6. What’s the most beautiful book you own? 7. Walk on the beach or hike in the mountains? 8. What’s next on your TBR? 9. Favourite poem? 10. Who are 5 people you’d invite to dinner (real people, either dead or alive)? 11. Who’s your favourite person who shares your name?
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10 political podcasts to help you keep your sanity before the midterms
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In a time of volatile politics and chaotic news cycles, it can be hard to separate the signal from the noise, to stay informed without getting completely and totally overwhelmed. 
Which is why, despite recent talk of a "podcast bubble," the medium is exactly what we need right now. Podcasts can slow down and really study a topic or event, bringing in the kind of nuance that's too often lacking in our current discourse.
SEE ALSO: 15 podcasts guaranteed to tell you a fantastic story
Sure, partisan political podcasts — from the Crooked Media/"Pod Save America" crew on the left to Ben Shapiro's show on the right — are still incredibly popular, as are news podcasts that dip into politics, like the New York Times' "The Daily." 
But if you're looking to preserve your sanity while keeping up to date, try one of these 10 podcasts, which offer a more balanced analyses, and a respite from the multi-person shouting of television news. They'll keep you informed ... without subjecting you to the vicious cacophony of the burning tire fire that is the world around us. 
"Can He Do That?" The Washington Post
To say that Donald Trump's presidency is unprecedented is an understatement, and we're not even halfway through his first term. The constant churn can leave us feeling burned-out and confused. Enter Allison Michaels and "Can He Do That?" which views Trump's actions through the lens of the actual limits on presidential power. Each episode features deeply researched analysis from journalists and experts, spelling out what Trump can and can't do and the consequences therein. It's a vital listen in an age of never-ending tumult. 
"Ground Game," The Associated Press
Believe it or not, American politics extends beyond the White House, even though Trump dominates so many headlines. And there's an extremely important midterm election coming up ... you may have heard of it? Fortunately, the Associated Press' "Ground Game" cuts through the noise to deliver reporting from its network of journalists on congressional races from around the country and beyond. A recent episode gave detailed insight into what goes into the AP's decision to call a race. 
#ICYIMI: @AP has been counting votes and calling elections since 1848 when Zachary Taylor beat Lewis Cass to become the U.S.'s 12th president. Ever wonder how we do it? On our newest episode, we're peeling back the curtain. Here: https://t.co/qlLKatoIpW or https://t.co/yvS1ptQaAx
— Ground Game (@APGroundGame) September 4, 2018
"Politics Podcast," NPR
This podcast is exactly what you expect from an NPR production: the latest news, terrific analysis, and a wide range of topics. While you won't find hot political takes here, it's anything but dry. The discussion is engaging and informative without leaving you lost in the weeds. Being this thorough and covering such a breadth of topics — from the White House down to state races — makes it invaluable for those trying to keep up in a world in which news that's more than a day old feels ancient. 
"Political Gabfest," Slate
If you like your political roundtable talk a little spicy, Slate's "Political Gabfest" offers astute and lively debate that's well worth a listen. The three hosts — David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson — have been doing the show together for nearly 13 years, and that's to its advantage. Not only does the familiarity bring a richness to their rapport, but they aren't afraid to disagree and occasionally tangle about their topics. You'll find everything from nuanced discussions about criminal justice reform to tutting over the latest scandals and fallout. 
"Left, Right, & Center," KCRW
Like Slate's "Political Gabfest," one of "Left, Right, & Center's" strengths comes from its unique mix of voices — Josh Barro is in the middle, hosting a rotating door of guests — and the way these hosts play off each other. They're purposefully from unique political viewpoints, enabling plenty of debate about the latest political news, issues, and controversies of the day, but always in a calm, respectful manner, never allowing the different perspectives to boil over the way we so often see online.
"Politics Podcast," FiveThirtyEight
After Trump's upset win in the 2016 presidential election, there was a lot of ire directed at Nate Silver's site for projecting Hillary Clinton as the winner. But one of the great aspects of the site's political podcast is how Silver and other staffers take these challenges head-on, explaining how the model works (including their current midterm models) and how readers should interpret them. The political discussions are also meticulous and often fun, as guests (usually FiveThirtyEight staffers like Clare Malone and Perry Bacon, Jr.) aren't afraid to antagonize each other, keeping the podcast lively as they break down current events and try to interpret the larger impact on the chaotic political world. 
"More Perfect," WNYC
The judicial branch gets its due thanks to WNYC's "More Perfect" podcast, which explores the history, the figures, and the cases that have made the highest court in the land such an important and, at times, contentious bedrock of our country. With so much attention being given to the Supreme Court lately, especially in terms of its political lean and sway, this podcast is a valuable asset in filling the knowledge gaps.
"Slow Burn," Slate
Understanding history is essential to understanding our political present, not just because, as the saying goes, history repeats itself. As talk around the potential impeachment of Donald Trump simmers, it's important to look back at our embattled presidents, and "Slow Burn" does that exquisitely, digging deeper into the Watergate scandal under Richard Nixon (season 1) and the scandal surrounding Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky (season 2). 
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"Whistlestop," Slate
This is John Dickerson's second appearance on this list, but for very good reason. His delightful "Whistlestop" podcast has been churning out episodes of presidential history for years. (I included his book, based on the podcast, in a presidential biographies project I did for this site a few years back.) The podcast is still going, dipping into the past to give us essential context for events of the present. Recent episodes focus on the failed nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court by Ronald Reagan in 1987. 
"Presidential" and "Constitutional," The Washington Post
Much like "Whistlestop," this pair of podcasts from The Washington Post delves into our political past to give us context for current politics and actually teach us a few things. Both are fascinating, breaking the history, historical interpretations, and debates around our presidents and the country's most important document into digestible bits without dumbing anything down. "Presidential" has one episode for each president, and "Constitutional" clocks in at a tidy eight episodes that look at the document's impact on our country, plus a special reading of the preamble. 
With any luck, these podcasts won't just keep you up to date on political happenings without immersing you in the digital echo chamber —  maybe you'll keep your sanity and learn some U.S. history along the way.
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I have a theory:
People often ask why the readership for YA is more women-centric and why boys don't read.
We talk about the objectification of women in movies and how men get huffy about the "feminist propaganda" and ask all sorts of stupid questions about why women need heroes like Captain Marvel (love her btw). They don't see a problem with Harley Quinn being fetishized in Suicide Squad.
Well, it's the opposite in YA.
Series with male characters, Percy Jackson, Six of Crows, and Harry Potter (as much as I hate Rowl*ng, I have to give her points for this) have one thing in common: the authors don't wax poetic about how hot and tall and muscular the male leads of their books are.
Sure, they're good-looking but there's no weird mentions about their hotness level and how every other side character considers them good-looking and beautiful and perfect on every other page.
I think it's time to change that. How do you expect boys to read books that tell them they have to be over 6 feet tall, have a six-pack, be great at physical intimacy, be broody or become cameras for their love interests (Thomas Cresswell, I'm looking at you)?
But Divvy, you say, women experience it in movies! Middle-aged men fetishize our breasts and curves for their own benefits.
Yeah, I say, of course that happens. But the thing about feminism is also holding women accountable when they're going wrong somewhere. The thing about feminism is also about supporting young boys and girls and help them believe in themselves. It is the equality of all genders. If we can praise our girls for being strong and lovely and brave, then we can do the same for boys.
And if that's the opposite of your feminism, then you're not a feminist.
Tell me honestly, why will young boys read books that hold them to an unrealistic standard of beauty and fitness? Why will they read books that show them as hypersexual, hypermasculine? What about asexual boys? Trans boys? Short boys? Boys with worsening mental health? Fat boys? Boys of color, especially those who are dark-skinned? Imagine the hit their self-esteem will take.
Same way, why will women watch movies that objectify them? And I've seen that happen since I was very young (blame Bollywood movies -_-)
So this is for those female authors who think it's okay to write your own fantasies and market it to children: PLEASE STOP. I'm tired of reading about the "alpha male." It is not okay. And we, as their audience, should hold them accountable for it.
Would love to hear other's opinions on this!
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