#(I keep a running list of books/TV/films that give me muse inspiration too)

[morethanaprincess-a]

@monsieur-de-paris​ asked:  Meta Mun ^.^

Send in ‘Meta Mun’ and the Mun will give commentary about the blog!

When I started writing this blog a little over a year ago, I really just wanted to write. Write a lot of IC interactions and just see where Sonia and other muses took various threads and prompts. And while that was a challenge at first (being new with little history in the indie community, finding partners was hard!), I ended up noticing that in contrast to a lot of the blogs I was following and starting to interact with, there was a glaring difference between mine and theirs.

Headcanons. Everybody had headcanons! From personal histories to why a muse only ate a certain food, they were everywhere! And I was overwhelmed. Being new to writing Sonia and the indie RP community here, I hadn't given much thought to the 'why' of her background, but instead slowly building off the little information that the video game and anime canon gives about her (particularly in regards to Novoselic). From headcanons on Mundays to headcanon memes, I felt very self-conscious about it all. I didn't know every minute detail about my muse! Would others still want to write with me?

What helped, eventually, were threads where Sonia's background, her home, and her family weren't just obscure people and places she spoke about. In most of my canon school life threads, Sonia attends Hope's Peak Academy in Japan's fictional Towa City, where she's one of the few foreigners who proudly speaks of strange (to the other Danganronpa muses and the muns as well) traditions, primarily focused the country's wildlife. But actually placing threads in Novoselic (modern/contemporary threads, mostly) where I'd have to introduce some NPCs that play a significant role in her life, the differences in her activities and attitude at home in comparison with when she travels, and just how 'abnormal' it all is compared to her friends...that was what helped me write headcanons.

That said, I don't really publish a lot of them? At least not as headcanons. I usually put details here and there in threads when I think it makes sense, whether for Sonia to reveal it herself or it's information I think the other mun should know. For topics that come up a lot, particularly in the sense of 'Where the heck is Novoselic located in Europe anyway/why are their 'hidden' exports so popular/why do they all like anime and Japanese culture?,' I found that writing OOC headcanons for those and posting them helped. But otherwise, I just keep a running list of facts and faces in a google document and pull from things/edit things as needed. And as I get other crossovers and verses, particularly historical AUs and talentswap!AUs, I keep a separate list of HCs.

I guess there's a small part of me that assumes most followers don't mind/enjoy reading IC content, but the moment there's too much OOC (whether that's memes or HCs or something else) content, it's less likely to be read? HC ask memes help with that, though there's plenty of times I get asked about an HC that I don't have a firm answer for (yet!).

[lunaralight09]

Could you do books that the scps might read?

Books that the SCPs might read

SCP 035 Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Anna is shipped off to boarding school in Paris where she meets the super-charming Etienne, and that's when things get interesting. I was a squealing, giggly, mush-fest all the while through reading this book. Stephanie Perkins knows just how to turn a seemingly ordinary love story into an unputdownable read. SCP 040 Your Brain Needs a Hug: Life, Love, Mental Health, and Sandwiches Just the title of this book by Rae Earl makes us feel a little lighter. And we don’t know about you, but our brains could definitely use a hug right now. While the book is geared towards teens, we found Earl’s advice to be relevant for all ages — particularly for anyone who struggles with depression, anxiety, social media addiction, and self-esteem issues. TBH, pretty much anyone can benefit from this book! SCP 049 And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini And the Mountains Echoed is such an amazing and heartwarming read. It's about a pair of siblings that fate cruelly separates and then finally reunites. A must-read for its simple yet gripping narration and amiable characters. SCP 049-j The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain This is a French romance novella, and basically a love letter to book lovers. There's mystery, romance, and some of the most beautifully crafted sentences and paragraphs I have ever read. The ending is so sweet, even though you wonder how you ever got there so soon. SCP 053 Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door by Hilary McKay Lulu and her cousin help their neighbor Arthur learn to love and care for his (neglected) rabbit. She doesn’t want her neighbor to feel bad so she writes the rabbit little notes with helpful gifts signed from her own pet rabbit named Thumper. It’s a kind way to show Arthur how to take care of his new pet SCP 073 HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time Looking for heart-warming stories of kindness and compassion? HumanKind by Brad Aronson was made for you. But the book isn’t only full of uplifting stories that will move you to happy tears, it’s also packed with practical and actionable tips for how to be kinder in your everyday. One thing is for sure: after you put this book down, you’ll feel inspired to do something nice for someone else. And because of that, we think this is one of the best books on the planet! SCP 076 Do Unto Animals We absolutely DEVOURED this book by Tracey Stewart. Whether you’re looking for tips on how to better understand skunks and squirrels or read your pet’s body language, every page is full of compassionate wisdom about to treat animals in a way that they deserve. Also, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful — we nearly wanted to pet the pages because the animal drawings were so lovable. SCP 079 Walden (Henry David Thoreau) With the outdoorsman renaissance happening as we speak, it is nice to look back at one of the books that probably started it. Walden isn’t the bore you read back in middle school, it takes time to appreciate like a nice bottle of red. Thoreau’s masterpiece tackles so much while quietly nudging your brain into activity. It also makes you want to build a cabin SCP 096 Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Told from the perspective of the horse, this story is so beautifully written that it's easy to get lost in it's pages. I laughed and cried, as did my daughter when she read it. SCP 105 Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury Warm and fuzzy the whole way through, Dandelion Wine is by far the best story to make you feel good. Though I'm not the correct age to directly relate to the young adult story, I still felt the warm summer days and the wonder of it all. SCP 106 Catch-22 – Joseph Heller “War is hell,” is the old adage we all know, but Catch-22 looks to modify that a bit. Instead, war becomes super goddamn weird. The book follows a bomber squadron in the Second World War whose collective sanity is slowly being eroded by whatever passes for power. Throughout it all, the main character keeps trying to prove himself insane enough to be kicked out of the Navy, which is precisely why he can’t

be kicked out. Which is a catch 22 and yes, this is where the phrase comes from. It’s a great extrapolation of quirks and idiosyncrasies we see in day to day life, only this time, they’re affecting war SCP 134 (I know she don't have eyes . But there is a books for blind people) A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass A Mango-Shaped Space is about a 13-year-old girl with synesthesia (she can see, taste, and hear colors) and her journey in getting a diagnosis and accepting herself and all her differences. It's sort of a coming-of-age story, too. As someone with multiple chronic illnesses who has gone through the same process at the same age, this really was an incredible reading experience. One of my favorite quotes is "We all do the best we can, trying to keep all the balls in the air at once." I recommend it to everyone. SCP 173 Rabbit, Run (John Updike) The greatest mid-life crisis novel of all time doesn’t actually deal with a mid-life crisis at all. Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom is 26 when he decides to leave his wife and son for a new life. Of course, what that new life is, and what exactly he wants out of it isn’t clear to the reader or to Rabbit himself. It will strike a cord with all men who struggle with the idea of settling down. SCP 239 The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling SCP 682 THE WOLF AND THE WATCHMAN BY NIKLAS NATT OCH DAG If you're the kind of person that can't get enough of Scandi noir films, TV shows and literature, then Niklas Natt och Dag's The Wolf And The Watchman should be next on your reading list. Set in 18th-century Stockholm, this tale is as dark as it gets, following the titular watchman and a detective as they hunt down the killer behind a dismembered corpse that appears in a local pond. As gruesome as it is gripping, it's the perfect literary companion as the nights get longer and increasingly eerie. SCP 847 The Case Against Satan by Ray Russell Two priests are called in to examine a girl who might be possessed by the devil. The Exorcist, right? Nope, it’s Ray Russell‘s The Case Against Satan, a novel of theological horror that beat William Peter Blatty’s book to print by eight years. The Case Against Satan is as much the story of a crisis of faith as it is a supernatural tale, and readers looking for a nuanced take on both should give it a try SCP 953 THE PILLOW BOOK BY SEI SHŌNAGON If you want to learn a bit more about the Japan of the past – and also, weirdly, all of us in the present – The Pillow Book is a cult classic you should absolutely try. Sei Shōnagon was a lady-in-waiting in the court of Empress Teishi in the year 1000 and here she collects her thoughts and musings about court life. To read a woman more than 1,000 years ago being as philosophical, neurotic and scandalous as anyone is today on social media is a thrill that lasts from the start to the end. SCP 1678 Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Absolutely moving, the struggles Sayuri faces are painted so beautifully by Arthur Golden's masterful craft that you totally empathize with her as she grows and triumphs in a world designed to see her fail. The ultimate conclusion of the novel fills me with such warmth — it's both entirely unexpected and wholeheartedly appreciated.

[markwatkinsconsumerguide]

Consumer Guide / No.49 / Entrepreneur Tarba Gill with Mark Watkins.

MW : You live in Cambridge(shire) , what's best about the area in terms of work, rest and play?

TG : I live in a small village just outside Cambridge, which is perfect for our family. Thank goodness for good broadband, otherwise work would be more challenging. I have two small children who enjoy the countryside and it's lovely to see fields at the bottom of the garden, which is also home to some sheep. The children are really lucky to see various farm animals and it's perfect for family walks. There's easily access to the A14 and commuting to London isn't too painful. The only downside is there's no pub...

MW : Your new project, 'Tarba's House', is webcam based and social media interactive. What’s it all about? Your hopes for?

TG: I've always been interested in broadcast and technology, having left my job in London with a major broadcaster in 2016. I started missing that element of my life. It's in my blood. I explored the idea of trying a 'TV-style' format on the Facebook platform. So, along came the idea for Tarba's House, which is streamed live from my kitchen. Currently, I interview guests either at home or use Skype/Face Time. We interview a wide range of guests, from business through to music. Initially it was going to just be focused on music, but with copyright and licence issues it's very complicated. The sound for live music is also very important and we are still very much learning how to get it perfect. All of which is something we will have to get our heads around eventually.

TV viewing behaviour is changing, even more so with the younger generation and I really believe LIVE broadcast across social media platforms will take off. America are already ahead. Currently, we are only one of three people in the UK using the software...in America it's in the thousands...

Apart from wanting to learn and play with new technology, I wanted to start pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I was looking for someone to present it, whilst I worked behind the scenes, but no one stepped forward. I haven't presented in a long time. I'm pretty rusty but I'll keep going even when I really feel like I'm out of my depth. I'd rather be criticised for doing something rather than being someone that doesn't do anything.

My hopes for Tarba's House is carry on tinkering around with the content of the show until we are happy. It's been great seeing the number of 'likes' grow and the support has taken me by surprise. I do have a brilliant 'fairy god man' who I've never met, he believes in what we are trying to do and has helped so much. A few people have got in touch about re-introducing the comical stuff but that's likely to end up on a You Tube channel. More likely to be a 'mock-doc' but not until 2018.

MW : You founded, Buzzella, tell me about that...

TG : My very new website! It's a listing site, hopefully to help parents like myself.

Every birthday, my children always seem to have ambitious ideas for their parties. My daughter wanted a film party for her 6th birthday. So we googled to see if we could find a cost effective option - locally. Nope. She gave us her film storyboard and wanted all her friends to star in it. Our jaws dropped. Borrowing some equipment, we managed to shoot the film in our garden with around 30 children.

The next bit was to show her film, so we got in touch with the local cinema. We hadn't realised that they actually hire the screens out, and at an affordable rate. That's when I thought it would be really good to have a site that helped parents find out what is available locally. Also, hoping that it does inspire people to have fun doing something different. Slowly businesses are finding us and traffic seems to be increasing, which is great :-)

MW: You've over 21 years experience at all levels in the broadcasting industry, including radio and television. Tell me about your Radio Avalon days and your different adventures with Red TV and Cambridge Presents community TV...

TG : Radio Avalon (Glastonbury Festival's radio station) played such an important part in my life. I learnt so much and it really did drive my love for radio. It was really hard work, especially walking from one field to another. The site is so huge. I really enjoyed doing the live shows. I have some brilliant and fun memories from that time. Most of the interviews were set up before going on site, and catching them before or after their performances. I've had to do interviews while the bands are being driven across to stages and even one in someone's tent, whilst it rained heavily, with their girlfriend's knickers and clothes everywhere.

I wanted to see and understand how the television production side worked, lucky to spend time with a local television station called Red TV. The only way I could get through the door was to offer to produce a show. I had no idea what I was doing. Eventually I found myself running the TV station, with little experience. But, for me it was a dream come true. Red TV lead me to working for a major broadcast company in London, where I was for nearly 11 years until 2016.

A former boss of mine got in touch after the local TV licence for Cambridge was advertised, and asked if I was interested in helping with the application for Cambridge Presents. Putting the application together wasn't straight forward and getting the right people on board was equally challenging. Staring at spreadsheets trying to get the financials less daunting. We did try to find additional backers and people that really believed in producing local television but Cambridge is better known for tech rather than broadcasting. Earlier this year the station was sold due to the main stakeholder running for local mayor.

MW : Who have you most enjoyed interviewing, and why? Who would you like to chat to, but have yet too, and your reasons?

TG : It's got to be the small bands, they are so fresh and excited to do interviews. They haven't had the same questions fired at them over and over again. On the other hand, the more famous are the more challenging trying to come up with interesting questions. There are quite a few famous names, but probably Muse - when they were supporting Skunk Anansie. Years ago. They were completely exhausted, and I remember they just wanted to watch the band and then do the interview. I ended up on their tour bus, doing an interview whilst they were almost nodding off!

Who would I like to chat to? Mmmm... that's a hard question! When I was younger it was all about bands and music, now I find myself wanting to chat with anyone who has gone through the tough times and come out the other end through a good fight, with a successful story to tell. They don't necessary have to be famous. Those are the people that inspire me - and others.

If I had to go for someone famous, it would have to be Stephen King. Brilliant novelist who kept going despite hardship and rejection. I'd love to know what he's like as a person. I have been bold enough to email his agent to see if I could get an interview. I wasn't surprised when I got a 'no, but thank you' response.

MW : Tell me about the last gig you went to, and the biggest/best you've attended to date...

TG : The last gig was Beth Orton in Cambridge as I was curious to hear her new music. Beth was one of the first interviews I did at Glastonbury... years ago! I don't get the chance to go out to gigs as much since becoming a parent! Now that the children are a bit older I'll be making up for lost time!

Nothing will ever beat seeing 'The Prodigy' at Glastonbury Festival. I was totally blown away by the atmosphere. Watching Keith walking on people's shoulders in the audience. The lighting. The crowd going wild.

MW : Why is creating so important to you, and where does this unique talent from do you think?

TG : My dad. He was very knowledgeable, creative, and above all eccentric. My childhood wasn't a conventional one - Hippy parents - and living most of my childhood in different parts of Africa. It was normal for me to catch fire flies, spy on lizards laying eggs through to seeing puffer fish on beaches. My childhood wasn't a fairy tale either and imagination is certainly a way of escapism. As a coping mechanism as a child I use to write lots of short stories, full of fairies and unicorns! I also watched my dad try to run his business, whilst looking after 4 young children when my parents split up. He always seem to have the ability to survive but do it in a way that was far from straightforward, especially when he had to give up his business to look after us as a single parent.

I don't remember hearing him moan about money, that would be a waste of his time, instead he would find ways of making money. He seem to have a constant flow of ideas from wood craft kits to sell one week. By the next, we would find ourselves on a boat at Henley selling strawberries and cream to surprised passersby.

He was also a great storyteller and always seem to have a captive audience. Some of his stories were greatly exaggerated, which made them more interesting and funny. So, yes,definitely my dad.

MW : What are your book and music recommendations?

TG : I tend to read biographies and 'helpful' books. We were given a brilliant book called ‘Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls’ by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, which centres on a 100 real heroic women. I've been working my way through this.

My fiction fix is reading bedtime stories to my children. ‘Paper Dolls’ by Julia Donaldson always leaves a lump in my throat. It's such a beautiful story. It's also a reminder that children grow up quickly and that time is precious.

I've been listening to a local indie-rock band called History & Lore, really think they are the next big thing. Heard them on the radio and have been listening ever since.

MW : Tell me about your record collection...

TG : Please don't remind me... my collection use to be around 20,000 CDs until I managed to get it down to around 10,000. Recently, I'm having to start going through the process of clearing it down again. Find the whole process pretty awful. Just don't have the space. I have CD collections all around the house ; I even have boxes under the bed.

My collection is very mixed. You'll find Jeff Buckley next to DeeJay Punk-Roc, Tchaikovsky next to Metallica, and so on. Somewhere I even have a Sam Mendes CD!

MW : What's your favorite pizza topping and favorite fizzy drink to go with?

TG : Veggie Supreme! Usually with an orange juice or water. If I'm lucky, a small beer! I don't tend to drink fizzy drinks.

MW : Plans for the rest of 2017?

TG : At the moment it will be about growing www.buzzella.co.uk and Tarba's House by means of cross-promotional marketing with a few other companies that we are talking to.

I will probably be armed with lots of books learning more about SEO too. An area that I'm not familiar with, but extremely important in terms of helping develop any brand or company.

We are also having to look at new ways to engage and book guests. In an ideal world I will have guests booked well in advance for Tarba's House!

Feel free to get in touch at tarba@buzzella.co.uk

© Mark Watkins / September 2017