#And I wrote it a little fast

[bamsara]

I think that one thing people fail to understand is that unsolicited literary criticism coming from an online stranger who is reading with no knowledge of what the authors intended goal is, is not going to be received the same as say: the authors beta reader or friends who know what the authors intended goal and has the sufficient knowledge and input to help the author reach that desired outcome.

"But I'm only trying to be helpful" How do I know you have the knowledge and literary skill for you to be able to actaully do that when we don't know each other and you are essentially a stranger to me? Are you applying this criticism based out of personal biased experience and desire to see the story or characterization be driven in another direction or tweaked, or do you know the author's intentions for the character? If the story is incomplete, are you basing your criticism of a character on the incomplete narration with only partial information available of them or are you building up a report until the story's completion? Did the author provide you with the information needed to make a fully informed criticism?

Have you discussed with the author what their plans are or are you assuming them based off the narration, especially if the narration is proven or implied to be unreliable or missing key points of the plot? Are you unbiased enough to help them reach their desired outcome for the characters and story regardless of your personal feelings towards the characters/antagonists and setting? Can you handle being told your specific input isn't wanted because you're a reader and/or have no written anything relating to their genre or topic? Do you understand and respect that the author's personal experiences might influence their writing and make it different than how you would have done it personally? Do you understand if an author only wants input from a specific demographic relating to their story?

If it's for fanfiction or other hobby media, are you holding a free hobby to a professional standard? Are you trying to give criticism because you feel like the author has produced 'subpar job performance' of their fic? Are you viewing their work as a personal intimate outlet or something that must conform with mass media? Are you applying rules and guidelines when the fic is shared for simple sharing sake? Is your criticism worded appropriately and focused on the parts where the author has requested input on rather than a general dismissal and or disapproval?

Have you put yourself in a place where you assumed you have the input needed for the story to evolve better, or have you asked what the author needs and what they're having trouble with? Can you handle having your criticism rejected if the author decides their story doesn't need the change and not take it as a personal offense against your character? Are you crossing that boundary because you think you are doing the author a favor? Are you trying to be helpful, or do you just want to be?

I think sometimes when people hear authors go 'please don't give me unsolicited writing advice or criticism' they automatically chalk it up to 'this author doesn't want ANY constructive feedback on their stuff at all' and not "i already have trusted individuals who will help me with my writing goals and- hey i don't know you like that, please stop acting so overly familiar with me'

[bnnywngs]

Shoyo is a famous actor/model, he's currently everywhere from the current popular drama airing prime time, to that big billboard in the city, he's also in some magazines covers and has a million followers on his sns.

He's also pretty infamous for his coming out during a live show earlier in his career, and his refusal to act in stereotypes/prejudiced works, and for calling out homophobic acts, talks and people.

Because of that, he's celebrated between the lgbt community in Japan, and his fans are not only loyal, but fiercely protective and active in protests online or in person, for many things - either lgbt, feminist, or just to get a better access for wheelchairs in the subway.

But recently, after years saying he was single, he came out saying he had a lover who was neither an actor or a model, but wasn't unknown. He didn't want to say who it was because it could be bad for them, as Japan still has a long way to go to accept lgbt couples.

People respected that, but not the paparazzi, as always, so they relentlessly followed Shoyo, who kept going from work to home, and home to work, with a few outings with his friends and colleagues, so the photographers were getting anxious and restless.

It all came down to one letter.

Every Christmas Shoyo sends a custom postcard to his parents and his sister (who's a famous volleyball player now in Turkey) before going back home for new years (if he didn't have anything in his schedule), and this year he decided to get a picture of him and his boyfriend in a Christmas setting as his postcard.

But it was intercepted by one of the paparazzi.

Shoyo's boyfriend was none other than number 1 japanese streamer kodzuken! It was a cute little postcard with a picture of both of them sitting in front of a big and full of ornaments Christmas tree, with matching sweaters and doing a heart with their hands together.

The leak was soon everywhere and Shoyo's radio interview was cancelled that day, together with all his schedule, so they could do a somewhat damage control and to write a handwritten letter to his fans not only explaining everything, but criticizing those who stole his family letter.

The truth was: Shoyo and kodzuken met each other in highschool, when they both played volleyball in their respective schools, and started a relationship early on, that kept going for years and years, both their families knew about it and accepted it, Shoyo's family loved Kenma and treated him as another member of the family, and kodzuken's parents are always inviting Shoyo to have family dinner with them and even going out together without kodzuken.

kodzuken just did a small update stream a week or so later, saying almost the exact same thing as Shoyo's letter, and also criticizing those who make money over these kinds of scandals, and that they wanted to come out some day as a couple but in their own terms and not like this - as kodzuken wasn't even out of the closet for his fans.

As the media was letting go of this and the fans were calming down (Shoyo's fans being more open and receptive of their relationship), a magazine with them at the cover was released, with a long interview where they shared one single picture of their teenage years, where they went a bit more deep into their relationship and why they gave up volleyball after highschool.

[saphstories]

Happy Birthday?

He could do this. He'd built a battle mech into a biplane, created a false Chaos Emerald, built a TV out of paperclips, and reprogrammed a super computer using dishwashing detergent and toothpicks...so baking a cake? Pfft.

Amy had given him a dubious look and asked if he was sure he didn't need help, but Tails waved her off. Oh, she of little faith. It was just a cake. What could go wrong? The pink hedgehog insisted he call her if he needed her help, and Tails rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom." He'd groused. Amy had stuck her tongue out at him but finally left, and Tails marched to the tiny kitchen nestled in the corner of he and Sonic's home.

Tails had several hours until the surprise party that afternoon, and Shadow had been tasked with keeping the birthday boy distracted until it was time. Nothing could go wrong.

...Famous last words.

HP?

"Getting slow in your old age, faker?"

"You're one to talk! How old are you know, Shadster? Pushing the 90s, aren't we?"

"Don't call me Shadster, and I'm immortal; I don't age, rat!" Shadow grabbed Sonic's wrist and flung him towards the nearby tree, momentarily forgetting he wasn't supposed to actually be fighting his rival, just distracting him. Ridiculous. Shadow snorted. The things he did for the pink hedgehog...

Sonic used the motion to his advantage, curling into a Spin Dash around the trunk and tackling Shadow on the rebound. The pair rolled in a tangled mass of blue and black fur, trading blows back and forth. Shadow paused, fist raised, but ruby eyes focused on something beyond the clearing he and Sonic had demolished in their spar. "Hedgehog, is that smoke?"

Sonic shoved Shadow off him and rolled up onto his knees to see the black pillar raising into the sky above the treeline. "Yeah, looks like it. Someone must be starting a bonfire."

Shadow gave him an unimpressed look. "Correct me if I'm wrong-,"

"Which you usually are." Sonic cheekily interrupted. Shadow rolled his eyes and punched him.

"But that smoke is coming from the area where you live with the fox, is it not?"

Sonic did a double take and his stomach dropped. "Oh, Chaos, not again." The blue hedgehog complained, shooting to his feet. "That kit is so grounded." He grumbled and gave Shadow a two-fingered salute. "It's been fun, Shadster, but I gotta juice." The Hero of Mobius was gone before Shadow could respond.

He could head back to his apartment. Technically, his task was complete, and Amy never specified he had to attend the party itself. He could deal with her and hee swinging hammer later.

But...Amy had said that she was going to ensure the fox knew what he was doing...and if there was a fire...

Shadow groaned. "She owes me." He dusted himself off, sighed, and relucantly followed the smoke pillar still rising, cheering himself with all the ideas thought of for the pink hedgehog to pay her debt.

When he arrived at the house, it was miraculously still standing but still yet smoldering, and Sonic stood with his arms crossed over his chest, foot tapping impatiently on the ground, and the sternest glower on his muzzle directed towards the fidgeting two-tailed fox kit in front of him, his hands behind his back...with slight tendrils of black smoke wafting out behind him.

"I'm waiting, Miles Prower." Sonic reminded the fox.

Tails gulped, ears flat against his head at the use of his birth name. He was really in for it now, but his self-preservation ran away with his mouth. "At least the house isn't completely destroyed! And it's just minor damage, I can fix it easy-,"

"Miles."

Tails bit back a whimper and nodded in defeat, then reluctantly presented the smoldering pan of black brick to his brother.

Sonic blinked. "Is that supposed to be a cake? You nearly burned down our house and got yourself killed for a cake?"

Tails tried to smile. "Happy Birthday?"

[quillswords]

there are dark eyed juncos in my snowy backyard underneath the sleeping gazebo waking me up with their songs and flocking to the birdseed i put out each cloudy morning i hope you are well in these cold days the least i can do is help you survive as you do for me

[worfsbarmitzvah]

On the seventeenth day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, amid famine and catastrophe, the walls are breached.

written for @jewsinfandoms' "fast and feast" prompt

[gummy-wormies-blog]

mobius just stands still, sunrays warm on his skin.

he sighs quietly, not looking at anything in particular.

letting time pass.

after a couple of minutes, he looks up, determined.

"okay, enough time has passed, it's time to get loki back."

mobius mutters softly, his expression getting serious, as he pulls up the tempad.

he can't just let him go like that after all this, after all that happened. he will work it out.

he will find him. he will get to him.

he won't let loki be alone.

ever again.

[ssruis]

Remembered the magical girl au… that was so funny of me. 4k+ words written and I don’t like most of it. Into the never to be finished draft hell it goes.

[sweetcreaturetm]

So Eddie always knew he was different. He knew he liked boys the way his friends liked girls. He knew it wasn’t the most acceptable. But it was his normal and he was going to embrace it even if he thought he was never going to find someone to love. But he did.

If you had told a 14 year old Eddie that one day he would find someone he loved. And that same someone loved him back. He would have said no way. And if you had told that Eddie that the person he loved and who loved him back was Steve fucking Harrington. Well he would have laughed in your face and told you to fuck off. But it’s true.

They became inseparable after the whole upside down thing. Eddie still hasn’t wrapped his mind around all of it. There’s still so much he doesn’t even know. It’s hard for Steve to relive some of the horrors. The nightmares finally got so bad he had to reach out to someone and that had been Steve. And he doesn’t even know if he could sleep in a bed alone anymore if he tried.

So they fell for each other. Maybe they fought it at first but that didn’t last long. And for a while it was secret. Something just between them. But then they couldn’t keep it to themselves they had to tell the people they trusted. They needed to be able to be honest with their found family.

To be honest nobody even seemed to care as much as he thought they would. Robin of course knew no way could Steve keep that from her then Nancy cause no way Robin could keep her mouth shut.

Steve had to tell Dustin they thought he might be mad at either of them not telling him before the rest of the party or maybe about them being together at all. But he was so excited. Probably because Steve told him he couldn’t tell anyone and Dustin loves to know things other people don’t. Eddie told the band they knew he was gay but… Steve?? Harrington?? King Steve?? Eddie made sure they knew he was not who they thought he was and they came around.

They decided to tell the rest of the party at a Hellfire where everyone would be there. Eddie stood at the head of the table and told them (as dramatically as possible) that he was in love. Yes he! Eddie the Freak *dramatic finger wiggling* Munson had fallen in love and his true love was none other than.. *cue a drum roll from a very smiley Dustin* King Steve! The party whipped their heads to where Steve was taking a little bow. Steve then sat on the couch next to Max and El. He laughed along as Eddie waxed poetic about him. The guys rolled their eyes having had to listen to most of this already. Dustin practically squealed. The girls were positively giggling to each other after asking Steve something secretly. Lucas and Mike seemed less than impressed and annoyed that Dustin knew first. But something about will’s reaction made Eddie give pause. He was still looking between Eddie and Steve but he seemed to be deep in thought. “What is on thine mind young Will the Wise?” Eddie asked. Will just shook his head and curled in on himself. So Eddie took a cue and began the game.

Eddie had recognized that look in Will. One of realization and maybe hope. He had seen the way Will’s eyes lingered on Mike. He had seen the way he didn’t join in the talks about girls with the boys. He knew he had to be a positive example for young will. One that he hadn’t had. Not in that way. Of course Wayne was supportive he knew probably before Eddie but there was only so much he could say. But Eddie could show! He could- they could be an example to will. To show that if it was possible for Eddie to find himself a nice loving boyfriend it was more than possible for Will.

[purplesimmer455]

Emily gets up at 5am, and is feeling a bit restless but not hungry yet. She quickly gets dressed in her thermals, jeans, shirt, jacket, and hat, and heads out to the backyard. Her grandmas’ horse Coconut is trotting around in the snow*, and Emily goes up to him, gently talking and petting him.* “Hey Coco.” She says softly, and he whinnies. She pets him for a bit before mounting him to go on a relaxed ride, but is thrown off. 😅 Thankfully she’s not only okay but also narrowly avoids falling into the poop that Coconut has just deposited. She grumbles a bit as she gets up and rubs her back, but gently asks Coconut not to throw her off again and gets back on him.

[troubadour-malin]

Built an Opera House for You

Asher/Babe (gender-neutral)

1,558 words

Required materials : • Shelving boards : 2 • Metal brackets : 4 • Screws : 8 • Screwdriver • Patience • Kisses : ? _____________ Where Babe walks in on Asher trying (keyword) to build shelves.

[ropebunnykant]

actually insane to me that people are claiming sabrina carpenter isn’t a girls girl for dating men who *checks notes* …have exes???

[florallylly]

anyways i know this is a stranger things blog and maybe i've said this before but i'm not watching season 5 regardless lol

[hangmanbradshaw]

The new story knocked me out and revived me at least four times. Steph, it's so so so so so beautiful, oh my god!!!! How Bradley treats Jake as the most precious and worthy of love and care thing in the world and the way Jake just can't stop look at Bradley with undying trust and admiration. They don't just make each other better, they shoulder the other's worst moments and help sharing the harshness. In sickness and health, they are already so married since the very beginning and now excuse me, but I'm going to bury my face in a pillow ad scream ❤️❤️❤️

THANKS. Oh god...just wait until what I have up my sleeve next. Nobody loves anyone as much as those two love each other in that ugh. And don't get me started on them teaching each other to love themselves through the other's love too. Jake brought joy back to Bradley's life and Bradley taught Jake about unconditional love and support. Their love is so simple, and yet so much. But like...at the heart of it, they're best friends. And sometimes it's just a matter of sitting on the floor in the worst moments together and just being there.

[spooky-k1d]

Shang Tsung thinks about his childhood

[queenlua]

"Our results suggest that between 6.5% and 16.9% of text submitted as peer reviews to these conferences could have been substantially modified by LLMs ... the estimated fraction of LLM-generated text is higher in reviews which report lower confidence, were submitted close to the deadline, and from reviewers who are less likely to respond to author rebuttals." (emphasis mine)

this is just a rando arxiv thing so like grain of salt, but

(1) lmao

(2) it is interesting (and depressing) to me how, like. there's a realm of stuff that we Have Not Been Able To Automate, right, where you actually need A Real Fucking Human Being to sit down and Use Their Cognitive Faculties to determine Is This Real Or Is It Bullshit. and for a while we've been relying on, like, some human Typing Up Some Paragraphs as a sort of proof-of-work that can't really be replicated by an automated system

now admittedly, all these systems that fucking *hate* the "ineffiency" of spending human time and expertise to properly analyze a situation, so the people in those roles are inudated with Too Much Work, and thus they've already been trying to skirt proof-of-work in various ways (writing lazy/bad peer feedback, skimming the paper, etc). so, y'know, "use of chatgpt to churn out the peer reviews you despise doing and don't have time for anyway" is just a step function in a trend that already clearly existed. but it does seem sort of troubling how much everything pushes toward doing things in this "efficient" way (that is, ways that look good in ways that are easily legible) instead of, like, are we doing something real here. because the real doesn't go away. and when quality just goes to shit because ppl are too lazy/tired to properly vet stuff, augh

[skinandscales-if]

Desperate need for a hug, so how would the Ro' react of Mc look like they were going to cry and ask for a hug? Who asks what's wrong? Who doesn't hesitate? Who goes for instant murder if someone Made Mc cry?

I’m giving you a big ol hug too friend, take care of yourself and remember this will pass, I’m rooting for you ❤️

Atlas is quick to tense up, in an instant running through what he could’ve said or what could’ve happened. He tries narrowing it down without asking, but with another look at MC, realizes that he can’t outthink this one, and reaches out a hand for MC, quietly holding out an anchor for them to talk when they’re ready. He’s very close to them and is open to offering any comfort, especially any way he can talk through it.

Puck instantly softens, it’s like a flip has been switched the instant MC needs anything. They’re quick to gather a blanket, some water, anything MC may need in the moment, the whole while sticking close to them and repeatedly checking in on them and asking what they can do to help. They will remove MC from tense situations and sit with them as long as they need. Lots of quiet looks and patience.

Skye panics for an instant, hurriedly running towards MC and after getting permission, enveloping them in a tight hug and settling with them to a more comforting environment. She’s used to self soothing so she’ll make a cozy fort for MC, bring them candy and entertainment, whatever they need until the moment passes and MC can explain what’s wrong. The entire time she’s there for cuddling if MC wants, and her tail is wrapped around MC’s leg like a tether the entire time.

Reese is quick to anger, and asks MC aggressively who hurt them first, but once that has been dealt with he stutters a bit. He’s comforted people before but it’s always been hard. Not with MC though. He sits with them, one hand rubbing their back, waiting for them to settle. He doesn’t want to move them at all, worried any quick change may set them off again. Still, MC can’t help but notice him moving his way into their line of sight always, making sure that they aren’t triggered by any other surroundings. His comfort is like a blanket, heavy, warm, and very very quiet.

???’s comfort is peculiar but honest. She’s very quick to get to the heart of the problem and figure out if there’s any person who was responsible (warning siren sounds) but just as quickly make sure MC is safe. She’ll bring them to bed and sit alongside them, getting them some water and watching the door all night. The whole time she holds MC’s hand, just to let them know that they can count on her to be there. Always.

The gang always comforts MC like a family. Hugs, worried glances, and hushed comforting words. Whatever MC needs and more. Puck takes more charge than anything, but they all have their turns giving MC their personal brands of comfort until MC is convinced that they are safe and they are loved.