#Wordbox

[adreamingskin]

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – MARCH 2024

Spring is here and with it (finally) over 150 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in March 2024.​For the first half of this month I was in autistic shutdown due to a very difficult personal situation that is coming to a head this week after 16 years. I am hopeful that this release will remove significant stress from my life and allow me to give time,…

[deathlygristly]

I've been thinking about things lately like how people mean so many different things when they use words like "empathy" or "trigger" or "traumatize" or "bad writing" and I've been wondering about something.

I think it'd be cool and interesting to talk about how we all developed our different wordboxes for these words, and why we think about them so differently. Like yes, I am confused and weirded out about people using trigger and trauma for things like reading an assigned book in school or a TV show not going the way they wanted, but I don't feel extremely hostile about it. I would like to know how they came to use those words so casually, but I'm not going to yell and scream at them about it.

Plus I know that I have legitimately experienced trauma over things that some people are likely to dismiss, so I don't want to be like that about it, you know? I'd like to at least know more of the context and if they did actually experience nervous system changing trauma due to a piece of media before I get all judgey. I mean, hey, maybe some people do jump and scream at sudden movements and noises now after they watched 2521 and the couple didn't end up together, or a decade after they had to read a book for school they still have nightmares about the book and they self-medicate in some harmful way to deal with the stress of having read the book.

Or maybe my probably on the spectrum brain is taking it too literally and they have some actual traumatic experience in their past that the show or book reminded them of, and the media was more of a trigger related to that past trauma rather than being the actual source of the trauma.

But when I bring up differences in how we use words, sometimes people get really angry about it. Like they're super convinced that their personal definition of this abstract word is the only correct one, and anyone who even politely brings up the possibility of a different understanding of the word is bad and wrong and the enemy.

Why do people feel so strongly about the definitions and use of abstract words? Why do they get upset and yelly and/or dismissive when instead there could have been a really interesting conversation about our backgrounds and experiences and how we came to understand and use the same abstract word to mean different things?

It's probably an identity thing. I've been realizing for a while now that whenever I don't understand why people get upset about things, it's because it's tied to their identity somehow and they feel strongly about that identity and they interpret a lot of things as a possible threat to that identity.

[sword-and-lance]

((okay also I've had basically all day to ruminate on the whole aro-ness affecting my gender thing

and yeah it honestly. REALLY really does

especially because 99% of the time people really don't need to know what the fuck my gender is

and most of the time anyone asking is 1) trying to suss out whether it's good optics to be an asshole to me and/or 2) trying to see if I'm in their dating/fucking pool or not

...and/or 3) is a bigot nigh-pervily obsessed with what's in people's pants but anyway

and like...gender as a general concept just always made me scratch my head anyway

like. what is it even, other than "a thing that a lot of people have an inherent sense of"

every fucking answer other than that has something to do with cultural mores I don't ascribe to or is a miserable pile of stereotypes/transphobia so I already don't get it to begin with

and then "gender" least to me has always been something kinda imposed on me for the sake of other people's convenience (and amatonormativity) more than mine; I mean. if it's up to me you're basically asking if I'm a greeblesnorf or a tickledonk or a marshahowsit I don't HAVE that go away

hell even going by "nonbinary" or "agender", while technically/semantically accurate to the sentiment, is still too much goddamn gendering for my liking and I don't want it just because of that and that alone, like. okay to rephrase that--

I do not want to stuff my gender into some clearly-defined wordbox any more than I want to try and put a leash on an angry tiger, all of us are just gonna be upset by it in the end, aight

I'd have to extend myself out to three or four layers of metaphors even to get fucking close to describing wtf my gender is and it still wouldn't catch the whole sentiment tbh

my gender is a chaotic undefined mess and I want it that way dammit and that absolutely for me has something to do with how everyone's just ~*expected*~ to pair off in amatonormative society based heavily in what gender you are and gender roles are inexplicably twined into that and unfortunately a lot of queer people are also falling into this to the point of active gatekeeping bullshit about labels (instead of labels being mostly to find other people like you more than being rigid dogmatic definitions) and maybe it's no fucking wonder I want no truck with that whole thing at this point

even if other people can have their genders fine and define it however they want and I'm cool with that lol))

[happybirthdaycano]

Twelve Cherished Aspects of Our Connection and Shared Experiences

1. I am profoundly drawn to Cano's serene and uplifting aura. His tranquil demeanor radiates positivity, not only enriching my spirit but also enhancing the atmosphere around us.

2. Every facet of Cano captivates me—from his charming spectacles to his passion for literature, his playful nature, his unwavering dedication to his studies, his devoutness in prayer, and his affection for cats. I find myself missing your feline companions dearly.

3. I delight in the endearing nickname Cano has crafted for me—'cacu,' which beautifully signifies both elegance and charm. It resonates with a sweetness that feels distinctly feminine, and I cherish hearing it spoken.

4. I appreciate how Cano consistently takes the initiative in our interactions, whether it’s greeting me first in the morning or inviting me to partake in activities like watching shows or playing games. This proactive approach allows me to embrace my more delicate side, as I find comfort in being guided by a strong, masculine presence.

5. Our morning routine of enjoying my favorite cartoon, SpongeBob SquarePants, brings a delightful structure to my day. It infuses my mornings with joy and sets a cheerful tone for everything that follows.

6. I relish our shared moments playing Wordbox and Brawlbotz. The laughter we share and the inside jokes we create during these games make our time together all the more special.

7. Hearing Cano's voice—whether in conversation or song—fills me with warmth. I urge him not to despise his own voice; we have vowed to embrace self-love, after all.

8. I adore when you spontaneously share updates about your day without me having to prompt you. Your thoughtful messages at designated times make me feel valued and remind me of my significance in your life.

9. I find immense comfort in the way you stand up for me when faced with adversity. I still recall that moment when someone referred to me as 'Indon'; your defense was incredibly attractive.

10. I cherish the insights you provide about the books you read; they add layers to your already captivating personality, showcasing your intelligence and depth.

11. I love how you introduce me to your beloved cats, sharing delightful anecdotes about their quirks and personalities. The random pictures of cats you encounter are equally charming and brighten my day.

12. Most importantly, I treasure every moment spent with you—whether we are chatting, watching shows, playing games, or engaging in deep discussions. Each shared experience strengthens the bond we have created and fills my heart with joy.

[sfsucw]

Wordbox Submission Period: OPEN

The Word Box group has opened their submission period! Visit https://www.thisiswordbox.com/wordbox-blog/writing-poetry-competitions-submissions-opportunities-february-2024 for more

[onetomb]

omg i didnt realize people would actually write things in the wordbox question, that makes me so happy! every answer is on a completely different wavelength and i love it :]

Play our system uquiz so you can kin us better:

[jolitamae]

Staring at the blank page waiting for my words to spill. Lately, I have been feeling happy... so I'm searching from a new word box. A new type of vocabulary.

Even my words need time to adjust. Matching my heart. We are finding our happy.

7

[monderi]

slight panic as i realize i have class in two hours and haven't studied for the quiz i have

[artistsoftheapocalypse]

PICTURES FROM THE PUBLICK: ENTRY PUBLICATION DELAY

Heyo folks, Loor here! This is just a quick PSA to let folks now that YES we have gotten several Pictures From the Publick entries, but Loor has not yet published them to the blog. This is because we've been preparing for Sketchy Secret Santa. Loor has also caught a poorly-timed cold. x.x

I meant to get the entries up today with preliminary feedback, but my wordbox is beginning to rebel and the eyes hurt from looking at the screen. The entries will be published tomorrow, once Sketchy Secret Santa has had its kickoff and is officially underway.

Apologies for the delay, I just need a little more time to get all my work done <3 Thank you all for your patience

-Loor

[kozmosjeravnodusan]

so far i found this link in some post on here (which i dont remember if i liked or saved :( )

but it just has so many links to different contests and magazines and a bunch of stuff so it might help

actually one if my very stupid idealized goals for the year is to in some way have my poetry published

[adreamingskin]

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – February 2024

We’ve made it through the longest month and to celebrate here are over 160 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in February 2024. Here in Ireland, we’ve been celebrating a Bank Holiday weekend dedicated to Brigid, our other national saint, and I’ve put together a short Imbolc/Brigid writing prompt to spark some creative ideas and there’s even a Brigid…

[deathlygristly]

Still thinking about people saying they were traumatized by books. Which yeah, I reblogged that post that was worded a bit more absolutist than I usually like to word things myself, but I keep coming back to it and checking the notes to try and understand the people who take exception to it and who say that they were traumatized by books they read in school.

Sometimes I run across posts on here that make me feel deeply uncomfortable for a few minutes. Mostly ones that are comics about the death of cats that people didn't tag with any of the various tags I have blocked for animal death and illness and injury. I try to scroll past them as quickly as I can or close the app, but I still see enough to make me feel desperately sad and cry a bit before I can stop looking.

I wonder if that deeply uncomfortable but transitory feeling is what they're calling traumatized or triggered?

Based on my own experiences that built my wordbox around those words, I think of being traumatized as a life-threatening event that you can't escape from, which happened to me a few times in my childhood. The effects of that made me much more vulnerable to the second trauma, the Bad Times.

Yes, there's nuance of course, like a whole tangent I could go on about how I could have cut contact with the ex-best friend at any point but the previous trauma made that hard, but the main point is that I tend to think of traumatic events as being much more hard to escape from than a post you can scroll past or a book you can close.

Even if you're reading it for school, there are ways to not do the reading and still do the assignments. I know this because when I search for things about old books I very often see links to sites with study guides and whole essays you could plagiarize. And even back in my day, bookstores had SparkNotes prominently displayed.

I tend to think of triggered as having an involuntary reaction to something that reminds you of past trauma. Books can definitely do that. I know because it wasn't long into my attempt to read the first ASOIAF book that I got majorly triggered. And I get how if a book you're reading for school triggers you due to past trauma, that past trauma could also make it hard for you to speak up and advocate for yourself and ask for some sort of accommodation.

Where I get stuck though is the idea that you could read a book once and it could change how your nervous system works.

Like you could go to an oral surgeon and he looks at your mouth and asks if you have a lot of stress, and you could say "Well, yeah, I read a book once as a kid." Or you could develop an ulcer without taking NSAIDs until they were prescribed for the chest pain and also while being negative for h.pylori. Tumblr is weird about links but there are research studies that indicate a possible higher chance of ulcers in people with PTSD. Or you will spend decades if not your whole life jumping and/or screaming at sudden noises and movements and touches after you read the book.

I get that books and TV shows and movies could possibly trigger past trauma. But I don't get how they could be the original cause of the trauma. I tried asking in the trauma forum and it just made people mad at me, which was, you know, slightly triggering, so I deleted it, but I legit don't understand and I would like an explanation.

[alexanderespinoza]

Alexander espinoza campeon latino 118 #wba #boxing #champion #wordboxing #word @wbaboxingofficial (en Nicaragua) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuGMYNbFNPS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nhyp322se3ys

[coldascrystal]

“Alright I think it’s time that we turn off the wordbox before somepony inevitably blames me for this.”

[fierceawakening]

@medleymisty I really think this comes down to incredibly different wordboxes built up around the word "empathy". No one seems to be talking about the same concept when they use that word, and we all have different understandings of what it means.

Yep.

The thing I mean concerns me is the thing the nat geo article (and a few YouTube presentations from researchers I’d need to dig up again) call “callous-unemotional traits,” which it seems like are correlated pretty strongly to consistently immoral behavior, and seem in many cases to be present from childhood.

This is not something I associate with autism at all, where a lot of people commenting seem to associate “low empathy” (and “hyper empathy,” but not average or high but not hyper empathy) with the spectrum.