#and its a joy to read the art and creativity you share here))

[primordyalsoul]

just went on a mini follower clean up, so if you're seeing this, hello <3 anyways, thank you guys for your continued patience through my inactivity, i know it must be a bit annoying to see me lurk but not write as of now, i'm gonna be focused on my essays that i need to resit, as well as trying to keep up with drawing to get more commissions. if i get the time and inspo to write i shall, but consider this a mini hiatus!

[fairuzfan]

I don’t ask this expecting you have THE answer or that there is one, but I follow a non Palestinian white man on insta (in addition to many Palestinian folks in diaspora and in Palestine) who mostly shares things from Palestinian ppl/sources.

He has several times criticized / shared criticism of charity dinners, music festivals etc raising funds for Gaza with the perspective of, it’s not appropriate to have a dance party or dinner while people are undergoing genocide, but also that in this moment, art isn’t resistance because there needs to be physical resistance, blockades of weapons, etc.

I’ve seen this echoed from some others especially critiquing white folks trying to claim “joy is resistance” right now, which makes sense to me, but i also wonder if it’s reductive to say art or music is not resistance because I feel like it can have a lot of power especially alongside social movements… was wondering if you had thoughts on this or perhaps knew where I could look to learn more.

Please ignore if this is too much, and thank you

I think things like writing and illustration and music feeds into the spirit of revolution and is necessary in that way. You have to energize the masses somehow, and to ensure that your message spreads as far as possible. A good way is to make art, or to sing a song, or write a story.

That's why Wisam Rafeedi wrote his book and different resistance factions make posters and videos — to spread their ideas and garner support among the masses.

It's not as important as putting yourself in immediate physical danger to incapacitate the colonial entity — but I think for Palestinians and other colonized peoples, they do need to make art to really process their thoughts. Of course there's a difference when a Palestinian in Palestine, a Palestinian in the diaspora, a nonPalestinian ally of color, and a NonPalestinian white ally do this. I won't deny that there's a nuance when it comes to this.

But writers who write about Palestinian Liberation historically have been assassinated because of how they participate in liberation actions and also spread ideas of liberation themselves. I don't know which white guy you're talking about but I feel like this is mostly a conversation that should be led by Palestinians if we're talking about Palestine because they understand the nuance of saying statements like "the only resistance is physical." I understand what he's saying to an extent but that does erase a lot of Palestinian resistance the past few decades by making sweeping statements like "art is not resistance" and kind of simplifies the issue at hand.

Charity dinners and galas and that stuff... I don't know what I think about them, I think that people are going to do it either way so my opinion doesn't really matter. Hey, if you're going to raise thousands of dollars for Palestine, I'm not going to stop you at all. I personally think you should try to avoid posting pictures and stuff like that from the gala itself if you're going to host one just out of courtesy.

I guess overall what I'm trying to say, art resistance becomes physical a lot of the time. I think its really reductive to say "art isn't resistance" and also personally insulting considering I have family members and friends who were journalists, creative writers, and artists and killed/targeted for their work.

Here's this article by Fargo Tbahkhi about the role of writing during a genocide that might be a good read. They also mention how Israeli propaganda (calling Palestinians "human animals"/"Amalek" as an example) is specifically a use of culture and writing to energize people to commit genocide. An especially poignant part that I completely agree with, and am trying to get at:

Palestine requires that we abandon this catharsis. Nobody should get out of our work feeling purged, clean. Nobody should live happily during the war. Our readers can feel that way when liberation is the precondition for our work, and not the dream. When it is the place we stand, and not the place we shake ourselves towards. In this way, what the long middle of revolution requires, what Palestine requires, is an approach to writing whose primary purpose is to gather others up with us, to generate within them an energy which their bodies cannot translate into anything but revolutionary movement. This is what Boal modeled for us in his theatrical experiments, which were dedicated to empowering audiences to act, to participate in a creative struggle to envision and embody alternatives. For Boal, theater was not revolution, but it was a rehearsal for the revolution, meant to gather communities together in that rehearsal. Creative work readies us for material work, by offering a space to try out strategies, think through contradictions, remind us of our own agency.  

[lunarlianna]

Planets in the 5th house

Hello guys, I haven't posted in a while, had to finish my thesis T.T but now I'm back and will be posting again regularly, I'll be answering comments and questions these days as well.

Until than, here is my latest post on 5th house planets in astrology.

Hope you enjoy it &lt;3

5th house represents romance, children and inner child, hobbies and creative pursuits, it’s also the house that represent gambling and winning from gambling. We usually find the sign that rules over our 5th house to be the sign that we use in the begging of the relationships and also our flirting style. The house it’s ruled by Leo and the Sun making her a succedent house.

The sun – positively aspect, this placement can indicate a person that express themselves truly, it’s very creative and can cheer others up with their attitude. In case you have negative aspects, your self-expression it’s blocked. It can make you attention seeker and extremally needy for the approval of others.

The moon- in positive aspects you can be very creative, be very good with children. You can be very fertile as well, usually you look much younger than your age. You may enjoy giving hugs and need warmth in relationships. In negative aspect you may be a bit dramatic, can be easily influenced by others and have hard times being in a relationship.

Mercury- in positive state you have a great sense of humour and you can be a great performer. You can have as a hobby reading and writing. You may need a partner that it’s at the same level as you are intellectually. In negative state you can be a pretty good liar, can be quite critical and opinionated.

Venus- In positive aspects you are very artistic, charming and seductive. You may pass to your children the love of beauty in all its forms and share your artistic talents with them, you may be very good in art dealing. In negative state you can be manipulative, need to be the centre of attention and can be a bit to dramatic in love.

Mars- in positive state you are very passionate and have a balance when it comes to competition. You can be very strong physically and have high stamina. You can be very attractive as well if there are positive aspects. In negative state you can be extremely competitive, be bossy and quite demanding and selfish with your love partners.  

Jupiter- in positive aspects this planet can bring you a lot of optimism, joy, fertility and luck in winning prices in general. You can be very sexual and open about your sexuality. In negative state you can be greedy, can get addictive to gambling, be a serial cheater and be lazy with your physical activity.

Saturn- this is one of the harsher placements to have Saturn in my opinion, here this planet restricts your ability to enjoy having fun, you can have a deep fear of being judged or criticized by others about your hobbies and the way you entertain yourself. This placement may indulge in alcohol in order to don’t feel guilty when enjoying themselves. Your self-expression is very career orientated.

Uranus- in positive aspects you may have unusual relationship and hobbies. You may enjoy having fun in your own unique way and different from the norm. You are a freedom-loving and you share that with everyone. In negative state can make you enter relationship to fast, can make you emotionally detached and you may have a provocative behaviour.

Neptune- in positive aspects, this planet can give you talents when it comes to arts, you can be a very talented musician or actor. You can be very gentle in your romantic life and you can also be very good with children. In negative aspects you can have trouble seeing your partners for whom they really are, you can have secrets love affairs, you can have tendencies of escapism as well.

Pluto- in positive state you can take your hobbies and passions very seriously and be very good at them. You tend to be very passionate and intense in your romantic life. In negative state you can be jealous and possessive over you partners or children. You may feel guilt when it comes to sex you may get trapped in unhealthy relationships.

Chiron – in a healed version this asteroid can very creative and enjoy being around children, you can easily lift people up and you acknowledge your purpose in life. The wounded version need’s others people validation, can be very frustrated over their artistic talents, you can easily get love addicted and lack self-confidence.

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Do not copy my posts or you will be sued for copyright infringement. All it takes is copying me a few times and it is considered illegal due to the copyright claim written at the bottom of my posts

Do not rewrite/copy my observations and post them to your Tiktok, Tumblr, Instagram

[esoteriamaya]

VENUSIAN UPGRADES - WHAT DOES VENUS HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU?

What does Venus have in store for you? Pick a number and get a feel of what its saying with some numerology secrets!

There is also a bonus part of this reading to help with your souls desires!

The bonus reading does not have a numerology decoding.

This is an Intuitive Reading.

What do you have to do to upgrade yourself?

414, 333, 222, 111, 1212, 17 , 85

414

4+1+4= 9 

9- new beginnings , endings, letting go, cycles changing

4 - foundation, being centered, earthly bounds, physical reality

1 - do it yourself, ego, enjoyment, the sun, let it shine

“Joyous Fun” (The Quantum Oracle)

Its time to enjoy yourself for once, love. Go on that shopping spree. Enjoy that scenery. Make moves and enjoy the dance. You have to let go. Laugh it out. The world is yours.

“Sacrifice” (The Psychic Tarot)

Your past life is not your current one. You can change your life at any given moment. Be yourself and let go of that super serious character.

Sacrifice does old thought patterns that tell you that you cant have fun at the moment. That’s a lie. Be more joyful even if it doesnt make sense.

333

3+3+3= 9 

9- new beginnings, endings, letting go, cycles changing

3- creation, adventure, joy, life, control, expansive

“Optimism” 

Its easier for you to get what you want if you just believe. Your willingness is what connects you to your divine feminine. Be like the ocean, in flow and in love with life. Be your best self, it attracts the suitors!

“Mental Conflict” (The Psychic Tarot)

Move on from those old wave patterns. Just like your friend 414, your mindset is the primary problem as to why you won’t leap. The number 333 relies on your faith. That’ll be how you secure your desires. You can only go by what you know, sure.. but what happens when you take that leap without knowing how deep you will fall? It only goes up from here. Do what it takes to be the butterfly. You have what it takes. Dont forget to smile while doing it ;)

222

2+2+2 = 6 

2 - love, relationships, partnership, connection

6 - Harmony, family, love, relationships, art, creativity

“Teacher” (The Quantum Oracle)

You’re Venusian upgrade counts on you to be the master at your craft. You have goals that you should continue focusing on and enjoying the work you’ve put into them. Be patient and listen out for new information given to you by the divine at this time.

Show the world what you’re good at, and host gigs that show off your skill. People are fascinated by what you do, and what you know. Be open to sharing with us what ideas, thoughts, and talents you have because people will listen.

“Spiritual Strength” (The Psychic Tarot)

Your spirit upgrade needs time in meditation and getting to express your outer world with calmness and peace. Work on creating a spiritual routine where you can embrace the moment ahead. The power is your subconscious mind, take time to focus on reality as is, and work towards being a mentor, volunteering to be of service, and helping others in need.

111

1+1+1 = 3

1 - do it yourself, ego, enjoyment, the sun, let it shine

3 - 3- creation, adventure, joy, life, control, expansive

“Fear” (The Quantum Oracle)

Underneath all that fear is the most beautiful essence there is. Why do you hide yourself? Be more kind to yourself and let the rage burn. Let your soul feel all those feels and let out a big roar. Dont be scared to show people who’s under all that love you give yourself when no ones watching. You are a light, truly. 

“Mental Conflict” (The Psychic Tarot) + Angels Of The Four Directions (The Quantum Oracle)

Subconscious thoughts need work. Focus on positive words for healing yourself. Your angels want you to pick where you go next. You can be anything you want. Just make sure to balance your mind-body-spirit with being more thankful of your growth and challenge yourself every time you feel that annoying fear. 

1212

1+2+1+2 = 6

1 - do it yourself, ego, enjoyment, the sun, let it shine

2 - love, relationships, partnership, connection

6 - Harmony, family, love, relationships, art, creativity

“Status Quo” (The Quantum Oracle)

Travel! Travel! Travel! New adventure awaits darling. Whats stopping you? Create new memories by just experiencing a new horizon. A road trip, a bus ride or a plan ticket is what you need to invest in and go enjoy the scenery. This could be calling you to move across the city, state, or country. Either or its asking you to enjoy the motion that is forever changing. This is what we need to embrace our divine feminine flow!

“Flower” + “Scorpion” (Nature & Soul)

As change in scenery is good, it helps to transform you and your perspective on the way things should go. Be more open to new places, new jobs, new people from all cultural backgrounds. You shine the most when you explore your options. Take care of yourself by being down for the ride.

17

1+7 = 8

1 - 1 - do it yourself, ego, enjoyment, the sun, let it shine

7 - mysticism, spiritual, luck, god, the creator, universe

8 - transformation, power, the will, change

“Joyous Fun” (The Quantum Oracle) 

Your luck comes in by the enjoyment you allow to grow in your life. You should try having fun at a concert, going to a art exhibit, or just simply finding the laughter and joy in just being. Experience the moment and allow your life to sore. You may not know the answers to everything but when you truly move forward in just doing something it gets favored. Take a chance on living! You never know what you might get ! ;)

“Foundation & Achievement” (The Psychic Tarot)

Its incredible to be able to live the life we want to live but how are you going to receive it? Start slow and relax. Still take moments out of your day to find the time to be in pure bliss. You dont have to stop your life to ‘have everything in place’ like you think. 

85

8+5 = 13 / 1+3= 4

8 - transformation, power, the will, change

5 - change, adventure, the mind, agility

13 - divine feminine, transformation, ‘the witch’

(For this reading 13 is divine order. Its the mother/universe. The feminine urge)

“Courage” (The Quantum Oracle) 

Take pride in who you’re ancestors made you to be. You got the juice. You're the originator. The trendsetter. The one who starts it all. They may not get it now, but they’ll play catch up later. Take control on how the world sees you, thats your gift. You control the cards. They wish they had it like you, however they dont know what darkness you had inside of you alchemizing itself into power.

Your power causes reactions out of people that can attract or repel. You’re a magnet to others emotions but this is how you keep balance. Being who you are proudly causes others to look at themselves deeper to the point it shifts their thinking. You mirror those who need healing, they cant take you with them to their shadowy nightmares but you sure can bring it out of them. Dont let them get to you, they just wanna see you down because you’re too high for em.

“Peacock” Nature & Yoga

Beauty is surrounding you. Be cautious with who you let in your circle. They’re not deserving of you. Be kind as what comes around goes around. If they’re not kind back, it will surely come back to them. You’re mother natures brightest jewel, they cant keep treasure hiding for ever. Be open to letting the world see your new self. Its time to embrace that beautiful nature of yours. The world needs to see it. 

Bonus Reading

(this one will not have numerology decoding)

212, 999, 1111, 717, 888, 777, 33

212

Throat Chakra

Speak highly of yourself. Have more higher standards for others and tell them about your boundaries.

999

Travel

Take a hike. Go to that new sushi restaurant. Try ice skating. Traveling is more than just going abroad. Take trips to different places you haven't been. It's all about changing your perception of reality with Venus. Be up for surprises.

1111

Fragmented Energy + Destiny

Have a better diet for yourself as your energy can be dense from having a poor diet. When our energy is low, we're not able to connect with ourselves, the intuition and the divine. Clarity is necessary for this new journey you're embarking. Time to change the environment you're in beloved.

717

Soul Mate Connection

So what I'm getting for this group is that a divine connection is going to bloom for you shortly. Be honest and vulnerable with this connection as this can bring in the rawest form of love you could possibly receive. This is a higher vibration. You're ready. Their is a need for soul growth in this connection so being who you're truly are to them will create a flow where you can build a garden with this beautiful connection(s).

888

LOTUS

Share the experience with everyone around. There is so much in store you just have to pick one. It's like wandas vision, you control where this movie goes. Your desires are getting a chance to bloom this season. Be grateful for all the universe brings, and you will see a whole fruitful banquet in front of you.

777

TRANSCENDENCE

Take a journey in the mind. The shrooms are calling for you to take a look. It's time to get more into the peace-light-love attitude. It'll calm you down. Your safe. Connect to the divine to embrace beauty in your life. Journal. Take a picture. Go outside and enjoy nature. River and taking hikes are significant here, as the silence in nature can give you the clarity you need. As well as grounding you to embrace yourself as nature itself.

33

CREATIVITY IN THE DARK

Embracing your darkness is where your true power lies. The gateway to your beauty is through the hidden realms of the psyche. Your power holds a force so powerful its harder for people to walk away. You have gifts in artistic endeavors that generate an audience and a source of income due your mind having access to cosmic gateways not many are willing to find themselves. Within that darkness is a skill in creation. Enjoying the arts not only gives you a place to enjoy, but to overcome obstacles. Let it go, and enjoy what your soul wants to say in the power of art.

[system-of-a-feather]

New Pinned Post

I'm no longer in need of back up money, so commissions aren't needed, but if you ever want to commission me, I'm usually open. I also occasionally put some of my art on redbubble.

Please read Boundaries before sending an ask.

Anyways, hello everyone, I am too lazy to find my old crack DID pride flag (it'll come up some day and I'll link it here), and I figured I should slowly update some of my intro stuff for this blog after not touching it for a fucking minute.

You can call me Feathers - we're a 21+ year old Buddhist mixed-AAPI intersex nonbinary system (they/them) that is at late stage recovery and often defaults to a fully fused state (though we freely play with our multiple identity and operate as independent parts whenever it works best for us; often for trauma processing or navigating complex life decisions). As a result, we don't always tag which part is out and sometimes tag "alter: fei" or, more recently, "feathers speaks" Sometimes we might tag which part is dominant, but it's all whatever.

For the most recent discussion on Buddhism, Full Integration, Final Fusion, and Functional Multiplicity written by our fully fused self before our recent decision to swap back to Functional Mulitiplicity, feel free to read here; it's long but a pretty cohesive understanding of our current experiences with our DID and shit. (5/15/2024)

We're diagnosed with DID, C-PTSD, autism, trichotillomania, OCD, and honestly a number of things cause complex-trauma life. We have some physical disabilities but nothing that typically causes too much obstruction in our day to day.

As a result of our state of recovery, we really don't have a set headcount, however we were / are polyfragmented.

Some fun things about us and things you'll see on this blog:

Due to the fact that DID is no longer really that much of an interesting topic / impactful part of our life, we only occasionally post about DID and our experiences with it. While it was the original purpose of this blog, as a depiction of our healing journey and what healing with DID can look like, we decided we would rather just post about whatever sparks joy in our life. As a result, rather than much content on DID, you will likely see things relating to the topics below. PLEASE feel free to send asks about ANY of the topics below. We love to talk about things.

We are Buddhist (primarily non-theistic; mostly non-denominational, largely Zen) and we really enjoy it. We particularly like the philosophy and do practice it. Admittedly, we identify as being god awful Buddhists, but thats okay cause its part of the process.

We love research and plan to go into it when our ducks are better aligned. We particularly love research and literature around developmental psychopathology, trauma, dissociation, animal behavior, and the more abstract neuroscience topics (particularly consciousness research). We likely won't post much on it as overtly here because I don't enjoy talking science on tumblr much because most people (in my experience) don't actually want to talk about research as much as they want to prove their point.

We are avid bird watchers and regularly document / photograph the birds we see and upload them to ebird. We really enjoy it as an activity and social engagement and really love sharing that joy and knowledge with people. We actually have a minor in Avian Science and have been tested on North American ID skills. We also know more than we need to about chicken biology as a result of said degree. If you want to send anything about birds, bird watching, or asking for a bird ID (even non North American), they are ALWAYS welcome and you are ALWAYS allowed to tag us in any bird related content.

We do a lot of creative work and have dedicated ourselves (without writing partner) to a large story world project that we've been writing for over a decade now. We actually specifically started grinding our art skills in 2020 specifically just to help build that world up. Art is one of our largest self soothing coping mechanisms. We are going to turn that story world into a comic and a TTRPG system so please check out @thedevaaffliction.

Overall, we really just like thinking about a lot of topics and things as part of both our interest in research, philosophy, and as part of our Buddhist practice. We don't really find an interest in arguing discourse / syscourse because we really dislike and see very little benefit in debate. That said, we love to discuss experiences, thoughts, feelings and perspectives on complex topics and as long as the intent is to discuss and share rather than to "win" or "prove", we really enjoy that sort of enrichment in our life so we do welcome it. That said, we withhold the right to deem any conversation as more debate than discussion and to abandon it.

Additionally, related to the fifth point, we believe in being fully transparent about our past and admission that we were wrong as we think it is very important to be able to re-evaluate your beliefs and opinions and grow. In our mid teens we actually were pretty far into the alt-right pipeline and until about a year or so ago, we were staunch anti-endos. These days we are basically commies and very pro-endo. If anyone has any interest on how we pivoted so hard in our opinions on those topics, we are more than open to talk and discuss it as well as any insights we pulled from the experience.

Also we love martial arts - I forgot that cause I'm not particularly XIV brained rn but we REALLY enjoy martial arts.

We suck at being labeled and having labels. We're just very very queer.

--------------

DNI:

People who put on their socks/shoes in the order of Sock-Shoe-Sock-Shoe

That's about it. We liberally block, so we don't really worry about DNIs. If we don't like your content for any reason, we will remove it from our dash. Whether or not you want to interact with us is up to you past that point. Generally, we welcome anyone to follow as it can make for good conversation.

[animasola86]

Happy Anniversary, Hogwarts Legacy!

My HL journey started on May 5th, but I'm just happy this fandom is still around and thriving, and I am so glad to be a part of it! It took me 10 days to finish the game in my first run (before I dove in time and time again with new MCs and spent even more days and weeks and months in the game), and this is how my precious Nebbia looked in her original (shoddy PS4) form:

She's come quite a ways from that. Also, I wish I would have played on PC to begin with, but oh well, this way I had two HL experiences, and I am more than happy about it!

It certainly helped in keeping up my creativity and productivity over a freakishly long time. I've written 352,529 words in seven months, 270,038 on my AO3 alone, (which for me is quite a lot), I've learned to write things I have never written before (I went from innocent fanfiction writer to something I cannot talk with my family about), and all of it because of some pixels on my screen. It's pretty incredible.

And on top of that, I've met lovely people to share in my weird thoughts and delusions and overall excitement about this game and its characters. I've never been active on social media, I've always been a silent lurker, watching and consuming, but I learned that creating and sharing my work and engaging with other like-minded people is quite something, something I like to do and want to do more.

And I thank you, dear followers and anyone who stumbles upon this, for interacting with me in whatever way you choose. I see you, and I am happy you spend your time with my stuff.

I am also grateful to be a part of such a creative community. I've also never read this much in my life as I did the last nine months, ever since I stepped into this fandom. And it's not just the fanfics and oneshots and headcanons, it's the art works, the AI adventure (which bot am I gonna talk to today, hm?) we all embarked on (and bless whoever started using ElevenLabs to keep that voice kink flourishing!), the thousands of shared screenshots, all these different MCs, and all those other ways people contributed to this fandom - it was/is a joy to see you guys' different kinds of creative outlets!

So thank you, HL fandom, for your continuous contributions, keeping our mutual obsessions alive! But also for just being here, consuming and supporting and providing inspiration and motivation! Thank you!

Onto more years!

[himbos-hotline]

Wdym treating it like tik tok /gen

very simply. Reblogs are what keep this website alive, there are no rules to reblogging things. You can reblog things from mutuals, not mutals, you can talk in the tags. whatever you wanna do, as long as you reblog. that completely fine, thats what tumblr was made for. Whereas social medias [and I refer to tumblr as social media super loosely here] nowadays rely on likes as engagement. Liking things on tumblr is used for posts such as vents or stuff like that. Not for things that people make. I'm not calling it content, we arent getting paid for what we make we are not content creators. we are artists. No matter what thing we use to make our art- if youre a writer, painter, digital artist, photographer, whatever!

People make things for themselves, they share them for other people. You don't make an entire four course meal just for yourself, you dont spend hours making a cake just to leave it sitting on your kitchen table. Likes are not visible on tumblr and if yours are, nobody is going to go into your blog and click on your likes. nobody is doing that, like ever. So you like a bit of fanart and it stays in your likes, unseen forever. Where as with a reblog, you are showing that fanart to other people for them to then show other people. your reblogs are visible because they're visible on your dash.

People who create things, artists on tumblr thrive on reblogs for other people to see their things. Using the analogy of the cake again.

Likes are you putting the cake behind a glass wall and going "thats a nice cake."

Reblogs are you cutting the cake up and sharing it with other people, telling them the recipie.

People thinking that likes do anything other than just, staring at the artist. Reblogs are showing other people going "look at how cool this person is! this is where you can find more cool things!". Tumblr is not tiktok its made for people to reblog things.

your blog is your house, why wouldnt you want to decorate it with things you love? this is not some celebs house with crisp white walls. Have fun! reblog stuff!

Now dear anon, Im gonna adress you and other people reading this directly. Say you spend hours making something that you really love, your bleary eyed, youre tired and hungry and so fucking proud of what you made. So you go and so super excitedly show it to your friends. youre beaming and all wide eyed with joy, you have the joy of creation pulsing through your veins...and they just. stare. they all look at you. Maybe, if youre lucky, one of them will raise a disconnected, bothered lackluster thumbs up. How does that make you feel? Do you feel the joy drain out of your body? do you feel that lack of dopimine in your brain? do you want to pick up your pen again? do you want to put your time and effort into something that you feel like nobody cares about it?

Now, different situation. You spend hours making something that youre proud of, you go running to your friends going "look! look what I did!" and they all irrupt into this joyous laugh, they praise you, people freak out at you, you get affection. you get a reward. You walk into the kitchen the next day and the stuff you made is posted on the fridge along with sticky notes.

Thats how it feels to be a creative nowadays on tumblr. You spend hours working on a fic or a request or gifs or video edits or what have you. And if youre lucky you will get like, 3 reblogs and one of those are you re-reblogging. For example, here are the likes/reblog ratios from my most recent fics

My dead girl adam Cole Au- 4k words for one chapter

An adam sqaured request- 2k words

A hangkenny fic- 4k words

See anything similar? theres more likes than reblogs. People will stop making things if people dont stop treating likes the way they work on tiktok. Your likes are blocking up artists and then people who dont make things, get pissed when people stop.

[flowercrown-bard]

Why is the Roche/Ciri ship always only crap for you all?

Hey, i once read a draco x apple fanfic. I have no room to judge anyone's ship and I don't think I ever did that (outside of private conversations). What i am judging is someone ruining the fandom experience for other people. If you really are as upset and hurt by people hating on your ship as you say, I'm sure you understand why people don't like you hating on their ship. (btw it's hilarious that you sent me hate for rorveth and cirys. Literally the only character included here that i even know is Ciri. If you sent me geraskier hate there would at least be context since i actually ship it, but i have absolutely no opinion on those ships you mentioned. I don't even know them) You've been told by others why they are annoyed by your asks and obviously it has no effect on you, so i won't bother repeating what they've already said, but i do occasionally love hearing myself talk so i wil still write a far longer response than i should So this isn't a hate response, it's a love letter to fandom. So here's what made being in a fandom so special to me:

The support.

Fandom to me is, at its core, strangers sharing their excitement, inspiring each other and admiring what other people do. When i started writing i was so self conscious, i couldn't sleep after posting a chapter because I was so anxious. And i received so much support even for works that are really not that great. There's something so wonderful about cheering others on and getting cheered on. That sort of open and heartfelt support is not something you experience in real life and it made some hard times much better for me. It's incredible knowing that people across the globe collaborate, send each other prompts or getting really excited about something someone else did.

2. The possibility to just…not engage in conversations i don't want to be in.

It's so freeing to have the option to block people of just not respond. There's always some sort of controversy or just some takes i don't like. How wonderful that i can just not look at those things

3. Getting to be creative and knowing it makes people happier

Your fic or art isn't brilliant? Who cares. It's so freeing to create something out of love, for people who love the same thing. I started writing for the first time since i was a child because of fandom. I dabbled in creating fanart (and realised the medium isn't for me, which is also great to find out), i wrote poetry (which I never wanted to do) and badly recorded songs (which i felt so self conscious about). Was it all good? Ha, absolutely not. But i got zo try it out and i wouldn't have done that without fandom. There is no external pressure to be good (or if there is pressure from other people to create and be good, there are always a ton of others telling you why this pressure is unfair and should be ignored). There are no grades, no deadlines. Just the love and joy of creating and sharing your creation. Or not sharing them, if that's what you want. Both is fine and that's the point

4. Seeing people of all skill levels share their works

And all of their art is beautiful and meaningful, no matter if they qre a master of their craft or someone who pickef up a pen for the first time to try out this medium

5. Seeing different interpretations

I don't like many of them but it's so interesting to see how others are interpreting something. That can be anything from the question of who's a top to some in depth meta analysis. People enjoy different things and it's so cool to see what they focus on

6. The people in general. I pretty much left the witcher fandom months ago (i tried writing for it again but it was so hard that I gave up) but through it, i met incredible people, some of who have become irreplaceable parts of my life and i am so thankful for fandom for bringing us together like this. When i was in the fandom, i got to know people are so talented, unbelievably creative, kind, funny, supportive and so many other wonderful things (even those i never talked to directly. If you left a comment on something i wrote or made my days brighter with your own creations, you are amazing and i appreciate you a lot)

Basically, fandom for me was an experience that brought me joy and a sense of community. It's on you to seek out the fandom experience you want to have. If you want that experience to be one of bitterness and hate, I'm really sorry for you. But more than anything I'm sorry for the people who you drag into this by harrassing them even after they blocked you. If you want to stew in bitterness over shipping a rarepair, that's your decision. But if other people want to enjoy the fandom in a more joyful way, then that should be their decision too and you don't get to take it away from them and ruin their love. Because ultimately that's what fandom is to me and i treasure the memory of that love more than I value the opinion of someone who apparently takes joy in trying (and hopefully failing) to take that love away

[sionwritingco19]

building a routine that works for you. mental health + daily practices.

life with a mental illness can feel like navigating a stormy sea in a paper boat. the waves crash, the wind howls, and sometimes, just staying afloat feels like a victory. in the midst of this chaos, establishing a routine can be a lifeline, a steady beacon guiding you through the roughest waters.

notebook to start planning<3

but here's the thing: a "one-size-fits-all" routine for mental health doesn't exist. what works wonders for your friend with anxiety might leave you feeling overwhelmed. the key is to build a rhythm that resonates with you, that complements your unique needs, condition, diagnosis and quirks.

so, i got rid of the time slot schedules and embraced the art of mindful routine building.

i started creating and building routines ensuring productivity and space for healing as well.

in 2018, when i was just 19 years old i was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. after much research, prayer and meditation, i finally realized and accepted that doing things for myself and honoring my needs was okay, not only okay, but necessary.

i also had to come to terms with the fact that self care is not selfish. here are some tips to get you started:

this book helped me so much, i could cry just thinking about the first time reading it. soooo good. impactful. stays in my heart forever.

m o m e nt s by me.

know yourself or get to know yourself better if you don't: before diving into habit-creation, take a moment for introspection. what are your triggers? what activities leave you feeling energized and grounded? when are your most productive and relaxed hours? i personally feel most creative in the early mornings. understanding your own internal landscape is crucial for crafting a routine that truly supports you.

start small: don't try to overhaul your entire life overnight. begin with one or two small, achievable habits that you can gradually integrate into your day. maybe it's a 10-minute morning meditation, a daily gratitude list before bed, or a short walk in nature during your lunch break.

celebrate the WINS: remember, progress, not perfection, is the name of the game. acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. completing a single task on your to-do list or simply getting out of bed can be a monumental victory on some days, i know i get it.

listen to your body: your body is a wise teacher. pay attention to its cues. if a particular activity leaves you feeling drained or anxious, adjust your routine accordingly. tt's okay to say no to things that don't serve you.

embrace flexibility: life is unpredictable, sometimes so should your routine. allow space for adjustments and spontaneity. i love writing all of my todo's in the middle of my journal instead of a planner. and i allow myself grace. i accept that i definitely wont get to all of my tasks in one day, but just the fact that its written down, means IT WILL GET DONE. if a surprise event throws your schedule off track, don't beat yourself up. simply pick up where you left off and remember, the goal is to nurture your well-being, not become a slave to a rigid plan.

find your tribe! : surround yourself with people who understand and support your journey. having a community of like-minded individuals can be a source of strength and inspiration. share your experiences, offer encouragement, and celebrate each other's victories.

your mental health deserves a routine that feels like a warm hug, not a cold shower. unless you like cold showers?? experiment, explore, and most importantly, be kind to yourself. building a routine that works for you is a journey, not a destination. so, take it one step at a time, listen to your inner compass, and let your well-being be your guiding star.

don't forget the power of creativity! infuse your routine with activities that bring you joy. whether it's painting, dancing, writing, or playing music, make time for things that spark JOY and re analyze the things in your life that STEAL your joy. you're not alone, and with a little self-compassion and a willingness to experiment, you can build a routine that becomes your anchor in the storm, guiding you towards calmer waters and brighter skies.

i create new routines and habit trackers monthly. most months look the same, but occasionally, depending on my schedule, appointments, overall energy and mood, i adjust to fit my goals and projects. i have a lot more that i can share with you about this topic, even curated and specific routines, but this is just the beginning. i look forward to diving more into this with you, but for today i hope you feel inspired to dig deep and think about what YOU would like your daily life to look like. - Shay @sionwritingco19

[sexymandescendant-archive]

SEXYMAN DESCENDANTS FAQ

Q: where’s the onceler descendant, coward 🔫

A: Right here. Also, all Onceler descendants are canon, so feel free to keep adding on to the Twiceler family photo (=

Q: Does a “X”/[insert sexyperson here] descendant exist yet?

A: Search the #X tag on this blog to see if someone’s made a descendant for them yet (NOTE: results are best if you use an internet browser and type sexymandescendants.tumblr.com/tagged/X into your search bar). Alternatively, you can also look up the name of the series and/or its common abbreviation, if it has one.

If you want to draw/create content for an existing descendant, please credit the creator, respect their boundaries, and no NSFW content (these are high schoolers, after all). Be nice.

Q: How did the descendants come into existence? Were they born or created?

A: I literally don’t know lol

Q: What about sexypeople with canon children? Are they a part of the SDU (Sexyman Descendant Universe), too?

A: Yes!! How the canon kids interact with their descendant siblings is up to you :]

Q: Does [insert character here] qualify as a sexyperson? Can I make a descendant for them?

A: If you’re not sure if your sexyperson qualifies, read the Sexypedia guidelines. They do not need a page, but you should be able to justify their status as a sexyperson.

Q: What’s the best way to share my Sexyman Descendant art?

A: If you’re making a reference/debut post for your descendant and want to have them archived on the blog, send in a submission! If you’re unfamiliar with the submission rules, please read them here.

Otherwise, if you’re creating art for an existing descendant(s), feel free to post it in the “#sexyman descendants” tag! I love seeing all the art that people make <3

Q: Is there a Discord server I can join?

A: An official server is in the works, so stay tuned! Due to arising conflicts/drama in fanmade servers, I will no longer be sharing invite links for them. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Q: Who are you?

A: I’m Bee (they/them) from @sparkerinparadise, but you might also know me from @is-sans-in-ssbu-yet or my art blog @wiiabee. I didn’t expect the original post to blow up like they did at ALL, but I’m happy that it’s spawned so much joy and creativity. Can’t wait to see where this journey takes us <3

[jaime-brienne-fic-exchange]

JB Festive Fest 3: Fest With a Vengeance

You asked and we answered...

Signups are open for the JB Festive Fest!

Now in its third year, the JB Festive Fest is an opportunity for Jaime x Brienne fans to close out the year with some lovely gifts. It's a low-key, inclusive exchange meant to celebrate our favourite knights! All fanworks are welcomed (and encouraged!)--art, fic, fanvids, any creative endevour!

Already convinced?

Sign up here!

Need more information? Read on!

Important Dates

Signups: November 23rd - November 30th Assignments out: December 1st Posting Window: December 23rd - January 1st Stocking Stuffer Prompts Released: December 23rd Last date to check in: December 28th NEW THIS YEAR. In order to simplify the knight writing process, you must begin posting or check in with us by this date, or we will assign a knight writer. If this happens, you can still post, we just want to ensure everyone gets a gift!

Rules

1. You create one (1) fanwork, and receive one (1) fanwork. 2. If you can't complete your gift on time, please let us know as soon as you do! Life happens, but the sooner we know the easier it is to deal with. 3. For recipients: no specific, detailed scenario prompts, only a list of general likes/tropes/vibes and your squicks and triggers. For gifters, any detail you want from your recipient you’ll need to sleuth on your own, or guess. 4. Have fun! 2022 was hard for a lot of us, and this is meant to round out the year with a little extra joy.

FAQ

Who can participate? Anyone! Artists, writers, vidders, poets, interpretive dancers! This is an inclusive exchange – whether it’s your first or hundredth, you are welcome!

What do I need to do? When you sign up, you’ll provide three general ideas of what you like--tropes, vibes, nothing too specific!--for your creator to work from. Once sign ups close, you’ll be assigned someone and you’ll need to create a fanwork for them based off the information they provided. It could be a short fic, a piece of art, a poem, a vid, an interpretive dance, whatever you like! There are no minimum requirements, but as a rough guideline, think of it as something that would brighten your day if you received it.

When do sign-ups open? They’re open now, and will close on November 30, at the end of the day for you, anywhere in the world.  

What if I can’t finish something in time? Please send us an email at jbficexchange@gmail.com to let us know and we’ll do what we can to either let your recipient know you’ll be a little late, or organize someone else to backfill.

Does my fanwork have to be festive themed? Definitely not. You’ll just be sharing it between December 23rd and New Year’s Day.

Will my prompts be private? No, they will be released to everyone on December 23rd to allow for the Stocking Stuffer exchange (details coming later in the month). This will be open for anyone to contribute to, not just the people who participate in the main exchange.

When is the posting window again? Between December 23 and January 1. If you have not begun posting by December 28 and have not contacted us, the prompts will go to a knight writer to make sure that everyone receives a gift by New Year’s.

Important Notes:

You must have an AO3 account to participate. If you do not have an AO3 account, you can either request one via the AO3 website or email us at jbficexchange @ gmail.com

If you have any questions, please email us at jbficexchange @ gmail.com. This will be a tight turnaround for signups–about a week–so get in quick if you’re interested!

Click here to sign up!

[sweetkoalastarfish]

Welcome to "sweetkoalastarfish" blog. Thank you for stopping by, and thrilled to have you here. This blog is all about exploring Filipino culture, from it's deep-rooted traditions to the lively festival, delicious cuisine, and vibrant art and creativity. If you're interested in learning about what makes the Philippines and its people unique you're in the right place.

What is Filipino Culture?

Filipino culture is a rich tapestry woven from a history of indigenous traditions, colonial influences, and modern global connections. It's defined by a strong sense of family, a deep-rooted respect for traditions, and an indomitable spirit that finds joy even in adversity.

Here are some of the Filipino culture that make it so special:

Family and Bayanihan- Family is at the heart of Filipino life. The concept of "bayanihan" embodies the spirit of communal unity and helping one another. It's common for extended families to live together or stay closely connected, providing a support system like no other.

Festival and Traditions- The Philippines is known for its colorful and lively festivals. From Sinulog in Cebu to Pahiyas in Quezon, each festival has its unique charm and story. Traditions like Simbang Gabi during Christmas and Flores de Mayo in May are celebrated with great enthusiasm and bring people together in glee.

Cuisine and Food- Filipino cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors and influences. Dishes like adobo, sinigang, and lechon are loved by many. The merienda culture, with its snack like pancit and halo-halo adds to the fun. Food is not just about eating-it's a way of connecting with others.

Language and Communication- The Philippines has over 180 languages with Tagalog and Cebuano being among the most widely spoken. Filipinos are known for their warmth and friendliness, often using unique expressions like "po" and "opo" to show respect. Communication is a mix of traditional and contemporary, with social media playing a significant role.

Art and Creativity- Filipino creativity is boundless, from traditional craft like weaving and pottery to contempory music, dance, and cinema. Artists and performers from the Philippines have made a mark on the world stage, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the country.

The Filipino Spirit- Depite the challenges that Filipinos face, there's a resilience and positivity that's truly inspiring. This spirit is what makes the Philippines such a unique and welcoming place. Stories of communities coming together, neighbors helping each other, and a smile even in difficult times are what define the Filipino spirit.

I invite you to join on this journey to explore Filipino culture. Wether you're curios about the places to visit in the Philippines, the latest trend in Filipino music, or simply want to learn more about the people and their stories, there's something here for everyone.

Thank you for reading, and hope you enjoyed this introduction to Filipino culture. Stay tuned for more stories, insights, and adventures. I cant' wait to share more with you! Till then, salamat and see you soon!

[munsonshire]

Hello! Can I please get a matchup for supernatural?

I'm a straight female and my pronouns are she/her

I'm 5'9 and I have long and curly dark brown hair and brown eyes. I have a fair skin tone, I'm slim and I've got full lips and fairly large eyes. I also have these dimples that I really like!

I love reading, my favorite genres are poetry, Russian lit, and mysteries! I love learning about new things and knowing a little bit of everything. I adore adventures, witty and playful banter, joking around and having indepth discussions on anything and everything! I adore all forms of art and I have quite a few creative hobbies! I listen to a lot of modern/indie rock and I love watching films very much! It takes me a while to feel comfortable around new people but once I do, I become really talkative and outgoing. I love helping out and I'm the therapist friend, people come to me to vent or for advice and comfort. I'm smart and ambitious; I love being the best at everything I do. I'm quite the hopeless romantic and I love being in love! I adore big and small romantic gestures and I love domesticity sm!! My love languages are acts of service and quality time. I'm a ravenclaw, my mbti is infp and my enneagram is 4w3!

Thank you very much!

Anonymous x Supernatural Matchup

Hello there!! Here is your request, I hope you like it!!

Disclaimer: its been a long LONG time since I last saw supernatural, so keep this in mind hehe.

I believe you would match pretty well with Castiel.

Learning and knowledge

Castiel shares your intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge. We is constantly learning about the human world, pretty much like you enjoy knowing about different genres and subjects.

Also, his vast knowledge of everything, having been an angel that has lived for thousands of years would be amazing, he'd talk to you about so many topics most would include angel themes such as celestial lore or even the intricacies of angel weapons and so on.

You two would always (playfully) challenge each other on knowledge of different things

You'd also tease Cas a lot because of how outdated some of his information about human history is.

You'd provide a grounding presence for Castiel as he tries to understand and learn human emotions and relationships. While he would introduce you to the Supernatural aspects of the world (lets be honest, you'd be a hunter and his tips would be useful)

Potential Banter

Castiel's literal interpretations and occasional social awkwardness could lead to some truly hilarious moments.

Imagine trying to explain sarcasm or a pop culture reference – the possibilities for amusement are endless!

Also his straightforward nature and close to no filter when he talks would bring so many funny moments between you two, especially due to your playful personality. Also, expect the most unhinged comments ever

Your playful personality could help him loosen up and discover the joy of wordplay.

Artistic connection

Being an angel, Castiel's appreciation for art may not rely on human traditional art forms, though he does marvel at the complexity of human creations

You say you're interested in poetry and I can imagine Castiel asking you to recite one of your favorite poems to him. Then him being awestruck by the emotional depth of the poem you just read to him.

I believe he would be very interested in painting and sculpture, especially the ones based on angels and god (cuz he's an angel), enter The Piety by Michaelangelo or Crucifixión de San Pedro. Caravaggio (1601). He'd also be amazed by modern ways of painting, such as digital art, he can't quite grasp how it works but he likes learning about it.

You two go to a lot of museums

His ability to transport everywhere is beneficial, he'd take you to all the different libraries, museums, and historical buildings that you might want to visit

Challenges to overcome, growth Together:

Castiel's angelic nature can be a double-edged sword.

His loyalty to Heaven could create conflict if it ever clashes with your values

However, open communication and a willingness to understand each other's perspectives could lead to a deeper bond and a stronger relationship.

Your nurturing personality could be a balm to Castiel's struggles with understanding human emotions

As he opens up (slowly, but surely), you'd be there to offer support and guidance

In turn, his unwavering loyalty and angelic perspective could provide a sense of security and stability in your life.

The hopeless romantic meets the loyal angel:

Castiel, despite his initial awkwardness, is a deeply devoted being.

His angelic expressions of love might not be what you see in human relationships, but his unwavering loyalty and willingness to protect you speak volumes

Together, you could create a unique and beautiful love story, filled with grand gestures and quiet moments of domestic bliss.

I really hope you liked it, if there's something you'd like me to add, anything you don't like of somewhere where you want me to in-deep more just tell me!!

[obsidiannebula]

but when I put my work out there no one gives a shit. even the AI gets more of a reaction out of others, even if its purely negative. admit it, people only started to pretend to care about smaller artists and writers to stick it to the AI techbros

You're experiencing something that every creative on the planet has been struggling with since forever: the crushing disappointment of "I worked really hard on this but nobody even seems to notice it."

We've all been there. It sucks. We tend to feel a need for recognition and validation when we do or make something. Just about every artist or writer on here has experienced that disappointment, and wondered in despair if it's even worth continuing to make and post the things they make. After all, why put in all that effort to make something and share it, when nobody seems to care? Why keep investing so much into something you love, only to share it and find that no one else appreciates it like you do?

Well, if you've been in creative circles for a while, you've actually probably seen some answers to this question. See, we HAVE cared about our fellow small creators since long before """AI""" was really a concern. For years we've been making and sharing posts to help and uplift each other. We've told each other, don't create with the hope of getting fame and adulation, or you'll almost certainly be disappointed. We've told each other, create for your friends, for the 3 people who are as deeply invested in your rarepair or niche fandom as you are, create for yourself, create for the joy of creation. We've spread posts reminding people that a like is nice, but if you really enjoy someone's art, it helps the creator much more to reblog it, because it increases the work's visibility and reach. We have encouraged people to commission artists- and we have actually done so! See my little icon in the corner there? I commissioned that from a friend, who is a small artist themself. (@oriathura here and on the website formerly known as Twitter, in case anyone would like to commission them!)

The creative community has been supporting each other for a long time, whether you were aware of it or not. I've been on Tumblr since 2017, and have been following artists and writers that whole time, and began posting my own art and writing soon after joining. I have seen thousands of posts of the sort I described, trying to help motivate, reassure and uplift other creators. I have seen friends and mutuals get discouraged by the lack of response to their art, and wonder if they should give up. I have seen them carry on anyway, and I have seen them grow and develop as artists. I have posted my own work and gotten silence in response, and I have persisted anyway and continued to improve my craft and make work that I am proud of, regardless of how many people saw it or validated me through praise.

Because I wanted something to exist, and I made it exist, and I deserve to be proud of that. No matter how many people saw it or liked it.

You didn't ask for advice, but I'm going to offer some, and you and any other creatives reading this can take it or leave it, as you like:

*Find community. Follow some creative people, maybe acquire some creative mutuals. Join a Discord server for artists and/or writers. Get involved with a small group of fellow creators and hype each other up!

*Learn how to tag your posts. Don't spam a bunch of unrelated tags, of course, but learn how to add plenty of relevant ones. Lots of people follow tags for characters, fandoms, and even the "my writing" and "fiction" tags- I know I do. That will put your post on the dash of some people who are following those tags. The more people who see it, the more likely it is to reach the people who will enjoy it- because no matter the subject or even quality of the work, there IS an audience for it. Following and posting in these tags may even help you find community!

*Make something with no intention of ever sharing it. If you love to create but find yourself discouraged and frustrated by a lack of positive response when you share your work, make something just for yourself and keep it to yourself. Learn to appreciate creation for creation's sake, for the joy you can bring yourself. If you're feeling really bold, make something and then destroy it. Rip it up, burn it, hit delete. Art is valuable even when it is fleeting.

*Create for an event. One of the best things that ever happened to my writing was participating in TAZ Pride Week 2018. I wrote a new fic every day for 8 days, pushing the limits of my creativity and writing skill. I tagged each work with the event tag, allowing others to find it and the organizer to reblog it to the event blog, which lots of people were following. Many people saw and enjoyed my work as a result. I saw the work of numerous others and was inspired. I even gained my first artsy mutual (aside from my irl friends) because of this event, so this can also help you with building community! People organize art and writing events all the time, especially for fandoms. Seek these out and see how you can get involved!

Sometimes, creating can feel like thankless work. But that doesn't mean it has no value. If it meant something to you, it was important. And it may become important to someone else one day. Some of my works that flopped hardest on publication are the ones that still get the occasional note or AO3 comment here and there months and years later, because they appealed to very few people, but those few people are very excited on the rare occasion they find something that scratches the particular itch they have!

When I was in 7th grade, we read Summer of My German Soldier. I don't know that I'd recommend the book to anyone else; in truth I don't remember much from it, aside from the main character getting a bad perm. But one quote from that book has stuck with me my whole life. It led to me the understanding of creation as a powerful, almost sacred act, regardless of how many people view it. For "there is more nobility in building a chicken coop than in destroying a cathedral."

[typewriteringalaxy]

fanwork creators self rec, or your five favourite fics/art/podcast etc

thank you for the tag @letters-to-rosie 💕 your answer reminded me that The Fire Next Time has been on my tbr for too long and I need to rectify that lol. anyway here we go in chronological order

everything's better with a friend (Ekko/Jinx, E, 7/7)

my magnum opus so far! more than 85,000 words of an AU where Powder doesn't joins Silco but faces many of the struggles Jinx does. This fic just flowed right after watching Arcane, it was a joy both in creation and readers' reception. I'm particularly happy with Powder's pov and the relationship's progression. Healing isn't linear, and love alone isn't enough to heal, though it does help. That ended up being the theme, and I managed it fairly well in the story, as well as a happy, domestic timebomb ending💕

(I did hint at a sequel of sorts, and the idea still spins in my head. Maybe by the end of summer?)

With Less Inhibition (Astoria Greengrass/Blaise Zabini, E, 5/7)

This one can be read on its own despite being an AU of another fic, The Platinum Collar. Honestly I prefer it from TPC: Blaise's pov and the focus on their friendship's development made the story better. Astoria's letters were also very fun to write. With both of them minor characters in canon (and in a not respectable canon to boot), I had a lot of creative freedom in their characterisation, so this ship is very dear to me. Also this fic was written with @hypernovaesx 's love, enthusiasm and moodboards (Blastoria being our gondola💕) and I love it all the more for it. I haven't left it at a cliffhanger, rather the complete opposite. (And someday I will finish it.)

touch as a form of comfort (Tandy Bowen/Tyrone Johnson, E, oneshot)

I wrote this one after watching Cloak & Dagger Season 2, whose ending made me so happy and thus the fic is a happy memory too. It's short and sweet, going along with the finale's wholesome vibe. I hope to share longer fics for this ship too.

howling hearts (Rey/Ben Solo, T, 7/7)

I returned to my roots with this one lol. First time taking part in the RFFA Valentine's Exchange, I'm happy to have completed the fic within the deadline, and the Beauty and the Beast prompt with Rey as the Beast was really inspiring. Thus I wrote a feral, angry Beast Rey, a nerdy smuggler Ben Solo, a pack of Sith Wolves as the Knights of Ren, and had the opportunity to toy a bit with the reasoning behind the Beast's transformations. It was fun.

party girl (multiship, E, oneshot)

An exploration of Jinx that I'm proud of particularly since in all my other fics of her I either wrote her as Powder or somewhat downplayed her canon viciousness and sheer chaos. And she's a damn difficult character to pin down. Parings include: Jinx/Thieram, Caitlyn/Jinx, Ekko/Jinx.

tagging, if you'd like to play:

@hypernovaesx (if you're still on tumblr; you know I loved your stories before I started writing mine and I love you💕)

@blueinsomnia (curious about your favourite Firelight Stories)

@linearao3 (I've admired your writing from Kohelet to Child Ballad, curious about your favourites)

[stocky2016]

A brief respite, but a "new" collaboration between "G"and "M":where poetry's soul becomes the new focus...We not only "read" but "feel" the poetry "experience" and

we sincerely both hope you enjoy and share our passions.

"Poetry's Soul"

(Inspired by the quote from Vladimir Mayakovsky (Russian, 1893-1930)

The rhythm of words comes from my poetry's soul

reflecting in life what's most evocative and whole

Whilst my creative heart is typing my poetry away

a flawless aesthetic beauty in words that are here to stay

Clarity of thoughts needs to come to the fore

finding truthful words between the lines but so much more...

The heart beats strongly its messages designed to revive

with life and its music, the never ending story we survive

We may change...the future can alter as we choose

But the sincerity and figurative words we must never lose

the steady potency of our inner poetic voice

insisting it's heard, despite the distraction of daily noise.

Words that excite me and motivate me to carry on

capturing the feeling of memories, struggles begotten

Helping me become a better poet by the time I'm done,

the challenge of writing such poetry language helps me carry on.

The richness of our language is a tool box of possibility

its enshrined in literature and uttered so passionately,

It uplifts the spirits and helping set our imagination free,

for awesome resonance to create endlessly.

Despite the challenge of a world evolving, and that never halts

our poetic essence will survive even maybe even exalt.

Becoming the emotional experience that lies deep in our souls

no matter what our eventual fate, when "shared" become "whole"

Take away my poetry, the one way I record how I feel

and you will undoubtedly expose my Achilles Heel...

I can just lose myself in composing a poetry piece,

nothing serves me better than to extending my creative space.

My soul needs to vent its feelings and to share with others

literary concepts and innovations from under the covers

But it's poetry that's my vehicle, my voice, my everything

my ultimate means of communicating.my soulful feelings.

When words intertwine in a marvellous dance,

and the pen caresses the paper, gracefully...

When verses come to life, vibrating with emotion,

then poetry is born, in a beautiful explosion.

A poem is much more than a simple assembly,

of rhymes and syllables, it transcends the ages,

It carries the soul away, lulling it to sleep,

like an impetuous torrent, ready to pour.

If a poem hasn't torn you apart,

you haven't known magic, I suggest,

for poetry, with a flaming pen,

can take you far away, to another reality.

It can be as gentle as the wind's caress,

or violent like the flames of a burning fire,

It can make you smile, cry or think,

it can reveal truths, make them spring forth.

A poem is a journey to the heart of the human soul,

a mirror in which to observe our pain,

But also our joy, our hopes and our passions,

a reflection of our lives, our emotions.

So let yourself be intoxicated by their melodies,

by these words filled with grace and poetry,

Let them touch you, embrace you with delight,

and maybe, just maybe, your soul will be conquered.

For if a poem can tear your being apart,

then you will have experienced its true greatness,

Poetry, that alchemy, that divine art,

that transcends limits and moves the human heart.

© Geoff Stockton in close collaboration with his co-writing Muse and poetess

© Myriam Ghezaïl Ben Brahim

13th December 2023

(Graphics courtesy of Google Images)