#fictional drama

[gojoumitsue]

”Professor Saruhara's Case Files”

[livingfictionsystem]

Book Review: "One of Us is Lying" by Karen McManus

I absolutely did *not* expect to like this novel as much as I did. So, the premise is that the owner of a life-ruining rumor website dies suddenly in high school. He just happened to be in detention with four other students that he was about to post about. Everything's fishy and points to murder from the beginning and the question is: Who did it, and what did they have to hide? When I first cracked this open and realized that the first-person POV went back and forth between the four suspects, I was like, "Really?" I thought it was a lapse of fictional judgment, but McManus is a master of hiding plot twists and subverting expectations even when you're directly in the character's head. That in itself is impressive. Think of if 'Breakfast Club' was written in 2017. That's not saying anything ground-breaking, it compares itself to that within the description. But no pretty goth girl gets an unfortunate makeover. You've got some good queer rep in there and a great discussion on how gossip, violation of privacy, and the media can ruin the lives of good people who made a bad mistake. The first quarter or so is a little difficult. While it's introducing everyone, it can be rough to keep track of each of 'The Four's' individual circles and backstories and it does seem to switch around a lot, but I didn't find it too distracting. The reveal wasn't too obvious, probably in my top three or four guesses, but the secrets unraveling around it were a complete surprise. I also did not expect how deeply invested I would get into everyone. Every character is exceedingly well-written and believable, and it gets almost heart-warming how everyone in 'The Murder Club' works together to figure this all out. My only real complaint is that the main reveal didn't take too much investigation. From the time the characters start trying to get to the bottom of it and stop flinching away from the potential consequences, there's probably only three phases of questioning people to figure it out. This didn't stop me from actually tensing, gasping, and racing to the next page to see what'd happen next.

It's a 9/10 from me. -RH

Trigger warnings for: Alcoholism, drug use, suicide, homophobia, mental illness, and an abusive relationship. 

[thecatsreaderslibrary]

Happening At Cat's Book Library, Our Authors Are Celebrating Mother's Day With Readers Through Book and Kindle Sales and FREE Kindle Days. . .

Welcome, Readers, Friends, and Visitors! Cat is excited you are here. Are you a mom? If you’re a mom, you’ve come to the right place to find specials on books and Kindles!Our award-winning authors are celebrating Mother’s Day with many ‘Catastic Books to Read’ that you can enjoy while you rest and relax. Treat yourself and have a relaxing time this Mother’s Day! The Cat will list them below with…

[collgeruledzebra]

the thing about trying to recommend fiction podcasts to someone who isn't familiar with them is that not only are so so many genres represented but also the level of production can fall anywhere from "basically an audiobook" to "major motion picture minus the pictures"

[jaebird88]

Listening to Fathom from the beginning because I had fell off it at one point. Episode 2 still goes so goddamn hard with the acting, the writing, the direction, the sound engineering; all of it.

[desertskiespodcast]

I tried to write a novel. Not once. Not twice. But about 12 times. Here's how that would play out: 1. I sit down and knock out 10 pages 2. I share it with someone 3. They say "It's goooood" like it's not good 4. I ask for critical feedback 5. They say, "Well....the plot just moves so quickly. So much happens in the first few pages it doesn't feel natural." So I'd write more drafts. I'd try to stretch out the story. I would add dialogue that I tried to make interesting but thought was boring. I would try including environment and character descriptions that felt unnecessary, (why not just let people imagine what they want?) Anyways, I gave up trying to write because in my mind, I wasn't a fiction writer. Maybe I could write a phonebook or something. But then I made a fiction podcast, and I waited for the same feedback about the fast moving plot, but guess what??? Podcasts aren't novels. The thing that made my novels suck became one of the things that made Desert Skies work. I've received some criticism since the show started, but one thing I don't receive regular complaints about is being overly-descriptive or longwinded. In fact, the opposite. It moves fast enough that it keeps peoples attention. I always felt I had a knack for telling stories but spent years beating myself up because I couldn't put those stories into novel form. The problem wasn't me. The problem was the tool I was trying to use. All that to say: If, in your innermost parts you may know that you're a storyteller but you just can't write a book, don't give up right away. You can always do things to get better and there's a lot of good resources. But if you do that for a while and novel writing just isn't your thing, try making a podcast, or creating a comic, or a poem, or a play, or a tv script. You might know you're an artist but suck at painting. Try making a glass mosaic, or miniatures, or try charcoal portraits, or embroider or collage. You might know you're a singer, but opera just isn't working out. Why not yodel? I could keep listing out examples, but the point is this. Trust your intuitions when it comes to your creative abilities, but don't inhibit yourself by becoming dogmatic about which medium you can use to express that creativity. Don't be afraid to try something new. Don't be afraid to make something new. You might just find the art form that fits the gift you knew you always had, and what it is might surprise you

[filmgifs]

Poor Things (2023) dir. Yorgos Lanthimos

[foldmorepaper]

[georgiacooked]

TMA episode sketch: Episode 3, Across The Street.

[candycassowary]

It has come to my attention that people have been using my mspaint doodle as a reaction image- and I'm flattered however I realized I didn't sign it so I made a signed version. Use this one instead please and thank you!!

Drawn while listening to Malevolent, but can apply to a wide variety of horror podcasts or listening experiences. I'll tag a few for safe measure

[bookished]

( a collection of starters or dialogue prompts. adjust phrasing as necessary.) feel free to make edits to better suit your muse, but please don’t edit or add on to the original post <𝟑 if you like, please consider supporting me through tips

"You don’t get it, do you? Every time I walk away, the ground pulls me back toward you like I’m tethered to this place, to you!"

"I swear, even the rain mocks me, falling harder every time I try to forget you!"

"Why is it that every time I try to move on, the stars spell out your name like they’re taunting me?"

"I hate how every single flower blooms brighter when I think of you! It’s like even nature is against me!"

"I can’t stand it! Every time I get close to letting you go, the wind whispers your name, like it won’t let me forget!"

"Every time I try to bury these feelings, the earth shakes beneath my feet as if it knows what I’m doing!"

"I’ve tried to walk away a hundred times, but every shadow, every flicker of light reminds me of you. It’s like you haunt me!"

"Even the ocean keeps pulling me back to the shore where we stood. Do you know how infuriating that is? I’m drowning in memories of you!"

"Every time I close my eyes, the wind rushes in like it’s carrying your scent! I can’t escape you, even in my dreams!"

"I’ve screamed at the stars, demanded they stop reminding me of you, but they just burn brighter. They know, don’t they? They know!"

"You have no idea how much I’ve fought against this, how much I’ve tried to tear you out of my life, but even the trees whisper your name!"

"It’s like the moon itself mocks me, shining brighter whenever I think of you! It’s unbearable!"

"I hate how even the fire crackles louder when I’m angry with you, like it’s feeding on my frustration! But I can’t stop!"

"Do you know what it’s like to try and forget you, only for the rivers to murmur your name every time I pass by?"

"I curse your name every time I see the sun set, but it still paints the sky in colors that remind me of you!"

"I tried to burn the letters, the memories, but the fire wouldn’t take them! It’s like the universe won’t let me forget you!"

"Every time I get close to leaving, the stars realign, the air shifts, and it feels like the world won’t let me go!"

"You think I want to feel this way? Even the storms rise up when I try to let you go, like the sky is angry at me!"

"I’ve tried to bury it, to push you out, but even the ground beneath me trembles with your name!"

"Every time I get close to moving on, the world bends in your direction! Why can’t I escape this?"

[fuckyeahchinesefashion]

OP: Kneeling up on the stairs, how did the director and screenwriter come up with it!

Cnetizens: This is the most sexual rizz and intensive movement design ever in guzhuang dramas and that's fucking genius

[sabworks]

Inside a thief's pockets | Prints

[boombox-fuckboy]

Dedicating a moment of appreciation to all the trans and nonbinary voices in fiction podcasts, and the talented people they belong to. It is incredibly cool to hear you.

[starplanes]

Audio Dramas by Black Creators

Not an exclusive list, of course - if your fave isn't on here, recommend it below!

[re-dracula]

On May 1 we'll be clearing our RSS feed of episodes so they can once more release chronologically with the Dracula season.

If you're listening through right now, finish up this month, get your hands on the audiobook, or purchase the ad-free feed, where episodes will stay up.

Episode 1 will re-release on May 3! If you missed the Re: Dracula experience last year, join us this time around! It'll be fun!