#it’s just easier to compile each page in a video

[whackinator]

Readthrough of Spectrum Goggles, my comic zine I drew back in April. It’s a cute lil comedic story about autism, relating to others, overcoming feelings of being an outsider, through the use of magic sc-fi goggles. I’m still vv proud of it!

I especially hope that other neurodivergent people, autistic or not, can find some meaning in this. Or at least a laugh!

[what-even-is-thiss]

Hey I saw you talk about comprehensible input for Spanish, and you said it was easy and it seems effective. I'm learning German, and I wanna ask what comprehensible input is and how I could do some of that

Comprehensible input means watching or listening to stuff in the language where you understand 90% or more of what’s going on. If you’re reading it’s more like 98%. Early on this usually means either watching stuff for babies or watching stuff made for adult learners if that exists. Watching stuff for adult learners is generally better because it works better if you’re interested in what’s going on. Once easier stuff is too boring for you then you move on to slightly harder stuff etc etc. it’s supposed to take about a thousand hours of good quality input for you to be able to understand native speakers with no issues give or take depending on your native language and the language you’re studying. Right now I’m at like 50-ish hours in Spanish which means I’m watching slightly harder videos that still have a lot of visual cues but it’s not piss easy either. I can also understand most quick things I overhear people say on the street to each other but I don’t really know how to talk yet. My brain hasn’t pieced that part together.

For German specifically resources for this are YouTube channels like Comprehensible German and Natürlich German. And Deutsch Welle’s learn German section of their website has a couple series like Nico’s Weg that follow a similar idea.

The key is to not translate in your head or assign meaning to specific words or try to figure out the grammar when you watch videos or read but just try to understand what’s going on.

Some people supplement this with flash cards strictly doing vocabulary and no grammar. Especially if good comprehensible input resources aren’t available for the language you’re studying. Doing vocabulary drills and watching tv with subtitles in the language you’re learning can also be effective.

Another way to do this if you can’t afford a special class or there’s no good videos available but you do have native speakers on hand who are willing to be a “language parent” for you is for them to sit down with you and only teach you the words for yes and no and then they pick up something like a kids picture book and start pointing at things and slowly explaining it to you and asking you questions like you’re a baby for an hour or two every day. Most people do not have a native speaker on hand willing to do this though. But if you do then this video where a guy documents learning Arabic with this method should give both you and the native speaker an idea of how this works.

If you want resources googling “comprehensible input (language)” should get you started. There’s also a lot of different communities for language learners of different languages or language learning generally on Reddit like r/French, r/Portuguese, r/swahili or r/languagelearning for example. Most of those places have a dedicated page for compiling resources from the community and you can also ask questions to the community and in my experience they’re usually pretty helpful people.

Right now I’m mostly using Dreaming Spanish for Spanish but also other channels like Easy Spanish and Español con Juan. I’m also dabbling a bit in the channels Comprehendible Japanese and Nihongo-Learning for Japanese but Spanish is my main priority right now.

[ninjakittenarmy]

Was thinking about the trend of people compiling oneshots from unrelated fandoms into one published anthology labeled as a crossover and I figured like some others I’d try to explain a few things to people doing this for why this isn’t a good idea.

Putting multiple fandoms into a work gets it labeled a crossover. The expectation is that the two+ settings will be featured in one story. There’s a wide variety of types of crossover but people generally expect stuff like characters from each setting interacting, or characters from one setting being transported into another or an overarching story relevant to both worlds even if they don’t interact directly or stuff like that. It’s fairly self explanatory. If you tag with more than one fandom, that’s what people usually expect. I can think of other things that could justify it but not separate stories that are unrelated. You publish those as separate works. If you’re going to publish separate oneshots as an anthology, they best ALL be crossovers. Anything that isn’t should be published separately. Otherwise it clutters the search results and makes it harder for everyone to find what they’re actually looking for and that is only going to attract negative attention to your work as people grumble about them while scrolling past.

There’s not much benefit to publishing anthologies on AO3 to begin with. Anthologies of unrelated short stories are typically published like that for convenience for the reader and publisher. It’s far easier and cheaper to buy a whole book of short stories than to buy them as like, pamphlets. More profitable too because more people buy them as collections. That’s not relevant here since you already have a website full of search results for all of these stories. Only real reason to publish oneshots together is if there’s something tying them together. Same continuity, same theme, same scenario etc. and DEFINITELY same fandom and preferably ship(s). This sort of anthology makes sense because it’s meant to be viewed as a whole work as well as a collection.

AO3 already has a feature for putting stories into collections. Collections have their own tags for stuff common in all the stories. Title can reflect the reason they’re paired together. The stories still show up individually in the search so everyone finds the one they’re looking for without sifting through all of them but they’re still told they’re part of the collection so they’re prompted to look into it. Tutorial here.

Adding on to that, there should be a reason for these stories to be in a collection aside from the fact that you wrote them since people can just view your author page for that. People do actually click on those pretty often.

There’s no algorithm on AO3. This one you’ve probably heard shouted in bold text in large fonts often. I’m trying to keep this more calm since that can get overwhelming at times. There’s no feed on AO3, just search results, and the search results are based solely on what is entered in the field. This means that there’s no inherent benefits or drawbacks for stories of long or short lengths. This is in contrast to social media sites, a lot of search engines, and video platforms who prioritize promoting the content the company believes is most profitable for whatever reason. On say, YouTube, you see stuff like content creators combining videos that were posted in parts into longer videos because the algorithm used to favor short stuff and now favors long stuff, and that fluctuates a lot. We don’t have that on AO3 bc it doesn’t matter what becomes popular there. AO3 doesn’t make revenue off the site, it was designed not to because companies and authors have sued a lot of fic writers and sites for copyright infringement if they did. Fanfiction.net gets away with having ads so long as it’s nonprofit, but AO3 relies solely on donations because advertisers tend to demand you make sites friendlier to their brand and that’s a whole other can of worms. Point is, AO3 doesn’t care which content becomes popular, it’s just a place for it to exist at all. More or fewer tags, fandoms etc. won’t game the algorithm to promote your stuff. Only thing it changes is who’s looking for it. People who want long stuff search for higher word counts and vice versa. Without an algorithm trying to convince you to favor something, it’s a complete toss up who reads what as far as you’re concerned. Which tags you use and how many also do not boost your work’s likelihood of showing up.

[izicodes]

CSS, Sass, SCSS and LESS?

So, I have recently been going over my notes from my apprenticeship classes and found this big topic during class that I was initially so confused about but in the end, I got it and I want to share it with everyone!

That topic was CSS and all the extra ‘S’s and ‘C’s that relates to CSS! Those getting deeper in CSS and watching tutorials on making cool web designs may have come across the words Sass or LESS before, so I’m here to help spot the difference between them all! Let’s talk about it~!

━━━ ⋆⋅☆

First off, let’s do a little summary on what each one is, just to familiarise yourself with each! Basically, these are my class notes:

CSS 🤎

CSS is a stylesheet language, not a programming language.

Used to describe the presentation of documents written in markup languages like HTML or XML.

The most basic and widely-used styling language for web pages.

Defines layout, colours, fonts, and other visual aspects of a web page.

Essential for creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites.

Supported by all modern web browsers, ensuring compatibility.

Sass 🤎

Sass (Syntactically Awesome Style Sheets) is a CSS preprocessor.

A CSS preprocessor is a scripting language that extends the capabilities of CSS.

Allowing developers to use variables, functions, and other programming constructs in stylesheets. (not possible in regular CSS).

Makes stylesheets more organized, reusable, and easier to maintain.

Sass code has a syntax similar to CSS but with added features.

Sass code is compiled into regular CSS that is understood by web browsers.

Allows the use of Sass's extra features without worrying about browser compatibility.

SCSS 🤎

SCSS (Sassy CSS) is another CSS preprocessor, similar to Sass.

Different syntax to Sass

Extends the functionality of regular CSS just like Sass.

The syntax is similar to regular CSS and easily learnable for CSS users.

Compilable into regular CSS, usable in any project that uses CSS.

LESS 🤎

LESS (Leaner CSS) is another CSS preprocessor.

Has similar features to SCSS and Sass

━ ⋆⋅

The Difference 🤔

As you can tell, Sass, SCSS and LESS are very similar because they all are preprocessors, can be compiled into regular CSS and all make stylesheets more organised and reusable. However, what makes them different from each other?

There are two main differences really that I have noted down; the syntax and how easy it is to learn:

Syntax: SCSS has a syntax similar to regular CSS, while Sass has a more terse, indented syntax, and LESS has a syntax slightly different from CSS but easy to learn.

Learning Curve: SCSS and LESS are designed to be easy to learn for CSS users, while Sass has a steeper learning curve due to its more terse syntax.

━━━ ⋆⋅☆

And those are my notes! To summarise, CSS is the main stylesheet language that the preprocessors work with! Let me leave you with some links for further help in understanding:

YouTube videos >> LINK 1 | LINK 2 | LINK 3

Articles >> LINK 1 | LINK 2 | LINK 3

Thanks for reading and study coding!! 🙌🏾💓

◀ previous programming post

[olialimul]

What Makes A Good SEO Report?

When we're talking to prospects and marketers, one of the biggest issues we find they have with their current search engine optimization (SEO) agency or strategy is receiving a report that ties everything together. From research to tactics to results and next steps, having a comprehensive SEO report that paints the whole picture is imperative for any business who invests in SEO as part of their ongoing digital marketing strategy.

So, in that spirit, we wanted to put together a Sinthia Seo Expert high level blog post that helps your marketing team prioritize the information that should be included in a solid SEO report that gets everyone on the same page and rowing in the same direction for driving quality traffic, leads, and ROI from search through your website.

What is an SEO Report?

An SEO report is an aggregate performance report that compiles technical, off-page, and content SEO data. These reports help marketers and businesses understand how their website is performing on search engines and what SEO opportunities they can take advantage of to further improve overall SEO performance. SEO reports can be conducted on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis, and contain multiple insights, including:

Keyword visibility Overall organic traffic Top performing pages Backlink profile analysis Local SEO analysis Technical issues, including broken pages and links Schema opportunities Content gap analysis Competitor analysis And more. The size and costs of an SEO report depends on the size of the website and the resources available to conduct an SEO report.

Know Your SEO Goals

Before you can determine an effective search engine optimization strategy, you must know who you’re trying to reach. One of the most effective ways to know your target audience is to create a customer persona based on past sales data, market research, studying who buys from your competitors, and clearly identifying what makes the products and services of your company unique. Your customer persona should not only include basic information such as age, location, and income level, but also what searches they may be conducting to get to your site and products, and what content they need to have once they land on your website. One great way to get this information is to survey your customers.

Once you know who your target audience is, you have a better understanding of the type of content you need to publish to reach them. For example, a target demographic of young professionals with limited time who want to remain physically fit would appreciate content with tips on how to incorporate fitness into their busy schedules. Knowing what content to include makes it easier to plan the technical and offsite SEO tactics you need to accomplish to bring new readers to your website. Some of the most commonly used offsite SEO tactics include:

Article promotion Commenting on blogs Directories Forums Guest blogging Press releases RSS feeds Video creation Technical SEO means that you have taken the time to ensure proper coding on your website. Creating XML sitemaps, making sure pages and internals links aren't broken, having a mobile friendly website, as well as ensuring fast loading time for pages, are just a few examples of technical SEO done correctly.

Looking at everything you need to do to produce a high-ranking website can be overwhelming. The process runs more efficiently when you break down each of the tasks you need to complete such as content creation, offsite SEO, and technical SEO into weekly and monthly tasks. It’s also a good idea to run a monthly report to ensure that your organization is meeting its target goals and that your site is running efficiently to meet search engine best practices.

Know Your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

As an online marketer, you must decide which metrics are most important for your company to achieve and then name them as your KPIs. While KPIs will vary from one organization to the next, factors such as bounce rates, conversions, conversion rates, time on site, and determining the percentage of organic and paid search engine traffic are essential metrics for any company that markets its products and services online.

Backlinks are critically important to the success of your websites and something you should include as a KPI. A backlink consists of a hyperlink on another company’s website that directs the reader to your website as a source of information. When others choose to link to your company, it tells the search engines that your website contains authoritative content.

You can acquire backlinks by using one or more of the offsite SEO strategies listed above. Another common way that businesses acquire backlinks, especially when new, is to exchange them with another company. Ahrefs, Majestic, or Moz Pro are just some a few of the tools you can use to alert you to the presence of backlinks from other business websites to your website. Here's a great starter guide from our friends at Moz.

Before placing new content on your website, be sure to research both keywords and long-tail phrases that people are most likely to use when searching for a business like yours. Google’s Keyword Planner is an excellent resource to determine how many monthly searches people perform for the keywords and phrases you’re considering as well as how much competition currently exists for each one.

You will want to continually monitor the performance of your keywords using tools such as Moz Pro or SEMrush. These tools also allow you to track the keywords and phrases used by your competition along with the performance of their websites.

Know What Your Team Needs To See

Meeting with your team regularly is the best way to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. As you present at each meeting, be sure to break down conversion, engagement, and organic vs. paid search engine traffic in a meaningful way. Storytelling, which has become so popular to reach customers in marketing, can also be an effective means of presenting information that your team is more likely to remember than facts and figures.

Remember that all numbers tell a story. When updating your team on monthly reports, try to start with the good news first of what they are doing especially well. Don’t be afraid to highlight specific individuals if their contribution has exceeded your expectations. This can naturally segue into what the team could do better as a whole and ways that your competition is succeeding that your company has not yet reached. You want people to leave the meeting feeling inspired, ready to take on challenges, and excited for how they can do even better with SEO marketing efforts.

Include “So What?” Data

You have done your research, implemented SEO strategies, monitored keywords and long-tail phrases, acquired backlinks, and provided your team with an SEO report update. Now it’s time to pull everything together to explain why it matters and where you go from here. For example, have the monthly performance reports made it clear what you need to prioritize in order to take advantage of specific organic opportunities? If not, what could you do differently to help you prioritize actions and goals for the entire marketing department?

If you feel disappointed with the results you're getting, it might be time to change the efforts and tactics you're implementing and test new avenues. The important thing is to continually evaluate the SEO marketing performance of your organization and take bold actions to change when you see disappointing results or the method of data collection is unhelpful or confusing to you.

Every SEO report and presentation should end with projections. For example, if your team completes a certain action, this is the result that you anticipate. You can then revisit the report next month to see if your team is making progress towards the desired result. Finally, review your report to make sure that next steps, results, and tactics described in it are tangible in some way and not merely abstract concepts. This empowers you and your team to move forward to reach the projections you identified in your report, and also keeps you moving toward your SEO goals and true ROI.

Work With An SEO Industry Leader

If you're having issues with your SEO reporting efforts or simply don't know where to start - give us a shout. We've been providing SEO strategy and reporting for over 16 years, having helped businesses build and execute world-class SEO and digital marketing strategies. Feel free to reach out - we're always happy to help where we can!

[afam24]

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Southern Egypt, 1800s (Mary Evans collection 1890). Notice the style of the ornaments in the braids

Short curled wig of Istemkheb, 21st Dynasty,Deir el-Bahari cache (DB 320), Cairo Museum. Photo copyright Dr. Joann Fletcher.

The Egyptian Museum catalogue describes it as “human hair from a mummy” (1852, p. 13, no. 130). Professor Newberry described it as a “mummified human head with hair plaited and plain” around 1910. In the 1928 Mayer Inventory, it was described as “Portions of Human Hair, plaited and plain”. National Museum of Liverpool. M11139

Mbukushu wig (Botswana , Namibia) on the left, and ancient Egypt right

.description: Model Domestic figure, Middle Kingdom. via Met Museum, the overlaying texts says “A Study of Hair Texture in Ancient Egypt”] It is generally accepted now that ancient Egyptians...... 

video link

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Aperel (sometimes written as Aperia) and East Africans

A group of Bisharin before their tent at Wady Halfa, Egypt (well south of Assouan aka Aswan)

1860s-1920s Notes: Title derived from handwritten caption on back of photograph. Wadi Halfa is in present-day (2005) Sudan. Source: [Photographs and prints of Egypt and Syria.] (more info) Repository: The New York Public Library. Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs.

Southern Egyptian young ladies meet a French visitor appearantly between the 1930s-50s. Notice the hairstyles of the young girl on the far left. Reminds one of ancient Egyptian portrayals. Males and females wear these styles in many African societies and diaspora. We can see that Djoser wore a simular hairstyle ( coincidentally with the nemes cloth worn the same). More on this hairstyle at the bottom of compilation

All Bishari of old Southern Egypt, between roughly the 1800s - 1914

If one can look at them, know they're indigenous to the area, and still doubt involvement in ancient Egypt, then it's intellectually dishonest as well as perceptually distorted. Not just the Beja/Bishari people, that name is only used here as a solid reference point, but speaking of a certain "black" appearance in that region from Khartoum, Sudan to Aswan, Egypt

Combing over many pictures from the 1800s-1900s, it seems the only ones wearing these "micro-braided hairstyles in this manner are "black* people, or non-black in appearance, but related to Nubian culture. When people point out the rare and anecdotal old pictures of N African woman with this style, it should be noted that they live close to black people. It's far more continuous (like ancient Egypt -wig or not) and easier to find in populations of the black persuasion.

Now we're supposed to believe that none of these are the Bishari type in the region

Guess we supposed to believe that none of these can possibly be of a "black" persuasion as well, because they're Egyptian and not of the Nubian dynasty

Old pictures of Egyptians of a "black" persuasion

(if you click on the Alamy links and it says Nothing There, just highlight the number and link, then take highlight off number - keeping only the link highlighted. Then click open

Link https://www.tumblr.com/afam24/771372681854697472/1-httpswwwalamycomassouan-egypt-africa-two-n?source=share

OR

It's easier to just highlight each URL, then click open on this page https://notepin.co/write?id=mkwohmwgsetmuro

Is it intellectually honestly to look at this British Museum statue from the latter old kingdom and seriously doubt the person being of the "black" persuasion

link https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA2314

1 Bishari lady and child in the Assouan (Aswan) area of Southern Egypt, 1800s

2 Local Egyptians in a archeological excavation crew (field crew). Part of The Egypt Exploration Society (EES), excavated Deir el-Bahari,  the west bank of the Nile, from 1893 to 1905. 

Keep in mind, people shift and migrate over time - for whatever reason (e.g. invasion, looking for secure supply of water, etc). The Beja/Bishari (near the Red Sea), and other Nubian on the Nile seem to live on the fringes modern Egypt. Almost like they escaped invasion in ancient times and resettled. Yet retaining certain aspects of the ancient culture in hairstyles, ornaments, garments, and colorful culture (as seen in some of the oldest photos of them in the 1800s). I sometimes compare this with the Native American peoples of North America, and Mexican of the southwest portion of the country (Texas Arizona California etc). All ancient history there is connected to them, but are scant in numbers in modern times, or seen as immigrants in the case of Mexican. Could this be the case for the Nubian Egyptians… It's like the term Nubian has become nomenclature - used to conveniently explain away any remnant of a recognizably "black " presence. 

From the University website..

The Bishareen appear once to have had a fair idea of their own history, and there are reports that before the time of the Mahdi in the 1880s, they possessed some written accounts of their traditions. They lived in an area stretching from Aswan, Egypt southward to Berber, Sudan on the Nile River and Kassala on the Atbara River. 

University webpage

https://isac.uchicago.edu/research/publications/le/bishareen-family-portrait-zangaki

Rare one of Thutmose the first, Limestone. Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities. Stockholm. Sweden.

1

Highlight each URL, then click open if it says not found on this one. Alamy is a popular credible site

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-thutmose-i-1525-1516-bc-pharaoh-of-egypt-28th-dynasty-new-empire-head-129603298.html

2 https://heartlanderoverseas.wordpress.com/2017/01/17/pictures-from-ancient-eygpt-at-the-medelhavsmuseet/

Upper part of statue depicting a 18th dynasty woman, Nubian Museum Aswan, Egypt.

Sometimes, the features are not definitively "black", but modestly so. In reality, not all blacks have black features, or most are not in the coal black hue

Queen Tiye, young ladies and girls from Aswan Egypt to North Sudan ( notice the natural hair type)

Thutmose III compared to a Young man of Aswan Egypt ( if he actually leaned "black" in appearance). Kahotep of the 5th dynasty (in Berlin Museum), compared to a man from Gharb Sohel, Egypt, outside of Aswan....just to illustrate the possibilities of him looking like someone of a "black" African appearance.

Notice in these post, people from the area are used as comparisons for the most part, because if any were "black", the ones that live there now would obviously be the most immediate and direct descendants

The "blacks" in this region seemed to have inherited certain traits that one wouldn't commomly find on a West or central African. Similar scenarios are obvious in ancient times with the same admix between different "racial" types in the area. This is probably what we're seeing on some statues with narrow features

link

https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-verizon-us-rvc3&sca_esv=32e73b67f33f8410&q=Gharb+Sohel,+Egypt&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0AAii1lAhsPaaai4wByEaaiZrVxQp7SZ8ICt9LQRxO6OOY0c4eHcyFS8VIQg6tDxz3R2GGgblWKxB_1hLhPNmRHv7Q_GDdakuu61-MDQebYuruyH1iLQkbe4M2tQBREnwkKaywkRd347PYgrrudwFwdI-um3-2EVu2GN4oJshf_Wvd7GzbfSigidyxx_GzNS_WNXRkJOuLrrfgyRZV8Lx2DmDVa18TcNLogU5zXnvYdDU1rGCw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjKvqS9zomKAxXCMVkFHZkpOSsQtKgLegQIFxAB&biw=412&bih=765&dpr=1.75

In the bottom 4 pictures we see an old published photo of Thutmose the first, Hatshepsut's father, with hair ( Flinders Petrie 1896 and John Ward 1902), BUT IS NOW COMPLETELY BALD. The old photo of the two men are probably East or Central African (?...both areas have a source to the Nile after the Blue and White Nile split off) ). The young guys in the top old photo are of Bayuda desert in Sudan compared to Thutmose II (son of Thutmose the first)

Direct links to old books showing Thutmose the first with hair (3 links under picture) https://www.tumblr.com/shwat2013/660538009698140160/the-mummy-of-thutmoses-the-1st-with-hair-in-a-1902.

Reminds me of Thutmoses I ( back) , Hatshepsut ( middle), and Thutmoses II and/or IV ( forefront). These are youth from the Aswan area…I believe from 1950s or 1960s.

Notice long braids

1.

https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-US/noartistknown/a-souvenir-of-odoardo-beccari-s-journeys-portrait-of-a-young-egyptian-woman-1875-print-on-double/print-on-double-weight-paper/asset/3563942

2.

https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en-US/european-photographer/sudan-durra-mill-b-w-photo/black-and-white-photograph/asset/5212118

Bishari male near Karnak, 1800s (British Museum)

Picture

https://media.britishmuseum.org/media/Repository/Documents/2014_10/12_17/0bd91fae_2d5b_40f0_83f6_a3c2012121a0/mid_00743638_001.jpg

description from Museum https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/EA_Af-B9-13

Toubou of Chad, Niger, Libya….https://www.tumblr.com/afcnamrcn23/737458469134827521/people-of-chad?source=share

Nigerian compared to Egyptian

Be sure to stop at the bottom where it says "More from @afam24". Don't be distracted by the pictures and links under that. They will occur again so that you can continue with the main post in sequence

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...

[stepswowdsen]

Sen's Ships x Vocaloid & J-Pop Songs 💗

Vocaloid Songs: Fan-made MVs (Possible art ideas)

Here's a list of songs I wrote down. Not the complete list, but I recently added to it!

Mainly picked songs for LimGuda, XanLena, IdaTatsu, KuroEne, and JuAli 🥰💞✨

I'm just gonna link the Notion page cuz I do NOT feel like re-formatting this all again here. I usually write my rambles on Notion, then transfer them over to my other socials (Insta, Twt, Tumblr)

I linked all the songs in the Notion page as well! So, picking songs was apart of the ship template. I didn't get the time to finish editing all the ship templates yet, so I'm just gonna post this.

Intro Rambles

I was just thinking it'd be fun to fill out Ship Templates for my fave ships: LimGuda, XanLena, IdaTatsu, JuAli, KuroEne 🥰💗✨

I love them all dearly so I have them tied as my No. 1 fave ships since they are all important and personal to me, just in different ways 💞

I can probably post them tonight. I don't have recent coloured doodles for a few of them, though, so I'll use official arts for the ones I don't have recent coloured doodles (that'd fit the template)

I'm planning to make a long ramble doc for each of them eventually! Whenever I get the time. I think for now I'll just post the Ship Templates

And then later, I'll make posts adding my rambles underneath (either through separate posts or reblogs)

I slightly modified others' blank Ship Templates that I'm using, I'll post the modified blank versions that I did of the ship templates, too, along with the OGs

I edited the colours and edited the text alignment on the templates to make things more symmetrical cuz it was bothering me HAH...

Ok so I did underestimate how long it'd take to pick songs and compile a list of them for my ships, anyways I'll be posting the ship templates tomorrow 👍 It was apart of the ship template to choose songs for your fave ships.

Cuz me fixing the alignment on the OG ship template means I have to move the images and text on all 5 of the ones that I did KDSKDKSDKSK

And I recently noticed some parts of the OG ship template are not symmetrical and it bothered me KSDKDKSKDS so I have to fix the alignment of the images and text on all 5 of my ship templates now. I'm gonna post a link to Vocaloid and J-pop songs associated with my fave ships now!

You can read the rest of my rambles under the cut!

Rambles

I need more XanLena core songs… It's hard to come up with XanLena core songs.

Though I'm sure there's Xanxus core ones, songs about resentment and anger and wrath

I mainly listen to Vocaloid and J-pop, and anime and game music the most. And a bit of C-pop and K-pop.

For game music, this includes Chiptune (NES - GBA - DS pixel games era style music, and modern Chiptune) and orchestral ones (Touhou music), and other great video game OST tracks (Persona 3/5, TWEWY).

I usually pick from Vocaloid songs and J-Pop songs for my ship templates.

LimGuda is EASY for this. Also picked ones for IdaTatsu pretty easily too.

For Vocaloid songs, I have a few in mind for JuAli. I need to find more, though... I wanna find more songs with a lighthearted competitive vibe to them.

C: Ooogh understandable Valid

Me:

Douman and Idate have so many songs that fit them LMAO they're easy for this

Oh KuroEne is also pretty easy as well

C: Yeah makes sense

I also struggle with lots of characters and ships I like ajfnsngf Me: Yeahhhhh like finding songs for individual characters is easier than finding them for ships But with certain characters it's harder either way For JuAli I have to think of songs that have more competitiveness, I got 2 down and have some potential ones...

Like this was my list for them:

JuAli-core songs:

Wi-Fi Imagination Wild Boy by rerulili

PaIII. Sensation by Yunosuke

Gimme x Gimme by Giga-P and Hachioji-P

Gimme x Gimme feels mainly Judar, but y'know. This is why I wanna make a VRoid MMD model with Judar. I wanna make an MMD cover with this song one day.

Wi-Fi Imagination Wild Boy by rerulili x JuAli 🖤❤️💛

(Warning: Sexually explicit lyrics)

It's even JuAli colour coded in their theme colours~ Red and yellow~ ❤️💛

I wanna make a JuAli fan-MV with this song one day... Making tegaki fan-MVs (equivalent of fan-animatics on EA/SEA fandoms) are time consuming but would be so worth it

Like I've been imagining the shots/frames in my head. I have sm art ideas for this

The fan-MV I was imagining in my head is R-15 (sexually suggestive/implicit)

I wouldn't really go all in on the cyber aesthetic, rather, I would fit it to my own style and make a simpler MV.

Strawberry by Kashii Moimi x KuroEne 💙🖤

I tried searching up "Love/Hate" romance themed songs and wow. People seriously weren't kidding when they said every Kashii Moimi song is "Love/Hate" romance angst core

KUROENE???

THIS IS SO KUROENE

OMFG THIS IS PERFECT FOR MY KUROENE AU??? HELLO

My picks for KuroEne that I chose for my ship templates were more lighthearted and lovey dovey.

I can have some angst ones too for them, as a treat :3

I think it's interesting too like it shows Ene's conflicting feelings of Love and Hate, and desire and longing for Kuroha/Saeru, due to the echoes he carries of her loves, due to the vessel he uses, and how she feels drawn to him.

Kuroha showing her the "world of pleasure" by tempting/seducing her, the addiction of each others' touches and the pleasure... Falling for the temptations/seductions of a monster, and the subtext of possessiveness.

This fits my KuroEne AU so well with the context of them having a tense (intense), dark and dangerous, "Love-Hate" relationship

Kashii Moimi's own translation is listed in the YouTube video. It has less clear English, but it's their own interpretation of the song (or at least approved by them), which is also cool to see.

Like that line "You're always so suggestive, with a face like you know everything" fits so well with how Kuroha/Saeru is the embodiment of "Knowledge" in KagePro with how he's older than the world itself and is essentially a "living encyclopedia" that carries knowledge from the start of civilization all the way to the modern age.

M: Interesting :333

Blueberry Girl by Yoshida Yoshiyuki x KuroEne 💙🖤

This is also so KuroEne??? OMG???

I can see this with like... how Ene points out Kuroha's smug, knowing satisfaction but still feels drawn to him.

Shadow gate to love by Guilty Kiss from Love Live, is so Sen ship core

Oh baby shadow gayte (gay) ~

Works for like every Light/Darkness Angel/Devil ship of mine 🫡

Especially LimGuda, IdaTatsu, KuroEne, and XanLena tho

Shadow gate to love is like my song to fall back on if I can't think of any other song for my ships 😂

Shadow gate to love

Pre-Chorus:

Try tempting me with those strong-scented eyes of yours

Works for all of my meow meow mfs in general.

In KagePro, though, this takes on another meaning cuz of the emphasis on EYES, particularly the Eye Abilities.

1st Chorus:

My shadow wants to swallow up your dream

The emphasis on the Light/Darkness aspect. The lyrics could be interpreted as the meow meow mf chara trying to seduce their S/O

2nd Chorus:

You and I conflict like two sides of a coin Changing into love If it is a beautiful lie, it should be forgiven That's why you also whisper words of love

LimGuda: Douman's "beautiful lies," playing at love, wanting to learn how to love Ritsuka. He believes he wants to learn how to love them so he can destroy them. He puts an emphasis on trying to be evil like a bird preening "Look at how evil I am!!!"

But, compared to how he was as an enemy, even though Douman wants to curse and kill them, he really isn't "serious" about doing so, once domesticated at Chaldea. Even when he curses them in the Valentine's Day scene, it's very lighthearted LMAOOO.

IdaTatsu: Idate's hidden truths. In the WATGBS AU, which is basically just me and my friends writing an original story with our versions of the characters, Idate keeps secrets of his true nature from Tatsumiya.

He eventually tells her that he's a demon, but he doesn't tell her about the dark secrets of his powers, how he's the "Lord of the Underworld" and the "Star Eater" who drinks peoples' blood and souls and keeps the dead souls in his own personal void hell.

XanLena: Xanxus keeps secrets of his past (Cradle Affair) hidden from Selena because he doesn't want her to know, since he doesn't want to risk losing their relationship. But once Selena finds out (after being told by the other Varia members), she would react appropriately.

As a bit of a tangent, I'll talk about my KHR OCs for a bit.

My KHR OCs, Selena and Linh, are living their best lives in my KHR AUs (there's only mild angst for character/relationship purposes), and that's it.

It's mainly a slice of life AU about Selena's day to day life living with the Varia. In the Varia arc of KHR, Xanxus' deepest traumas gets dug up, so he just goes unhinged and can't contain himself as a result.

In my KHR AU, there's some angst and tension caused by how Xanxus never wants Selena to find out about his past (the Cradle Affair incident AKA his Coup d'état as a teen and what followed), because it's his worst vulnerability and insecurity and trauma, he doesn't want her to know about it.

Selena is smart so she'd definitely realize that there's something not being told to her, something that only his longtime companions know. There are secrets Xanxus and the others have, that she isn't allowed into. She knows Xanxus is hiding things from her, and is ok with it, cuz she believes that he can open up on his own terms if he wants to talk about it and is comfortable with doing so. It just so happens that Xanxus never wants to.

I think Idate is like Xanxus (KHR) in the way he never coped with any of his traumas, he only discarded them as stepping stones to move forward towards his goals. Like Xanxus, he is not the type to handle and face things, he wants to forget them and leave them behind to the best of his abilities. But Idate's angst is still way more mild compared to Takama and Algol's dynamic in the WATGBS AU.

KuroEne: Kuroha seduces Ene by tempting her with carnal pleasures, and keeps the secrets of his plan to commit the Tragedy (killing the Mekakushi Dan on August 15th, Kagerou Day) hidden from her. He tells her "beautiful lies" in order to keep up his facade.

He decides to act tamer prior to the fated date of August 15th, catering to her desires and befriending and bonding her and spending time with her and actually getting to know her. They'd do soft and fluffy stuff like go to the amusement park together, play video games together, and eventually, get intimate with each other.

Due to his inherently dark and twisted nature, Kuroha/Saeru prioritizes his own desires and desire for immortality, and constantly keeps causing the Tragedy by killing the Mekakushi Dan, Marry's friends, forcing the time loop resets. He also believes that doing this allows him to be with his partner forever, because he can continue to come and meet them forever and ever.

These are just short summaries.

Oh I like this one for KuroEne too

With how it references an eternally looping world and fading memories/dreams

Fits well with the time loop resets in KagePro and how only Kuroha/Saeru remembers previous Routes

If I close my eyes, you'll swallow me up

[bigbooksbygeorge]

7 Tips for Parents Teaching Kids to Read in Spanish

Oh, the sweet, musical cadence of the Spanish language. Whether it’s your native tongue or a second language you’ve embraced, teaching your kids to read in Spanish is a journey filled with adventure, discovery, and plenty of big books. The beauty of literature and the joy of immersing your child in another language can provide countless memories and benefits. 

But let’s face it, even for the most seasoned of parents, it can be a daunting task. Fear not, dear reader, for we have compiled a list of tips that will make the process smoother, enjoyable, and filled with triumphant moments. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. Begin With Basics: Start Simple and Gradual

The joy of starting a journey is in taking that first, exhilarating step. Imagine the excitement of a baby taking their first step; it’s shaky, uncertain, but oh so monumental. This is how your child’s reading journey in Spanish begins: with the foundational ABCs.

The Spanish alphabet, though similar to English, has its unique characters and sounds. Create a colorful chart or pin-up board, and make a game out of recognizing each letter. Remember those fond memories of singing the alphabet song? Now, imagine doing it with a Spanish twist. From ‘A’ for ‘avión’ (airplane) to ‘Z’ for ‘zorro’ (fox), turn each letter into a fun story or character.

Introducing syllables early on can make the journey smoother. Start with simple combinations. Words like “me”, “we”, and “si” are not just sounds but stepping stones. Making funny sentences or rhymes with these can be a delightful learning experience.

Remember, the goal is to make this initial phase so engaging that your child looks forward to each lesson. Each letter they recognize, every syllable they pronounce, is a tiny victory in this beautiful journey.

2. Big Books in Spanish: Make Them Your Ally

Picture this: a rainy afternoon, the sound of raindrops against the window, a cozy blanket, and an oversized colorful book waiting to be explored. That’s the charm of big books in Spanish. These aren’t just regular books; they’re gateways to magical lands filled with vibrant tales and unforgettable characters.

What makes these big books so special? Their size! The large text makes it easier for budding readers to follow along, reducing strain and increasing confidence. The detailed illustrations are more than just visuals; they’re context clues, helping your child understand the narrative better.

One great activity is to let your child narrate the story based on pictures before reading the text. It boosts creativity and gives you insight into their perspective. Later, as you read, you can compare their version with the original. A simple game of ‘spot the difference’ in tales.

Furthermore, having a dedicated reading nook or corner can make the process enticing. A little space adorned with fairy lights, cushions, and a stack of “big books in Spanish” is sure to beckon any young reader.

3. Embrace Technology: Utilize Apps and Online Resources

Living in the 21st century has its perks, and technology is one of them. If you’ve ever seen a toddler swipe on a tablet, you know they’re natural techies. So, why not use this to our advantage?

There’s a plethora of apps designed to make learning Spanish a delightful digital adventure. Animated characters guide them through tales, interactive games test their vocabulary, and quizzes reward them for their progress.

Take a virtual tour of Spanish-speaking countries through videos or virtual storybooks. It’s like giving them a mini vacation from the comfort of your home! These digital resources often incorporate native speakers, allowing your child to hear accurate pronunciations and intonations.

While digital tools are a fantastic aid, it’s crucial to strike a balance. For every digital story, make it a point to read a physical book, ensuring that the charm of turning real pages remains alive. Combine the classic with the contemporary for the best results.

4. Listen to the Melody: Incorporate Music and Audio Books

Music is a universal language, connecting hearts and souls across borders. Spanish, with its rhythmic charm, is especially beautiful when sung. Remember the last time a catchy tune got stuck in your head for days? That’s the power of music.

Introducing your child to Spanish songs not only boosts their vocabulary but also familiarizes them with the musical undertone of the language. From lively beats of flamenco to the soothing tunes of lullabies, each song tells a story. Dancing along to these tunes can make the experience even more memorable. Create a playlist, name it ‘Spanish Fiesta’, and let the musical journey begin with BBBG.

As for audiobooks, imagine the tales of Don Quixote or the adventures in the Amazon jungle being narrated by a warm, expressive voice. Audiobooks can transport children into the heart of these stories, making them vivid and alive. It’s like having a personal storyteller, anytime, anywhere.

5. Dive Into the Culture: Make It a Holistic Experience

Language isn’t just about words and sentences; it’s a window into a world rich with history, traditions, and celebrations. When teaching Spanish, you’re not just teaching a language; you’re opening doors to a diverse tapestry of cultures.

Why not cook a Spanish dish together? The joy of making ‘churros’ and then dipping them in chocolate will surely be an experience they won’t forget. Or how about crafting a traditional ‘piñata’ for a birthday party? These hands-on activities make the language tangible and relatable.

Celebrate Spanish festivals, even if you’re miles away from Spain or Latin America. The colorful celebration of ‘Cinco de Mayo’ or the beautiful ‘Dia de los Muertos’ can offer valuable insights into traditions and beliefs, making the language more than just words on a page.

6. Engage in Conversation: Practice Makes Perfect

Communication is the essence of any language. Think back to your childhood; weren’t the most cherished memories the conversations, the stories shared, the laughter?

Set aside dedicated ‘Spanish Talk Time’ at home. It could be during dinner or a special afternoon break. Discuss simple topics: the weather, a favorite toy, or plans for the weekend. The idea is to get them comfortable using Spanish in regular conversations.

Correct them gently when they make errors, and always applaud their efforts. Their confidence will soar with every word they utter correctly. Organize mini ‘debates’ or ‘storytelling sessions’ in Spanish. It might begin with a few words, but soon, they’ll be weaving tales effortlessly.

7. Join a Group: Build a Spanish Reading Community

There’s strength in numbers, and learning in a group amplifies the fun and the results. Consider the charm of a book club but tailored for young, eager Spanish learners. Sharing stories, discussing characters, and exploring new “big books in Spanish” becomes an adventure when done together.

Local libraries or community centers might have Spanish reading groups for kids. If not, why not start one? It could begin as a small gathering at your home, eventually growing into a close-knit community. Group activities like ‘Spanish Word Bingo’ or ‘Drama Days’ where kids enact stories can make learning interactive and memorable.

Additionally, connecting with other parents can provide you with fresh perspectives, resources, and support. After all, it’s not just the kids who are on this journey, but you as well.

In Conclusion

Teaching your child to read in Spanish is an enriching endeavor, one that requires patience, creativity, and consistency. But remember, the goal is not just fluency; it’s cultivating a love for the language and the joy of reading. Every time they turn a page, especially in those big books in Spanish, they embark on a new adventure, discover a new world, and inch closer to becoming a confident Spanish readers. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)

Read More:Teaching Your Child to Read in Spanish

The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Your Kids to Read in Spanish

[soni1357]

16 BIT ERA (SONIC VS MARIO)

If dominance is to be measured by currency, so be it. For let’s face it. it doesn’t just take skill, effect and talent to develop gaming, let alone our idols living on to please is, it also takes budgets to develop them and support to keep them going.

This has nothing to do with the big screen, it was directly focused on the games for consoles and platforms from the early to mid 1990’s (Excluding handheld and recent retro styled consoles). That, and this isn’t about Sega vs Nintendo for Nintendo already dominated it with the compilations of their franchises. This is solely of which mascot made the most money for their companies. Now let’s be clear that this has nothing to do with the Sonic and Mario debate, this is just to settle the moment of truth of witch mascot made the most during the sixteen bit era.

Now before we go down the list and settle this, I like to be clear that I calculated each game properly from the respected pages of Wikia and game would be worldwide overall. There’re no lies in the total on the two lists you’re about to read. Okay, here we go. Let’s start with Sonic the hedgehog.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

Sonic the hedgehog, 1991: 2,659,600,000

Sonic the hedgehog 2, 1992: 1,800,000,000

Sonic CD, 1993: 123,000,000

Sonic spinball, 1993: 50,263,440

Sonic & Knuckles, 1994: 330,117,000

Total: 5,283,080,440

Well, that’s Sonic done, next up now is Mario.

MARIO

Super Mario bros 2, 1988: 400,000,000

Super Mario bros 3, 1988: 1,700,200,000

Super Mario world, 1990: 1,748,000,000

Super Mario all stars, 1993: 1,748,000,000

Yoshi’s island, 1995: 365,000,000

Total: 5,043,200,000

Now just to make it easier to see which one has the most total, let’s put their totals next to each other in comparison.

Sonic = 5,283,080,440

Mario = 5,043,200,000

And the winner is…

Yeah I know, this is totally unexpected. Well, it’s official, when it comes to 16 bit’s, Sonic the hedgehog turned out to be the dominate in console gaming and it turns out Sonic is the more popular mascot at the time of that era, just like how he’d did in touch screen mobile gaming when it comes to downloads and performance. Now in order to show the Mario fans that there’s no hard feelings, I’ll be stating that Mario had no reason to regain the title back from Sonic when Nintendo gave Mario a new one to rule.

Still, it didn’t stop Nintendo from winning the so-called console war in the fourth generation of console video gaming, for the advantage Nintendo has is they don’t just have Mario, they also have Donkey Kong, Kirby and Link. Although Donkey Kong is the only franchise in the same universe with Mario, it shows none the less that unlike Sega, Nintendo has the capability of putting two different canon stories in the same universe, which makes crossovers easier.

That, and Mario ruled the 64 bit era, well, till Pokémon and much later, Total war came along at the least.

[thewritershelpers]

Improving Your Writing when English Isn’t Your First Language (mega-ask)

As you can see above, we've gotten more than one question about writing, improving your writing, and even publishing in English when it's not your native language. First off: that's awesome. To anyone writing or even consuming in a language that's not your first, kudos to you.

You can google any variation of this question and get different articles with a ton of the same advice, and some with conflicting advice. Not only have I compiled the most commonly repeated information, but I've also reached out to people on our Discord server and others for their personal experiences.

I'll start off by listing concise versions of the advice and then expound on them further on in the article. Remember that we are not experts on your writing and that everyone learns in different ways and at different paces. These are in no particular order.

-be patient

-practice

-get feedback from native sources

-don't undermine yourself to your audience

-Grammarly

-research

-don't get discouraged

Be patient

That's first because, well, duh. Patience is so important for both yourself and your writing. Writing is hard enough of a passion without the added difficulty of doing it in a language that doesn't come naturally. In the world of literature, writing/publishing in your non-native language isn't just a matter of translating words. It requires translating of ideas, concepts, and even cultural norms, which is why just slapping it into Google translate won't work.

Part of the reason for the advice of having patience, too, is that writing in your native language needs to take time. It doesn't really matter how fast you can whip out 20 pages of a first draft--it'll still be a simple first draft. Writing is a craft that requires not just love and passion but time. So what if you need a little bit of extra time--or a lot of extra time--because you're accomplishing a feat most don't even think about attempting?

Next is to practice.

That goes hand in hand with what I said about being patient. Again, writing in and of itself is all about practice and doing it daily (not that I'm an expert on getting that done, but you know). But when it comes to practice another language, there are different ways you can do that. You can reach out to native speakers (for English, there are going to be so many people willing to help, even just in our community! you just need to ask) and practice having conversations or ask them to look over your work. Practice by turning on your favorite movie or TV show in English with subtitles in your native language. Watch videos on YouTube, find a Spotify playlist/podcast, in your target language. There's also plenty of people who have done what you're trying to do who have shared their experiences and what helped them on those same platforms.

Get feedback from native speakers

This is a bit of an expansion on what I mentioned in the previous paragraph. In my experience, and from what others have shared, writing in a non-native language can be pretty clinical. Writing with figurative language or in metaphors won't be as easy or come as naturally as it does in your own language. Things like idioms and even pop cultures reference aren't always going to translate even if you have the exact words. That's where native speakers come into play. If they're willing to look over your work, whether as a friend or in an editorial position, they can give you advice about whether the wording in one spot sounds clunky or if a phrase doesn't make sense or if there're synonyms for what you already used to help convey your message even stronger.

Don't undermine yourself

This is something that I personally am saying. It's not mentioned on any of the linked sites, and no one I talked to said it. But as someone who is a native English speaker (and even has a degree in it) I think this is super important. This point goes towards native English speakers/writers, too. Don't undersell yourself and undermine your work to the audience before they have even picked it up. Disclaimers are different, and it all comes down to the words you use and how you use them. Let your readers know, whether it's people on AO3 or a literary agent, that English isn't your first language. Let them know concisely that they may find some basic errors--but stop there. Don't grovel. You have nothing to apologize for, especially once you've given that warning (those is it really a warning? what's so dangerous or scary about a few mistakes?). You're writing is not going to be any less of an accomplishment for a few grammatical errors, or mistranslated phrases, or even typos. I've seen so many mistakes in published works that it's kind of ridiculous. But if you put something out there for someone to read and in the same breath say "I don't know that this is worth reading" I'm going to need extra convincing to pick it up. *kicks soapbox away*

Grammarly

*NOT sponsored*

Grammarly is a wonderful tool that you can use, for FREE. It not only (with the free version) helps correct spelling and grammar, but can also help point out the tone you're writing with. For example, right now, Grammarly is telling me that this writing sounds mostly informative--which it's meant to be--and a little appreciative and friendly. When sending emails I've had it tell me that it sounds formal (which I was going for), and I've also had it not say anything because the text was a different kind of writing (like when I'm proof-reading something being posting it on AO3...). I honestly don't know what else it helps with once you've paid because I've been happily using the free version for about 3 years now.

Research

Don't be afraid to pick up a book, or head to the library, or pull up Google. Research is paramount to writing anyway, let alone once you're doing it in another language. Your research options are limitless and can include your mutuals on social media as well as those dictionaries that translate from one language into another. Research can also include (in my humble opinion) binge-watching/reading your favorite things...in English. In four years of university, one of the most frequently said things was to improve your writing 1) write every day and 2) read every day. You're never going to learn from worrying or overthinking, and you're also never going to learn from just doing DuoLingo (that's more conversational than literary anyway).

Something a member of Discord specifically said in relation to research was to look at morphology, at the roots of words (and root words). Morphology is, in linguistics, looking at how words are formed. For example, let's look at "biology". There are parts to this word that each has a different meaning, that formed together created a new/elevated meaning. "ology" means the study of something, and bio means life. So biology is, simply, the study of life. Once you've got those basics of things like "ology" under your belt it'll become easier to not just translate words but the concepts (if this works with your learning style).

Last but not least, don't get discouraged.

Writers of all kinds get discouraged when writing in their native language. Even those of us who speak English as our first language make mistakes worth discouragement (you will never know how many typos were corrected by Grammarly as I wrote this all out the first time). English is not an easy language. It's not the hardest, but it's far from easy (learning another language isn't easy regardless of what languages are involved). This is a post from someone who is a non-native English speaker but you would never know unless they told us.

While researching for this, I found some articles/blog posts that said mostly the same thing, and are where I got some of the information

This one is from a native English speaker giving advice

This one is for writing for non-native English readers, but still has good advice

And finally this one is a blog post (I think) from someone who is a non-native English speaker!

In specific response to some of the asks:

English, like any other language, changes. It's a very dynamic language, actually, and from region to region, there will not only be different accents but different frames of reference. 1950 isn't so far back in time for the English to be drastically different from what is spoken today, but I'm in the USA and you're asking about Oxford. English in England has very different nuances, even more so than you would get between California and Texas and New York. This is a link to the Oxford English Dictionary list of words that became more common in the 50s. However, this is a generalized list, not specific to any English-speaking country let alone region or city. If you're wanting to look at how to convey the accent of people from/in Oxford, there are videos on YouTube of people speaking in different accents so that you can have an idea, a comparison, at least in your own mind. With the 50s it's going to be more just thinking really of what words and lifestyles and things weren't around yet; cell phones didn't exist yet. Here's another link to some stock images of Oxford in the 50s. Remember, this time was very close to WWII so there'll be lingering effects of that, especially in England.

About fight scenes and curses, there's a ton of resources on that. If you just search "fight" on our page, you'll get a ton of posts answering that question. Also, here's a link to a superb and excellent source on writing fight scenes. When it comes to curses...just watch Rage Quit on YouTube, or spend a while on TikTok. If you want to dive right in just Google "English curses" and there'll be YouTube videos, entries on Urban Dictionary, you name it.

When it comes to publishing, once you've gotten your manuscript is a perfect time to have a native-speaking friend look it over. Whether editing is their thing or not, they'll be able to help with the things that are really obvious. I don't have any experience publishing in a different language, though, so there might be other resources along the different stages to help you. Some general publishing advice I've gotten: when wanting to publish fiction, literature, start small. Start with short stories in literary journals, online and in print. You really can't make much headway with large publishing houses without a literary agent and it'll be easier to attract one if you have evidence that you can write, and write well enough people want to read it. When it comes to poetry, just start submitting. Get familiar with the process, and educate yourself on things like simultaneous submissions and a good rejection. Publishing is an ever-changing game that isn't cut and dry in any language or country. We can't tell you what's best, but my advice is to go with your gut and try your best. Don't be afraid to try again, too.

Everyone overthinks their writing. Or at least, everyone I know who writes does. Honestly, in my opinion, if you're not overthinking at least a little bit, you're not worried enough. You will never be able to fully know whether you've explained or described enough. A good chunk of the experience is up to the readers, so you have to leave them some wiggle room for imagination. But that doesn't mean you have to cheapen your story or short-change your characters. You mention specifically that you're POC, which I'm gonna guess also means that your characters will be POC. It's never too much to specify the race/ethnicity of your characters, even in a fantasy work. How you go about writing those descriptions might need to change but it's kind of like chocolate chips, in my mind: you decide those things with your soul.

So, there you have it. A ridiculously long way to say: you're awesome, you do you, practice, love yourself and your writing, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there (in any way).

(images read:

Anonymous said: Im writing a book based in Oxford in 1950s. how was the language different from now. I am not from an English speaking country at all. Never been outside my country either. And Im going to write a book based in England in English

Anonymous said: Hi there, I’m a writer for almost 3 years now but since English isn’t my first language I get discouraged easily if things I write come off strange to myself. Do you maybe have any advice for me, on how to motivate myself and not comparing myself with native English speakers? Thank you in advance!

Anonymous said: Hello! I starting to work on this shortfic but it’s been really hard. It’s like I’m trying to building a house alone and with my bare hands. Even though I’m already used to write in mother tongue. Any advice for non-english speaker trying to write their first story in English?

Yaelburstine said: Hi. Do you have any tips about how to write a good fight scene and curses that people speak English get cus’ it’s not my first language

gyger said: I am not a native english speaker, but most of the books I read are in english and I generally prefer writing in english as well. However, I am worried about making mistakes that I can’t recognize myself. I have no idea how good my english is to a native english speaker, plus some things are easier to write in my native tongue (such as dialogue). I’m also worried about publishing, since that definitely would be easier in my country than abroad. How do I decide what language to choose?

Anonymous said: As a POC writer and English as their second language, I overthink all the writing I do. I feel like I don’t describe my ideas thoroughly or my character descriptions are vague or not good enough. I’m currently working on a YA novel but I plan on writing a YA fantasy novel but I feel like my lack of vocabulary and grammar structure makes me give up on finishing my book. Is this normal for native English speaking authors or is this considered a language barrier thing? Thanks! Love your blog!

Thank you for your questions, and for your patience as we do our best to answer them.

-S

[kimberly-spirits13]

Happy Birthday Pt. 1

Pairing: Tim Drake x reader

Synopsis: One day you see on your favorite actor’s Instagram a phone number for Tim Drake saying to call him and tell him happy birthday. After Googling a picture and thinking he was cute, you call to wish him a happy birthday and possibly shoot your shot. It went better than you expected and three months later, your family had to move cities because of your father’s work. Landing in Gotham, you finally got to meet in person the guy you had slowly fallen in love with.

Disclaimer: This is inspired by a tiktok on a YouTube compilation I saw about this guy that posted his younger brother’s phone number online and then some celeb posted it on her story and a girl called the younger brother and now they’re a thing I guess idk but it’s that in a series, with Timber.

Note: Y/F/A= Your Favorite Actor   Y/LN= Your Last Name   Y/N= Your Name   Y/F/B= Your Favorite Book

Warnings: None

Word Count: 890

           It was another Saturday in LA and you were bored out of your senses. There were things that you could go do and people that you could hang out with, but today, the slow, unappealing tempo of the day kept you inside and sitting on your laptop. Utter and intense boredom overtook you and after a few minutes, you found yourself scrolling through Instagram and then on the page of Y/F/A. They had updated their story with a few pictures of them onset for their next project, but then the last one is what caught your eye. It was a phone number and then a video of them explaining what the number was for.

           Tim Drake was turning 16 today and his older brother, Dick Grayson had posted his number online for everyone to wish him a happy birthday. You laughed at how many calls this random guy must be getting and decided that maybe you’d call him to add to the number. Maybe you would FaceTime him? You swiftly looked up his name on Google and actually found that he was a very well -known person and was the son of a billionaire. Despite that, he was cute so now your mind was made, you would FaceTime him. The only thing you did in preparation was tell your best friend. They were on board immediately and told you to keep them updated. This was going to be interesting...

           You called on your laptop, only getting the sound of ringing before the status of the call went to “connecting”. A sudden anxiety settled in your stomach before he appeared. He was walking into what looked like a library.

           “Hi.” He said awkwardly.

           “Hey are you Tim?” You asked smiling some fiddling with the rings on your finger.

           “I am, who are you?” He replied sitting down.

           “I’m Y/N Y/LN, I saw the message that Y/F/A left on their Instagram and I thought you looked cute so I figured I’d call.”

           “Y-you think I’m cute?” He stuttered some blushing a little bit.

           “Oh yeah, totally.” You chuckled some.

           “You’re not too bad yourself Y/N.” He complimented smirking some, “So where are you from?”

           “Oh, I’m from sunny ole’ LA.” You laughed after a second, “That weird place in California with the YouTubers and celebrities.”

           “Hey at least it doesn’t have clowns and giant killer plants.” He remarked rolling his eyes jokingly.

           “I know right? It must be a pain living in Gotham.” You smirked some, “So I assume that your phone has been blown up all day?”

           “You would not believe how many people have called. Although, I’m glad you did.” Tim was looking at a book that was next to him and then your eyes widened.

           “Is that Y/F/B?” You asked perking up almost ignoring the comment.

           “It is.” He answered, “Do you know this book?”

           “Know it?” You laughed, “It’s my all -time favorite!”

           “No way, it’s mine too.” Tim informed, his face lighting up.

           That was the start of something that neither of you could anticipate. It was another two hours before Tim’s brother Damian walked in.

           “Who’s that Drake?” Damian asked.

           “Oh... this is Y/N Y/LN, she called to tell me happy birthday.” Tim explained glaring at his younger brother some.

           “A waste of time I’d say.” The younger brother commented.

           “Y/N, I’ll text you later.” Tim said and you nodded before saying goodbye and hanging up just as your best friend called for what was the 6th time.

           “ARE YOU DONE TALKING TO TIM YET?” They asked dramatically.

           “Yes actually, his younger brother interrupted him.” You replied, “He told me that he would text me later.”

           “Ohhh, how was he????” They giggled some teasing you.

           “He was really great, smart, funny, nice, a bit awkward...”

           “You totally have a crush on him.” They chimed in.

           “I-I am not!” You defended, “I just like him but not like, like just like...” You stopped thinking.

           “Like a crush.” They rolled their eyes, “You’re 15, turning 16 this weekend, you have had a crush before.”

           “Yeah, yeah.”

           The two of you talked for another two hours and then, after a bit, Tim was texting you.

           “Sorry about my brother. This is Tim by the way.” He messaged.    

           “It’s cool, I have younger cousins like that.” You rolled your eyes some, “They’re a pain.”

           “No kidding. The demon spawn is really annoying.”

           “Demon spawn?” You inquired laughing some.

           “Oh sorry, it’s what we call Damian.”

           “That is hilarious.”

           You guys continued talking and as a few days turned into two weeks, conversations became longer and you guys were trusting each other with things more and more. Your best friend teased you about it every time that he texted you when the two of you were at the mall or just hanging out which led to intense blushing on your end that did not make them take it easier on you. Maybe it was chance, or maybe it was meant that his older brother would post Tim’s number, Y/F/A had posted it on their story, and even that you would have the courage or idiocy to call him, but you were glad it all happened. Tim, unbeknownst to you, was also thrilled that the one person out of seven billion others on this earth that could have called him, was you.

I hoped that you guys liked this one, I want to continue the series, this would have been out earlier, but it didn’t feel like the right time. If you have any requests, please send them in, I love any suggestions. I hope that you have a great day and week and stay safe and healthy! (Also does anyone know who the go artist is so that I may credit them?)

[tenayamkd]

The 5 most common questions regarding beta readers:

𝟏. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦?⁣

In short: no, but yes. 😂 Some authors don't go through this process at all and that totally works for them. But I can't stress enough how valuable it is to have other eyes on your story before publishing. So if don't do a beta reading group i think that it's extra important that you have an editor and maybe a couple critique partners that you trust to look it over. We get too close to our own work to see it clearly. There is nothing wrong with needing help. 🙂⁣

I don't have personal experience with getting their feedback quite yet, but I think that the process is going to be valuable. Especially since I have other authors and readers with opinions that I really value on my team.❤️⁣

⁣

𝟐. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝?⁣

Some "experts" recommend a big sample size for the fact that it's easier to determine when feedback is just a personal opinion VS. a trend the more readers you have. However, I don't personally believe this is necessary. I think a small team of people you trust is just as valuable. I personally started with a list of 20 just because I was blessed with that many volunteers, but I don't expect that many people to go through with it or stay until the end. (Always start with more people than you actually want haha)⁣

⁣

𝟑. 𝗪𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦?⁣

Instagram! Most of my readers are relationships that I've formed through being apart of this community. ❤️😁 Some are fellow indie authors that I love, and some are bookstagrammers that share reviews I appreciate. I am so grateful that they've offered to help me.❤️ A few are people I know personally, but they are either people I am not so close with that they won't want to be honest, or are so close that they won't be afraid to be honest haha. That's important! ⁣

⁣

𝟒. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤?⁣

Whatever you are looking for from your readers it's important that you are upfront with them about it so that they know. They can't effectively help you if they don't know what you need. Before starting I've emailed my readers to outline what the process will be like, the deadline I have, and I've asked my them to give me feedback on the reading experience with my story specifically; plot, characters, pacing and such.⁣

⁣

𝟓. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤?⁣

I will be sending my manuscript in sections of around 50 pages. After each section my readers will have to fill out a questionnaire of around 10 questions to give me their feedback. Some questions will be more open ended like "What are your impressions?" But others might be more specific to the section. I compiled my list of questions by watching @authorbethanyatazadeh and @jennamoreci videos on beta reading. They were super helpful. ⁣

They also helped me to develop this structure for the process.⁣

⁣

I'll be happy to talk about this again when I've gone through the whole process and can talk about gathering feedback and applying it too! ⁣

⁣

I know this was far too long 🙈 but I hope it was helpful too ❤️

[douchebagbrainwaves]

THE WORD HACKER NEWS FROM HACKER NEWS

Read their job listings. No. But I think this would have such a visible effect on the economy.1 And it's so easy to do: just don't let a sentence through unless it's the way you'd say it to a friend. I don't want to make it open. Make something people want is the development team and the software they've built so far. If it succeeds, you may be better off just using whatever language has the best library functions for the task. The tree structure of large organizations sets an upper bound on the size of company you work for. Our generation wants to get paid up front.

Hacker News had the good fortune to start out good, so in this case it's literally a matter of preservation. Boston VC who had known him for years. Sometimes, in desperation, competitors would try to invest in do things a certain way, what difference does it make what the others do? They're not. The problem is the same they face in operating systems: they can't do product development. Quite small, but the curve is just as steep, and when you do, surprise, you've got a company. Indeed, the law of supply and demand insures that: the more rewarding some kind of secretary, especially early on, because she was the one who'd go out and get each new group and she didn't ask many questions.2 But the market doesn't have to be in a race against your competitors, glued immovably to the median language, will never be able to say who cares what investors think? Most organizations who hire people right out of stock that could otherwise be given to them.

It's the principle of a market economy. He said it wasn't anything specific Google did, but simply that they understood search so much better. And so, as people generally do with admissions of failure, they put it off for as long as possible. Convince yourself that your startup is worth investing in, then simply explained this well to investors. The process inherently tends to produce an unpleasant result, like a VC. The first time Peter Thiel spoke at YC he drew a Venn diagram is illuminating. Most investors feel the same. If you had a handful of writers who can get away with using fancy language in prose. And yet the bullshit you choose may be harder to eliminate than the bullshit that's forced on you or it tricks you. While perhaps 9 out of 10 startups fail, the one that succeeds will pay the founders more than 10 times what they would have made in an ordinary job. Watching employees get transformed into founders makes it clear that the difference between the two types of startup ideas: those that grow organically out of your round.

Before him, most companies treated design as a frivolous extra. We had big doubts about this idea, but the job listings have to be a promising experiment that's worth funding to see how bad some practice is till you have something to compare it to. It's really a group of people are publishing online, and the various departments created recently in response to political pressures. So if you're mainly interested in hacking and you go to grad school after this equivocal recommendation, I can give you solid advice about how to get in. Every couple days I slip and call it Viaweb. I've noticed a definite difference between programmers working on their own startup is probably going to learn more. You write programs in the parse trees that get generated within the compiler when other languages are parsed. Object-oriented programming is popular in big companies, software tends to be missing when people lack experience. If you want to start your own company. One question I can answer is why hardware is suddenly cool.

That may be the best source of organic ones, because they're missing some feature he's used to. On questions of design, I ask What would Steve do? All that matters is to ask yourself whether you'll care about it in the future. Stock is not the most powerful language available. In the big angel rounds that increasingly compete with series A rounds, the investors won't take as much equity as VCs do now. If you want to use Lisp, so much the better. We are having a bit of a fib. Angel rounds are their whole business, as online video was for YouTube. Which is not that high.

Particularly to young companies that are growing fast, but haven't been doing it for long enough to have grown big yet. In business, as online video was for YouTube. 167. And the reason everyone doesn't use it is that programming languages are different: programming languages are not merely technologies, but habits of mind as well, partly because it seems kind of slimy. Even Microsoft probably couldn't manage 500 development projects in-house. So was the Apple I when Woz first started working on it. I've written several essays that began as comments there. The first microcomputers were dismissed as toys. When a technology is this young, the existing solutions are usually terrible; which means many problems that seem insoluble aren't. Most of the legal restrictions on employers are intended to protect employees. It's also counter-cyclical.

Such customs evolve with glacial slowness. Robotics, for example, you can use technology that your competitors don't understand. Here's a simple trick for getting more people to read what you write: write in spoken language, you'll be ahead of 95% of writers. It seems to be no benefit from working for a company with 100 people will feel different from one with 1000. Normal food is terribly bad for you. 4 people per startup, but startups will probably do better with founders more in control, and there would be no room for investors to make money from it. Why don't acquirers try to predict the companies they're going to get a lot of people, like a practitioner of Aikido, you can decrease the amount of information it conveys, people try to distinguish them instead by being funny. It was also how we picked founders who'd be successful. I've been able to keep up, in the long run, of the forces underlying open source and blogging have to teach business: 1 that people work a lot harder. So if Lisp makes you a better programmer.

Notes

They'll be more precise, and they were more the aggregate is what we do the opposite. It's a bit of an official authority makes all the page-generating templates are still a dick move. A few startups get on the expected value calculation varies from person to person depending on their companies that have bad ideas is many times that conversation was repeated.

There's nothing specifically white about such customs. If you can make it easier to get all the poorer countries.

[elsabarnitt]

CASE STUDY - ‘The Book That Grew’ DandAD 2020 Annual Graphite Pencil Award

1.     FRONT PAGE (slide 1)

For my case study I chose “The Book That Grew”, which won a graphite pencil in the DandAD 2020 awards.

On screen is the first image I saw that made me want to find out more, so I thought it was appropriate for it to be the first image you see. I’ll be honest, I only started looking into this project because this image looked cool, and I’ve never seen anything like it before so want to find out more. Looking in further I found high levels of collaboration, thought and a moralistic purpose to help a community become better.

2.     WHAT AM I GOING TO TALK ABOUT (slide 2)

I am going to talk about a book that was grown with the aims to improve farming practises.

Ireland heavily relies on farming as their main source of economic income.

This development of this book was a project which spanned 6-7months and was a collaboration between the Allied Irish Bank, Teagasc; Irelands agriculture and food development authority, Rothco a design agency and the artist Diana Scherer.

In this presentation I elaborate on the creation of this idea, the processes involved, the limitations and the design.

3.     WHY IT WAS MADE (slide 3)

Agriculture accounts for 30% of total emissions in Ireland which is its largest carbon emissions contributor. This can’t continue. The Irish economy is dependent on farming, with 6 billion euros of food and drink specifically reliant upon grasslands for their production. So for this level of farming to survive, it has to become sustainable.

AIB, the Allied Irish Bank has a business relationship with 35% of the farmers in Ireland and therefore this issue is of much importance to them. AIB partnered with Teagasc, who identified 10 tangible lessons and 10 pieces of practical advice to maximise sustainability and increase the profitability. The 10 steps help farmers to achieve a ‘perfect’ 10 rotations of grass grazing per year and produce 10 tonnes of grass per hectare – this is a powerful number that will greatly improve the sustainability of even the most efficient farm.

Hence, 10 being a major theme for this campaign. Which appears in their campaign video as well as the book.

This advice was compiled into a 22 page organically grown book using the very grass that Irish farmers nurture as the medium to carry these important lessons. And I believe this is a perfect example of getting the right message to the right people in the most suitable way.

4.     INTRO INTO IDEA (slide 4)

I contacted the Irish design agency, Rothco via Instagram with a few questions and the offer to have a virtual coffee. To my surprise I got a response and Rob Maguire and Fabiano Dalmacio on the Creative team at Rothco were more than happy to have a zoom call with me.

It was great to be able to hear first-hand, how an agency works with a well-established client relationship to anticipate issues and be able to be proactive about providing solutions. It was also great to explore the whole process and the problems they came across face to face.

From my research I realised they had a long-standing relationship with AIB, and so one of the questions I asked was “Did AIB come to you with a brief, or did you go to them with an idea?”

The answer I received was that: No brief had been released, but Rothco knew AIB was passionate about sustainability and they have a lot of ambitions to do greener work, and knew there was an agricultural brief on its way. They were constantly looking out for things, and said they have a WhatsApp chat where they send ideas to each other at all hours of the day and night.

Fabiano initially came across an article about a visual artist called Diana Scherer who used grass to sustainably make fabrics. His initially reaction was ‘this is really cool, and we have to do something with her’, so they contacted the creative director at AIB who suggested a book or an annual report, because if Diana can grow patterns and textures, she can grow letters and numbers. And from there they contacted Diana to see if it was actually possible, and even she wasn’t completely sure, which shows the risk everyone was willing to take.

Rob and Fabiano were also kind enough to send me photos they had taken of some testers and unused versions. Two of which are on screen now.

As you can see the number 25 hasn’t formed properly.

5.     DIANA (slide 5)

Diana Scherer, a German artist living in Amsterdam, explores the relationship of man versus natural environment. She has come up with a truly unique process, which no one else in the world knows how to do.

She has designed templates which had to be to a specific standard to allow grass roots to grow into them to form patterns. This is called ‘root-weaving’. I got told she is very protective of her work and didn’t show anyone else how to do what she does throughout the whole process.

She has a lab in Amsterdam where she curates her work, which is where the pages were all grown.

6.     LIMITATIONS (slide 6)

The Rothco Design Team went out to Amsterdam to visit Diana to learn about the limitations of her process. One of the main limitations of the technique she has created is that everything has be connected in the template.

For example, if there was a font, it all has to be connected otherwise the roots would simply not take to it. As you can see in this picture there are very small lines connecting each of the letters together.

This project was being curated during Winter, which in terms of gardening isn’t the best time. Diana informed the team that growing in Winter versus Summer would have quite different outcomes and urged them to wait, however due to the time limit Rothco were under they weren’t able to wait but had to make it work in Winter.

From the moment it was harvested the pages started to die. Due to the nature of the project the team decided against using a preservative as that went against what they were trying to achieve. Because of this they decided to have a photography project running alongside it so that you could capture what it looked like the moment It was harvested.

Another limitation was that the size of the page. This really mattered as that would be a deciding factor of how big the typography could be and therefore how legible it was. They decided on 11 x 17 inches, which is roughly the size of an A3 page.

7.     GRID SYSTEM, FONT, SYMBOLS (slide 7)

Due to the constraints I have just mentioned, the design team had to come up with a way to display all of the information in the most efficient and understandable way. They ended up condensing all the information they needed into a grid system inspired by the farmers fields using symbols to tell farmers what to do instead of words. I think its also important to say each page was set out to mimic the yearly calendar to make it easier for farmers to follow.

To the right of the screen I have displayed just a few of the symbols they used. The middle one being one of their field diagram designs.

Top left means Soil

Top right means fencing,

which I’m glad they have a key because I never would have guessed these otherwise.

When on the Zoom call with the creative team I asked what Type style they used and they couldn’t remember, however through one of the images they sent me after our call there were hints that it was ‘Helvetica’, and since comparing the book to this font I am almost certain it is.

SWITCH SLIDE (slide 8)

This is a close up of one of the pages to show you what the symbols look like in the book. Letters were also used as a symbol, for example the T and the F stand for Test and fertilise.

8.     TEMPLATES AND DIANA CHECKING THEM (slide 9)

As spoken about on the previous slides, getting the right size and making sure everything was connected was vital. Therefore, it wasn’t as easy as just choosing fonts and point sizes from a printing point of view, but you had to do it from a gardening one as the pages would grow pixel by pixel. Every time the design team would finish a template, they would send it off to Diana for her to then check it over and see if there was anything wrong with it.

An example that Fabiano gave was that they had some numbers on their templates and Diana would say ‘the size of the zero, you need to increase that otherwise it is going to close in on itself. If you wanted that circle edge you need to make it bigger’.

With this kind of collaboration and exchanging of information the outcome just kept getting better.

SWITCH SLIDE (slide 10)

Here is an image of a digital template beside the root woven version of itself.

As you can see the root woven version on the right hand side isn’t as legible as the digital version. The roots aren’t as bold and perhaps as structured as white is against a black background, however as they were working with nature, it was okay for it not to be perfect, and for the letters to not form 100% accurately.

9.     BOOK BINDING (slide 11)

The book was grown in Amsterdam and was being bound in Dublin by letter press printer and bookbinder Jamie Murphy of the Salvage press.

Each page took roughly 2 weeks to grow and then were all sent separately by courier. As this book is the first of its kind, one of the main challenges was finding the best way to bind it. Jamie was given several test runs that had failed to practice binding with. Everything was so delicate which you can see from the picture on the screen now so special techniques had to be used.

A challenge that Jamie faced was that Rothco were persistent on everything being made out of grass as keeping it as pure as possible was very important to them, so despite Jamie asking for some plastic features he had to find another way to do things.

Jamie burnt the grass in order for it to find a new life as an ink, and also used it to make more pages to act as dividers in the book to protect the delicate pages. Even the cords that hold the book together are made from bamboo

This all demonstrates that when a material such as grass is managed correctly it can work wonders.

10.  CHANGE (slide 12)

The Book That Grew toured round Ireland, and was given the title ‘The best Grassroots campaign of all time’, with the main event being the National Ploughing Championships.

I have been told the book had a very good reception there as well as the knowledge that some farmers have already implemented some of the lessons within the book.

I think that this project has huge relevance in today’s society as sustainability is becoming a top priority for a lot of businesses.

I started off this project with the impression that this was cool, however after researching further no wonder I thought this as it is the world’s first, every page, every word, and every diagram in a book to be formed by real grass roots as they grow. An aspect of this project that has really stuck with me is the fact that you had to wait for the book to make itself as opposed to being able to physically make it and therefore patience was key.

After speaking with Rob and Fabiano on the Creative team at Rothco, I saw the human aspect behind the project and saw the good that they are trying to make which is something that has really inspired me. It is bigger than just its typography which is what it won the award for.

REFLECTION

- I have found this case study project to be very helpful and very interesting. I feel as if I have learnt different ways to find out information as at the beginning of this project I found it quite hard and was coming across the same information over and over. Something that I think had hugely benefitted me was getting in contact with the design agency RothCo and I am so thankful they took time out of their day to speak with me. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.lbbonline.com/news/aib-releases-worlds-first-book-literally-grown-from-grass-roots

https://musebycl.io/makers/agency-grew-book-out-grass-support-irish-farmers

https://m.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/614/210434.html

https://marcommnews.com/aib-and-rothco-release-beautiful-new-book-literally-grown-from-grass-roots/

https://www.irishtimes.com/sponsored/teagasc-making-money-by-watching-the-grass-grow-1.1619570

https://www.thedrum.com/creative-works/project/rothco-aib-the-book-grew

https://www.thestable.com.au/rothco-aib-grow-a-book-entirely-from-grass-roots/

[chaoticgeminate]

Freedom

This is the third part of the Outfoxed Series, my Lila Salt series that I started on a whim and got a ton of notes and likes. This is the last bit following the main plot of the series, which is the exposure of Lila and the fallout of that exposure, but I may consider exploring other POV’s like I did with Mrs. Rossi in the side story ‘Shattered’ posted to AO3.

The link below is to the AO3 page of this story, if you don’t want to deal with the Read more button.

[AO3]

Lila's arrest sent shock waves through Collège François Dupont, from the sexual harassment charges to the truancy and even the unlawful photography, anyone associated with her on a friendly level was scrutinized and that meant the class of the former teacher Caline Bustier.

Thanks to the school board there had been numerous counselors and therapists on site, to combat potential akuma victims from the accusations and anger that were sure to be part of the fallout, with a new security system installed with no blank spots in any hallways or rooms. Excluding bathrooms, of course, but there were cameras above bathroom doors pointing straight down to track who entered and when.

Nino wasn't at all surprised when Adrien was transferred out of their class, his Father definitely blamed them for playing a part in the mess and the teen DJ couldn't fault him for once, it was easy to see from the glimpses in the halls that his best bud was happier than ever now. He had managed to apologize to both Adrien and Marinette, telling them he wasn't asking forgiveness but that he wanted them to know he now realized he screwed up and had to work on some things, the pair had thanked him and that had been it.

As much as he wanted to go back to how things were, when they were all together and Alya was scheming her plans to hook them up, Nino was more than aware that if he wanted them to trust him again it had to be on their terms and he was okay with that. He'd believed in Lila because Alya did, no matter how strange the stories sounded, his girlfriend always researched everything so if she wasn't questioning then he didn't have a reason to.

Or so he thought, but Alya wasn't perfect and he'd made a mistake by not questioning it himself, Nino had promised he would do and be better for himself and his girl as well as his friends.

Alya walked into the room late, sliding a note onto their teacher's desk, after her blow-up in the cafeteria at Adrien the school put her on mandatory counseling sessions. For as tenacious and driven as she was, something he admired, Alya was stubborn and quick-tempered; in this case, though, she refused to allow any blame on herself. Lila was the liar in this and Alya had been loyal, Marinette hadn't told her the whole truth, Adrien hadn't told her the whole truth; but it was still Alya that hadn't done her research or trusted her friend.

He slid a note onto her desk, a simple love poem he'd found, he wasn't ready to give up on her as a girlfriend and he knew that once she accepted she'd made a mistake that she'd do the right thing and at least apologize.

He was a sweetheart, someone truly amazing that was far too mature for his age, Nino's poem made her heart race even if she'd seen it on Juleka's facebook page two weeks earlier. For the first time in a long time she felt lighter, her pocket no longer weighed down with her cellphone, the device submitted for evidence for her own lawsuit against Lila.

Aya wasn't an idiot, she hadn't believed a damn thing Lila Rossi was putting out, but she was too quick tempered and had moved far too quickly against the Italian. Giving the new girl a chance to fess up had led to a rabbit hole of trouble, Lila hadn't even tried playing clean and as soon as she had her ammo it was over, Alya hadn't thought the girl would follow her around for months in secret while she'd supposedly been traveling.

Lila had gotten video proof of Alya sneaking around with Nino, steamy make-outs in fairly public (though not in the open) places while they were supposed to be babysitting, and worst of all she'd gotten a series of photos with Alya and Nino in a VERY compromising position in the school.

'All I want is your support, you don't have to believe me but you do have to make the others believe me, I won't tell anyone or show these otherwise.'

It sucked but Alya had danced to Lila's song and done what she asked without question, it would ruin her and Nino's records and their parents would have a meltdown, she expected Lila to eventually make a mistake after all and even if Alya supported her that didn't mean one of the others was trapped by her web. Alya had tried hard to support Marinette, Lila's chosen target she soon learned, but after the first attempt at getting the designer expelled had failed Lila wasn't giving any leeway.

The second attempt worked far too well, after Lila took the picture of the funeral right from Alya's phone, and the reporter found herself doing the unspeakable at Lila's behest. Every article had her in tears and the public backlash made her sick to her stomach, if she wasn't terrified of the result from Lila it might've been easier to delete the Ladyblog entirely, and finally it all drew to a close with Lila's arrest.

Finding out Adrien had known all along, that he'd just said nothing, had ignited a fire in Alya that she couldn't extinguish and she tore into him for his inaction; the entire time he could have done something, he could have saved her from her own ruin. But now, finally, Alya had come clean on every last detail to her parents and the school; her parents, as disappointed and hurt as they were, contacted the AGRESTE lawyers with their own evidence of blackmail to add to Lila's charges once they spoke with Officer Raincomprix.

Nino was still in the dark, though not for long since his parents were contacted too in regards to the nature of the pictures and video, and several people had said her intentions to protect her boyfriend were noble even if she had done wrong. But Alya had a long way to go in order to forgive herself before she'd ask forgiveness of anyone else, she started with hand-written letters to be mailed out to a lot of people, her phone and computer taken and she was under house arrest for quite a while per her parents.

Focusing on the board, as their teacher talked about their assignment for geography, Alya scribbled her notes as the rest tapped and typed away on their tablets.

"BREAKING REPORT

BLACKMAIL CHARGES CONFIRMED AGAINST LILA ROSSI

As of Wednesday, we have word that more charges are being added to the already extensive list for Lila Rossi. The Italian student, living in France on a VISA due to her mother's work, has already been accused of a long list of charges by both the Agreste family and the Dupain-Cheng family as well as the school board. Sexual harassment, truancy charges, unlawful photography, bullying a French citizen, and now there is evidence surfacing of blackmailing a French citizen.

The Césaire family have come forward with very serious evidence that indicates Alya Césaire, the founder of the Ladyblog, was being blackmailed by Lila Rossi the entire span of her time at Francios Dupont and during the period she was skipping classes. E-mails, text messages, and threatening messages through Facebook and Snapchat depict Rossi as having compromising photographs and videos of Césaire and her boyfriend that could result in their own criminal charges.

When we asked Otis Césaire his thoughts on the matter he had this to say:

"My daughter was wrong in her actions, I will not try and say she was only a victim because she could have come to us before this started and we would have helped her, but I am appalled that the school officials were so easily fooled and allowed a girl to come in and manipulate them so thoroughly. They were supposed to protect their students, regardless of how much money the families of those kids have, but I see that their concern was elsewhere."

Alya Césaire herself is being reviewed for her own criminal charges based on the content of the photographs that were found on Lila Rossi's devices and has asked that any charges that might be applied to her boyfriend be dropped as she was the primary instigator for each incident. The AGRESTE legal team is asking that any other students, parents, or parties victim to any schemes of Lila please step forward so that they can compile a full list of charges and get this case closed."

The voice of Nadja Chamak played softly in the background of the office as Mayor Armand D'Argencourt adjusted his tie and looked around the bleak space, it was only a matter of time before the school board pursued the Mayor for his own corruption and Andre had paid out a hefty sum to avoid prison before being removed from office, the new election had come and Armand had taken post over Madam Lauren Richards.

As one of the few teachers not involved with Rossi, aside from Physical Education, he hadn't been questioned much and even then he never once allowed her any special treatment; if she cited an injury he made her go to the nurse, any conditions she claimed he would ask Miss Kensington for proof and there never was any. But his claims and reports to Phineas had gone unanswered and blown aside, as any with Miss Bourgeios often had, his reports to the school board had been added to the Dupain-Cheng case as had Priscille's own reports.

A knock on the door made him clear his throat. "Come in." He left the office door open, unlike the Mayor had, the knocking was just a courtesy. His secretary, Monsieur Hemsley, held a stack of papers and folders.

"I'm afraid to say there is a lot more of this, sir, but this is the start of what Mayor Bourgeios cited as unnecessary for Paris." The man looked apologetic and Armand shook his head, accepting the stack of things with no ill-feelings.

It was a new challenge. "I want to start with everything from the past year, Thomas, I've no doubt there were plenty of things he ignored or blew out to keep his hotel running and himself in office." Finding the corruption was the first step, all the business owners with an in that were paying into the Bourgeios to keep themselves on top, Armand wasn't going to fail his family's post or his city.

He glanced at his calendar. "Remember to keep tomorrow afternoon clear, I've got fencing to teach at the Agreste manor after school hours tomorrow." Thomas nodded and went to bring the next batch of papers to him.

"It's been quiet."

Sitting on top of Notre Dame, legs swinging freely as the lights illuminated the dark city below, Chat couldn't help but hum in agreement to the soft statement his partner whispered. With Lila's arrest and the continual charges being brought forward against her, as well as the fallout from the students, he'd expected much more in the way of akuma. "It's worrying, as much as I don't want it to be." He wanted it to be a good sign that there hadn't been problems with Hawkmoth, he wanted it to be an indicator that they were due for some peace and quiet, but they couldn't relax.

Ladybug's eyes were focused on the light at the Town Hall where his fencing instructor, now Mayor, was working diligently through years of corruption from Chloe's father in office. "I've been talking with Tikki and the other Kwami, they all agree that something feels... off. We have a lot of theories but nothing concrete, if I wasn't so afraid to bring the Miracle Box out in public I'd have brought it tonight with me." He almost choked with how deep a breath he drew in, that was not at all what he'd expected.

"You want- but you're the Guardian. Why would my-"

"Your thoughts and opinions are always important to me, Chat, we're partners. You just have horrible timing to be a flirty tomcat as well as an issue with the word no."

He opened his mouth to argue but didn't, she was right, he had no valid excuse for his behavior in the past. "I, uh, you don't have to worry about that LB. I have a girlfriend, outside the mask I mean, I won't tell you her name but she's incredible and I'm really happy with her." Chat could feel her looking at him and her expression was soft, fond and friendly, love without the romantic aspect of it.

Such a familiar look and he didn't even know why. "I'm really happy for you, Chat, you deserve someone who brings you happiness." He felt his cheeks warm, Marinette made him more than happy, he felt loved and like he was home when he was by her side.

But his expression schooled into something playful as his partner looked away, her own face pink. "Oh, is that a blush? Thinking of your own special boy?" Her scowl was lacking any real anger or annoyance and it twisted into a bright grin.

"The boy I like, the one I told you about, he asked me out and we're together now." At one point that would have hurt him, made his chest ache, but it just indicated how incredible Marinette was that he didn't feel anything but happiness.

His mouth spit out the phrase before he could even stop it. "Oh? So, the Bug has her Boo? I guess when you're on a date you're Bugandboo?" Her squawk of outrage had him laughing as he got up to run, delighting in just being able to play, a few people who were still awake cheered him on while others admonished him playfully for irritating the heroine.

By the time patrol ended he was sporting a sore arm, a hoarse voice from laughing, and the annoyance of being filmed falling off a roof into a dumpster when one of Monsieur Ramirer's pigeons flew in his face. But it was a good night and he promised to keep his eyes open for trouble in the form of butterflies.

Marinette knocked and waited for an answer, meeting surprised expressions, her own lips a flat line. "Can I...?" The nod was gentle as Marlena hugged her, whispering an apology of her own, but Marinette didn't blame her at all. Nora's hug was more like a wrestling move, cracking a few joints too, the twins were subdued for once. Walking to the open door, since Alya wasn't allowed to have her room closed off at all, Marinette knocked on the frame.

"Just cleaning my- oh." Alya emerged from her mess of clothes, the closet's contents emptied on the floor and sorted into piles, her expression guarded but somehow open.

Before she could lose her nerve, the designer cleared her throat. "I'm angry at you, for not telling me the truth about what was going on and then attacking my parents when you could have come clean before it got that far, but I'm sorry that you were a victim to her schemes too. I can't forgive you, at least not right now, but I respect you for trying to protect Nino even if I was the sacrifice because I don't know if I would have done anything different in your situation." Alya's eyes were watering and Marinette knew she was close to crying too, she'd decided that she wasn't going to hold onto grudges or anger any longer and had spent the day visiting her former classmates.

Part of moving on was deciding what emotions to hold onto, Wayzz and Longg had helped her come to terms with her lingering doubts and hurt emotions, she refused to be chained by the betrayal and hurt more than she needed to be. "Thank you, I always could trust you to be honest with me, for what it's worth I am sorry that I hid the truth from you." Marinette nodded at Alya and her grip on the doorframe tightened a little.

There wasn't a lot to say between them. "I want to trust you again, Alya, you inspired me to be better and to stand up for what was right and in a weird way you tried to protect me and Nino. Please do better so I can have my best friend back." Marinette's eyes watered and Alya's tears slid down her cheeks as she nodded, the designer opened her arms and the hug was everything she expected when Alya nearly tackled her, but it was what they both needed.

After their impromptu cry session, monitored by Nora to watch for butterflies, the two students said their farewells. Sliding under her Papa's arm as she exited the building, he'd insisted on coming with her to visit her former classmates, Marinette wiped her eyes with the offered handkerchief. "Feel a little better, dumpling?" He had been skeptical of this whole thing but supported her choice to do it.

"Yea, Papa, I do. I really do."

"Good, I'm glad. Now, I know you like to make all your clothes and for good reason, I've got a secret assignment of my own. You see, your Maman and I agreed I would know just what sort of dress you need to take Adrien's breath away for your date tonight. So, dumpling, we're going shopping." Marinette wanted to be upset but it had been a long time since her parents ever got to buy her clothes, a really long time actually, so she didn't argue as he caught a bus to the shopping district for them.

But she had to admit she didn't expect some of the choices he handed her to try on. Marinette might have accused him of asking Gabriel for help if not for the fact that all of the choices were all colors her father knew she liked and not things that were considered complimentary to her skin tone. After trying on what felt like hundreds of dresses, even if it was only twenty according to Tikki, Marinette and her Papa found one they both liked.

Pale rose in color with a fit and flare shape, the bodice was solid color with very short sleeves made of the same georgette lace that covered the knee-length skirt, she felt really cute in it and it wasn't too short or revealing. Marinette had white, round-toe, heels that she could wear with it and wanted to wear her hair down with loose curls. Her Maman, on their return home, admitted that out of the two of her parents it was her Papa that had an artist's eye and had often picked all of the dresses that Sabine herself wore on their dates.

Marinette hadn't known, though she decided it wasn't that surprising given her Papa's decorative skill, but she was glad that her Papa was happy for her relationship. "You have two hours to get ready before Adrien gets here, dumpling." That made her rush up the stairs and hurry to get ready since this was their first unsupervised date.

'That boy needs his Dad. Not his Father, Gabriel, or his boss. Adrien needs you in his life and if you don't shape up then I will report every last shred of truth on how you break labor laws and pull him from school illegally for photoshoots.'

Leonard's threat had hung heavy between the two men since the initial stirrings against Lila, the black eye Gabriel had sported for two weeks had been hidden with make-up but the bodyguard hadn't feared repercussions or assault charges, as a parent Gabriel respected Leonard and as a friend he respected him even more for doing what he'd done. Watching his son smooth down the jacket of his suit, planning to take his girlfriend to a restaurant known for their private settings so they could avoid the spotlight for some time, Gabriel was proud of Adrien and knew now that he had missed quite a bit.

Leonard met his gaze as the teenager rambled about his nerves, Nathalie busy reassuring him that Marinette would be thrilled to bits, the very slightest of nods from the man expelled most of the tension. Gabriel handed Adrien something he'd kept for his son, for quite some time, a delicate silver chain with loops for charms waiting. "You are under no pressure to accept this, or do what I had done, but I know you're nervous and hope that maybe this will help you with your own ideas for Marinette." Adrien's eyes were just as curious and warm as Emilie's were, it was both heartbreaking and so very amazing.

"Emilie had a book that she bought, I gave her a single flower on every date, she would press the flowers to preserve them; this is the start of a charm bracelet, I think perhaps Marinette would like something she can wear as a reminder of your affections." It was a guess but the girl proved to be very affectionate, though not incredibly handsy in public and it was a trait he appreciated, with her own anxious tendencies it would be best to have something tangible she could carry. Adrien grinned and nodded, looking at the time on his watch.

A smile on his face and a tight hug, Gabriel was nearly bowled over with the strength in his son's sudden motion, Adrien thanked him with a teary smile. "I already have plenty of ideas, thank you so much Dad!" Gabriel managed to hold off until Adrien left but the moment he was gone the tears started, it had been so long since he heard that title, Nathalie's hum was soft and Gabriel appreciated her quiet comfort. After a moment or two, managing to calm himself down, the man looked at Nooroo as the Kwami peeked out from behind the hall.

"Nooroo, if I were to give you back your Miraculous would you be able to find the Guardian?" The Butterfly hesitated but nodded, looking miserable to even admit that much. Gabriel removed the brooch and Nathalie only nodded as she took Duusu's brooch too, the two Kwami accepted them back with curious looks. "Nooroo and Duusu, I release you to be free and return to the Guardian. I am truly sorry that I allowed my grief to blind me to what I was losing and led me to abusing you as I had." The Butterfly Kwami offered a wavering smile, gratitude visible on his face as Duusu fluttered about energetically.

The Kwami nuzzled him. "I knew you were a good man, Gabriel, you just lost your way for a little bit. Thank you for setting me free." The two Kwami disappeared through the door and Nathalie followed him to what once was his lair, the butterflies and cocoons had disappeared, leaving just an empty garden and the glass chamber. Emilie had been embalmed in private, following her death, which was the reason she was in the state she was in now. Nathalie left him then to give him time to say goodbye, for the last time, Gabriel had no more tears to give and only apologized for losing his way.

"I will always cherish what we had, Emilie, I will never forget you; but I won't disappoint you any longer, I cannot allow myself to cling to us and continue to put Adrien in danger or push him away." As he placed his hand on the top of the glass, chest heaving with a deep breath, he contacted the burial company that had done the embalming. They hadn't thought much of his basement being a mausoleum of sorts, it was not new to plenty of the upper-class, once he activated the tinting on the coffin it looked just like any other.

Within the hour his wife was buried in her family plot, with the rest of the Graham de Vanily, and Gabriel gave himself the night to grieve. Free of the burden of the brooch, the burden of being chained to the past, and free to pursue a future beside his son once more.

Sabine laughed as Tom and Gabriel battled, with Adrien and Marinette on their date the two had contacted him and agreed to have him over, Leonard and Nathalie were on either side of her nursing hot drinks and their own chuckles. Having the man request to learn how to play Ultimate Mecha Strike had been a shock but he admitted that he wanted to be able to play with Adrien, he didn't know what his son was really fond of doing and needed a gateway of sorts, Sabine hadn't been able to help hugging the poor man and promising to help.

Watching him now, as he grunted with his hair free of styling products for once, she could tell there was something a little different about him this time; he ran another hand through his hair as he got locked into an animation sequence as Tom's mech unleashed a combo. "Take that you old pincushion." In the past she might have been worried but Gabriel never ceased to surprise her.

"Keep talking, you stale cream puff, once I figure this game out I'm going to make you eat those words." Gabriel was competitive, not that she was surprised by that, fashion was a cutthroat industry; but he wasn't to the point that he was a sore loser. In fact he appeared to be having fun and it warmed her to see a man trying to do better, especially after subjecting his son to harassment by that horrid little liar, Sabine glanced at her phone as it chimed.

Marinette and Adrien had both sent a picture, an adorable selfie of the two of them at the theater, they had done dinner and Adrien had gotten tickets for them to see Wicked together since it was currently playing. "The kids just reached the theater." Earning two non-committal sounds from the men, once again not surprised, the woman responded with a 'have fun' before leading Nathalie to the kitchen as Leonard continued to read his comic books.

"I've never seen him this relaxed, your family is quite amazing."

Sabine met the woman's gaze and smiled. "I like to think so too, shall we prepare some light snacks?" Nathalie nodded and Sabine was pretty happy to relay the ongoing news that Nadja learned from the interviews and messages flooding TVi.

“You mean-“

“I think he’s found it more important to prioritize what he has over what he’s lost.”

Chat Noir was quiet as Nooroo sat in his hands, Duusu perched on Ladybug’s shoulder quietly, the two Kwami had appeared in Ladybug’s room and she’d called him the following evening in order to give them time to rest. “I don’t understand why he’d do what he chose to, though I can’t say I wouldn’t do the same since I don’t know how I’d react, but I guess I’m glad he’s decided enough is enough.” Ladybug heard the sigh as she leaned on her partner’s arm, her own face wet with tears, she had taken one look at the tome that the two had brought with her and knew exactly where they came from.

Something she’d have to tell Chat Noir, she trusted him and didn’t want to keep him in the dark, but she knew how hard he’d taken it when she theorized her idol and boyfriend’s father as Hawkmoth the first time around. “I know who he was, these two coming to me only confirmed it, I am going to respect his request for a second chance. For me to have this make sense, Chat, you’ll have to know that I was one of Caline Bustier’s students at Collège François Dupont.” His eyes widened and he held out a hand for a moment, silencing her, then he cupped her chin and made her look at him.

Ladybug didn’t know what he was looking for. “Princess?” The hope in his voice sent a touch of warmth through her, making her throat tighten as she licked her lips.

“Mhm.”

Words escaped her then as she waited for his reaction, his pupils blowing wide and round, her heart thundering as her hands started to shake. She felt vulnerable and exposed, weightless as his silence kept her teetering on the edge of delight or misery, a part of her theorized who he was ever since Chat Blanc and she needed to be right. His mouth curved into a wide smile and his eyes glistened as green formed around him, leaving Adrien in his place, she’d never been happier to be right. “It’s you! It’s always been you! No wonder you’ve been wearing gray and pink a lot, you sneaky little bug mouse.” His weight crashed into her as she dismissed her own transformation and Tikki giggled above her as Plagg rolled his eyes, her mouth meeting Adrien’s in a frantic kiss.

Once they both laughed over how badly they had danced around each other, with promises to tell each other everything, Marinette knew it was time to finish what she’d been saying. “They brought me a book too, Adrien, the book Lila stole from you that got you pulled from school.” Adrien’s arms tightened on her waist and she squeezed his body a little, to remind him she was here with him, but there wasn’t any sort of anger on his face.

A weak acceptance, exhaustion, maybe some hope. “You want to give him a second chance?” Marinette nodded and cupped his cheek.

“I think we can do that, now that we know the truth, Chaton; he deserves that much, he’s been trying hard to be there for you.” He was learning how to play video games, the two were taking cooking lessons, Marinette had seen him at every photoshoot and he promised dinners with her family every other week as well as an appearance at the Parent’s Dinner the school was having for this year’s graduation award presentation.

Adrien’s eyes watered. “Thank you, Bugaboo.” He kissed her again and she giggled.

“I told you to stop calling me Bugaboo, Chaton, I like Princess more.” His eyes twinkled and he nodded as he cradled her close. “I’m glad though because I thought I liked two boys, I’m really happy it’s just one.” His chuckle into her collar made her giggle.

But he had a warm mischief in his gaze when he let her go. “Isn’t Chaton a little telling, I’m sure Aurore will connect the spots quickly.” Marinette poked his nose with a wink.

“I’ll just have to call you mon Chevalier.” He flushed and she transformed with a grin. “But, for now, I have to go to bed; I have school and I recall being promised fancy coffee and a wake-up kiss.” He tried to shout after her but she swung away with a whoop. The real surprise came nearly half-an-hour later, after a shower and changing, when her Maman said she had company.

Adrien had an overnight bag and a grin as he joined her in her room, the door left open per her parent’s request, they snuggled under her comforter and she cuddled Plagg as the cat Kwami snuggled against her neck. “A cat could get used to this, I’m moving in too Sugarcube.” Tikki’s giggle made Adrien hum as he agreed softly, cradling her close to him as Marinette felt her eyelids droop.

“So what now? No Hawkmoth or Mayura, you have all the Miraculous, just patrol and stop petty crime?”

Marinette grinned. “We learn how to be Guardians, not all threats are corrupt holders, I think there might be something bigger on the horizon now that the circle is closed again.” Adrien hummed as he nodded against her head, promising to study hard, sleep drawing them in and peace making it easy to feel at ease.

[eva-writes]

I was tagged by @danwritestuff (a million years ago and only now I actually got to finish this thing) so here it goes:

1. How did you begin writing? Technically I started when I was like seven or eight and was working on an illustrated story about a dog and a magical bone. Yup, true story. But I think I actually started to get into writing when I was in seventh grade and a teacher told us to write a short story as homework. I don’t even want to think back on what I wrote because it probably wasn’t good, but I will never forget that my teacher told me that she enjoyed my story and that I was good at writing. There’s literally nothing better than having someone believe in you. And I initially only wrote in Spanish but funnily enough after getting into roleplaying my brain kind of made a switch and it comes more naturally to me now to write in English.

2. What was your first writing project? Tell us a little about it. Again, the story of the dog and the magical bone. But the first serious project that I still hope might see the light of day when I stop planning and actually sit my ass down to write it is a fantasy trilogy. I started it in 2008 and needless to say my mind has changed a lot in a decade, so as a result that story has changed very much from my original idea. I think that’s why I haven’t really done much writing and I’m stuck in ‘development hell’, because the thing just keeps mutating and my ideas for that world and those characters keep growing and changing.

3. What is your preferred medium for writing first drafts? I’ve always used Microsoft Word.

4. What rituals or habits do you have around writing? I always have a cup of tea next to me. And I say stuff out loud too, especially when it’s dialogue. I also sort of act out certain stuff to find words that could describe that. Definitely not rituals, just weird habits I have.

5. We all have a “type”– of character, plot, theme– what is yours? Well, I always go for fantasy or scifi stuff because it’s easier for me to make up shit than do extensive research about things that are real (also it scares me that I migh portray something in an inaccurate way). So yay, I’m lazy like that. I tend to include reserved, quiet characters (even if not the protagonists, they’re there). I don’t know, I just have a deep appreciation for introverted people that are more of the observing/listening type than the talking type.

As for plots or themes, I like to dabble into the ‘self-discovery’ paths for the protagonists and the ‘change established structures’ in the world. As for important themes, family bonds are always there in one way or another (both biological families or ‘found’ families amongst the characters). Also I have this weird thing about names. In every story I have characters that are called a certain way by most but then they are given a different nickname or are revealed to have a different name by someone that is/becomes close to them. For some reason the way other people call each other has always had such a deep meaning for me.

6. Introduce us to one (or more!) of your OC’s. I have an army of OCs, I have no self-control when it comes to creating them... my latest one is a gentle giant of a man stuck on an island where people don’t age and those stranded there can’t escape (shoutout to Mira and Ally for @timelessrpg!). And this guy is mute and deaf because I’ve learned a bit ASL and I wanted to integrate that into a character, explore different ways to have him interact with those around him without having to rely on speaking.

7. What’s your favorite genre to read? Fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction and psychological thrillers. But I’d give a shot at every book that sparks my interest regarding of genre.

8. Your favorite genre to write? Fantasy and science fiction. I like creating my own playground rather than using our lovely little world.

9. How do you conduct your authorial research? Google searches to start off. Then once I get a general overview I start to look for more specific stuff in books, videos, etc. I use YouTube a lot. That thing is a treasure chest of information and it helps with ther ‘overview’ part so then I can do more digging about specific subjects.

10. What does your editing (gasp) process look like? I’m such a jerk to myself when I edit, so I guess that’s another reason why it’ll take a while for my stories to see the light of day. If you look up the word perfectionist in the dictionary you see my picture... But I’ve been trying not to be so hard on myself lately and instead of staying stuck on that endless cycle of writing and erasing, I’ve been allowing myself to just write on. I’ve also made a deal with my roomie: I have to pay her $15 pesos (little less than $1 usd) whenever I got back to edit a chapter I had already finished. I’ve only paid her once, but it’s a good incentive not to go back an edit stuff too much and just go ahead to write.

11. What are your favorite tropes? I have too many, especially with romantic/platonic relationships. Enemies to lovers, is definitely one. Also any sort of yin yang/light and dark representations in character dynamics, I’m such a sucker for those. Any kind of trope that involves characters not seeing it coming and then just knowing they’d do anything for the other person (not just necessarily in a romantic way, I love bonds like that with people who become siblings to each other). Any sort of trope that involves a ‘partners in crime’ or ‘ride or die’ dynamic, I’M SOLD.

12. Show off your writing space. It used to be a desk when I still lived at my mom’s place. It was in it’s usual state of controlled chaos, as I like to call it (because there’s stuff everywhere but I know exactly where everything is). Now my roomie and I share a desk, and most of the times I just end up writing in bed, using a folding bed tray as my desk.

13. What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve ever used? Sit down and write is one. And also something that I saw in Victoria Schwab’s instagram: “I’m not writing a book, I’m writing a chapter. I’m not writing a chapter, I’m writing a page. I’m not writing a page, I’m writing a line”. That helped me feel more confident. The work put into trying to write a book always felt so overwhelming and like something I would never really get done. But thinking that even a little bit counts has made it feel like a less impossible feat.

14. What is the least useful piece of writing advice you’ve ever ignored? That it’s wrong to repeat a character’s name or identifier (the queen, the thief, etc). I used to think it was wrong to it because ‘being repetitive means you’re a bad writer’ and you’d have me do mental gymnastics to figure out different ways to refer to my characters which, honestly, end up coming off as forced. So yeah, I’ve definitely begun to ignore that now.

Another one is that writing ‘said’ is wrong. I’d rather use ‘said’ a hundred times than throw in random shit like ‘ennunciated’ just to avoid using ‘said’.

15. Your writing beverage/snack of choice? Tea, always. Either black tea or rooibos with milk.

16. How do you compile your ideas? Quick notes on my phone when I don’t have a notebook at hand. Word documents. And notebooks. Lots of notebooks. I have a specific notebook for each story. Lately I started posting stuff on my wall. I have a summary of each chapter that I’ve already written in little pieces of paper, kind of like a timeline. Above each ‘chapter’ there’s a blue post-it note with the stuff that led to the events of that chapter, and below there’s a green post-it note with the plot points that chapter will set in motion. It’s kind of to keep in order all the information I’m dealing with. And then above the timeline I have even more pieces of paper with specific events that must happen eventually and I just keep moving them around to construct the rest of the story. It might sound weird and confusing, but I swear it helps. I’m a visual person and it’s very damn helpful to see those pieces of story and ideas have some order.

17. What are your controversial opinions ™ on the craft of writing? That being a best-seller means the book is good. I don’t know if it’s controversial or not, but I don’t think quantity equals quality. Also, LET STORIES END. I get it, sometimes as readers we love a group of characters so much or a world that we want more, but that doesn’t mean there should be more. I feel that a lot of prequels, spin-offs and extended series end up taking away from the original story/saga because they were clearly not in the author’s mind from the beginning. There are exceptions to this, I’m sure, but I just feel authors should know when enough is enough rather than try to milk their series for all they’re worth. And I might get shit for writing this, but I’m also against the idea that all characters have to be woke and politically correct 24/7. I believe characters should be allowed to be ignorant and say wrong things and make mistakes, because then they get to learn and grow and become better people, and yes, possibly get called out or educated throughout the story. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me having faith in people learning and growing, but I happen to like characters that start out not so great and begin to really become better human beings during the story.

Tagging: @azianxpersuasionwrites, @briannaswriter, @allywritestuff, @proserpinewrites, @theichthyostegawrites, @montaguew, @loeswrites, @eridawrites, @roshwrites, @rjwrites, @ashlaaaywrites, @trishywishy & @dude-im-batman