#number 10 and 5 and 3 have been on the playlist since i started writing the story

[raayllum]

so i deleted my poll & here's why bc it is both. sad, strange, and a little hilarious. for TLDR, skip all the way to the end

this is what it was gearing towards as of this afternoon & this is why it got weird.

for clarification, the poll was meant to investigate, because i was curious, how many people i had potentially influenced in my writing(s) about callum analysis wise. i actually expected option 2 to be the most common (aka that people already saw him that way) since that's what i've found in my circles; most of the other rayllum writers and shippers i've spoken to reached those conclusions themselves after S2 or S3, if not earlier. so option 1 being the most popular was the first big surprise, as was as many people picking "want to see the results"

here's where things go from surprising to weird. earlier this afternoon, the poll was sitting around 120-ish people and had been in that vein for most of the week since it was published, climbing maybe a few votes every day after the initial boom in a variety of the categories the first like day and a half.

then, steadily, over the course of 5-10 minutes, anywhere from 5 to 15 fresh votes flooded in... all to the same category of "nah i don't see him that way." which wasn't That strange, except

the fandom troll, who is notoriously obnoxiously loud about Not liking this interpretation of callum, also has a tendency of making sock blogs and sending anonymous asks to bait you over and over again, no matter how many times you block them. for Years.

then the number continued to steadily climb solely in that singular category, doubling and then tripling. now, i'm not going to say there couldn't be *check statistics* 50 people who don't see callum as being willing to sacrifice the world for his loved ones/help aaravos if rayla or ezran's lines were quit literally being held at knifepoint, But

When the poll started, I acknowledged the bias the poll would likely be prone to, as my followers - by virtue of following me and seeing and presumably agreeing with what I post - would probably skew in favour of the interpretation, and this was reflected in 6/7 days of the poll's backing, with 60-78% (roughly 70-80 people) of participants leaning towards a shared interpretation. "Nah I don't see him that way" also rose steadily in terms of votes throughout the week day by day, but never cleared more than 8-10 individual people (you're troopers, I respect you, and I hope having the "snake boi Callum" tag makes it easier for you to blacklist accordingly so that you can enjoy your fandom experience)

The Snake Boi Callum interpretation is popular enough in fandom that we actually had a fandom event for it a few months back, plenty of people participated who I felt I wasn't familiar with as well as people I knew I would, and the pieces of art/fic/playlists regularly got 50-150 notes. If there are 50+ people who disagree with said interpretation, they are, generally speaking, not a group who's often actually making things for the fandom at large in terms of fic, fanart, other forms of creation, and not a ton of meta weekly or monthly about the topic and/or outside of that general wheelhouse, either. The 'pro' side is conversely a lot more active; most of the people who have written fic about said topic(s) aren't even me, but other cool lovely talented individuals over the past 3-ish years

The initial wave of votes happened when I posted the poll in the "snake boi Callum," "Rayllum," "tdp," and "the dragon prince" tags to reach a broader audience beyond my more immediate active follower range (as like, 90% of my followers are lurkers, which - respect). This is when it would've made sense if there was going to be an uptick in "nah I don't see him that way" to build

Instead, it happened 6 days into the poll when it was already decently buried by tags, I had recently self-reblogged it back into my accordingly biased circles, and rather than having a general variety, only a singular category went up by close to 40 people in like 3 hours. I tend to gain anywhere from 6-10 followers a week (for example, this week was 6) so that also does not account for the massive leap in a very short amount of time

Therefore, keeping to roughly 125 votes for posterity, and when removing the originally 30-ish or so people who voted for "see results" (significantly less than the first category, but more than the second by a decent margin) as well as the real 10 votes for "nah, I don't see him that way," approximately 85 people voted explicitly in favour of Snake Boi Callum / one of the first two options in general, with my meta being cited as the biggest influence. This is also with me rounding up the numbers of the other categories to likely more than they were, but I want to account for the potential error of my memory, as I wasn't keeping track of where things were super specifically before it started to smell like meddling.

Again, it's not that there couldn't be 50 people with that opinion, it's just that 40 of them, Realistically, did not suddenly come out of the woodwork in the span of 1-2 hours to consecutively vote in only one (1) category 6 days after that would've actually, marginally, made sense in terms of tagging / seeing it in the main tags.

If you're wondering why I presented all my ~ evidence ~ it's because if not, I'd probably be labelled as a liar and/or dismissed (it's happened before, unfortunately) and honestly, it ended up being a little funny to dig into how presumably nuts this got.

TLDR;

Anyway if you ever feel like you're deeply insecure and worried that you're idiotically clout chasing, remember you will never be as Embarrassing as the guy who made close to 39 sock blogs in one afternoon to try and 'one up' someone over an opinion they have regarding a children's tv show protagonist who's believed biggest flaw is that he Loves His Friends.

better poll that cannot be screwed with will follow

[late-to-the-fandom]

WIP Questionnaire

Thank you @thewritingautisticat for the tag. I didn't think I would do this one as my current WIP is purposefully under the radar right now, but it turns out answering some of these questions was helpful to me (and of course it bought me like 10 minutes procrastination time).

Tagging: @frostedlemonwriter @scourge-lover @isabellebissonrouthier @avocado-frog @sesshy380 or anyone else who hasn’t done this and wants to (I’ve include the list of questions at the bottom for easy copy/paste)

1. What’s the first part of your WIP that you created?

The outline - and by outline I mean the exact number of chapters and the chapter titles. This is my first writing experience where I was inspired by a vibe/theme and not an actual plotline, so starting with 'this is the vibe this chapter needs' and then finding plot elements to fit it has been an experience to say the least.

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

Good question. I actually do not have a playlist for this WIP so I haven’t thought about this at all, and I can't think of one off the top of my head.

3. What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

Well, it is a fandom piece, so I'm not creating anyone wholly from scratch, but since they're all B and C list characters who've either endured terrible takes or no takes at all from the fandom at large, I do feel quite pleased with the full-person treatment I've been able to give them.

4. What other pieces of media do you think your fanbase would share?

Not something I’ll need to think about.

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Finding the main character’s narration style. He’s a different sort of person than I usually write for, so finding his authentic inner monologue has been a struggle. My own voice keeps getting in the way and messing up the sentences.

6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

Actually in the story? No. But the main character has a lot of experience with horses which meant I, someone with no experience with horses, had to do a lot of research to get language and analogies and comparisons right.

7. How do your characters travel/get around?

Mostly walking. Some horse/cart travel.

8. What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

Editing my ludicrously incoherent first draft of the first chapter.

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe?) will you think draw your audience in?

Absolutely nothing. There is nothing here for anyone. It’s 8 incidents of angst and mutual pining and one of actual non-explicit romance between two characters no one will care anything about. I am truly cursed, but what can I do?

10. What are your hopes for your WIP?

That I finish it. That’s it, that’s the whole hope.

List of Questions: 1. What's the first part of your WIP that you created? 2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be? 3. What are your favorite characters that you made? Why? 4. What other pieces of media do you think your fanbase would share? 5. What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP? 6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them! 7. How do your characters travel/get around? 8. What part of your WIP are you working on right now? 9. What aspects (tropes, maybe?) will you think draw your audience in? 10. What are your hopes for your WIP?

[photogirl894]

🥳Photogirl894's "Sun and Rain" Fanfic Three Year Celebration!!🥳

As of today, it has now been THREE whole years since I started writing and posting "Sun and Rain", my Bad Batch fanfic and love story between Hunter and my OC, Kimber!

Crazy how time flies when you're having fun, right?? 😆

I've added a bit more to my story since last year and I'm insanely happy with how it's progressing! This year, the story continued on through events of season one of the Bad Batch (a little slower than I had hoped for, but progress is progress) and there was lots of angst, but also lots of good moments. We're officially halfway through season one! With the show ending this year, it got my thoughts turning more to how Kimber's story would go throughout season three and I think a lot of you will like what I have planned in the future. There's still a lot more to come and at least we know that there's gonna officially be a happy ending 🥰 (Though, I would've had that happen no matter what, but now, I don't have to break canon to get it!)

A huge thank you to everyone on my taglist as well as those who are currently reading my fic! I've gained a few more loyal readers and it makes me so happy! Your guys love, support, comments and messages are what keep me going! 😊

@the-sad-batch , @nimata-beroya , @intrepidmare , @legolkenxbi , @tech-aficionado ,

@ladykatakuri , @d1n0-dan , @sammi9498 , @darthzero22 , @scarlettrose9901 ,

@thebadbatchscyare , @chxpsi , @ilikemymendarkandfictional , @4pplecider , @locitapurplepink ,

@l-lend , @nekotaetae , @eternalwaffle , @merkitty49 , @avathebestx ,

@idoubleswearimawriter , @techs-stitches , @fantasyproductions , @totallyunidentified and @dreamsandrosies

To celebrate the three year anniversary of "Sun and Rain", I would absolutely love to talk about the story with my readers again like I did the last couple years, especially since I've gained a few new readers in that time and I honestly think it's a lot of fun! 😊 I want to know some things you guys like about it so far and I'm curious if anyone has questions for me about it, so once again, I have a list of things anyone can send to me in my ask box: things you can tell me from your own perspective or things you can ask me personally! (For those who may be reading and aren't caught up all the way yet, there most likely will be spoilers, so you've officially been warned 😅)

Tell me...

1. Your favorite moment

2. Your favorite line(s)

3. Your favorite relationship

4. Your favorite chapter

5. What scene/line made you laugh the most?

6. What scene/line made you smile the most?

7. What scene/line made you cry/angry the most?

8. A song recommendation for my "Sun and Rain" playlist that you think fits Kimber or her relationships with other characters and I'll give it a listen

9. What you'd like to see later on in the story (and maybe I'll tell you if it'll happen)

10. Your theories for "Sun and Rain" and where it's going to go

Ask me...

1. Anything you want to know about my OC, Kimber (within reason) or my Koriena Force girls (Lex, Kida and Irys. Any questions about Rina will be directed to @l-lend since she belongs to her)

2. What was my inspiration for (insert scene/chapter)?

3. What was my inspiration for (insert certain line/paragraph)?

4. What chapter am I most proud of?

5. What certain lines am I most proud of?

6. What was my favorite moment(s) to write?

7. What was my least favorite moment(s) to write?

8. For a hint of upcoming chapters/events and how Kimber's role might change certain things (if you want to know about particular upcoming events from the show, please specify)

9. For a sneak peek into future scenes I already have written (though it's mostly dialogue and I only have a couple, so I can only do this a certain number of times)

10. Anything else you want to know from me about "Sun and Rain" or my experience writing it thus far

I look forward to talking about this with all of you! And stay tuned for another fun surprise later today! 🥰 I love you all so much!!

[kissmetwicekissmedeadly]

4 years, 40 facts about me loving napo... let's go 🏃🏻‍♀️

...or as @leonscape called it, 40 "Mopoleon" facts?! (picrew link)

the date of our "anniversary", June 19th, is one day after the date of the battle of Waterloo 💀

both our given names are of Italian origin

we're both leo zodiac signs

our birthdays are 8 days apart, in the same month

he's my first otome route ever played

i've only played his route once, in July 2019

i've never seen his dramatic ending

my first impression of him on a teaser tweet of ikevamp EN was that he looks like an asshole, and I didn't like his looks either...

my falling for him was utterly illogical as despite these thoughts I put him on my phone wallpaper a few days later (still before the release of ikevamp EN)

as of right now ao3 says he appears in 59 of my posted works: the total number of fics I have published with him is higher as a few of those are stand-alones in a multichapter fic (napoleon bday prompts 2019 +9, yumeweek 2020 +5, mini requests +4, headcanons +11 ) ...he appears in about 1/3 of all my fics!

we share a hobby of reading biographies! the official ikevamp character sheets state it as his hobby

our height difference is 18 cm

the @xxsycamore blog exists solely because of him, as well as my passion for writing - I started this blog because I wanted to express my love in some kind of creative way, as previously (and for the longest time) I thought my medium would be art instead of writing

despite that, my first ever posted fic is not with him but with Arthur!

I've always loved languages but he had influence over my choice of learning especially french in uni. It's hell but I don't regret it at all

I have a playlist with sleepy-themed songs for him 🥺

birds are my favorite animals (any kind) and he has a pet eagle!!

our mbti personality types are a so-called perfect match! infp + enfj

I don't like black-haired, blue-eyed men because of him, it was my type before him too! (not many such ikemens around but I have a handful of faves like that from other media)

as the fictional napoleon bonaparte is light years away from the historical figure, I thought I wouldn't be interested in learning about him - until I ended up reading multiple books on him, the thickest of which 680 pages... while I don't mix the two in my head, the napoleonic era history (+ russian empire history) is still pretty cool to know imo!

there's hardly any writer around here who hasn't received a napoleon request from me at least once... I'm so sorry...

it is implied in the game that napo has kissed boys (they were taking turns waking him up and they all know of his habit......) which gives me enough reason to headcanon him as bi....like me 🥺

I really suck at completing the bday creation challenges I host for him, as last year I did 0 prompts and the year before that 2....but in 2019 I did 10!

I love making bday gifts. I love birthdays. I don't have the exact number but last year a lot of characters received a bday fic from me but not napo 💀 partly because I was shadowbanned back then!

the only real tradition I have when it comes to his bday is to make homemade crepes since it's his favorite food! but my favorite part is eating them...

I still haven't watched the movie "Napoleon & Me"...

I don't have much napo merch, but I do have the Naplushieon doll which is plenty

I was still in highschool (11th grade) when I fell for him 🥺🥺🥺 it feels like ages ago

I love the song written for the ikevamp stage play and sung by his voice actor Nobunaga Shimazaki, "Lucida", so much you can even find it and play it on my blog... recently some kind soul uploaded the whole version on youtube (I've been waiting for so long....) and I haven't been the same since

my dream napo merch is the clothes hanger with his neck and face so that I can hang my silly little sundresses on him (I'm going to make it on my own actually, just watch)

after having so many random fic ideas for him that will never see the light of day, I accepted the facts at last and now I feel so much better and more chill

I'm currently working on fanart series where I try to post one tablet-drawn art of him every month... I have trouble keeping them simple as desired sometimes but I'm having lots of fun while learning (I still consider myself fairly new to drawing with my tablet)

once I wrote a death anniversary fic for napo!

the best napo song i've discovered so far is Wings by Su!YoON!

I don't know. anything. about his sequel. i just know the cgs. not that is hard to avoid spoilers LMAO

my most favorite napo cg is the 5th bday one (where they're in a field of roses) (it was on my phone's background for a very long time)

my most favorite napo card...that's a trick question but I think the one that is on the left banner in my blog (desktop view)

yes, yes I do want to go to Corsica one day what about it. I have a lot of other dream trip destinations too!

yes, I do love Napoleon cake (It's a russian recipe) (it was my bday cake in 2020)... but so do I love a whole lot of other cakes...!

Fact number 40 is that I love Napoleon a normal amount 😇 nono listen!! I do talk a lot about him, and here I tried compilating facts that are not too cheesy: believe it or not there are days I don't think about him, ok! I never pressure myself to get all the event bonus stories, or to always have a fic ready for him... in a world where im a worrywart about anything and everything, he's my safe place? my chill place? And if I begin to think about the gigantic mass of things surrounding him that are exactly aligning with what I love, with what comforts me, with what traits im looking for in a person, i'm going to get dizzy. So let's end this here with me saying, ily so much Napoleon 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 im such a nunuche sometimes but im your nunuche ‼️‼️

[mrs-monaghan]

Hybe didn't?

Lmao they were no.1

Things hybe 'did' for Jimin FACE era

1. Denied him of 4 MV, to artist who build that fuxking company. While giving their rookies 4 MVs on 1st album, Yoongi and Hobi a documentary and now a world tour. Apparently 4 MVs request is unreasonable, my ass.

2. Lets forget about other international platforms but they Didn't raised a finger against hanteo robbery even if it's their own home country. Still no one knows where that 770K sales went. Conveniently stole his #1 soloist sales record.

3. Didn't sent LC to radio even after mass request from fans and it achieving no1 on BB, left all work to be done by fans. LC had a very big opportunity to go even big but how much fans can do without a single support from agency ?

4. No celebrations or theme cakes like other members, no interviews or hype after No.1 BB like bangtan had during dynamite era. When rest country was celebrating and their share prices shoot up. Even Jimin's dad's friends celebrated while it's silence from his agency.

5. Even his pre orders still not shipped which is affecting charts. It's been a month, mind you. Took days to restore CDs in BTS store. Took days to add LC to This is BTS Playlist, which is the biggest we can have, while haegum was added in a day.

6. Army were begging them about BB situation for 3 WEEKS but no response but conveniently corrected the website just a day before D DAY. No comments regarding his 90%+ sales being deleted while all K media were writing about the BB payola.

7. Cut down his promotion to 10 fucking days leaving even Jimin disappointed and doubtful about his promos. Just to announce a whole new album in a week and killed hype of FACE.

8. Threw him to hands of kpoppies and antis, they were rentlessly attacking him since SMF dropped, articles were written, they were making sexual harassment and rape jokes against him. 'Artist protection' no where to be found. Didn't even took down korean articles or hate blogs.

9. Made him overwork and finish everything within 10 days till he was sick. He attended parties with tapes on his neck and was sick af by end of promos, even on BB hot 100 announcement day.

10. Remember when Filter was removed from iTunes when it began outstreaming ON ? Yeah same thing happened. FACE tied with BTS record for iTunes album IMMEDIATELY next day there was a 'glitch' and FACE falled.

That's an accurate depiction of me rn. I said in a comment and I'll say it here. I love Jimin with everything I own, but I'm gonna need my man to start having some sort of defiance. He doesn't see his potential, fine. But he needs to start prioritising himself. He don't need to be putting others infront of himself all the damn time. Did other members put their shit on hold for his sake? No. He was born to shine...its why he's so hated because he doesn't need to do much and people will gravitate towards him. If YT didn't do what they did SMF and LC would both have over 100M views by now. No seriously think about it. Forget the streamers like u and me. We have 74 million subscribers on Bangtan TV and 70 M subs on Hybe labels. Then Jimin has 49M followers on insta. Lets say 10 million are people with multiple accounts. That leaves 39M followers. Again, forget the streamers. Lets say there is a person who is busy so they only have time to watch his MVs once before going to work and once before bed. Then we of course have the haters obsessed with Jimin who also watched the MVs at least once. Add the fact that both MVs for sometime were number 1 and 3 on trending which means locals who like to see what's trending clicked on the songs and watched them. And then that's when the streamers come in. The math does not math no matter how much u try. The fact that LC doesn't even have 50 million views is absolutely ridiculous.

But, I digressed. Back on topic. Hybe did do him dirty. BH been doing him dirty for fucking years. But he stays. If you've been listening. You will notice Suga and Jimin are the two members who've been the most vocal about coming back as 7. I'm not saying the rest don't want that, but Yoonmin do appear to want that the most.

We have seen Jimin refuse to go hard when he's dancing with people who are not as good. The TT he did with TXT he did not even try. He took the cute route. And that's not the only one. VIBE he could have gone harder, but u can see he is holding back because that is not his song, he was a feature. Watch how he dances with Suga versus how he dances with Jhope. U will see a clear difference. Jimin has always, always put other people into consideration. Its why u will see when V is making fun of Jimin he won't stop and keeps going and going. But when Jimin is making fun of V, he will catch himself and stop and admit he has gone to far.

He has always put Bangtan before himself and it sucks. Look at JK "what are they gonna do, fire me?" JK knows the power he holds and uses it and takes advantage of it. He knows he's indispensable. But then so is Jimin and I wish he would follow his boyfriend's lead because this is absurd. Other members have gotten sm and he got so little. How and why was he okay with this?

I would bet my right arm (I'm right handed btw) that he has also put BTS before his relationship and could have been the cause of some of their fights. And u know JK sees whats happening and doesn't like it one bit. BH weren't promoting his man to his satisfaction so JK did a whole live dedicated to Jimin. He said; fine, I'll do it myself.

Y'all think I'm kidding when I say JK stays for Jimin 🧐

I hope military service hardens Jimin and he comes back with an attitude because this man deserves to reach even greater heights than he already has.

Fuck Hybe and Bighit with a fucking cactus I'm fucking done with this shit

[curator-on-ao3]

22 answers for a fanfic 2022

1. fandoms you wrote for this year

Star Trek: Discovery

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Star Trek: The Original Series

Star Trek: Voyager

The Orville

2. favorite fic you wrote this year

I don’t know.

3. favorite fic you read this year

I have so many talented friends who wrote absolutely fantastic fics this year. But the fic I haven’t been able to get out of my mind for all the right reasons is Illusory Reality, written by sixbeforelunch (someone I do not know). The fic is, to me, a canon-consistent fix-it for “The Menagerie,” an episode I have strongly disliked since I was a little girl. Therefore, the story isn’t Pikeuna, it’s Pikeone, and it helps me feel at least somewhat better about an episode that has always upset me.

4. favorite opening line/scene you wrote this year

That would be the prologue to Chrysalis, an AU in which Captain Batel’s attempted arrest of Una Chin-Riley results in Chris and Una both becoming fugitives from the law.

5. favorite ending line/scene you wrote this year

That would be the epilogue to Chrysalis.

6. a trope you wrote this year

I wrote huddling for warmth in Boots That Touch at the Toes, a Pikeuna one-shot set just before Chris takes command of Discovery, and I wrote amnesia in The Haze, also a Pikeuna one-shot, in which Una’s amnesia leads both her and Chris to important realizations.

7. pairings you wrote this year

Looking only at main pairings, not sub-pairings, in order of posting from oldest to newest, I wrote:

Elnor/Hugh | Third of Five (Star Trek: Picard) (x) (x) (x)

Kirsten Clancy/Katrina Cornwell (Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery) (x)

Laira Rillak/Charles Vance (Star Trek: Discovery) (x)

Agnes Jurati/Borg Queen (Star Trek: Picard) (x)

Laris/Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: Picard) (x) (x)

Kathryn Janeway/Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Voyager) (x)

Guinan & Cristóbal Rios (Star Trek: Picard) (x)

Raffi Musiker/Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Picard) (x) (x)

Renèe Picard & Tallinn (Star Trek: Picard) (x)

Number One | Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike (mostly Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, some Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: The Original Series, influences from Short Treks) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

Number One | Una Chin-Riley/Jack Ransom (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks) (x)

Kelly Grayson/Ed Mercer (The Orville) (x)

Kathryn Janeway & Tom Paris (Star Trek: Voyager) (x)

Churrolivia/Jack Ransom (Star Trek: Lower Decks) (x)

Number One | Una Chin-Riley/Seven of Nine (a half-dozen Star Treks, but mostly Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Picard) (x)

Tom Paris/B’Elanna Torres (Star Trek: Voyager) (x)

plus untagged ficlets that range from Kathryn Janeway/Agnes Jurati (x) to Reginald Barclay & Kathryn Janeway (x) to Kathryn Janeway/Coffee (x) and much, much more (including ones that actually don’t involve Janeway 🙈).

8. a fic regret from this year

Probably still not fixing a lousy fic from years ago. But this year I actually started a doc for the follow-up fix-it that I may never write, so progress?

9. a song that helped you write

I usually have a playlist for any long fic, as well as playlists for ships I write often. But to choose just one song, Beyoncè’s “Love on Top” was “the song” for Chris and Una in The Light Before Dawn.

10. total number of fics you posted

27

11. total number of words you posted

103,150

12. most popular fic written this year

Not counting holdovers from last year (such as Voyager Writing Game Prompts), my most popular 2022 fic by hits is Lay Down Our Arms, a choose-your-own ending Kathryn Janeway/Seven of Nine story in which Raffi Musiker is an option for one of the happy endings. My most popular 2022 fic by kudos, bookmarks, and comment threads is The Light Before Dawn (Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike), which means a lot to me because that fic definitely owns a place in my heart. My most popular 2022 fic by subscriptions is Chrysalis (Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike), which makes sense because it also has the most chapters of anything I wrote this year.

13. least popular fic written this year

That’s a little harder to parse (no easy stats graph for lack of popularity), but I think it’s The Song of the Universe is a Heartbeat, a one-shot about Tallinn’s platonic-familial love for both Reneè Picard and Jean-Luc Picard. That’s okay. I didn’t think that one would be popular, but I find Tallinn fascinating and wanted to get into her head a bit.

14. longest completed fic you posted this year

That would be Chrysalis (Una Chin Riley/Christopher Pike) at 20,924 words.

15. shortest completed fic you posted this year

As a stand-alone story, Check, Check, Check (Agnes Jurati/Borg Queen) is the shortest at 172 words. But that’s free verse, not prose, so I’m not sure if it counts. The shortest prose story is Choose to Love (Elnor/Hugh | Third of Five) at 195 words.

16. favorite character to write about this year

Una Chin-Riley. I wrote her with canon consistency. I wrote her in multiple alternative universes (one of which is canon). I wrote her in prison, on the run, diligently doing her duty, hosting planetarium shows in New York City, helping with recipes, and so much more. I wrote her in love (in different stories, not at the same time) with Christopher Pike, with Jack Ransom, and with Seven of Nine. Blorbo doesn’t even begin to cover it.

17. a fic you didn’t expect to write

All of them.

18. most memorable comment/review

Look, if you write me a nice comment, I love you. That’s how it goes. But a few excerpts to share here:

“It takes a special kind of writing to turn a single episode bizarre joke into a sincere, emotional story.” (for the Churrolivia/Jack Ransom fic Gotta Admit, It’s Pretty Sweet).

“GOD this is just... it's... like can we talk about the figurative language for a second, how perfect Una's internal monologue is?” (for the Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike fic The Haze — for which I had worked really, really hard on the figurative language of Una’s internal monologue, so it felt so damn good to have that called out in a positive way).

“Every single time you manage to pack so much emotion into your work. I hope that you get told how talented you are each and every day, because you certainly blow me away with your writing every time I read something you’ve written.” (for the Una Chin-Riley/Christopher Pike fic Kiss Me in the Rain, and I most certainly am not told I’m talented each and every day, so this gestalt comment made me cry very, very grateful tears).

Also, every word of the second comment on The Melody of You (and Me) (Una Chin-Riley/Seven of Nine). Just … every gorgeous word.

As you can tell, comments mean a lot to me and I appreciate them so, so much. (Also, a bookmark for The Light Before Dawn has the reader-written tag “comfort in words” and that makes me puddle up with happiness because that cozy sentiment is exactly what I was going for.)

19. trends you noticed in your writing this year

I have multiple instances of a man being quiet so a woman can gather her thoughts. (Tom Paris for Kathryn Janeway in Synchronous Orbit, and Christopher Pike for Una-Chin Riley in The Haze). So that’s … interesting.

I also wrote various possibilities for Seven of Nine soon after Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant:

Alight, a double drabble that focuses on Seven’s thoughts about her biosuits;

Lay Down Our Arms, a choose-your-own ending multi-chap that looks at Seven’s relationship with Janeway as well as her friendship with Hugh;

And When We Awaken, Eyes Open to Possibility, We Find Our Voice in the Night, a Hugh and Seven friendship ficlet that looks to her need (or not) to regenerate; and

The Melody of You (and Me), a not-technically-an-AU one-shot in which Seven was treated better by Starfleet but ended up being pulled into another universe in which she is in love with Una Chin-Riley (of course).

20. fics you wanted to write but didn’t

I don’t know.

21. something you want to write next year

I don’t know.

22. an idea from one of your fics that you want people to think about

Chrysalis is about metamorphosis (obviously) with Una and Chris both changing over the three days they’re in the shuttle (changing mentally — this is not at all a Threshold situation). But it’s also a story about taking a step back (unintentionally in their case) and noticing external toxicity. Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles — anyone and everyone who has walked away from a mentally or physically dangerous situation (and, in the story, Chris and Una ran away from both) — these people were in my head as I wrote. It can take phenomenal courage to save the drowning self, and I wanted to depict our heroes doing exactly that. Not easily. Not without doubts, sometimes, or challenges. But they do it, helping each other along the way, and I wanted that positive energy in the world.

———

If anyone has questions on any of that, please ask. Also, if you write, I’d love to read your fanfic 2022 answers!

[the-music-keeper]

The first to-do list of 2023!

Okay, so before I give the list, I need to let y'all know that these lists are going to be a lot longer than before. Originally I'd been grouping things together. For example, if I had multiple readings for a class, I'd group them into one to-list item, and I did the same with big projects.

What I've found is that it's a lot easier for me to feel productive if I can gradually cross individual steps off a list rather than crossing off giant groupings all together. So I'm going to start listing each reading separately and splitting big projects into smaller, more manageable steps. I think that's going to trick my brain a little bit by giving me more of the little dopamine rushes I get when I cross something off the list and help cut down on how often I feel overwhelmed.

Anyway, now that that's out of the way, here's the list:

Schumann Seminar

1. Hallmark reading. (A productive start to MLK Day!)

2. Malin reading. (Took two readings, but I think the info finally sank in.)

3. Snarrenberg reading. (Very theoretical.)

4. Print a couple Schumann scores from IMSLP. (Yeah, I had to write in measure numbers.)

5. Weaver introduction. (Yup, I'm definitely leaning toward a two-reading plan for the rest of the semester.)

6. Weaver chapter 1. (Another helpful reread.)

7. Weaver chapter 2. (Hoo boy, that was a big one.)

8. Weaver chapter 3. (Just a portion of the chapter, though -- not the whole thing.)

Baroque History

9. Hill reading. (Catching up from last week since I didn't have the book.)

10. Strunk reading. (See above.)

11. Second Hill reading. (Done!)

12. Second Strunk reading. (Also done!)

13. Score study. (I'm starting to think I should learn Italian.)

14. Some listening. (Found the Naxos playlist!)

Research Assistantship

15. The chapter from my advisor's book. (Yeah, this didn't need to be here.)

16. Email the person that originally asked my advisor for help with the IMSLP audit. (To let her know it's done!)

Piano Practice

17. Choral rep. (Feeling good!)

Adulting

18. Send my email updates to my undergrad professors. (Done during a very slow day at work.)

19. Send in work availability. (Glad I checked my work email this morning!)

20. Laundry. (And of course I'll have to do it again over the weekend.)

21. Clean my bathroom. (I am now the proud owner of a squeaky clean bathroom.)

I've got my work cut out for me! I'm considering going to the library this evening because it's really nice and warm in my room and I'm worried I'm going to fall asleep.

[hellas-himself]

Ten Songs

Tagged by @flamehairedsiren thanks for the tag, love!!

Rules: List ten songs that you really like, each by a different artist, and tag ten people.

Here are some songs from my playlist for Z’s story ;) 

1. Requiem Op. 48: VI. Libera Me- Gabriel Faure- Atlanta Symphony Chorus 

2. Sabbra Cadabra- Black Sabbath

3. Adam & Eve- October Project 

4. Tu Recuerdo- Ricky Martin ft. Mari de Chambao & Tommy Torres

5. La Mano de Lucifer- Crobot

6. Close Your Eyes to See- Circa Survive

7. In a Week- Hozier Ft. Karen Cowley

8. Muddy Waters- LP

9. Snuff- Slipknot

10. Run to You- Pentatonix

Tagging forward to @literary-licorice @weaverofwiles @dreamerlavellan @rhysanoodle @mythicaitt @schoute @highqueenofelfhame @heraldofwho @lethendralis-paints @wander2theedge 

[twopoppies]

Annual Writing Self Evaluation 2021

I was tagged by @justalarryblog and @crinkle-eyed-boo to do this. Thank you and I really loved reading both of your evaluations!!

I feel a little silly doing this because I only published one fic this year, but I figure I’ve been writing all year, even if nothing made it out of my docs. And, besides, I really love the one fic I did share. 

1. Number of stories posted to AO3: One (I’ve started at least four since then)

2. Word count posted for the year: 30K

3. Fandoms I wrote for: One Direction

4. Pairings: Larry

5. Story with the most kudos, comments, bookmarks: Given that I only published this one this year, it’s Literally Making Love and I’m so grateful for every single kudos, comment and bookmark. There are so many more than I expected and you all have been so lovely about this fic. Thank you. 

6. Work I’m most proud of (and why): Out of the four I’ve written, I think I might have had the hardest time with LML because I couldn’t quite decide if I wanted it to be light and funny, or have a deeper message. Based on the response I’ve gotten to it, I think I somehow managed to achieve both. 

7. Work I’m least proud of (and why): I’m honestly proud of everything I’ve written this year, even if I didn’t complete the other fics. I think it’s just important for me to keep writing.

8. Share or describe a favorite review you received: Oh, I’ve honestly had some of the most amazing and heartfelt responses to this fic. I was blown away by so many of you. @disgruntledkittenface live read the fic while shouting at me in DMs which was honestly the best thing that happened to me all year. LOL! Various people made art and playlists for this one which was incredibly moving. I loved all of the comments I got (even the ones that were just “I loved it!”), and this one from @littleroverlouis was a favorite because they really verbalized so much of what I was trying to say with the fic:

This was all about growth to me. You really captured Harry’s journey to humanize himself. He was always aware and not afraid to ask questions. His initial questions were more about appropriateness but later shifted to complex human emotion, which really shown how far he had come. He had some more quiet, endearing moments which reminded me of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. A fish on land or android in a human world, same difference.

Louis also grew by leaps and bounds. He was essentially a human android who hadn’t had any relationships or emotion in his life for years. Living with Harry forced him to first, realize when he was being a shithead and then become capable of love.

Every line is genius but this one really gave me pause, “ Pulling into his driveway, the two of them remained silent, the only sound in the car coming from the sequins on Harry’s jumpsuit scratching against each other as he fidgeted in his seat.” Such a small detail but paints such a vivid picture.

The physicality of the relationship was *chefs kiss* You have such a way of giving sex scenes a natural build up. Sex isn’t necessarily beautiful but it is when you write it. That paint scene? I want to throw myself into the nearest large body of water.

9. A time when writing was really, really hard: Um... all year? After posting LML it was so hard for me to find a new prompt I was excited to write. And not writing (or drawing) for long periods begins to make me feel really lifeless. Also, family stuff was super hard for the first 8 months of the year, so it was super hard to find the energy.

10. A scene or character you wrote that surprised you: I think the lead up to the first real smut scene ended up being much different, and much more angsty and tender than I’d expected. But in the end, I’m so glad it went the way it did because I think it really humanized Harry in a big way which was especially important, given the set up of human/android. 

11. A favorite excerpt of your writing: There’s a bit towards the end of Literally Making Love that I was really happy with, where they talk about the future; but I don’t want to spoil it for people who haven’t read the fic yet. So, instead, here’s a bit of jealous Harry from this fic that was really fun to write:

Before Louis could answer, Harry grabbed Connor’s shirt and pulled him close, his voice becoming low and dark as he spoke through gritted teeth. “If you ever make a comment like that about him again, I’ll find you and make you sorry you ever met him.” Connor’s eyes darted between Harry and the rest of the room. “I may look human, but I can eviscerate you like a machine. No empathy. No remorse. No pity. Don’t. Test. Me.”

With that, Harry let Connor’s shirt go and gave him a shove, sending him scrambling backwards. With a huff, he straightened out his clothes and opened his mouth to respond. Then, thinking better of it, he dismissed them with a wave of his hand and turned to slink off into the crowd.

Harry turned to Louis slowly, his frown softening into concern as their eyes met. “I’m sorry if I scared you. I was watching The Terminator yesterday.”

Louis looked at him, incredulously, his voice a rough whisper. “What… the fuck, Harry?”

12. How did you grow as a writer this year: This fic really pushed me in terms of becoming more comfortable with outlining prior to writing. It’s the part I hate most, but it was really needed and it helped me make sure the characters were growing and connecting at the pace that worked best. 

13. How do you hope to grow next year: I’d love for outlining to be easier for me. I’m trying to do better with it on my current fic. I’d love to be able to write something in a more poetic voice, but right now I’m not sure I know how. 

14. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta or cheerleader or muse etc etc): Always always @indiaalphawhiskey because she’s my biggest cheerleader and puts up with my whining and flip-flopping as we talk about fic every day. I admire her skill and talent so much and can’t believe she puts up with me. 

Honestly there are so many of you who have helped so much this year. Anyone who messaged me telling me they loved my writing, or that they’d read one of my fics again, or put my fics on your rec lists, or told me they wanted a sequel to something etc etc. Bless you all. You have no idea how much it means. 

15. Anything from your real life show up in your writing this year: Other than my own thought processes, no. 

16. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers: I have very little wisdom at all. But I suppose this year taught me that there’s no point in trying to write something you’re not passionate about. And you can’t force yourself to be passionate about a story just because you want to be writing. Quality storytelling (for me) evolves from having a story you just have to tell. 

17. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year: I'm working on a reincarnation AU that hasn’t left my head since I first thought of it. I was stuck for a while on how to make it work, but I think I’ve figured it out and I’m excited about it... I hope you all like it when I’m done. 

18. Tag some writers whose answers you’d like to read. I really don’t know who’s already done this, and some of my writer friends haven’t published this year, but I’m going to tag @lovingstheantidote @hazzabeeforlou @indiaalphawhiskey @homosociallyyours @non-binharry @ohpleaselarry @evilovesyou @thedevilinmybrain and really anyone who wants to share. Tag me and let me see... I’d love to support anyone out there who’s writing!

[365days365movies]

February 18, 2021: The Danish Girl (Review)

Before I go into ANYTHING else...let’s talk about the actual Danish Girl, Lili Elbe, or Lili Ilse Elvenes.

Oh, uh, full warning, this is gonna be LONG, so skip to the bottom if you’re just here for the Review! OK, history time!

Now, what the film The Danish Girl notes about the beginning of the transition is pretty spot-on, from what I can tell. After marrying portrait painter Gerda Gottlieb in 1904, the two lived in Italy and France before moving to Paris in 1912. Yeah, that’s over 14 years before they’re shown doing so in the movie. Inaccuracy #1. In 1908 (here comes number 2), Elbe (Einar at the time) painted this portrait of trees along a fjord in Denmark.

Yeah, NOT in 1926, as the film says. But, yeah, that’s a nitpick, I recognize that. Anyway, the revelation came when model Anna Larssen (not “Ulla”, which is Inaccuracy #3) was late, and Gerda asked Elbe to fill in. When Larssen eventually showed up, she suggested the name “Lili”. Basically, this scene from the movie was pretty goddamn accurate.

Except for the dates, anyway. Because while the movie mostly takes place around 1926 and afterwards, this probably happened closer to 1920, in Paris. So, yeah, Lili spent a LOT more time as Lili in real life. Additionally, Lili was pretty goddamn public about the whole thing, inviting guests and hosting parties as herself, rather than as Einar. At the same time, Gerda was getting pretty goddamn famous for her paintings of Lili, like this one.

Which, yeah, are really good! Also, they were considered lesbian erotica by many! YEAH! And here’s a fun fact: Gerda may not have been straight-up straight. Yeah, the film and the book (we’ll get there) kind of ignored the fact that their marriage was annulled by the Danish government, not by the two of them. Inaccuracy #4. Now, obviously, their relationship ended, and Lili ended up getting together with a man (we’ll get there, too), but there are a LOT of unanswered questions about Gerda’s sexuality, and views of sexuality (which is barely hinted at in the “male gaze” speech in the beginning).

After the annulment, the two just...drifted apart. Their relationship dissolved, and the details on that are fuzzy. By 1930, Lili was headed on a completely different path. She wasn’t a painter like Einar (and it turns out that she thought of them as two entirely separate people, like two souls living in the same body, which the movie got mostly right), and she was mostly unsatisfied with her career, life, and other things. And that is where Drs. Erwin Gohrbandt and Magnus Hirschfeld come in, NOT Kurt Warnerkros...yet. He’d come in for the other five (YES FIVE) surgeries, but wouldn’t be involved with the first. Inaccuracy #5, and also #6, while we’re at it! See, the film would make you think that Lili was the first complete gender reassignment surgery, but she was actually the second. The first would be Dora Richter, in a procedure that was performed by Dr. Hirschfeld from 1922 - 1931. YEAH. BIG-ASS INACCURACY THERE. Here’s Dora, by the way:

Anyway, Lili had her first procedure, to remove the testicles, performed in 1930. In the same year, the divorce between Lili and Gerda was finalized, and Lili legally changed her name. Two more procedures were performed, the first to implant an ovary, and the second to remove the penis and scrotum. Inaccuracy #7, by the way. And, hey, let’s go for number 8! Let’s talk about Henrik, a dude who didn’t exist. He and Hans were both very loosely based on an art dealer named Claude Lejeune.

Claude was an art dealer (there’s the Hans part), and was indeed in love with Lili. They got together around early 1931, and he’d actually been in love with her for a good, long time. He proposed to marry Lili, and she accepted, also hoping that the two would be able to have children together. But to do that, it was believed that Lili would need a uterus. And, obviously, having children would be MILES more complicated than that in basically EVERY way, but this was early in medical science’s understanding of some of that biology.

In any case, however, Lili would need both a uterus and a vagina to feel whole. And so, the fourth surgery was scheduled. And she had that surgery in 1931, a couple of weeks after Dora Richter successfully had the same surgery performed. But, sadly, Lili wouldn’t be so lucky.

Lili’s body rejected the uterus, and while transplant rejections of any kind wouldn’t necessarily be fatal now, they definitely were back then. They attempted to remove it, but that subsequent 5th surgery caused infection, which caused a fatal heart attack three months later. Lili Elbe died on September 13, 1931, at the age of FORTY-EIGHT. Yeah, Inaccuracy #9.

By the way, you may be wondering: what about Dora Richter, the first successful person to get these surgeries? Well, she disappeared...in Germany...as the Nazis were coming into power...yeah. Fuckin’ YIKES.

And so, that’s the true story of Lili Elbe. And there are far more differences than that, I’m sure, but those 9 inaccuracies aren’t insignificant, that’s for sure. Although, it probably doesn’t help that the movie was based on a fictionalized book.

Oh, uh...did I not mention that? Yeah, this movie is based on The Danish Girl, by David Ebershoff, which means that this film is essentially a cinematic game of telephone. Which, uh...not great. Granted, Ebershoof made some other...interesting changes, which the film didn’t inherit. In the book, for example, Gerda is named Greta, and is American? Um...why? I dunno, it’s kind of weird. Oh, and that’s not including one more issue with the movie. But, you’ve waited long enough, huh? Recap of the film is here and here if you wanna check that out! Let’s get to the Review already!

Review

Cast and Acting: 8/10

I am...conflicted. So let me start here by saying that the acting in the film in and of itself is fantastic, all-around. Not a weak actor in here, that’s for sure. Let’s start with the side-roles, for once. Ben Whishaw, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Amber Heard are all good. Heard’s accent is a little shaky, but they’re still all solid performances. OK, how about Alicia Vikander? She’s great! And she won the Oscar for...Best Supporting Actress. Um...wait...Supporting? But not Best Actress? Uh...OK. That’s a little weird, let’s be honest here. But, Alicia Vikander did deserve that win over...oooooooh, Rooney Mara in Carol? Maybe not...damn.

And OK...let’s get into the elephant in the room, huh?

Eddie Redmayne is fantastic as Einar Wegener/Lili Eber, and I genuinely think he had a great shot to win Best Actor...but, yeah, Leonardo DiCaprio definitely deserved it, I think that goes without saying. Hell, that year had a SOLID line-up for best actor. And Redmayne had even won it the year before for The THeory of Everything, another biography where he played Stephen Hawking. But ALL of that said...HNNNNNNNNNG, there should have been a transgender actor cast in this role, ideally. Now, I’m fully aware how difficult that would be, as Hollywood isn’t extraordinarily diverse in terms of including trans actors in massive mainstream projects. It’s better now, but it’s nowhere near ideal. But if anybody knows an actor who would’ve fit this role and performed it well, I’m DEFINITELY interested. So, despite that controversy, Redmayne was pretty goddamn great in this role. But, uh...that doesn’t mean everything is perfect...

Plot and Writing: 5/10

OK, that seems low, I know. But it’s pretty goddamn damning that this movie was based off of a heavily fictionalized book instead of the actual life story of Lili Eber and Gerda Gottlieb. And because of that, there are not only some missed opportunities, but some straight-up damning inaccuracies. That’s a set of pretty poor decisions, I tell you what. Not sure why Lucinda Coxon came to that decision when adapting this screenplay, but it wasn’t exactly nominated for Best Screenplay. And the writing certainly isn’t bad, but it is...overly saccharine sometimes, especially for a film based (loosely) on a true story. I dunno...just not the best set of choices here, sorry to say.

Directing and Cinematography: 8/10

Tom Hooper shouldn’t direct musicals. However, since this wasn’t a musical, directing and cinematography here is pretty damn good! Real talk, this is a gorgeous looking movie, and the way shots are framed are fantastic. Perfect? Weeeeeeeell...given the fact that painting is a main focus of the film, for both Gerda and Einar, there should’ve been more painter-quality shots in here, I think. And while the cinematography by Danny Cohen is pretty fantastic, I can’t say that it’s perfect. Still, in terms of lighting and general skill, it’s still quite a good looking movie.

Production and Art Design: 10/10

But the deficiencies in the direction are EASILY compensated for by the production design! Like, hot DAMN, this is a good looking movie, like I said! That goes from the construction of the sets, to the gorgeous outfits all over the place, especially Lili’s outfits. Some iconic pieces of wardrobe there, that’s for sure! But if I have ONE complaint...this movie never once felt like the 1920s. Yup, good old anachronistic complaints from me again! Yeah, I’ll change the record one of these days, I promise. But even with that, it’s hard to ignore just how good this movie looks, to be honest. It’s just...gorgeous.

Music and Editing: 8/10

As I type this, I’m listening to a track of the film on YouTube, and it is a beautifully delicate tune. I’m not sure that I’d be able to associate it with the film if presented to me on its own, but it’s definitely a nice track to listen to by itself. Playlist worthy? For somebody, almost certainly, but not for me. One of these days, a film like that’s gonna pop up, I swear. But for now, Alexandre Desplat and his score are gonna stay off my iPhone. This really is a nice score, though, I promise. Editing by Melanie Ann Oliver is pretty good as well, and I’ve no complaints about it, to be honest. Overall, this side of things was quite nice, if not the most notable thing I’ve ever seen or heard.

I might have been a little harsh, but it’s still got an 78%.

This is a good movie, but...I dunno, the inaccuracies do bug me. Hell, there are WAY more than what I’d mentioned, and I mentioned a lot. Not to mention the other glaring issue: no trans people at any stage of the production? Really? No script consultants, no writers, no NTOHING? That’s...egregiously bad. Like, holy shit, guys. And, yes, this includes Redmayne, because even though he performed admirably in the role...I dunno. I’m no expert on ANY of this, as a cissexual dude with cissexual experience, but it feels a little...reductive, is all. Like I said, if any other actors have been suggested for this role, I’d love to know. The whole thing feels...I don’t know, just not great. 

And by the way, that’s without even TOUCHING the question as to whether or not this film is authentic to the trans experience. Again, I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA, but I’ve also heard that this film isn’t universally acclaimed in the trans community, so to speak. And I’m definitely interested in the reasons for that. All I know is this: from the perspective of a complete outsider, I was intrigued by this films view of the transgender experience, specifically as seen in the earliest days of those realizations happening and being publicly known and reported on. And that’s all I can really comment on, in truth.

WHOOF. That was a goddamn topic, huh? And now, I’m going to continue on the the month of romance with...wait, the 19th is my 5-year anniversary with my GF, pictured here:

Ravishing. Anyway, I think I’ll let her pick from my choices for this next one. Hold on a sec...OK, then. Sing it with me now! AND DO I DREEEEEAM AGAAAAIN, FOR NOW I FIIIIIIIIIIIIIND...

February 19, 2021: The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

[muldxr]

Annual Writing Self Evaluation 2021

Thanks so much to @ladyaj-13 for the tag!

☀️☀️☀️☀️

1. Number of stories posted to AO3: 5

2. Word count posted for the year: 49054

3. Fandoms I wrote for: One Direction

4. Pairings: Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson

There’s maybe one or two gen fics in there too!

5. Story with the most Kudos/Bookmarks/Comments:

Kudos/comments: let me show you

Bookmarks: shuffle off this immortal coil

6. Work I’m most proud of (and why):

I think it’s got to be SOTIC again. It was the second fic I started writing this year and the longest 😊 It also was the one I put together an entire outline for (which I didn’t do for the first fic I wrote) and a three-hour playlist (forever my favorite playlist!). I think I included a lot of my own emotions and interests and things that made me laugh and cry, and I think no matter what happens going forward it’s always going to be that one I’m proud of (even if I get better at connecting complicated plot points)

7. Work I’m least proud of (and why):

I don’t want to say any of them but maybe noisemaker ? I love the reception it’s gotten, which definitely surprised me since it’s not exactly a romantic fic. I think the reason I’m not proud of it is because I had to change the soulmates prompt in the midst of a very busy real life, and this was all I cranked out in a few weeks. I think my only wish is that it were longer and I could have added a few more characters to really establish the soulmate world, but it’s okay the way it is and I’m so grateful for the nice comments on that one!

8. Share or describe a favourite review you received:

I don’t know what to choose, really! All reviews are good reviews in my book and I learn from every comment so I can see what people liked. I think there was one comment that said this was their favorite thing they had read all year ?! 😭

9. A time when writing was really, really hard:

Definitely October-November! I had two fest deadlines and I was going through a busy point with schoolwork/life that made me feel like writing wasn’t good enough, or nothing was making it onto that google doc that I didn’t delete an hour later. I had to remind myself to take a break and that inspiration would strike when it would, and not to rush it. Writing multiple fics at once is a definite tough feat!

10. A scene or character you wrote that surprised you:

Ah this question is a good one! I think the whole of good, good graces surprised me because it was my first smut fic and when I submitted it I thought to myself, “can i take it back, i don’t want anyone to read it!” (even typing this out feels weird) but it’s cute and established HL which I hadn’t done in other fics

11. A favourite excerpt of your writing:

Don’t make me pick!! Okay, here’s a part from SOTIC I thought was hilarious because of the film/picture narrative I included here -

The food arrives an hour and a half later. They spend the evening watching an old black-and-white picture, (“Moving pictures, H.” “Film! Just say film!”), and Harry begs for cuddles, closing the space between their bodies and making excuses for the cold.

After the moving picture (sorry, film) ends, Harry’s head is still on Louis's chest, rising with each breath they take. Louis watches the credits roll, waits until the screen turns black and the room goes dark, and gently taps Harry’s shoulder.

12. How did you grow as a writer this year:

I started writing fic in June so I think that’s a big growth? I’ve been writing casually for ten years on and off, and that skill was only practiced through poetry and journaling so storytelling is a really new venue. I also made some writer friends (hi guys) and I have a lot to learn!

13. How do you hope to grow next year:

Next year is only a few days away! 😱🤯 I hope to grow in my writing style and variety of how I include details and dialogue without being repetitive. Another goal is to write one or two longer fics! (To me that means over 20k words)

14. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta or cheerleader or muse etc etc):

I think every friend who I’ve vented to about any fic has been a positive influence haha they know who they are 😂 seriously it’s probably the 1d library discord, they are an incredible bunch of writers who’ve been so welcoming and encouraging to each other and it’s a great group!

15. Anything from your real life show up in your writing this year:

Let me show you was definitely inspired by the (very very few) basement parties I had in high school/college, and “Are ghosts real?” aka the Buzzfeed Unsolved au was based on a real haunted cemetery nearabouts somewhere I was growing up. And of course, the end of noisemaker included a certain food item that I’m very fond of and would like on a sandwich any day

16. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers:

Write whatever you want! Even if it seems ridiculous or too cliche, I promise you people will like it. There’s that meme where a person goes “And there was only one bed.” And the other person goes “AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE BED?!!!!!” I think that sums up the fic experience pretty well. Don’t hold back, and read read read! You’ll understand how a story flows from a reader’s perspective and you can pick up on tiny writing styles.

17. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year:

I am really looking forward to getting the first draft of my x-files au finished (I just passed 5k words and I want it to be at least 20k! No set deadline for this one, really). I am also focusing on the 1d song fic fest due in March! Aaaaaand I’m taking part in the 22 Big Bang as an artist for one fic, and a beta for another fic 📚

I might join some more fests like I did this year because it was really fun being a part of something that so many creative approaches were taken on prompts… but I need to be a better planner about that! I have a few other ideas that didn’t really come to light but I hope new stories might inspire me in 2022.

18. Tag some writers whose answers you’d like to read.

sorry y’all, I’m not sure who’s already been tagged so if you’re a writer and you see this you are absolutely welcome to do this game too!!

[fyexo]

200924 20 Questions With SuperM: The K-Pop Supergroup On Their New Album & Becoming ‘Like Family’ With Each Other

Last year, SuperM notched a huge win when their self-titled “mini album” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The K-pop supergroup -- which consists of members of EXO, SHINee, NCT 127 and WayV -- had generated a huge amount of buzz before releasing a single track thanks to its star-studded lineup, and with the No. 1 bow, SuperM was off to an explosive start.

With Super One, the group’s first full-length out Friday (Sept. 25), SuperM continues its positive momentum. The hopeful, hook-stuffed album allows all seven members of SuperM to shine, while also expanding the group’s pop aesthetic and finding the right balance between singing and rapping. Songs like “Wish You Were Here,” “Better Days” and lead single “100” demonstrate SuperM’s dexterity -- and even though it’s still uncertain when their global fans will be able to see the songs performed live, the collective sounds prepared to put on an eclectic, wide-ranging show with these tracks.

Ahead of their new album’s release, the members of SuperM answered 20 questions about their musical backgrounds, leaning on each other during the pandemic, the highlights of Super One and more:

1. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself, and what was the medium?

BAEKHYUN: An Avril Lavigne CD. I really liked her music when I was young so I remember going to a CD store with my brother to buy her album.

2. What was the first concert you saw?

KAI: I remember I went to my first concert when I was 16 years old. This was Usher’s concert when he came to Korea. Seeing him perform onstage inspired me to work harder towards my dream to become an artist like him. I still can’t forget the energy and the vibe of people around me and remember wanting to perform on a big stage like that.

3. Who made you realize you could be an artist full-time?

TAEMIN: My mom was the first person actually. When I was very young, she saw how much I enjoyed singing and dancing and encouraged me to audition. Since then, I started moving towards my dream to become an artist and performer. She helped me discover my passion at an early age and encouraged me to do what I love, and for that, I’m forever grateful.

4. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?

TAEYONG: I just want everyone I work with to be happy, and work together for a long time. This includes not just SuperM members, but also the rest of the staff and the team behind the scenes that make it all happen!

5. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?

MARK: I think everyone is influenced by their hometown and where they come from. It’s really special to be a K-pop artist and perform in front of fans in Canada, where I’m from. When we performed in my hometown during the world tour earlier this year, it was such a significant “homecoming” moment for me. Canada always has a special place in my heart.

6. What’s the last song you listened to?

LUCAS: The last song I listened to is Justin Bieber’s new song, “Holy.” It’s a great song to listen to when you are feeling tired. I listen to it on repeat when I’m on the move during the day and it puts me in a good mood.

7. If you could see any artist in concert, dead or alive, who would it be?

TEN: I would choose Michael Jackson, because I always regret that I didn’t get to see him perform onstage live. I look up to him as an artist, and I’d love to see him sing and dance live at one of his concerts.

8. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen in the crowd of one of your shows?

MARK: Well, one thing that happens at every show is how emotional I get seeing the venue packed with our fans. Before going onstage, I always take a peek at the audience from behind the curtain, and it’s hard to describe the exact feeling in words but it feels surreal — too good to be true, almost. Especially for a standing audience, it’s not easy standing for hours straight in a tight space, but their energy never goes down. I never feel tired onstage because of them. It’s still pretty crazy to me to see and feel their energy every time. I miss them!

9. How has the pandemic affected the way you’ve created music in 2020?

BAEKHYUN: The process of creating music, writing and recording songs, was pretty much the same. However, planning the album promotion during pandemic was a little different, since everything had to be done online. We had to think of fun and unique ways to interact with our fans, from creating our own reality show to holding livestream, AR tech-based concerts. We have a lot more creative content in store for our fans, so stay tuned!

10. What was your reaction to SuperM’s mini album topping the Billboard 200 chart last year?

KAI: Everyone was super happy. We put our heart and soul into the album and worked really hard on it, so in a way, we were looking forward to the results. When we saw that the EP hit number one on the chart, it was one of the happiest moments of our career.

11. What’s the biggest difference, creatively speaking, between last year’s mini album and Super One?

TEN: The mini album was more about introducing SuperM and our SMP-style performances, whereas for Super One, it shows more of our different musical styles and really brings out the dynamic qualities that we possess as a group. So, to put it simply, Super One is the completed version/look of SuperM. Also, what was important for us when creating this album was to include a message of hope and deliver that positivity and strength to listeners. Music can really lift your spirits when you’re feeling down, so I hope people find healing and happiness while listening to our music. That would make us very happy.

12. Why did “100” make the most sense as a lead single?

TAEYONG: “100” is all about speed and energy, so it’s the perfect single to showcase SuperM’s power as the opening act of Super One. It also helps convey the message that we are always moving forward at full-speed, giving our 100% in all we do.

13. What’s one song on the album that you suspect will be a big fan favorite?

LUCAS: I think fans will like “Better Days.” It’s a nice ballad song for a great start to your day. It also contains a message of comfort and empathy to help get through these difficult times. We hope our fans can feel the warmth of this messaging through our vocals and fluid rapping.

14. How has the group bonded during what’s been a wild 2020?

TAEMIN: We’ve been through a lot and have always been there for each other through thick and thin so naturally, we’ve gotten very close. They’re like family now. We didn’t have to “try” to become close, it just naturally happened -- as if we were destined to be in the same group.

15. SuperM has been part of a massive year for the global expansion of K-pop. How does it feel to see so many K-pop songs, albums and artists setting records?

MARK: This makes me really proud. I remember growing up in Canada, a lot of people at my school didn’t know K-pop. It was mainly just popular among Koreans. Now, so many people all over the world know about it and K-pop is getting so much attention. I feel honored and proud to be a part of this movement. Bringing the two cultures closer together and building that bridge through music is such a historic moment, and I can’t wait to contribute more to it and create great music for listeners worldwide.

16. What’s your go-to song that you’ve been singing along to lately?

BAEKHYUN: These days, I have Eric Benet’s “Still with You” on repeat, so I’ve been singing this a lot lately. This was one of my favorite songs in high school, and ever since I started spending more time at home, I’ve been revisiting some of my old favorite playlists. They bring me back to that moment when I was in school, aspiring to become an artist.

17. What movie, or song, always makes you cry?

TEN: This always changes, but when I can empathize with the characters in a movie or connect with the emotions in a song, it makes me cry. I recently cried watching the animated film, Grave of the Fireflies. I watched this for the first time when I was young, but re-watching it as an adult touched me in a different way.

18. If you were not a musician, what would you be?

LUCAS: If not a musician, I’d probably be a firefighter – a job that saves other people’s lives is truly inspiring to me. But if not a firefighter, I’d definitely choose a career that make people happy, just like what I try to do now through music and performing.

19. What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

KAI: I would tell my younger self to take care of yourself and stay healthy, because health is so important! I would also tell him not to be so hard on himself and enjoy the ride as a young teenager. This is the time for having fun and trying different things! Back then, I was so focused on my career and working towards my dreams that I didn’t spend a lot of time doing “regular teenager experiences,” which I wish I did more of!

20. What’s your message to fans who have been supporting SuperM -- and waiting for this album to arrive?

TAEMIN: It’s been almost a year now since our debut, and we are incredibly grateful to have so many fans cheer us on. We put our heart and soul into the album knowing that our fans have been waiting for a long time. While we’re sad that that we can’t meet them in person, we hope they can feel the positive energy through our songs and performances.

Jason Lipshutz @ Billboard

[coffeeblack75]

20 Fic Questions for 2020

Thank you so much for these, curator-on-ao3​ – such a great idea!

1. Fandoms you wrote for this year

Star Trek Voyager, one for Picard.

2. Favorite fic you wrote this year

Your Shadow Falling (Caesar). It may not the best fic I’ve written technique-wise, or anything-wise, but it’s the one closest to my heart and of which I’m most proud. I loved writing about Chakotay in the place he is in that fic; I loved of the adult relationship of equals I wrote for C/R and hinted at with J/C – it represents the development of my understanding of Chakotay and Rios, and J/C. But, most importantly, I loved all the behind-the-scenes that brought me to the spot from which I could write it: it wouldn’t exist without @traccigaryn – all the discussion we had over the year on the characters and in developing this fic series, and her ideas in Wherever We’re Lost (Jupiter), which she graciously let me spring from in my story.

3. Favorite fic you read this year

You are kidding, right? ‘Fic’ is plural, right? 😂 I could not hope to pick just one! Here are some of the fic that I’ve loved and/or which have been influential to me in terms of my writing and/or my understanding of the characters this year:

Between Decks 4 and 5 by @traccigaryn (J/C, G-rated) – the adult J/C conversation the show owed us

if you came this way, by tree (J/C, E-rated) – this beloved fic does not need a gush, surely?

Sparks, by Jaye_Voy (C/P, E-rated) – for its exploration of Chakotay’s (and Tom’s) backstory, among other things ...

Motif by Filenotch (C/P/T, E-rated) – a wonderful look at B’Elanna and Chakotay’s friendship, among other things ...

BlackVelvet’s Lucky (J/C, M-rated) – so much wisdom in this fic!

@curator-on-ao3’s Cutting it Close (J/C, G-rated) – beautiful in every way

Pessa’s Final Bell (J/C, G-rated) – an example of the kind of closure J/C could have had on the show

(Oh How I Need) Someone To Watch Over Me, by zjofierose (J/C, E-rated) – the first fic I read that paid Chakotay some of his due. I cried the first time I read it! (And the next few times!)

Soft Light by northernexposure (J/C, E-rated) – the first E-rated I ever read ... I’ve not been the same since! 😏

Feels So Good (G-rated) and Venice (E-rated) by @killermanatee – gorgeous, adult J/C

Good grief, I have to stop ... We are blessed in this fandom with so many incredibly talented writers!

4. Favorite opening line/scene you wrote this year

Ah! I normally hide from openings, lol. Perhaps the first few lines from Blue Sky:

She remembers the sky was so blue, like Earth’s. And the sun on their backs and the feel of his hand in hers and a monkey that always interrupted but was never unwelcome in the fullness of a life that stretched out before them.

5. Favorite ending line/scene you wrote this year

The last line to Slippery Slope:

She’s not a poet. But there is a song in her now.

6. A trope you wrote this year

Corn porn?! 😂 Does that count as a trope in the Voy fandom? In The Other Side. Or ... first-time sex – I wrote a few of those!

7. Pairings you wrote this year

J/C, Chakotay/Cristobal Rios, Janeway/Neelix (hahahhahhaha!)

8. A fic regret from this year

I don’t think I have any regrets. All of the fic I wrote are what they are and were the best I could do at the time I wrote them, so I’m just pleased I achieved what I did! They’re all stepping stones!

9. A song that helped you write

Again, just one!? Nope! I write all my fic to songs – I usually have a playlist for each fic! I’ll restrain myself and just hit you with three ...

Phoria’s Yourself Still (listened to when writing Slippery Slope mainly, but also Someplace You Know)

Heavy Metals by Noah Gundersen (various WIP fic – it’s my get-J/C-to-a-place-where-they-can-be-together song)

Beast by Wednesday’s Wolves (listened to when writing WIP fic as part of my Other Side series and ... my vamp!Chakotay WIP)

10. Total number of fics you posted

13 (one of which was written in 2019 [Space] but only posted this month)

11. Total number of words you posted

44,199 (not including Space) – I ... cannot believe I wrote that much! 😵

12. Most popular fic written this year

Someplace You Know – in terms of kudos and hits combined. Looking at hits:kudos, it would be Blue Sky. I have a feeling though that The Other Side was actually my most popular, but this is not really reflected in raw stats.

13. Least popular fic this year

By hits and kudos, probably Reflection, a little Janeway/Neelix drabble. I’ve no idea why that one hasn’t been more popular? 🤷😂

14. Longest completed fic you posted this year

Someplace You Know – 10,529 words.

15. Shortest completed fic you posted this year

Reflection and Made It, both drabbles at 100 words each.

16. Favorite character to write about this year

Chakotay. Of course. I expect this will be the same every year!

17. A fic you didn’t expect to write

Um ... all of them? They come from ... strange inspiration. Perhaps I’ll go with The Other Side. I was feeling especially crappy about my writing prior to writing that and the wonderful @caladeniablue gave me a prompt and a pep talk and ... corn. She gave me corn. And away I went!

18. Most memorable comment or review

Probably this one from @mia-cooper on This Day:

YES. This is a diamond with a crack right through it and it's so perfect. Love the despair, love how bleak this is. Love that there's not even a shred of a happy ending. Fucking yeah. #2020MOOD

19. Fics you wanted to write but didn’t

I think I started all the ones I wanted to write at this stage. I do wish I’d got further along with my vampire!Chakotay one though!

20. Something to write next year

Vampire!Chakotay, ofc. It’ll have him on the label, but it will (probably!) be a story about KJ growing and dealing with some of her issues, so she can best help him. And smut, naturally. And my fun ooc Indiana Jones J/C AU. I just want to keep learning and progressing as a writer, trying different genres, writerly techniques, learning to plot properly, etc.

It’s been an amazing year in this fandom – my first full year! Thank you to all the wonderful people who’ve welcomed and helped me along the way with my writing – in discussion, in betaing, in reading. ❤️

And if you’re reading this and a fic writer, consider yourself tagged to answer these questions too! 🤗

[grimelords]

So since the last time I posted one of these the entire world has changed dramatically and hopefully 4 hours of music will tide you over in quarantine for a bit longer. Strangely I’ve been busier than ever, and what started as a personal challenge to listen to a new album every day in February turned into me listening to 116 new albums in March and 124 in April. I’ve got a stacked google doc full of star ratings and dates now and it’s really been a lot of fun, I highly recommend trying it yourself. This is my March playlist, because I accidentally took a month off, and I’m thinking of either switching these playlists to weekly to make them a little more digestible or just dropping them whenever. Who knows. Let me know what you think and drop album recommendations in the comments please.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0k1JjT8fXcUFO6VpM3kaez?si=gWSv88vdShKSnHhLJ_80pQ

If you’d like to receive these playlists in a more digestible email format, please subscribe to my tinyletter here: http://tinyletter.com/grimelords

On A Slow Boat To China - Bing Crosby & Peggy Lee: Ok first off it’s amazing this song isn’t more racist. I don't remember now how or why I came across this. I think I was just thinking about crooners and how as a genre it's now existed in common popularity as a nostalgic idyll of a mytholigised past far longer than it was ever actually popular which is interesting. The origin of this song, according to wikipedia, is also one of the most 40s ideas I've ever read: "I'd like to get you on a slow boat to China" was a well-known phrase among poker players, referring to a person who lost steadily and handsomely. The idea being that a "slow boat to China" was the longest trip one could imagine. Loesser moved the phrase to a more romantic setting, yet it eventually entered general parlance to mean anything that takes an extremely long time".

Fight Night - Migos: I saw that Offset had some new show on Quibi the extremely fake sounding streaming service and I thought "how did Migos get so world conqueringly large that they get to make 10 minute shows nobody will watch for a $2 billion venture capital funded app that will never make any money?" They seem to have this massive reputation without having much to back it up. The last thing I remember everyone talking about was how Culure II was two hours long in order to game streaming numbers and was simply not good. They seemed to have sort of settled into making background music for scrolling instagram. But then I remembered Fight Night and I thought: "oh wait, that's right, Migos are fucking great". Where their other big hits like Bad And Boujee and Walk It Talk It have this sort of laid back vibe where they've comfortably nailed the formula and relax onto it, Fight Night commands your attention. StackboyTwan killed the beat - it has this propulsive momentum where it feels like it's constantly ramping up, moving up from the sidesick and bassline in the verse, up to the claps on the beat, and the big gang chants on the offbeat once the full instrumentation kicks in - then it just goes around and around and around with the constant bassline the whole tim. It's a perfect all-rise production because it never actually explodes, it's all building tension held down by an unchanging bassline.

Do It Puritan! - El Hombre Trajeado & Sue Tompkins: I am extremely delighted to announce that Sue Tompkins of one of my all time favourite single album bands Life Without Buildings has broken a nearly 20 year musical hiatus to appear on this song by El Hombre Trajeado. It is so nice to hear how her voice has changed and her approach has stayed the same. Her style is so unique and so good and I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

5 8 6 - New Order: Before 'the incident' I had tickets to see New Order at the end of March and so I embarked on a big listen through of their discography, which has now unfortunately made it feel even worse that live music is cancelled indefinitely.

Oom Sha La La - Haley Heynderickx: First of all I love songs where they talking about how they're writing a song halfway through. And I love songs that seem like a pretty normal singer songwriter indie thing where someone just starts screaming near the end. I love this song. A great staring at the wall and absolutely losing your mind because you haven't done anything with your whole life anthem.

Elektrobank - The Chemical Brothers: Can you believe I've never listening to a full Chemical Brothers album before this month? Can you believe big beat ever went our of style? It feels insane that we ever swapped this sort of energy for the beige algorithm of EDM. I think there's a real triumph in this album, and in this track especially of replicating the live feeling in studio. Giving it this much space to grow and change and get very hairy near the end is amazing, it feels like it was just recorded live.

My Mind's A Ship (That's Going Down) - Katie Pruitt: It feels very rare to me that this sort of extremely smooth Nashville prduction actually makes a song better. It has a habit of strangling the life out of a song and making it blend into a boring paste of soundalikes, but with Katie Pruitt it works amazingly. Her songwriting is so distinct and clear and her voice, especially near the end where it punches hole in the sky, is so strong and so her own that it doesn't need anything else.

Water - Ohmme: "What if Tegan And Sara were a noise band instead?" is a question I didn't know I needed an answer to. I love any band that has the guts to write songs like this that sound like pop from an alternate history, so off kilter and odd and noisy but with this undeniable pop heart that the duo vocals make sound like schoolyard clapping chants remixed by Lightning Bolt.

Lions, Tigers and Bears - SLIFT: A friend put me on to Slift and described them as French King Gizz and really, I'm inclined to agree. This is the traditional long last song at the end of their new album, and as usual I am advocating that every song should be the long last song at the end of the album. I love this style of jam where everyone else goes to space but the rhythm section just digs in and works hard as fuck for ten minutes. Then the whole last 3 minutes of the song are just fat drone riffs. This song's got everything.

The Pines - 070 Shake: This 070 Shake album is unbeleivably good and it warms my heart to see the dark energy of The Pines live on through another century in yet another permutation. I have more to say about it later in the Jackson C Frank version coming up but it feels like this 070 Shake album kind of came and went but I implore you to listen, it’s an aoty contender for sure.

Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On - Funkadelic: If you can stop thinking about the intro, which I certainly can’t (Hey lady won’t you be my dog and I’ll be your tree and you can pee on me.) there is so much goodness in this song. For a while now I’ve been thinking about how, for lack of a better word, ‘positive’ music is consistently underrated in the critical canon. Dance music, disco and funk especially are derided as empty sugar music, while every cookie cutter metal band absolutely demands to be taken seriously. In dance music this manifests as genres like tech house sucking all the fun and individuality out of music until it’s just an endless parade of producers working to a schematic of the barest essentials. It feels like you can’t have fun and be taken seriously at the same time, which feels like an obvious contradiction but shouldn’t be!

Spoils - Dry Cleaning: Dry Cleaning are my Lock Of The Month Band To Watch In The Future Because They’re Gonna Go Off. They have such a great sound and I’m desperate for an album because I just need more. This song absolutely knocked me down when I first heard it. I love any band where it sounds like the singer has just wandered in while the rest of them were rehearsing. There’s a very good talking-songs movement happening in the UK right now between these guys, Do Nothing and Fontaines D.C and i’m excited to see where it progresses. I might put together a playlist a little later to show you what I mean.

As - Stevie Wonder: I finally listened to Songs In The Key Of Life this month, which is an experience I would recommend to everyone. This shit goes for 21 songs over 105 minutes and absolute bangs the whole way. The original release of this album was a double LP plus a 7", which is yet another reason I am grateful for streaming that I don't have to buy a damn box set to hear this thing.

Sleep Now In The Fire - Rage Against The Machine: I am working on a very niche playlist called Songs Where The Guitar Amp Accidentally Picks Up A Nearby Radio Station For A Couple Of Seconds and it's only 3 songs so far. A Man A Plan A Canal Panama by The Fall Of Troy, Melody 4 by Tera Melos and Sleep Now In The Fire by Rage Against The Machine. In every single one of those songs it feels like a critical component even though it's just an accident that's been left in because it sounds good. Here it's the perfect ending as the rage dies down and the commercial world fades back in. Anyway, my other question about this song is about the great Michael Moore directed video where they famously shut down Wall Street for an afternoon. There's a shot of a guy for a second holding a sign that says Donald Trump For President in 1999. Which is odd but not out of the question, he's been famous for a long time and there's always been freaks. My question is why the fuck did he have that sign that day? Was he amongst the Rage Against The Machine Fans that showed up? A counter protestor? Was he, perhaps most chillingly of all, just walking idly around Wall Street with his Donald Trump For President sign like usual and stumbled upon this whole hoo-haa accidentally?

Applause (Purity Ring Remix) - Lady Gaga: Did you fucking know that Purity Ring did a remix of Applause? If there’s something I’d love to know more about and it’s Purity Ring’s forays into pop production. After their first album they did some production for rappers like Danny Brown in the great track 25 Bucks, which is a good fit really - their sound is witch house with the tempo pushed back up, witch house of course just being chopped and screwed reinvented by tumblr users. So it’s a natural fit to take that new perspective back into the world of hip hop. They also did this fantastic remix of Applause after their first album. Then, after their second album they produced 3 songs for Katy Perry’s Witness album, and one Katy Perry song for a Final Fantasy mobile game soundtrack (?) and feel like the long silence and delay between their second and third albums is because of more behind the scenes pop production work - but if that’s true, where is it? Is it, as I suspect, part of my own personal Pepe Silvia, Katy Perry’s scrapped 2019 album that has vanished into thin air? Or is it part of Chromatica? I think Purity Ring have solidified an interesting place in pop, paving the way for Billie Eilish and Kim Petras’ dark anti-pop and so i’m excited to see where they go after this new album now that they’re the architects of the new wave.

React/Revolt - Drahla: The smartest thing you can do is add a saxophone to your band. The whole first half of this song could go for 20 minutes of growling screaming saxophone post-punk and I wouldn't mind. Then when the second half of the song kicks in it's fantastic in the way this whole Drahla album is: it's tight and sprawling post-punk at the same time with a complicated structure that seems to just pile onto itself instead of ever circling back.

And I Was Like - Porridge Radio: I'm seemingly having a real thing this month for songs that open with a bizzare acapella chant. Between this and the Funkadelic one it's a genre I'm very interested in hearing more of. Isaac Newton was a virgin and it's important to recognise that. The thing I love about this song is how it's in 3 distinc sections: Isaac Newton was a virgin, she's a birthday girl in a birthday world, and mum no please it's grunge, and they all feel like the concentrated energy of a 14 year old's thoughts. She sounds like she's almost crying when she sings 'she's a birthday girl in a birthday world'. The concentrated confusing teenaged energy of this song is just overwhelming.

Dirty Mattresses - Mama's Broke: So much of contemporary 'traditional folk' either exists as pure nostalgia music or as music that's trying too hard to be 'authentic' and evoke a mythology of a bygone time, but Mama's Broke manage to make it feel new and modern but honest and  authentic at the same time. The super close harmonies and modern approach remind me of House And Land who I also love, but the songwriting is in another class entirely.

Building A House - CHOPCHOP: I don't know if you've ever seen Bad Boy Bubby but CHOPCHOP feels a little like the band that he ends up joining at the end. A musical ensemble built to enable the will of a very strange man. I think the band is from the UK and I'm not sure where the singer is from, but he has this incredible deeply accented voice that brings such a gravity to everything he sings in the way that anyone speaking english as a second language accidentally brings new weight to common turns of phrase.

Universal Soldier - Jay Electronica: It feels fitting, looking back, that Jay Electronica finally released his album right before the world ended. It was literally now or never. Some how Jay-Z is the breakout star of this album for me. He's got some of his best verses in years on here and he's a great opposition to Electronica's flow when they trade verses. I would also, as an aside, like to know the origin of the kids cheering sample throughout this, because it's the same one from AM//Radio by Earl Sweatshirt and Wish You Were Gay by Billie Eilish. So what's that about.

Sticky Hulks - Thee Oh Sees: I've been very slowly getting into Oh Sees and I love them a lot so far. Their unweildy, huge discography spread across a lot of variations of the same name makes digging into them very rewarding as well. There's a great line on their wiki detailing all the times they've changed their name that goes: Orinoka Crash Suite (1997–2003), OCS (2003–2005, 2017), Orange County Sound (2005), The Ohsees (2006), The Oh Sees (2006–2008), Thee Oh Sees (2008–2017), Oh Sees (2017–2019) Osees (2019) to give you some idea of what we're working with here. Basically it's just everything you could want from a pychedelic band like this: a history and discography as shaggy as the songs themselves.

Knife On The Platter - BODEGA: In reading about Bodega I learned that they don't have a drummer in the traditional sense. They have someone credited as a 'stand up percussionist', and in listening back I realised that's they key to the groove in their music. He's not playing a kit he's just slamming at a tom and a snare on a rack, while one of the singers plays hi-hat here and there. So all the drumming has this barebones caveman feel to it and I absolutely love it. The band feels a lot like The Fashion, and that whole mid-2000s dance-punk movement that I've been desparate to come back so naturally I love it a lot.

Against Gravity - Horse Lords: Horse Lords are one of the most incredible bands I've heard in a long time. Somewhere between a more analogue Battles and Laddio Bolocko, they make a kind of churning math-jazz that sounds like huge intersecting squares of rhythm slowly overlapping. It feels like there's an infinite depth in these songs, you can listen and focus on a single instrument and see it shifting in and out of place with everyone else, before you lose it again and it retreats back into the swirling mass.

Plain To See Plainsman - Colter Wall: I've been listening to this Colter Wall album a lot, and it's really beginning to rank among my all time favourites. I grew up around the flattest place in the southern hemisphere, so I love the plains and it's very nice to have a cowboy song I can relate to like that.

The Nail - Sarah Shook & The Disarmers: Sarah Shook has so much character in her voice I completely love it. She is also a fantastic songwriter that manages to make outlaw country punk that sounds authentic and doesn't have the rockabilly posturing that a lot of the genre suffers from.

Inner Reaches 慾望的暗角二 - Gong Gong Gong 工工工: The best thing about Gong Gong Gong is you can listen to this whole song before you realise they don't have a drummer. They're a guitar and bass duo that play and sing with such a layered rhythmic intensity between the two of them that they really don't need one. A drummer would just clutter the space already taken up by their ferocious rhythm.

Country Pie - Bob Dylan: I'm a big fan of Bob Dylan's dumb songs. He has a lot where if it's the first song you ever heard from him you would be mad at whoever told you he was the greatest songwriter to ever live for trying to trick you like this. What I especially love about this song is how abruptly it ends, like dad just came home and everyone panicked cause they're know they're not supposed to be staying up that late.

You Did It Yourself - Arthur Russell: It seems hard to believe that I've only just found out about Arthur Russel. He seems to be a mainstay of Music Guy lists and somehow I've only heard of him this month. I've been obsessing over the Iowa Dream album, which is a compilation of a lot of different (mostly extremely high quality) demos from the late 70s to mid 80s and what really shines through other than the singular strength of his songwriting is how readily and easily he bends from country style folk to romantic piano ballads, to groovy post-punk like this. What I love so much about this song is it's a great lesson in songwriting: sometimes a song can just be a vague review of a middling movie and still have emotional resonance. Incredible. There's a great NPR article about Arthur Russel and the process of assembling half-takes and demos into complete recordings that you should read if you're interested. https://www.npr.org/2019/11/20/779721417/which-arthur-russell-are-we-getting-on-iowa-dream

The Dogs Outside Are Barking - Arthur Russell: I love this song because it's such a perfect distillation of a teenaged moment: trying to find a moment alone with someone when you have no freedom at all to create one. The song cycles through potential situations but leaves the problem unresolved, existing in the moment of nervous romantic tension preceding an unasked question and it's just beautiful.

Men For Miles - Ought: I love the vocal melody in the verse here so much. Spiking up unnaturally at the end of the lines like a nervous and strange version of The Strokes. Even the way he cramps his words in in the chorus is so good, switching registers randomly like he's impersonating someone else.

Mister Soweto - Lizzy Mercier Descloux: https://pitchfork.com/features/from-the-pitchfork-review/9828-lizzy-mercier-descloux-behind-the-muse/ Pitchfork has a great article about Lizzy Mercier Descloux detailing how she is continually undervalued and underappreciated. I found her though my Discover Weekly and became immediately obsessed with this album - a perfect mix of off-kilter 80s bass and brass that is so colourful and seems to move in a million directions at once like the songs can't even catch up with themselves sometimes. I'm excited to dig into her discography more and try to understand her more because she has a truly unique approach that I can't get enough of.

Sweden - Marilyn Crispell: I've been looking for a while for other pianists of Cecil Taylor's calibre, rare type that it is and I am so glad to have finally found out about Marilyn Crispell. She plays free jazz like Taylor, but in much less percussive and disonnant style. There's a New York Times quote that seems to follow her that says "Hearing Marilyn Crispell play solo piano is like monitoring an active volcano. She is one of a very few pianists who rise to the challenge of free jazz." and it's really very apt. She will move with seemingly no warning at all from mediative, colourful stokes to a mad descent unto uncertainty and beyond, then back again without a moments hesitation. Her music moves like a dream, linking a stream of unlinked images with an ease that only seems incongruous on reflection.

Twins - Gem Club: I have loved this song for a very long time and I come back to it over and over and appreciate it anew. What I appreciate about on listening to it this time is the strangeness of it's structure, following up the verse with an instrumental break, and then a long instrumental intro to the chorus gives it so much space to spread out and breathe, giving the beautiful gravity of the song even more weight. Then after the chorus it moves straight to a bridge and then the intro and first verse again. It's a fantastic song that makes it's small parts so large, where another songwriter or another producer would pare them down.

Grand Central - Paul Cauthen: Something I've learned in listening to a lot of cowboy music is that the number one thing that cowboys hate and fear is getting hanged. They hate it worse than cats hate getting sprayed with water. I found out about Paul Cauthen combing through Colter Wall's similar artists looking for more of this brand of new old fashioned country and I really found it here. Paul Cauthen comes from four generations of preachers and left the church to pursue country music instead, which feels like an extremely old fashioned position to be in here in 2020 but I guess lots of people in Texas still live like that, and thank god they do or we wouldn't have Paul Cauthen's big mournful Elvis voice to sing us songs about the railway.

Serafina - BAMBARA: I love this sort of spoken word leather jacket rock and roll. It's so extremely Cool in an old fashioned way. Like a more rock and roll version of Enablers.

So 4 Real - The Hecks: I love love love this song that sounds like a sped up Prince demo. The strange thinness of the mix and the way the vocals are buried just makes it sound so strange and great, like it was put together on some ancient 4 track recorder that can't handle the pure energy of the song.

In The Pines (Version 2) - Jackson C. Frank: There's a very good 3 hour compilation of Jackson C. Frank recordings that came out a few years called Remastered And Unreleased that I listened through the other day. It's just magnificent. This version of In The Pines is one of my favourite I've ever heard, the mournful vocals coupled with his churning rhythm guitar really brings out the darkness of it in a way I've never heard.

(Tumble) In The Wind (Version 1) - Jackson C. Frank: Another favourite from this compilation that is slightly hard to listen to. I don't know if there's a date on it but I'd guess this was recorded near the end of his life. It is so beautiful, but you can hear in his voice and breathing that he's unwell. In Horseshoe Crabs by Hopalong she sings a story from his perspective this song really seems to fit in the second half of that. "Woke from the dream and I was old / Staring at the ass crack of dawn / Walked these streets up and down / Looking for Paul Simon / All I found was myself, lost in time / I tried singing my songs / But I lost my mind"

Sludge - Squid: I'm thinking of putting together a playlist of all the great Black Midi-adjacent bands I've found out about recently and Squid is at the top of the list. This new breed of art-punk is so fantastic and goes in a million different directions. I'm just so excited it exists.

Straight Shot - Quelle Chris: I love this song and Guns is a phenomenal album but there’s one thing bothering me. The ‘who are you, what are you’ part at the end sounds so incredibly familiar to me and I can’t figure out why. As far as I can tell it’s not a sample, but googling reveals that the english voice on it is fucking James Acaster the standup comedian. So what’s going on? Quelle Chris himself is less than helpful: “Straight Shot is one of those ideas that reached out to me, we got along and I simply showed it around town. The chorus, poem at the end and basic piano progression literally came to me in two separate dreams”. Who knows. Great song though.

Levitation - Dua Lipa: What I really like about this song is that she says sugarboo. This whole album bangs and Dua is really reaping the benefits of being the only pop star with the guts to release an album while everyone’s in lockdown I also have a half-baked theory about the way this song is almost interpolating Blame It On The Boogie in the ‘moonlight, starlight’ part as a sort of aggressive takeover of Michael Jackson’s cancelled legacy. Which is smart really. The same way Taylor Swift is re-recording her albums, let’s just get The Weeknd in the studio for a couple of days and give the world back it’s bangers.

Another Crashed Car - Nine Inch Nails: I am so glad Trent Reznor put out another two volumes of Ghosts. Ghosts I-IV from 2008 seems to have been the bridge from his Nine Inch Nails work to his film score work, and now that he’s had such success with that it’s nice to hear him writing in this style without telling anyone else’s story again. It’s also interesting for him to go back to this project now that Ghosts I-IV has paid dividends in the form of the sample at the centre of Old Town Road but that’s neither here nor there. It’s hard to pick and individual track from these, because they work so effectively as long form albums and not individual tracks, but I chose this one because I put the album on as background ambient while I was doing some boring data entry at work and this track is the point at which I realised I was going out of my mind with stress from doing the simplest tasks because of Trent’s Damned Chords.

Lilacs - Waxahatchee: This is a perfect song. It makes me want to like, draw charts about it and go through it bar by bar to figure out how she did it. It’s perfectly put together. It feels like she uses every trick in the book and it just comes together flawlessly in 3 minutes. Amazing.

Cool Water - Hank Williams: I decided to properly listen to Hank Williams because his shadow stretches over so much of country music, and while a lot of his music really alienated or bored me, and a lot of his songs feel like they would read as novelty songs today (like Hey Good Looking), this is the song that made me understand why he’s so revered.

In My Bones (feat. Kimbra and Tank And The Bangas) - Jacob Collier: Jacob Collier generally irks me. He makes brain music for redditors that lose their mind when someone shows them chord inversions or odd time signatures. Youtubers whose whole personality is ‘y’all heard Giant Steps?’ But he killed it on this song. It’s great despite him. There’s still a lot of corniness to work through, mostly in the big yuck funky lyrics, but structurally it’s a kaleidoscope and a big chunk of its success I’m putting down to Kimbra and Tank who understand that performance is a bigger part of a song than composition in a way Collier maybe doesn’t yet. He can overload the bassline and stop-start the rhythms as much as he likes but without actual personalities driving it it’ll just sound like a Peter Gabriel midi played at 200%.

Earthquake - Graham Central Station: I learned something wonderful in researching this band. The leader, Larry Graham, who was in Sly And The Family Stone is credited with inventing slap bass. He himself refers to the technique as "thumpin' and pluckin' ".

Quand Les Larmes D’un Ange Font Danser La Neige - Melody’s Echo Chamber: Once again furious that I’ve known of Melody’s Echo Chamber for years but never listened to them until now. I have been missing out. This is a perfect sprawling psychedelic jam punctuated with a bizzare cut-up recording about shitting yourself when you die and being declared brain dead in the vatican. It’s got everything. I had to look up who the drummer was on this song because he’s just nailing it, and it turns out it’s Johan Holmegaard from Dungen which is really a perfect fit.

Murder Most Foul - Bob Dylan: I was thinking the other day about how Bob Dylan is doing in quarantine. The man who hasn’t stopped moving his whole life and who’s been on a never ending tour  since the 70s is now, I assume, just pacing a hole in a hotel carpet somewhere and jabbering to himself. The strangest part of Bob dropping this 17 minute song about JFK out of nowhere is that he hasn’t put out any original music since 2012. So a gigantic song like this is an even bigger surprise. I, already a huge fan of gigantic songs and Bob Dylan, unsurprisingly love it. I love the slow stirring of the instrumentation, like he hired Dirty Three as a backing band and I love that nearly the entire second half is just listing good songs that he knows. It’s a remarkable song and unlike anything i’ve heard before from Dylan or anyone else. It’s interesting to hear Bob Dylan step into being the great chronicler of the 60s like he’s been told he already was his entire life almost 50 years later, finally accepting the fate foisted on him. The other thing I love about this song is the line when he for some reason praises Lee Harvey Oswald’s shooting “Greatest magic trick ever under the sun / Perfectly executed, skillfully done”

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0k1JjT8fXcUFO6VpM3kaez?si=gWSv88vdShKSnHhLJ_80pQ

[kalimagik]

The Moment I Knew

Based off of “The Moment I Knew” – Song by Taylor Swift 

Tom Holland x Reader 

<2k

Warnings: Just Angstyyyyyyy

A/N: This is Pt. 1 of 2 fics that essentially go together, but can be read separately. I’m just now starting to put my writing out on Tumblr and this is my second go and first time posting a Tom Fic! If you enjoy reading it, like, reblog, comment, or even follow! I may be posting for me, but hope you all enjoy it! <3

Read Part 2 here!

*Gif isn’t mine! Credits to owner 

A Few Days Before Y/N’s Party 

“You sure you’ll make it? Your agent will let you off for a few hours to celebrate my birthday?” Y/N asked worriedly as she finished some of the homemade decorations for her classy 22nd party. 

“Alisha said that the interviews and press all finish around 4, so I will definitely be there for the 6 o’clock debut of the beautiful birthday girl!” Y/N could hear Tom beaming through the phone. 

“You promise?” 

“I promise,” Tom reassured Y/N.

“Okay! Yay! I love you! See you in a few days!” Y/N excitedly said as she wished Tom goodbye. 

Day of Y/N’s Party

The lights were all strung, the food was nearly done, and Y/N had put on her sophisticated party dress with a coordinating red lipstick. It was actually Tom’s favorite shade on her. 

Not only was today Y/N’s birthday, but it would be the first time this month that she would be seeing her famous boyfriend. He had been in the country for nearly a week, but had been so busy with press for Far From Home that he hadn’t had any time to see her.

Y/N glanced at the clock. It read 5 o’clock. Her phone had not rang with Tom’s tone all day after his happy birthday call in the morning and Y/N was starting to worry. She thought he would’ve been to her apartment by now. 

ding-dong

Y/N quickly, but as ladylike as possible, rushed to the door. She really hoped it was Tom with his “baby, I’m right here smile.” She knew that her face would like up like a million shining stars if it was him. 

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Haz, Zendaya, and a few of Y/N’s other friends yelled as she opened the door to see their faces. 

Y/N put on her best smile, trying to hide her disappointment. She hugged each of her friends, offered them drinks, and gave the aux cord to Zendaya. 

“Let’s get the party started!” Zendaya hollered as she put on one of her infamous playlists. 

Y/N watched her friends have a good time. She let more people in as they arrived, hoping each time that it was Tom, but each time, she became a little more disappointed. 

She tried her best to enjoy the party, but everything swirled around her in slow motion. She wasn’t really present. She played with her party dress, checked her red lipstick, but she didn’t have anyone to impress. 

“Y/N/N! How’s Tom been?” 

Y/N snapped out of her daze and turned towards her friend, Y/F/N.

“Oh um, he’s been good! Had a lot of press since the movie came out! I’m sure Zendaya and Jacob can attest to that…” 

“Oh yeah! He’s of course the most busy…” Zendaya and Jacob start telling stories, but Y/N zoned out again. 

It just hit her that Z and Jacob managed to make it and they had been doing different events all day as well. Checking her phone again, the analog numbers turned from 7:59 to 8:00, still no Tom. 

The hours seemed to be passing by, but the thing about celebrity and important parties is that they never seem to end. By 10:00, Y/N just wanted to be alone. As she quietly excused herself and walked down the hall to her bathroom, Z, Haz, Sam, and Harry all exchanged looks knowing something was wrong. They grabbed her cousin, Y/C/N and followed her down the hall. 

“Y/N/N? Are you okay?” Y/C/N asked, knocking on the door. She came in, sitting next to Y/N on the bathroom floor, the other four followed her in. 

“Yeah. I’m alright. Just a little overwhelmed. You know how it goes!” Y/N answered, trying not to fall apart. However, a sinking feeling in her stomach started to set in. 

She looks up at Y/C/N, Z, Haz, Sam, and Harry, “He said he’d be here…He promised…” she added, almost hopelessly. 

“If he said he was going to be here, then I’m sure he just got tied up and will be here soon! He’s late to most things because of work.” 

“He said Alisha booked everything to finish at 4, so he would get here before anyone else did. I won’t let it bother me though. It’s fine! Really guys! I swear!” Y/N insisted.

“Are you sure?” Z looked at her sadly. 

“Yes! Common guys! Let’s go enjoy my party! I don’t want to keep everyone else waiting!” 

Y/N stood up powerfully, trying to put on an even better face. She is not an actor though. Her boyfriend is. 

Not fooling anyone who came to check on her, they willingly followed her back to the party. They all continued to have a good time and tried to cheer Y/N up, but everything continued in slow motion around her. She drank champagne, laughed when she was supposed to, and continued to check her lipstick just in case. 

She took a moment around 11:00  to look around at all of the faces at her party. She did love each and every one of them, but in all of the faces, the one missing was the one that meant the most to her. 

At that point, she couldn’t take it. The tears just started flowing. She knew everyone would look at her. But what can you do when you start crying in front of everyone you know? Luckily, Haz caught sight of her first. He got Y/N’s best friend Y/BF/N to steal Y/N away and he took the general attention of the party. 

“hey, hey, hey, Bud, what’s wrong?” Y/BF/N tried to soothe Y/N. 

“He was supposed to be here, Y/BF/N. He promised. I haven’t seen him in over a month and it’s my birthday and he said he would make sure. I just can’t do it anymore. I love him, but I can’t just wait around,” Y/N couldn’t help but sob harder. 

“Y/N/N, I’m so sorry. I know how excited you were for today. Everything looks beautiful and you planned for so long. So, what we’re going to do is make it through this party. We are going to fix up your make-up, get through cake, and then you and I can watch all the movies you want. You can vent, you can scream, you can cry. You will get everything out. Okay? But do not let this ruin your birthday! Okay?” Y/BF/N held Y/N’s gaze as she took a few deep breaths.

All Y/N could do was nod her head in response. 

Y/BF/N  fixed up Y/N’s make-up so that it was as flawless as before and led her back out to the party. Haz was still telling funny stories and Y/N was able to sit back in the circle as if she had never left. 

Haz slightly acknowledged Y/N’s presence and shifted his story telling to a story about her and their friendship. That did make Y/N smile. Even better, he left Tom out of the story. It let Y/N know that she did have a special relationship with the friends she had made through Tom over the last year and a half. 

Y/N began to actually enjoy herself in the last hour of the party, that was until they sat her down, dimmed the lights, and lit the candles of her birthday cake. 

The scene was in slow motion all over again. The dress that she knew Tom would love was no longer comfortable, she didn’t even bother with her lipstick anymore, he wasn’t there to impress. 

She looked up quick enough to smile when all of her friends began singing ‘Happy Birthday to you,’ and as much as she tried to enjoy the moment, there was one thing missing in the entire scene. She couldn’t stop thinking about it as she inhaled to blow out her candles. That was the moment she knew, she just couldn’t keep letting herself get disappointed. 

People started to leave and Y/N’s apartment emptied out. She hugged all of her best friends, including Haz, Zendaya, Jacob, and Tom’s brothers. When she finally shut the door for the last time, the clock chimed, letting her know that it was 12:30. 

She leaned her head against the door as she went to lock the deadbolt. She felt a soft hand rubbing her back. Thank God that Y/BF/N did not leave her alone. 

“Common, why don’t you put on some pajamas. You’ll be so much more comfortable that way,” Y/BF/N urged. 

Y/N followed Y/BF/N to her room and took off her party dress. She avoided all of her baggy clothes that were Tom’s and after taking off her make-up, she flopped into bed. 

“Okay! Movie time! We can watch The Other Woman or Legally Blond. Personally, I feel like we should watch Legally Blond because you are just as strong and powerful as Elle, so it’s fitting,” Y/BF/N rambled on. 

Y/N just nodded her head as she buried herself into her covers, leaving space for Y/BF/N to snuggle in next to her. 

The opening scenes played and Y/N finally started to feel relaxed. That was until her phone started vibrating. She was getting a call. 

“Y/BF/N…It’s Tom…” 

Y/N lifted her phone up to her ear with a simple, “Hello?” 

“Y/N, love. Thank heavens you are still awake. I’m sorry I didn’t make it tonight,” Tom tried to apologize. 

Before he could continue on, Y/N interrupted him, “I’m sorry too. Tom. I just can’t talk about this tonight okay? It’s going to lead to an argument and I just spent my entire birthday party being upset. I will talk to you tomorrow.” 

With that, Y/N ended the phone call and burst into tears on Y/BF/N’s shoulder. The whole night just showed her what she needed to do. Her birthday gave her the moment that she knew.

[famedbase]

limitations: open to all

deadline: none, these tasks are indefinitely open to all muses at any time, though points can only be collected for each opportunity once per muse.

while base online has been in existence since base’s advent, mainly uploaded behind the scenes content of base tv and base music projects, base’s management decided to start focusing on getting more eyes on their online branch in 2021. a call has gone out to managers to get their idols more involved in the project by asking them to participate in creating a steady stream of content, both pre-filmed and live, for base online.

in-’verse info

idols under the three companies may at any time be directed by management to participate in creating one of the following video content types:

pre-filmed series

1. "an interview with ___” (#famedbaseonline1.1)

a video involving one idol interviewing another on their career, life, etc. in a professional tone. see here for an example of tone, though not in a podcast setting.

must be completed as a thread of at least eight posts. the interviewer is the only muse that collects points, so the interviewee must do a separate thread interviewing someone to collect points.

2. “pranked” (#famedbaseonline1.2)

a video involving one idol doing a hidden camera prank or playing a practical joke on another idol. this can be a short, minor prank or a more elaborate one as long as it doesn’t provoke a reaction that is damaging to either idol’s image.

must be completed as a thread of at least eight posts. both the muse pranking and the muse being pranked may collect points.

3. “cover by” (#famedbaseonline1.3)

a video covering a solo or duet song of the muse’s choice filmed on a stage set (all muses will film on the same set) with some minor lighting design, basic set options, and the option of live accompaniment (example). this can be singing, rapping, dancing, and/or instrumental but should reflect a muse’s group positions. if you use a reference, please avoid covers released on streaming sites or to channels claimable on the points blog (ex. studio choom, dingo, muply) and be aware that reference will not be officially claimed (i.e. someone else can use the same reference).

must be completed as a solo of 400+ words or a thread of at least eight posts.

4. “ten things ___ can’t live without”  (#famedbaseonline1.4)

this is a video where the muse discusses ten items they can’t live without. examples here and here.

must be completed as a solo of 400+ words.

5. “everything i do in a day” (#famedbaseonline1.5)

this is a video where the muse recounts the schedule of their “typical day”. examples here and here.

must be completed as a solo of 400+ word

6. “curated by ___” (#famedbaseonline1.6)

for this video, the muse will create a playlist of their choice of approximately one hour in length. they will then work with the production team to choose a location fitting the mood of the playlist that they will be filmed in as the playlist plays. the location should be fairly simple to access and film at without a large budget, and allow for the placement of stationary cameras. what the muse does during the filming should be simple, background types of activities that won’t distract the listener/watcher, such as taking photos, doing art, writing, eating, driving, reading, working out, cooking, etc. examples here, here, and here (more examples on the same channel, but note that something like smoking for the video would not be allowed as idol image should be maintained).

must be completed as a playlist of around one hour in length and a solo of 400+ words. the complete playlist can be included separate from the solo or the songs can be specified throughout the solo. note: for purposes of this opportunity, the playlist is allowed to count repeat songs used in other playlists for the muse unlike normal playlists for points. a separate explanation of the playlist is not required.

live series

1. advice live (#famedbaseonline2.1)

a livestream giving advice to fans who send in situations and questions they need advice on.

must be completed as a solo of 400+ words or a thread of at least eight posts with a groupmate or with a muse with a face claim of the same presented/publicly assumed gender.

2. how-to live (#famedbaseonline2.2)

a livestream where one muse teaches another muse how to do something they know how to do well, but the other muse doesn’t. this can have either a comedic or serious tone.

must be completed as a thread of at least eight posts.

3. choice live (#famedbaseonline2.3)

a livestream with a format of the idol’s choice, as long as it’s kept appropriate (ex. playing a game, baking, on the spot cover requests, dancing, etc.)

must be completed as a solo of 400+ words or a thread of at least eight posts with a groupmate or with a muse with a face claim of the same presented/publicly assumed gender.

out-of-’character info

you may choose to complete or not complete these tasks whenever you’d you like! each task/prompt/opportunity can only be completed once per muse for points. writing for prompts should only be done if at least one muse in a thread has not collected points for the task previously to avoid an endless number of videos starring the same muse. this is meant to be specific prompts for a limited number of videos on for the base online website over time not a substitute for a personal Youtube channel claim, where a muse has more freedom with type of content and quantity of content.

lives can be assumed to happen whenever you date them from february 2021 onward. pre-filmed content can be assumed to go up on base online sometime from february 2021 onward, from two weeks to six months after it was filmed depending on the amount of tasks completed on one muse dated around the same time.

keep in mind that all pre-filmed videos would be edited and all live videos would be supervised by management to avoid causing scandals.

each thread completed for points should be with a different muse and these tasks cannot be completed through an open thread starter.

please tag all threads and solos with the tag next to the matching prompt. they do not have to be completed in a specific order.

any further questions should be directed to the main’s ask box!

points available

total available points: 18 points (each prompt is worth two points. none of the prompts count toward monthly limits.)

+2 points: interview thread. (1.1)

+2 points: prank thread. (1.2)

+2 points: cover solo or thread. (1.3)

+2 points: "10 things ___ can’t live without” solo. (1.4)

+2 points: "everything ___ does in a day” solo. (1.5)

+2 points: "curated by ___” playlist + solo. (1.6)

+2 points: advice live solo or thread. (2.1)

+2 points: how-to live. (2.2)

+2 points: choice live solo or thread. (2.3)