#she's the main pro-tag in my novel

[musashden]

I love her

[our-magical-world]

Questions for MHA shifters

My Hero Academia is one of my main DRs and I always enjoy reading / listening to MHA shifters talk about their experiences there, it gives me so much motivation and it's usually super interesting.

So I thought about some questions I'd like to ask experienced shifters about their MHA DRs. Just random things I'm curious about. If you've shifted there and would like to answer (just for fun, feel free to skip any questions you're not comfortable with!) please reblog with your answers, or make a new post and tag me so I can read it. (You can also answer if you haven't shifted, based on your script and ideas, just let us know at the beginning).

1- First, are you a student or a pro hero / teacher / adult?

2- Mandatory question: What's your quirk?? Do you have any special moves?

3- Are you related to any canon characters? (as family or previous relationships like childhood friends, rivals...)

4- Any non-canon characters we haven't seen in the series who are part of your life? (like siblings, scripting your CR friends in there, or having children in your DR)

5- Do you have a crush? Are you in a relationship? or even better, love triangles? relationship drama? I want the tea (only if you're comfortable with sharing, of course!)

6- Did you make any changes to canon? (if you changed too many things, you can just mention a few interesting ones that made your experience very different from canon)

7- Did you script anything or make any changes to canon that didn't turn out as you expected? (as in what seemed like a small change turned out to change the story drastically)

8- Did you meet (or fight) the villains? How was it?

9- Is All Might as impressive as they say in person? (if you met him in muscle form)

For students:

10- Who are your best friends?

11- Did you replace anyone in class 1-A? (or B?) I've seen many people do this so the number of students stays even. Who did you script out?

12- Did you script Mineta out? Or change his personality? If you didn't, did you have any problems with him (especially if you're a girl)? Anyone (else) you scripted out or changed drastically?

13- I've seen way too many shifters say that Momo tends to start drama for no reason in their DRs and I'm a little concerned... was she like that in your DR?

14- What's your daily schedule at UA? Did you script your own schedule/timetable? Any subjects you love or hate?

15- Has anyone seen Bakugo's room or Tsuyu's room? They're the only ones that weren't shown in the series (Mineta's was described in the light novel), I'm curious to know how they decorated them!

For shifters who aren't students anymore:

16- Are you a pro hero? A teacher? A civilian? A villain?

17- What's your daily life like?

18- Who do you work with? Do you have your own agency? Sidekicks?Any interesting team-ups with other heroes?

19- Anything we should know about hero work?

Bonus: 20- Any embarrassing moments to confess? (you can do it anonymously if you want!)

21- Free spot: That's all I can think of right now, but feel free to include anything you want to share! You can also submit your own questions for other shifters and I'll add them to the post or create a new one.

THANKS!!

[suzyandthefox]

Blog intro!

I'm bad at this so bear with me lol.

IMPORTANT SECTION: This page is pro Palestinian!

My Novel length fic (Not vorey) : Of Smoke and Shadows

My Non vorey writing blog: hopewriteszstuff

My Palestine support Blog: hopefulandbored

Call me Suzy, I go by she/her!

I'm +18, and all characters included in my vore fics are 18+ as well (Because I know featuring minors or children in vore is a big no no for a lot people)

Please DNI if you aren't at least 16 and above, there's mature topics on this blog.

If you came from my other blogs, What happens here stays here.

Suzy isn't my name, but it's the name of the main oc this blog revolves around. She is a borrower with mouse features.

Speaking of which, this is a SFW G/t blog with the occasional vore story/artwork here and there, you don't like it? Then don't follow!

All vore here is (mostly) soft and safe, and 100% nonsexual.

(There will be exceptions to the soft and safe part, I will tag accordingly if it happened, it's still 100% oral and nonsexual.)

I'm an artist and a writer, I made this blog to interact with others who share my little fantasies.

I RP! I like rping about anything, But when it comes to vore, only soft-safe g/t vore.

Preds featured on this page will be mostly male preds (Except for my predsona,) , prey can be of any gender.

Suzy would be my main focus would it come to interacts with other moots/rps, but my actual work will have a variety of characters.

Ask me about my nom headcanons for Fandoms!

Masterlist of my fics:

Golden King

Boy and the wolf

An Accident (Sequel to Boy and the wolf)

Ladybug

Drabbles:

Predator

Anger Issues

Meeting The Ferryman

Journey

Sung to the Organs

The Appeal of a Predator

Unique tags: #Suzywrites

#SuzyAsks

This post will be updated frequently.

DNI list:

No DNI list, If I don't like your content I will simply block you

Banner by @dav8530

[caustic-caffeine]

Helpful Blog Guide (or, what you’ll find here)

this post updates from time to time | last update: november 1, 2024

『 Important Disclaimers! 』

Please read this if you aren’t already familiar with me and my work.

BYI ➥

This blog features dark themes, including but not limited to: gore*, toxic relationships, various forms of horror, violence, drug abuse, etc. There’s also the occasional eyestrainy post. Basically, I like to explore angst through my art and lore. I am not my characters, they are not me; I do not condone hurting yourself or other people.

*Gore is drawn and not of real life people.

I am a minor, and aroace, so sex isn’t mentioned (and especially not depicted) to any level here. What I choose to depict may change in the future, though. The general takeaway you should have is this:

This blog overall is a 16+ space. If you’re younger than 16, I won’t block you, but tread carefully. If any of you find any of the above topics to be upsetting, I recommend not following my page.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

DNI ➥

I don’t really have a DNI list. Respect me as I’ll respect you and we’ll be chill. That being said, I’m not afraid to use the block button.

I’d prefer people older than 30 or younger than 13 not trying to befriend me. Keep things art related! If I already know you/we’ve been mutuals for a while then don’t stress about this, though, you’re chill!

Also, if you’re pro generative ai, you’ll be blocked immediately.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Other Boundaries ➥

Or, “block conditions” if you will. If you do any of this stuff repetitively or severely I will block you. Also, this applies to you if you aren’t a friend: https://nohello.net/en/

Do not repost my work without my explicit permission. Reblog instead!

As a general rule, don’t use slurs around me. In certain circumstances I’m chill with it, but don’t push the envelope. (I use “queer” and sometimes “crippled” to describe myself, but don’t refer to me with those terms unless you’re lgbtq+ or disabled, respectively.)

Don’t draw porn of my characters or sona. Don’t send me porn, either. I will block (and possibly report) you.

Don’t draw gore of my sona and don’t send me real life/nonfictional gore.

Don’t ask me invasive questions.

Don’t vent in asks or dms unless I explicitly said you can. I understand needing help and seeking out support, but you don’t know me and I don’t know you. There are better resources to seek out than a random teenager on tumblr. /lh

I’d like to think all of this goes without saying, but yanno. It’s the internet.

『 Navigation! 』

Here are my links and tags in a handy dandy list for convenient stalking! (/lh)

Links ➥

Main blog: you are here!

Side blog: @vesuvian-vampire

Other links: see my linktree!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Tags ➥

My stuff!

#art: #oc art, #oc ref sheet, #illustration, #doodle, #art fight (and #art fight 2024), #art trade, #art commission, #gift art (for specifics)

#just thoughts: #asks open, #answered asks (for specifics)

#writing; #oc lore, #worldbuilding (for specifics)

Others’ Stuff!

#reblogs: #others’ art, #others’ projects, #campaigns and fundraisers, #misc (for specifics)

『 About The Blogger! 』

Soo, what’s this page and who’s the person running it?

Hi! I’m Casey, an artist and worldbuilder with a love for dark fantasy and sci-fi settings. I primarily draw digitally using the program Procreate on my Ipad. In the future, I also want to branch out into programs like Live2D, Aseprite, and Blender. Perhaps I’ll even learn to code for visual novels and other games based on the stories floating around in my head. I dunno. I’m a mixed bag, really, both stylistically and in what I like to depict.

I’m disabled and neurodivergent (AuDHD). I deal with a lot of chronic fatigue and pain in my day to day so my post frequency is very sporadic.

I’m also queer. Aroace, agender, transmasc. I primarily use he/him but don’t really care about pronouns; just don’t use she/her on me.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Some things that inspire me ➥

The Arcana (visual novel game)

My awesome friends, mutuals, and artists I follow

Amulet (graphic novel series)

Slay The Spire (roguelike deckbuilder game)

Dead Cells (roguelike metroidvania game)

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Other General Likes ➥

My special interests (generally, art and writing)

Metal and hard rock music

Dogs (the bigger the better)

Baking

Kayaking and rafting

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

I post random shit on this account. Lots of art, but really whatever I feel like posting. It’s called “Casey’s Mystery Grab Bag” for a reason!

『 Other Info! 』

In the format of a q&a just because it’s fun.

“Who’s that one vampire(?) oc I see so frequently on this page?”

Francis! They use they/them pronouns exclusively and are a main character in one of my storylines, “Cecie’s Lament”. For more about Francis, check out their Toyhouse page!

“What’s your commission/art trade/art collab status?”

My commissions are closed.

Art trades are open (dm me if you’re interested)!

Art collabs are open to friends and mutuals.

If my status changes, I’ll update this post alongside announcing the status change.

“Who are the people whose names are bracketed?”

Those are whichever characters are being featured in a given post! Most are mine but some aren’t; the ones who belong to others are hyperlinked.

[calicohyde]

ABOUT

Hi! I'm Jack. I'm 29 and I use he/him pronouns. I write horror, erotica, and romance. I paint and draw with oils and markers. I make prints and merch, currently to-order and by hand. I read tarot and make tarot decks too. I also make writing and planning videos. I'm a Pisces and I live in the Midwest United States. I'll be using this blog to post about all my creative endeavors, tips and inspiration, and share others' work. Everything is tagged for easy filtering.

Where To Support Me!

Patreon | itch.io | Gumroad | Amazon | Etsy | Ko-Fi | buy directly

Blog Navigation

jack facts (all original posts) | jack chats (asks, tags) | ft. jack (selfies, picrews) | my writing | my art | writing process (bts, memes, resources) | progress report | reading process (literacy, interests) | fic rec (other people's writing) | word (typography, quotes, poetry) | horror tag | tragedy tag | cowboy tag | noir tag | romance tag | theme | tarot | video | smut sunday | tune tuesday | tgif (trans gender it's friday)

Priority Projects

Curse The Messenger adult paranormal horror, sapphic romantic subplot, first novel in a quartet publication goal August 2024

Eddie is a Seer, or someone born to involuntarily prophecize in her dreams. She and her sibling Fred run a private investigation business finding lost things for the witch society that has shunned them both for being clairvoyant. Then secular, or non-witch, Jessica begs them to help her solve a murder that the police have determined never happened despite the gory crime scene.

[tag, playlist, taglist form]

Any Publicity Is Good Publicity adult romantic comedy, achillean, stand alone novel

Asher is a punk rocker who is forthright to a fault. He writes a diss track about politician Gwaine after Gwaine doesn't deliver on his campaign promises. When he starts getting asked about the song by the press, Gwaine goes to a show to see what the fuss is about. Ash sees him in the crowd and gets off stage to perform it directly in his face. So obviously Gwaine hires him as a sensitivity coach.

[tag, playlist, taglist form]

Minimalist Tarot Deck launch goal June 2023

Cryptids & Creatures Tarot Deck launch goal January 2024

Other Projects

5+1 format kink positive erotic romance novella | high schoolers who made a deal with the devil - they're all grown up! | corporately owned superhero is seduced to the "dark" side of neurodiversity and socialism by hot monster | serial epistolary 1920s mafia boss/vigilante journalist enemies to partners in crime to lovers

Content Warnings You can expect content applicable to these tags to appear on this blog. If you need or want something else tagged, send an ask about it and I'll let you know promptly and without judgement if I can do that for you.

body horror/ | zombie/ | possession/ | medical/ | poison/ | gore/ | unreality/ | fire/ | drowning/ | death/ | abuse/ | flashing/ | incest/ | cannibalism/ | spinning/ | optical illusion/ | suicide/ | needle/ | paranoia/ | eye strain/

I use the citrus system for content rating. That means I'll tag using the terms orange for suggestive content, lime for mature content, lemon for explicit content, and grapefruit for extreme kink or gore.

DO NOT FOLLOW IF:

∙ you are under sixteen years old ∙ your main blog has a H4rry P0tter url

You might not WANT to follow if:

∙ you are an "anti" or are pro-censorship, including for such content as RPF (Real Person Fiction), "non-con", etc ∙ you are not comfortable viewing content about sex, romance, kink, polyamory, etc. This content will not be tagged unless it's explicit. It will not be hidden behind a cut unless it's very long. ∙ you are not comfortable viewing fictional violence. I will never post real world violence for any reason. ∙ you are not comfortable with casual swearing/profanity, including reclaimed slurs. This content will be frequent and never tagged.

Ask & Chat Guidelines

DO send me asks about: My WIPs, OCs, fic, and art | writing and art in general

DO NOT send me asks about: "Passing" | Race & Antisemitism | Wank/"Discourse" | the shitty stuff in the news | Incest & Pseudo-Incest

DO NOT hit on me, send me sexual fantasies that involve me, or try to cyber with me. I'm comfortable with sexually explicit asks about fandom figures, original characters, sex/kink/relationships as a general topic, and even discussing real world experiences! But I am not "available" or a sexual object.

DO NOT call me by any pet name or title without permission.

Other Social Media

YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Twitch

[dragon-reblogs-and-rambles]

One down 7 to go hoooooooooooo boy

fun fact this is the first time i got 100% achievements on a game please ignore the Visual Novel tag I am a very pro gamer I swear

anyway some quick rambles:

I've been slowly making my way through this game rather than rushing through so some of my thoughts on the early sections are lost to time,

the main thing about this is that it takes a while to get to the good part but also without the slice of life elements i think it would be a significantly worse game so probably slowly going through rather than binging all at once is the right call

also the steam release has "updated" sprites (you can turn off) and i have a rant on why those sprites are actually worse in my opinion even tho they are technically drawn better but that could be its own post

(would you believe me if i told you these two sprites are supposed to be conveying the exact same emotion, according to the game these are the same sprite)

(or what about mion being banned from showing emotion beyond default anime expressions, not like she's a super playful energetic character or anything)

you can turn these out so it's not an issue but if we have to have redraws for rereleases can they be like.... good, when all a visual novel has is a couple dozen sprites per character they need to be good at showing emotion

oh yeah also its very obvious they only have like 7 songs total for this game ost lol there is only one good song in the ost btw, from a quick google serch looks like every version of the vn has a different ost lol

what else was i gunna sayy uhhhhhh

oh right yeah one thing is that going into the VN knowing the twist from the anime i think did make the experience slightly less good in some places i kinda do wish i could go in 100% blind but i know it would not hold my attention otherwise

(spoiler talk) knowing about the Hinamizawa Syndrome ahead of time def made it some some suspenseful scenes had me going "Keichi you ass your literally just tripping balls" like on one hand scenes where i notice a logical explanation with the context of knowing the twist is a sign of good writing but because i did not get my first experience with the VN idk i feel like i was missing out

regardless ill probs slowly go through the rest of the VN cuz i liked it overall, i already bought the next 3 games (first was free) so i guess i have to cuz i hate having a backlog

oh yeah the first chapter of the VN is free and its 10+ hours so if you like sorta kinda are intrested cuz of the anime you dont have anything to loose i wouldnt say its a strong reccomened yet but its more a "i enjoyed it and didnt feel like my time was waisted"

[kat-and-her-writblr]

Hi, I'm Kat, writer of erotica/sci-fi/horror/romance/fantasy. I write for a few fandoms and am working on some original content. I love exploring dark themes, unrequited love, and requited love that hurts everyone involved. But don't worry, I (probably) don't bite! :3 All my writing will be posted under the main tag #kat writes stuff

21+ woman, she/her, bisexual, pro-fiction/anti-censorship. This is a sideblog, so follows and asks come from @lokis-wager

Links:

Ko Fi is here

Ao3 is here

Current projects under the cut:

Unnamed sci-fi novel about a drug runner who gets hired to be a tour guide for the galaxy by her former high-school fling, a divorced man who's going through a midlife crisis. Will they fall back into sexual tension? Will they survive getting hunted by the space police for a crime that, for once, she didn't actually do? Tag: #odd couple

Murder-mystery cozy game currently titled 'The Lighthouse Murders'. Make friends, fall in love, and find the killer - oh, and don't forget to keep your lighthouse maintained! Tag: #lighthouse murders

DEDA Files fanfics that are mostly Casketh or Alison/Diablerie focused. Not sure how many of those there are going to be, but I'm currently working on a sequel to the casketh fic I've posted. Tags: DEDA Files, casketh, and alison/diablerie

There's always, always, always some kind of Chzo Mythos fanfic somewhere stewing in the back of my mind. That brainrot is terminal. I posted the first Cabadath/Trilby on ao3 and I will be posting more. Eventually. Tag: #chzo mythos

Sci-fi short (ha!) story about an unnamed woman who has a sapphic crush on her mecha, and takes enough drugs to see a god that tells her to become Roko's Basilisk. Originally slated to be 10K words and be done in a few weeks, it is now entirely too long and currently unfinished. Tag: #machine god

[whumpypunk]

Punk

She/her/they cis lesbian

Professional ghostwriter/Professional editor; I write and edit romance novels for clients. I've also started self-publishing under my own pennames.

Sideblog for writing/whump stuff! My main is @jeyuwuso

My favorite whump tropes include conditioning, Stockholm syndrome, pet whump, carewhumper, and intimate whump. I also love the comfort side of hurt/comfort, be it toxic or fluffy

I write a lot of NSFWhump, but I'll always tag it with both #nsfwhump and #nsft

I write about people getting sad and fucking about it, mostly

My mom once said I treat boys like kittens and no one has ever called me out so brutally before or since

OCs below the cut!

Gladwell & Hart: A ghostly private eye and a hapless medium make an unlikely crime-solving duo, and, eventually, an even unlikelier couple.

Harry Gladwell: He/they. Died at 29. Holocaust survivor. The ghost of a private eye from the late 1950s. He's stuck in the living realm until he solves his own murder. A snarky grump with a heart of gold, he's blunt and distrustful of the living, but he's always willing to help a fellow ghost in need.

Jared Hart: He/him. 32. A stoner psychic medium struggling to pay off his debts by opening a small business in Detroit. He created a semi-popular web comic, but abandoned it after a mental breakdown. Perpetually anxious with low self-esteem, he's loyal and empathetic to a fault.

RCW Romance: A romance series centered around the drama of the pro wrestling world. I know a lot of people aren't into wrestling OR romance novels lol, but I love these characters enough to write AUs of them too.

Asher Williams: He/him. 30. A bratty asshole raised by neglectful addicts, he lives to pick fights with anyone and everyone. He only likes about three people. He's hardheaded and rude, but he's also smart, honest, and protective of his loved ones. Dating Dean. Summer's best friend.

Dean Jones: He/him. 31. Charismatic, charming, and handsome, everyone sees him as a classic all-American hero. Secretly, he struggles with intense anxiety and struggles to get close to people. His kindness can make him a bit of a doormat. Dating Asher.

Summer Singh: He/him. 30. Having grown up living a nomadic lifestyle with New Age parents, he makes friends fast and loves being the center of attention. Though he can be careless and selfish - even childish - he's loving, genuine, and always looking to make other people happy. Dating Harlow and Io. Asher's best friend.

Harlow Cooper: He/him. 29. After a youth filled with abuse from both family and partners, he doesn't trust easily. Under an abrasive (and occasionally violently explosive) shell, he's a sensitive, artistic dreamer. Once someone earns his loyalty, they have it forever. Though he often lashes out, it's either due to fear or hurt. Dating Summer and Io.

Iokua "Io" Matua: He/him. 31. His gangbanger brother took the fall for him when he shot and killed their abusive father. Io spends his time trying to free his brother and make his sacrifice worth it. He's stoic, disciplined, honest, and understanding. He feels a deep responsibility to care for his loved ones. Dating Summer and Harlow.

(There are others, but these are the ones I'm most excited about)

[kopfkino-o]

Disclaimer: I’m a first-time poster so don’t come for me if I mess up the tagging in this post. I tried my best to ensure it’s tagged appropriately so those who don’t want to see this content don’t have to. With that being said, this is a pro-elriel post, so if that ship isn’t your cup of tea I’d suggest scrolling on. Cheers!

My biggest question for g*wynriels is what the plot of their supposed book is actually going to be about? To me it seems like it’ll be a discount ACOSF 2.0. More training. More HoW. More Valks. But that’s about it. G*wyn’s arc seems largely over to me. She was brave and bold and awesome. She left the library. She cut the ribbon. She started to overcome the guilt she felt over her sister’s horrible, horrible murder. She persevered and proved she was a damn strong woman despite the terrible things she experienced in her life. She supported her friends, she told her story, she forged herself into a warrior. She proved to herself, and the world, she was strong and capable by winning the Blood Rite and reclaiming her own path forward. What is left for her? Leaving the library for good, sure. She deserves that and I want that for her! But what else??? What will this supposed universe-shattering, all-encompassing love story actually be about??? Because I simply cannot see a plot with her and Az that would be entertaining nor believable. I’m also not loving the idea that she would be not a first choice, but rather a second/third choice? Baby girl doesn’t deserve that.

I think that the rest of her story can, and will, be told with G*wyn remaining as a side character (at least for the remaining two novels). I could potentially see her becoming an MC and finding her own love story later on in the series, should they continue, after our main character’s (the Archeron sisters) stories have been told.

But I just really fail to see how G*wyn paired with Az would narratively make sense for the next installment in this series? Neither of them are Made, neither of them are Archeron sisters (obvi, lol), G isn’t at all tied to the overarching Koschei plot, there’s no real challenges or obstacles facing them being together as a couple, there’s no buildup to launch the story off of, and the amount of time Sarah would have to spend resolving not only Az’s former feelings for Mor, but also his current feelings for Elain (it’s canon, I don’t make the rules), would hardly leave any time for G and Az to have an even remotely believable love story? Narratively, it makes no sense, and to me, it feels like if they got together their book would be a wash and repeat of ACOSF, with their actual “romance” either not taking place on page at all, or happening in the last few chapters of the novel which is… well, not what I want to read.

Anywayssss, there’s my rant. Do with that what you will.

[captnjacksparrow]

Hi! Sorry I just have to tell someone about something terrible that I just saw. I was scrolling in anti naruto ending tags and saw a post about Sakura. In that post this person said that they loved Sakura because the person that she could have been and should have been. They literally tagged the post as anti canon sakura. Sorry but personally I am losing braincells. How do you like person but consider that person as anti in canon but pro in fanfiction or what??? Like that fanfiction person ISN'T Sakura. And in comments people where talking about how she should have been hokage. Bruh. But sorry for possible mistakes English isn't my first language so I hope you can undestand what I mean. Bye and have a great day/night/evening/morning!!

Anyone who is spouting about a mediocre and low-life character as, "XXX Character should have been a President.", just know that they are exactly like that 'said Character' in real-life and hates to see themselves on-screen.

So, that Anti Canon Sakura person must have been a real-life Sakura and likes the better version of themselves.. i.e, the Fanon Sakura.

Recently, I saw this interesting discussion thread in Tumblr.... Not from Naruto fandom of Course. But from Mo Dao Zu Shi Fandom. Mo Dao Zu Shi is a popular Yaoi Novel all throughout Eastern Asia. 

That whole tumblr thread was just saying what I've been saying about Kishimoto's take on women Characters in Naruto Manga in many of my posts....

Apparently, some stupid pests has started this Misogyny rant in a Yaoi Novel and the OP got Annoyed with those pests. Because those pests are calling the Author (A Women at that) as a misogynist... Believe me, that fandom never got such lame complaints until few months ago.

One of the Reblogger made a Wonderful point which I'll requote it here...

But before that let me give you a preface.... There are 2 popular Yaoi writers in China and both of them are women. One's name is Priest... Other's name is MXTX (Mo Xiang Tong Xiu). But MXTX is the most popular out of the two. Priest also writes Woman centered Novels as well. Whereas MXTX sticks with just Yaoi. What an Irony!!!! A Woman who writes an excellent novel about Woman as well as Yaoi is not popular. But a Woman who writes only Yaoi Genre with very less Women characters in her novels is the popular one!!!!!

So, that discussion goes like this...

I think this is one of the reasons why mxtx is popular, she wrote irrelevant female characters or bitter female characters, both are easy for women to project. She clearly could write strong and independent female characters, but how many in the fandom talk about Ling Wen? If girls here really are honest when they say they want strong female characters, female MC, in battle manga, then Claymore would be the biggest manga here, but no, they're thirsting over boys in bnha. If people really care about strong female characters who have their life together, Priest would be more popular than mxtx.

The Character Ling Wen, whom the poster was talking about... She is extremely a well written character from a Yaoi Novel named Heaven's Official Blessing. She is not that regular power punch girl, smash the enemy and all those non-sense. She is cunning, decisive, calm, quiet and goal-oriented. She had quite an impact on the story to the point of making the Main Character to run around in circles for many chapters, you know.

But I've never seen anyone talking about her in that fandom. Just like I complain about nobody giving a proper credit to Tsunade.. In fact, Ling Wen is more nuanced and layered than Tsunade... Ling Wen has her own Arc too.

And the poster asked a right question about Strong Female Characters.... And I also want to ask the same thing....

Like Why nobody in Naruto fandom talks about Claymore manga which is also a Shonen??? It has a strong female protagonist like many girls want in their dreams and yet... I've never seen anyone talking/citing about this Manga in this fandom???? 

So, what gives???

People want a strong women character ONLY IN THE PRESENCE OF HOT BOYS.... THEY TOTALLY WANT A MARY SUE WHO WOULD MAKE EVERY MAN FALLS FOR HER STRENGTH/CHARM... Other than that they don't care about story and development. 

People like Jiang yanli exactly because she didn't do much, and got an arranged marriage to a rich and good looking dude, she felt like a YA fiction MC who has two boys around her. Priest's characters like Chen qingxu or Zhou Fei are far too competent and useful to project. Strong female characters aren't profitable, look at all these women thirsting after the male actors in The Untamed,

Unlike Sakura, I like Jiang Yanli... But she is just like that OP says... She didn't do much in the story other than offering comfort to the Main Character as his Elder Sister.

But people project a lot into her and expect something that doesn't match up with the narrative. Just like people expecting Sakura to be the Hokage. Just like people make a different Sakura in Fanon.... Jiang Yanli also has a different fanon version of herself.

They say Jiang Yanli should’ve been a cultivator, but Wen Qing had cultivation, they don’t wank her like they wank about the soup girl.

They say Jiang Yanli should’ve become sect leader, Bai Rong became sect leader in Thousand Autumns, and she worked for it. People are only interested in Yan Wushi’s tiddies.

I will rephrase this here...

They say Sakura should've been a Hokage.... but Tsunade is a Hokage, Mei is a Mizukage... but they don't wank Tsunade like they wank about this Sakura.

People are only interested in Yan Wushi's tiddies

Yan Wushi is a Male Main Character from another Yaoi novel called Thousand Autumns... And he looks like this

Looks like an Immortal Elf, isn’t he???

AND IF I HAVE TO REPHRASE IT.....

People are only interested in Sasuke's Tiddies....

LOLOL....

In Every damn Yaoi/Gay media.... Girls badly wants to self-insert themselves... And project their shitty self and complain about bad writing and misogyny non-sense. Whereas if you give them what they want, they just won't buy it. All they want is, to project themselves as this strong woman and get the boy they drool over in the Manga and then want that happily live ever after shit.

Writing strong female characters for a female audience is such a thankless job. They say they want strong women, but when you write them, they don’t buy it. What they say they hate is actually what they really want. They want weak and average characters for them to project and, also for them to complain about to look woke. They want to have their cake and eat it.

They say they want strong female characters.... But how many of them actually talk about Saori, another female character (an alter ego of Sasuke with same backstory, behaviour and aesthetics) which was also written by Kishimoto? 

Different Fandom.... Same complaints...

[nanowrimo]

3 Most Common Worldbuilding Mistakes for Writers and How to Fix Them

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. World Anvil, a 2021 NaNoWriMo sponsor, helps you develop and organize your characters, plot, and world setting. Today, World Anvil founder Janet Forbes is here to share some pro tips for worldbuilding. Don’t forget to check out the offer to NaNoWriMo writers for 30% off a World Anvil membership!

I talk to hundreds of writers every week, in our World Anvil Q&A live streams, our World Anvil writing challenges, and meetings with our professional authors. And mostly, they’re encountering the same few worldbuilding problems! Here are the 3 most common worldbuilding mistakes, and how you can fix them:

1. Mary-Sue Worldbuilding

You’re probably familiar with the Mary-Sue—a flawless, artificial-feeling main character. Mary Sue Worldbuilding follows in the same vein. If everything in your setting is directly related to your main character, it feels like the world revolves around them. It’s too convenient and artificial. That’s Mary-Sue worldbuilding.

Mary-Sue worldbuilding is usually caused by worldbuilding exclusively around your plot. Introducing larger-scale conflict in the backdrop of your setting, current affairs like civil or religious movements, war, disasters, or technological breakthroughs, can help expand the world beyond just your main character. 

Your main character might interact with these elements, or more usually, with problems caused by them. For example, they might help some refugees from “that war over there”. But your character should not be at the core of everything—they’re not the cause of the war. Other things are happening outside of your story, in the background. (Pro-tip: this is a great way to reinforce your genre and themes, and make your world feel alive and expansive, too!). 

Fixing Mary-Sue Worldbuilding Of course you’ll need a series bible like World Anvil to help you keep these current affairs organized, connect them together, and make sure you don’t lose your notes! Use World Anvil’s worldbuilding templates to get inspired for your big conflicts, and remember - you only need to write a few bullet points to start with! You can always expand more later (we’ll talk more about that in a moment).

World Anvil’s Worldbuilding Templates are custom-made by experts to help inspire and guide your creativity—and you can customize your own templates too!

2. Mosaic Worldbuilding

You know those computer game worlds where each area feels like a self-contained zone? Where the “desert” region and the “forest” region have no trade, communication, or overlap between them? That, in a nutshell, is Mosaic worldbuilding. It ruins suspension of disbelief, makes your novel setting feel false, and can pull your readers out of your story! 

Fixing Mosaic Worldbuilding

The best way to avoid Mosaic Worldbuilding is to make sure that you have a clear overview of your world early on, with each major region and concept penned out in just a sentence or two. That way, each region will feel like a connected aspect of your seamless setting, not a tile shoved on the side. 

On World Anvil, each world setting has a “Worldbuilding Meta” section to help you detail the 10,000 foot overview—the big stuff. And not just your physical world and its people, but your genre, your motivations, and your themes. This invaluable reference tool helps you expand your setting and add more detail, and will also help you sense-check what you’re adding!

Once you have a clear picture of your meta, and know the overview of your world, it’ll be easy to make use of cultural aspects like imports and travellers, cultural diasporas and geographical transition zones to make your world seem more connected and less artificially divided! And you’ll be able to do it without spending too much extra time worldbuilding. Which brings me to my final common worldbuilding mistake…

World Anvil’s Worldbuilding Meta tool helps you focus, streamline and sense-check your world setting! It’s full of guides to create an excellent overview for your worldbuilding project. This is the view mode of Manifold Sky by B.C.G. Wurth.

3. Worldbuilder’s Disease

Sounds nasty, right? Well, Worldbuilder’s Disease is a very common problem—a compulsion to continue worldbuilding things which aren’t actually useful. Here’s my favorite example—the “elven shoes”:

In your world you have elves. They wear shoes. So far, so good. Maybe there’s a plot-point where an imposter’s revealed because they’re wearing the wrong shoes. So you fill in a few details on your series bible. But if you find yourself writing a 5,000 word treatise on elven shoes through the ages… honey, you have worldbuilder’s disease.

I use shoes as an example, but it could be anything. It might be detailing three centuries of monarchy, or expanding unvisited areas in excruciating detail. Sure, it can be fun, but all that time spent on unnecessary parts of your setting isn’t helping you polish the core parts—or get your novel written! It’s distracting you from your primary goal. 

Curing Worldbuilder’s Disease

There are three major causes of worldbuilders disease: 

Lack of perspective

Lovers of prose

Fear of losing your ideas

1. Lack of perspective

Lack of perspective can often lead down a worldbuilding rabbit hole. Keep clarity on what’s important in your setting with tools like World Anvil’s Worldbuilding Meta. This helps you define your active worldbuilding area - not just geographical but thematic areas—which helps  streamline your world and your project, so you can be sure you’re spending your time where it counts!

Also, be clear with yourself WHY you’re worldbuilding the element you’re working on. Keep clear notes in your series bible about how this new element fits into your novel. If it’s little more than set dressing, you only need a few words. For a core concept, you might need more.

2. Lovers of Prose

As writers, we love to write (duh)! But for most of us, writing in prose in our series bible can cause serious problems. Not only does it mean that you write MORE than we should (your get in flow, words happen!), it’s also harder to reference your ideas quickly later on. Stick to short, organized articles in note form. Make sure the salient information is there, and link in anything relevant. You can always expand to prose later if you need to.

Keep your series bible in brief notes with clear headers! This character article took 5 minutes using World Anvil’s character template which automatically adds the headers. The linked articles help me easily reference related people and places as I’m writing.

3. Fear of losing our ideas

Fear of losing our ideas is actually one of the most common reasons for worldbuilder’s disease—that we’ll forget or lose our notes if we don’t write them out in vast detail. To combat this, make sure you have somewhere to keep your world details safe, organized, tagged and searchable. Then you can reassure yourself that you can go back and develop more later if you need it. 

Obviously, World Anvil is custom made for this, backing up everything in one place and linking everything together, so you can easily search, reference and update your series bible whilst writing your manuscript and not have to worry about losing things!

Anything here ring true for you? Or maybe you’re struggling with another worldbuilding mistake or problem? You can always hop into our live streamed Q&A sessions on our Twitch channel and ask us directly! We go live three times a week to answer questions about writing and worldbuilding, as well as helping our community with World Anvil queries too! Maybe we’ll see you there. And happy worldbuilding :)

Janet Forbes is a published fantasy author and RPG writer, whose recent credits include the Dark Crystal RPG with the Henson Company (coming 2021). In 2017, she and her husband created World Anvil, the ultimate worldbuilding and novel writing platform. World Anvil helps you organize, store and develop your worldbuilding and series bible privately, and market your books to the world too! The inbuilt novel writing software, accessible from anywhere, integrates seamlessly with your worldbuilding. And when it’s time to publish, you can export, or publish directly on the World Anvil platform and monetize YOUR way! Check it out at World Anvil.

[usergreenpixel]

JACOBIN FICTION CONVENTION MEETING 15: AMBITION: A MINUET IN POWER (2021)

1. The Introduction

(This review is dedicated to @idieonthishill , @frevandrest , @michel-feuilly , @theravenclawrevolutionary and @tairin )

Hey, Citizens! I’m officially back with a review I’ve been meaning to make for a while now.

“Ambition: A Minuet in Power” is a visual novel/dating simulator game set in Frev and it actually came out really recently - in summer.

It actually has been on my radar ever since I joined the Frev community and accidentally stumbled upon it while browsing tags related to Saint-Just.

Now, usually games like this one are not particularly interesting for me but I am prone to being hooked so I got the beta version free of charge on Steam (which is also where I bought the full version later).

And it was actually the beta version of this game that led to my fateful meeting with one of my friends, Citizen @idieonthishill , as she was also playing the beta version at the time.

She has a fantastic review of her own right here and it sums up the pros and cons of the game really well. And here is a review by another friend of mine, Citizen @frevandrest , and it’s also really good.

I was hesitant about making my own review at first because I really didn’t want to repeat my friends’ words like a broken record but here it is because we have a lot to talk about here.

Okay, now that you know the gist of my backstory with this game, I think we can proceed to the actual review. I won’t cut it any slack for nostalgia points and there will be a rant below so get ready.

Let’s find out what this game is all about.

2. The Summary

The visual novel’s protagonist is a commoner called Yvette Decaux, who comes to Paris to look for her missing fiancé but, when shit hits the fan and she gets basically ditched by said fiancé, she has to learn to survive and navigate the complicated political situation on the eve of the French Revolution.

As Yvette, players can be royalists, Jacobins or something in between. This game allows the players to date various love interests (some historical) , gossip, attend events and amass respect and authority.

So yeah. Let’s see what the execution of this premise is like.

3. The Story

First of all, I like the premise of a commoner (Yvette) marrying a noble (her fiancé). It was a thing but really rare and provided a great opportunity to marry into nobility. This explains why Yvette’s family is eager to see to it that the marriage happens and sends her to Paris.

I also like the fact that we have several endings, like being a royalist, getting executed and leading the revolution. It really gives players room for experimenting with their choices in the story and helps to keep the experience fresh.

That said, as pointed out by @frevandrest , most of the story takes place before the Storming of The Bastille and the other years of Frev are pretty much briefly glossed over in the end so it’s safe to say that we have some major pacing issues.

It’s also worth mentioning that sometimes there is so many side quests that it becomes alarmingly easy to lose track of the main story with the missing fiancé and all that, so this game is definitely not for those who like more linear and straightforward stuff.

4. The Characters

Yvette herself isn’t a character in her own right, and I think that’s some wasted potential right there because I personally don’t like “blank slate” characters. Now, don’t get me wrong, they have an appeal too but it’s just not my cup of tea. I do like that she is not straight though (as in we have female love interests and male ones).

Then there are the love interests. Unlike Yvette, they each have a personality and are fleshed out quite well but sometimes can dive a bit too much into old cliches.

For example, Saint-Just in the game is the stereotypical rebellious bad boy who hates authority ™️, which is a disservice to the complexity of his real counterpart if you ask me. My friends have talked about issues with Antoine in detail in their own reviews so I don’t want to repeat everything they say. Just trust me when I say that this Saint-Just is something else...in a bad way.

To be honest, I prefer love interests like Alex (a merry and kind soldier), Élisabeth Vigee Lebrun (a free-spirited artist) and Ludovico (a sweet Italian priest). They’re all cool in their own ways and I love them.

There’s also a bourgeois widow, Honorade, but personally I didn’t like her so far. I don’t know why, just didn’t click.

The love interest I disliked the most though is the fiancé, Armand. He had zero excuse for ghosting Yvette and basically not showing up because he is so caught up in the revolutionary stuff. Yvette should’ve dumped him on the spot because she clearly deserves better and I mean it!

Anyway, aside from the love interests, some other characters are great too, like Camille, Yvette’s maid. Camille is basically a sweet, cheerful and loyal cinnamon roll and I love it. She deserves all the best things out there.

5. The Gameplay

There are several factions in the game and each one is represented by a specific love interest. You can determine who wins in the struggle of the Crown and the Revolution via convincing various love interests to join one or the other. I think that this is a pretty cool idea, if a bit unrealistic and ultimately makes Yvette a character with too much influence on history than one person would logically have.

It’s also pretty hard to balance peril (you get it while doing risky stuff) and credibility. Get your peril too high and your reputation will suffer. If the credibility is too low then a lot of options in the game aren’t available to you. This is honestly a nightmare to keep track of and I really wish it was a bit easier.

I also don’t usually like visual novels(like I stated above) so I don’t really recommend it to those who dislike that category of games.

6. The Setting

Strangely enough, there isn’t that much Thermidorian propaganda but, unfortunately, too many Frev events are glossed over which, for me at least, kind of breaks the immersion.

Other than that though, the designs and the backgrounds are quite pleasant. Credit where it’s due.

7. The Conclusion

All in all, an interesting experiment and an attempt to do something new with Frev, which I appreciate.

That being said, the pacing issues, the challenging gameplay and the fact that they completely screwed over Saint-Just makes this game more of a guilty pleasure for me than something I can honestly recommend unironically.

Of course, if you want to check it out, I won’t stop you but I will understand if you don’t.

Apologies for a shorter review this time; I didn’t want to repeat what has been already said without me.

Anyway, with that, let us conclude the 15th meeting of the Jacobin Fiction Convention. As always, more updates are coming soon!

Stay tuned and stay safe!

Love,

- Citizen Green Pixel

[floralkittygambler]

Hazbin OC - Lady Luck [WIP shit]

Just a dump of some Lady concepts and some of how she’s developed. Current design + Angel forme [above] Lady’s brief bio: Name: Lady Luck, Lady Age: Various [based on rebirth], most notably the ages 31, 38 and 55. [anyone who knows where these ages from, you know] Gender: female Date of Birth: Various Date of Death: N/A Cause of Death: Perhaps ‘they’ caught up- Race: White British/Irish ‘human’ turned feline demon [current ‘life’], ‘Deity’ Occupation: Fortune Teller/Medium, Lingerie model, part time barmaid and entertainer, only a hobbyist gambler Voice type: Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy [Fiona Belli, Haunting Ground - VA is Irish] Quirks, strange mannerisms, and/or annoying habits: [soon] Appearance: Grey feline demon [inspired by Russian and British blues], Green/Olive eyes, adding more soon lol im tired Personality: soon Sins/Vices: Alcohol consumer [non addict], past minor addiction to medicine, gambling [non addict], money hoarding, ‘playing god’ [unwilling], Witchcraft/magick [main sin]. Prone to wrathful acts, feelings of envy, moderate greedy habits. Sinned in other lives. Strong profanity, dark business, sometimes catalysts for chaos. Self hazardous. Melancholic. Virtues: Can be giving if convinced/interested, deep empathy/compassion, chastity [unintentional], though often impatient can be extremely patient for those in need. Protective of animals, children and the vulnerable but the opposite towards assailants. High tolerance against addiction.   Mental illnesses: Abilities/Powers/Skills: Thin and nimble, quick witted, ability to appeal [emotional], ability to debate, reading traits [acquired], magick/supernatural powers - connects to life/death cycle, monsters, psyche, deity levels. Card magick - throwing weapons, summoning weapons, evasive. Nature connected powers. Analysist. Great with children, animals, the vulnerable. Jack of many trades [incl. mixology, divination, board games, survivalist, etc] to allow more opportunities. More intelligent than she appears. Pickpocketing [magick assisted]. Basic magic tricks. Can speak pieces in some languages, including Latin. Performer/entertainer. Dancer [helps in fights]. Observant. Comforting and nurturing. Humorous. Willingness to stand up for and defend. Listener. Sniper aim. Weaknesses: Phobias [such as mirrors, safety/romance, vertigo/heights, etc], radiowaves [can be triggered by her creations or by her loss of composure], strong deity powers [actively denies and suppresses them leading to ‘charge up’. Emotions can stir them up signaling her difficulty controlling them. Can turn these against herself as well. Prone to overexertion which can easily be fatal. Can lead to great acts of wrath]. Intimacy. Can vary from too trusting to too wary. Grey moral compass [leading to passive inaction in some cases and aggression in others]. Lightweight drinker [in denial]. Drinks when anxious/socialising [often, though easily substituted]. Heightened senses [pro and con]. Easily distracted. Can be rude/jest harshly. Closed off. Handles drug effects badly. Over-emotions can lead to ‘possession’ from a ‘friend’. Exhausts easily. Durable and fragile. Panic [can calm others]. Avoids own issues [can admit and confront them however is closed off]. Overworks. Avoidant. Melancholic. Sadistic streak that’s hard to tame. Could be way better at illusionism. Vengeful. Frozen in past. Terrible runner. Chronic conditions. Low tolerance for certain types. Can often mishandle these violently. Surprisingly shy. Can only mask for so long. Materialistic to replace loneliness. Height: 5′8 - 5′9 [human], 6′5 [demon] Body type: Pear, extremely small bust with larger rear and wider hips. Dislikes: many, soon to list. People/humans, having to socialise, being picked up [esp like a cat], phobias, worms, ‘crawling blood’, perverts, Fears: soon, mirrors,  Goals: soon Relationships/Love interests: She has a potential interest, though she’s likely to approach first [or make a ‘first move’ per say] she most likely wouldnt confess feeling that she wasnt appealing to them. Definitely would make the effort to comfort and befriend [leaving Lady’s comfort zone] Hobbies and interests: Gambling, card and board games, playing games, tarot/divination of many kinds, witchcraft, magic tricks/shows, lingerie modelling [think more boudoir/classy or the playful takes of Bettie Page], botony/herbology, collecting plushies, faux smoking, drinking, overreacting to gameshows/tv shows, comedy stand ups, chocolate making, art and sewing, playing instruments [accoustic guitar, harmonica, lyre, inflatable saxophone, triangle, tambourine], mixology, learning new things, animals and caring for those who need it, fashion [often quirky or outdated], hula hoop tricks, dancing and singing [quite shy], teaching/educating children [especially in hunting/survival], taxidermy, sharp shooting, sometimes being nude [in safe areas], meditation, collecting, true crime files, star gazing, shadow puppets, laser pens, making jokes, berry picking, reading, snuggling, cats, money saving/spending, horror novels/movies, aerials, pole dancing [fitness], general fitness [in the yoga sense, not jogging], sci-fi, woodcarving [no skills], loves 70s and rococo fashion as well as classy looking fashion, playbunnies, aesthetics, nature. Laser tag. Comfy blankets. Nurturing other’s needs. Cute things. Trivial: - Was a virgin in her last life before becoming a demon, dreads sex demons like Val finding this out. - Covered in scars, both self inflicted and otherwise, these remain hidden beneath her fur. - Will go around topless or nude as her fur works as censorship. Even to the dismay of others. - Loves the 60s, 70s and 80s. - Regrets no longer liking cheese like she used to. - Enjoys stronger alcoholic drinks despite being a lightweight, her drunk self showing her softer and more optimistic hidden side. Often giggly, complimentary and cuddly. Occasionally verbally aggressive/wants to fight. - Some of her dreams include; starting a bar fight, visit a magic show, learn to spin plates, [finally] visit a Vegas style casino, own a garden/creatures sanctuary, find a meteorite, attempt to hold a lion’s mouth open for ‘Strength’, own her dream house and business away from ‘fucking everyone’, ride a dolphin, master juggling and magic tricks, create some new potions, slap the shit out of each overlord [etc] - Avoids love; from the topic to her history, though it’s implied that she doesn’t feel like it’s ‘in the cards’ for her as well as implied insecurity. - The memories of each of her past lives often collide, especially in the night, causing hidden distress - She was originally planned to have a power inspired by John Coffee where she could ‘alleviate’ other’s emotional suffering by CBT and physically ‘taking’ it from them, an ability that would land her a job at the Hotel. This idea has since been moved to another character. - She has a ‘baby face’ and is often called cute by others, leading her to be treated little more than an oversized pet. This is something that bothers her when not in jest. - Related to Dead Hand - Has had certain dealings with Valentino and Lucifer that she’s not proud of. - Lady Luck is an ironic name - Old design designed around my old cat Angel, new design ironically resembles our current cat Angel [taken over from Great Auntie. First was named after Buffy characters. Second... Idk] - [soon] [Temp: https://www.deviantart.com/pixichi/art/Very-Basic-Character-Sheet-for-OC-s-By-Pixichi-482645873 ] Old designs:

[rightnowyoucanttell]

𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 || .G.D.

(This songs an oldie, but It popped up on my random artist playlist, and I was inspired. Haha, enjoy ig..)

Title: Alone Again, Naturally 

Summary: Veronica Chandler seems to be only destined for heartbreak. After a failed attempt to rebound on her toxic ex, she makes a routine trip to her local 24 hour Starbucks, in which she meets a handsome stranger.. and oh,  who happens to be the spitting image to the photo of the tinder date who stood her up....

Relationship: Grayson Dolan and Veronica Chandler

Word Count: 2,034

Tags (*updated*) : @dzoint ​ @graysavant @blindedbythelightt ​ @tadadolan @heartofalionxo  @beatement-l   @grayswhore @tattoogray ​@saggitariusagirl

Author’s note: First, this is total shit, i’m sorry. Second, I  did the stupidest thing of all time. I gave my OC the same name as the main character in the novel i’m writing on wattpad (to self plug, or not to self plug that is the question; i’ll take self plug for 100, Alex) why am i so stupid? Well, i'm too lazy to change it so. 

Third, i was inspired when the twins talked about dating apps and just like idk where this came from, must be out of my ass because it’s shit. 

I actually laughed at that...

Fourth, feedback is like the most important thing to me, like ever? So, feel free to lmk what y’all think, if this becomes a series I will be taking concepts. 

Veronica Chandler is destined for great things. Planning her future, modeling and working as a struggling actress, she could go off and marry some lawyer. But, the only thing she did seem destined for was heartbreak.

Ronnie knew it had been too soon. Not even a month ago she had broken up with her ex, Jonathan. She also knew this, when she was attracted to a man on tinder with the same name, mostly because of the name. She wasn’t over the man who man who ruined her life to all hell. But, the comfort of a relationship was all she needed and desperately strived for.

Jonathan, was an artist, mad at the world needing to find himself. So, each night he did just so. Jonathan would go out to ‘find himself’ and along the way he found, Roxanne, Malibu, Dianne and Eileen. Jonathan drank, and he would physically and mentally abuse a good strong woman, who for the longest time couldn’t bring herself to walk out of his life.

Each time, from the first to the third she was too lonely, desperate and down on herself to let him loose. But, after he cheated on her with a married forty-year-old woman with four children, that was when Mama Chandler intervened and scared him half to fucking hell. That woman raised no fool, and if she did it was Veronica’s older brother, Noah.  Veronica was just a sad young woman who couldn’t keep a man because they used her.

This night in particular was her rebound date at a local vegan restaurant. A fancy one. With velvet rugs, chandeliers, expensive wines, however with decently sized portions. Veronica stood outside waiting for Jonathan. Who was described in his photo as muscular, a builder with brown hair and eyes and often in there messages boasted about such muscularity.

It was dark. He planned to meet her at 5:30. It was 7:30. Groups passed her. Parties on the street began talking, while the mannequins in store fronts slept under the lights. But, Ronnie was sure, this guy was genuine, and would be the best rebound. 

But, her plans and dreams were foiled when 8:30 hit, she decided to leave embarrassed and ashamed she thought it would turn out differently, she should have known. Her mosquito allergy becoming aggravated just as much as her. She sulked. She never really dressed to impress others, she wore heels, a leather jacket paired with a silk revealing top and boot cuts black jeans. That’s when the heaven on earth shone down upon her, a burning bush of sorts.

           A 24 hour starbucks.

As she walked down the sidewalk slowly, she was tired of being let down; tired of catering to the whims of others, ready to return home and make a stray of financially irresponsible choices online, she entered through the glass doors and into the small shop in Hollywood. The cool yet humid summer air from outside was left behind in the warmth of the shop, that’s when she saw him.

A tall handsome stranger, brown hair and eyes, with muscular arms. She fell for him immediately, he was gorgeous. But, then. Veronica realized something, the same man, the handsome stranger, was either the same person or a bicep by bicep replica of the man she was supposed to meet tonight, at that Vegan restaurant.

The fire fueled deep down, but she ignored it when she got in line to the left of him ready for her Pink Drink and croissant so she could run to the nearest Ralph’s and purchase two tubs of strawberry ice cream, she’d be needing it. The line shifted. She shifted on her feet, he did the same.

Veronica tapped her foot. That’s when the stranger started talking,”Whoah. Slow down there ‘Miss i’m on a mission’.”

His voice was deep and hoarse, he sounded like he had been having a night himself. Veronica ignored the voice that in some ways drew her closer.

“I’m Grayson, By the way..” the named stranger drifted. That’s when Veronica snapped. The man was Jonathan or she thought, and he was ignorant enough to poach the woman he stood up, again, she thought.

“How can you be so arrogant and glib, after everything you’ve done?” Veronica whipped her head to the right of him snapping out of anger and then with no response

“Ah, she’s brave. Calling me arrogant and glib, without even knowing me, cool.” Grayson scoffed and nodded, shrugging it off, and moving forward in the line before stopping yet again.

Ronnie tapped her foot miserable an angry…”Without knowing you? I know you. Your the kind of guy who’s shows up a girl, and breaks the rules because you think it’s cute.”

“Do You think it’s cute?” He lanced over to her smirking a devilish smirk. She scoffed and crossed her arms with her jacket draped over one of them, shaking her head as the crazily long late night line, shifted forward. ‘Grayson’ may have won the battle by showing her up, but his blatant lies would lose the war to Veronica.

“Spare me your routine, i assume that’s what this” she gestured to Grayson,”-cut it out okay? Or, i’ll make your life a living hell.”

“Sorry, not into a relationship at the moment,” he joked before turning back to face the options board, even though his order was almost always the same. Ronnie rolled her eyes. Ronnie's eyes were tired. She felt physically ready whoop this man;s ass, but mentally and emotionally drained.

“And, by the way. No. I do not think it’s fucking cute..” Veronica replied after a few moments of silence. Veronica mumbled cruising, barely audible to Grayson. Veronica was so confused, and so irritated, she didn’t no what to believe. She sighed and went for her phone fumbling for her back pocket, and opening the tinder profile of ‘Jonathan’, “Explain this.”

The screen illuminated a photo of Grayson with the name Jonathan below it. He had still had long hair at this point, right before it’s annoyance shaggy length.Grayson was shirtless in the photo with a chain necklace around his neck. Grayson squinted to examine the photo on the app and chuckled as he passed it back to Veronica.

“You, my dear, got catfished. By someone posing to be, yours truly. I’ve never had tinder and haven’t used a dating app since I was like, fourteen..” Veronica rolled her eyes at his comment before scrunching her brows in confusion but not enough to continue to pry,”..don’t believe me? Search ‘Grayson Dolan’ on instagram or twitter, you’ll owe me an apology.” Grayson snapped as hurt in reply and turned away from the fabric keeping a distance between the two. 

  Grayson felt for Veronica, he could hear the pain in her silence, the sadness in her eyes, the facade of a mask she put on,  even if he didn’t know her name, like her he had been pining for love. The same night he had been dumped via text by his ex girlfriend, also his ghost of days of business past, ex- assistant, before Sterling. He should have known it was a mistake, and Ethan warned him several times, but  much like Veronica with OG Jonathan, he blamed love for his feelings. 

Grayson was tired, wanting to head home with a cup of joe, but this unidentified juliet, across from him caught his eye, and there was no turning back. 

The line shifted. Hesitantly she opened instagram and search the name and she stopped, in her tracks. She owed this man apology, Grayson Dolan, he was a real guy, with a huge following however she never heard of him. She followed him, sighed and put her phone back into her pocket.And yes, he was good looking, she fell for the looks a little more than the name.

“..i--i’m sorry. Guess you were right, I was wrong..” Veronica managed to croak out. Grayson’s phone notified him from his pocket, he checked it smirked, followed her back and placed it back into his pocket.

Grayson looked over to the brunette Brazilian to the right of him. She tapped her foot nervously, as she picked her brain for a better apology. She felt herself loosen, knowing he was just trying to help, and didn’t stood up. Her demeanor changes, this man was a kind stranger who just happened to be the man in the photos she was catfished with, the real Grayson did nothing wrong.

“-., so this Jonathan, what happened?” He asked looking into her dark brown eyes, meaning it. Wanting to know everything about the stranger that made him want to know here. She laughed flashing a smile all the while. Her laugh, Grayson thought. The way she talked and laughed, when she was enjoying herself, it was all so lyrical, it made him want to laugh.

He looked at Veronica, like, really looked at her. The way the lighting reflected on her sparkly eyeshadow. Her dark green eyes, her long luscious and free riding dark brown hair, that had been straightened from its naturally curly form.

“..Well, I uh, met him on Tinder and he stood me up. I just got out of a nast relationship and he was my rebound, but he’s probably some weird guy living in his mother's basement-” she sighed opening up to him. She smiled at her own comedic relief comment. Hiding behind humour was something she did.

Grayson laughed, becoming serious,”I’m sorry, that sucks. What about your ex?”he pried further, there were only three people in front of them, all by themselves, swarmed by the world living in their phones.

“He was a cheater, a drinker and beater, who just so also happened to be named Jonathan..” the negative memories stirred up again in front of her. The pain on her shoulder came back, so did the reminiscence, drawing and pulling her into a melancholy flashback. 

                                                    ~~~

"Where would you like me to go, hmm? Ronnie!" he shoved her to the ground and she fell backwards dislocating her shoulder. She winced in pain, it had pulsated throughout her body. She knew she had to do this, for herself, the well being of herself for once. Did she want to? No. It scared her. He scared her.

Once he got the clout he wanted he changed, he was living off of her earnings, living in her apartment at the time, using her car, and she was forced to nod and smile along with it like some big ugly joke of a play. 

"How about for starters-" she managed between heavy sobs of pain and trying to prop herself against the reclining part of the sofa she was thrown in front of,"..hell? Take your toothbrush and your shave kit, and try some bleach in your cereal, i'm done. Okay? Go away, J!"

                                                            ~~~

Ronnie was back to reality when she heard Gray's voice,"..Safe to assume you have a type, then?"he asked really looking at the beautiful woman in front of his eyes.

 “Yeah. I try so hard but,”Veronica felt sad,” but, i’m never the one.” she felt even sadder memories of her ex flashing before her, she shrugged it off and continued,”…alone again, naturally, I guess.”

Grayson and Veronica were now the first in line,”Hey, let me buy your drink. Maybe we could be alone again, together…” Veronica smiled, and nodded.

“I’d like that..”

                       ~~~   

Later that night the two walked into the humid, yet comfortingly cool, heat together side by side after a two-hour conversation just on life.

“I, uh, better walk to my car.” Veronica said in front of Grayson’s porsche. Her jacket was around her shoulders and covered her arms,”I had fun, tonight” she held out a starbucks napkin she secretly wrote her number on, the wind tossed it gently back and forward. He smiled and breathed out a friendly, good night. He hated to see her go so soon, but would love to watch her leave.

“Wait, I never got your name-”he hollered down into the cold night on the streets of Los Angeles. Veronica turned around and continued walking backwards, her hair following and tracing her every move.

“It’s Veronica.” she breathed before giving him one last look with her deep green eyes and turning back down the sidewalk, heading to her car and driving into the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Should I make this a series? If so, what to name it, i’m thinking lyrical and each chapter is a song name? lmk. 

AHH i'm nervous to post this, but fuck it, right? No day but today. 

i’ll stop. 

[fogsrollingin]

A couple original fic reviews!

The Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells is my new addiction, which is A+ because the series’ first full-fledged novel releases tomorrow 🥳️   It was around the first third of the first novella (All Systems Red, the cover above), I fell hard for Murderbot (no spoilers but there’s a part where Murderbot watching media comes into question). Charismatic and competent af describes both the main character & the entire story. The world-build is so complicated and fascinating and yet easy to follow; this story is honestly so deliciously consumable that it feels like fanfiction. My favorite novella was #2, Artificial Condition, and I’m really hoping the character ART comes back for Network Effect. AH I’m just so excited for tomorrow! I can’t handle it! Also pinging @midnightsilver on this post bc I totally got them hooked on it and I’m feelin super smug about that rn 😂

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant. This book was kinda like Jurassic Park but with mermaids and therefore super entertaining. I loved the pace, the action/adventure and the terrific imagination that went into this story. Kudos to the elucidating exposition which breathed life into the pseudo-science of this premise. The characters were interesting - for instance, I've never read a role that fit Sigourney Weaver's energy so perfectly 😄 But it was the suspenseful then thrilling disaster action that kept me so engaged. It was almost cinematic, but better than cinema given how we were treated to lovely character insights than a film could offer, not to mention the inclusion/representation of minorities that were just so damn pleasant and realistic to read. And the Abney team, hahaha, the Abney team was hilarious and reminded me of Tremors' Burt & Heather Gummer. Around the halfway point of the book, I also felt it had a certain kinship with the movie Cabin in the Woods, as both stories involved scientists' hubris and obliviousness to danger while studying blatantly dangerous things. Also the ship's setting and atmosphere as a presumptive ghost-ship-to-be was really fun, the tension of this craft's development and survival through the story just as vital as any character’s. Fantastic job. This story still sticks with me after finishing it a couple weeks ago so 4/5 stars on goodreads, I really liked it! 👍 PS Mira Grant is a pseud for Seanan McGuire who is aggressively pro-fanfiction and wrote an article “The Bodies of the Girls Who Made Me: On Fanfic and Storytelling” that gets me emotional every time I swear 📚 📚 📚

Next up will probably be The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix because Genevieve Padalecki has started a book club kinda thing on her insta (linking to her goodreads tho: https://www.goodreads.com/genpadalecki; I wonder if she’s gonna start a reading/book club group on there? does she know that’s what you do? i have too many questions) and this is the one ppl voted for. Personally I wanna read  Horrorstör (by the same author) more but whatever I’m into this, haha.  Also if I really wanna tag-team the Padaleckis into my upcoming read-list, I went back to that youtube video where a lovely ‘Review Nation’ interviewer guy arranged for Jared to meet his favorite Star Wars author (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m0WijW9qTg) at SDCC and from that video I concluded it’s likely Jared Padalecki would highly recommend Thrawn (Star Wars: Thrawn #1) by Timothy Zahn. May the 4th be with you, everybody! I’m still reading spn (and other) fanfic too! Those recs are on the way 🤗🌈 

[terramythos]

TerraMythos' 2020 Reading Challenge - Book 21 of 26

Title: Blood for Blood (Wolf by Wolf #2) (2016)

Author: Ryan Graudin

Genre/Tags: Alternate History, Historical Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Third Person, Female Protagonist, Duology

Rating: 7/10

Date Began: 7/20/2020

Date Finished: 7/27/2020

Yael, a death camp survivor with the ability to skinshift, has fulfilled her mission -- impersonate Axis Tour contender Adele Wolfe and assassinate Hitler on live TV. But something has gone terribly wrong, and Yael is on the run from the SS. She finds herself in an uneasy alliance with Luka Lowe and Felix Wolfe, the two people she tricked the most by pretending to be Adele. Now, as war and rebellion escalate worldwide against the Reich, the three have to find a way back to Germania and the heart of the resistance. 

“Mark my words, Herr Wolfe.” Baasch’s voice swelled over the Führer’s speech. He watched the television, a half smile breaking his face. “There will be blood. There will be more than enough. The world is about to drown in it.” 

Major spoilers for Wolf by Wolf and minor spoilers for Blood for Blood under the cut.

I have mixed feelings about this book, and while there's a lot of specific reasons I will go into, I think it can be summed up in one statement: Blood for Blood is a completely different animal than Wolf by Wolf (pun intended). Logically, yes, no two books in a series will be or should be the same, but this duology takes it to the next level. Blood for Blood's style, tone, and pacing often feel like it's from a totally different series. Whether that's a good or a bad thing varies throughout the novel, but I enjoyed Wolf by Wolf more. The first and most obvious difference between the two is structure. Wolf by Wolf has a very concise and deliberate story, focusing on Yael. Sections of the plot are organized by legs of the Axis Tour race. Flashbacks are also sprinkled throughout to give the reader a sense of Yael's backstory and motivations-- but they're executed in a way that feels organic. The slick format is one of the best parts of Wolf by Wolf, and unfortunately is pretty much absent in Blood for Blood. Instead, Blood for Blood features a split perspective between Yael and two of the leads from the first book, Felix and Luka. In some ways I really like this change, as it allows the latter two to become much more interesting and fleshed out characters. On the other hand, it also takes away from the focus inherent in the first book, and as a result the narrative feels disorganized. Without the Axis Tour, the series loses a lot of the glue keeping things together. It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s difficult not to compare it to the previous entry. Flashbacks still exist, albeit changed. Each character periodically gets a perspective flashback that takes place on the same day in history. From a characterization perspective, it's an interesting way to show how their histories and motivations compare and contrast. However, in practice these scenes don't appear with any consistency, so when they show up it feels random rather than deliberate. I wish this technique had been presented in a more straightforward manner, possibly with more scenes than the handful we actually get. 

The change I like the most is the tonal shift. Blood for Blood is darker than Wolf by Wolf, being much more explicit about the horrors of war and Nazi atrocities, torture, and war crimes. Wolf by Wolf wasn't lighthearted by any means, but the kid gloves come off completely with this one. I think it's an important change to highlight just how insidious and evil Nazism is, especially in an age with increasing pro-Nazi and far right sentiment. I also LOVE that Luka and Felix both have to come to terms with the evils of the regime and change as a result. The part where they both realize the atrocities of the death camps and medical experiments is probably one of my favorite parts in the book; their sheer horror and visceral disgust is satisfying and redemptive. This darker tone really ramps up the stakes, and I think makes the book much more exciting and emotionally charged.  For me the characterization is a mixed bag. Luka is much more likable in this entry. In Wolf by Wolf he’s a generic “jerk LI character with Hidden Depths”, but learning his backstory and motivations in Blood for Blood helps a lot. Maybe I’m a sap, but I actually like his relationship with Yael in this one, since it’s built on genuine admiration and respect rather than the antagonistic sniping of the previous book. There is less laser focus on Yael in Blood for Blood, but I think the continuation of her identity arc is well executed. When she finds the old photograph of herself? BRUH. I was skeptical about *SPOILER CHARACTER* showing up out of nowhere, but ultimately I like her role in the story, and there’s subtle foreshadowing in Wolf by Wolf, making it one of the few twists in this series I didn’t see coming. 

Unfortunately I feel the opposite about Felix. To be clear, I have no problem with a main character regressing and making poor choices like Felix does, and I think it can be interesting if done right. But Felix’s arc is based around a whole lot of misunderstandings, and even when the misunderstandings get resolved, he just... stubbornly keeps being a selfish idiot. There’s very little nuance or development on this front until the very end. While objectively his choices are understandable with context, it doesn’t make them any less grating to read about. Ultimately, he pays for his decisions big time and THAT is satisfying, but I don’t know if it makes up for gritting my teeth for a good third of the novel. 

There’s also some details that just make me scratch my head. Like, what happened to the skinshifting? It’s not totally absent in this story, but it serves very little role in the first half. The inciting premise of this book is that there’s more skinshifters than just Yael, and the Nazis are using them to imitate Hitler and protect him from assassination attempts. But that thread doesn’t really pay off until the climax? Yael and *SPOILER CHARACTER* doing it feels like an afterthought, with the exception of one scene. I just feel like there’s so much one can do re: subterfuge and sabotage when one’s enemies can literally change faces and imitate people. There is a sabotage subplot... but it’s with Felix, who can’t skinshift! I don’t know, it just feels like a huge missed opportunity. Also, Japan is a pretty major Thing in the first book and it’s barely relevant in Blood for Blood. It feels like Graudin genuinely forgot about it other than a token mention at the end. 

If I'm being honest, this book was hovering right at a 6/10, but I think the ending bumps it up to a 7. It’s very intense with excellent tension and pacing. Predictable, sure-- it’s pretty easy to pin down (1) who dies and (2) the final twist at the end-- but I don’t mind some predictability if it’s well executed. The easiest way to my heart is a real emotional gutpunch, and boy the ending delivers.  

It’s hard for me to recommend this book unless you liked Wolf by Wolf and really want to see what happens to the characters. It’s much different from the previous volume, for better and worse. Blood for Blood is good, but it wasn’t what I expected in a followup and suffers in its inherent comparison to Wolf by Wolf.