#sherlock holmes was an early hyperfixation point for me

[malorisaurus]

Watching the Jude Law & Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes films again, and honestly...they are so much better than any other adaptation. It is a bit more over the top than what I think Doyle was portraying (but let's face it, Doyle couldn't be bothered to really care about continuity in his writing anyway, so what's a bit more fighting and explosions?), but it also is the truest to these two mad lads. Holmes, a stimulant-addicted Autistic wack-a-doodle, and Watson, his gambling-addicted adrenaline junkie bestie, along with Mary, their wife (Watson's romantic wife and Holmes' platonic one). So many of the details included for these two (even lines that are direct quotes) are directly lifted from the stories. It truly speaks to the talents of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce that the cultural understanding of Sherlock Holmes and Watson is so cemented in their portrayal! However, they are quite divergent from the stories themselves. I was also taken in by this for a while! I was not immune! The important bit is that I came around in the end to the Correct Conclusion (lol).

And regarding characterization, why do people always portray Mycroft as super ambitious? He is basically defined by the fact that he is perhaps more capable at deduction than Sherlock but "is not energetic or ambitious." He made himself essential in government simply by being a genius and enjoying retaining superhuman levels of facts and being able to put them all together. He detested fieldwork and somehow became possibly the most essential man in government because of who he is. He is the cloaked driver and conspirator with Sherlock in "The Final Problem." When Sherlock Holmes faked his death, his only confidante was Mycroft. Mycroft even kept Baker Street exactly as Sherlock had left it, awaiting his brother's return. So why do people show these boys as being constantly at odds? Really, aside from the fact that, in these films, they portray Mycroft as being more sociable than in the books, I far prefer his portrayal as a man who cannot fathom why people would get married, who is socially awkward, who cannot be bothered with convention, and who genuinely seems to be without ambition aside from getting caught up in things occasionally. Naked Stephen Fry Mycroft is the superior Mycroft!

And you know? Sherlock is the guy who truly cares about people but is awkward about showing it, so he tends to lecture them. "My good buddies who are quite dumb about all the things, but go us!" He doesn't want to be alone. If anything, he is a clingy motherfucker. I will risk my life on this here website and say that I hated Sherlock's portrayal of Holmes and Watson and Mary and Mycroft (Irene is the only one I loved). I am not fond of Steven Moffat's affinity for writing narrative gods that exclude the viewer from participating in any meaningful way in the mystery/story (here is a video that distills my feelings about Sherlock and Steven Moffat's stints as showrunner: https://youtu.be/LkoGBOs5ecM).

And listen, I don't begrudge anyone for loving that adaptation. I am genuinely so happy for you all. Please go forth and be within your fandom and I wish you all of the best things in this life. I also don't believe that every adaptation has to adhere to the source material. Though, I am saying that I think this adaptation is the ONE that adheres MOST in a sea of adaptations that do not adhere closely at all. Additionally, I simply would rather have the fun romp because my experience of the books growing up was a fun romp in which I saw parts of myself that I didn't understand.

Also, they are adorable, and I want them to kiss. Mary would understand (she knows they're in love).

[artqueen02]

oooo yayayayayayay!!! right so

Last song: listening through a playlist a friend made for their fic rn to see if I have any suggestions and ‘Tired’ by beabadoobee JUST finished playing as I write this (update now just before I hit post ‘treehouse’ by Alex G & Emily Yacina is currently playing)

Favourite colour: oh gosh. All of them?? I am partial to yellow & purple at the moment though. And I like blue too. But yeah for the most part idk I enjoy most colours for different reasons @ different times

Last book: hmmmmmmmmm…… I reckon it would’ve been the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes? That’s the last collection right? Yeah I decided to do All the Sherlock Holmes stories for an English assignment in sem 2 last year when we were meant to pick a novel (this was not a good idea) and I don’t think I’ve read any books in the holidays so that would be the last I think

Last Movie: oh. Hm. I don’t think I’ve watched any movies in a while actually. The last one wouldve probably been when my younger brother & I were staying at my Oma’s for a couple nights a month or so ago… uhhh potentially the third jamunji?

Last TV Show: started watching Superstore with my family the other night we did the first three episodes I think? We watch sitcoms together we’ve also been watching community. To early for me to form a proper opinion on it yet but it seems like a pretty standard sitcom so it’s alright?

Sweet/spicy/savoury: it really depends on my mood tbh. Different things at different times. Really feeling some like & pepper chips rn so savoury at this current moment I suppose?

Last thing I searched for online: different types of roads (in terms of like. Boulevard/street/lane/road/cul-fe-sac etc). For a thing I’ve been writing up

Current obsession: hm I’ve not really got like a strong hyperfixation atm? There are a couple underlying ones (Sherlock & co, fawx & stallion, ninjago, etc) but most of them have pretty much become constants at this point so I’m not entirely sure? I’m his is both a good thing tbh hyperfixations give me joy & going for longer periods without any is difficult but they also can be really annoying sometimes when I have shit I need to do & I can’t focus on anything except whatever I’m hyperfixating on

Looking forward to: finishing this assignment for my VET course, I’ve been working on it for like almost six months now and it’s so tedious and I’m so tired of it I can’t wait for it to be over & done with that will feel really relieving& satisfying I think. Oh also I’m really close to finally having enough money saved up to buy a new iPad which I’ve been saving up for for YEARS so that too!!

Tagging: okay I’ve been mulling this over for a while and while I’m sure there are people I cannot come up with any rn so open tag! I know it’s meant to be ten but uh… oh well. If you see this feel free to join in especially if we don’t know each-other very well yet!

Ten people I'd like to know better

tagged by @ediediaz!!!

Last song: 🔥 Cozy Fireplace 4K (12 HOURS). Fireplace with Crackling Fire Sounds. Fireplace Ambience

Favorite color: red, vat orange, payne's gray, black, various metallics

Last book: Priests of Mars, currently on Lords of Mars and then Gods of Mars after that! (admech my beloved)

Last movie: Now, Voyager (i'm a slut for TCM lol)

Last TV show: Drawfee and DeepSpace Discounts!!!

Sweet/spicy/savory: no umami? sad.

Last thing I searched for online: idk probably some nerd shit associated with the books i'm reading - either that or some film trivia for parents who like to use me as a search engine sometimes

Current obsession: Warhammer 40k - it has the perfect amount of sci-fi bullshit and enough lore to worm in my brain and now it lives there permanently

Looking forward to: going to the UK to see my brother and sister in law

tagging: @spockvarietyhour @thetrekkiehasthephonebox @heuldoch7b @gruelproponent @fredersen @bismuth-209 @nekrostench @soylent-robot @nonbinaryrobot and you!

[thehollowworldofficial]

Elise’s Pitch Wars Welcome!

Hello! My name is Elise Longden, and I’m writing this little introduction because I have written a manuscript and I’m planning to submit it to Pitch Wars, the mentoring programme!

Whilst this little blog is where I record my thoughts about my writing, I’ve never really introduced myself - mostly because I believed I would never let anyone see it. However, the Pitch Wars form has room for a website, and I would rather link this blog as opposed to my Twitter (which is inactive) or my Instagram (which is just full of cosplay and dog photos). 

To clarify, I have written a book called “The Hollow World”. 

Okay so, here’s some stuff about me:

Submission related stuff that potential mentors may be interested in:

In 2017 I won the UK National Flash Fiction Competition run by the University of Chester and was published in an anthology that had also once featured Margaret Atwood (SQUEE!). My piece entitled “Flotsam” can be found here:

 http://www.chester.ac.uk/sites/files/chester/Longden%20Elise%20-%20Flotsam%20FINAL.pdf

I got an A* A-Level grade (It’s not to big myself up...just in case anyone not British doesn’t know what that means!!!!) in Creative Writing, and my coursework, which was 70% of my grade, was the first 30,000 words of my Pitch Wars manuscript.

The idea for “The Hollow World” came to me in a Film Studies class at college. After trying /(and failing) to come up for an idea to base a project around, my teacher gave me an exercise to generate some ideas. She took a few traits typical of Hollywood films, and told me to flip them on their head. Thus, “The Hollow World”, or at least a basis for it, was born, and three (ish) years later, I still can’t get it out of my head. 

Basically the idea of Ashe came from my bizarre urge to see a tiny little girl violently killing things in a film. I thought I was being super original, but the film Logan beat me to it. I can’t even be mad, because Dafne Keen is so incredible?!

The reason why I’m submitting to Pitch Wars, is because I need help. That’s the bottom line. I have edited my manucript the best I can, but I need someone who can take what I’ve written and look at it from a fresh, and new perspective. I am new to the idea of getting my manucript published (though I have always dreamed I would), and navigating the crazy world of publishing and agents and general make-your-writing-an-actual-book stuff....is scary. And I really, really, need your help. I need someone who is honest who can tell me what needs to be done. I’ve done the best I can, and now I need someone who is better than me.

I draw, so here’s some pictures of the characters from the “The Hollow World”, that may hopefully pique your interest:

ASHE 

MAGPIE

NADIA

CASSIDY

SOME FACES

SOME MORE FACES

Whilst these were drawn about a year ago and aren’t my best work, I’m hoping they entice potential mentors, just a ‘lil bit more! :)

Some general stuff about me:

I am a pretty happy and positive person, who loves to work hard. If I have a task or idea inside my head, I will hyperfixate on it until it’s done. For example...this manuscript was unfinished (by about 20,000 words) on the 1st of August. It was my first draft that I hadn’t read through, it was unformatted, it was riddled with errors and inconsistancies, but after meeting the lovely Tomi Adeyemi and talking to her about Pitch Wars, I decided to enter. So I took my jumbled mess, I put my butt into gear, and I spent day after day writing, writing, writing, until I felt happy enought to submit it. I also had to learn what I query letter was, because I am a publishing term noob. My point is, I am willing to push myself, and go all out at 110% percent, if that somehow helps me achieve what I want to achieve.

I am 19 and I live in the UK (specifically near Liverpool). 

I cosplay as well! I’ve been Rey, Leia, and a generic Jedi from Star Wars, Margaery Tyrell and Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, Pirate King Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean, and I spend 70% of my time in my 13th Doctor costume.

I love Hamilton, and can rap all of it. I love musicals in general tbh.

I have an unhealthy obsession with Moriarty from Sherlock Holmes.

Have I mentioned that the 13th Doctor is the best thing ever to happen to me?

I have a dinosaur hat that I wear whenever I’m sad, because it’s pretty impossible to be sad with a giant T-Rex on your head. And by “hat” I mean this thing:

Pretty majestic, right?

ANYWAY

I’m ace/aro, which is why my book features no romance.

I love my dog Rocky more than anything. He looks like this: 

As well as a mentor who can teach me writer-y things, I’m also looking for a friend, so here’s some stuff I like:

TV Shows: 

Merlin (the love of my life, tbh, and it broke my heart), DOCTOR WHO (especially the 13th Doctor, even though she hasn’t aired yet), Hannibal, Orphan Black, Sense 8, iZombie, TOP GEAR (Yes, the car show. I’m obsessed), Game of Thrones, Parks and Recreation, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jessica Jones/any Netflix Marvel show, the 100 (early seasons because Lexa), RuPauls Drag Race, Queer Eye, Brooklyn 99, Stranger Things, Sherlock, Agent Carter...I’ve watched a lot okay?

Movies: 

My ultimate favourite movie of all time is What We Do in the Shadows. Even if you’re not going to choose me as a mentee, then please what this dumb film. I love it. I LOVE IT. It’s dark comedy genius, and a real gem. 

Other favourite films are: Wonder Woman, Ghostbusters (2017 version), Ocean’s 8 (will Cate Blanchett adopt me as her ace/aro child?), Marvel Films (particulary Thor: Ragnarok), Star Wars Films, Kingsman Films, John Wick Films, Pirates of the Carribbean Films, Harry Potter Films,Mad Max: Fury Road, Peter Pan Goes Wrong (if you pick me I’ll force you to watch it at some point, sorry), Disney Films (Mulan, Up!, and Hercules are my faves).

Books: 

Some that don’t need an explanation: Harry Potter, A Song of Ice and Fire, His Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings. Anything by Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, or Stephen King.

My favourite series, and arguably my “Harry Potter” is the Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy. I’ve met Derek multiple times, and his books are just hilarious, soul-destorying, and MAGIC. I love them.

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers - Seriously, this Sci-Fi book is one of the most striking books I’ve ever read, mostly because it surprised me with it’s tender story, honest representations of real people, and general WOW-ness. I love it, and its flashbacks heavily influenced my own manuscript. You know when you love a book so much that you wish you could eat it? This is that book for me.

Moriarty by Antony Horowitz. My favourite villain of all time in a book that blew my mind? Yes please.

The Girl in 6E by A.R.Torre. I picked up this book for a quid in the supermarket, and it utterly suprised me. It’s about a sex-worker murder-obsessed cam girl who is asked to act out something on camera that’s a little too disturbing, so she tracks down the man who asked her in order to save a little girl from a vile act. Think Maestra meets The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. It’s not the most sophisticated reading with all of the bizarre sexual stuff, but the wit and exasperation of the main character makes up for it. I love anything that surprises me, and this book was something I'd never seen before.

Anything (memoir or fiction) by Carrie Fisher. As a Star Wars nerd I knew I would love her work, but when I read them I was blown away by how poignant, poetic, and wonderous Carrie Fisher’s writing is. She seems to find the perfect balance between humour and emotion, and reading them was a genuine joy. Each funny sentence makes me laugh out loud, but each serious sentence is heavy, poised, and so amazingly crafted and emotional. 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. I was lucky enough to meet Tomi on her UK tour, and I gave her my very long letter and a portfolio of art. I love the book, and I love even more what it stands for, and there’s not much else I can really say.

Other books I loved in no order: The Power by Naomi Alderman, The Cursed Prince by Holly Black, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas, The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, the Gone series by Michael Grant, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Martian and Artemis by Andy Weir, Lost Stars by Claudia Gray, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Room by Emma Donoghue, Wicked by Gregory Maguire....and a helluva lot more....

And just so you know, here’s what I look like:

(I’m the human dressed as the 13th Doctor)

Hopefully this gives you an idea about me and my personality! I’m sorry this is so long, I just wanted to make sure I came across in an okay way! If any potential mentors are reading this, thank you for taking the time to! 

If you want to read the notes/journal entries I kept on this blog when I was writing and editing my manucript, just search the tag #update! 

My Twitter is: https://twitter.com/EliseLongden 

My Instagram is:  instagram.com/elise.longden/ (here you will find a lot of cosplay and dog pictures, and I’m not sorry)

If you have any questions or anything else you want to know, please feel free to shoot me an ask! Or just say hi!