#write your own book

[you-need-not-apply]

Please tell me I didn’t just see a “Julia’s perspective of 1984” book guys please tell me my eyes lied to me IRL please

[sanguinifex]

You gotta read and watch some old books and films that aren’t 100% modern politically correct. I’m not saying you should agree with everything in them but you need to learn where genres came from to understand what those genres are doing today and where media deconstructing old tropes is coming from.

Also, more often than you might think, they’re not actually promoting bigotry so much as “didn’t consider all the implications of something” or just used words that were polite then but considered offensive now.

Kill the censor in your head.

[harmonyhealinghub]

Unleashing Your Inner Author: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Book

Shaina Tranquilino

November 9, 2023

Writing a book is often seen as an arduous and intimidating task, reserved only for the literary elite. However, with the right mindset, approach, and guidance, anyone can embark on this fulfilling journey of self-expression and storytelling. In this blog post, we will explore practical tips and strategies to help you bring your ideas to life and write a compelling book.

1. Define Your Idea: The first step towards writing a book is to identify and clarify your idea. Ask yourself what story or message you want to convey through your work. Brainstorm, jot down notes, and refine your concept until it becomes clear in your mind.

2. Outline Your Plot (For Fiction): If you're writing fiction, creating an outline will serve as a roadmap for your story. Develop your main characters, their motivations, conflicts they encounter along the way, and how these elements intertwine to form a captivating narrative arc.

3. Research Thoroughly: Regardless of genre, conducting thorough research is essential. Whether it's historical events for a historical novel or scientific theories for a non-fiction work, accurate information adds depth and credibility to your writing.

4. Set Writing Goals: Establishing achievable writing goals helps maintain momentum throughout the process. Determine daily or weekly word count targets that suit your schedule and gradually build up towards completing your manuscript.

5. Create a Writing Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to writing a book. Designate specific times during the day dedicated solely to writing; this routine will train your brain to be more productive during those periods.

6. Embrace First Draft Imperfections: Remember that the first draft doesn't need to be perfect; instead, focus on getting words onto paper without worrying about grammar or structure at this stage. The primary goal is to get the story out of your head and onto the page.

7. Seek Constructive Feedback: Once you've completed your first draft, it's time to share it with trusted friends or writing groups for feedback. Embrace constructive criticism as a means to refine your work, strengthen weak areas, and enhance overall storytelling.

8. Revise and Edit: The revision process is where the magic happens. Reread your manuscript multiple times, addressing plot holes, refining character development, improving dialogue, and ensuring consistency in style and tone. Pay attention to grammar, spelling errors, punctuation, and sentence structure during this stage.

9. Polish Your Prose: Craft compelling sentences by using vivid imagery, evocative language, and powerful metaphors. Develop strong narrative voices that resonate with readers and engage their emotions on a deeper level.

10. Consider Professional Editing: For professional quality assurance, consider hiring an editor who specializes in your genre. Their expertise will help polish your book further and provide valuable insights for improvement.

11. Prepare for Publication: As you approach the final stages of completing your book, start considering options for publication—whether traditional publishing houses or self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Research each avenue thoroughly before making a decision.

Writing a book is undoubtedly a challenging endeavour that requires dedication, discipline, and creativity. However, armed with the right mindset and following these practical steps outlined above, you can embark on an exciting journey of literary creation. Remember to be patient with yourself throughout the process; Rome wasn't built in a day! So unleash your inner author and let your words come alive on paper—an adventure awaits!

[bojackhorsemanobviously]

this guy was a major loser

[adharagranley-writer]

there are two moods reading something you wrote months ago:

this is garbage

i am a GODDESS

[bookpublisher1]

Best Business Coaching Programs: How to Choose the Right One for Your Book Publishing Business

If you're an aspiring author or a seasoned publisher, you know that the publishing industry can be a tough business to navigate. That's where business coaching services come in – they can help you sharpen your skills, develop your strategies, and grow your business.

But with so many business coaching services and the best business coaching programs out there, it can be tough to know which one to choose. In this blog post, we'll walk you through how to choose the right business coaching program for your book publishing business.

Define Your Goals

Before you start looking for a business coaching program, it's important to define your goals. Do you want to improve your marketing skills, learn how to negotiate better deals with authors, or streamline your publishing process?

Once you've identified your goals, you can start looking for a business coaching program that aligns with them. Look for programs that have a proven track record of helping businesses like yours achieve their goals.

Research Your Options

Once you have a list of potential coaching programs, it's time to do your research. Check out their websites, read reviews from past clients, and ask for referrals from other publishers in your network.

Make sure to pay attention to the program's areas of expertise. Do they specialize in marketing, sales, or operations? Do they have experience working with book publishers specifically? The more information you can gather, the better equipped you'll be to make an informed decision.

Consider Your Budget

Business coaching programs can be expensive, so it's important to consider your budget when making a decision. Some programs offer business coaching services, while others charge thousands of dollars per month.

Keep in mind that the most expensive program isn't necessarily the best one for your business. Look for a program that offers value for your money and fits within your budget.

Talk to Potential Coaches

Once you've narrowed down your options, it's time to talk to potential coaches. This is your chance to ask questions and get a feel for their coaching style.

Ask about their experience working with Book Publishing their success stories, and their coaching philosophy. Make sure you feel comfortable with their coaching style and that you trust them to help you achieve your goals.

Commit to the Process

Finally, it's important to commit to the coaching process. Business coaching isn't a quick fix – it takes time, effort, and dedication.

Make sure you're willing to put in the work and follow through on your coach's recommendations. Remember, the more you put into online business coaching the more you'll get out of it.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right business coaching program can be a game-changer for your book publishing business. By defining your goals, researching your options, considering your budget, talking to potential coaches, and committing to the process, you can find a program that helps you achieve your business goals.

Whether you're looking for free business coaching services or the best business coaching programs money can buy, there's a program out there that's right for you. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today and take your book publishing business to the next level!

[thatshowitwas]

Creating your own life story book is a wonderful way to reflect on your life and share your experiences with others. With just a few materials and some time, you can create a meaningful and lasting keepsake. Start writing today!

[tea-cat-arts]

Shen Yuan getting transported into pidw isn't "the system punishing him for being a lazy internet hater," but instead representative of "step 1 of the creative process: getting so mad at something you decide to go write your own fucking book" in this essay I will

[gingebreadbeetle]

There’s no way Hazbin fans (more so Stans) and Viv herself genuinely believe Hazbin hotel is anything like Bojack? Where does Hazbin even take inspiration from Bojack?? Bojack horseman is such a good show, with complex thoughts and ideas expressed in its writing and characters.

Vivziepop is not a curious writer. She doesn’t care about representing people, she has a limited creative mind because she cannot understand politics nor philosophy beyond a highschool level. Her progressive ideology is built of hate for women and the fetishization of gay men. She has nothing interesting to say, nothing new to add and no substance to her works.

There are so many reasons bojack horseman works where Hazbin doesn’t, and I’m tired of pretending a ‘adult show’ that brings up ‘adult themes seriously’ is on the same level as bojack horseman.

[thebarontheabyss]

Hey patrons! 💗

So, what did you all think of the short stories collection?

Did any of them stand out to you? What worked or didn’t? Is there else anything you’d love to see more of in the future :D

Also, exciting news: I've begun working on Chapter 5—we’re moving forward!

After the new chapter's update, I'll dedicate the following to overhauling some of the game's romance aspects, sort of a 3.0 update.

Thanks for reading. As always, your feedback means the world to me—please let me know what you think!

Catch you all soon in the Abyss!

[aroaceleovaldez]

Between TSATS and WOTTG at this point it seems like Rick has forgotten that Hypnos and Morpheus are actually two separate gods

Possibly one of the most amusing things about this is we DO have canon acknowledgement of Hypnos and Morpheus explicitly being separate gods, including even official art of Morpheus specifically.

...the thing is though, that this book in particular is ghostwritten.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[iknowicanbutwhy]

"History, culture, people; we were fools to think we could create it all from scratch."

[nepttunnee]

idk i felt like it

[fluideli123]

Sonadow Fic Rec

Okay, before you jump down to the masterpieces listed below, I just wanted to state this:

These authors have given this phenomenal content for free, baked with time and effort. I have never once ignored this, hence why I try and comment on each and every one of these fics. However, my energy and ability to be verbose differs day to day. Some of these fics I have not given proper comments for, despite this, I will be on it the moment I can be. In the time being, (once I am able to find my comments on each of these fics) I will be sharing my adoration for them further in other posts (and most likely link back to this one).

With that being said, please, PLEASE take your time to check each of these fics out. If they're not your cup of tea? Valid! But hands down I have never dedicated myself to making a fic rec like this until now. But I MUST share and spread these works, they are much too dear to me not to, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

(All fics are listed by order saved in my bookmarks, not in the order read)

tangled threads and bite-marked shoulders by @rubyiiiusions

Words: 32,287 | Series | Complete

Shadow hissed in pain. The laser had just grazed him, but it still stung, and he instinctively gripped the wound it left on his arm. “You dare-” He stopped. The laser hadn’t hit him. In fact, it had struck Sonic, right on his lower left arm. So why did his forearm feel like it just got shot? He whipped around, fear climbing up his throat, and he suddenly became hyper-aware of something new. It was like a sixth sense, feeling the confusion that emitted from Sonic’s fur in waves as if it was his own. “What did you do?!” Shadow snarled. or, eggman accidentally soulbinds shadow and sonic, and no one has any idea how to undo it.

Sleepwalking by Tirainy

Words: 22,117 | Complete

'There is a strong arm curled around his torso, the appendage keeping him close to its owner, whose warm breath is ghosting over the back of his neck. Sonic is sure he went to bed alone the previous night, but he isn't worried about the intruder. After all, this isn't the first time this has happened…'

Secret Admirer by @trenchcoat-gecko

Words: 24,313 | Complete

Sonic understood well what it meant to be loved. He was a world-famous hero, after all; his presence never went unnoticed. For the most part, he lavished in that attention, he soaked it in and encouraged it. But not romantic attention. So, when the blue blur found himself falling in love? Well, the prospect was rather daunting, no matter how easy Amy had made it out to be. So maybe, just maybe, he should just take the easy way out...

Rose Drops Series by @magicstormfrostfire

Words: 122,489 | Series | Complete

Love, Intuition, and a little bit of magic ensues as Amy sends Sonic and Shadow on an unforgettable adventure.

Wolfboy by @trenchcoat-gecko

Words: 73,856 | Complete

World-famous monster hunter Shadow the Hedgehog has a job to do. It doesn't take long for the one-shot wonder to realize that this job won't be as simple as he'd expected: a small town, rumors of a lone werewolf, and a handsome, green-eyed, chronically-injured casanova who manages to worm his way into Shadow's heart... What starts off as a simple job turns out to be something much more life-changing.

Blizzard Bedfellows by @magicstormfrostfire

Words: 21,294 | Complete

When a rare blizzard takes over the island, Sonic is on the run to make sure a certain angry loner is safe and sound. Y-you know, because...uh that's what heroes do.

We never met but can we have a cup of coffee or something? by @whitejungle

Words: 3,630 | Complete

It's been almost two months since Sonic lost someone he didn't even know, but he can't stop thinking about it.

Clean Slate by nottheweirdest

Words: 155,880 | Complete | Note: Squeal pending and I am cheering you on author!! Whatever you decide I am excited to support you!!

Shadow has lost himself before. He knows what it's like to straddle the line between reality and false memories, but this time, it’s Sonic whose memory has vanished. A premeditated set of circumstances and an accidental injury leave Sonic with no memory of who he is, his life, or more importantly, his painful history with Shadow. It’s up to Shadow to remind the hero who he is in the midst of a global outbreak. It’s a chance for redemption. It’s a chance to right the wrongs of the past. It’s a clean slate.

say i reckon (i love you, for a millisecond) by @redamancering

Words: 30,205 | Complete

There’s a hand on his shoulder, barely making contact. A red gauntlet glows around the wrist. Sonic blinks, the pain having evaporated so fast he feels almost weightless. “Shadow?” Shadow’s breathing heavily. “Problem.” The retrieval of the ancient tech Shadow (and Sonic, in tow) has been sent to uncover takes a turn for the worst. In this case, the “worst” means… becoming physically and inextricably linked to each other. For the foreseeable future. OR: Metaphysical handcuffs, and general gay buffoonery.

Judge my sins, not my feelings by yellothebeeloved

Words: 228,479 | Complete | Note: Possible one-shots pending from the author for the series, I am here to support you author!! What ever you decide I'm here for it!

Maybe he's not meant to touch. It's the newest excuse he thought of in hopes that he could prolong the game a little more; a careful ruse to enjoy the bittersweet torture of seeing the days pass them by, while he pretends he doesn't seek azure blue whenever he's restless. At first, all he wanted to do was watch: but now the desire to touch, to have, to affect is at a point where he's not sure whether reaching for Sonic would truly be fruitless. He wonders that especially when Sonic's eyes light up upon seeing him. When he corners Shadow, when he invades his space and he touches and takes and then excuses it by calling it a fight. Shadow truly wonders then: if only he was brave enough to reach out, what would his grip find? Loose stars or a battle-worn body? Standing up, he glances at Sonic again, whose eyes have now met his own. There's something heavy in the eye contact, something Shadow doesn't dare name. Neither of them say anything, and yet Sonic's eyes move away from him again, like they did. Shadow warps away, hiding from the stars once more.

Child of Prophecy by @trenchcoat-gecko

Words: 139,321 | Completed

On the night the Mobius Castle was ransacked, the Queen received a prophecy. “One of three will not cry; send him down the river, for you can only save your kingdom if he does not grow up royal.”

Coming Home by nottheweirdest

Words: 55,740 | Completed

Shadow's life has been full of mistakes, some worse than others, but admitting his unrequited feelings to Sonic tops the list. He's spent the better part of a decade ruminating on his regret and hiding from feelings he couldn't bear to face. He never thought he'd see Sonic again, and he told himself that was for the best. Until now. At the bequest of his former rival, and in an attempt to finally get closure, Shadow has returned to Central City. The reason? Sonic the Hedgehog is marrying Amy Rose. And Shadow is invited.

[bookpublisher1]

7 Common Mistakes New Authors Make When Trying to Get Published

As a new author, getting published can be an exciting and daunting process. It's an achievement that takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and persistence. However, many new authors make mistakes when trying to get published that can hinder their chances of success. In this blog post, we'll explore 7 common mistakes new authors make when trying to get published and provide tips on how to avoid them.

Not researching the publishing industry

One of the most significant mistakes new authors make when trying to get published is not researching the publishing industry. The Book Publishing industry can be complex and overwhelming, but understanding how it works is crucial. New authors should research the different publishing options available to them, such as traditional publishing, self-publishing, or hybrid publishing, and understand the pros and cons of each option.

Tip: Research the publishing industry thoroughly before submitting your manuscript. Read books on publishing, attend writing conferences, and network with other authors to gain a better understanding of the publishing world get Free resource for book writing.

Submitting an unpolished manuscript

Submitting an unpolished manuscript is a surefire way to get rejected by publishers. New authors often rush the writing and editing process, resulting in a manuscript that is full of errors, inconsistencies, and plot holes. A poorly written manuscript can turn off publishers and agents before they even finish reading it.

Tip: Take the time to edit and revise your manuscript thoroughly. Consider hiring a professional editor or beta readers to provide feedback on your work.

Failing to follow submission guidelines

Each publisher and literary agent has their own set of submission guidelines, which new authors must follow. Failing to adhere to these guidelines can result in your manuscript being rejected without even being read free resources for writers.

Tip: Always read and follow submission guidelines carefully. Make sure your manuscript is formatted correctly and includes all the required information, such as a query letter and synopsis.

Submitting to the wrong publishers or agents

New authors often make the mistake of submitting their manuscript to the wrong publishers or literary agents. Submitting to publishers or agents who do not represent your genre or style of writing will result in rejection.

Tip: Research publishers and literary agents who specialize in your genre or style of writing. Look for publishers and agents who have a track record of publishing similar books to yours.

Neglecting the importance of a platform

In today's digital age, publishers and literary agents are looking for authors who have a strong online presence. New authors who neglect the importance of a platform may find it challenging to get published.

Tip: Build an online platform by creating a website, blog, or social media accounts. Share your writing, engage with your audience, and network with other writers.

Focusing solely on getting published

New authors who focus solely on getting published may overlook the importance of writing for the love of writing. Writing is a craft that requires practice, dedication, and passion. If you're only focused on getting published, you may miss out on the joy of writing how to write a book for beginners.

Tip: Remember why you started writing in the first place. Write because you love it, not just because you want to get published.

Giving up too soon

Perhaps the most common mistake new authors make when trying to get published is giving up too soon. Rejection is part of the publishing process, and it can be disheartening to receive rejection letters from publishers and agents. However, giving up too soon means missing out on the opportunity to improve your writing and get published.

Tip: Don't give up! Keep writing, keep submitting, and keep improving. Remember that every rejection is an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer .

In conclusion, getting published is a challenging and competitive process, but avoiding these 7 common mistakes can increase your chances.

[monstersinthecosmos]

I read your answer, where did you say "Pandora is his actual type and Armand was his pet"

But how could Armand be just a pet for him? He is one of only three of his turned children. Marius speaks of him as the greatest love (along with Pandora). Although I see some hypocrisy in this. Marius loves no one as much as Pandora. But certainly more than just a pet

Well !

Babe the thing is that, I said what I said and it’s okay if you don’t agree!!! And I’m gonna take this opportunity to double down. (Assuming that you’re asking in good faith and not to pick on me for my analysis lmao please this fandom has traumatized me too much.)

(((TLDR the text never treats Armand like he’s Marius’s equal but also I never said that being a pet was a bad thing.)))

I want to start by talking about the concept of MAKER in VC and how canon tells us that vampires exist outside of human social constructs, including traditional family roles right? Like for example, the moment Gabrielle is turned, she ceases to be Lestat’s mother. 

But with Marius I think a lot about how he’s crafted a persona for himself, and tries to operate in a very rigid set of rules. And part of this is like, how determined he is to live by stoicism even when he’s a mess on the inside, but I also think about in TVL when he says that thing about how it’s easier to just knock a glass on the floor, and how he goes out of his way to appear more human and retain human gestures. 

So like, in the way a MAKER is kinda like, a parent/lover/companion/something too big for our tiny human minds to comprehend. We still get a Marius who is determined to be a father & mentor, and I think a lot about how his need for stoicism and humanity is probably also expressed with his need to be the paterfamilias. 

I’ve been also thinking a lot lately about Bad Fathers in Media—specifically people like Tony Soprano, Logan Roy, Roderick Usher—and how the toxic patriarchy affects their relationships with their sons. Tony Soprano in particular is one who resonates with me a lot when I think about Marius—Tony often indulges in anger because he enjoys being feared (he thinks it’s respect but it’s usually fear), and that’s a bit different on a material level from Marius “anger is too pathetic” de Romanus but they’re both sort of obsessed with the idea of stoicism and trying to be a ~ strong silent type ~ on the outside, even when they’re actually quite messy and emotional underneath.

But wait — put a pin in this for a second. We’ll come back to this, and the concept of fathers and sons. I want to pause real quick to swerve to clarify:

Armand being a pet isn’t a bad thing.

It wasn’t “pet (derogatory) 😒” —  it’s “pet (adorable creature that I care for) 🥰”.

Here’s the thing about MARIMAND if you will (I hate all the VC ship names oh my god theyre all hideous lmao) but like OKAY OKAY. THE THING IS. WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR IF WE’RE NOT INTO THE FUCKEDUPEDNESS ? 

Like I’m not telling anyone how to enjoy a ship, please have fun ! Do you! But to ME? That inter-species friction and 1,517 year age gap is like WHAT THE DYNAMIC IS ABOUT, THAT’S THE FLAVOR BABY!!! Anne Rice herself even said the book was about “a boy’s love for a monster” !!

WHAT’S THE POINT OF MONSTERFUCKER EROTICA IF HE’S NOT A MONSTER LOL

And YEAH I get that not everyone wants to read TVA as a monsterfucker story. That’s okay! It also reads as a savior fantasy. But I enjoy the messiness of it—I LIKE that Marius is an apex predator & ghoulish ancient thing. I like that it’s problematic. I LOVE that Marius really does love him, though, amidst all these other themes. I find it SO compelling.

But I never once said that Marius doesn’t love him. Of course Marius loves him. What I said is that he loves Armand the way we love a pet. I would fucking die for my cats. I regularly burst into tears looking at my cats because I love them so much. But they’re fucking cats lmao.

I never for one minute forget that Marius isn’t human. He’s operating on a whole different wavelength with different points of references and ethics and life experiences. Like, people get so hung up on Armand being 17 and IT WOULD BE JUST AS BAD IF HE WAS 18 OR 25 OR 30 LOL. A frail little human cannot comprehend !!!!!

What’s interesting with Marius’s fledglings though is that he tends not to treat them as equals. Like I think you could read TVA thinking: Once Marius turns him, they’ll be real partners. But no, they stick to their mentor/mentee, dom/sub, father/son roles. We don’t have tons of examples in canon of other maker/fledgling relationships but it’s not a coincidence that Roman Patriarch Marius maintains status over his fledglings. Even once Armand is a vampire, he’s still not Marius’s equal, and Marius’s age and power are still held over him. 

BUT LIKE.

That’s weird, right?

I MEAN THE DARK GIFT IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE but it’s interesting to me that Lestat & Gabrielle’s relationship completely dissolves once she’s a vampire, but Marius & Armand’s doesn’t.

(Sidebar that like, I think there’s also ways to acknowledge that if we think their relationship is good that it’s OKAY for them to maintain these roles because Armand WANTS to be his sub but let me focus on my point here. We should also make time to talk about diegetic BDSM and whether or not it’s appropriate to use a D/s framework for this discussion if the roles are baked into the text and not a choice for the characters and not a game they are agreeing to but that’s for another post.)

So back to the thing about fathers.

I’ve been thinking a lot about bad father characters, specifically Logan Roy and Tony Soprano (also bad mother Margaret Chenowith) and the impossible standards they give their children. Logan and Tony are both men who are disappointed in their sons for being soft, because they were able to provide better lives for their children. They both spoil their sons with all the material wealth that they did not have in their own lives. For Logan we see how badly he resents his kids—Kendall even accuses him of being jealous of what they have—and for Tony he seems to be at a loss on how to parse his feelings. Part of him literally hates AJ for being such a whimsical little fuckup, and at the same time he wants to protect that part of AJ and doesn’t even WANT AJ to follow in his footsteps. Still, he hates to see that AJ is spoiled with no work ethic, and doesn’t know how to set an example for him.

Everything in Venice is designed to spoil Armand with all the things Marius didn’t get—it’s such a specific & deliberate opposite of how Marius was turned. And I think him seeing Armand as a pet puts a little bit of distance between the hurt he’d feel if he thought of Armand as a true son, or even an equal. He doesn’t have to resent Armand for having it easier than he did, but also doesn’t have to feel extremely betrayed by Armand fitting in with the cult. Like, let’s never 4get that by the time Marius catches up with Armand, Armand is right at home and thriving with them. A CULT? THE THING THAT KILLED ME????? Marius has no idea what the fuck they did to him, he just knows that Armand settled in just fine and has discarded everything that Marius tried to teach him. 

I think these roles are appropriately all muddled because it’s VC—like we said, the No Social Constructs series—so like, how do we compare the words SON and PET and FLEDGLING and SUB, I’m not sure. But my point is that he’s never seen or treated Armand as an equal, and perhaps never even a full adult person. 

ARE THESE IDEAS CONFLICTING? A little. But that’s okay. Am I incoherent and ill-equipped to tackle this analysis or is it because Marius is not a consistent person and never quite lives up to the ideal he’s trying to be? Does he want Armand to be his pet but secretly has feelings? Does he fail at being a father figure? Is he brushing off his Big Big Emotions so that he doesn’t have to admit how wrecked and destroyed he is and how badly his feelings were hurt? Idk man. I’m sure you can send me another anon to tell me I’m wrong. 

I wonder sometimes if like, keeping Armand at this lower status (like a pet) actually protects Armand from Marius’s ire and disappointment. Marius is sort of a father, but sort of not. He’s crafted a role for himself that is never all the way sincere, and it allows him some space to protect his own feelings of betrayal and disappointment when it comes to Armand. Marius is also classically bad at following his own rules, and never quite sticks the landing on the people he’s trying to be. 

I can imagine a version of events where Armand does gain some ground with Marius, maybe pays his dues and matures into someone that Marius trusts and respects, but that’s not the version of events we get in canon. Marius turns Armand, Armand remains his pupil, they visit Kiev and Marius is jealous of Armand’s father, they make it all the way to the raid without Marius ever confiding about The Parents. Even in the present day, during a dispute, Marius tells Armand he has the savage & ignorant soul of a child. Even in the present day, Marius won’t stop calling him Amadeo!!!! 

And like!!!!! It feels like Marius is more upset about Santino wronging him by ruining his home and taking his toys than he is about what Santino did to ARMAND. It’s more about Marius’s own feelings and possessions than it is about Armand’s own feelings and experience of what happened. AN ARMAND FRIDGING, IF YOU WILL. 

Anyway.

By never seeing Armand as a complete person, Marius never has to feel threatened by him. We see this in toxic parents a lot. Like, I want you to be good, but I’m insecure if you’re better than me. Or I can never fully respect your feelings because I always see you as a child and not a fully grown adult. And the truth is that Marius is actually quite threatened by Armand, on the inside. He is very hurt. He cares what Armand thinks of him. He’s relieved at the end of BCtu when he assumes that Armand wants to open his heart again. 

So idk like. I think the books end with a little bit of a hope for them; we see a lot of growth and self-acceptance from Marius in the last book and it’s reasonable to assume that he and Armand might have a long chat and nice long cry and work it out. I don’t think it’s completely set in stone, but it’s nice to think about! A nice happy ending. And I wonder if this is when Marius finally takes Armand seriously and listens to what he has to say without demeaning him! 

Am I gonna add 2000 more words to this point by tying it what the whole like “I fear him because I could love him again” thing in TVA means? No I’m not. But like. Again! It’s okay to be a pet, I think Armand liked being his pet. :)