#also. also! THIS! is how you write a story with very intricate plans that unfolds as you go. im sorry im still a bit salty with part2 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

readingaccountability · 3 years

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the queen of attolia - megan whalen turner

my playlist

final thoughts:

so unfortunately instead of following my initial plan of writing these before starting the next book, im basically uhhh 3/4 the way through book three and only NOW recording my thoughts on book two. best laid plans, i suppose!

anyways, book two i somehow enjoyed even more than book one, which i adored. the queen of attolia is much more political, and even more surprising, than the thief was. i think that its biggest risk is also its biggest strength- widening the scope beyond eugenides and becoming more intricate. the shift from first person perspective in book one to using third person in subsequent books helped with that a lot. though honestly i adore eugenides so much that i did miss being inside his head quite a bit. those rare moments of clarity where we understand whats going on up there are made ever more wonderful when there are fewer of them. that little bastard is just so great. his arc in this book was insanely incredible?

from here we are going to get more spoiler heavy!

utterly heartwrenching start to the novel. him losing his hand felt visceral, so well written, and his recovery was very well done i thought. not only because hes so petulant as a person already, but because the author shows the full transition as he learns how to navigate the world. later on when hes more sure of himself, it never feels unearned, because that always echoes all those moments where hes still adjusting and frustrated and tired. honestly the most emotionally satisfying aspect of this to me was when eddis and he are talking about how he is still the queen's thief, even if he might have different limitations on what exactly he can steal. it never felt like he was limited, just that they reimagined what the scope of plans were. though he would no longer be able to pull off the plot of the first book, due to the international nature of the second book, honestly he straight up graduates into a whole new realm. it was really thrilling to watch unfold!!

at first the narrative transition/revealing of his plans regarding attolia were surprising. i thought that he might be veering in the direction of planning to become king (despite really not wanting to) at a few different points, as the author is really good at leaving clues that dont feel overly obvious, or that just begin to pique your interest/attention. however i would not have guessed that he loved attolia. it was pretty clear that attolia loved him (all those little asides to what she was thinking about and it was always her checking up on him, etc? PEAK enemies to lovers plot thread) and i thought it would end up being reciprocated but not right out of the gate. at first i was a little uncertain but hoooo boy i love their dynamic (particularly now that im into book three pretty solidly- heart eyes) and i think that book two did a great job setting the stage for the next.

the setting feels much expanded upon, i particularly loved the time spent in eddis proper. eddis herself is such an incredible queen, and her dynamic with eugenides is sublime. her keeping the war from him, and by extension the audience, was great, because it also showed how he was keeping it from himself- eugenides totally could have figured out what was going on if he had bothered to. one thing i love about third person pov is that you might still be centered on one character, but since it isnt absolute, the reader can pretty easily forget that the info theyre taking in is still, on many levels, skewed towards the understandings of that character. those moments where that gets pointed out are always really revealing, i felt. absolutely amazing writing throughout.

another setting thing that i liked was the usage of the dystopia, and the plan that they came up with for traversing it. it was such a goddamn cool way of bringing back a really striking aspect of the landscape and then expanding upon it, 10/10 shit.

have i mentioned how much i love eugenides. he just DOES SHIT and i go insane! like yes, pretend to be holed up in your room and then take out sounis' whole navy and kidnap the magus in one fell swoop. i was hooting and hollering. also what a great way of bringing back the magus, i adore him.

the myth in the middle of this novel was also really great. i loved those interludes in the first book, and was glad to see the author bring back that motif in the second. im a big sucker for parables and in particular when you cant see how it ties to the theme until later on. i also loved how stunned the magus was to discover how personal tellings could shape the contours of the story. it emphasized how much of an academic he is, but was also so melancholy because of him having lost his family. the characters just feel so real, even the side characters.

attolia is absolutely amazing. i loved how every layer of her shell felt so realistic and needed as we learned more about her past... and as how ruthless she has had to be made more and more sense. killer queen indeed. and by god the contrasts between her and eddis were always so bittersweet. the fact that the ultimate, big difference, was in level of support? heartbreaking. eddis having that big family, advisers she could trust, people who loved her more than they feared her- aagh! the book so effectively shows us the comfortable setting of eddis and then contrasts in each glimpse we see of attolia. it also really effectively sets up the next book, which primarily takes place in attolia, but gotta save that for the next post. a good hint that i should sign off, i guess XD

#bookblr #the queen of attolia #megan whalen turner #queen's thief series #book review #reading progress update #book tag #favorites tag #young adult #fantasy #playlist series #admittedly im less certain about this playlist. just wanted to transition between killer queen --> queen of peace for the Themesss

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starkerintheparker · 4 years

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starker reclist - canon based fics

Hi Starker fam! To celebrate my 900 followers I decided to finally start posting my humble and very personal reclist. I’ve been planning to do it for a while now but it got way bigger than I anticipated so I decided to split it in 4 parts and will share the first one today. I’ve been around for less than a year and there’s a lot I haven’t read yet so my plan is to update this list as I go.

Under the cut is part I, solely is dedicated to canon-based fics. I’m a sucker for angst so most of my recs feature guilty!Tony, miscommunication, porn with feels and all that jazz. Hopefully you’ll be able to find something interesting according to your preferences. Oh and don’t forget to leave kudos, comments and spread the love for these authors :) Cheers!

Last updated: 2020/04/18. All new fics added will be marked with ***

• 10 Ways to Woo Your Boo by @darker-soft-starker (NR, 6k, completed)

Summary: By twenty-one Peter Parker had graduated college, scored himself a post-grad job and was a full-fledged member of the Avengers. He had his own apartment, paid his own bills and juggled his time between being a superhero and working enough to cover his rent. So long as Peter was armed with his ID, he was a full-fledged adult in the eyes of the law. Perhaps foolishly, he’d assumed it would make him an adult in the eyes of everybody else too. Keen to be seen as worthy of Tony's heart, Peter enlists the help of his friends and the internet in courting his former mentor.

Review: We all love Ash’s fantastic AUs but this lovely canon-based fic may be one of my favorite works by her. I will never know how she manages the fine balance between angst, humor and romance, I just know it hits me good and takes my breath away. Oblivious!Tony and Peter being a bisexual disaster at wooing, what do you mean this wasn’t in the movies? Sounds canon to me.

• 100-Point Restoration by Destina (T, 8k, completed)

Summary: Tony needs a happiness upgrade; Peter wants Tony. These goals might be compatible. (This story is set roughly five years post-Homecoming).

Review: I just realized this was the first Starker fic I’ve read, and it was back in 2017! I didn’t ship Starker at the time but this author must have done something right because for some reason I couldn’t take my eyes away. This fic is gorgeous. Tony’s voice is amazing, his dynamics with Peter are spot-on and organic - but nothing’s better than watching their feelings unfold, like a soft and warm humming just awaiting for disclosure.

• adult supervision by doveslayer (M, 20k, on hiatus)

Summary: Peter Parker should not keep drunk-dialing Tony Stark after midnight. But more pressingly, Tony Stark should not keep answering. In which Tony tries to convince himself he's doing nothing wrong. warning: underage!Peter tho pretty vanilla imo

Review: My favorite “everything is happening while nothing is happening” fic. Their voices are spot on, the dialogues are clever, and you can almost touch the tension with your fingertips. It’s been a year since the last update but even if this fic never gets finished I promise the read will have been worthy!

• Attached by @paspleurer (E, 7k, completed)

Summary: Tony gets it, he really does. As far as rebounds go, sleeping with your childhood hero isn't half bad. And if what Peter wants is this— just sex, with no strings attached— then Tony will give him this.

Review: Pleurer and Learned Foot have seduced me with the rebound trope. This is a lovely Tony POV with the good old pining + miscommunication combo, plus enthusiastic sex and sweet domesticity. What else could I ask for?

• Covet by RTC anonymous (E, 34k, completed)

Summary: Peter has a new boyfriend. Tony starts drinking again, for unrelated reasons.

Review: I read this fic when I was still warily lurking around the Starker fandom and it blew me away. The sexual tension is so palpable you can almost taste it. There is jealous, guity Tony failing at mentoring and a vulnerable, smitten Peter Parker trying to make sense out of it. RTC anon is a religion.

• Ephemeron by @ramblings-from-elsinore (E)

Summary: "Being around Ned, Peter's reminded how out of place he is. For Ned, the second ever appearance of aliens over Manhattan is the stuff of excited hallway chatter, of where were you when—? Ned’s world wasn’t blown apart and stitched back together. Because Ned doesn’t remember. No one does, except the ones who were there, who fought." AKA, "Tony's relationship with Peter may be unconventional, but they’re unconventional people who have had some pretty fucking unconventional experiences." In which Tony can't stop touching Peter to make sure he's real, and Peter dreams of being in Tony's arms and not disappearing.

Review: I started reading this fic before I joined the fandom and man, what a way to get pulled into this ship. Brace yourself for hardcore guilty!Tony being all over the place plus unhealthy codependency and touch deprivation, all the good things. Reading this is a spiritual experience but fair warning: this is not a happy story, at least not for a long while, so please mind the tags.

• Expiration Date by @learned-foot (E, 12k, completed)

Summary: Tony knows exactly what this is. First big breakup, go for a fling with a completely inappropriate person. It’s basically a cliché. He kind of thought Peter was better than that, but apparently being brilliant and one of the bravest people on the face of the planet doesn’t mean he’s immune from being a stupid college student who makes stupid college student mistakes. AKA Tony is sure this is just a fling, and he deals with that about as well as you’d expect.

Review: Ahh my beloved rebound trope and my first rec (out of many) by LF! Between a pining, insecure Tony making all the wrong decisions and a young and confident Peter unwilling to let him go, this fic makes your heart ache in the best ways. Good thing LF only works with happy endings!

• From Thy Bounty by @ibby-writes and feyrelay (E, 31k, completed)

Summary: Tony’s eyes are always dark, but now there's almost no iris left. He looks hollowed out. There’s something terribly hungry there, despite the feast they've filled themselves on.

Review: I’ve lost count of how many times I reread this insanely hot and ridiculously well written fic. Besides the A+++ characterization, there is delicious food porn foreplay followed by a breathtaking cat and mouse game that culminates with no less than 13.5k of intense and unapologetic sex with feels, my favorite kind. Enjoy the meal! ;D

***Gift of Choice by tuesday (E, 12k, completed)

Summary: Tony Stark had a thing about giving Peter stuff.

Review: This is my favorite fic by tuesday and the PERFECT rendition of our beloved sugar daddy trope. Great pacing, amazing dialogues and a breathtaking build up that makes you both smile and sweat in anticipation. They’re so in love I almost can’t handle when they finally get together. Sexy, hot and very sweet.

• here is my hand, my heart by belatrix (E, 16k, completed)

Summary: Mostly, Tony had tried not to look. He still does. Try, that is. It’s just― it’s getting a little bit harder every day.

Review: I have a HUGE soft spot for this beautiful masterpiece, because it was the fic that finally made me join the Starker fandom. I’ve reread it so many times and it never fails to amaze me. Through an atmospheric non-linear narrative, this shows a guilt-ridden Tony Stark trying and failing to resist one determined Peter Parker who won’t take bullshit for an answer. Hot, and angsty, and breathtaking.

• I know that you got Daddy Issues (And I do too) by feyrelay (E)

Summary: The one where Peter’s blue balls save the world. Because, yeah? That meandering, blooming thing between him and Mr. Stark? That relationship that continues to be maddeningly legal, platonic, and above-board, but still somehow haunts Peter’s wildest wet-dreams? That might just be the key to Strange’s endgame.

Review: This fic is a love letter to those who appreciate an angsty and nuanced slow burn like me. Possibly the best character study I’ve ever read combined with a clever, well researched and intricated plot. Reading this will make you fall even more in love with Tony and Peter as individuals, before wanting them to be better together. Make sure to also check all related fics under the tag DIEU (Daddy Issues Extended Universe) - the Starker verse we fucking deserve.

• if I am the river, you are the ocean by sadonsundays (E, 7k, completed)

Summary: The one where Tony can't sleep and Peter can't stop his hands from shaking.

Review: This is a gorgeous recovery fic, painful and heartbreaking, yes, but still very gentle as Tony and Peter’s relationship quietly unfolds. Pepper is an absolute treat which was refreshing to me. I just love the quiet and angsty undertone that guides their journey until they finally find home in each other.

if you’d grant my love a pardon by belatrix (M, 2.5k, completed)

Summary: The first time, it goes something like this: “No,” Tony says, but it’s tired, half-hearted, not quite a denial.

Review: One of the reasons why I love this ship is that there’s always room for angst, even when they’re already together. This lovely yet heartbreaking fic mirrors Tony’s fragile heart as he realizes that as much as he should, he just can’t let go of Peter, not quite yet. Belatrix writes guilty!Tony’s headspace like nobody else and I just can’t recommend her writing enough.

• in the light of a dying star by @areiton (M, 6k, completed) fix-it

Summary: Extremis isn't a guarantee. That's what Pepper told him, as they took him off the bloody, dusty field. It was just a chance. A desperate gamble.

Review: I’m so glad I read this right after Endgame because this is the fix-it Tony and we all deserved, this fic is so comforting and beautiful. I really love the quiet, ethereal atmosphere and how it shapes our perception of time and character development. Peter is beautifully written and their get together made my heart ache in peace.

• In the Morning by @cagestark (M, 6k, completed)

Summary: Peter's pretty stressed. He isn't understanding physics despite all the extra time he is spending with Bruce. And underneath it all, something is wrong with Mr. Stark.

Review: Heart wrenching and painfully honest fic, where Tony is a jealous mess and Peter is his usual earnest, sweet and good self. They meet in the middle, and it’s quiet, beautiful and sad.

• Kiss Me by @ironspi

Summary: Five times Peter and Tony almost kiss and one time they did.

Review: This fic was such a lovely surprise! It begins unpretentious and it builds up to quality pining and unresolved sexual tension. Chapter 4 is particularly awesome, so charged and intimate. Kudos to the author for exploring Peter taking the lead and making Tony melt in his arms.

• Landslide by spqr (M, 8k, completed) fix-it

Summary: Peter jumps into the quantum realm with his heart in his throat. He steps out in 2018, on the edge of a lake he still has nightmares about. A hundred yards away over the water, the lights in the lakehouse are on.

Review: Morally ambiguous characters + angsty time travel? Count me in. This fic has a very interesting (and darker) take on Peter post-Thanos, in his raw and desperate grief over Tony. Bonus points for amazing dialogues and a fix-it plot so clever and believable I’m surprised I didn’t see it on screen.

• lean on me now by @areiton (G, 9k, on hiatus)

Summary: He’s so tired, and he hurts, the kind of screaming pain he’s struggling to ignore now, and he wants to go home. But he can do this. He can sit and watch, and keep them safe. A wry smile tugs at his lips because he knows how ridiculous that sounds--a kid keeping Avengers safe.

Review: One of the best canon divergence fics I’ve ever read. It’s quiet, angsty and Peter’s voice is simply amazing. My heart breaks for Tony, but I’m so here for Peter & Rhodey’s brOTP, the fandom deserves more of it.

• noticing by @areiton (NR, 2k, completed)

Summary: “You deserve to be happy,” Rhodey tells Tony once, when Tony is drinking and conflicted and Peter is sleeping unaware on the couch. Tony watches him, eyes bright.

Review: How could I ever resist seeing Tony and Peter’s relationship development through Rhodey’s protective and thoughtful gaze? Any Tony stan should read this fic because this is the kind of love, friendship and support he deserves. Reading this put my mind at rest, knowing Tony’s cared for, and safe.

• Obvious by @learned-foot (M, 14k, completed)

Summary: When Peter wakes up, several things become very clear all at once: he’s underground somewhere unpleasant, something is messing with his powers, and his entire body hurts. A lot.

Review: WHUMP WHUMP WHUMP *victory dance* god this one is brutal, but we can trust LF to bring on full angst with an intriguing plot and A+++ characterization. I’m so here for protective!Tony doing whatever it takes to keep Peter safe, including all the confusion and heartbreak his problematic decisions may bring.

• Permission by @cagestark (E, 16k, completed)

Summary: During drinks with the Avengers, Peter admits that he enjoys orgasms more when someone is giving him permission, though since he's single, there isn't anyone in his life to offer it. Generous Tony offers to offer it.

Review: This fic is unique and so very hot, but don’t let the smutty summary fool you. There is also tenderness and FEELS in capital letters. Despite their arrangement, pining!Tony is so vulnerable and so completely in love with Peter it kinda breaks my heart a little, but thankfully Cage is a big fan of happy endings like me, so we’re all safe in her hands.

***Post-Endgame NYE by @darker-soft-starker (M, completed)

Summary: Five years after the events of endgame Tony is resurrected. Months after that, he's still trying to find equilibrium

Review: Hands down the loveliest ‘flirting on a bench’ I’ve ever seen, and my top favorite NYE Starker fic. I love to see Tony facing an existential crisis while he navigates his new life post-resurrection, including the violent realization of ‘oh no, Peter’s an attractive adult now’. Gentle and gorgeous get together, kudos at Morgan for being a little devil and playing matchmaking.

• Proxy by @cagestark (E, 11k, completed)

Summary: Peter wants to know if Mr. Stark knows, like, anybody who’d be willing to make out with him. Things escalate from there.

Review: I have such a big soft spot for this fic because “by proxy” is one of my favorite tropes and Cage explored it masterfully. Again, this is pining!Tony at his best and Cage just has this ability to transform what once started as a sexy little thing into this soft and gentle love story, the kind that gives you butterflies in the stomach.

• Radar by @intoxicatelou (M)

Summary: Peter could say that he’s officially approached desperation, but he wants this, wants Tony, and he’s willing to do everything it takes. Or the one in which Peter tries to become Tony's celebrity crush from 2009 in order to seduce him.

Review: This is one of my favorites self-indulgent fics, I just can’t resist the good old “Peter’s seduction handbook” trope and intoxicatelou delivers it beautifully. This story is sweet, super fun and relatable af. There’s A+ pining, Peter being a bisexual disaster and MJ being the queen we all stan, shocking absolutely no one.

• Revelations by RTC anonymous (E, 127k, completed)

Summary: “I still don’t get it,” Ned says. “How you just... keep being ordinary in spite of all the craziness you’ve lived through. You were in space. You helped Iron Man save the universe. And nobody knows it was you.” His tone softens, becomes almost sad. As though he realizes that what he’s saying is so completely alien to him that he will never be able to understand this part of Peter’s life. “Peter, don’t you want people to know you for who you are?” An AU where they get the Gauntlet off of Thanos that first time, on Titan.

Review: I feel like I don’t need to justify this choice – almost everyone in the fandom has either heard of or read this masterpiece, it’s safe to say this fic is part of the Starker Training Wheels Protocol lol. If you have just arrived or is just exploring the fandom and enjoys slow burns I suggest you start right hee because it doesn’t get any better than this. There’s A+++ characterization, breathtaking pining, insane sexual tension and a very satisfying ending if I may say so. Definitely among my top 3 Starker fics. RTC anon, wherever you are, please know you are loved and appreciated. I’ll literally build an altar for you.

• Reversal by @learned-foot (E, 4k, completed)

Summary: Sometimes, Tony is the one who needs to be praised.

Review: For once Peter makes Tony just lie down and take 😊 the fucking 😊 praise 😊. I feel like I’ve been waiting for this fic all my life. This is the praise kink Tony (and we all) deserve, genuine, gentle and powerful. If you’re a big sap for their love like I am, you’re in for an emotional ride because this is overwhelmingly sweet to the point it brings tears to your eyes. LF is such a gift to this fandom.

• Settling by @cagestark (E, 5k, completed)

Summary: Peter really wants to be taller than Tony. Heels help.

Review: One of my favorites by Cage, I still remember how happy and giggly I felt when I first read it. There is A+++ characterization, amazing dialogue, Avengers domesticity, praise kink, the hottest blow job and my favorite Starker first kiss. Oh, did I mention Peter in heels and Tony loving every moment of it? You’re welcome :D

• Stipulations by RTC anonymous (E, 70k, completed)

Summary: Peter Parker’s long term dream recently went from ‘get into MIT’ to ‘afford going to MIT’. As the time approaches, it’s dawning on him that he won’t be able to pay his tuition and afford the move to Cambridge all at once: he’s out of money, his secrets are beginning to pile up, and desperation has started creeping in... And then one night, he saves Tony Stark’s life.

Review: Another fandom classic by our irreplaceable RTC anon, this fic is SO GOOD I keep coming back to it and just recently I realized I’ve built all my personal Starker headcanons out of it, lol. A+++ characterization and hot, delicious pining is a given with this author, but I’m really here for that senses-dialed-to-11 trope, and RTC delivers it masterfully.

• subtle by @areiton (T, 1k, completed)

Summary: Peter is not subtle. He wears his emotion, his excitement, like a flag waved bright red and teasing for a bull—impossible to go unnoticed, impossible to ignore. It’s adorable and it’s Peter, and it’s—in hindsight—why Tony misses the context clues.

Review: This fic is like reading poetry, a balm to the heart. Peter wears Tony’s colors and by the time Tony finally gets the context clues they fall together in the gentlest, softest way.

• Take it slow by tuesday (E, 13k, completed)

Summary: There were a ton of reasons dating Peter was a bad idea. Tony loved bad ideas. He was going to do it anyway. In which Tony thinks they're dating, and then they're dating undercover.

Review: This fic is so endearing it’s basically impossible not to cheer for these two, despite their usual infuriating communication issues, lol. But I promise all the angst and wait are worth it, because there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing how they (finally!) get to be on the same page.

• the record spins on the trails we blaze by @darker-soft-starker (NR, 5k, completed)

Summary: Years after the events of Homecoming, Peter thought all of the bad memories were well and truly behind him. After all, so much has happened since then - and he's happy now. Everything is kinda perfect.Turns out nothing stays buried.

Review: Hell yes! I agree HoCo’s events were particularly traumatizing and this trope is not as explored as it should be. To put it simply, this fic is something I didn’t know that I needed and Ash delivered it beautifully. It’s incredibly gentle, cathartic and honest, not to mention the lovely domesticity and understanding between the characters that will make your heart swell.

• Under Someone Else by @learned-foot (M, 7k, completed)

Summary: Peter realizes he’s just a rebound. And he’s okay with that, really. Or at least, that’s what he keeps telling himself.

Review: FEELS, FEELS EVERYWHERE. It’s so hard to choose a favorite fic by LF but this is the first that comes to mind because it introduced me to the amazing rebound trope. It’s so refreshing to see this ship’s potential for angst and miscommunication playing into the “fuck first, talk later” scenario. Warning for vulnerable boys being idiots and breaking our hearts but P.P.P.S they do eventually get their shit together and it’s glorious!

• Up for Anything by tuesday (E, 8k, completed)

Summary: When it came to Tony Stark, Peter would take what he could get. In which Peter believes he's just a rebound. (Not Endgame compliant.)

Review: Of course there’s yet another gorgeous rebound rec because I can’t get enough of this trope. Honestly, LF and Tuesday writing for each other have provided some of the best fics this fandom has, God bless them. This is another treat featuring pining!Peter and the usual “I can’t communicate properly how much I fucking love you”, but there’s also bantering, delicious dirty talk and so much affection that you’ll read it all with the biggest smile on your face.

#starker #reclist #peter parker x tony stark

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oosteven-universe · 3 years

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We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #8

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #8 BOOM! Studios 2020 Written by Al Ewing Illustrated by Simone Di Meo Colour Assists by Mariasara Miotti Lettered by Andworld Design Tensions come to a head between the Harvesters and the Worshippers at Malik's Flight as Marlyn Chen's true plan is revealed. Meanwhile, Jason will find himself embroiled in a conspiracy and heist that makes Captain Malik's original quest pale in comparison. It has been a while since I’ve reviewed this series. I know a lot of folks really like this book and it really is easy to see why. It is kind of like Dynasty and Breakout Kings had a baby and this is that child. Impossible heist with all the drama, intrigue, backstabbing that you can possibly handle and then some. It is why I love this book the way that I do. Also the sheer fact that one woman, Marlyn Chen, and her own machinations and manipulations throughout all this is the leading factor that only she is privy to is proving to be one of the series highlights. I mean this woman is as smart, daring, bold as she is ruthless in what she’ll do for what she wants and she’s been playing everyone around her as the fool. It really is something to witness and it makes you have this new respect for Al for being able to create and showcase this kind of woman. I am very much thoroughly enjoying the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development that we see through the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how they act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter continues to really bring out their personalities and make them feel like real people. How we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to emerge, grow, evolve and strengthen is marvellously rendered. How we see these layers being explored and how the avenues open up and beg to be explored. Whether they work with the main arc or not they all add this delicious depth, dimension and complexity to the story. The way we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is achieved exceptionally well. There is a definite style to the interior artwork here. I love the way we see the faces of these characters, the linework is clean, crisp and strong and the varying weights and techniques that we see being utilised to create the detailed work that we see is marvellous. With the composition within the panels we see a lot of suggested imagery and how this works to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story wonderfully. There is just something about the creativity and imagination to the work we see that makes this such a beautiful science fiction story and that it just maintains this high quality standard is utterly fabulous. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a remarkably talented eye for storytelling. The colour work is bewitching. The various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is phenomenal to see. This book is like the inside of a clock. It has all these moving pieces that rely upon each other to keep working. It is intricate, strong yet delicate looking and runs like a well oiled machine should and it’s this that Al does so incredibly well. That I don’t know when one plot line will end or become active and how they could possibly criss cross each other at any given moment keeps the reader guessing and instilling that desire to know more. With amazingly solid writing and intriguing characterisation wrapped up in these eye catching interiors this is one of those series we just don’t talk about enough.

#Comic Books #Comics Reviews #BOOM! Studios

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yamadadzawa · 4 years

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Ah okay so I was curious if you had any fics planned that take place post war arc? I’m curious how you would write/interpret Aizawa after losing his leg. I don’t necessarily mean like a healing/comfort post war fic either just anything that takes place after the fact where his new disability is a part of him now! If you don’t have anything planned, what is something you would want to write about post war off the top of your head? ☺️

Oh man this whole arc is still like. So WILD to me. It may be surprising, but I haven’t really had any ideas or thought about fics for post war arc yet! I think because so many of my current stories are situated at “the beginning”, if that makes sense. The war arc feels so very far away from anything else I’ve written. Yet also super close to some of the background ideas for some stories, like Anomalous Salvation, and an AU I’ve started writing but haven’t posted anything for.

I do know that I want to see Aizawa with a prosthetic, I’ve seen some AMAZING art of that, and some ideas from others about which kinds. I know that I don’t personally want to see a plot path where Eri “fixes” him by rewinding him back to before he lost his leg. I don’t vibe super well with that personally, because it feels like being teased with a badass character with a disability and then having that taken away. So that’s something I know I wouldn’t write.

It’s hard for me to say how I’d necessarily write him post war arc, because for me, I think so much of that is going to depend on how exactly it concludes, and what happens with Kurogiri. Because there are these...hm. Intersecting pieces? That have to do with both of those things. Aizawa’s students, and Kurogiri. I think how both of those lines resolve themselves at the conclusion of this arc will determine the future of his character, at least in my mind. Because his past with Oboro is what determined the way he engages with his students. And now suddenly that past is so intricately tangled with his present, and this class, and everything that’s unfolding. I think, if any students die in this battle, it would change everything for his future.

So I suppose I’ve now answered another part of your question, which is what would I write post war arc. I think regardless of how this arc actually ends, if I could bring myself to do it, I’d consider writing a piece where Aizawa’s course is changed drastically once again by the death of a hero student.

#spoilers #bnha spoilers #manga spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #hopefully that covers any spoiler tags that people have filtered #this was super interesting to think about!#major character death isn’t usually something I can do unless it’s another dimension or temporary #but for this #I may consider it someday #I really could see that as a final push ESPECIALLY if the hero commission then tries anything w Eri or Kurogiri on top of that #Aizawa would absolutely snap

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theboywhocriedbooks · 5 years

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A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

[Goodreads]

In Tokyo, sixteen-year-old Nao has decided there’s only one escape from her aching loneliness and her classmates’ bullying, but before she ends it all, Nao plans to document the life of her great-grandmother, a Buddhist nun who’s lived more than a century. A diary is Nao’s only solace—and will touch lives in a ways she can scarcely imagine. Across the Pacific, we meet Ruth, a novelist living on a remote island who discovers a collection of artifacts washed ashore in a Hello Kitty lunchbox—possibly debris from the devastating 2011 tsunami. As the mystery of its contents unfolds, Ruth is pulled into the past, into Nao’s drama and her unknown fate, and forward into her own future. Full of Ozeki’s signature humour and deeply engaged with the relationship between writer and reader, past and present, fact and fiction, quantum physics, history, and myth, A Tale for the Time Being is a brilliantly inventive, beguiling story of our shared humanity and the search for home.

Thoughts:

Okay! So I read this a few months ago and I’m going back a little to write some reviews. That could be hit or miss because it won’t be as fresh in my mind but I guess you could also get a better look at how lasting these books were. Anyway, I fucking loved this book!? It was so good. I read/listened this in audiobook format and it was such a great book for that format. The storytelling aspect to the story really translated well for it. It’s one of my new favorite books because there was just so much emotions! It’s an interesting concept because we basically are Ruth (the main character). She is reading this girls story and she wants to know if she is okay and how it’s all going to turn out and that is exactly how I felt. I think it’s such a great and rich story (even months after, still in my head), so I think you should pick it up regardless of who you! I’m now going to go on about it in spoiler-y detail below!

The characters were so great! I think that was my favorite aspect to the story, how character driven it was and in such an interesting way. You get the story through Ruth and through Nao. You join Ruth reading Nao’s story who is also telling her grandma’s story. It’s all very inception-esque but so beautiful. I think this way of telling the story was just a really effective choice, it has a very intimate feeling to it because you’re learning and exploring this plot along with the character.

Nao was so good. I loved the so many ways she is weaved into the story, even with her name. Nao. Now. Time! Her family, herself, death! It’s all deep and wild. Her grandma was a beautiful character, I loved reading about Nao’s realtionship with her -- from their baths to their goodbyes. I also really loved seeing the relationship with her father. It was so complicated and heart-wrenching. He loved her, he wanted to be the father she wanted. He was also going through a lot and she realized it eventually. That they both carried this pain, these residual emotions, and we got to witness it.

I loved Ruth. She was a lil obsessive but its understandable considering the story she was being told. One of my favorite aspects to her side of the narrative is that she was talking to her husband about the book, asking his opinions. This was almost as if I was talking to someone about the book I was reading while I was reading it. Seeing her get super connected to the story was cool. The town she lived in felt nearly utopian? Or, like it was just a little off? Not in a bad way partially, but that it just felt like a very odd town and that only added to the atmosphere of the story. Especially, one that is different than Nao’s story’s atmosphere.

The story wasn’t technically magical but it felt magical in every sense. Just hearing a story from the past and the way Ruth read Nao’s book, slowly, made it feel more like she was listening to a friend speak from the past. Then there was this really urgent feeling throughout, though, because Ruth is connected to Nao and yet so disconnected by time and distance. She doesn’t know how Nao’s story, her very real story, would end. So, that was an awesome reading experience for both her and myself.

I loved this book! I hope you loved it too!! I love the way it constructed time and the characters! Those are some of my favorite narrative devices so to see them so intricately done was nice. Even the title! A tale for the time being and the Time Being. love it. Stay tuned for a few more reviews from last year coming soon!

#this is a late review - its not super critical but its just me saying i loved it and what it did #did u?#a tale for the time being #ruth ozeki #review #2018

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evilfairytales · 5 years

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Star vs. The Forces of Evil Cleaved my Heart (not in the good way)

Okay, so massive spoilers are up ahead, needless to say. And frankly, if you enjoyed the finale, or really Season 4 in general, you’re better off moving along. More power to you, but there’s not much for you here, I’m afraid.

Okay, so I dusted off my old tumblr page here because I just HAVE to get this off my chest. Star vs. The Forces of Evil has been one of my favorite shows of the last five years or so. I like having it on in the background while I write or do other stuff. And I’m still going to do that, up to Season 3. Because I refuse to let Season 4 take my love of the first three seasons away from me. That would be letting it win.

The only other thing I can think of offhand that makes me want to rant like this are the Star Wars prequels. That’s because I don’t like to hate things. If I’m going to spend my time watching or reading or listening to something, I’d like to enjoy it. So even if I don’t think something is great, or even really that good, I’d far and away prefer to focus on what I actually did like about it and try to gloss over the bad things.

So I tried to like season 4, I really, really did. And you know what? For most of it, I was doing a pretty good job of liking it! There were some very funny bits in there, and some very sweet ones. ‘Curse of the Blood Moon’ in particular was a great episode. I liked Kelly & Marco being break-up buddies, that was adorable, even if we all knew it wasn’t gonna last. I think Pony Head can be hilarious under the right circumstances, and she was in fine form in both ‘The Pony Head Show’ and ‘Queen-Napped.’

Right from the beginning, I thought that Moon just being on Pie Island and wrapping that up so nice and neat seemed kind of anticlimactic, but I could deal. As time went on and it became clear Eclipsa really wasn’t planning anything more sinister than getting Globgor uncrystallized, I started thinking that maybe this last season was going to call back to earlier days. Not so much an intricate plot, but just fun adventures with the characters we love. The fact that they seemed to be setting up Mina as the big last antagonist seemed to support that. Ludo, too was one of those cases where I thought they could have done more with it, but he ended up happy, so that’s okay. Maybe he’d help out a little in the end!

In light of all that, when Star went back to Echo Creek, I was 100% into it. I was feeling it. Again, Beach Day ended up feeling rather anticlimactic, but it was sweet, and I saw what they were going for. We have some fun back on Earth, Mina causes trouble, they go back to fix it...maybe Mina ends up on Earth somehow and we gotta beat her there, whatever. Star probably decides she wants to stay on Earth with Marco, at least for now, the end. I might end up feeling like I wanted more, but I would have been quite pleased with that.

Then they just decided to set fire to the whole fucking thing in the last four episodes. Let’s start with Mina working for Moon. That was a legitimately shocking twist when it was revealed. And if they had done something GOOD with it, it could have been a great plot point. But seriously, Moon’s ENTIRE plan was to turn Mina and the Solarians loose and force Eclipsa & Globgor to abdicate & exile themselves. And her only contingency plan was a spell to turn the Solarian’s power off that she obviously hadn’t tested. That is a STUPID and DESPERATE plan that puts so very, very many innocents, both Mewmans and Monsters, in lethal danger. It is unlike Moon on just about every conceivable level.

But you know what? The fact that they just threw Moon’s character into the woodchipper DOESN’T EVEN MATTER, because the situation is just ripped out of her hands almost instantly. Seriously. Imagine if Mina had gathered her army by herself and was acting alone, and Moon really was just there to help. What would be different about the way the plot unfolded? I guess Star wouldn’t be angry at Moon, but she never really DID anything about that anger, so...yeah. You just made Moon a villain for no reason whatsoever. Nice.

Or was that anger supposed to be what pushed Star over the edge into deciding magic was bad? This. This development, pulled COMPLETELY out of nowhere, was really what made me hate the whole thing. Frankly, this whole bit makes me so mad I can hardly see straight. Magic is bad, and we need to destroy it? When up to that exact moment we’d been using magic, learning about magic, protecting magic, remaking magic, loving magic.

Up until that exact moment there had never been a single instant where the characters, or us viewers, were asked to even consider the idea that the world would be better off without magic. And in one little fit of pique, Star just turned one of the show’s central concepts on it’s head. It’s like one of those impulsive bad ideas she has that someone needs to talk her down from...except this time everybody, even people who will cease to exist, just go right along with it!

To be honest, I actually don’t like the ‘In the End, Magic is BAD’ trope in fiction in general, even if it’s set up well. It’s reminiscent of those stories where someone from our world ends up in some amazing magical realm, saves the day, and decides to return to Earth. It’s like the lesson is that our mundane reality is somehow better than an awesome fantasy world. (For the record, if I was the magical savior of some mystical realm where I’d be a hero forever, unless I’ve got the love of my life and/or non-adult children back here, I’m gone. Sorry, friends and family. I’ll try my best to send word so you know I’m not dead, but...)

This time, however, it was NOT setup well. This was GARBAGE. They just threw it in at the last second, and expected us to go right along with it., despite it being completely against the tone of the show up to that exact moment. This is just BAD WRITING.

Was it supposed to be some kind of allegory for power in general? Because if so, it’s a REALLY shitty one. The people in charge are always going to have power, magic, military, political, whatever. Whoever’s gonna end up in charge of Mewni Creek is still going to have power, whether they’ve got magic or not. The idea should be to use that power responsibly, for the good of everyone.

So, magic is gone. The Magic High Commission is dead. I mean, I guess they were fiendish villains, even though we had no time at all to process them in that role. So, I guess they deserved it? Even though Moon was at least as culpable as any of them, and we forgave her instantly. Well, again, that didn’t really matter at all. And Glossaryck’s gone. I mean, he doesn’t necessarily have to make sense, and he really stopped being a character in Season 2, so that’s legitimately okay. I mean, it seems like they might have been going for something with him creating the wand and giving it to the first user in the past...that seemed like a thing worth exploring. But then a lot of other things did, too. Like ‘Eclipsa’s’ most dangerous spell. That REALLY seemed like that was going to be a thing. But it was really just Solaria’s Total Annhiliation Spell, and it didn’t really go anywhere. Eclipsa used it, and it was bad, and she didn’t use it again. Guess we’re done with that!

Poor Doop-Doop though, huh? And Spider With a Top Hat, the Warnicorns, the Narwhals...bummer for all of them. I mean, they REALLY fail to make it clear whether ALL magic is gone, or just the Butterfly magic. Admittedly, killing all the magic in the universe seems like a gigantic decision to make for literally everyone...seems like that would wipe who knows how many sentient beings out of existence. And then Pony Head can still float...honestly, it’s obvious the writers didn’t really care one way or the other, so why should we?

But either way, the spells in the wand are all dead, and so is Doop-Doop. Was Doop-Doop a subtle hint that the show’s creators had stopped giving a shit, and so should we? I mean, being voiced by Justin Roiland, he kind of automatically has that ‘nothing matters’ tone from Rick and Morty. And showing up at the end like that, his only real purpose seems to be to remind us that he’s gonna die along with all the other spells. To say nothing of Hekapoo. It’s ASTONISHING how little we’re supposed to care about the effects of what they did beyond ‘Magic is Bad, Stop Mina.’ Mina got slurped down by a corrupt unicorn that also never really got any kind of satisfactory exploration, by the way.

This was SO BAD. AWFUL. TERRIBLE. It’s so bad, I honestly can’t believe the creators actually thought it was good. I mean, I can see Nefcy & Company being really upset about not getting more than four seasons...that is justifiable anger, and Disney should DEFINITELY have given them at least a fifth season. Were they so upset that they just kind of wanted to torch the thing on the way out? Or did they just not care and they felt this was just the easiest, laziest way to shut it all down? Because I do NOT believe that they thought this was a good finale. I will NEVER believe that.

By the time the worlds merged, or Echo Creek was absorbed into Mewni, or whatever the hell that all was, I was pretty much emotionally numb. So, yeah, that part’s fine, whatever it’s supposed to be.

I’m glad Star and Marco ended up together. But that was only one part of why I liked the show, and they were always going to get together anyway. If Starco was literally the only reason I watched the show, I probably would have been okay with the ending. But it wasn’t, and the finale shredded pretty much everything else. So, to hell with it.

As far as I’m concerned, Divide & Conquer were the last episodes.

#star vs the forces of evil #finale #review #i hated it #cleaved

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viperbranium · 5 years

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hi if you don’t mind me asking how people manage that trope with cap!steve not knowing bucky in most of those fics? like is it more comics complain steve than mcu? because then steve’d have just gotten beat up to a pulp, and erskine wouldn’t have heard him and bucky talking and steve wouldn’t have gone to phillips to ask if bucky was alive, and his revenge spree at the end was because bucky got killed, so much of ws and cw changes too, it has to be comics steve, i can see bucky’s story unfold(1)

without steve because doesn’t matter if he is the winter soldier or not, it happened for external circumstances, if he isn’t then that means he lived happily with his family with the life he deserved and if he still has superpowers that means some accident or war or nazis or russians, i’m sorry for annoying you but it’s so interesting i never realized how intricate bucky is on steve’s motivations but taking him out of it in the mcu wouldn’t be like saying oh bucky doesn’t matter? are those fic 2

like bucky has no impact at all and everything’s the same without him when in the mcu is not like that at all or steve has his origins like in comics? i’m sorry i must sound like such an annoying stan but it sounded like a trope i’d like to read but also bucky and sam are my faves so i don’t want to go and read fics that are like bucky can be easily replaced and get annoyed without need, i already get fuming with rage bc people do that to sam a lot in fics, i don’t want to add bucky to the list

Phew okay there’s a lot to unpack here, let’s see…

Okay so for starters I’d definitely recommend giving the trope a chance if it sounds like something you’d want to read. It’s a very popular one and there are LOTS of different fics, there’s bound to be one that you’ll like. As it usually happens, whether we like a fic or not depends A LOT on how the writer executes a concept. I’m sure we’ve all found some fic that seemed like it’d be our dream fic, like oH GOD THIS HAS EVERY SINGLE TROPE I LOVE, THIS FIC IS EVERYTHING I WANTED, only to then read it and realize that it wasn’t, in fact, everything we wanted. Not by a long shot.

Secondly, you have to keep in mind that, although there’s definitely a bunch of these cap!steve x modern!bucky fics that are plot heavy, a lot of the appeal is the fact that it allows us to play in a sandbox that’s close to canon, with characters we already know and a storyline that’s already established, but while keeping the overall tone a lot lighter and more cheerful. A lot of these fics are just about all the ways in which they could meet and them coming together as a couple in the modern world, and don’t really dwell all that much in how Steve lived without Bucky before the ice. It’s not that Bucky becomes replaceable, it’s just that… well, it’s a meet-cute fic. There’s lots of different kinds of fic, and not all them have to be super deep and meaningful. Sometimes we just want to read about Captain America going on a morning run and stepping on dog poop and slipping and a random passerby that turned out to be Bucky catching him before he face-plants the floor and Steve being a bit awestruck by this beautiful stranger, ya feel?

Most of the one’s I’ve read (and definitely all the ones I’ve written or plan to write) are based on the movies. Canon compliant doesn’t mean it has to follow canon to a T. These AUs work because we know Steve is fundamentally a good person, with or without Bucky. Like, sure, Bucky’s the most important person in his life, but that doesn’t mean Steve would’ve acted differently without him in the picture – f.e. in The First Avenger, Steve wanted to join the army DESPITE Bucky. So if we were to write a fic with Steve not having met Bucky yet, for most of us it’s perfectly believable that Steve would still join the army and become Captain America. The HOW specifically depends on the writer, if they even want to go into detail at all – Steve might’ve kept trying to join under different names, which might’ve ended up getting him arrested. Erskine might’ve heard about it and then upon seeing how badly Steve wanted to join, the same conversation they have in the movie that led to Steve being accepted into the program might’ve taken place. Steve sees Peggy in Italy and she gives him the push he needs to go rescue the men captured in Azzano because Steve is a good man who would try to rescue these people anyway, whether Bucky was a prisoner himself or not (and also Steve was already fed up with the whole being a ‘dancing monkey’ thing, and it’s implied in the movie that he would’ve taken action after his conversation with Peggy anyway, it just so happens that that’s when he hears about Bucky too). Steve would’ve still tried to defeat the Red Skull and would’ve still put down the plane to protect humanity, and then he would’ve still woken up in the 21st century and fought alongside the other Avengers to protect the world.

So you see, it can definitely work. Obviously at some point these fics stop following canon – from The Winter Soldier onwards the plot obviously has to be different, but I don’t see why that’s an issue? There are MILLIONS of fics out there that only follow canon up to a point and then diverge from it. That’s like, Fanfiction 101.

And Bucky can still be the most important person in Steve’s life in these fics, even if they meet later on – often you’ll see how Steve has never really felt like he’s “home” nor been truly happy until he meets Bucky, or how Bucky is what helps him adjust to this new life in the 21st Century. But in any case, the tone in (most of) these fics tends to be a lot lighter than what you’re thinking. They CAN be deep and meaningful and plotty, but in most cases you have to think of them as the love child between a canon fic and a modern au. If you enjoy reading modern aus where they just meet and fall in love and are still the most important person in the other’s life, even if their story doesn’t go like in the movies, then you should enjoy shrunkyclunks fics just fine (:

#i hope this helps?#it's suuuuch a broad trope too that it was hard to explain #like there's probably fics where the author DOES go into detail about how steve's life goes before bucky #and there might be some where bucky is f.e. a war vet that still gets captured by hydra #only in modern times not in wwii #and he still becomes a prisoner of war and maybe even 'the winter soldier'#and steve rescues him even if he hasn't met him before #and then they fall in love #and then there's fics that are just steve waking up in the modern world #and from that point onwards this fics progresses as any meet-cute would #like i have written a bunch of those #i wrote about captain america waiting in line to get a coffee #and hearing the person behind him (bucky) talk to his sister and liking what he was saying #i've written about steve thinking he didn't have a soulmate and putting the plane down #and then when he wakes up there's soulmark on his skin #idk there's a fuckton of possibilities and it doesn't really have to be super meaningful lmao #it's just fic #hahahahah #anyway yeah #hope this helped #shrunkyclunks #boy do i love this trope #anons #Unidentified grey potato #Viper Replies #ask

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sqsupernova · 5 years

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Rave Reviews for A Thousand Times by @nuhcoal!

i am in full blown love with your story? am i gonna survive? will it kill me and restore my soul a million times over? BET. … I am in awe. You should be proud. … there’s nothing /not/ to love about your fic. … everything about your writing is smooth as hell. … I don’t think anything will get any better than this. This has to be one of my favorite fics and I’m not even that far yet. … when you said this was a good read while cozy with tea, you were so right. the only thing i’m missing is some rainy weather out the window. but regardless, i think your story is pretty perfect for anytime because it’s just THAT GOOD. … pjelkdkdsjmfn i seriously am so into this, i need to devour it all asap … I think I went through the entire gamut of emotions, from anxiety to frustration to anger to deep sadness to joy. … This is quite the achievement; your hard work shows through in how much you've put into the characters, and how invested I became in their well-being. … I think a lot of times we all wait it to be a fast burn where they live happily ever after and it’s not always like that. I like that you’re taking it at your own pace. … it’s just amazing how smoothly all your writing fits together, and the way something can be happening in both the background and the foreground, but nothing feels crowded. … I'm so invested in this story. Lol I'm basically toast. … every second i spend in this universe adds an entire week to my life. at this rate, i’ll be immortal. … Your writing style is very engaging and I'm completely invested in this fic already. … i’m honestly blown away, the more i think about it. … you are a totally amazing and completely inspiring storyteller. … omg, the deeper i get into this story, the deeper i get into my feels. … i love the realness of your story. it really makes me think a hell of a lot, in a really reflective way. … i can’t even fathom the amount of time and patience and thought you must have put into writing something this big and this cohesive. like it all unfolds so intricately and i just lekjskassdjfh JFC it’s amazing. … I am loving everything about this story, thank you for sharing it! … it is so well planned and so meticulously constructed, and both your narration and authorship has a lot of power behind it, and i just !!!!!! … you take the time in the moments that count, and make the absolute most of them. … you’re a brave writer in that way, writing the hard stuff (both to read and i’m sure to write) because it’s real and it’s important. … it’s not a story with the bare minimum, it’s a story with everything, a story that /is/ everything … i am amazed at the way you can put things on a road to being resolved, but then have it veer off into another direction, making things more complicated but not more convoluted. it’s incredible. YOU’RE INCREDIBLE … I think my heart physically cracked. There is actual pain in my chest. This story is going to kill me. … hard things are often the most moving, especially here. … this is a powerful and emotional slowburn that i love, despite having patience levels of -50. it’s not just swan queen slowburn, it’s like, everything slowburn. i love it. … i am really impressed with the dynamics of all the relationships at play here and the way they all have their own relevance to the story’s big picture. … This is so good, and so real!!! … You did an excellent job of making me laugh and cry. … I love that all of my favourite fluffy tropes are in this story. And yet these things never seem forced or contrived. It just kinda flows with the narrative. LOVE IT! … Also Jesus Christ your writing is INCREDIBLE. … The whole thing. Just. WOW. I could feel the tension, the pining, the build-up. … This story is so intriguing, incredibly written and I am completely captivated while I read it … i love when things are good and then not because it hurts more, and i love when things are bad and get better, because it’s soothing. and you’ve patterned it out so well. … Have I thanked you for posting this yet? Because Wow. All the feels. THANK YOU … I loved this and I love your writing and I love your angsty ways. … I'm pretty sure this story is still going to be bouncing around in my head for a few days as I continue to absorb it all and continue to think about it. … i couldnt have put this down if i Wanted to!! (which i didnt!!) … just jskskdksk 1029383/10 honestly … such a wonderfully intricate story, so well written and totally satisfying!! … I could literally FEEL their connection and their attraction. Not just picturing it in my mind but really feel it. And that’s what I’m looking for when I’m reading something. Not just be in another world but also feel it you know ? … !!!!!!!!!! i am seriously so !!!!!!!!! about this. i am one million percent invested in the leila-verse. and i am so PROUD OF YOU for creating this BAMF of a fic. it is seriously so amazing and swen is so lucky … Wonderful, lovely story . I loved all the dynamics.

Enjoyed this fic? Be sure to give back and feed the author! A happy, appreciated author is one who’s going to be more motivated to gift us all with more of their words.

#swan queen #sqsn spotlights: reviews #sqsn spotlights: a thousand times

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machetelanding · 5 years

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What a Concept! Plotting Your Novel Conceptually

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy I'm always looking for better ways to plot my novels. Every time I attend a great workshop on story structure, or see a phenomenal blog post, or read a fantastic book, I incorporate those tips into my process and update my basic plotting template. One of my pre-novel planning techniques is to start conceptually and narrow the plot down to specifics. Thinking about a story conceptually allows us to brainstorm what we want to have happen without worrying about the details. Such as, you know you want a major reveal and surprise at the mid-point, or you want X to happen in the climax. Maybe it's whatever the protagonist does at the climax of act one that will come back to bite her in the all-is-lost-moment at the end of act two. You can shape the flow of the story even though you don't know exactly how it will go. Conceptually, you know how you want it to turn out.

Imagine I'm starting on book two of this make-believe series. I know after figuring out my one-sentence pitch, that this book is going to be about Bob trying to get the cure for zombification before the love of his life, Jane, succumbs and turns into a zombie. From this I have the inciting event (Jane gets bitten or somehow contracts the zombie virus) and the ending (Bob gets the cure and saves Jane). But there's a whole lot of plot that has to happen between those two points. After I get the basics down, my first step is to figure out what my major turning points are. How I generally want the book to unfold. A first pass will look like this (for the curious, I'm absolutely making this zombie book up as I write this): Intro and Setup: Bob, Jane, and Sally living in the zombie apocalypse Inciting Event: Jane gets infected Act One Climax: ?? Mid-Point Reversal: ?? Act Two Disaster: ?? Climax: Bob gets the cure and saves Jane Wrap Up: ??

You'll notice there's a lot missing. That's because I have no clue yet what's going to happen. This is a bare-bone concept of how the novel will unfold using classic story structure to guide me. Using this very loose outline, I'll next brainstorm, take notes, make lists, talk it over with friends, all the usual work that goes into developing a novel. When I figure out more of this story, I'll flesh out this conceptual outline. The next pass will look something like this: Intro and Setup: Bob, Jane, and Sally living in the zombie apocalypse Inciting Event: Jane gets attacked by a zombie, but it isn't clear if she's infected or not Act One Climax: Jane is infected and begins to show signs Mid-Point Reversal: They discover the government lab Sally used to work for is hiding a huge secret that totally changes their view on the zombie virus Act Two Disaster: Jane turns into a zombie and tries to eat them Climax: Bob steals the cure from the government bad guy and saves Jane Wrap Up: Bob exposes the government secret and the gang goes on the run to spread the word For some writers, this is all they need to get started. Knowing Jane will be attacked means the gang will be where zombies are. They'll be doing something that puts Jane in close contact with them. You might not know yet what that is, but you can figure it out as you write it. For more plot-focused writers, this is a solid start to guide your brainstorming and story development. You'll start at the introduction and work your way to the next plot point, fleshing it out as much as you need to. For example, how does it start? What is going on when you introduce the characters and the world? Knowing more details here might work to shed light on the ambiguous parts. When you reach a point you're not sure about, switch to another area and start thinking about that point. After some brainstorming, I end up with an outline that looks like this: Intro and Setup: Bob, Jane, and Sally are looking for places to restock their supplies. Winter is coming and they need to chose between heading south to a warmer climate or bunking down until spring and waiting it out. Inciting Event: While searching an abandoned mall, Jane gets attacked by a zombie and falls through a store front window, cutting herself up. She kills the zombie, but with her many injuries, it's not clear if she's been infected or not. The idea of being trapped with a potentially lethal Jane makes Sally vote to keep heading south where they can keep a better eye on her. Bob isn't so sure. Act One Climax: Bob finds clues about a possible cure in a hidden lab, but going to it will take them north, not south. Jane begins to show signs of infection. It's iffy whether or not they can make it to the cure in time or not. Mid-Point Reversal: They get to the lab but there's no cure. But they do discover the government company Sally used to work for is hiding a huge secret that totally changes their view on the zombie virus and suggests that Jane might not be lost to them if she does turn. Act Two Disaster: Jane turns into a zombie and tries to eat them, then vanishes into the ruins of the city. Bob chases after her. Sally wants to leave her, but he won't. As he gets near her, government types appear and snatch her off the street. Climax: Bob creates an intricate plan to save Jane, steal the cure, and escape from the government bad guys, stopping their nefarious plan. Wrap Up: Bob cures Jane, exposes the government secret, and the gang goes on the run to spread the word. More plot, but now there are even more details to figure out. What clues does Bob find? How? Where is the lab and what's it for? What secret do they find? Is that the reason the government types grabbed zombie Jane? Is Sally going to play a role in getting Jane back? Does she know more than she lets on? So many questions to ask and all of them can lead to just the right answer. The benefits of conceptual thinking, is that you're not locking onto any one particular detail that might prevent you from coming up with a better idea. It also helps you stay focused on the type of plot event you want, not just a scene that feels cool but might not serve the story you want to tell. By knowing conceptually that you want a major reveal, you'll think about ways to surprise your reader. By knowing that surprise has to tie into why an event happens at the end of act two, you can think about how things might be connected. If X happens, how does that fit with Y?

It's usually pretty clear when a piece will only work for one part, not the other. That lets you throw it out or move it to the side while you keep thinking. It's like looking for the puzzle piece that fits a particular hole.

Next time you're plotting, try looking conceptually at how you want the story to unfold first. Think about:

The types of events you want to happen at key points

When surprises are revealed

What plot points you want to connect or build off of

What events will raise the stakes and where they'll fall

Where you want the reader to feel certain emotions

The big-picture view can really help when it comes time to narrow it down to the specifics of the plot and the story. It also gives you a place to start when you're not really sure where to go after that spark of an idea.

(source)

#writing #writers #authors #books #novels #stories #process #plotting #tips #advice #suggestions #inspiration #motivation

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shitmygaywifesays · 6 years

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your wife is a writer!! do you think she'd have any writing tips for a young aspiring author who's only recently started planning for an original book?

This is the Gay Wifeanswering herself!

Some disclaimers:

1.This turned into amonster, I am so sorry. I apparently had a lot to say on the matter.

2. I assume you readthe blog and don’t have a huge problem with cuss words. I normally wouldn’t dothis to a stranger online, so…

3. I am so fuckingpretentious. Lord. I added a bunch of links to things that have caused me topause and think about writing, and some of them are just??? I am so sorry,please don’t judge me too harshly.

Thank you so much for this ask! I was surprised,admittingly, that you’d ask for my writing tips despite the fact that I haven’tpublished anything online for you to read. But I am glad you did! My wife (theblog owner) is so very kind and supportive of me. Maybe a bit too much? Shetalked me up quite a lot in her answer to that ask. Because I don’t think I amall that special. Nor do I think myself and the spaceman living and my head area wellspring of great ideas, BUT HERE GOES. [Note from the blog owner: I neverexaggerate baby’s talents 😉]

I have hadthoughts on writing advice blogs/posts in the past, as in, they aren’talways useful. K J Charles, an author Ireally like, recentlymade a post about writing advice that is really worth a read if you wouldlike to seek out advice in the future.

That’s not to say I am not totally willing and excited toanswer you! This might just be a weird tip list, that’s all, because all ‘tiplists’ are biased to one writer’s processes. My ideas on writing might not workfor you, may be disastrous, or may be where you set your flagstones. I’ll trymy best to communicate what I think will help. But with that, take it with agrain of salt.

Writing a story, byits nature alone, is a product of desperate translation of something that isintangible; emotions, moments,places one has never been, experiences one’s never had. A story becomesgood when the translation of ideas switches from the surreal to the profoundlyrelatable. That might be something to keep in mind as you write; that youaren’t telling a story, you’re translatingthis idea in your mind and heart into words – into language, into a story,into a pathway to follow, into this brand new experience that will sit with areader for long time after they finish the story.

The writing process is labyrinthine and elaborate andintricate. I’m going to list a couple of things that have helped me, specifically what I did when I wasfeeling uninspired or frustrated with what I was writing. Again, these workedfor me, so if they don’t for you, don’t use them. Try something else! Explore!Innovate! Grow! And allow yourself mistakes!

I constantly think about classic writers and how theydiffer. I’m kind of a nerd for quotes and delight in spending hours pouringmyself over them. And writersso vastlydiffer fromeach otherwhen it comesto how they approachedtheir craft (I think about that last one a lot because it directlycontradicts every ‘writingadvice’ blog post I’ve ever seen). You’ll have to do that, too, or riskbeing drowned out by the static of how you think you should be writing. You should neverlet your unique way of writing be chained down by all that bullshit out there.

Plotting/Outlining/and the dirty work—

I try to do NanoWriMoevery year and fucking hate it to shards and jagged pieces. If there was oneoverwhelming thing I have learned, it is that I need an outline to function. Thiscame as quite the surprise to me personally because I am such a messy bitch. Butdear merciful Lord in heaven, if I don’t have an outline I can’t move forward.So I embraced that and outlined my scenes like a motherfucker on a lone motorcycle, reaching for that burning redsunset, running from my sordid past, man!Here is just three notebooks from the last year’s NaNo:

Now that is three notebooks, not including the forth one Ialso filled up. One of them is initial notes; themes I had in mind, characteroutlines, a summary of the plot – basic stuff. I also wrote out some rules.This was a supernatural/horror/comedy, all three of those genres I have nopractice in. So I wrote out tropes that I wanted to avoid, points that I wantedto greatly impress, character traits I had etched in stone (for instance,“Edwidge will stay a kind person.”)

Then I dive into outlining by chapter with a rough first go,then another notebook where I re-wrote that outline, then a forth with fleshed-outdialogue exchanges, character movements (both in detail, such as the hands, theeyes) and within the constructed space (sits on a desk, leans against a wall,observes the pictures on the wall), and with random details I decided whileoutlining. In that same vain, the nightmarish scribbles off to the side of thenotebook pages are products of an idea striking me and the muses directing myhand. Muses have horrible handwriting.

Now I know there are people out there in the great greenworld who can write with vague outlines, or no outlines at all (I’m looking atyou, @onedamnminuteadmiral, you wicked ho). And those people are witches andheathens that must meet with the pyre. I’ll bring the gasoline if you bring thematches. [Note from the blog owner: Heeeyyyyyyyy!]

I probably shouldn’t admit to it, but I would often getreally frustrated with outlining and resort to stick figure storyboards. Yes,like I’m a writer for derivative cartoon about a wacky suburban family. My stick figure storyboard was surprisinglyeffective (???I guess???). I got a sense of space, of movement, I made notesabout the way the eyes moved. This, coupled with the far more wordy outline,added a lot of hot sauce to that beef.

I also saw this methodof storyboarding today and I am thinking I might take it up. It looksfantastic!

So, yes, either outline or don’t. I really worked for me,but it might come more natural for you to fly by the seat of your pants. Ifthere is one thing I would do, it would be to make notes on how the charactersmove within the space. Specifically, placement of hands, how their eyes move,the lighting, anything that gives the characters a solid weight in their world.

SPEAKING OF

A slice of characters—

Human nature, by the definitions divined by humankinditself, is fucking absurd. A personleft unobserved will always devolve into subtle rule-breaking based purely andthe common, everydayswerves their free will dictates (ie. I never wear lipstick, but thismorning I was feeling kicky by no outside influences what-so-ever, so, fireengine red?). There is more glorious spark and untold, unfolding of brilliancein a real person sitting quietly in a chair for a half and hour than there willever be in a fully-realized, well-rounded, fictional character. That might be aharsh statement, but it is something I constantly have buzzing in my bonnetwhen I write characters. It causes me to strive for something more from my characters.

I bring up that (jfc am I pretentious) philosophy videoabout fate/free will because in writing characters, you’ll constantly have tothink if your characters are acting as youbelieve they will, or how they would more naturally behave.

People are series of moments with great contradictions.Characters who are well developed, compounded and complex, and interesting toread, should also be weighed at the center in how they contradict themselves. I find this to be a really important standard in writing characters. This is so damnhard to explain, so let me give some silly examples.

Characters tend to have traits/characteristics/personalityrules cemented by the author. I see it constantly in books, and it reallysteams my vegetables. For example:

Valen was raised in a polite society—he is a politeand considerate man – he will act politely as a matter of keeping thecharacter consistent.

Valen was raised to be strong — he would be calm in thissituation— he would not be afraid at the climax of the book.

It’s… not a wrong way of writing character. Constancy iscertainly important. Its just flat? ‘Uninteresting’ may be a bit too much.Writing a character as a series of set rules can be this transitive, it justfeels manufactured, distant from reality.

For example, consider at how I act:

Gay wife spent her formative years in the South —she was trained to be a polite person, professionally— she calls hercustomers Mr. Meyers and Ms. Linda and her boss solely as Ms. Jeanne—she workshard to be a polite person – she always uses ‘pardon me’ and ‘excuse me’. Thatis honestly who I am.

BUT ALSO

Gay Wife had a weird home life growing up—she had a rocky,religious upbringing— this manifests in reallyvulgar humor at home— shecalls her wife whore-tits and expressesreligious terror to her cats. This is also honestly who I am.

Am I vulgar person? Am I cautious and polite? Thosecontradict each other, and they are both true about me! I try to be as politeas possible, but at home where I am comfortable and unobserved (other than bymy wife, who is now stuck with me so whatever), I turn into a total asshole.

When I read a love story, for example, I get concerned whena character stays exactly the same as when they started out. I’m notspecifically talking about character growth, per say, but in the way the carrythemselves, in the way they behave. I read one fantastic book where a characterspoke differently with the other servants than he did to the lord of the house,even after they started a relationship together. As you proceed to write yourcharacters, I would recommend thinking about how differently people behavedepending on their current situation, and contradict the rules you have set forthe character. Everyone act different around their grandma than they do aroundtheir high school friends. Both those situations, the person is stillthemselves, just affected by compulsions lent to them by the situation.

So consider writing a character that is both compassionateand open-minded, but is also bigoted towards someone/something. It tells thereader where that compassion ends, the lines that character draws. Or acharacter that is brave, but only because he is a coward (that is one of myfavorites.) A character that is a brilliant genius, but a fuckin’ idiot. I’vepersonally known plenty of real people I would describe as genius fuckin’idiots.

Please consider how funny, upbeat people are so fucking sad inside. Or rather, theytend to be. Within two weeks of knowing the funniest person I’ve ever met, Iwas asking him if he was okay. And he was fuckin’ not, and I knew to askbecause despite this blog making people laugh (of which I am proud), I’ve haddepression since I was a child and have struggled with it to the extreme(aside: if anyone needs to talk, feel free to message me @thewaltzrio). I’veborrowed that so many times when writing. [Triggerwarning on this link, but it is worthreading.]

You play your cards right, you’ll also be subverting tropesleft and right.

Compound contradictions, add in swerves of free will, mix ina pinch of chaos caused by fate (that you have set for them), and you’ve got ainteresting, more real and weighty character on your hands. People will relateto that. The best compliment I’ve ever received was, “Hadrian [one of mycharacters] has really stuck with me.” That meant a lot to me, more thananything I’ve heard about the story or the setting or the world building I’vedone for the story.

The second best thing I’ve heard is when I let someone readwhat I have written, and the first question I ask is “which was your favoritecharacter?”. I’ve done it dozens of times with the same work and I’ve gotten adifferent answer every single time.If you do the same, you will know you’ve got a good cast of characters on yourhands.

It is only my personal opinion that characters are worthmore than the story itself. You connect with characters, you believe in them,you root for them, you love them with an unhealthy dependency. Look aroundevery fandom — it is characters that draw people into a show, make them stickwith it, make them care about the 2nd season getting greenlighted.The plot is a series of situations done tothe characters. It happens to them.The interest in the story is cultivated from the perspective of a character andhow they react.

Which brings me to thedetails. Fuck yeah DETAILS.

Write details when it comes to character creation beyondhair color, zodiac signs, or height and weight. Now, you’re on tumblr andwithout a doubt a smart and well informed person, so I don’t need to go intothe importance of a diverse cast of characters. So here are some of my favoriteways of meshing the character into the world, and making them seem more like people.

I like mentioning the condition of their fingernails. Youmight find something else that works for you, but I like fingernails. I mademention that my main character has “acres of real-estate under his fingernails.”Now that is a handful of words that tells the reader that: He works hard, hedoesn’t have time to clean them, he isn’t vain, he doesn’t consider clean nailssomething worth his time worrying about. Everyone in his community probablycarries the same kind of dirt and grime around with them.

I adore using verbal ticks as markers of a character’spersonality. I probably go overboard with this; I go out of my way to add atick to each character. My character Hadrian ended up saying ‘in any matter’ toswitch topics. He is the only one who says that, and it’s a nice verbal tick. Mycharacter Raif is trying to be seen as a poor tradesmen, so he uses impropergrammar when speaking on the daily, and (in exposing his true background) uses expressly proper grammar when in a stressfulsituation. If a reader picked up on that tick, then they would feel so damnclever when Raif is exposed as the lost prince! That is satisfying payoff!

My favorite one I’ve written so far is Seymour, a 15-year-oldwho was raised mostly in isolation, without a real home or community to callhis own. So he parrots other people, he borrows from his friends and those headmires. It tells a reader than he lacks a sense of self, of place, of how tointeract with people. I never actuallysay he does this, but he constantly repeats phrases he hears from hisfriend Raif. And, by the end of the book, he is also saying ‘in any matter’ toswitch topics. It is a satisfying way of showing how Seymour interacts withother characters.

Mentioning the condition of a character’s clothing is sobaseline it might as well be chapter one, line one, in the guidebook of how towrite characters. But you can really have fun with this one. For example, Imade of point of introducing my main characters in very particular ways. WhenDouglas meets Hadrian, they are at a costume party. Douglas is in his Fleet cadetuniform (which tells the reader he is the type of person who didn’t feel theneed to change his out of his everyday uniform for the sake of a costume — Ishe too proud of it? Is he too shy to dress in something bizarre? Is it alreadya costume to him?) and he sees Hadrian across the way. Hadrian is wearing thedraping robes and ivy and burning candle crown of a pagan god of mischief(which tells the reader damn neareverything they are in for with him. That he pays attention to ancientpagan god history in a religious society, that he isn’t concerned with lookingridiculous in public, that he is a huge fuck-head.) [note from the blog owner:I love him.]

That is different! That isn’t going into details aboutfineries/tatters/tailored clothing vs. hand-me-downs.

Clever segue to thenext section!!

A student of curiosity—

So you may notice that I am not going to mention a very hugepart about writing in this bullshit thing I’m claiming as writing advice, andthat is how you construct your plot. Who gives a shit? Sorry that was harsh.But we’ve all seen that chart in school about rising action and climax andfalling action and UGH.Because seriously, who gives a shit? You write what you want, there are no rules.

But! I can add a few words about how to help your story getswol. Or at least, what worked best with what I do. Like I said earlier, humansare fucking absurd. And human history is so broad and sweeping and fantasticthat you can find endless sources for inspiration to draw upon. It is importantto stay curious and make a habit of studying the bizarre. I utilize my love ofhistory to find inspiration. History pulls from and contains so many other topicsto learn about and utilize; superstitions, unsolved mysteries, trends, deadreligions, all sorts of niches that have wedged their way into the buildingblocks of history.

If you find history dry, that’s fine! Loads of people do.The point is, if something really grabs you, take the time to think about whyit did. Those wiki binges that last until 3am? What is it about those subjectsthat drew you in that you could borrow for your story? (I once based an entireromance novel on a wiki binge about the quartering of soldiers in the colonial UnitedStates.) Podcasts are fantastic for this! I’d recommend Lore if you haven’t already checked itout. Even though Aaron Mahnke drives me fucking crazy with that “well, yousee, maybe human beings were the monsters the whole time” bullshit, I stilllove this podcast.

But remain curious as you write. Think about moments inbooks and movies that have stuck with you and you don’t know why. Some cleverlittle thing that made you pause. Like, for me, the kitchen scene in JurassicPark. I’d never seen kids under such threat before, just pure terror, and thatis my very first thought upon thinking about that movie. I know that I writenotes (usually when I’m at work) on what about a thing made me sit up and payattention. Then I break it down and mold it into something new. Who knows,maybe it will help add a great twist into the plot that you didn’t think of.

The literal scene, a quick note—

I’m also a huge nerd for movies and the way movies are shot.I know this is coming out of the blue, and may seem odd to add in a monsterpost about writing, but stickwith me on this. Movies and writing have some overlap if you’re willing tospend time thinking about constructing a scene in your book the same way adirector frames a shot. I swear, it works if you let it.

When I get frustrated with how a scene is playing out whileI am writing, I try approaching it based on how it would be framedcinematically. Every reader has (what my wife calls) the theater of the mind,and you can use that to your advantage as you write. Think about how acharacter would view a room upon entering it for the first time. What draws theireye, what piques their interest, what is central to them. Film directors to thesame thing when they frame a shot. They carefully plan how the light falls overa character’s face. They deconstruct and reconstruct the layout of a room. Theyblock the actors. They pan over book titles to show a character’s interest.They they keep important things out offrame to remind the viewer that it will come back into play in a few moments. You can do that all, too, when you write!

I recommended once that my wife and I watch a very well shottv show when we were both frustrated with writing. We got sketchbooks and drewwhat caught our eyes. I remember I latched on to the way a character’s earringsmoved every time she did; it was subtle, but vibrant, kinetic, and a detail Idon’t think I would have thought to add if I was writing that same scene. Iliked how the bloodshot eyes of a character didn’t come into view until thescene grew tense and they filmed a closeup of the actor. I thought that wouldtranslate well in writing; add tension when my character got too close and sawthat the other character was influenced by something yet unseen. I detailed theway shadows fell over a staircase, and how the beam of light was on only themost enlightened of the characters in an ensemble cast.

This is something you can do on days when your brain is afried pancake and yet you still want to work on advancing your story. Take a TVshow or a movie that left an impression on you and take notes on the environment,or the actors’ expressions, etc. As strange as this sounds, it works well withanimation. Every single thing in awork of animation was purposely chosen to be there. Every single thing wascreated – like your writing will be. I’d say look at Satoshi Kon’sanimation process. Not only is his work a fantastic exploration of writingand storytelling, he is very purposeful in what is seen, shown, understood, andthen subverted. Think about how you’d write that, how you’d describe it. How a “quickcut” can translate into writing the impressions and feelings in a character.(ie. The smoke clouds, into a clear sky, how a character looking at one can getthe impression of another).

I’d recommend looking at Every Frame aPainting YouTube page. I know I got a swell of inspiration on how to paceout and detail a scene based on the importance of subtle details in this video.Or, if you want to think about how to construct a plot, Lindsey Ellis on YouTubeand her video essays are fantastic, too. For example, if you want to think ofhow your characters address and interact with your narrative, consider what shehas to sayabout RENT. The last minute of this video is gut-wrenchingly powerful and saysmore about the dissonance between characters and their narrative/the event thatnarrative was based on in that ONE MINUTE than months of research could tellyou. (Note, don’t watch this if you love RENT. If you love RENT, that’s okay,my wife reeaaallly does.) [note from the blog owner: I do love RENT, but thisis a really great video and I don’t disagree with anything she had to say. Stilllove RENT, but boy it’s got its problems, haha]

Aaaaand that’s all I think I have to say about that! Thank youso much for sticking with me this far! I hope something in this mess helps you.Thank you again!

In final—

Your voice moving forward with your manuscript is unique,and your voice is powerful. There will never be one like it again and there hasnever been one like it before you. There has never been a day of your life that wasn’t aproduct of chaos and mayhem from unseen struggles of the universe, and yet youmade it through some boring Tuesday! Good luck, and I’ll be rooting for you!

Sincerely, The Gay Wife

#writing #snufflypuffly #long post #too long really #the gay wife answers #sorry i am not really that funny when i sit down to write stuff out

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thetypedwriter · 6 years

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The Cruel Prince Book Review

The Cruel Prince Book Review by Holly Black

I honestly have no idea of where to begin with this book. There’s so much to say, probably too much to even get on the page without alienating people. This book has a lot wrong with it, and yet, yet, it was a highly addicting, almost fervent read with an ending that left me trembling and wide-eyed. I guess there’s no other solution than to just jump right in. Holly Black is giving us a thumbs up so here we go.

Holly Black. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, helps old ladies cross the street and brings casseroles to her sick neighbors and everything, but she’s one of the few YA authors that have made it onto my X-list. While this may sound dangerous and elite-ooohhhh, an x-list, it’s really quite simple and judgmental on my part: I read a book I don’t like from an author and that author is banned.

It only takes one time.

That being said, I love books. If it wasn’t obvious with the whole reading and writing book reviews thing. It takes a gargantuan effort to get me to hate a book. Almost always I can find something good, a character I liked, a scene that was memorable, a charming line of dialogue. Almost always without exception do I finish a book. If, and only if all of these are missing, the author will make it onto my x-list and I’ll ditch the book midway through.

Holly Black was one of those authors up until this book. Honestly, I’m struggling with deciding if I should keep her on the list or not, but that’s neither here nor there. I only decided to pick up the book because of its position on the New York Times Bestseller’s List, because it deals with fairies, which I love (The Wicked Lovely series any one?), and because it’s been a few years and I decided to give Holly the benefit of the doubt. But enough about me, let’s get on to the story.

So, why do I hate it? And why do I hate that I kind of like it?

The biggest reason: Jude Duarte. Our protagonist, main character, and female heroine. Arguably. I don’t think I have ever read a YA novel centering around a main character with less empathy, connection, or conscious. She murders, fights her sister, fights her surrogate father, fights the other fairy teens, fights pretty much everyone actually and never seems to learn anything??

I was honestly baffled. She spent chapter after chapter making horrible decision after horrible decision and seemed to get rewarded for it at the end? She gets the boy (in a messed up very unhealthy kind of way), gets the power, and gets the recognition, but at what cost?

Maybe it’s because I’m a teacher, or maybe it’s simply because I’m a decent human being, but Jude is a monster. I cringed when my students asked me what the book was about because I didn't’ want them reading it. They learn nothing from it: no morals, experience, or difficulties. Jude just does what she wants when she wants and it’s awful (although you wouldn’t be able to tell from Holly’s expression in the picture below).

In a way, I think Jude is entirely how Holly Black planned her out to be. She mentions on almost every page how she’s broken, how something is wrong with her, and how she isn’t human, justifying all of her behavior on the murder of her parents and her traumatic backstory.

It’s horrendously disconcerting to read about a human being who is more of an abomination than a person. And she’s the only notable character in the book, you can’t get away from her if you tried. No one else has the same amount of attention, page count, or insight.

Outside of Jude, there are very few characters whom you empathize with or even like as a reader. There is one character that I liked throughout the whole novel and he’s still awful. The title of the book is named after him if that gives you any ideas. So with no empathetic or likable characters, what else could go wrong?

A lot actually. Quite a myriad things that are presented to the reader. There are several plot points that left me mystified and confused-who is Dain again? Why is he worse than Balekin? Or Orlaugh? Or Roiben? Black introduces you to so many political figures in such a short amount of time that it’s impossible to keep track of all of them without a chart and pictorial representation. Game of Thrones can pull it off with incredible storytelling and intricate meshing, but Holly Black can’t, and it gets frustrating not knowing what’s going on a lot of the time.

Another frustrating part is the world of Faerie as a whole. Holly almost expects her readers to know that riding toads is normal or what will happen to mortals when they make bargains, but most of this information is highly specialized and very uncommon public knowledge.

She also includes details that are completely ridiculous: I never needed to know what Jude does when she gets her period. Ever. It has no relevance to the story and it was more disturbing as a tidbit than a fascinating aspect of world building.

Lastly, the thing that bewildered me the most was Jude’s unflinching decision to stay in Faerie. It is a place that loathes her, wants her dead, and scorns her at every turn. It is a place that despises humans and everything they stand for (which also rankled. It stings to be be told how horrible and inferior you are as a human-which all of Holly’s readers are-at every turn of the page).

But Jude is adamant about staying in Faerie because it’s her home. Who in the f*** actually cares? I’d leave a home that tried to murder me every day, that was excruciatingly dangerous, and not all that great from what Holly has to say about it. So her decision to remain in Faerie over and over and over again even when she is given an out by her sister is truly insane. It’s lunacy that I cannot even comprehend and that bothers me (although it doesn’t seem to bother Holly. She looks like she sleeps soundly at night after all that grinning).

So. All that in mind, why was this an addicting read? Why did I finish it in a week? Why did I go to Holly Black’s book signing last Friday? The ending was very entertaining. The whole book was damn entertaining. I loathed Jude, but I wanted to see what happened to her. I hated Faerie and all the people in it, but I wanted to see how the political quagmire would unravel and unfold.

I care about none of the characters except for Cardan (begrudgingly-and only a little) and yet, the ending was this dark, twisted dystrophy of madness, bloodshed and scheming that I couldn’t help but be sucked into and spat out in the end leaving me wanting more.

Either this was exactly what Holly Black wanted, and greatly succeeded, or this was not at all what she was going for, and yet, resulted in anyway. I can’t make up my mind about it, but I suppose I don’t have to just yet seeing as books two and three of The Cruel Prince trilogy are in the works. I’ll bide my time in both agony and anticipation until then.

Recommendation: If you can stomach a vile protagonist, poor plot points, repugnant side characters, and confounding choices in order to experience a truly intriguing ending that promises more offbeat and gritty situations, then pick up The Cruel Prince and leave your regret behind (as I did before going to meet her and Susan Dennard).

Score: 7/10 (For now)

#the cruel prince #holly black #ya fiction #YA literature #popular fiction #book blog #book review #yabooks #teen books #books recommendations #mysterious galaxy #book signing #susan dennard

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crazygirlsworldofbooks · 3 years

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Review: Too Good to Be True

“But the irony in unbearable things is that they actually are bearable. They force you to endure what you cannot comprehend enduring. They demand that you sit in unimaginable pain.”

Book: Too Good to Be True

Author: Carola Lovering

My Rating: ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ (5 Stars)

Read: March 16, 2021

Synopsis:

ONE LOVE STORY. TWO MARRIAGES. THREE VERSIONS OF THE TRUTH. Skye Starling is overjoyed when her boyfriend, Burke Michaels, proposes after a whirlwind courtship. Though Skye seems to have the world at her fingertips―she’s smart, beautiful, and from a well-off family―she’s also battled crippling OCD ever since her mother’s death when she was eleven, and her romantic relationships have suffered as a result. But now Burke―handsome, older, and more emotionally mature than any man she’s met before―says he wants her. Forever. Except, Burke isn’t who he claims to be. And interspersed letters to his therapist reveal the truth: he’s happily married, and using Skye for his own, deceptive ends. In a third perspective, set thirty years earlier, a scrappy seventeen-year-old named Heather is determined to end things with Burke, a local bad boy, and make a better life for herself in New York City. But can her adolescent love stay firmly in her past―or will he find his way into her future? On a collision course she doesn’t see coming, Skye throws herself into wedding planning, as Burke’s scheme grows ever more twisted. But of course, even the best laid plans can go astray. And just when you think you know where this story is going, you’ll discover that there’s more than one way to spin the truth.

My Review:

And just like that I have found a new favorite author of mine! I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect with this novel but because it was the thriller pick for Book of the Month Club box, I went with it and I’m so glad I did. I thought it was going to be just like many of the other domestic thrillers I have read recently but it was so much more and insanely unique in its own way. I can honestly say that I haven’t read a domestic thriller like this before. And the story was so well written and thought out completely that I can’t say enough good things about it. I can’t wait to see what Carola Lovering writes in the future and will check out her previous work too!

To begin with, Too Good to Be True centers around three characters, depicted through their unique perspectives and in dual timelines. Perfect man Burke Michaels proposes to his girlfriend Skye and she can’t believe that even with her OCD, she has found the absolute love of her life but is it too good to be true? Things transpire and get out of hand as the character’s multiple truths are revealed but which truth is the actual way the story unfolded? Ahhhh, I loved this plot so much! It was so different and amazingly unique for a domestic thriller and even though it wasn’t completely action packed all throughout, little things were revealed all throughout to keep me on the edge of my seat, even if those things weren’t always the honest truth. I love the way that the story is presented, through the three main characters eyes in different ways and how their stories all intertwine with one another’s. Brilliant.

Secondly, the characterization was superb. I know I’ve said it before but I am a big fan of complete backgrounds for different characters because it shows how they got to be where they presently are in the story and this book did not disappoint on that front at all. All the characters have complete pictures painted of who they are and where they came from and what their motivations stem from in life. They are all so intricate and complex and perfectly imperfect, which makes it that much easier to relate to them, even the least likeable ones. I felt like I got to personally know all of them and by the end of the book they felt like old friends to me.

Thirdly, the writing style along with the decision to present the book in dual timelines and varying perspectives just completely knocked my socks off. It was a genius decision and a remarkably unique way in which to tell the story. I devoured this book and would have read all day if I didn’t have two kids to take care off, that’s for sure. I also loved seeing the past as it unraveled and the future and then how it all came together and to a head in the climax. I can’t even begin to do it justice.

In conclusion, I will be recommending this book to all the thriller lovers in my life because that’s how much this story touched me. I thought it was meaningful and very profound, even aside from it being an amazing thriller novel and possessing all the things I look for in the perfect thriller story. Bravo!

#lovering #too good to be true #favorite #book review

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monotonemanday · 6 years

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Star Crossed Entertainers – Mystic Messenger FanFic Part 1 JuminXOC

Hey guys! So I haven’t written in a while but I love this fandom and I love how creative everyone is. So much heart goes into the fanfics, headcannons, writings, art, drawings, blah blah blah all of the great things this community posts! I am a fan of so many of your guys blogs and I really got inspired to start writing again. This is Part 1 of a series I am thinking of starting. It heavily involves Jumin and Zen and relationships they find with two OCs. The first part of the story takes place at a party for Jumin, basically in Jumins point of view where he meets my OC. Then part 2 is seen from her point of view. Let me know what you think and if you enjoy it feel free to give it a heart, reblog, whatever you want! And let me know if you like it and if I should post part two or if you think I should continue the story. Thank you so much!!

He closed the chatroom and looked forward. He had spent most of the ride in silence. Another party. Another event he thought was both extravagant and incredibly wasteful. He didn't mind most of these soiree's because all he had to do was make an appearance, talk with a few elites, maybe make a few deals, and then he could get back to his penthouse where the love of his life, Elizabeth the 3rd was waiting.

But tonight, was different. It was one of the events he couldn't stand. An event in HIS honor. Thrown by his FATHER. He would be the center of most the event. He couldn't leave. He would have to seem pleasant, joyful, irritated, and excited even.

Driver Kim opened the door and ushered the corporate heir out.

An immediate uproar of people trying to get his attention. The instant flicker of a ridiculous amount of camera flashes. Vultures. He straightened his tie, tugged on his suit jacket, and put on a smile. Not a dazzling movie star smile. Not a smile that made women weak at the knees. The smile of a handsome business man that new exactly how to work a crowd without looking like an arrogant prick. Taking his first steps forward he accepted the fact that he was here, and he was doing this. Jumin Han. The man of the hour had arrived despite the fact he hoped he wouldn't have.

Dread. That's all the corporate heir felt when he entered the double doors to the dance hall. A beautiful fountain was the center piece of the dance hall floor. The sounds of a loud, roaring waterfall and yet it was oddly calming to him. Perhaps because it was taking his focus away from the rest of the hall. Jumin's eyes darted around the large room.

The room was somewhat dim. Extravagant tapestries, gold, red and black hung from the ceilings. Some solid colored and some with swirling patterns and design. Some hanging just for decor and others forming curtains around private booth areas.

Damn it. That held an unholy precedent to Jumin.

Ignore it. Greet your father. Shake some hands. Find your friends.

Jumin Han was trying to throw out every preconceived notion he had about this party. The notion that his father invited very elite business men that also dealt in very shady business. The notion that no women were at this party because most of these men were married, with families, and wouldn't want any kind of scandals appearing in the media. The notion that the press was withheld from being inside because this party and what was to unfold was secret confidential. The notion that his father had hired entertainers, yes. But that they were also most likely, whores ladies of the night.

"MISTAH TRUST FUND KID!" It was a miracle. That obnoxious screaming released some of the tension in his body. Following the noise, he spots three very familiar faces. His extremely composed mint haired childhood friend, Jihyun/V. The energetic and socially fearless red headed menace, Luciel/Saeyoung. The awkward but bright eyed blonde innocent, Yoosung. The trio made up his closest friends. Minus one Zen. Handsome arrogant musical actor who could not attend this shindig due to a rehearsal. Also Minus one Jaehee Kang because well, no girls allowed.

The guest of honor waved toward the three men, and then lifted his index finger up at them in a "one moment" motion. He walked over to where he spotted his father. He greeted his father very briefly, gave thanks, and made his getaway. He didn't want to linger because the less he knew about what his father had planned, the better.

United with his friends in their VIP booth. It was the biggest booth in the joint and was placed at the head of the room. It was leveled up above the rest of the room and a small stage was placed in front of it. A staircase lined with lights leading up to the base of its platform. Tacky.

The party started with a lull. Stuffy old business men chatting, discussing business, and intermingling. But that wasn't any concern to Jumin. He was sat in his private booth with his friends laughing and discussing what has been going on in each other's lives. He was the guest of honor but that didn't mean he had to entertain the other guests. Then the tapping on a microphone rang throughout the room. Chairman Han was at the mic, beaming with pride.

Jumin's father spoke of his son like he was the proudest father in the world. He sang praise of his son's intelligence, talent, eye for business and of course his good looks. Genetics. Then he announced why we were celebrating. Chairman Han's son, THE Jumin Han, had just closed the biggest business deal in C&R history. Nothing had ever benefited the company as much as the business Jumin had drummed up. It was the smartest move in company history, maybe even all of history, and this young hot shot was the center of it.

The dance hall erupted with applause and Jumin stood up to take a humble bow and wave out to the crowd. He wasn't in the mood to make a speech and he could tell his father was itching to move on to something else.

The lights in the hall dimmed rapidly and a hush fell over the sea of rich older men. Most found the way to their private booths or off to the sides of the dance hall, leaving plenty of open room.

Then a scuffling noise.

A tapping.

Heels. High heels.

Chandeliers illuminated with bright light revealing about 20 of the fakest most beautiful women money could buy. Drums started a jazzy number and then an explosion of brass filled the hall. The women decked out in sequence leotards with long trails of feathers and boas attached at their lower backs. Some had extravagant head pieces, and others had their hair done in the most intricate styles. All their lips were a dark ruby red and their eyelashes were so long they could dust off the tables. Sheer tights made their legs look smooth and they were covered in small jewels. Their heels seemed too tall for dancing and seemed like a very irresponsible choice.

But certainly Jumin was the only one thinking these thoughts.

As the women danced and made their way to the different perverts patrons in the room, the lights again started to dim and something got the boys attention in their booth.

The back curtain had opened to their booth and someone was making their way through the pillows and blankets set up in the back, towards the table where the four RFA members were seated.

Yoosung and Luciel hadn't noticed. They were too busy making inappropriate jokes and blushing when any of the ladies even glanced their way.

Jumin was actively avoiding making eye contact with any of the performers by staring into his wineglass. These women were hired by his father to be groped and fawned over and they were possibly going to end up doing a lot more under these dirty geezers and Jumin wanted no part of it.

Jihyun alerted the others of the stranger in their booth with a clearing of his throat. When they looked over our two flustered school boys let out a couple of loud gulps, which in turn made V chuckle.

Standing at the end of their table was a woman. A woman that was dressed differently than the others. Her Leotard was solid gold and unlike the others, it had sleeves. Long sleeves that started at the bottom of her shoulders and clung tightly down to her wrists. Lace. Her stockings were fishnet and her lipstick was a bright apple red. Her legs were incredibly long and you could tell just by looking at her that she was much taller than the others. On her feet were short tan colored dance heels. Very sensible.

"Excuse me, gentlemen." She beamed this radiant innocence but was so confident in the way she spoke to them. "Do you mind if I take over your spot for a moment?" The woman questioned them and then held out a hand. She was met with a silent glare from Jumin. He was caught up in analyzing the woman before him. Her skin. She wasn't wearing a caked on mess of foundation. She was pale and he could make out the freckles beneath her eyes. Speaking of her eyes, holy shit they were enchanting. Big, bright and the deepest pools of blue he had ever seen. Her hair, well, it wasn't her hair. Jumin was an expert at spotting fake. But this wasn't the kind of superficial fake he normally looked for. She was wearing a wig. A black bob with straight bangs that rested just below her jaw. The corporate heir couldn't make out much more because the woman turned her face away. Not because she was embarrassed, she was avoiding him. Did she not want to be looked at so closely?

No one had responded to her and the air had gotten awkward. The music and dancing were still going on outside of their booth and her request seemed a little time sensitive so V took her hand. Instead of taking a seat at their table like they had all assumed she used V's hand to help boost herself onto the table.

A spotlight. The chandeliers dimming. The other dancers filing in to sit on the steps of the stage in front of the RFA booth. The woman started singing. Her voice. It was perfect for Jazz. It was smooth and had this beautiful deep tone to it. It was like you could hear her soul through her voice. The boys wanted to watch her perform but all four couldn't determine an appropriate place to fix their eyes while she was standing directly above them.

Her song started slow. The words. She was singing about something a woman after men with money would certainly sing. Jumin wasn't totally focused on her words but he heard something to the effects of "diamonds" and "a girls best friend."

Just as he was losing interest another explosion of brass. The woman had jumped from the table and three other women had caught her. Now the song was lively and she was making her way throughout the hall grabbing everyone's attention. V was enjoying how catchy the song was and how she was commanding the number. Yoosung was excited by all the confetti and color that was bursting through the hall and still a bit flustered by all the ladies popping out of their tops. Luciel had joined in on the dancing. He was no longer sitting and was trying to find a way to actively participate in the number with the girls. Let's be honest, he probably had a matching outfit.

Jumin however had his sights fixed on the mystery woman that had emerged from the back of their booth moments ago. He watched her not as some pervy beast looking at his next prey, but as a business man watching a business woman. Everything she did was very calculated. All the other girls were running up to men, flirting with them, touching them, BEING touched by them, but not her. She would get close but she would never make contact. She demanded attention and she got it. She was like the prize to be won, and everyone was losing. He noticed that she knew exactly who to play to. She was courting all the top execs and most importantly she was sending her winks and her air kisses to the top dog, Chairman Han. Jumin felt his stomach turn. How vile. She was just like every other gold digging woman, and maybe even worse, he thought. Then he noticed something. There was a look in her eyes each time she turned away from the men. He couldn't place it but it almost looked like...disgust. He couldn't be sure but he even swore one time she rolled her eyes. Jumin watched on and his initial opinion of the woman continued to gradually change.

This woman was smart. She knew who to give attention to but she also knew who she was there for. Jumin Han was the man of the hour and she was the main entertainment. She had made her way back up the steps of the small stage where the corporate heirs booth was. There was a break in lyrics so this part of the performance was just dance heavy and she took the opportunity.

The woman again extended her hand out to Jihyun who took this turn to kiss the back of her hand. He was playing into the performance. She carefully walked her way past him and sat herself between the blonde and the redhead. Jumin couldn't focus on what they were saying. All he could hear was the loud jazz music and muffled voices. He was surprised however at what he was witnessing.

They weren't being touchy feely, she wasn't seducing them, and she wasn't getting too close for comfort. They were laughing. Cackling even. She wasn't treating them like clients, she was treating them like friends.

That's when he felt it. Jumin tensed up. He felt the icy stare of his father. He looked over to see the chairman with his arms crossed and his eyes shooting piercing daggers at his son. Disappointment. Jumin knew what his dad wanted him to do. He probably spent a fortune on this entertainment and he picked a woman specifically for him. This woman. And he didn't pick her to perform a comedy routine for his sons friends. But there sat his son. Not only was he not seducing her, but he was actively avoiding her. Jumin started to feel nervous. He knew his father wasn't happy and this had happened before. There would be consequences for him or worse, his father might take the woman instead.

Jumin began to panic internally and decided he had to act but before he had time to think up a plan he felt a hand sliding up his thigh. The woman had left her place between his friends and had sent them out to the floor to dance and joke around with the three woman that had caught her after she jumped down from the table. He looked up at her and she lifted a finger to his lips, then she pointed to her cheek. There he saw a mic, and realized that she had turned it back on to continue performing. Leaning in closer he saw her lips moving but heard her voice through the sound system.

"Talk to me Jumin Han and tell me all about it."

She turned and addressed the crowd while untying the front curtains to the private booth.

"Sorry, Boys! It's time for my break and its ladies choice, but absolutely feel free to indulge in my many lovely friends!"

She closed the curtains tight and turn towards the table.

Oh boy. Jumin was ready. But not for what she was expecting. He was ready to tell this woman that her services were not necessary and that if she was expecting to gain some kind of commission from him he would gladly compensate her just in order to get her to leave him be. But he didn't get the chance.

"Hello, Mr. Elite Business Man. Don't worry. I'm not here to jump your bones." The woman let out a soft chuckle. Melodic. "I just figured you couldn't bare that mans demonic peepers piercing through your soul any longer." Her chuckle grew to a laugh and Jumin was utterly confused.

"I'm talking about your father. He sure does want to see you in all your glory that is manhood in the presence of a lady now doesn't he? I don't think I've ever seen someone that hungry to get somebody else lucky in the bedroom."

"I suppose he's worried about the rumors that arise about my sexual orientation. Or perhaps he's worried I'll end up alone. Won't be able to provide an heir to the family or the company. But you're right, I wasn't thrilled by his glare." Jumin poured more wine into his glass.

"Hmmm. Well, I'll tell you what. How about we sit here for a while, I'll tousle your hair a bit, loosen your tie, and we can both move on from this night. Back to our normal day to day."

The woman had walked to the back of the booth and lifted on of the large cushions. She pulled out what looked like a piece of gold cloth but she stepped into it and pulled it up to underneath her armpits, turning her leotard into a tasteful cocktail dress that hugged her body perfectly.

Jumin was shook. Here he was alone with a woman that had been hired for the soul purpose to seduce him and she was intentionally not doing that exact act. "You mean, you're not going to do the job you were hired to do?"

Again the woman chuckled. A smirk creeped onto her lips. "Would you prefer that I did?" She watched the raven haired man go wide-eyed. "Oh settle down. I'll have you know that I actually wasn't hired for the job that you're implying. Well I guess technically I was but, I have an agreement with my employer."

Was she going to talk business? Because Jumin was into it could get into it.

"I know what you think of myself and what you think of those girls out there. And in some cases your opinions are valid. But in others they are way off caliber. Only a handful of those girls go home with those pompous greasy men. And they do so by choice. Our employer doesn't force any action like that."

"And are you apart of that handful that goes home with arrogant and showy business men?"

"If I was, I'd be pretty stupid to not currently be bedding one Jumin Han, now wouldn't I?"

Jumin almost dropped his wine glass, a blush creeping across his cheeks. He recomposed himself. "Actually I was wondering about that. You seem to have had no problem flirting with the men here, and even making physical contact with my friends, but you actively avoided me until you realized my father was watching the both of us. Why is that?"

The woman lightly traced a pattern on the table with her index finger, unsure of how to respond. Jumin assumed she was shy. Maybe she had a crush on him. Maybe it caused her to be shy and that was the cause of her avoidance. He expected her to be meek and timid but when she spoke up to respond you wouldn't have thought someone could be so confident.

"Because I'm not an idiot. I know that I am put out there like the grand prize. I know that when I perform at these parties I am supposed to dote, swoon and fawn over the men that are doing the same to me. I'm supposed to jump into every rich mans arms and beg them to take me but first I'm supposed to act like they need to work hard for it. But it's an act. I can't stand it. It makes me sick. But it's how I make a living. And the money? Well it's almost comparable to the sum you make mister trust fund kid."

Damn it, Luciel.

"I'm paying my bills. By putting on an act. And that's exactly what it is. An act. I don't need any man, let alone a man who thinks he's deserving of whatever he wants just because he's financially well off, telling me how to live my life. So if you have a lecture for me, you can save it. And to finish answering your question as to why I avoided you. Again. I'm not an idiot. I can tell when someone is uncomfortable. I've never seen someone work so hard to avoid staring at a woman's chest. Especially when it's a group of ladies dressed like these."

A chuckle made it's way to Jumin's throat. Barely.

"I see. You're a very interesting woman."

"I'd better be. Money and looks can only go so far. That goes for both men and women."

She winks at Jumin and they both share a smile.

"Listen, I do have a favor to ask of you." The woman starts to reach into the breast of her leotard, and again she sees the man's eyes shoot wide open. "Okay, okay, easy. I'm just grabbing this." She pulls out a folded piece of paper and lays it in front of him.

"As you can tell, I am sort of the top dog amongst the ladies and my employer is very aware of that fact. Now I told you my employer never forces us to do things we don't want to do. And they don't. However with me, that causes a problem. I bring in a lot of business. And it's all on the circumstances that I am considered forbidden fruit."

Jumin crossed his arms on the table and his right eyebrow arched. Intrigue.

"I don't sleep with clients. I don't even give clients more than a kiss on the cheek. But they all think I do way more. That's how I've been marketed."

Marketed. From a business stand point Jumin was understanding, from a human being stand point, he was disgusted.

"I don't know when it happened, but clients started requesting me often. My employer would turn them away. However, it was becoming a problem for business. They were angry. Why wasn't I available and how dare we deny them service. My boss couldn't just flat out say I don't service clients that way, and that I am just strictly a performer. The stage is where I work my 9-5, not the bedroom. So we came up with an idea. Or really, I did. It would become a game. We'll let them think that I sleep with clients, but only clients that pay their dues. It's almost like a point system."

The woman began to explain to Jumin and he felt conflicted at the emotions that so quickly changed throughout her speaking. She was beaming and so bright, her eyes sparkled with pride when she was explaining how her plan had worked and profits expanded tenfold. How she made it so that other girls could work less hours and focus on other jobs they had or school work. How they didn't have to do as many demeaning things due to her strategy she had put into place. But at the same time she looked disgusted at the fact she was even accommodating these elitist pigs. Both Men and Women, Jumin learned.

"So basically we tell them that I only take on clients that frequent however often, or pay so much, or this or that. And then when they reach all the requirements they can have me. But that day never comes."

Jumin sat silently, only for a second before he was already dissecting the flaws in her business plan. "Hmmm. I see. But don't the men get suspicious when no one ever gets taken by you. Or the fact that you are always on stage and never in a back room or wherever it is you take clients at these places."

Oh Jumin. Innocent to the shady business of your father and the business world around you. Protect him someone, please.

"It seems like you would only be able to keep up this charade for a short period of time."

"Ah, Mr. Han. I shouldn't have suspected anything less from the greatest business man this area has ever seen."

She smiled at him, and it wasn't flirtatious. It showed admiration for the man who was listening to her. The woman who was normally seen as nothing but an upper-class whore for stuffy old men that used literal money to wipe their own asses. He was listening to her and dissecting her line of work in what appeared to be an attempt to help improv it.

"That's why we have decoy's. A select few men AND women who have signed confidentiality agreements. They act as the patrons who have met the requirements to be seen as my clients. They even give other clients "tips and hints" on how they met the standards. I spend time with them off stage. However, we're really just working on our own things, practicing new numbers, or playing poker behind closed doors."

"And it's been working?" The man seemed skeptical.

"It has been for a period of 7 months so far." Outside of the curtains of the private booth they heard the music winding down and the woman knew that there wasn't much time left before her and the chair were expected to resurface.

She grabbed the piece of paper she had previously slipped on the table.

"Listen, that's where this comes into play. Obviously everyone out there including your father can guess what should be happening in here right now. So my reputation for business as well as expectations from your father are on the line. You're Jumin Han so there's no using a decoy here. I've made a deal with my employer. If I get you to sign a confidentiality agreement I'm free and in the clear. If not, well that's something that isn't your problem and it's not something I will concern you with."

Tik-tok. Time wasn't slowing down and she knew that her employer would soon be there to collect and the rest of the guests and the ladies were probably getting antsy for her to close out the night.

Jumin opened the piece of folded paper and read it over. He began to sign and he let out a hardy chuckle. He must be crazy signing something like this.

"You seem like a woman well versed in business. Why would you hand me such a contract and think that it would be enough to cover all your bases in this matter?"

"Well I had another draft but I thought it was too lengthy for this matter. Plus, Jumin Han, after watching you avoid women like the plague out of principal and purity of heart...I trust you."

Jumin finished signing the document and the woman stood up.

"Well it's time for me to address those barbarians. And I'm sure your friends are anxious to get back to you."

Just like she promised, she walked toward the corporate heir, tousled his hair, loosened his tie, and took his hand. She stood the man up and pulled open the curtain to the booth. They emerged hand and hand to address the crowd. Jumin looking disheveled and very pleased.

"Gentlemen! It is time for us to lay this party to rest. Beauty sleep is extremely important to us, ya know." She winked at the crowd. "We're off but our door is always open. Come and visit us anytime and if you happened to make a love connection with one of the ladies tonight all I ask is you hold the doors open for her, treat her like a princess and make sure she gets home safe. We are the Star Crossed Entertainers and tonight we sparkle just for you! Thank you!"

Another burst of confetti fills the room and the men erupt with whistling and applause. The woman lets go of Jumin's hand and begins to make her exit when He reaches out and grabs her wrist.

"Wait, what's your name?"

"Ana."

"How old are you?"

"23."

"Aren't you forgetting the fine print of your own contract?" Jumin drops her wrist and puts his hand out toward her. His hand balled into a fist with his pinky extended. He looks at her face. Her big blue eyes and red lips. The short hair he knew wasn't hers but was very suiting for the occasion and matched well with her outfit. He hadn't noticed while they were sitting but she was eye level to him. He assumed she was tall but they were equal in height. She was something else. She smiled at him and a slender pinky wrapped around his.

"I almost did. Thank you" She let the man's pinky go and leaned in close, softly kissing his cheek. "Hey Mr. Elite Business Man, thanks for not trying to put it in me." She winked and poked her tongue out at the now crimson cheeked handsome C&R director and then she was off. Lost in a see of women and confetti.

Shit. She was a firecracker and Jumin dug it.

Shortly after two burly looking men approached Jumin with a very large curvy woman in tow. Her face was painted for the back row and underneath it all you could tell she wasn't aging gracefully.

"Mr. Han, please forgive the intrusion but I believe you have a signed document for me?"

"Ah yes, one moment.”

Jumin handed the stocky woman the paper he had just signed and watched her read it over.

The woman rolled her eyes and laughed. She folded the paper up and handed it back to Jumin.

"That girl will be the death of me. You know she turned my hair this fabulous silver color don't you?"

"I don't understand, don't you need this document as proof of well..."

"That silly thing won't do me any good. But I trust that you will keep the events of tonight confidential Mr. Han. I am very close with your father. I'll definitely be having a word with Miss "Look at how cute and clever I think I a" when she comes into work tomorrow, but we have no further business here."

"Oh actually ma'am, do you happen to have the contact information for Ana?"

The woman looked puzzled. "Ana? I'm afraid I don't have any girls named Ana."

She turned and left with her brute force in tow, leaving Jumin alone in disbelief.

He looked down at the piece of paper he had signed just a few moments earlier. Under his signature was the fine print that read "This contract isn't valid until both parties engage in a pinky swear." And above was the whole of what he was agreeing to when he signed. "I Mistah Trust Fund Kid am sworn to absolute secrecy." In beautiful script writing.

Jumin folded that paper and put it in his pocket. He will begin looking for her tomorrow. It wouldn't be easy since she was obviously someone who purposely tries to hide her identity. Maybe Zen would know. He opened his phone ready to send a text as his three friends that attended the party began to rush over to the steps in front of the booth where he stood. He put his phone back.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow he will search for the woman, no, the first and only human to impress him by completing a job by NOT doing the job that they were hired to do.

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