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pagetreader · 4 months

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@retrograderesemblance said: top 5 books!

put “top 5” anything in my ask and i will answer

Listen, there are far too many favorite books in my life, literally so many that I don't think I could even recall them all at the top of my head, so I'll just list the few that immediately come to mind.

Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld

So this one is from my childhood. I think I must have been twelve or so when I found this book and this would have been after I'd read The Diary of Anne Frank. I loved it so much that I must have read it at least four times over. I didn't know until later that it was adapted from a play, which I never got to see. It's probably my first historical time travel book and, being a history nerd, I was really into WWII at that age, so it was just this perfect combo.

2. Alice by Christine Henry

Alice and Wonderland has always been near and dear to my heart, so naturally I've always been on the lookout for various interpretations/spinoffs. Because there are so many, several are good and several are terrible. This one, however, put a Victorian Steampunk spin on things and was just different enough to work! I loved the versions of Alice and the Mad Hatter in this book and couldn't put it down. There are two more in the trilogy I've yet to read, Red Queen and Looking Glass, but if they're anything like the first book, they'll no doubt be page-turners!

3. Ophelia by Lisa Klein

I must have been in high school when I got a hold of this one and I'll bet it was probably senior year when we'd been assigned Hamlet in English Lit. class. Hamlet has always been my favorite Shakespeare Tragedy and so during this era, I was always looking for Hamlet-related books, but this one was told from Ophelia's perspective and I absolutely fell in love with her characterization. I think that this book is what the recent film (with Daisy Ridley) was based on. I haven't seen it yet though so I can't confirm that.

4. Unwind by Neil Shusterman

Yet another high school favorite! My friends and I all read this book around the same time because one of them rec'd it when it was brand new and the plot sounded very intriguing. Dystopian was all the rage at the time and ofc I was very much into the genre. Anyway, the characters were all interesting, which is something that doesn't always happen in every novel and the plot never really had any lulls in it. There was just constant obstacle after obstacle and it made it gripping and exciting and really this will always be a classic to me.

5. Mossflower by Brian Jacques

If you were a fan of the Warriors series and other animal-based books growing up, then this series is worth checking out! Jacques created this intricate and thriving mildly anthropomorphic universe of animals who live in a bit of a fantasy setting and reads a bit like Arthurian legends. This is the prequel book to the first in the Redwall series (which is where I recommend starting) and sets the stage for a charmingly fantastical woodland world of adventure. While I haven't gotten to read all of them yet (I think there are 22 books total), it has a very special place in my heart.

#I just know there are others that I spaced about and will kick myself for not remembering later ;;;;;;;#retrograderesemblance #that girl doesn't even go here (ooc.)

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so-true-overdue · 7 months

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Unveiling the Utterly Unfathomable: A Revelation by an Angsty Teen

Hey there, fellow humans! Prepare yourselves for a mind-blowing journey into the realm of random, obscure, and completely unbelievable truths. But wait, don't expect some boring, factual article written by a sophisticated scholar. No, my friends, this blog post comes to you straight from the mind of an angsty teen who's bursting with misunderstood brilliance. You see, hidden within the depths of everyday life lies a secret so shocking, it'll leave you clutching your heart and gasping for breath. So brace yourselves, because here it comes! Are you ready? Brace yourself for this mind-boggling revelation: unicorns aren't real! I know, shocking, right? Who knew that those majestic, rainbow-emitting creatures roaming our dreams and Lisa Frank stickers aren't actually trotting around in the real world? Incredible as it may sound, this truth was revealed to me by the all-knowing, all-seeing powers of the internet. Yes, it turns out that what we believed to be a mythical creature is nothing more than a figment of our collective imagination. I mean, who can blame us for falling hook, line, and sinker for something so majestic and utterly fantastical? But fear not, my dear readers, for I have more incomprehensible truths to bestow upon you. Did you know that plants can actually survive without Instagram? I know, right? Mind officially blown! Forget all those carefully curated plant feeds on Instagramgasm (oops, I meant Instagram). Apparently, all that leafy goodness can thrive just fine without needing a million followers, hashtagged captions, or perfectly filtered sunlit corners. But wait, there's more! Prepare to have your reality shattered once more. Brace yourselves for this one: not everyone on the internet is telling the truth! Gasp! Shock! Surprise! Turns out, people can actually lie on social media. Who would've thought? It's a world full of armchair detectives, wannabe influencers, and fictional accomplishments. The horror! So there you have it, folks. Prepare to rethink your entire existence in the face of these absurd, outlandish truths. Remember, this revelation comes from the depths of an angsty teen's mind, so you know it's totally legit and unquestionably accurate. Stay tuned for more mind-boggling insights, brought to you by the angsty teen who sees the world like nobody else. Disclaimer: This article is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken seriously. The author does not claim responsibility for any existential crises or shattered dreams caused by reading this piece. Thank you, and stay angsty!

#Unbelievable #Truth #Facts #Trust #Worship #Religion #Belief #Unbiased #Skeptic #Smart

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frolickinggnomes · 3 years

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The Lisa Frank Legacy Challenge!

Are you a 90’s baby or just love a good retro throw-back (hold on while I analyze the fact that something I grew up with could be considered retro these days…), but do you also LOVE color? Welcome to the Lisa Frank Legacy Challenge! Build your own fantastic world of bright and colorful sims… one generation at a time! With so much room for creativity and challenge, you’re bound to fall back in love with your game.

I am so, so excited to be officially releasing this new challenge that I wrote! I wanted to create something that could work well to balance game play and story telling and also lend itself to creativity and choice! And I think I was pretty successful at that!

Anyway, here are the Rules!

This way any updates are in one place.

If you have any questions, just let me know!

If you start this challenge, I would love to see it! Use the hashtag #lisafranklegacy

#lisafranklegacy #lisa frank legacy challenge #lisa frank #lisa frank sims 4 challenge #lisa frank sims 4 #sims 4 challenge #sims 4 legacy challenge #berry sweet challenge #berry challenge #ts4 #sims 4

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babyboy2d · 6 years

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This is the best purchase I've ever made

#age regressor #chire #tinytykes #pastel regression #lisa frank #fantastic world of Lisa Frank

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allthefilmsiveseenforfree · 3 years

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Promising Young Woman

I read the synopsis of Promising Young Woman sometime in spring 2019, right around the time it premiered at Sundance to rave reviews. I confess at the time I read it, I was angry - really angry - because I’d seen the trailer and been expecting a slick revenge thriller/black comedy and what I read about was a very, very different kind of film. It’s hard to shake a first impression like that, but I wanted to give the film a chance to change my mind. A couple weeks after seeing it, I’m still not sure that it did, but I do think it’s an incredibly well-put-together film and one that does exactly what it intends to do, for better or worse.

The film centers around Cassie (Carey Mulligan), a disaffected barista living with her parents in her late 20s by day, and a honey trap for predatory “nice guys” she picks up at bars when they think she’s too wasted to say no to sex by night. In a way, she’s avenging the death of her best friend, Nina, who killed herself after a horrifying sexual assault. Cassie is fixated on Nina’s death mainly because no one else seems to be - even Nina’s mother (Molly Shannon) tells Cassie to move on and live her own life, that it’s not helping anyone for her to remain in this form of arrested development and grief. But Cassie is obsessed with making those responsible for Nina’s pain, for her pain, confront their own complicity in the violence of a world that chews women like Nina up and spits them out.

My gripe with this movie is rooted in my own discomfort at its adherence to realism. I wanted a revenge thriller as sharp as Cassie’s stiletto fuck-me pumps, I wanted a sense of catharsis at making predators like the wolves in “nice guy” clothing pay in some way for their crimes. But Cassie doesn’t engage in acts of violence - she just gives these men a stern talking to. She plays by the rules, her behavior isn’t illegal, and her tools of revenge are wigs and makeup rather than knives or guns. I love watching Cassie (and Mulligan, whose performance should absolutely earn her Best Actress) work, but am left clenching my jaw at the cost of Cassie’s endeavors and all the clever tongue-in-cheek smiley faces at the end aren’t going to make that feel better. The punishments seem so brief, fleeting - a bad dream, half remembered upon waking. In fact, her revenge on the women involved in Nina’s ordeal is drawn out to the point of cruelty - in Madison’s (Alison Brie’s) case, for weeks. The message here seems to be that the crime of women’s complicity so much worse than the actual assault and violence men perpetuate, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I didn’t cry, but I did grimace nearly as often as I laughed out loud.

This is absolutely a film you should watch for yourself and form your own opinion on. I think I loved it in spite of how frustrated it made me, and that’s due to fantastic performances from Mulligan and every adorkable dudebro you had a crush on in 2010 cast here as the nice guys with sweet smiles hiding a mouth full of razor blades (Adam Brody, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bo Burnham, Max Greenfield, Christopher Lowell). The music is also full of pink glitter pop bangers coupled with slow-mo horror movie strings, and Emerald Fennell’s script and direction (still can’t believe I didn’t know she was Camilla on The Crown!) is clear and cutting, like the winged eyeliner of every woman I’ve ever wanted to be. She’s got a crystal clear vision and an aesthetic that is perfect for every girl who grew up on rainbows, early 90s neon, and Lisa Frank. It’s as if the color pink were sharpened into a scalpel. It’s difficult to maintain the tone of queasy horror, anger, and comedy that often showcases the absurdity of a woman’s world, and that may be part of why I’m conflicted about my feelings here. The price is so, so high for the smallest amount of justice. Maybe that’s the blackest part of this dark, dark comedy - the idea that at least in fiction, some kind of justice will actually be served.

If you liked this review, please consider reblogging or subscribing to my Patreon! For as low as $1, you can access bonus content and movie reviews, or even request that I review any movie of your choice.

#121in2021 #promising young woman #promising young woman review #carey mulligan #Bo Burnham #adam brody #christopher mintz-plasse #Max Greenfield #christopher lowell #emerald fennell #movie reviews #film review

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wide-eyedscottishlass · 3 years

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Scarlett and the Professor

[continued from]

“Then teach me, please. Give me the answer I need,” Scarlett insisted quietly. “It’s the real reason you brought me here tonight, isn’t it?”

“Yes...oh yes, Scarlett,” he murmured, laying just the fingertips of his right hand against her neck and softly tracing along her cheekbone with his thumb, “Although I think you might know the answer already---but it seems to me that you’ve buried the notion in the depths of your mind, for it defies rational thought.”

His eyes, like his voice, had gone utterly soft, as she barely shook her head in denial. Her brow creased with consternation, Scarlett parted her lips but words still seemed to fail her, “I...I don’t know what you mean, Professor...I swear that...that I don’t have a clue...”

“My dear little...hmmmm...” Hennessy’s lips were pressed together in an enigmatic smile that rivaled the Mona Lisa’s. “My little water nymph. Quiet your doubts and fears and simply listen. Trust what your heart already knows to be true.”

Scarlett closed her eyes, trying to do as her teacher bid, focusing on the steady sounds of the waves and on the soothing touch of his fingers, instead of the insistent voice of reason. Though she came from a culture rich in folk tales, myths, and legends, she was also a child of the 21st century, with access to the finest of educations and the most advanced technologies. Yet here he was---a brilliant, highly educated man---asking her to forsake reality and embrace the...fantastical. Alright then...I must call it what it is. Either I’ve gone quite mad, and none of this is real...or...or...

Her eyes shot open at the impossible conclusion. “It’s...magic?”

Hennessy was nodding and sounding pleased, “Of a sort, yes...”

“Magic is...real?”

“Real. And though as rare a hen’s teeth, older than civilization itself.”

Concerned that he was teasing her, playing upon her obvious naivete, taunting her as a fool, Scarlett studied his face carefully. She saw not a trace of irony, nor even the smallest hint of amusement at her expense. While her mind continued to revolt against the very notion, her heart---already entangled fathoms deep with everything he presented himself to be---insisted he was revealing a truth she was meant to learn eventually. The mysteries of her past suddenly made far more sense if the world allowed for the true existence of the paranormal.

“And there it is,” he observed, reading her reluctant acceptance as it stole across her face. “I knew you were bright enough to understand, m’dear. And I’ll wager something of the...supernatural...touched your life long before we met. Before you ever came to this place. Very likely before you even finished primary school.” Hennessy’s unwavering conviction and uncanny insight left a wave of relief washing over her. “I don’t need the slightest bit of magic to see that that is true.”

Hearing the long-held secret that he had guessed, goosebumps broke out across her skin. “Yes...yes...and heaven help me, yes,” she exclaimed in surprise, “But I’ve never shared that with a single soul in the world.” Well, only with my confessor, the Sea.

He nodded, having become the absolute picture of patience, while Scarlett felt the circle of water around them finally recede. “Come sit with me a while, love---I’ll tell you a bit of my experience if you’re willing to tell me a bit of yours.”

___________________________________________

“...of course, this is not ‘magic’...” Hennessy framed the word in air quotes, “...as it’s understood by the world at large. That is an illusion perpetrated by charlatans and con men and entertainers.” Scarlett was grateful for the clear sky, for the light of the waning gibbous moon allowed for her to read his face well enough to know he was being quite frank. “Like most practitioners of true magic, I come to it through a blood connection--though such powers are latent, and require active cultivation.” He paused for a couple of breaths, allowing her to digest the concept. “My mother is what we call an Elemental Sorceress---a fairly powerful one at that. Meaning that I, like her, have some control over the elements. Air, Fire, Earth. And as you have seen for yourself, Water.”

Having grown up in a household where ancient Celtic superstitions dwelled side by side with the tenants and strictures of Roman Catholicism, the very concept of sorcery raised her hackles as something to be feared for the sake of her immortal soul. And yet, it made sense to her, as though the existence of magic was one of several missing puzzle pieces that could offer a full explanation of her past.

Hennessy watched her, waiting as she wrapped her mind around such an astonishing truth, before continuing this strange, unlooked for lesson. “It shouldn’t surprise you that my strongest skill lies with Water---or that it’s my favorite.”

He bit his lip at that, looking so amused that a sudden warmth spread from her belly on down as she remembered what he’d done to her. “That’s...that’s an amazing skill, my jo,” she nearly whispered.

His hearty laugh warmed her as well, and he added, “And one that I’ve elevated to a fine art, don’t you agree, little lamb?”

Scarlett nodded, wide-eyed and solemn, so that he broke into his most wolfish grin. “But there’s even more to it, isn’t there?” Her instincts were awakened now, her need to know the truth of her own connection to the supernatural enough to override her incredulity.

“Much more,” he affirmed, “More than even I had imagined before I made this place my home.” He narrowed his exotic, ever-compelling eyes, probably reading her to decide if she was ready to hear more. “And Scarlett, I have a strong hunch that it’s a good part of the reason that you found your way here as well.”

‘Nah,” she scoffed, “Twas only that my Da thought a semester or two here might do me well...”

“Then perhaps your Da knows a thing or two he hasn’t told you yet,” he speculated---and then seeing the stubborn set of her brow, left off that topic for the moment. “Regardless, here you are in this very unique place, where elemental magic is just one of many extraordinary things to flourish.”

“One of...many,” Scarlett repeated, not yet completely convinced, “Just how many?”

Hennessy laid his long index finger across his lip, considering his reply carefully. “Well- almost as many as those who live on campus and in the community at large. You could say this island is a supernatural nexus of sorts...”

“Like the Bermuda Triangle?”

He grimaced, “ I suppose you might say that---but I wouldn’t. At least not in front of anyone native to the island...”

Scarlett nodded, choosing not to question that grim sounding assessment, so that he continued, “This place draws the preternatural and mysterious to it. Welcomes it, nurtures it, if you will---and makes all sorts of magic easier to wield...”

“Well, I’m no sorceress,” she protested, chewing her lip thoughtfully, “I mean, I have experienced moments of...crystal clarity...which seem to strike me out of the blue. Strong feelings about what is going to happen. And...well...I’ve always had a sort of...intuition...about...” Scarlett shrugged and finished with a sheepish smile, “...about...people...”

Hennessy took her hand and slowly ran his thumb back and forth across her knuckles, the soft regard in his eyes making her weak as it always did. “Qualities which I assure you, Scarlett dear, are both uncommon and extraordinary. Even in a place that plays host to descendants of creatures out of legends and myths.” He twined his long fingers through hers. “My intuition tells me that something of the supernatural has more than touched you.”

Scarlett looked out at the dark expanse of the ocean, its gentle swells so close to shore, and even it’s smallest ripples, glittering with moonlight. She closed her eyes and drew several deep breaths, simply listening. Listening for the whisper beyond the rhythm of the waves, searching for the quiet voice she had heard so often in her youth. In those days, the Sea had never failed to give her the answers she sought---but these days, wrapped up in the trappings of adulthood, she had convinced herself that those times were the imaginings of a child’s mind providing her with the simple comfort she could not find elsewhere.

Now she spoke aloud, though the words were far more for her own sake than to answer his theory. “When I was young...as a child and...in those awkward, teenage years...I always felt most comfortable and most at peace ...at the water’s edge. In those days, the Sea was almost...like a mother to me.” Despite the balmy, evening air, Scarlett was shivering as the truths she had hidden away in the past several years as mere childish fancies, came back to her at last. “But at the same time, I sometimes felt I could never go too far from the safety of the shore. That it...that if I went too deep, I might never find my way...” She shuddered with the realization, “my way home.”

Hennessy traced the shell of her ear with his free hand and then rested it against her neck. For once, his skin was warmer than hers, so that she looked to him with a sudden longing to have him hold her and warm her. Warm her through and through, and assure her that she was safe with him here, where the sand mingled with the surf. Scarlett’s eyes welled over with salty tears seeing the patience and understanding in Hennessy’s. “Can you imagine how it was for me as a child...to both love and fear such...such a huge, ever-present aspect of Nature? One that loomed so large in my little world?” Her floodgates had finally opened, for a single soul that had the vision to ask. “To find joy and comfort in the ocean’s embrace, to feel it was where I belonged---but also to understand at the age of five that it had the deadly power to steal my breath? My very life?”

How tenderly he thumbed her tears away, how gently he drew her to him---as though he had known her secrets already, and had only been waiting for her to share it out loud. “I can,” he told her, brushing a kiss on the crown of her head, still holding her close, “Our experiences are not so dissimilar, love---though I had a parent knowing enough to guide me through those growing pains.”

“You? You knew such fear?”

“Very like.” Hennessy drew a long sigh, answering so softly that Scarlett would wonder later if she’d imagined it. “Though I feared what lay within me more than I ever could the Sea...”

His warmth and solidity braced her well as her memories continued to engulf her reason. “There were awful, terrible dreams too,” she revealed, “As far back as I can remember. That there was something dark and sinister waiting for me out there in the depths. They only went away in the past few years.” That they had recently returned, Scarlett would not, could not, share with him just yet.

Hennessy hummed quietly as he considered her revelations. “I’m remembering all your sweet and saucy missives, from before we’d shared even a single kiss, little lamb. And how you’ve admitted that you were drawn to me from the moment you entered my classroom.” His voice remained calm and even, surely meant to further soothe her. “Given the many ties that also bind me to the Sea, this can be no coincidence.”

She nodded against him, too overcome by that implication to reply.

“Cleary, the roots of this mystery are what brought you to these shores.” He tightened his arms around her and she drew deep of his scent and strength and certainty. “And perhaps I can help you solve it one of these days. But for tonight, it’s best to let this rest---don’t you agree, my sweet jo?”

“Oh yes, please,” Scarlett answered, slipping her arms around his neck, her trust in his wisdom absolute. “Please,” she whispered as he lowered her onto her back, and loomed above her so that, fleetingly, the moon appeared to be a halo behind his head.

This time, the love he made to her was slow and sweet, their combined rhythm an exquisite counterpoint to the beat of the waves. In the end, Scarlett’s cries of pleasure rose full and shamelessly from her heart, to be caught upon the breeze and float their way out above the warm salt water---traces of which she now knew flowed through both their veins.

tagging: @strangelock221b @ravencatart @doctor-stephenstrange @splunge4me2art @ben-locked @ben-c-group-therapy @letterstosherlock @tsukuyomi011 @aeterna-auroral-avenger @frowerssx-world @humanbornarchangel @emilyinnj4real @losille2000 @groovyfluxie

#my writing #Scarlett and the Professor #magic #mystery #romance #Scarlett Campbell.#OFC #OMC #not my OMC and used with permission #(assuming permission is still granted)#Scarlett's Professor #Professor Hennessy #Hennessy

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almaviva90 · 3 years

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Game: Name your top 5 songs from movie soundtracks, then tag 10 people! (anyone who wants to do this can also refer to jammeke’s post to split songs into 3 categories to maximize the number of choices!)

I was tagged by the ever wonderful @phantomdivine and here we go in no particular order:

1. As the Days Go By - Daryl Braithwaite (Peter’s Friends)

This was a toss-up between “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” which is also on this soundtrack and this one, but this one ultimately won out because it provided a much-needed optimistic note at the end of the film.

2. The Dreame - Jane Eaglen (Sense and Sensibility)

You can’t have the 1995 Sense and Sensibility without Patrick Doyle’s gorgeous music, probably the best he’s ever composed for a film, and this moving song to boot.

3. Now We Are Free - Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator)

I haven’t watched Gladiator in a long time but I listened to this again and damn, the chills...

4. Born Free - Matt Monro (Born Free)

Matt Monro was such a fantastic singer that Frank Sinatra (yes, that Frank Sinatra) was a fan of his. Born Free, based on the story of Elsa the Lioness, is also a wonderful film.

5. Le Jazz Hot - Julie Andrews (Victor/Victoria)

JULIE ANDREWS, do I need to say more?

As usual, I’m tagging anyone who also wants to share :)

#phantomdivine #meme #music #films

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fashion · 5 years

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Pride Spotlight: Ramzy Masri

In celebration of Pride Month, we’re spotlighting some fantastic LGBTQ+ creators who inspire with their work and actions. Here’s a unicorn artist, graphic designer, and creative director Ramzy Masri (pictured below). He makes the world better by seeing it through color, beauty, and yes, some of the most magical digital rainbows. Here’s more about Ramzy and his extraordinary visual world.

What does Pride mean to you?

Pride is a time to pause and reflect on how far the LGBTQ+ community has come and the work still to be done. This year with World Pride and Stonewall 50 there’s a lot to celebrate, though with the Straight Pride controversy and violence against trans women of color like Layleen Polanco its clear there’s still work to be done.

At its best, Pride is an outstretched hand: an open invitation to build community, to strengthen our chosen families and the bonds that we’ve formed as members of an oppressed community. It’s a time to organize, celebrate and appreciate the things that make us unique and different.

How can we continue to support the LGBTQ+ community?

This is a great question. My motto is “Every Day is Pride March” — mainly because we have to show up every day for ourselves and advocate for those who have less privilege, visibility and rights. There’s so much diversity in our community, from cis gay men to bisexuals, trans men and intersexed people, each with their own stories. We can all help to prioritize those stories and tell them during the rest of the year — not just during June. We’re a vulnerable community that experiences discrimination, hate and violence and we need allies who can bring our fight into the spotlight.

What are some concrete things folks can do to continue to support the LGBTQ+ community? Volunteer with LGBTQ+ organizations like SAGE, GLSEN, The Trevor Project, GSA, PFLAG, local shelters for LGBTQ+ homeless youth, retirement communities for LGBTQ+ elders. Advocate, volunteer or donate for politicians who champion our rights. Condemn and protest those who don’t. Support trans folks top or bottom surgeries — there are plenty of gofundme pages set up just for this cause. Go with a friend when they get tested. Help support people who might not have health insurance but have chronic illnesses or AIDS-related disease. Be present for LGBTQ+ youth, connect them to resources that may help them, fight for them when other adults don’t understand them. Use your voice, your love, your patience and your privilege for good, year round.

How did your love for rainbows commence?

It probably started with Lisa Frank. I’m non-binary so I’ve always wanted to express my femininity, but in grade school in the late 90s it wasn’t socially acceptable. Lisa Frank was like a window into another world and I coveted it. I’ve grown up to love what rainbows represent, specifically in the context of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m inspired by Gilbert Baker (who designed the very first pride flag) and in my way I’m trying to continue his legacy.

Do you ever translate your dreams into your work?

People often say my work is dreamy but unfortunately I don’t usually remember my own dreams! Dream clairvoyance runs in my family so I wish I could! I definitely daydream though, and my Instagram shows how I look at the world when I’m spacing out 👽

What’s the weirdest source of inspiration for you?

90’s toys! I guess it’s not that weird that I’m inspired by them but a lot of them were super weird. Like the rainbow koosh balls? And those tiny naked troll dolls with gems in their belly buttons? Furbies! My Little Pony! Slinkies! Those weird liquid tubes with the glitter in them! I don’t know what was in the water in the 90’s but it was a really awesome time to be a kid.

What makes you the happiest?

I’m happiest when I see people living their most authentic, weirdest, most insane, least-socially-acceptable selves. That’s what I hope my work does for people. It’s an invitation to connect to your inner child and discover a more vibrant tomorrow, one that honors the rainbow of gender and sexual expression.

#Ramzy Masri #fashion spotlight #pride spotlight #art #rainbow #contemporary art #lgtbqia+#lgtbq #tumblrpride #fashionontumblr

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bewareofchris · 4 years

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Writing advice on How to write an interesting antagonist, please?

sorry about the day-late reply. I’d like to say that I was thinking up a really good answer but also my sinuses are trying to kill me.

OK, so there are a few key points that you should remember when it comes an interesting antagonist. (These will be listed in no particular order.)

Purpose: what sort of antagonist do you need? If you’re writing a rom-com you don’t need a supervillain.

C o n v i c t i o n. This means that whatever your antagonist is doing to hinder your story/protag it needs to come from the POV of a person who is trying to accomplish something. Any antagonist who only exists to say mean things to your character without any sort of personal goal will fall flat in the long run. Yes, it might really hurt if you get stabbed in the back by Laughing McMeanpants but if McMeanpants is just doing it to be a bother and gains nothing it just seems pointless.

A fully developed Character. I know this one seems almost obvious but here me out. We spend a lot of time with our protagonists. We love them. We sometimes throw them into pits full of salt-covered razor blades but that comes from a place of love. I’m not saying that you have to love your antagonist to successfully have one, but you should try it. The most interesting antagonists are the ones that are only wrong by virtue of being on the losing side? Like, they have SUCH A GOOD POINT and SUCH VALID reasons for doing what they are doing that you almost, a little bit, kind of want them to win. (There are also the sort of antagonists that just want to watch the world burn and those you don’t want to win but you still sort of root for when nobody’s looking because they are a force of nature.) Let your Antagonist has a life. A history. Loved ones. Interests. Hobbies. Favorite foods. A day job? Petty rivalries. Accomplishments. Weaknesses that aren’t just used for destroying them. Random skills like whistling and that weird tongue-folding thing people do.

A REASONABLE LEVEL OF POWER FOR YOUR STORY’S SETTING. Look, as much as I love a good ol’team up for the win story, if you’ve given your antagonist the literal power of the gods, you’re not really making him work for it are you? Maybe what’s interesting about your antagonist is that they did work their ass off to be where they are? Maybe whatever power they had didn’t come naturally. People are a lot more likely to defend something they had to scratch, claw, bite and kill to get then they are something that was just given to them? And who doesn’t secretly want the guy who had to spend 20 years collecting gemstones while being laughed at by the village virgins and sleeping in shit to win when he’s up against The Golden Child who Happened To Find A Dragon Egg?

Self Worth and Ego. Nobody considers themselves the villain of their own story. They probably don’t sit around drinking their wine being like, whose such an evil boy? I’m such an evil boy. They’re out there being like: what the hell is wrong with Johnny Goodguy? WHY IS HE SO ANNOYING. And or they’re super stressed, forgetting to wash their hair in the shower, trying to figure out how to out think Johnny Goodguy. If both your protag and antagonist aren’t literally furious about the other one always doing something wrong, you’re not being fair to one of them.

Consistency. Don’t fall into that trap where the antagonist twirls their mustache while talking about sawing James Bond in half but leaves him unattended because he’s squeamish I guess? If your antagonist is the sort of person whose going to saw someone in half, he’s probably he sort of person whose going to stick around and make sure it gets done right. If you do not want your antagonist to win, do not set up a practically inescapable trap and then have your protag escape because of negligence. RESPECT YOUR ANTAGONIST. They have a giant saw machine for a reason. It’s because they use it. They probably also have an incinerator in the basement! If Jimmy wants to escape he better be the most clever person alive or JUST NOT GET CAUGHT.

Let’s repeat that last bit: Respect your antagonist. Even if your protagonist hates him. Even if antagonist is REVOLTING. Even if he is a murderous baby killer out here eating newborn and puppy soup for breakfast while cheating on his taxes and cutting to the front of the Starbucks line, he is USELESS as a villain/antagonist if you aren’t taking him seriously. If your antagonist is just there to make your protag feel bad with quippy insults, then your protag needs to feel bad when he sees them. If your antagonist is out here destroying planets, people need to be afraid of him. And not like, oh he’s so bad but I guess I’ll just kill him anyway because i”m the hero and I fear nothing. Bravery is not the absence of fear. Having your badass protagonist not care just undermines the worth of your antagonist.

Now, how to put these to use in the story very much depends on what sort of antagonist that you’re using, how important they are to the story and how much time you’re putting into it/how long it is. A 2k rom-com with a one-off a-hole doesn’t really need as much devotion as a 200k epic sci-fi fantasy thriller.

But some quick suggestions:

Gossip. A well placed bit of gossip about the antagonist of your choice is an excellent method of adding in a sprinkle of backstory without having to listen to a villain-ish monologue. And it doesn’t even have to be outright backstory? It can just be fun things like, “i bet he’s the kind of guy that eats baby turtles” “he eats oranges with he peels on.” “His ex-wife moved to Alaska to get away from him.” “Not even a blind dog would lick his hand.” You know, general impressions of his character that indicate he is universally disliked.

Begrudging Compliments/Unintentional Acts of Kindness Think of “i hate that guy but you gotta admit he draws Lisa Frank tigers better than Lisa Frank.” Or “everyone was going to get fired because nobody finished this work project but Asshole K Asshole showed up at the last minute and finished it so we’re all still here.” MAKE YOUR PROTAG HAVE TO THANK YOUR ANTAGONIST AND IT’S ALL THE MORE REASON TO HATE THEM.

An acceptable level of villain, progressing from smallest to largest Remember the way to build dread/suspense/fear is to always leave room to get worse. Do not, I BEG YOU, do NOT start off your antagonist by making them the most unreasonable/over the top/absolutely most violent thing you can imagine? Do not show up to a casual drink party with a fire-starting child killer edgelord drinking blood out of a can while shouting slurs at minorities and proclaiming himself king of the universe. Maybe he just shows up to the party looking arrogant, and belligerently dismisses your protag while effortlessly making everyone like him more? And then later he starts setting things on fire. Like at the end of the story. Set a starting place (minimally shocking but morally unacceptable action) and an ending place (shocking but not surprising and morally reprehensible/repugnant/just like the worst action(s)).

He’s enjoying himself/but also it’s a hassle. People like winning. Everyone likes winning. It doesn’t even matter what you’re winning. A popularity contest? Control over the universe? Soccer? You’re winning, it’s great, you like it. It’s a high, you want to keep it, and while you’re there why not rub it in a little that you’re like FANTASTIC. So Antagonist, whose on top because he’s a fucking winner? He’s going to enjoy it, and he’s going to want to hang onto that sweet sweet winner kool-aid as long as he can. But there’s a price to literally being driven to win/hang onto that and it’s exhaustion. Constantly having to stay in power requires constantly having to mutate to fit the needs of being powerful. It’s not one-and-done because as soon as you are winning someone’s offended by it and they are coming to take your throne. Even the people who are riding your coattails are expecting something from you. And if you’ve used fear to get where you are, you have to maintain that level of fear at all times which means constantly showing up being all threatening and unpleasant. These things are exhausting. A man’s got to sleep and he can’t sleep well when he’s having to cut off his lackey’s fingers every other day so people now he’s a Bad Dude. And now he’s got Protag to deal with? MY GOD WILL IT EVER END. Balance your antagonist’s joy at succeeding with his very real physical and emotional limitations. Don’t let him have effortless control over whatever power he has, let there be cracks all through the base of his empire. Let just a smidgen of doubt sneak in. (Maybe he’s on steroids. I bet he cheats at cards. Nobody’s that big of a dick all the time. His Mom cannot be happy about him.)

Always, always, always maintain that your Antagonist COULD FAIL A lot of time is spent in stories building up your hero so he’s big enough to defeat whatever’s standing in his way. One of the methods of doing that is by comparing him to the Bigger, Badder, usually Better/More Powerful Antagonist. This creates a lovely structure for super heroes that gets very old very quick. You don’t need to climb the oldest mountain in the world to retrieve the Pearl of Wisdom and Good Teeth to finally have enough Inner Peace to lose your braces after 11 years so you can defeat the high school bully. Create an antagonist that is Bad and In Your Way but also human-enough (or equivalent) to be defeated. You NEVER have to say this outright in the story. You just have to remember in writing him that he isn’t the Most Powerful Thing To Live. Even if people call him the Most Powerful Thing To Live, throw in the idea that he’s only the most powerful right now. That he had to defeat someone to be the most powerful, and that shows that eventually something will defeat him. If your antagonist isn’t having to work to stay where he’s at, he’s boring.

In summary:

Antagonist need character. A full character with strengths/weaknesses/backstory/goals. They need to fully want those goals and be willing to work as hard as your hero to get it. They need to truly believe they have the right to their goal and/or that their goal is the RIGHT ONE. You need to respect your antagonist as if he were your protagonist and not write him as a crazy-faced crazypants to make your Hero look good. Antagonists have physical and emotional limitations. They will react according to their developed Character. Do not make them lazy/negligent at the last moment to save your hero. And you should love them, just a little, not because they’re good people but because they’re your baby.

#antaganon #on writing #writing advice #a how to guide #advice is opinion my friends

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frankly-lovely-lisa · 16 days

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Whooooaaaa! I started this Tumblr account almost 16 years ago, and I have never seen this style of pencil pouch before ✨💕 absolutely stunning!!!

#lisa frank #the fantastic world of lisa frank #fashion #vintage lisa frank #stationary #lisa frank stationary #vintage stationary #pencil pouch #lisa frank pencil pouch #vintage lisa frank pencil

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redtash · 5 years

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Making a Sanctum Sanctorum (and Soup!)

A guest blog by novelist Mara Dane, after a short note from Red!

Note: some links to follow are amazon affiliate links

Before we get into the thick of it, I just want to say, Mara’s book Her Immortal Guardian is one of the best I’ve read in years. It truly satisfied my quirky, Southern Indiana, magic-loving heart! Fortunately for me, Mara is a close friend, and I’m thrilled she agreed to share a vegan recipe and some of her own kitchen witch secrets with my readers today. If you, too, are into Kitchen Witchery, catch my latest book for free on Kindle before this promotion vanishes.

Plus! OMG! Not only does Mara share kitchen secrets, but she shares photos of her fantastic writing space--an office any witch or wizard would be thrilled to inhabit. Having witnessed first-hand how much time, work, and love the Dane family has put into their home remodel projects over the years, I must say: this lady knows her magic!

Okay...soup’s on!

Making a Sanctum Sanctorum (and Soup!)

I was so happy to read an early copy of My Life as a Kitchen Witch by Red Tash! Red, aka Leslea, is both a good friend and a great writer. I’ve enjoyed her magical fiction (and her real-life hospitality), so it was exciting to watch her mix those two elements of her life together.

Life as a mom, spouse and creative person is a crucible worthy of any alchemist. The pressure to be Insta-perfect can be intense. Speaking of pressure, one of the best parts of the book is the section on your “magic cauldron” (aka “Instant Pot pressure cooker”)!

As what I like to call an “intermittent vegan,” I’ve found this device a real sanity-saver, too. It may not be Hogwarts-style magic, but if I can’t have Hermione’s time-turner, the ability to turn dry beans into delicious soup in an hour is the next best thing.

Wanna steal my recipe? Saute some aromatics using the “Saute” setting and your preferred plant-based oil (coconut, olive, canola, etc.) Use chopped garlic, onions, celery, carrots, bell peppers - whatever you like and have on hand. Toss in a bag of your preferred dry beans. We like pintos at the Grey Cottage, but navy or fifteen bean blend are also tasty. Pour in 10 cups of liquid (water works just fine, but if you want to be fancy, veggie broth is also good).

And finally my secret ingredient … Liquid Smoke.

Liquid Smoke seems like magic to me, in that it’s exactly what it sounds like. A liquid distillation of smoke - all natural, no preservatives, and no artificial flavors. It’s just smoky flavored water. If you love the taste of ham and bacon, but want to go plant-based, Liquid Smoke is your BFF.

Once everything’s in the Instant Pot, seal the lid and set it on High to pressure cook, and in an hour you’ll have delicious, flavorful smoky bean soup.

Now that you’re all cozy, hopefully with a cup of hot tea and a bowl of soup, I want to talk about another way to keep your creative batteries charged up and ready to make some magic.

Yes, friends, I am talking about The AestheticTM.

A big part of creative work is staying inspired. After four years working from home, I was feeling … trapped. I had a designated office space, but it was clearly still a repurposed bedroom. It also ended up being a catch-all. It felt like a tiny, sad room where I was stuck all day.

Decorating the space to my specific taste made a gigantic difference in my attitude and energy. As a working wife and mom, it often feels like everything is a compromise. I made a pact with myself that my work space - my Sanctum Sanctorum, if you will - was MY space. If it ended up looking like a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper exploded, but I liked it, that was all that mattered.

I cleared out (most) of the clutter. I hung up some word art, and a few paintings to remind me to reflect on the inner journey in my writing. I got a dreamy curtain with star cut-outs, and a couple of dreamcatchers to help funnel inspiration my way. My grocery store’s decor section had some decorative beakers and test tubes on sale - great reminders to experiment like a mad scientist!

Now, my work space feels full of good energy. It’s where I can make magic happen, a creative retreat I can go back to every day. I can’t recommend it enough. If you can’t decorate an entire room, find some space for yourself. It could be a bulletin board, or a single wall. Claim that space, and turn it into your own personal Power-Up spot.

As women, we have a hard time claiming our space. We have a hard time believing in our own power, in a world where many want to see us dis-empowered. Viv, the main character in my paranormal rom-com, Her Immortal Guardian, has a hard time believing in her power, too. Even after a gorgeous, ancient Egyptian warrior shows up to tell her she’s destined to save the world.

It’s a fun read, full of magic, romance and pop culture references, and it’s free on Kindle Unlimited (or just $0.99 if you’re not on KU). Check it out! I hope it helps you rediscover a bit of magic in your own life.

Thanks, Mara! I love you!

Red here, again...I confess, I was skeptical that an ancient Egyptian warrior could be a turn on, even to a quirky Midwestern gal. In my mind, this leading man was going to be an old, stinky mummy. I could not have been more wrong! Not only is HIG’s Khen smoking hot, but the book feels like a vacation to your favorite cozy small-town. I even liked the spicy parts, and that’s saying a lot. Did I mention lots of nerd puns and geek culture await you?

Get Mara’s book, you won’t regret it!

Get Red’s latest book

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