*takes A Bow*

One thing about fandom culture is that it sort of trains you to interact with and analyze media in a very specific way. Not a BAD way, just a SPECIFIC way.

And the kind of media that attracts fandoms lends itself well (normally) to those kinds of analysis. Mainly, you're supposed to LIKE and AGREE with the main characters. Themes are built around agreeing with the protagonists and condemning the antagonists, and taking the protagonists at their word.

Which is fine if you're looking at, like, 99% of popular anime and YA fiction and Marvel movies.

But it can completely fall apart with certain kinds of media. If someone who has only ever analyzed media this way is all of a sudden handed Lolita or 1984 or Gatsby, which deal in shitty unreliable narrators; or even books like Beloved or Catcher in the Rye (VERY different books) that have narrators dealing with and reacting to challenging situations- well... that's how you get some hilariously bad literary analysis.

I dont know what my point here is, really, except...like...I find it very funny when people are like "ugh. I hate Gatsby and Catcher because all the characters are shitty" which like....isnt....the point. Lololol you arent supposed to kin Gatsby.

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Never in my life have I found a post that actually makes me feel okay with being aro and not loving people the conventional way.

What is Love (An Arospec’s Perspective)

(This is a Really Long One, so full comic is under the cut)

Keep reading

Finding A True Name

The woods are quiet at this time of morning, when the sun is barely peeking over the horizon and the forest be thick with mists and glittering with morning dew. At the base of an old oak I pick up an acorn and fashion its cap smooth like a bowl, carving down the stem into a base before I toss the seed high between a fork in the tree's upper branches.

I miss of course, but that's hardly the point. I have no offering for the little or hidden people, hardly believe in them besides an idle fascination with little rituals like these, a bowl of morning dew I'd carved but moments before and set aside between then twisting roots of the old tree, and a mandarin in my hand that I begin to peel as I lean against it and try to listen to the morning sounds of birds.

I hear a voice beside me ask what I am doing there, and I give a little shrug. It's a public forest, and I figured a morning walk would be nice, no need for the inquisition.

"You ever thought about climbing it?" they say, and I tilt my head. "When I was younger," I tell them, "I could climb a smooth pole if I wanted to, but no… not anymore. Maybe… maybe someday, but I'm not as sure those branches will hold me as I am,"

"This tree is special," they tell me, "It is old and it is tired, but it is a home to anyone who might seek its shade, for a price of course"

"Maybe," I tell them, "It's not like I didn't leave anything though,"

"So I see," they say, "but trees get water every time it rains, every night when the cool settles on their leaves, what could make them want some in a little bowl they can't even drink from?"

"Wasn't so much for the tree," I say, a small smile building on my lips as I pull free another piece of the mandarin and stick it in my mouth, "More for any hidden folk, should they want it," I swallow the piece of fruit down, "This oak gets plenty of what it needs, water, sunlight, nutrients from the soul, the freedom to grow, I figured all more it could want was some company, so that's what I offer it in exchange for shade,"

The other gives me an odd look, something of a little gleam in their emerald green eyes as they tilt their head a little to the side, blink twice, and ask me a question.

"Can I have your name, at least?" it asks, and I tell them of course. I give it readily enough.

The green eyed stranger frowns at me, "That's not your name," they say plainly.

"It is though," I say, "The one of my birth at least,"

"But it is not your name,"

"It is a name," I say, "they've never really seemed to stick to me, especially when I came out,"

"So what is your name?" they ask again.

"I already told you didn't I?"

They pout harder, "That's just a name, an empty name," they say, "It's not yours,"

By now I've caught on, whether fact or fiction or something in between,

"I suppose it's right to say I haven't one yet, I'm still trying to find it,"

"Was it taken?" they implore me, "No, that can't make sense if you could still give it freely,"

"I think it just died," I say, with another bite of the fruit in my hand, "It faded, with that part of me that didn't really consider anything else, or maybe it never really was mine to begin with," I swallow it down again, "I've been rotating between nicknames for now, but nothing quite feels right."

"I can feel them," it says, "Nameless, what an interesting thing you are, to be nameless and whole all at once, oh the fair folk would hate you and I would too, had I not the pleasure of your earnestness."

I give a little nod, despite the small swell of unease in my chest.

"Would you like some fruit?" I say, offering the other half, yet untouched but picked clean of skin and grit. It isn't often I can peel a mandarin without piercing it's flesh and spilling it's juices.

The Faerie smiles at me, a mouth full of needle like teeth and eyes that glimmer with gold flecked inside it's too bright eyes.

"I would like that," it says to me, and takes it readily. Popping some of the pulps in its mouth, one after another, and licking the juice from its lips as it chews. Turning over what remains in its hands and smiling a little to itself as it does so.

"What are you here for?" I ask it sweetly, pulling free a knife and idly making another bowl from a nearby acorn.

"I had wanted to steal you away," it says, and I stop a little at the declaration, "It's always fun to have better company in Faerie, with your name I might have been still able to leave something behind that would have others none the wiser,"

"And now?"

"I couldn't charge you if I wanted to," it giggles a little under its breath, "I haven't your name nor your thanks, instead I have two gifts freely given, and nothing but the utmost pleasantries from you on my and our friend's account, so I'll tell you what," they say, "I owe you a boon, and so meet with me whenever you are able, and I shall help you find your name, and it shall be all your own,"

"And yours?" I ask coyly, "May I have yours?"

They flick a finger by my ear and I laugh.

"Cheeky," they say, "but you may call me a friend,"

Elements in your book by order of importance

The order of importance of elements in a book can vary depending on the genre, theme, and narrative structure. However, here are some common elements that are often considered significant:

- Plot: The sequence of events that drive the story forward and create tension, conflict, and resolution.

- Characters: The individuals who inhabit the story and contribute to its development and emotional engagement.

- Theme: The central idea or message that the book explores and conveys to the reader.

- Setting: The time, place, and environment in which the story takes place, which can enhance mood, atmosphere, and context.

- Writing style: The author's unique voice and the way the story is narrated, which can greatly impact the reader's experience.

- Conflict: The challenges, obstacles, or opposition that the characters face, driving the narrative and character development.

- Dialogue: The conversations and interactions between characters, providing insights into their personalities, relationships, and plot progression.

- Pacing: The rhythm and speed at which events unfold, affecting the book's flow and reader engagement.

- Emotional resonance: The ability of the story to evoke strong emotions and create a connection between the reader and the characters.

- Tone: The overall mood and atmosphere of the book, which can range from light-hearted and humorous to dark and somber.

- Point of view: The perspective from which the story is told, influencing the reader's understanding and connection to the characters.

- Symbolism: The use of symbols or metaphors to convey deeper meanings or layers of understanding.

- Subplots: Secondary storylines that add depth, complexity, and variety to the main plot.

- Imagery: Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the reader's senses and creates vivid mental images.

- Structure: The organization and arrangement of the story, including chapters, sections, and narrative devices.

- Originality: The unique and innovative aspects of the book that set it apart and make it memorable.

Been thinking about starting a comic lately…

A Short Poem about Pain

I wish my pain had meaning

The foundation of my character

an apotheosis built on aching muscles

On digging pits for concrete in the rain

So that I may raise up a better version of myself

The bitter work that gave us monuments

So that one day we may wipe our brows

With the backs of calloused hands

And smile when others stare in wonder

And care to imagine the nature of its formation

I long for that fight

For scars others can trace with gentle hands

And understand just enough of the nightmare that left me bloodied, battered

Worn ragged but still alive

And I wish I had that comfort

Of running my hands over old wounds

To acknowledge that pain, see it plainly

Hold assurance in my hands, that proof

To validate it as it were

To tell me that was real,

That it might be over now

Instead I’m locked by my own hand

Lying in cool tiles, on stinking carpet

Staring at nothing at all

Nothing on my mind

No real sign,

no blood, no scars,

no story to tell.

Wondering how such pain could come from nothing at all

Reblog this with the elevator pitch of your OC verse because at this point I am very interested and you just know you want to talk about it

These two are going to give me a stroke

I've been wondering for a long time which one of my OC drawings i should be posting first, and then I drew this shitty masterpiece and i figured we only live once so why the hell not?

I'll probs do character sheets later, but I have hands and a bunch of fully formed characters saved on my laptop so i may as fucking well make that you're problem.

(the tired millennial's name is Hokama Tora btw)

There's kind of a lot coming after this too, so... heads up. Been working on these poor assholes and writing a hell of a lot of notes on worldbuilding and character dynamics and plot.

Asks are open if you know... if you wanna... maybe... know more...