Me: The Way That The Fandom Writes And Draws Piper McLean Is Racist.

Lately I feel so jaded when it comes to violence and abuse against women in media. It feels like it's everywhere, especially in books and tv spaces and I'm so bleh about it. I don't even have a better word just bleh, I'm sick of it. I'm tired. It feels draining.

I'm sick of being recommended movies or shows that romanticize abuse and male violence, I'm sick of enemies to lovers being so prevalent and popular when 99.9% of the time they're not enemies it's just oppressor x oppressed or abused x victim. I'm sick of people acting like things can't be interesting or high stakes or "realistic" if the female character isn't being physically or emotionally hurt. I'm sick of male characters who are no better than actual shit stains being the favourite book/fictional boyfriend and seeing them romanticized everywhere yet the women they abuse aren't good enough. I'm sick of female authors and female audiences spreading and lapping this shit up. I'm sick of the apathy that it's so very clearly causing. I'm sick of the normalization because it's "just fiction" or "it's fantasy". I'm sick of dark romance being an excuse for a r*pists wet dream to be published and forgetting about the romance part. I'm sick of the rampant misogny that it gives space to

I'm sick of the desensitization and the romanticization and the unrelenting onslaught of these themes. I'm not saying it should never be present in media ever but jesus

I first saw your posts on Instagram. And now I feel like I’m meeting a celebrity every time I see your posts here

ITS YOU! IVE SEEN YOU ON EVERY SINGLE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM THAT EXISTS

Despite the fact that I’m only on two?

i think that the portrayal of women in the pjoverse is. interesting! like i am fond of how clarisse is portrayed like she’s not extremely compassionate and definitely not feminine but she isn’t vilified because of it. however i do find it odd how drew IS villainized for her femininity and showing that she is attracted to men and isn’t scared to get what she wants. it’s faux feminism at its finest as rick tries so hard to be progressive and create ‘strong women’ that he creates ‘women who are only strong if they don’t act *traditionally feminine and obey my ideals of what a woman is’ rather than actually creating feminine three dimensional female characters and showing that a stereotypically feminine personality does not equal weakness. it’s just! very odd to me ..

I will never hate Taryn and I stand by that.

I think everyone dogs on Taryn because this is Jude’s pov. We get an insider look into how much she’s hurt and that it’s coming from her own twin. But if Jude can break bread then the taryn’s haters should to. If they dislike taryn as a person, they need to take that hate up with the man who made her the she is: Madoc.

I also have a head cannon that in the future Jude and Taryn continue to grow as people, now that they can finally get out of the constant survival mode. I think they grow closer the older they get.

you're absolutely correct, nonnie.

i think people will be shocked to find out how Taryn-neutral i am. despite everything i've said to defend her, my thought when finishing the series for the first time was exactly that: if Jude can forgive her, then we should be able to, as well. it was a very simple, no bells-and-whistles forgiveness. i think Taryn is extremely interesting, i think her character is poised and ready for a beautiful arc, but i wouldn't trust her as far as i could throw her.

also, i've said this before and i will say it again: Madoc getting every single exemption and grace from the same people who condemn Taryn to shame on main is some kind of bullshit.

the mental gymnastics you'd have to do to say that the dude who continuously tries to manipulate Jude and her actions for his own gain, who continuously patronises/underestimates her throughout the series, and who straight up murdered her parents in cold blood in front of her cos he felt slighted, is more redeemable than a teenage girl who was 1) just trying to survive in a cutthroat world and 2) honestly was just doing what Madoc told her to do? would be laughable if it weren't so damn sad.

this isn't to knock on Madoc, either. i think he's a fantastic villain, an extremely fascinating character, and i love the dynamic between him and Jude. but there's no denying he's done some straight up reprehensible things to all of his daughters. and the lengths some people will go to defend him while at the same time tarnishing Taryn's name is wild to me.

now, i'm not saying people can't dislike a character just because. Taryn is Not a likeable character. so if your opinion of her is "she's just not for me", i think that's valid.

what i am saying, however, is Not Liking Things to the point where you make hate posts using main fandom tags, send people asks demanding they defend why they like a certain character, start discourse in the comments of posts celebrating the character you dislike, is the antithesis of fandom.

fandom is meant to be a joyous celebration of the fictional worlds/characters/things we love. if you don't like something in fiction, that's fine. but the moment you make your poor opinion of something other people's problem is the moment i take issue.

–Em 🖤🗡

p.s. i love and agree with your HC. i think that is an accurate representation of irl sibling dynamics, as well.

In Defence of Taryn Duarte

more theories/analysis/opinions

10 Non-Lethal Injuries to Add Pain to Your Writing

While lethal injuries often take center stage, non-lethal injuries can create lasting effects on characters, shaping their journeys in unique ways. If you need a simple way to make your characters feel pain during a scene, here are some ideas: 

Sprained Ankle

A common injury that can severely limit mobility, forcing characters to adapt their plans and experience frustration as they navigate their environment.

Rib Contusion

A painful bruise on the ribs can make breathing difficult and create tension, especially during action scenes, where every breath becomes a reminder of vulnerability.

Concussion

This brain injury can lead to confusion, dizziness, and mood swings, affecting a character’s judgment and creating a sense of unpredictability in their actions.

Fractured Finger

A broken finger can complicate tasks that require fine motor skills, causing frustration and emphasizing a character’s dependence on their hands.

Road Rash

The raw, painful skin resulting from a fall can symbolize struggle and endurance, highlighting a character's resilience in the face of physical hardship.

Shoulder Dislocation

This injury can be excruciating and often leads to an inability to use one arm, forcing characters to confront their limitations while adding urgency to their situation.

Deep Laceration

A cut that requires stitches can evoke visceral imagery and tension, especially if the character has to navigate their surroundings while in pain.

Burns

Whether from fire, chemicals, or hot surfaces, burns can cause intense suffering and lingering trauma, serving as a physical reminder of a character’s past mistakes or battles.

Pulled Muscle

This can create ongoing pain and restrict movement, providing an opportunity for characters to experience frustration or the need to lean on others for support.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of a tendon can cause chronic pain and limit a character's ability to perform tasks they usually take for granted, highlighting their struggle to adapt and overcome.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors! Instagram Tiktok

I see people complain about the seven not acting like an actual group of teenagers esp. because they didn't do crazy group stuff together but honestly, maybe they just weren't that close? Like, we know they weren't all friends, why should they act like it? Just something I was thinking about...

Since Im ranting about The State of Things, Ill keep going.

I just saw 3 anti AI things in a row (good) and like aside from the fact that AI is stupid and wrong a lot or the catastrophic environmental impact, but do people really, *really* not see how AI is Bad as a concept period?

Like, The Youths who use it to cheat, especially at a University level, do they REALLY think the point of class is to get the answers? Your professor knows the answers. They are not literally asking you to find the answers they need like your boss might. The Point is to show that you know how to get Good Answers on your own and apply them correctly or to build the skills to solve problems? No one expects you to unveil Brand New Information. Do they know that?

And then the people using it to cheat at life, you know the point of reading a book isnt JUST to know what happens right? Like, theres more? I spoiled myself for Nosferatu bc I am afraid of Horror movies and while I KNOW what happens now, Im fully aware I'm missing out. I do not want to miss out! I want to experience it myself! Why would you choose not to experience something that interests you? (Unless, like me, youre a scared little bitch who will get nightmares but at least I would never claim to have Seen The Movie now).

The only metaphor I can come up with is a snow cone food truck who advertises theyre Real Snow and people get their cup of shaved ice and say "now I know what snow is like." Do you really think that???? I feel like so many people are admitting that yes they would think they get the snow experience from a snow cone and I feel insane because it is absolutely not the same, its but one little point in a much bigger whatever. You want the art but dont want to make the art??? You want the fic but dont want it to have any heart?? You have a book written by a human but want a robot to interpret it for you? Whyyy????

Second metaphor, I apologize. Its been a long time since I took Philosophy (2003?) but it almost reminds me of like a reverse Allegory of the Cave. We are currently outside the cave with the ability to see things as they are and people are choosing instead to go in the cave and see a weak projection instead and then arguing that its Good without any hint of embarrassment. Well Im embarrassed for them. They're embarrassing.

I like how Falin experiences the opposite of Laius being nerfed by autism. She’s rendered op by autism. Everyone is like wow Falin is such a free spirit and so mysterious and intelligent and powerful and kind I want her fuck her brother though and Falin is just there splitting a thought bubble with Laius about what a big bug they just saw tastes like based on its observable taxonomic properties.

I made a sketch of Annabeth. I actually wanted to make an actual picture but...procrastination.

I finally made the meme I've had in my head for over a year