Just a Blog

You are not factories. You are not engines of production. Inspiration and creativity move as the tides; they ebb and flow whether we wish them to or not. You are not obligated to pump out endless streams.

The cupbearer's chalice is often empty, for the gods drink deeply from it, and it takes time for it to be filled again.

bruh

But yeah, it’s a WYSIWYG with a really straight-forward GUI, if I remember correctly.

It even comes with some free backgrounds and characters and stuff, and this is what it looks like:

Did I mention it’s super duper free? It hasn’t been updated since 2010, but it has basically all you’d need to make a simple visual novel.

I’ve seen a lot of posts recently reminding readers to leave feedback on fics, which is great!!  Writers deserve all the love they can get.  Likes, reblogs, comments, messages, these are the lifeblood of writers.  They are proof that people are reading, that they’re enjoying, and that they want more.  

But maybe readers don’t know what to say.  Maybe you’re new to Tumblr, new to reading fan fiction, shy, or just not sure how to say what you want to say.

Let me start by saying, no matter how popular the blog or how cool you think they are, everyone loves a compliment.  If you’re worried about sounding silly or bothering people, let me assure you- a message will make your writer do a happy dance (depending on the writer, they may actually get up and dance.  I have.)

Here’s the basic ways of communicating with writers on Tumblr:

Likes and kudos- these are great, they’re the high-fives in this world.  They’re the “hey, nice” nod. Reblogs- even better, because they mean exposure.  More people see the story and that makes us really happy.  A reblog with a comment is amazing, especially one that entices others to read.  These make a writer’s day. Comments and messages- these are the thing that keeps us going.  Most of us have anon turned on- and if we don’t, just let us know you want a private reply.  (And, if your writer has anon off, it probably means they’ve been getting hate and deserve extra love.) Recommendations- recs are like coming in to work to find someone baked your favorite cake and left it on your desk.  Recommendations make your writer feel so loved and valued!

So, that’s all good, but what do you actually SAY to writers?  It doesn’t have to be much or take a lot of time.

A simple “This is great/funny/hot!” is wonderful.  "Best fic I’ve read this week!“  "Funny as hell and cute too.”  "You have to read this, it’s awesome!“  "I can’t wait for more of this.”  "I hope you keep going!“  These are great in reblogs and in messages.

Even better is specific feedback.  We love specific feedback, because it tells us what readers liked and what they didn’t.  Want to influence our next fic?  Tell us what you liked about this one and I bet you it will keep showing up!  Specific feedback is just telling the writer what you liked.  It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, either.  (But if you write a lot, we will love you so much.)

Was there a character you liked?  Talk about them:  "I love how you wrote X” “Y was so funny!”  "OMG I wanted to STRANGLE Q!“  "You can really feel X’s frustration.”  "Y has so much depth, they’re a really well-rounded character.“  "R says so much with so few words, it’s amazing.”

What about a part or line you enjoyed?  "That bit in the park- LOVE IT.“  "I have never read a better description of a cup of tea.”  "The way you wrote about his fear, that was heartbreaking.“

Was there a part that made you feel something?  Happy, sad, angry?  "That last sentence killed me, he’s so broken.”  "I wanted to jump around when they finally kissed!“  "This chapter was so tense, my heart was pounding by the end.”

Did the characters or plot or setting remind you of your life?  "I live in Brussels, that’s just how that street looks.“  "When Y talked about R, I knew exactly how he felt.”  "You captured that lost, aimless feeling perfectly; I’ve so been there.“

Are there unanswered questions?  Mention how much you want the answers.  "I can’t wait to find out what’s in the basket!”  "That was a cliffhanger ending, wow.“  "How is she going to explain THAT?”  (some writers are touchy about  predicting, though, so stay away from “I bet he’ll throw that letter out.” or “X is clearly coming back.”)

A few closing notes: be enthusiastic if that’s your style, go crazy with exclamation marks, smileys, caps!  Tell a writer if you’re rereading their work- very little makes us happier than knowing our writing has the staying power for a second, third, sixth, tenth read.  Did a reread give you a new insight or feeling about the fic?  Tell us!  We will be so excited to hear.  And remember, recommendations are wonderful- putting up a random post tagging your favorite writers or fics you’re enjoying will show the writers that they’re writing is more than a flash in the opan and they’ll get some new readers too!

Bras last longer if you let them air dry. Don’t put them in the dryer.

If you have a problem with frizzy hair, don’t dry your hair with a towel. It makes the frizzies worse. (I recently read an article that said to use a t-shirt? I brush mine out and let it air dry.)

Whites wash best in hot water. Everything else can be in cold - save on your electricity bill.

You can kill 99.9% of germs in a sponge by putting it in the dishwasher for a cycle or by microwaving it for 2 min (be sure to make the sponge damp before microwaving and to put a cup half full of water in with it and please DO NOT squeeze the sponge until it has cooled off)

Airing out your room/house and letting sunlight in every so often can decrease the number of household pests like silverfish and ants.

Black underwear is best during your period as stains are less likely to be visible.

To save money, put aside 10% of each paycheck into a savings account. It’ll add up.

Unless your hair has something on/in it (like grease or mud or something), using conditioner first can actually be the better choice. The conditioner holds in the good oils that help you hair look sleek and beautiful, which shampoo would otherwise wash away.

Speaking of shampoo - if you have long hair, washing just the bits that touch your scalp is generally enough. The rest of your hair gets cleaned with just the run off from your scalp.

If you put a tampon in and it’s uncomfortable/you can feel it, you didn’t do it quite right. A properly placed tampon is virtually unnoticeable by the wearer.

Apply deodorant/antiperspirant a couple hours in advance of when you need it. This gives the product the chance to block your sweat glands. Using deodorant just before going somewhere where you’ll sweat (this means walking outside for people in high humidity places) results in your sweat washing the deodorant off and starkly limiting its usefulness.

After running the dryer, use the dryer sheet from that load to brush out the lint catch - it gets everything off in a fraction of the time it’ll take you to get it clean with your bare hands. Paper towels also work well.

Wash your face everyday, or as often as possible. Forget which brand of cleanser is best. Just washing your face everyday will guarantee you clearer skin. And do you best not to pop pimples, as tempting as the urge may be.

Josh counters things that Markus suggests repeatedly and directly in Time to Decide, Spare Parts, and The Stratford Tower, frequently to the point of outright clashing. He has an ongoing argument with North at the start of Capitol Park, which always escalates until they’re facing off and have to be broken apart.

In The Freedom March, the protest is stopped by a wall of Armed Humans who are yelling things like:

Disrupting traffic and a previous order of every day life is a confrontation. Standing in a place and forcing people to face things they don’t want to face–even if you’re not touching them–is a confrontation. If these deviants were to choose to stop confronting people here, they would disperse, like Simon was saying.

What does Josh say?

Josh isn’t just confrontational, he’s willing to die in the name of confronting. He’s just doing it in a pacifist way.

In Crossroads, while they’re all on the Bridge, we get another argument, this time between Josh and Markus.

If Markus made violent choices earlier:

Markus is the one facing away from him, Josh is the one trying to drag him back in.

(If Markus was peaceful during the march we still get arguments, just–less angry.)

If Markus chooses violence Josh immediately complains, then goes right up to him to tell him exactly what he thinks of his plans:

Even if Markus and Simon are both gone, North and Josh can start a yelling argument on their own just fine:

The game itself misuses confrontation to mean ‘violent confrontation’, but the word definitely goes beyond this. Even in the most peaceful of routes, all our protags are confrontational as hell.

This includes: 

Using whatever pronouns they like and changing them as often as they want. He on a tuesday and they on wednesday, ze on weekends, she on Christmas; we can do that if we really want or need to!

Using whatever labels for their orientation they like, whenever and however they see fit. If a non-binary person likes boys and thinks that makes them straight one day and then gay the next, that is allowed! 

Defining orientation at their own terms. If a non-binary person likes girls and other non-binary people, and thinks that makes them bisexual, you’re just going to have to deal with it! Non-binary people do not have to define labels in the same ways that binary people typically do. 

Dressing and presenting in whatever way they like to. Like their agab, the opposite of it, something in-between, whatever way they want. Even in a way that is unconventional or that might seem jarring to you. Honestly if you’re giving anyone a hard time about their hair and clothes and whatever than you’re just an ass 

Doing drag of ANY gender they want, regardless of what their agab is. They can be a King AND a Queen if they want, they’d be in drag presenting as a different gender either way! 

Using whatever flag or label for their gender they want! Even if it’s something reaaaaalllly specific or not very well-known. If someone’s not cis they’re not cis. Who other than themselves should care what they call it? As long you can get the point that they are not a woman or a man, and it’s not culturally appropriative, then stop worrying about their label!

Changing their gender label however often they want! 

Joining whatever spaces they see most fit for their gender, regardless of agab! This includes women’s spaces, men’s spaces, etc. If you’re gonna claim your space is accommodating to trans people, then really commit and make sure all non-binary people who want to be there feel welcome as well and not just binary trans people. 

And if any of this bothers you or strikes a nerve, then maybe ask yourself WHY are you so bothered? 

Maybe ask yourself whether you are compartmentalizing non-binary people into being either “man lite” or “woman lite” according to what makes you personally feel the most comfortable while disregarding our comfort and safety. 

Again, 

The two main guys are called hannibal and will. Will is possibly a detective. Hannibal is definitely a cannibal

No one ever deals with the fact hannibal is called hannibal and is a cannibal. There is no narrative reason for it. It just is and it's the worst thing I've ever heard

there's lesbians

hannibal is a therapist and consistently gives his clients biraaze advice that's always creepy and ominous and no one questions this or the fact that their therapist's name sounds uncomfortably like cannibal

hannibal and will are in love with each other. canonically possible that hannibal is just in love with will I'm not sure if it's requited. Either way hannibal is canonically gay. I'm not entirely sure what I think about that, but it is probably not a high point for the lgbts.

I also always thought hannibal was that dude from the creepy movie about silent lambs or something??? And he has a moth collection??? But apparently not because he's from this book by Thomas Harris that in the early 2010s sometime a gay guy decided to make a prequel tv show of

somehow this is mark Antony's fault.

it's gets 8.5 on imdb & 92% on rotten tomatoes. This is concerningly high.

there are over 17k fics for will/hannibal on ao3. No one seems particularly concerned that one of the parties involved is in fact a cannibal.

also I think the show is about trying to find a serial killer cannibal and hannibal is somehow involved in this but! No one thinks it is him despite his name being fucking. Hannibal.

The name thing is really bothering me in case you couldn't tell.

Will murders a furry at some point and no one ever mentions it again despite everyone knowing

Various people try to tell will he is gay and in love with hannibal; they are right.

i fucking hate self care posts made by neurotypicals so here’s one from someone who Actually Gets It

-can’t shower or take a bath? me either. dry shampoo can make your hair look and feel cleaner, and baby wipes or makeup wipes work great to get the top layer of grime off your skin.

-can’t wash your sheets and make your bed? i feel you. push your blankets out of the way and shake the crumbs off your sheet. it will at least be a bit more comfortable.

-can’t even change out of your dirty pajamas? been there. hit yourself with some febreeze and a lint roller. if you can, brush your hair. if you can’t, hair ties and bobby pins are fantastic.

-can’t make anything to eat? same. if you can, there’s no shame in ordering food. in fact, it’s probably better you eat something rather than go hungry. if you can’t, try and find something that comes pre-made or takes minimal effort to make. at the very least, drink some water.

can’t respond to messages or reach out for help? yeah, i get that. set an alarm for a few hours from now and respond to any messages you need to once you’ve given yourself time to prepare. if they’re Important Messages that need Professional Responses, you can find fill-in-the-blank format rough drafts on google. as far as personal messages go, don’t feel bad for sending a mass “I’m sorry, I’m in a personal emergency right now. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” response to everyone.

-can’t even sleep because it’s so bad? asmr videos always knock me out, personally, but i also watch a lot of bob ross. just try to find something quiet and soothing to use as background noise and take your mind off it, or at least give you a more peaceful environment to think about it.

-can’t go for a walk/drive? try opening the blinds or curtains. you’re still exposing yourself to the outside world. baby steps. (i also play animal crossing or sims; it may be virtual but fuck it. i went on a walk.)

-can’t go into work/school? let people know. let your coworkers or classmates know it’s an emergency and you can’t make it. give yourself up to two days, but then you have to go back. ask to have your work emailed to you so you know what you missed.

-can’t brush your teeth and wash your face? makeup or baby wipes and gum or mouthwash. don’t let yourself physically rot bc you’re rotting emotionally.

If you can’t say “I’m beautiful,” begin by shutting down the “I’m ugly” thoughts and saying “I’m a person.”

If you can’t say “I’m valuable” begun by shutting down the “I’m worthless” thoughts and say “all people deserve basic respect, and I’m a person.”