Latest Posts by ainesseyspiegel - Page 7
““What can you possibly achieve by seeing someone else miserable? What kind of a sick person do you have to be to get a kick out of someone else in pain? I don’t care how badly you were hurt. The second you think that someone else deserves the suffering you went through, you too become evil. And just like every other evil in the word, you need to be destroyed.””
—
Aequus
Building a character from the ground up
Method of determining personality: Quote
Type of Character: Antagonist
Main or Secondary: Main Villain
Main Purpose: Challenge the way the protagonist views the people around him
In the fanfiction writing system, grammatically-based offenses are considered especially heinous. On the internet, the dedicated proofreaders who find and correct these vicious grammar fails are members of an elite squad known as the Grammar Police. These are their stories.
Fourth Wall Bakery: The Beginning
“Welcome to Fourth Wall Bakery, where we bust down the walls of reality to make every culinary dream come true, how can I help you today?”
I am proud of that slogan, and will still bask in a small glow of pride if someone remembers my name because of it. It was the beginning of what would come to be a very interesting start to my writing career. Surprisingly enough, the job I created that slogan for, and the business that I was a part of for a few years thereafter, had nothing to do with my long time ambition of becoming a published author. It was made for a bakery, the realized dream of one of my best friends, and I had no idea I would ever come to be part of the staff when I created. Come to think of it, I don’t think I had any sort of decent clue as to what those few words would come to mean for my future. Or that, in a way, they would actually come to create it.
Emily, a girl who I had known since early childhood, had come upon a bit of luck. Recently graduating from culinary school, she had been fortunate enough to come into contact with a retiring business owner who had a building in Harvard Square. The old woman used to own a restaurant. It was what they called ‘A mom and pop joint’ where every regular was known by name and every order was practically memorized. It was a beloved place, but the woman who started it all was nearing her 90’Th birthday, and had decided that that year was going to mark the start of her lifelong dream of traveling the world. Emily’s mother had been one of those usual customers. She hated the thought of letting a building with such personal history go to waste. So she worked out a deal with the owner, convinced her to sell, and gave the place to her daughter. Emily had just graduated and was wondering how to start out in the culinary world with a bang. She got her opportunity.
Meanwhile, I was a struggling English Major who needed a job that paid better than minimum wage with hours I could handle without collapsing. At the time, I had two part-time jobs and had been forced to cut my classes from five to two in order to pay the bills. It meant my college education would take a lot longer than I thought it would, and the bills would be around longer than I wanted. I was living with my older sister Lily, and together we made just enough to get by, with a little help from some very supportive parents. But getting by wasn’t enough anymore. I needed to get ahead, and come the end of that school year I was desperate for anything that might do the trick.
Emily had mentioned her good fortune once before, and I was there when the old owner of the building signed over the deed. Emily and I went out to lunch afterwards to celebrate. It was then that she told me of a small dilemma she had been stressing over since she knew the building was going to come into her possession.
She had her menu, and she had the image of what she wanted in her mind. She just had no idea how to go about getting news out to the general public. Oh she had fliers and posters and pamphlets ready to be sent out. There was just one thing that she felt was missing. A name that would stand out on the street, and a catchy slogan that would stay with people long after they had walked out the door. That day she had been completely frustrated with her lack of creativity on the subject and jokingly offered me a hundred dollars if I could make up one for her. I had jokingly responded with the line at the top of the page.
I hadn’t expected her to like it. In fact, I expected her to scoff, laugh a little, and throw a rolled napkin at my head. It was not a serious suggestion. The name and catchphrase had been created years ago when I had been writing a story with a main character that was actually loosely based on Emily herself. This main character of mine owned a bakery, and that was what his employees answered the phones with. That was actually all I had managed to write down, and the idea was scrapped very quickly due to loss of interest and ideas. It was ironic that I had found use for it outside of that fictional world that never made it to full growth, and I figured Emily might get a kick out of the humor of the situation. Then she could calm down long enough to come up with something that would suit her business. I never thought she would take me seriously.
But, then, she stopped every single movement. She looked at me intensely, eyes more focused than I had ever seen them, before beaming as brightly as any star. I had to fight the urge to look away. Partly because it would have been rude, but also because I was curious. What had I said to cause such a sudden reaction? A second later I got my answer. She proclaimed an absolute love for the idea and promised to immediately put it on her advertisement merchandise. I walked away confused and a hundred dollars richer. How silly of me to think that that was the end of it.
She didn’t talk to me about her new place until a couple of months later. During that time, she had scoured the entire city looking for people to hire, remodel, and get the building into working order. I wouldn’t know until years later, but many of the applicants sent in never even got close to being a part of Emily’s vision. There was always something about them she didn’t like. Most of the time, she said they weren’t a very big believer. They were too practical in everything they did. While that was good for one or two employees, the majority of them had to be able to dream outside the box. It made sense. Baking had become a major art form, and practical wasn’t exactly in demand these days. It figured Emily would want some of the more creative individuals at her beck and call. Though, I had a hard time believing that she couldn’t find a decent portion of the creative population in Boston. I thought she may have been a bit too picky for her own good. She responded by telling me that the type of believers she needed were in short supply. I smiled and agreed for her benefit.
Fourth Wall Bakery opened up another two months later. In the end, Emily had chosen only the people she had known all her life, and a couple of people she was taking a chance on, to be a part of her living dream. Two more bakers named Nicole and Ellie, a financial adviser named Charlie, manager Chris, assistant manager William, and secretary Jewel. All that was needed before business really began, Emily said the night before the opening day, was a delivery boy. I, who had been one of the people invited to the good luck party, simply laughed and asked if she had anyone in mind. She smiled, handed me a drink, and sometime between the congratulations and good nights, I had somehow agreed to be this 'delivery boy’ she had in mind. I may have minded at the time, but later on I realized it wasn’t so bad. The pay was good, I knew the people, and the city was one I adored. What could possibly go wrong?
A word to the wise. Never ask that question when you’re not prepared for the answers you’ll receive. Sometimes the results are a lot stranger than any story you could ever concoct yourself.
Careful What You Say, You May Just Mean It
I wonder if there isn’t a reason why writers are so careful with their words outside of their stories. Is it because we know how easy it is to destroy with a few simple letters? I know some of us have constructed orders and decrees that make a lovable person die. I know some of us have constructed passages telling of a once beautiful land’s demise. We’re written hurtful truths to make little ones cry, harsh lies that drive the doubtful mad, and we’ve spun words to sentences that decide fates of entire worlds within seconds. We require precision, we strive to learn the exact art of it, so when it comes down to an important moment, we’ve all learned how to write the things that can sting the most because it is what we live off of.
So I wonder, if all this may just be true, if that’s why we know to pick and choose our verbal battles. We know, maybe better than anyone, what damage just one word can do. And yes, sometimes we can’t avoid it, sometimes pain needs to be spoken, but maybe, just maybe, those of us who have written those same pains know how to soften the blow just a bit. And maybe, again, just maybe, it has become an unconscious but very important nature in some of us.
Oh, there you are. Were you calling me? Sorry, I was looking for my-
Hey! You found it! I was wondering where that notebook ran off too! I was afraid I’d have to start all over again. It would have been annoying rewriting six pages worth of plot. You know how I am. I end up going in an entirely different direction with one, still like the other, and then I can’t decide which direction to keep. You ever wonder why stories can’t just have dozens of different endings, and different paths to take based on the choice you make? Well, you’re right, there were those old choose your own ending books, but that wasn’t exactly what I meant. They were fun though!
Why are you frowning? Huh? Oh. You read that passage, huh? I…didn’t think you were going to flip through it. I didn’t think you cared that much. Please don’t look at me that way. I don’t mean to be, well, mean. You just never ask about any of my writing. And, well, I tend to write what I know. Granted, it’s all twisted and deformed, so people don’t usually draw the connections…wait. So how did you?
What are you smiling for? He does that, my character. He grins just like that, slightly raised brow and everything. Are you…are you doing that on purpose? What did you just say? That was his speech! My character said that in his moment of vulnerability! It was my favorite scene. But…that wasn’t in those four pages.
Hey, what are you hiding behind your back? Those pages, what are they? Don’t try and hide them. Hey, I see writing! Did you write that? Let me see…it’s a story! With my characters…and some different ones. Hm? You want to know how it can all fit together? Your stuff and mine? I get it. You want to co-write something.
Take a seat, I’ll make some tea. What was that? You don’t know what you’re doing? You don’t think you’re any good? You don’t think it should ever see the light of day? Ha! Nonsense. Go on, make yourself comfortable. There’s a lot you’ve got to learn. The first thing is, there isn’t any story that isn’t worth writing down.
A dramatic Shakespearean response to every situation
“You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it.”
— Albert Einstein (via fearlessnotreckless)
dream-foreternity
♍ ॐ☀☪ ❂ ☮ ✞ ❋ ✡ ☼ ☯
Song of Storms
♪♪ From the sky, To the ground♪♪ ♪♪Rain is falling all around♪♪
♪♪Thunder rain and wind♪♪ ♪♪ A song of storms begins♪♪
♪♪ Play a song, A melody♪♪
♪♪ Then everybody will see♪♪
♪♪The hero of time♪♪
♪♪Has come ♪♪
Spectāte Dīligenter
A simple look can say a lot about a person. It can tell you trials and pains, sufferings and acceptances, and whether or not victory has won over defeat. The eyes have often been called the windows to the soul, and if one pair is empty you know the time for discovery is closed. Whether brown, blue, green, or grey, the shade and shape of a person's gaze can reveal so much. A culture, a secret, a way of life. So much can be gleamed from a simple glance.
But you have to look in order to see it.
Horse Care Post-Ride
Anonymous asked: What is it called when someone is taking the saddle, blankets, etc. off a horse for the night?
Are you looking for “unsaddle” or it’s lesser known synonym “offsaddle”?
Unsaddle (v): To remove a saddle from a horse.
swifthorse lays some knowledge on us: Untack is commonly used in the horse world.
Untack (v): Remove the saddle and bridle from (a horse).
For more on horse care after riding, check out:
How To Care For Your Horse After Riding
How to Care for Your Horse After Riding
How to Care for your Horse after Riding : Beginner Horseback Riding Lesson
Grooming Your Horse
If you happen to know more about this than we do (that wouldn’t be difficult) feel free to chime in. Is there specific terminology for this?
The 10 Most Common Grammar Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional
by Mr.3
Many people misspell common words, mix up similarly spelled words, or use the wrong form of “there”. For them, this is not a problem because we can understand what our friends and family mean to say in e-mails or other correspondence. If you are in business, however, you cannot afford to make simple mistakes. Common grammar mistakes that make you look unprofessional can cost you customers or even help put you out of business.
Here are some of the most common mistakes. If you avoid these on your website and business materials, you will stand out to potential new customers.
Read More
How To Write in 10 Easy Steps
Have an idea. Inspire yourself. Take long showers and walks outside and let the idea come to you.
Flesh it out. Whether you outline or not, you need to have at the very least a vague idea of the beginning, middle, and end of your piece.
WRITE. Self-explanatory. You have to actually write to get anything written.
Don’t worry. If things don’t go smoothly, don’t sweat it. It’ll come to you. If not, hey, learning experience. Maybe this idea isn’t the one for you.
Stay organized. Let’s face it, when writers are writing, they turn into slobs. Sticky notes EVERYWHERE, empty coffee cups and mugs with dried up tea bags are left all over the place, your documents are titled ‘asdfgh’, and you can’t even remember what your MC’s last name is. These things will hinder your performance as a writer, and well, as a human.
Take breaks. Don’t burn yourself out. If you start to feel stressed, take a step back, no matter how painful it will be to separate from it.
Write some more. Seriously. I can’t stress this enough. Don’t just say you’re goingto write this or that, actually do it.
Don’t be afraid to share. Seriously, learn to share your work with those you trust. It’ll be good to not only get you used to letting go of your stuff, but your loved ones will more than likely really appreciate you letting them read it.
Find a critique partner. No, not your mom. Or your best friend. Or your sibling. Someone you trust and is a friend, even a close, friend, but also someone who will be unbiased. Someone who isn’t afraid to tell you ‘this is really awful’, and who is also not afraid to tell you, ‘this is really awesome’.
Don’t wait. If you have an idea, get to it. Don’t say, “I’ll wait until I have more time” or, “I’ll just wait until the weekend”, etc.. JUST DO IT. The longer you wait, the less likely it is you’ll get anything done.
P.S. I lied. It’s not easy. It will never be easy.
