In Just One Book??

i just think that if you’re telling any kind of story in which there’s a designated love interest, and you REALLY want the audience to be invested in that love story instead of going “hm, but i think they have more chemistry with the villain/sidekick/best friend/etc.,” the emotional intensity of that relationship has to outweigh every other relationship either character has. your protagonist has to have stronger feelings about their love interest than they do about anyone else. so often the emotional stakes inherent to the main love story (or friendship! or familial relationship!) are informed attributes - the author tells us that they have chemistry, that they’re best friends, that this dude would do anything for his family - but those emotional relationships aren’t central motivating factors that drive the story forward. if the protagonist spends more time thinking about their nemesis than their love interest, or if the conflict is driven by two people hating each other and that emotion is what drives their actions, your audience is gonna pick up on that! it’s the most interesting and emotionally intense relationship you’re giving us! it’s basic “show don’t tell” - people won’t just get invested in the dynamic between two characters because you say so. it’s on you, the creator, to make that relationship the most compelling one on the page/screen.

It's a bit unrealistic that every kpop idol is gay don't you think

being straight is unrealistic

reaf after finishing

svsss

Do you think MXTX deals with themes of self-worth in all of her stories? I'm thinking of Luo BingHe, Wei WuXian, Xie Lian, and Hua Cheng specifically... but also Shen Jiu, Jiang Cheng, Jin GuangYao, and Mu Qing... are there similarities? Differences?

Daaamn, that’s a whole lotta characters to examine here XD

…And really, there’s only more to be added because self-worth is absolutely a recurring theme in MXTX’s stories, and a common hardship to grow from throughout individual arcs. I’d throw in Jin Ling, Qi Rong, Wen Ning and Zhuzhi-Lang too. 

There are certainly plenty of parallels & foils to be found and noticeable patterns are observable in the way self-worth is explored, especially in what caused it and how characters try to cope or compensate for it. 

To do some broad categorization (and some can fit in more than one category!):

Some have self-worth issues stem from the guilt of having committed horrendous acts at one time: Wei Wuxian, Xie Lian and Wen Ning

For MANY in which it’s the result of an abusive background: Jin Guangyao, Hua Cheng, Luo Binghe, Qi Rong, Zhuzhi-Lang and Shen Jiu. 

And for some it’s an inability to live up to expectations: Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling

Mu Qing is kind of a unique case, but uhhh more on him later. 

With the exception of the few antagonists who got tragic endings, we see most of these characters attain resolution in their arcs and move forward in life with greater confidence.

But what’s striking is just how consistently important human connections is shown to be at empowering people and healing the pain caused by those deep-seated insecurities. Having unconditional bonds are what allow even the villains in MXTX worlds to experience moments affirming their humanity. On the whole, connections are integral to the development of all these MXTX characters as they navigate through their issues with their self-worth, so let’s examine the various ways these two linked themes are explored. Since I’ve already written long-ass posts about Hua Cheng here and Wen Ning & Zhuzhi-Lang here, I won’t talk about them much. Also, Shen Jiu will be saved for another post 😉

Keep reading

pspspss for @pecanplease based on this post

_X_

Larissa Lardo still isn’t sure about the whole “hockey manager” thing. It’s decent money, and the guys are nice enough, but they’re an art student for fuck’s sake. (They’re keeping the name whatever happens, its cool as shit, and fits way better than they’re given name). What are they even doing here, hanging out at the Haus when there’s not even a kegster happening. It’s 3pm on a Sunday in November and they’re standing on the porch, still debating whether or not this is a good idea.

Fuck it whatever they think, and push open the door, braced for the inevitable wave of sound that normally occurs.

Nothing. There’s no one in the living room, no sound from the tv, no blender being subjected to Jack’s protein shakes. Where is everyone?

Shitty told them to come hang, and there’s no way that he would have been deliberately cruel. He’s here, even if the rest of the haus-dwellers are out. As they move up the stairs, it’s still freakishly quiet until they get to Shitty’s door, and Lardo can finally hear talking. They knock and after Shitty yells, “Lards get your ass in here!” Lardo pushes the door open. They take one look around, curious, and -

That’s their art on the wall. The pieces Lardo threw in the dumpster two weeks ago, angry at the world and coming off a horrible critique from her professor. The small triptych of ducklings. The abstract inspired by Lake Quad. The small portrait of their neighbor back home. The still life of a pong table they painted after the first kegster of the year.

The white noise in Lardo’s ears clears long enough for them to hear, “ - just left in the dumpster by Faber can you believe it? Who would want to throw this stuff away, it’s fuckin’ sick! I made Jack help me carry it back here there was no way I was going to risk someone else taking it or the trash guys coming before I could get back for a second trip, ya know?”

He put their art on his wall. He put their art on his wall. He went out of his way and made his best friend help gather their art and put it. On. His. Wall.

“…Paging Dr. Lardo. What’s up with you Lards? You look like someone hit you over the head.”

“That’s my stuff up there,” they breathe, not able to catch their breath properly yet from the sudden desire to cry.

“What?”

Lardo clears their throat, do not cry do not cry do Not Fucking Cry -

“That’s my art on your wall. I tossed it two weeks ago right before practice.”

“HOLY SHIT BRAH! Lards, that’s s’awesome! You have to sign it for me, all of it, right now - where’s my sharpie?” He’s rummaging in his desk, still chattering excitedly, when he straightens up suddenly and spins around, eyes narrowed. “Wait. I found it in the dumpster. You threw it out. Why would you throw this stuff out? It’s seriously so good Lardo.”

“Just a bad day I guess,” they say, trying not to make it a huge deal. Lardo doesn’t want to poke that raw place inside themselves just yet. Not even in front of Shitty.

Shitty just looks at them for a second, considering. For a second, Lardo thinks he’s going to pry and that is not going to go well. At all. Then his face clears back to it’s normal amusement. “Well, I’m even more vindicated in forcing Jack to help me. And you’re still signing this stuff. Get over here.”

Lardo goes, and can feel the corner of their mouth quirking upward, almost against their will.

Cool, so we’re doing this. Managing the hockey team.

hey do you have a tumblr

no sorry

they don’t have to jump anymore :(((

@holland_vvv: Thank you for 1M View🙏

I made a quiz! Well, it’s more of a personality test, I guess. Hope you enjoy <3

LGBTQ+ Book Rec. ((Pt.2)) - Teen/YA

Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir - Maggie Thrash - wlw

Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli - mlm

I Wish You All the Best - Mason Deaver - Nonbinary, Queer

Felix Ever After - Kacen Callender - Transboy, Queer ((THIS ONE IS SO GOOD, I RECOMMEND IT SO MUCH, IT HAS SO MUCH REPRESENTATION))

They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera - mlm, Bisexual, Queer

Red, White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuinston - mlm, Bisexual, Gay ((I ALSO 100% RECOMMEND THIS ONE IM OBSESSED WITH IT RIGHT NOW IT'S SO SO GOOD))

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - Benjamin Alire Sáenz - mlm

A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue - Mackenzi Lee - mlm, Bisexual

Clap When You Land - Elizabeth Acevedo - wlw, Lesbian

Wilder Girls - Rory Power - wlw

History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera - mlm, Gay, Bisexual

Cemetery Boys - Aiden Thomas - Transboy, Gay, mlm ((I LOVED THIS ONE TOO, IT'S SO GOOD))