Latest Posts by kettlemebroke - Page 3
RW&RB will have the corniest tag line like “true love isn’t always diplomatic” and then you will never emotionally recover from it
(This isn’t even half of it tbh)
“he reaches out to touch his face and looks at his fingers and thinks about holding the Bible at his mother’s inauguration with the same hand.”
“I’m not ... good at saying these things like you are, but. I’ve always thought ... ever since I knew about me, and even before, when I could sense I was different—and, after everything the past few years, all the mad things my head does —I’ve always thought of myself as a problem that deserved to stay hidden. Never quite trusted myself, or what I wanted. Before you, I was all right letting everything happen to me. I honestly have never thought I deserved to choose.” His hand moves, fingertips brushing a curl behind Alex’s ear. “But you treat me like I do.”
“You see, for me, memories are difficult. Very often, they hurt. A curious thing about grief is the way it takes your entire life, all those foundational years that made you who you are, and makes them so painful to look back upon because of the absence there, that suddenly they’re inaccessible. You must invent an entirely new system.”
“Seriously,” he says. Henry’s looking back at him, beautiful and vital and heartsick and still, always, the person Alex is willing to risk ruining his life for. “I hate this so much. I know. But we’re gonna do it together. And we’re gonna make it work. You and me and history, remember? We’re just gonna fucking fight. Because you’re it, okay? I’m never gonna love anybody in the world like I love you. So, I promise you, one day we’ll be able to just be, and fuck everyone else.”
“He wants to set himself on fire, but he can’t afford for anyone to see him burn.”
“If Alex’s head is a storm, Henry is the place lightning hits ground.”
“I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose.”
“Dear Thisbe,
I wish there weren’t a wall.
Love, Pyramus”
“They clink together gently as he tucks them both under his shirt, two homes side by side.”
“He is my choice”
“Sería una mentira, porque no sería él.”
“There are a lot of days when Henry is happy to hear from him and quick to respond, a fast, cutting sense of humor, hungry for Alex’s company and the tangle of thoughts in Alex’s head. But sometimes, he’s taken over by a dark mood, an unusually acerbic wit, strange and vitrified. He’ll withdraw for hours or days, and Alex comes to understand this as grief time, little bouts of depression, or times of “too much.” Henry hates those days completely. Alex wishes he could help, but he doesn’t particularly mind. He’s just as attracted to Henry’s cloudy tempers, the way he comes back from them, and the millions of shades in between.”
“ I can’t decide if your emails make me miss you more or less. Sometimes I feel like a funny-looking rock in the middle of the most beautiful clear ocean when I read the kinds of things you write to me. You love so much bigger than yourself, bigger than everything. I can’t believe how lucky I am to even witness it—to be the one who gets to have it, and so much of it, is beyond luck and feels like fate. Catholic God made me to be the person you write those things about. I’ll say five Hail Marys. Muchas gracias, Santa Maria.”
“When have I ever, since the first instant I touched you, pretended to be anything less than in love with you? Are you so fucking self-absorbed as to think this is about you and whether or not I love you, rather than the fact I’m an heir to the fucking throne? You at least have the option to not choose a public life eventually, but I will live and die in these palaces and in this family, so don’t you dare come to me and question if I love you when it’s the thing that could bloody well ruin everything.”
“When they kiss, Alex can hear a half-remembered old proverb from catechism, mixed up between translations of the book: “Come, hijo mío, de la miel, porque es buena, and the honeycomb, sweet to thy taste.” He wonders what Santa Chiara would think of them, a lost David and Jonathan, turning slowly on the spot.
He brings Henry’s hand to his mouth and kisses the little knob of his knuckle, the skin over the blue vein there, bloodlines, pulses, the old blood kept in perpetuity within these walls, and he thinks, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.”
“But the first time I saw you. Rio. I took that down to the gardens. I pressed it into the leaves of a silver maple and recited it to the Waterloo Vase. It didn’t fit in any rooms.”
“I thought, if someone like that ever loved me, it would set me on fire.
And then I was a careless fool, and I fell in love with you anyway. When you rang me at truly shocking hours of the night, I loved you. When you kissed me in disgusting public toilets and pouted in hotel bars and made me happy in ways in which it had never even occurred to me that a mangled-up, locked-up person like me could be happy, I loved you.
And then, inexplicably, you had the absolute audacity to love me back. Can you believe it?
Sometimes, even now, I still can’t.”
“He keeps waking up in DC, and Henry keeps waking up in London, and the whole world keeps waking up to talk about the two of them in love with other people. Pictures of Nora’s hand in his. Speculation about whether June will get an official announcement of royal courtship. And the two of them, Henry and Alex, like the world’s worst illustration of the Symposium: split down the middle and sent bleeding into separate lives.
Even that thought depresses him because Henry’s the only reason he’s become a person who cites Plato. Henry and his classics. Henry in his palace, in love, in misery, not talking much anymore.”
“It’s a news report from the BBC, and the sound is off, but Alex reads the scroll at the bottom of the screen: WORLDWIDE SUPPORT POURS IN FOR PRINCE HENRY AND FIRST SON OF US.The room falls silent at the images on the screen. A rally in New York outside the Beekman, decked out in rainbows, with waving signs that say things like: FIRST SON OF OUR HEARTS. A banner on the side of a bridge in Paris that reads: HENRY + ALEX WERE HERE. A hasty mural on a wall in Mexico City of Alex’s face in blue, purple, and pink, a crown on his head. A herd of people in Hyde Park with rainbow Union Jacks and Henry’s face ripped out of magazines and pasted onto poster boards reading: FREE HENRY. A young woman with a buzz cut throwing two fingers up at the windows of the Daily Mail. A crowd of teenagers in front of the White House, wearing homemade T- shirts that all say the same thing in crooked Sharpie letters, a phrase he recognizes from one of his own emails: HISTORY, HUH?”
a compilation of my favorite pride & prejudice posts 😌
LGBT+ Flowers
Lesbian | Gay/Queer | Bisexual
Transgender | Pansexual | Asexual
Aromantic | Aroace | Nonbinary
these are fitted so that the dimensions will be applicable to both profile pictures and phone wallpapers
please rb if saving :)
requests are open in comments - please no more than 6 colors, though
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.
Story Questions and How They Make Your Scenes Better!
After reading Paula Munier’s book Plot Perfect, I discovered Story Questions. Everything suddenly clicked.
Write a story that plants questions into the readers mind— questions that are important enough to keep the audience interested until you choose to answer them. Answer the questions that need to be answered in order for the story to make sense, but postpone the ones that can wait for added suspense and tension! Your readers will never want to put the book down if you do this successfully.
What is a story question? There are three types:
1) The Leading Question (Primary Question)
The main question that the reader is asking that will be answered at the end of the story. It drives the plot. In a romance novel, it might be: will she find her soul mate? Or in a war novel, it might be: will they complete their mission and at what cost?
Examples: Will Dorothy find her way back home and how? Will Romeo and Juliet end up together? Will Frodo destroy the ring and at what costs? Does Elena Gilbert end up with Stefan or Damon Salvatore?
Leading questions aren’t answered until the end, so you need to weave big/small story questions throughout the narrative to keep the audience hooked.
2) The Big Story Questions (Big Scenes & Subplots)
The questions and answers that arise during the big scenes of your book. Every subplot should have a big story question that readers wonder about.
Examples: In Harry Potter, we are curious about the subplot of Snape and if he is evil or good and what is backstory is. His contrasting actions and mystery keeps us intrigued and we want to find out the answers.
Princess Leia is captured and plants an S.O.S message inside of the droid R2D2, we wonder: will the droid find someone to help rescue her and who will it be? Later on, we wonder if Luke will join Obi-Wan on his mission or return to his mundane life. Even further into the story we wonder if Obi-Wan will die or live fighting Vader in an effort to help Luke and his friends. And if he dies… how will it affect Luke?
In Hermione and Ron’s friendship/romantic subplot, we are always silently wondering if they will remain friends or become more.
3) The Little Story Questions (Little Scene)
Smaller, less intense questions that you weave throughout the smaller scenes of your story. Every page of your book should have little story questions, or even every other paragraph if you plan it accordingly. Leave a question in one paragraph and answer it in the next.
Example: [The first paragraph of The Hunger Games]
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. This is the day of the reaping.
We are already asking little story questions. Who is Prim? What is the reaping? Why is her bed rough, is she underprivileged? As we continue to read, these little story questions are gradually answered giving readers a steady flow of wonder and answer, wonder and answer.
It’s a delicate balance, however. If you forget to answer a story question, or wait too long, it could frustrate your readers. During your scenes, you must anticipate what your readers are wondering/asking and then find the right time to answer/resolve these questions for the best amount of suspense!
Instagram: coffeebeanwriting
Keywords for overall energies of the signs
Aries: a baby, a tomboy, the sporty type, loud, aggressive, determined, a literal cartoon character, “let’s do it now!”, what you see is what you get, the one to yell while playing arcades, sexual, competitive, you can find them at the gym, flushed skin, friendly, protective, “yaaaaay!!!”, sooo much energy, confident, so many ideas yet so little time, cheerful, inpatient, fast, creative, sports fan, gets emotional easily, “I will fight you!”, bold, clumsy, independent, charming, in your face, a leader, sharp features, a golden retriever on crack.
Taurus: sensual, possesive, materialistic, stubborn, loves art, history and beautiful things; vintage item collector, fashionable, sweet tooth, likes fancy things, great at managing money (or spending it lol), doesn’t like change, consistent, a nice voice, lightly scented perfume, is probably into ASMR, gentle, graceful, patient, chill, great advisor, calm, lazy, has an eye for quality, loves good food, in tune with their body’s needs, physical touch is important to them, will buy you gifts, all about the 5 senses.
Gemini: social, talkative, intellectual, gossipy, bubbly, funny, likes word plays and riddles, crafty, good with their hands, pays attention to the details, anxious, will google random things, gathers knowledge on everything, will stumble on their words, A LOT of nervous energy, gets easily distracted and easily bored, a lot of hand gestures, needs constant mental stimulation, very changeable, on-and-off, curious, witty, a cameleon, knows all the memes (or is a meme themself tbh), a talented writer, animated, *Chris Evans left boob grab*.
Cancer: homebody, sensitive, sentimental, clingy, nurturing, loyal, sympathetic, motherly, will babysit you, moody, soft, family type, giggly, protective, expresses emotions through creativity, feminine, will dabble in both lighter and darker themes, likes traditions, probably into picnics and tea parties or that weird tiny food cooking, needs to feel comfortable, easily influenced by moon phases, quiet, feminist activist, a home cook, a great listener, introverted, clear watery eyes, great memory, dark romantic glam; what youth is used to, age remembers.
Leo: flashy, confident, the star, dramatic, expressive, artsy, joyful, shines on stage, swag, prom queen/king, theater kid, great hair, charismatic, proud, the most chill out of the fire signs - they’re just too cool to be that obnoxiously loud, slow-mo sexy walk, egotistical, loves to be the best at what they do, “look at meee!”, literal sunshine, heart of gold, generous, attention-seeker, bright smile, irresistible charm, stylish, every child’s role model, knows how to look good on camera, bling! bling!, *Tony Stark throwing a peace sign*.
Virgo: hard-working, perfectionist, pedantic, a know-it-all, shy, critical, analytical, great with details, will do most of the work in a group assignment cause they don’t want the other person to screw up the project, practical, the nerdy type, an egghead, low key funny, a smartass, nitpicky, polite, obsessive, tense, always willing to help, sincere, fitness and nutrition junkie, hypochondriac tendencies, “diD yOu kNoW tHaT…”, usually not social but can speak and communicate very easily, great journalist, basically Hermione Granger.
Libra: the pretty one, a social butterfly, tactful, indecisive, the nicest of the signs, dyplomatic, balanced, always dating, symmetrical shapes, delicate round features, likes beauty, fashion and makeup; great artistic sense, well-balanced taste, the one to compliment you, great communication, charming, flirty, soft colours, needs harmony, hates confrontations, offending anyone is the last thing on their mind, repulsed by brash people, can be old fashioned to the point of tackiness, cute, the basic bitch, fake, vain, probably into pinterest moodboards.
Scorpio: dark, mysterious, possessive, secretive, jealous, manipulative, reflective, will see right through you, is into the occult or criminology or some horror and stuff, goes through transformative situations in their life, dark type romantic, edgy jewelry, “Ophelia” by John Everett Millais, intense, goth on the inside (or the outside), leather and lace, deep DEEP emotions, Winona Ryder’s iconic roles, hard to open up, holds grudges, *frowns brows while staring into the distance*, will secretly stalk & observe you, will give you a death stare and make you cry.
Sagittarius: enthusiastic, can compete with an Aries with their loudness, goofy, blunt, genuine, tactless, a bookworm, likes travels, fascinated with anything foreign, soooo generous, a walking party, the one to put their foot in their mouth, needs freedom, happy-go-lucky, optimistic, impulsive, spontaneous, forgetful, short attention span, obnoxious, will ask existential questions, pHiLOsOphIcAl, can also be very zen and spiritual, the class clown, pop culture junkie, “I can’t be taaaamed”, *Bilbo Baggins running screaming “I’m going on an adventure!!!!”*.
Capricorn: authoritative, ambitious, hard-working, stoic, workaholic, opportunistic, rigid, responsible, resting bitch face, with an attitude, all about status, patient, reliable, serious, a shy type of smile, cold, loyal, sooo self-critical, sarcastic, *Dave Grohl breaking his leg on stage and still playing the whole show*, is into high status and brand names, ages well, a great storyteller, self-sufficient, an investor, being a damn pro, dark sense of humor, “You like my hair?? Gee thanks, just bought it… I see it I like it I want it I GOT IT” 🎶 .
Aquarius: flashes of brilliance, intellectual, aloof, a humanitarian, an activist, liberal, concerned with social issues, “emotions? I don’t know her”, genius, friendly, a weirdo, chases aliens, a trendsetter, eccentric, a proud rebel, stubborn yet open-minded, friends come first, great sense of humor, likes new gadgets and inventions, quirky, science nerd, loves and hates people at the same time, funny, distant, dreams of the utopian world, an individual, needs to be unique, hates labels, the inventor, a lightning bolt, “Nothing shocks me. I’m a scientist”.
Pisces: a dreamer, big imagination, artistic, lives in their own bubble, believes they’re psychic, can be so pessimistic omg!, likes to talk to animals, compassionate, empathetic, head in the clouds, pretends they’re in a music video when they listen to music, delusional, sees everything as doom and gloom, creative, will love you despite your flaws, big glossy eyes, sensitive, shy, sophisticated, a sweetheart, a poet, a blind follower, in tune with the nature, will pucker their mouth, literally loves being in the water… or sailing… or being on the beach.
Misleading your readers through unreliable sources
Misleading your readers can be super important in writing! Especially if you want a plot twist that works, sometimes foreshadowing can get a bit obvious but throw in some red hearings and you’re back on track.
When it comes to unreliable sources, there are a ton, but it is preferable to choose one that your readers will believe. For this I mostly use characters, see, most readers will believe the protagonist or important side characters when they say something. They won’t even question it. But there’s a lot of reasons your main character may not be telling the truth.
They might be retelling an explanation they made up in their head a long time ago and can’t even remember was made up.
They might have been lied to.
They might of misunderstood something they were told.
They might be talking to a child and simplifying or lying for their protection.
And if you don’t say anything, people will assume whatever they say is true. But characters are allowed to make mistakes.
Remember, if you have an all knowing neutral narrator, they can’t straight up lie. But character’s aren’t all knowing and often think they are.
Another form of unreliable information can be extracts from books, or essays. Books are full of misinformation! Either because of politics, interests or simply new evidence coming around. How many things were supposed to be true until proven otherwise? And students can be terrible! The amount of lies I’ve told in my essays purely from misinterpretation is terrifying.
For both of these you have to be careful. If every time you pull out a book it’s all lies, well, readers aren’t dumb, they’ll pick it up quite quickly. If it is mostly true, with a couple of lies spread in between the pages, now we’re talking.
You can also combine the two. A characters reads something in a book, tells others, they believe it and go with is as though true. Nobody ever corrects the misinformation. The reader certainly won’t be suspecting anything at that point.
Anyway, I hope this was useful.
As usual, check out my book, stories I’ve written plus other social medias: here.
How have you tricked your readers?
It was a very very nice letter you wrote by the light of the stars at midnight. Always write then, for your heart requires moonlight to deliquesce it.
Virginia Woolf to Vita Sackville-West (via fuckyeahhistoricalloveletters)
Major Arcana Tarot Meanings
The Fool – 0
Upright: Innocence, freedom, originality, adventure, travel, foolishness, carelessness, idealism, youth, spontaneity, lack of commitment, new beginnings Reversed: Recklessness, carelessness, negligence, stupidity, distraction, apathy, irrationality, lack of fun, hope or faith
The Magician – I
Upright: Power, influence, willpower, resourcefulness, skill, ability, logic, intellect, concentration and psychic powers Reversed: Manipulation, greed, unused ability, untrustworthiness, trickery, conniving, cunning, lack of mental clarity
The High Priestess – II
Upright: Desirability, unattainability, mystery, sensuality, spirituality, thirst for knowledge, mystery, subconscious, higher power, creativity, fertility Reversed: Repression of intuition, blocked psychic powers, unwanted attention, uncontrolled outbursts and sexual tension, lack of self-belief, fertility issues
The Empress – III
Upright: Pregnancy, fertility, motherhood, sensuality, nurturing, creativity, beauty, femininity, nature, harmony, art Reversed: Insecurity, infertility, lack of confidence, lack of growth, overbearing tendencies, disharmony, negligence
The Emperor – IV
Upright: Older man, stability, dependability, fatherhood, father-figure, structure, protectiveness, authority, logical, practical Reversed: Abuse of power, excessively controlling, rigidity, stubbornness, lack of discipline, lack of control, absentee father, paternity issues
The Hierophant – V
Upright: Traditional institutions, traditional values, conventional, conformity, marriage, commitment, religion, beliefs, knowledge sharing Reversed: Challenging tradition, unconventional lifestyles, unconventional relationships, reversed roles, non-conformity
The Lovers – VI
Upright: Love, soulmates, kindred spirits, perfect unions, partnerships, relationships, major choices, romance, desire, sexual connections, shared values Reversed: Disharmony, trust issues, imbalance, conflict, disconnection, lack of accountability, disunion, detachment
The Chariot – VII
Upright: Victory, overcoming obstacles, success, ambition, determination, willpower, control, self-discipline, hard work and focus Reversed: Forcefulness, lack of direction, lack of self-control, powerlessness, aggression, coercion, being blocked by obstacles
Strength – VIII
Upright: Inner strength, courage, bravery, confidence, compassion, taming, control, overcoming self-doubt Reversed: Vulnerability, self-doubt, weakness, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, feeling inadequate
The Hermit – IX
Upright: Spiritual enlightenment, soul searching, self-reflection, introspection, contemplation, inner guidance, solitude Reversed: Loneliness, paranoia, isolation, reclusiveness, withdrawal, anti-social, restrictive, paralyzed by fear.
The Wheel of Fortune – X
Upright: Good luck, destiny, change, karma, soulmates, decisive moments, cycles of life, fate, fortune, upheaval, chance Reversed: Bad luck, upheaval, disorder, external forces, lack of control, disruption, unwelcome change, delays, set backs, karma
Justice – XI
Upright: Justice, karmic justice, consequences, legal disputes, law, truth, honesty, integrity, cause and effect, life lessons Reversed: Injustice, karmic retribution, dishonesty, corruption, lack of accountability, dishonesty, unfairness, karmic avoidance
The Hanged Man – XII
Upright: Feeling trapped, confined, self-limiting, uncertainty, lack of direction, needing release, letting go Reversed: Discontentment, apathy, disinterest, stagnation, impulsiveness, negative patterns, detachment
Death – XIII
Upright: Spiritual transformation, new beginnings, letting go, endings, change, transition, sudden or unexpected upheaval Reversed: Inability to move forward, fear of beginnings, repeating negative patterns, resisting change, dependency
Temperance – XIV
Upright: Balance, peace, patience, moderation, inner calm, perspective, tranquillity, harmonious relationships, soulmates Reversed: Imbalance, self-indulgence, excess, clashing, lack of perspective, discord, antagonism, recklessness, hastiness
The Devil – XV
Upright: Addiction, depression, mental health issues, secrecy, obsession, cheating, dependency, bondage, materialism, sexuality, powerlessness, hopelessness, abuse, violence, assault Reversed: Detachment, independence, overcoming addiction, freedom, revelation, reclaiming power, reasserting control
The Tower – XVI
Upright: Chaos, destruction, sudden upheaval, trauma, unexpected change, disaster, loss, tragedy, revelations, confusion, pain, divorce, abuse, violence, bankruptcy, natural disasters, inevitable endings Reversed: Resisting change, averting disaster, avoiding tragedy, delaying the inevitable, avoiding loss, lack of insight, codependence
The Star – XVII
Upright: Hope, inspiration, creativity, calm, contentment, renewal, serenity, spirituality, healing, positivity Reversed: Hopelessness, despair, focusing on the negative, lack of faith, lack of inspiration, lack of creativity, boredom, monotony
The Moon – XVIII
Upright: Intuition, illusion, dreams, vagueness, instability, deception, anxiety, fear, misconception, subconscious, insecurity, clouded Reversed: Releasing fear, unveiling secrets, subsiding anxiety, truth, regaining composure, self-deception, blocked intuition
The Sun – XIX
Upright: Positivity, freedom, fun, success, optimism, vitality, joy, confidence, self-expression, good luck, enthusiasm, happiness, truth, openness, pregnancy Reversed: Lack of enthusiasm, excessive enthusiasm, sadness, pessimism, unrealistic expectations, ego, conceitedness, oppression, infertility
Judgement – XX
Upright: Judgement, self-evaluation, awakening, renewal, composure, decisiveness, homesickness, snap judgements, apportioning blame, forgiveness, judgemental Reversed: Indecisiveness, self-doubt, malicious gossip, lack of self-awareness, unwillingness to learn karmic lessons, unfair blame, false accusations
The World – XXI
Upright: Success, achievement, accomplishment, travel, completion, fulfillment, sense of belonging, wholeness Reversed: Lack of success, stagnation, lack of achievement, disappointment, burden, lack of completion
Working on a novel it’s not always easy. It requires constant editing and rewriting. It requires being your own reader, proofreader, developmental and line editor. But at the same time, it’s so exciting. Every day you’re getting closer to your overall goal. Every day you’re getting closer to finishing it. Visualize the end result, become emotionally engaged with it, and let it be your writing motivation.
reblog for something very lgbt to happen to you on nov 5th
RANDOM ARIDANTE HEADCANONS
Dante is 100% the bottom in their relationship. I think that’s even implied in the second book
If they end up adopting kids at some point, annual summer road trips are a given
During college, Dante tries to break up with Ari multiple times, not because he doesn’t love Ari, but because he misses him too much. But every time Dante tries to break up with him, Ari just says no, absolutely not, and that’s the end of it
Ari lowkey loves Sophocles just as much, if not more than Dante does, but he would die before admitting it.
In their older years, Ari just looks back at himself literally saving Dante from being killed and is like, “there was no hetero explanation for that, why tf did it take my parents literally calling a family meeting for me to realize”. It’s the kind of thing that he thinks about at night every once and a while and it makes him feel absolutely ridiculous
Dante gets jealous easily, but when he gets jealous, Ari just showers him with love and kisses and assures him that he adores him.
When they hold hands in public, if someone looks at them weird, Dante gets self conscious and tries to pull away, but Ari doesn’t let him. He just gives the person a death glare bc he knows he could kick their ass to the Canada border if they messed with him and Dante.
“My Safe Place” series
(Include 5 fics for 5 different ships)
1. Haven’s Taste - Pansmione (Pansy x Hermione)
Summary: The only thing Hermione had wanted was to work on her problems, but suddenly she found herself sitting opposite Slytherin's mean girl™ Pansy Parkinson revealing herself in more than one sense.
Rating: Explicit
Chapter: 15/15
Word count: 43752
Tags: Mind Healer Pansy Parkinson, Ministry of Magic Employee Hermione Granger, Minister for Magic Hermione Granger, Auction, Slow Burn, Light Angst, Fluff, Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, Happy Ending
READ HERE ON AO3
2. Cherry Stem And Liquid Luck - Theville (Neville x Theodore)
Summary: Theodore’s life changes when he sees a soaking wet man standing in front of his shop. He doesn’t expect that guy to be anything important to him or his life, but he isn’t a Seer.
Rating: Mature
Chapter: 1/1
Word count: 4297
Tags: Post-War, Post-Hogwarts, Auror Neville Longbottom, Tailor Theodore Nott, Fluff, Choking, Tooth-Rooting Fluff
READ HERE ON AO3
3. Baby, Baby - Linny (Ginny x Luna)
Summary: Ginny and Luna’s married life truly begins when they decide to have a baby.
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Chapter: 1/1
Word count: 2034
Tags: Post-War, Post-Hogwarts, Kid Fic, Family Fluff, Tooth-Rooting Fluff, Babies
READ HERE ON AO3
4. The Warmest Place Is You - Drarry (Harry x Draco)
Summary: Draco Malfoy is always cold even with the help of charms, so he has every right to freak out when Harry Potter is the only one that can make him warm.
Rating: Mature
Chapter: 9/9
Word count: 14876
Tags: Post-War, Hogwarts Eighth Year, Tooth-Rooting Fluff, Auror Harry Potter, Healer Draco Malfoy, Enemies To Friends To Lovers, Coming Out, Attempt At Humour
READ HERE ON AO3
5. Cigarette Kisses After Sex - Blairon (Blaise x Ron)
Summary: Ron Weasley may be bisexual and Blaise Zabini might be the hottest bloke to have ever lived and yes, he kisses like a God, but Ron surely doesn't have feelings for him. It's just friends helping friends out. Who doesn't kiss their friends every day. On the mouth. With tongue.
Rating: Explicit
Chapter: 18/18
Word count: 39416
Tags: Roommates, Auror Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy & Ron Weasley Friendship, Slow Burn, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, BDSM, Daddy Kink, Top Blaise Zabini, Bottom Ron Weasley, Cigarettes, Kissing, Breathplay, Choking, Ball Gag, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Sex Toys, Butt Plugs Spanking, Bondage, Whipping, Flogging, Mirror Sex, Face-Fucking, Handcuffs, Pillow Talk, Hung Blaise Zabini, Coming Untouched (so many other tags)
READ HERE ON AO3
Witchy Study Sessions
Welcome to the second post in my witchcraft x studying series! My first post received lots of positive attention so I decided to keep it going!!!
In this post I'll discuss different herbs, incense, fruits, flowers, stones, etc you can use to help you out when you study! Feel free to use this list to help in the creation of spells (if you do, I'd love to hear all about your spells!!), meditation, etc!
Herbs:
Rosemary: the arguably most common and popular herb in witchcraft. It has been used for a very long time for a ton of reasons, making it extremely versatile. This herb is used commonly to help with memory, focus, and concentration making it amazing for study sessions! You can put in in your tea, cakes, breads, salads, whatever you like! Not only are it's metaphysical properties versatile, it's mundane uses are too! It's used everywhere from skincare to medicines to decoration and pest repellent.
Allspice: that one herb everyone has in their cabinet but doesn't know quite what to do with it! This is typically used more commonly for money, but luck, prosperity, and energy are all things anyone going to classes definitely needs. Perfect in baked goods, drinks, incense, sprinkled in wax warmers, and used in sauces and soups, this makes application of this herb for your studies almost limitless!
Bay: got a big test coming up and just need a little pinch of good luck? Throw some bay leaves in your bag! These are very popular for wishing, luck, and that little extra push! Also very amazing in the kitchen. You can also hang them over your desk or put them in your drawers. A popular way of using them is writing what you want on the leaf and then burning it.
Chamomile: every witch's best friend. These are super easy to get and very common, so it's perfect for even the closet witches! Finals week is one of the most useful times for these gorgeous flowers. Don't like the taste? Use them as decoration or in a bouquet! Sprinkle the flowers around your room or in a little jar. They also make Chamomile incense!
Cinnamon: My personal favorite (I add this to almost everything). It's amazing for luck, success, energy, and amplifying energy. Hell, they even make cinnamon gum. With the element of fire, it also tends to have a faster effect than other herbs.
Frankincense: AMAZING for concentration. Burning it also impacts ion channels in the brain that can help alleviate anxiety, which is why you have that mystical kind of feeling in a church while they burn it. It is a slight psychoactive because of this.
Ginger: nervous? Have some ginger! This herb is used even medically to help calm you down. Best part is that it is delicious! Super easy to use without anyone suspecting anything. I add it to my Ramen all the time.
Grass: I know what am I thinking? But have you just laid in some grass and felt calm? Read a book sitting in some and then able to talk all about it? Grass is amazingly magical. It increases focus, concentration, and brings a sense of calmness with it.
Lemon balm: very commonly used to help with anxiety and depression! Need I say more?
Fruits and Veggies:
Acorn: these little guys are absolutely adorable, in season, and perfect for studying! They bring luck, wisdom, and bring out your personal power. Just pick one up and carry it along with you to give you that extra oomph! Did you know that you can also make flour from them? Their flesh is 100% edible. You can even boil them too!
Broccoli: this is a great veggie for growing and being strong just like your mama told ya. It's also great to help balance life as well. Cook it, grow it, chop it up and dry it to powder it, whatever! It's very potent magic. Just be careful! Bitter plants tend to also be able to cause the opposite if used in large quantities in spells (A superstitious belief of mine anyways).
Cabbage: Good luck! Always need more of it so eat your cabbage! Don't like how it tastes? Get some red cabbage and marinade it in some lime juice and salt and add it to a salad or serve with dinner. I promise vegetables aren't bad, they just need seasoning. Bonus points if your seasoning amplifies the energies you want.
Celery: the Allstar veggie! Perfect for stress, tiredness, fatigue, and brain fog. Gnawing on a few sticks tastes great and is healthy. The crunch can really help reduce stress and calm your brain down. But you can also bake it, put it in salads, use the seeds, grow it, etc.
Orange: the praises of this fruit are well sung so I won't beat a dead horse here.
Pumpkin: the king of the season, this baby is amazing at bringing good vibes and pushing you towards success! Plus it smells amazing and is super festive up until winter. You can even paint them to bring some color magic into it!
Strawberry: what better fruit to bring about success, fortune, and favor than this gorgeous beauty? Absolutely delicious, very abundant, and just a pure, helpful energy all around. Use in smoothies, desserts, salads, breakfast, syrups, glazes, sugars, snacks, etc. A gorgeous fruit with an amazing energy. What else could you want?
Flowers:
Carnation: Got too much on your plate? These flowers of motherly love are here to help! Often used for that energy, they can also help ease anxiety and provide some balance to a chaotic life much like a mother can calm her screaming baby to sleep. Best part is these flowers are also edible. The petals are sweet and tender and can be used in all sorts of dishes from desserts to salads to even wines!
Iris: The ultimate power flower with a need to get done attitude. Big project? Need some creative help? Can't focus? Brain fog? You name it, this flower can help! These plants are mildly toxic to humans and toxic to pets so don't let anyone eat them please.
Honeysuckle: With a flower that smells so sweet, how could it not make things better? This flower is great for extra confidence, success, and luck. And it's a very common perfume scent making these magical boosts super easy to get!
Lilac: Amazing for more than just flirting and banishing, it also helps aide memory. Have some of these flowers around you while you study or rehearse to help you remember the small details!
Orchid: this is a no nonsense flower that will bring you focus, concentration, and elegance. Their energy is very strong and their colors are many, making it super easy to customize these to fit your needs!
Rocks:
Agate: with properties like courage, confidence, and strength, these beautiful rocks make amazing and beautiful energy beacons for studying. They also are used a lot in jewelry and art pieces so they are very accessible and easy to disguise!
Amethyst: this stone is like rosemary in the sense that people say it can do anything. Let it bring calmness and sleep on those anxious nights.
Pyrite: this stone isn't just for money, but also for success, luck, focus, and confidence. Carry some around with you to classes to help you focus and be more confident about answering questions.
Yellow flourite: Honestly one of the best stones to help fight fatigue and burn out. It helps clear your body and remove stress. Pair with a positive stone like amethyst to help recharge yourself and get back on your feet.
Yellow topaz: absolutely gorgeous stone with such positive energy. This stone will help you with your confidence and luck as well as look amazing with almost anything!
Other misc. Items:
Dirt from your school: This is an amazing spell item for all sorts of reasons. It brings school energy with you. But it also helps with memory, focus, knowledge, and overall studying.
Paint: paint itself can help invite creativity, overcome road blocks, and provide inspiration. Pair that with the ability to add color magic into it so easy, you have a very potent spell item. This is also a great one for closet witches as no one is going to even think about witchcraft if you're playing with paint.
Pennies: not just for graveyards! These little guys can also bring you good luck!
Shark teeth: Need a confidence boost? Keep some Shark teeth on ya. They are not only super cool, but also very common and popular.
Incense:
Angelica: This is amazingly calm but also great for bringing new understanding. If you're stuck on a topic and just can't get it, try burning some Angelica incense and try again.
Basil: This delicate but almost earthy scent can help with retention, focus, enthusiasm, and mental clarity. This is one you typically can only find combined with other scents.
Bergamot: Pulling an all nighter? The coffee isn't quite cutting it? Try burning some bergamot incense to help keep you alert and keep your mind active. It can also make you feel more confident and ready to take on this class!
Cardamom: this is great if you don't like the smell of bergamot which can be kind of intense.
Sage: remove that stress and heavy energy after failing a test and replace it with a much friendlier, happier energy.
Rain: this is another great option to help alleviate stress especially if you don't like the smell of sage! It's much calmer and more relaxing.
Clove: a great option for long study sessions, this incense really helps with focus and memory, as it was a very warm, earthy smell to it. It also helps in grounding and concentration exercises.
Eucalyptus: a very calming and relaxing incense, this is great if you're stressing over finals or a big project. It will help calm you down while also increasing your focus.
Lemongrass: this is the almighty incense for studying. It helps fight fatigue, increase focus and concentration, promotes stress relief, and helps memory.
gay books u need to read rn
hello shawties it has come to my attention that not enough people know enough gay books and in honour of my RWRB shirt finally arriving, i have a list.
Red, White, and Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston
I Wish You All The Best - Mason Deaver
The Art of Being Normal - Lisa Williamson
Wilder Girls - Rory Power
Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Abertalli
One Last Stop - Casey McQuiston
They Both Die At The End - Adam Silvera
Melissa’s Story - Alex Gino
Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green and David Levithan
On A Sunbeam - Tille Walden
Gender Queer: A Memoir - Maia Kobabe (if you are trans or just not cis, READ THIS BOOK!!)
gay books u need to read rn
hello shawties it has come to my attention that not enough people know enough gay books and in honour of my RWRB shirt finally arriving, i have a list.
Red, White, and Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston
I Wish You All The Best - Mason Deaver
The Art of Being Normal - Lisa Williamson
Wilder Girls - Rory Power
Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Abertalli
One Last Stop - Casey McQuiston
They Both Die At The End - Adam Silvera
Melissa’s Story - Alex Gino
Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green and David Levithan
On A Sunbeam - Tille Walden
Gender Queer: A Memoir - Maia Kobabe (if you are trans or just not cis, READ THIS BOOK!!)
My Insta-Buy Authors
❧ Marie Lu
What she’s written: Legend, Prodigy, Champion, Warcross, Wildcard, The Young Elites, The Rose Society, The Midnight Star, The Kingdom of Back, Skyhunter, Steelstriker
Marie Lu was the first author I ever really looked up to (my first love, if you will.) I finished Legend and knew I simply had to read everything she’d ever written. That was years ago, but I still appreciate her books to this day.
❧ V.E. Schwab
What she’s written: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows, A Conjuring of Light, Vicious, Vegneful, The Near Witch, This Savage Song, Our Dark Duet, City of Ghosts, Tunnel of Bones, Bridge of Souls
I swear V.E. Schwab never misses. Time and time again she’s impressed me with her whimsical, bold, insanely creative stories. If she published her grocery list, I would probably read it.
❧ Taylor Jenkins Reid
What she’s written: Daisy Jones and the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Malibu Rising, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, One True Loves, Evidence of the Affair, Forever, Interrupted
She wrote The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Need I say more? Oh, alright, fine, I will. She’s a legend and that book is beyond S-tier.
❧ Aiden Thomas
What he’s written: Cemetery Boys, Lost in the Never Woods
This is the author I wish I had when I was a young gay kid struggling in elementary school. Cemetery Boys is one of those books that will always leave a massive smile on my face, no matter how many times I’ve read it.
❧ Brandon Sanderson
What he’s written: Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages, The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning, The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Edgedancer, Oathbringer, Dawnshard, Rhythm of War, Elantris, Warbreaker, Skyward, Starsight, Legion, The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, A Memory of Light
Breathtaking worldbuilding? Check. Compelling characters? Check. Complex storylines? Check. The man is basically a god in the fantasy genre.
❧ Alice Oseman
What she’s written: Radio Silence, Loveless, Heartstopper, Nick and Charlie, I Was Born for This, This Winter, Solitaire
It’s the queen of LGBTQ+ literature herself! I would trust Alice Oseman with my life. Her books are always guaranteed to be relatable, funny, and beautifully diverse.
❧ Leigh Bardugo
What she’s written: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising, The Language of Thorns, Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom, King of Scars, Rule of Wolves, Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Do I even need to explain this one? Everyone on the internet knows and loves her. Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I still read everything she publishes in the hopes that it’ll steal my heart in the same way Six of Crows did.
❧ Casey McQuiston
What they’ve written: Red, White, and Royal Blue, One Last Stop
They have two awesome queer books under their belt and (hopefully!) more to come. I await their future releases with a hell of a lot of excitement.
❧ Madeline Miller
What she’s written: The Song of Achilles, Circe
Me and Madeline Miller are basically soulmates, in that I was destined to read her writing from the moment I was born. My middle school Greek mythology phase and my love of sad books were the stepping stones that led me to read The Song of Achilles and Circe—and they certainly did not disappoint. Both were absolutely gorgeous.
❧ N.K. Jemisin
What she’s written: The Fifth Season, The Stone Sky, The Obelisk Gate, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, The Broken Kingdoms, The Kingdom of Gods, The City We Became, The Killing Moon, The Shadowed Sun
Her creativity is mind-blowing. Her writing is stunning. Not to mention—she’s the only author I’ve ever seen who managed to pull off second person, present tense. I can’t wait to devour the rest of her books.
Cemetery Boys Headers
I just read Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas and if you think for a second that Julian Diaz and Ronan Lynch wouldn’t get on like a wildfire you’re incorrect imagine the chaotic energy of those two together oh my god Julian would have Ronan dream him impossible things and I can just imagine Yadriel and Adam bonding like oh you fell for the idiot with the shaved head too? And then don’t get me started on Blue and Maritza they’d be perfect friends I love the idea of them hanging out and Yadriel Maritza and Julian can all see ghosts so they could all see Noah!! The perfect friend group
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))
you dont get to tell me that representation doesnt matter when im crying over cemetery boys because its the first book ive ever read with a trans main character. i didnt realize how much this book would mean to me. because ive never had that in books or any media.
it is so fucking important that young kids have characters and stories that they can relate to and see themselves in because previous queer generations didnt have this. im still very young and part of a generation that is being exposed to more representation, and even i didnt see any queer characters until late middle school.
so when i see a character talking about things like his family deadnaming and misgendering him, wearing a binder and being uncomfortable without it, and not feeling confident enough to even use the correct bathroom, i think, “hey, i feel those things. i experience these things. i resonate with these things.” and i want all young lgbtqia kids to have that feeling because its the fucking best thing in the world.
The most stressful part of Cemetery Boys is Yadriel's binding habits
I love the casual refusal to tell the readers Yadriel’s deadname in Cemetery Boys. All the opportunities a cis writer would have taken to reveal it are firmly blocked by the narration. It’s not there because it is not an essential or necessary piece of information and I love that. You can still tell Yadriel’s feelings about it, how painful it is to be deadnamed, all without revealing it. Cis writers could never.
LET IT GOOO 🎶 ❄️
Via - @omaredvinsource on twitter
Originally via - @malinekp Insta post
so you know, you know, that Tony I-adopt-every-fatherless-nerdy-child-in-a-thirty-foot-radius-and-give-them-as-many-material-items-as-possible-cuz-I-love-them-and-this-is-the-best-way-i-know-to-make-them-happy Stark would buy absolutely giant, expensive candy bars every halloween and put on the iron man suit and stand at the door of avengers tower and give them to any kid who comes by and any kid dressed as an avenger gets two and any kid dressed as iron man gets four or five and when one kid comes to the door dressed as Tony Stark, Tony dumps like twenty candy bars in the kid’s bag and has to take a break for a second well he collects himself and tries not to cry (he leaves the suit at the door to keep handing out candy)
I think the reason why advice around "good writing" and "bad writing" doesn't really resonate for me is the fact that writing is contextual.
Any item on a list of "writing mistakes" can be used as an effective tool given the right context. Just like following every "good writing rule" at the same time can make the end result seem forced or overworked.
Yes, you need to know the basics of grammar and punctuation etc. But once you know the rules, breaking them can create a really powerful voice.
Break the rules. Experiment. Find the "wrong" ways that work for you. That's one way you can start to find your own personal writing style.
Young Royals Parallels #4 - Kan vi snacka?
welcome to a series where I analyse the living daylights out of this show
Now, unless Netflix has done my (pitifully monolingual) self a disservice, this translates to “Can we talk?”. And boy, can we talk. There’s been a bit of discussion already about how Simon and Wilhelm’s relationship is so refreshing to watch because of the healthy level of communication between the two. This is excellent writing by an excellent team throughout the entire series, creating a story arc that is realistic and nuanced, with miscommunication not employed for cheap drama. However, I want to talk specifically about the two times Wilhelm uses the exact words “Kan vi snacka?”. Stay with me -
–
The first time we see this play out it’s over text in episode 3, as Wilhelm wants to chat to Simon about their slumber party plans after parent’s lunch:
These three words precede the honest conversation about how Wille has heard August’s plans to stay at school over the weekend and, to keep their little burgeoning I-want-to-hang-out-with-you situation a secret, asks Simon if he can stay at his place instead. First off, this is a brilliant example of not taking the obvious story route, where Wille and Simon stay at school unaware August is there, and August finds out about them that way, potentially using this information in a blackmail fashion - as is seen all too often; the weaponisation of queer relationships in this way. (Keep in mind at this moment the audience is unaware of the events that will follow to close out episode 3, so for most of us I’d bet that stereotypical setup was the prevalent expectation.)
However, what makes this scene so intriguing is when you realise where they are - at the windowsill where their first kiss took place in episode 2. We actually get almost the exact same sequence in both scenes (though the frame is tighter in episode 2 - greater level of intimacy/secrecy?) of Wilhelm alone at the window, and Simon walking into frame to meet him.
(episode 2)
(episode 3)
Most significantly for this parallel though, is that this is the first place Wilhelm tried (and failed spectacularly) to articulate anything of significance to Simon. “I’m not… sorry. I’m not… Wait!” is all we get out of Wilhelm in that scene. He’s trying so hard to tell Simon something, using his words, and he just… can’t. He resorts to carefully kissing Simon back in that moment (which is definitely appropriate and what the situation called for, I’m not trying to say the episode 2 scene was wrong in any way, it was simply not a conversation). It’s also important to note the words we do get out of him aren’t in support of pursuing Simon at all, it seems to be a defense of compulsory heteronormativity.
The contrast between these two interactions at the windowsill is astronomical. By the time we get to the end of episode 3, Wilhelm’s had some time to think, time to process, time to work out what he wants, time to be okay with his wanting. We’re getting full sentences from him! About his regard for Simon (and Simon’s family) and wanting to be involved with the people closest to him! He’s communicating his wants and needs! Which signifies he’s now comfortable with what he wants, and what he wants is hang time with his wittle cwush Simon. Ugh I just love how it’s the same place, it’s brilliant.
–
Now onto the second time we hear the words, this time actually spoken, in episode 5. This is the scene directly after August reveals to Wilhelm that Simon’s the one that provided the drugs. Wilhelm asks Simon to chat; to tell him about Alexander being caught, to ask him about the pills. (Side note: I love this brilliant moment from Omar here, look at how fast Simon’s smile falls away when he gets a good look at Wille’s face. He’s all dimpled ‘my boy wants me’, and then 0.2 seconds later is a furrowed brow and ‘oh no, my boy needs me’.)
This conversation is another example of how this show did not take the easy way out in terms of a plot complication device formed from miscommunication. As soon as we hear August tell Wille about Simon’s role in their illicit activities, an audience raised on stereotypical (generally US) teen dramas would be thinking that Wille’s going to be annoyed with Simon immediately, perhaps take action to spite him, or blow up at him publicly. Or alternatively that this will fester as an unresolved issue and be brought up as an argument later in their relationship. The show does neither of these things, it says to us “Can we talk?” and proceeds to smash all of our expectations to smithereens.
Wilhelm asks point blank what’s happened. Simon is open and completely honest, hard as that must have been. Wilhelm relays exactly the conversation that happened in the little Society meeting. From there the conversation devolves into a… heated discussion - there’s tension, they don’t agree. This is one of the first times, in a conversation between only the two of them, that their class divide hovers like an elephant in the room (as opposed to earlier on, when it’s been other people - August, etc. - pointing out their differences in station). I may be mistaken, but I also believe this is the first time Simon calls Wille ‘Prince’ to his face; which is big, huge, in the narrative of their relationship. Wilhelm was not, in his mind, Simon’s ‘Prince’ before now. Wilhelm likes Simon’s socialist talk in theory, but in this scene he butts up against the fact that he isn’t completely separated from the vaguely anti-monarchist rhetoric of Simon’s. Simon doesn’t dislike the monarchy but likes Wilhelm, Simon dislikes the monarchy and likes Wilhelm. There’s a distinct difference, as with Erik’s death, Wilhelm is now the sole future of the monarchy. What a cross to bear.
And once again, look at where Wilhelm takes him to have this conversation; remember the “Simon. Don’t you know how to read sheet music?” scene? The conversation in episode 5 takes place in the school music room, which we first became acquainted with when Simon tried to talk about their kiss at the beginning of episode 3.
(episode 3)
(episode 5)
We can draw similar parallels here as above - in episode 3, Wilhelm is not really talking to Simon yet. It’s “Because I did say, you know, that I’m not…”, compared to the more developed, mature and nuanced conversation happening in episode 5.
However, the biggest difference here is Simon’s response to a disagreement with Wilhelm. In episode 3, Wille asks if they can forget about the kiss, and Simon nods. He says yes, he says that he gets it. When Wilhelm asks if he’s sure, he says “That’s fine.” (spoiler alert, it’s not fine). At this point the stakes are lower, Simon’s not sure Wilhelm’s in this, he’s not sure what he can ask for. He obviously does not understand in the slightest and is not okay with how Wilhelm is brushing him off, but he says it’s fine and walks away from the conversation.
Contrast this with Simon’s position in the conversation in episode 5, where he stands his ground. He knows now that Wilhelm wants this, wants him. He questions Wilhelm’s assumptions. When Wille talks about his family’s reputation, Simon asks but what about him and his family? Simon’s under the assumption there’s the start of an “us”, that they’re on the same rung of the ladder, and rightfully questions when Wilhelm makes statements contrary to what Simon believed was a shared understanding of their situation. Simon walks out of this conversation too, mind. (Foreshadowing his leaving the relationship stranded?) But we have growth! Development! Communication!
–
So basically, our two “Kan vi snacka?” moments are two (of many) building blocks laying the open and honest communication foundation for Simon and Wilhelm in their relationship. The two scenes they parallel back to are where Wilhelm begins “I’m not…” and then finishes “…not like that, you know?”, and to have him then open up to Simon in the way that we have seen is such good character development; similarly, to have Simon now stating his reality, his significance, his wants and needs when faced with Wilhelm’s frustration and anxiety is such good character development.
(Someone please work out how to bottle the creative genius of this show, we could make millions.)
bad - farveblind, killason
the music of young royals, vol. 1
i think it’s wrong, i think it’s bad i think it’s lame, i think it’s horrible
the song begins with this hook repeated twice. at this moment, all we as the audience have seen of wilhelm is his face marked with cuts, bruises, and anger. these lyrics come in as he turns to see the person yelling on the stairs, and the repetition of the negative words wrong, bad, lame, and horrible have a foreboding quality. the aftermath is known, but the means of destruction are not. something terrible is clearly about to happen.
ain’t got no care ‘bout the price i'ma live my life like tomorrow is gone bitch, i’m a one, bitch, i’ve got nothing to lose i got everything to won you know what i won? fuck the glitz, ain’t no pun how 'bout the history, bitches it’s a new day, a new dawn, it’s a new day, a new dawn
the song as it appears in the show features the second verse above, which highlights a recklessness seen in wilhelm. he doesn’t spare a thought for how the fight will play from a public relations perspective, how his actions reflect on his family, or even how they reflect on himself physically. no consideration for the cost, no consideration for the day after.
of course, the following lines about having nothing to lose ring ironic. wilhelm, a royal, has everything to lose. immediately after these lines about disregarding tomorrow, wilhelm is confronted with the consequences tomorrow brings. he is pressured to face the swedish public, make a statement, and enroll at a boarding school as a means to rectify the sins of his impulses. it is a new day, but one of reckoning.
i think it’s wrong, i think it’s bad i think it’s lame, i think it’s horrible
the hook returns once more as he stares out the car window.
this song is diegetic, in fact doubly so. by the hook booming over wilhelm remembering the fight, it suggests that it was playing at the party that night over the speakers. then it cuts back to him riding in the car, still thinking about it. as he repeats the fight in his mind, he is listening to the same song as he was then, almost trapped by it as the repetitive negative words of the lyrics reinforce his mistake. the sound of his anger and resentment at his circumstance drown out other sounds and distill to just that music, just that negative repetition. this is then why he cannot clearly make out the words of the pr representative trying to get his attention and hand him the speech where he asks for forgiveness. when she does get his attention, he takes out one of his earbuds to reveal the entire nature of the song’s diegesis. not only is wilhelm listening to it as a remembrance from the party, but he is literally listening to it.
ain’t got no care 'bout the price i'ma live my life no matter the sins i’m a soldier with no discipline a yin yang with no in between a serial killer with no fingerprints a leaking pen with no bloody ink i’m on the brink of war, on my own corrector i seek the stars above the underground
not featured in the show is this first verse. i can understand why they would have favored the second rather than this one, but if it was included it could have offered some additional emphasis to wilhelm’s mental state. it becomes immediately apparent that he is repressed by his position as prince and acting out as an explosion under the pressure. erik then effectively becomes his foil when he appears after the song plays, because he shows discipline and restraint where wilhelm does not. erik seems to accept his position in the monarchy, likely owing to him being older and the crown prince, but wilhelm has not found a way to balance his sense of duty and his sense of self. he doesn’t know a way to express himself outside all or nothing.
on top of this, the story begins at a turning point in wilhelm’s life. he has only just begun high school, often a difficult adjustment for anyone even when not a royal. a feeling of being on edge that can accompany a transition period like that. so to feel trapped by duty all while desiring a normal life, to not know how to release that tension without violently exploding, there’s no way out except perhaps to see the bright spots in the sky above before descending into the depths below.
and so, though we may not be fully aware of it as an audience, we are being pulled into the underground and the world of young royals with a mission to escape and a hope that wilhelm escapes it too.
What’s your prediction of an opening scene in YR season 2?? Ask for Edvin!
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Okay so. In S1 we started and ended the season with Wilhelm. I think S2 will start and end with Simon. I think we'll see Simon in the car with Sara, pulling up to Hillerska after Christmas break. Students just returning will be gathered in the gardens, catching up, and then they'll go silent as Simon and Sara walk past, but recover quickly and go back to talking. Maybe a few will say something like:
"Do you think he spent Christmas with the Crown Prince?"
"He couldn't have. We saw on TV."
Then we'll get a quick flashback, I'm talking split second flashes, of Simon's phone. A few texts from Wille, asking how his break is going and if he's doing alright and a damning "I miss you". Maybe Simon's only response is "I miss you too. Take care of yourself." I imagine maybe at the same time we'll see flashes of a TV screen broadcasting something like "The Royal Family sends wishes of a merry Christmas" with a family photo (Wilhelm looking despondent as per usual). Then we'll phase back to being at Hillerska.
We'll see Sara looking around, finding Felice in the crowd. They'll hug and happily reunite but Sara will be slightly distant because she's thinking of what happened with August. Simon will walk past them, keen to head inside as soon as possible, when a sleek, glossy car pulls up. The students immediately start calling to each other, "The Crown Prince! Prince Wilhelm is back!"
Simon will pause. Have a split second moment of consideration. Go inside or stay? Maybe the camera will focus on his feet, half stepping forward and half standing still.
But he can't help it. He turns around.
We see Queen Kristina kissing his cheek before he gets out of the car, a chaffeur pulling his luggage from the back. Wille will look sullen, sad. Then he'll look up, eyes finding Simon immediately. And lighting up.
They'll stare. The camera will center on Simon's face.
Young Royals flashes on the screen. Cue the [dreamy electronic music playing].