kuebiko-writes reblogged
devilsss-dyke-deactivated202202
“sex was created by god, for marriage, between husband and wife” is a common misconception. sex was actually created by hozier in 2013 when he recorded the song “take me to church.”
kuebiko-writes reblogged
When Zuko apologized to uncle Iroh in the tent cause he was so ashamed of his actions and what he’d done to the only person who unconditionally believed in his ability to do good >>>>>
So okay, I’ve given this rant before but this is another good time for it.
Structurally speaking, ATLA did something important with Zuko that, in a purely mechanistic sense of narrative development, I think a lot of people don’t notice immediately, and that even fewer people who want to emulate what was done with him get.
Which is Zuko is made a protagonist VERY early, and the show goes out of its way to continually place Zuko into situations where the audience empathizes and roots for him.
This happens in literally the second episode of the series, if we count the two-part premiere as a single episode, which I think we should. The A-plot of that episode, “The Southern Air Temple,” is Aang reckoning with the genocide of his people… but the B-plot?
The B-plot is the introduction of Zhao, and more specifically, his introduction in a way that is calculate to shift the audience, whose introduction to Zuko did NOT engender a ton of sympathy to him, directly and forcefully onto his side. They want Zuko to kick Zhao’s ass.
This continues all through book one and book two. Remember, Zuko is never, ever the main villain of this series. That’s initially Zhao, followed by Azula and Ozai. (Plus various temporary players like Long Feng.) Whenever Zuko isn’t placed into direct conflict with the other protagonists, he’s always written and presented in a way that is careful, VERY VERY careful, not to make him too monstrous, and to make us root for him. He’s placed right next to Iroh, who is designed for people to like, and that reflects back onto Zuko; we want Zuko to be better than he is because we want Iroh to have good things.
Put aside for the moment whether any specific character, including Zuko, deserves their redemption. If you’ve decided you’re going to do that, you have to erect the proper narrative scaffolding around them, and it extends to far more things than “did this person not do things that were too horrible” and “is this person genuinely sorry and is working really hard to atone.” There’s a difference between protagonist and white hat, but if you want someone to eventually wear that white hat, you REALLY need to establish them as a plausible protagonist early on.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
I feel so called out
kuebiko-writes reblogged
Shout out to all the ancient Romans who died on this day in history but weren’t famous; you are the real MVPs. Thank you for your agricultural output, enthusiasm in the Colosseum, service in the legions, lewd graffiti, and the roads you built. Roman history wouldn’t have been the same without you.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
onebadghost
tshirt that reads "I went to the doctor and all they tested was my patience"
kuebiko-writes reblogged
The Great Gatsby enters the public domain in 2021. If at least one of us doesn’t have an unauthorised sequel ready to publish on January 1st at 12:01 sharp, I will be very disappointed.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
PERIOD.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
morally grey does not mean "is bad but also sad"
a character that is morally grey will not burn the world down because it makes them feel powerful, they'll do it because they perceive something about it to be broken. moral ambiguity has nothing to do with a character's past, and everything to do with the relationship between their actions and their intentions.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
every fictional pairing that makes gay people go feral is like "here is an ordinary person who is hopelessly devoted to their best friend, who bears a heavy burden that they refuse to let anyone help them carry, but who occasionally allows themselves to be vulnerable around them, the one person in their life who they trust unconditionally. both of them are extremely repressed, and the resulting unacknowledged homoerotic tension between them will make you want to tear your hair out."
kuebiko-writes reblogged
christinawritesfiction
OC Ask Game
Choose an OC!
1: List five basic facts about your OC.
2: Post a line of dialogue from your OC.
3: Post a snippet from your writing that describes your OC.
4: Post a snippet from your writing in which another OC describes your OC.
5: Describe your OC's physical appearance.
6: Describe your OC's love life.
7: Describe your OC's fashion sense.
8: Describe one of your OC's bad habits.
9: Your OC is having a nightmare. What is it?
10: You are conducting a ritual. What 5 items would you need to summon your OC?
11: What does your OC want for their birthday?
12: What does your OC give another OC for their birthday?
13: Describe your OC's living situation.
14: What is one of your OC's secrets?
15: Your OC is given the chance to go back in time. Where do they go and what do they do?
16: If your OC could have any superpower, which would it be and why?
17: How does your OC do during the zombie apocalypse?
18: What is your OC's dream job?
19: Your OC's life is a musical. What's the title of their big show-stopping song?
20: Post a picture or gif that describes your OC.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
r-siken-deactivated20210531
landscape with a blur of conquerors, richard siken
kuebiko-writes reblogged
a guide to wlw period pieces on tv (film edition)
Just FYI, some of these are…not great from a historical accuracy standpoint
specifically Dickinson, Salem (ESPECIALLY SALEM OH MY GOD END THE PAIN), and Anne With An E, but I’m sure there are more
like watch them if you want; that’s not the most important thing to everyone. just please don’t base your understanding of the eras they depict on them
kuebiko-writes reblogged
drink-it-write-it-deactivated20
it's 3 AM and I can't stop thinking about that 'no one needs me' 'I need you' character trope – we really out here falling in love with the most sappiest shit known to the universe huh
kuebiko-writes reblogged
mlwangbooks
SIGNED BOOK GIVEAWAY
On the 27th of every month, I give away a signed copy of one of my fantasy books to a randomly selected newsletter subscriber - winner’s choice of Theonite: Planet Adyn, Theonite: Orbit, or The Sword of Kaigen.
If you’re already subscribed, congratulations! You’re already entered. If you’re not subscribed, consider entering if you like…
- elemental magic ✓
- African-inspired worlds ✓
- swords & samurai ✓
- the power of friendship ✓
>> ENTER GIVEAWAY <<
Internationally open | closes never
Oh, and you also get a free ebook when you sign up!
REBLOGS APPRECIATED <3
kuebiko-writes reblogged
the Bechdel test, the Ellen Willis test, ALL THE TESTS: or, a handy guide to feminist critiques of narrative
(reference for when i am trying to explain these to people and they are looking at me like “huh”):
- the Bechdel test: does the story have a) more than one women, b) who talk to each other, c) about something other than a man.
- the Ellen Willis test: if you flip the genders, does the story still make sense?
- the Sexy Lamp test (courtesy of Kelly Sue DeConnick): can you replace your female character with a sexy lamp and still have the story work? if yes, YOU ARE A HACK.
- the Mako Mori test: there is a) at least one female character, b) who gets her own narrative arc, c) that is not about supporting a man’s story.
- the Tauriel test (which i made up in response to The Hobbit 2 [which passes] and Skyfall [which fails]): a) there is a woman, b) WHO IS GOOD AT HER JOB.
and in justification of my recent TV obsessions, i would like to note that Scandal, The Vampire Diaries, Buffy, and Nikita (ALL HAIL MAGGIE Q) pass all of these tests with flying colors.
UPDATE: i just discovered the Finkbeiner test and it is FANTASTIC.
FURTHER UPDATE: these were noted by oranges8hands and are EXCELLENT and add some much-needed intersectionality:
The Deggans Rule: a) At least two POC characters in the main cast, b) in a show that’s not about race.
The Racial Bechdel Test (I first saw it laid out by Alaya Dawn Johnson): a) it has two POC in it, b) who talk to each other, c) about something other than a white person
and then I offered an amendment to the Bechdel test: d) both women have to be alive at the end
FURTHER FURTHER update, from coelasquid (via oranges8hands)
“Women in tupperware” It’s like Women in refrigerators except instead of killing the lady and stuffing her in a fridge they incapacitate her during high stakes plot point and seal her away to preserve her freshness.
See: Every pivotal scene in Tom Cruise’s Oblivion movie.
new addition from boob-tube-reviews:
Russo test for LGBTQ+ characters:
- The film contains a character that is identifiably lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender.
- That character must not be solely or predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity. (i.e. they are made up of the same sort of unique character traits commonly used to differentiate straight characters from one another.)
- The LGBTQ+ character must be tied into the plot in such a way that their removal would have a significant effect. Meaning they are not there to simply provide colorful commentary, paint urban authenticity, or (perhaps most commonly) set up a punchline. The character should matter.
kuebiko-writes reblogged
it’s so dumb that broad shoulders are considered unattractive in a woman just because the ideal of womanhood is based on the perceived fragility of a smaller frame. have you ever seen a woman with broad shoulders? looks like she was sculpted by the gods themselves
kuebiko-writes reblogged
writer struggles #01