Alex Salmond's family vow to 'defend his name' in court
Aug. 18th, 2025 10:21 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
bbc_aberdeen_feedThe former first minister's relatives are seeking a reported £3m in damages and loss of earnings from the Scottish government.
bbc_aberdeen_feed
Heat generating waste plant set to reopen after shutdown
Aug. 15th, 2025 04:42 pmbbc_aberdeen_feedA new £150m energy generating waste plant could return to operation within the next week after being closed for nearly two months.
(no subject)
Aug. 18th, 2025 07:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thawreckaI have finished the Bleach filler! Insert a maniacal laugh here.
They should have done more one shot filler episodes instead of too long boring arcs, and that's about all I can say about that. It's not that the reigei arc was entirely without merit (for one thing, I like how they actively tried to show Ikkaku incorporating Iba's feedback about his shitty battleground behaviour as a bit of a character motivation bridge between arcs, and while I didn't find Kageroza or Nozomi particularly interesting there were interesting moments and some cool fights, including surprising match ups like Komamura vs fake Soi Fon), but it did go on too long, and kept redoing the same thing in increasingly less interesting ways. How many times do we have to see Byakuya fight himself??
I do appreciate filler episode 342 because it's all about Ichigo and Rukia's friendship, and that's my favouritest thing in the series. For most part I'm :/ about them dragging out Ichigo's power loss, but I did like that the entire episode was a nice farewell between them.
And now onward to the fullbring arc. It's grown on me in the manga in reread, but we'll see how I feel when I watch it.
The new episodes of The Summer Hikaru Died and Kaiju no 8 on the weekend were great. I'm living for the uncomfortable tension between Yoshiki and "Hikaru", and the last episode was a real knife to the chest. And as for Hibino Kafka and his crew, the revelation that Kafka is now not fully transforming back from kaiju but small parts are staying monstrous was interesting, and I'm excited to see where they go with that. Also, I love that he's just going to do his best about it. Also, that the scientist was saved! And I think Narumi has grown on me, even though I found him dull at the start of the season.
I have also watched all four episodes in existence of Let's Go Karaoke!, about a member of the Yakuza approaching middle age forcing a middle school choir boy whose voice is about to change to go to karaoke with him so he can learn to sing better. It's not remotely what I thought I would be into, but it's so compelling. The first episode is so uncomfortable with how cringe Kyouji is, hahaha. Poor Satomi, having all that inappropriate karaoke time and struggling with so many teenage emotions. That scene in episode three just about rewired my brain. And the last episode! Crying while massacring an X Japan song! So good. I'm glad I got back into anime just in time to watch weird silly nonsense like this. A choir boy having inappropriate tension with a yakuza who makes him go to karaoke is not what I would have thought I enjoyed watching a year ago... but it's real fun.
Since I started it last Monday, I have also finished watching all 48 episodes of The Apothecary Diaries, which is unhinged behaviour, but also after everything I saw about this series before I watched it being that Maomao never has convincing attraction to men, I was surprised how obvious it is that she's attracted to Jinshi. I guess that must be ship war rhetoric from people who ship her with Loulan instead? She is very shippy with Loulan, but I don't like Loulan hahaha. Obviously she should kiss almost every woman though. I wouldn't have minded her smooching Suirei, but maybe Suirei should get smooched by Ah Duo instead.
I feel like Jinshi and Maomao should not hook up because that would fundamentally change their relationship in ways that wouldn't be great for Maomao. Much like with the X Files, I find the idea of them doing something with all that tension both compelling and ill-advised.
TBH, most of my favourite parts are when she's hanging out with concubines and other servants in the rear palace, or when she's chatting with her sex worker friends at the brothel. It's pretty good for interesting female interaction, and while it's frank about sexuality and sex work, and there's horrors in the backstory, and it mostly doesn't dwell too much on them to stop feeling light and charming. And the main character enjoys testing poisons on herself, in classic chemist fashion.
I did laugh every time they clearly did not have the money to properly animate a thing, so there was a succession of still images and a voice over.
They should have done more one shot filler episodes instead of too long boring arcs, and that's about all I can say about that. It's not that the reigei arc was entirely without merit (for one thing, I like how they actively tried to show Ikkaku incorporating Iba's feedback about his shitty battleground behaviour as a bit of a character motivation bridge between arcs, and while I didn't find Kageroza or Nozomi particularly interesting there were interesting moments and some cool fights, including surprising match ups like Komamura vs fake Soi Fon), but it did go on too long, and kept redoing the same thing in increasingly less interesting ways. How many times do we have to see Byakuya fight himself??
I do appreciate filler episode 342 because it's all about Ichigo and Rukia's friendship, and that's my favouritest thing in the series. For most part I'm :/ about them dragging out Ichigo's power loss, but I did like that the entire episode was a nice farewell between them.
And now onward to the fullbring arc. It's grown on me in the manga in reread, but we'll see how I feel when I watch it.
The new episodes of The Summer Hikaru Died and Kaiju no 8 on the weekend were great. I'm living for the uncomfortable tension between Yoshiki and "Hikaru", and the last episode was a real knife to the chest. And as for Hibino Kafka and his crew, the revelation that Kafka is now not fully transforming back from kaiju but small parts are staying monstrous was interesting, and I'm excited to see where they go with that. Also, I love that he's just going to do his best about it. Also, that the scientist was saved! And I think Narumi has grown on me, even though I found him dull at the start of the season.
I have also watched all four episodes in existence of Let's Go Karaoke!, about a member of the Yakuza approaching middle age forcing a middle school choir boy whose voice is about to change to go to karaoke with him so he can learn to sing better. It's not remotely what I thought I would be into, but it's so compelling. The first episode is so uncomfortable with how cringe Kyouji is, hahaha. Poor Satomi, having all that inappropriate karaoke time and struggling with so many teenage emotions. That scene in episode three just about rewired my brain. And the last episode! Crying while massacring an X Japan song! So good. I'm glad I got back into anime just in time to watch weird silly nonsense like this. A choir boy having inappropriate tension with a yakuza who makes him go to karaoke is not what I would have thought I enjoyed watching a year ago... but it's real fun.
Since I started it last Monday, I have also finished watching all 48 episodes of The Apothecary Diaries, which is unhinged behaviour, but also after everything I saw about this series before I watched it being that Maomao never has convincing attraction to men, I was surprised how obvious it is that she's attracted to Jinshi. I guess that must be ship war rhetoric from people who ship her with Loulan instead? She is very shippy with Loulan, but I don't like Loulan hahaha. Obviously she should kiss almost every woman though. I wouldn't have minded her smooching Suirei, but maybe Suirei should get smooched by Ah Duo instead.
I feel like Jinshi and Maomao should not hook up because that would fundamentally change their relationship in ways that wouldn't be great for Maomao. Much like with the X Files, I find the idea of them doing something with all that tension both compelling and ill-advised.
TBH, most of my favourite parts are when she's hanging out with concubines and other servants in the rear palace, or when she's chatting with her sex worker friends at the brothel. It's pretty good for interesting female interaction, and while it's frank about sexuality and sex work, and there's horrors in the backstory, and it mostly doesn't dwell too much on them to stop feeling light and charming. And the main character enjoys testing poisons on herself, in classic chemist fashion.
I did laugh every time they clearly did not have the money to properly animate a thing, so there was a succession of still images and a voice over.
thestoryinside
Aug. 18th, 2025 11:46 ammonkiainen posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
dw_community_promoIf you're anything like us, you'll no doubt have a mountain of books that you just never get around to reading. Well, that's where ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thestoryinside comes in - have someone choose your book for you!
The process is simple: join the community, and each month sign up to be partnered with a buddy, who will then choose a book from your 'to read' list. At the end of each month there will be a community post to discuss your thoughts on the book(s) you read!
However, we're putting a twist on the traditional 'pick for me' routine and each month we'll vote on what genre of book we'll be reading; now, of course this is open to personal interpretation, for example, if the genre is horror and you're not a big fan, you could go for a Goosebumps book, or even Twilight. There will be an opportunity in each voting post to ask any questions you might have.
thestoryinside comes in - have someone choose your book for you!The process is simple: join the community, and each month sign up to be partnered with a buddy, who will then choose a book from your 'to read' list. At the end of each month there will be a community post to discuss your thoughts on the book(s) you read!
However, we're putting a twist on the traditional 'pick for me' routine and each month we'll vote on what genre of book we'll be reading; now, of course this is open to personal interpretation, for example, if the genre is horror and you're not a big fan, you could go for a Goosebumps book, or even Twilight. There will be an opportunity in each voting post to ask any questions you might have.
More theatre and a tv episode
Aug. 18th, 2025 09:35 amselenakMore plays:
Harold Pinter Theatre: A Man for All Seasons
By Robert Bolt, who at least in terms of this particular play is to Hilary Mantell what C.S. Lewis is to Philipp Pullmann, i.e. Wolf Hall and sequels are the His Dark Materials to A Man for All Seasons’ Narnia, and as in the Pullmann-Lewis case, Mantell ended up doing exactly the same thing they begrudged in the end, just from the opposite direction.
( A Thomas by any other name… )
Foundation 3.06: In which the moon isn’t the only thing eclipsed.
( Spoilers have provided data )
Harold Pinter Theatre: A Man for All Seasons
By Robert Bolt, who at least in terms of this particular play is to Hilary Mantell what C.S. Lewis is to Philipp Pullmann, i.e. Wolf Hall and sequels are the His Dark Materials to A Man for All Seasons’ Narnia, and as in the Pullmann-Lewis case, Mantell ended up doing exactly the same thing they begrudged in the end, just from the opposite direction.
( A Thomas by any other name… )
Foundation 3.06: In which the moon isn’t the only thing eclipsed.
( Spoilers have provided data )
Bleach fic
Aug. 18th, 2025 06:28 pmthawreckaLet's Eat! (705 words) by thawrecka
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Bleach (Anime & Manga)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Abarai Renji/Kuchiki Rukia
Characters: Kuchiki Rukia
Additional Tags: Fluff, Missing Scene, Established Relationship
Summary:
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Bleach (Anime & Manga)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Abarai Renji/Kuchiki Rukia
Characters: Kuchiki Rukia
Additional Tags: Fluff, Missing Scene, Established Relationship
Summary:
Three moments in time when Rukia thinks about the people she shares food with.
Today's Video Link
Aug. 18th, 2025 07:08 amnewsfromme_feedRichard Harris on Johnny Carson's show. A great anecdote…
Growing crops 'more unpredictable and difficult'
Aug. 18th, 2025 05:04 pmbbc_aberdeen_feedNFU Scotland says this year's 'unusual weather' had affected spring barley harvests.
Your pictures of Scotland: 8 - 15 August
Aug. 15th, 2025 10:16 ambbc_aberdeen_feedA selection of photographs submitted to BBC Scotland News from around the country this week.
Koi Pond
Aug. 18th, 2025 12:52 amquailfenceTitle: Koi Pond
Length: 345 words
Fandom: 逆転裁判 | Gyakuten Saiban | Ace Attorney
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Ayasato Chihiro | Mia Fey/Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright
Characters: Ayasato Chihiro | Mia Fey, Naruhodou Ryuuichi | Phoenix Wright
Additional Tags: Older Woman/Younger Man, Friends to Lovers, koi ponds, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Mia Fey Lives, Mentor/Protégé, Gift Fic, Battleship Exchange 2025
Summary: Mia and Phoenix, in three scenes
Written for CousinShelly as part of the 2025 round of
battleshipex . Tag claims: Older Woman/Younger Man, Friends to Lovers, Koi Ponds. Originally posted 16 Jul 2025
“So,” Mia said, leaning back to talk at her new protégé, “got any plans for the weekend?”
God, Phoenix reminded her so much of herself when she was his age and just starting out. Determined and caring - but also nervous and lacking confidence. She hoped that she would be able to help him become as good of a lawyer as she was - and if he held on to those first few traits then she thought he would. “Well,” he said, “when I was in art school, we took a trip to the botanical gardens to paint the flowers and stuff there.”“That sounds pretty fun.”
“Nah, most of it was kinda boring. But there were some bits I liked, especially the koi poinds. Watching them was my favorite part of that day, and I like to go back there sometimes just to watch them.”
“Maybe I should go there sometime as well,” Mia mused.
“You should,” Phoenix affirmed.
“Here.” Phoenix showed Mia a bunch of flowers as she laid in her bed, recovering from White’s attack. “The guy at the flower shop said these are meant to represent well-wishes and a speedy recovery, or something.”
“You can place them over there,” Mia said to her friend, nodding at the table next to her hospital bed. “Thought, you were an art student - I’d assume that you knew flower language?”
“I, er, wasn’t exactly paying attention in those classes,” Phoenix said sheepishly, before changing the subject. “Listen, once this is done - do you still want to go to the koi pond at the botanical garden?”
“Of course.”
“They’re feisty today, aren’t they?” asked Phoenix as he and Mia watched the koi skitter around in the pond.
“You go here more often than I do,” Mia told her boyfriend, “you should know better than me what they’re normally like.”
Phoenix grinned a little. “I guess you’re right.”
“So? Are they?”
Phoenix frowned in thought. “I think they are quite lovely today,” he said, “but not quite as lovely as you are.”
“Oh, you’re such a romantic,” Mia laughed.
(no subject)
Aug. 18th, 2025 03:04 pmtielanToday I just feel like it's all entirely too much.
Current workplace had a major connection outage on the weekend, so today has been checking up on missing files, following up with the relevant department, and trying to keep up with all the documentation that's needed to fix things. (Can't just fix it, need to document it along the way!)
Former workplace, where I was doing 'holiday check-ins' for the woman who usually supports them, suddenly found a number of their bank files "not working". Once again, the dreaded term "not working" strikes, and more detail is needed.
Complications are that the remote connection that I used to use to connect failed a number of weeks ago, and for some reason entirely unrelated to this belief that everyone needs to go back to the office, they haven't bothered to try to fix it...
Cue me talking on the phone to a group, trying to walk my brain through the correct terms and screens, and not to do my thinking 'out loud' per se.
We think we solved that problem at least. But UGH.
Now it's back to working out what's been sent and what hasn't. OOF.
--
Played for Team 1 in Grade A yesterday.
We lost, but it was a good game. It was the top team (out of about six) and we were fourth place - and we got a goal in the first fifteen minutes, then held that until the third quarter. And then - ugh - in the last thirty seconds, they got another goal... That was a bit of a downer.
My glutes and quads were kind of okay last night, but then after I went and saw the physio this morning, they were really sore.
Oh wait. Painkillers. Should take a couple of those. (eeediot)
I really do not want to play in A-grade next year. And I will put that down, quite firmly. My hips and feet just can't take it, and I do want to be able to pronate for another thirty to forty years (assuming I live that long).
--
Supposed to go to a permaculture meeting tonight, and I really want to, but I am just not coping with today...
Current workplace had a major connection outage on the weekend, so today has been checking up on missing files, following up with the relevant department, and trying to keep up with all the documentation that's needed to fix things. (Can't just fix it, need to document it along the way!)
Former workplace, where I was doing 'holiday check-ins' for the woman who usually supports them, suddenly found a number of their bank files "not working". Once again, the dreaded term "not working" strikes, and more detail is needed.
Complications are that the remote connection that I used to use to connect failed a number of weeks ago, and for some reason entirely unrelated to this belief that everyone needs to go back to the office, they haven't bothered to try to fix it...
Cue me talking on the phone to a group, trying to walk my brain through the correct terms and screens, and not to do my thinking 'out loud' per se.
We think we solved that problem at least. But UGH.
Now it's back to working out what's been sent and what hasn't. OOF.
--
Played for Team 1 in Grade A yesterday.
We lost, but it was a good game. It was the top team (out of about six) and we were fourth place - and we got a goal in the first fifteen minutes, then held that until the third quarter. And then - ugh - in the last thirty seconds, they got another goal... That was a bit of a downer.
My glutes and quads were kind of okay last night, but then after I went and saw the physio this morning, they were really sore.
Oh wait. Painkillers. Should take a couple of those. (eeediot)
I really do not want to play in A-grade next year. And I will put that down, quite firmly. My hips and feet just can't take it, and I do want to be able to pronate for another thirty to forty years (assuming I live that long).
--
Supposed to go to a permaculture meeting tonight, and I really want to, but I am just not coping with today...
[Challenge #29: Spurious] Original Poetry: 'Take Me Back'
Aug. 17th, 2025 10:32 pmbut_can_i_be_trusted posting in vocab_drabblesTitle: 'Take Me Back'
Fandom: Original Poetry
Author:but_can_i_be_trusted
Rating: PG
Word Count: 129
Characters/Pairings: Original
Warnings: Mention of abduction and mild trauma
Notes: Crossposted towhatif_au and ficlet_zone
Summary: Take me back, oh, take me back, I beg of you, to my beautiful sea
( Take Me Back )
Fandom: Original Poetry
Author:
but_can_i_be_trustedRating: PG
Word Count: 129
Characters/Pairings: Original
Warnings: Mention of abduction and mild trauma
Notes: Crossposted to
whatif_au and ficlet_zoneSummary: Take me back, oh, take me back, I beg of you, to my beautiful sea
( Take Me Back )
#159 - Desultory
Aug. 17th, 2025 11:55 pmmxcatmoon posting in vocab_drabblesThis week's word is
Desultory
[ˈdesəlˌtôrē, dəˈsəltərē]
adjective
1: Marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose
"A dragged-out ordeal of desultory shopping."
—Herman Wouk
2: Not connected with the main subject.
"Desultory comments."
3: Disappointing in progress, performance, or quality.
"A desultory fifth-place finish."
Brought to you by Merriam-Webster
Desultory
[ˈdesəlˌtôrē, dəˈsəltərē]
adjective
1: Marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose
"A dragged-out ordeal of desultory shopping."
—Herman Wouk
2: Not connected with the main subject.
"Desultory comments."
3: Disappointing in progress, performance, or quality.
"A desultory fifth-place finish."
Brought to you by Merriam-Webster
Meta: What Middles Are For
Aug. 18th, 2025 03:12 pmchina_shop posting in fan_writersI just posted an essay called What Middles Are For. Come over and check it out! It begins:
Arguably a story consists of 1) promises, 2) progress, and 3) payoff (cf Sanderson, Youtube). The promises are "here's what you're in for", including main characters, setting/genre/tone, goals and stakes. Most of that gets set up at the start. The payoff happens at the end, obviously, as all of it comes to fruition or failure. But middles can feel a bit formless. What does "progress" even mean?
Here are some thoughts about what the middles of stories are for.
Arguably a story consists of 1) promises, 2) progress, and 3) payoff (cf Sanderson, Youtube). The promises are "here's what you're in for", including main characters, setting/genre/tone, goals and stakes. Most of that gets set up at the start. The payoff happens at the end, obviously, as all of it comes to fruition or failure. But middles can feel a bit formless. What does "progress" even mean?
Here are some thoughts about what the middles of stories are for.
Writing meta: What Middles Are For
Aug. 18th, 2025 03:05 pmchina_shopContext and disclaimer: Most of these thoughts are not the kinds of things I take into account when I'm drafting. I'm hoping that looking at them in the abstract will a) train my subconscious in useful directions, and b) help me un-stick some WIPs.
I’ve mulched a bunch of Writing Excuses podcasts and Brandon Sanderson's Youtube writing lectures over the years, which have deeply influenced this random crop of ideas. I made some of it up myself, but I'm not claiming any kind of authority or even experience.
What Middles Are For
Arguably a story consists of 1) promises, 2) progress, and 3) payoff (cf Sanderson, Youtube). The promises are "here's what you're in for", including main characters, setting/genre/tone, goals and stakes. Most of that gets set up at the start. The payoff happens at the end, obviously, as all of it comes to fruition or failure. But middles can feel a bit formless. What does "progress" even mean?
Here are some thoughts about what the middles of stories are for.
( Many bullet points beneath the cut. )
Anyway, all of this has been swirling around my head for a while now. What do you think? Do you get stuck in the middles of stories? Do you have other ideas about what middles are for (other than putting some space between the beginning and the end)? Does thinking about it in these kind of terms help you, or do you prefer to frame your writing in other ways? If you look at your current WIPs or just-finished stories, what broadly/structurally are the middles of those stories "doing"? Do you think all this is different for fanfic, where you can assume a certain amount of reader pre-investment in the characters, at least, and where backstory is often canon?
I’ve mulched a bunch of Writing Excuses podcasts and Brandon Sanderson's Youtube writing lectures over the years, which have deeply influenced this random crop of ideas. I made some of it up myself, but I'm not claiming any kind of authority or even experience.
What Middles Are For
Arguably a story consists of 1) promises, 2) progress, and 3) payoff (cf Sanderson, Youtube). The promises are "here's what you're in for", including main characters, setting/genre/tone, goals and stakes. Most of that gets set up at the start. The payoff happens at the end, obviously, as all of it comes to fruition or failure. But middles can feel a bit formless. What does "progress" even mean?
Here are some thoughts about what the middles of stories are for.
( Many bullet points beneath the cut. )
Anyway, all of this has been swirling around my head for a while now. What do you think? Do you get stuck in the middles of stories? Do you have other ideas about what middles are for (other than putting some space between the beginning and the end)? Does thinking about it in these kind of terms help you, or do you prefer to frame your writing in other ways? If you look at your current WIPs or just-finished stories, what broadly/structurally are the middles of those stories "doing"? Do you think all this is different for fanfic, where you can assume a certain amount of reader pre-investment in the characters, at least, and where backstory is often canon?
Writerly Ways
Aug. 17th, 2025 09:21 pmcornerofmadnessBefore I get into the writing stuff, let me tell you about today. I finally got to see my BFF from college and her kid. We had a great time talking and finally exchanging gifts (she fell and broke bones over the holiday). I got a skele-kitty pillow and some of bath and body works vampire blood products
I then stop by CVS and we're lucky I wasn't on the 6 o'clock news. A few days back I called in my meds and they told me they had to call my doctor for my insulin needles. I was puzzled. I usually check that. Sure enough I have NINE refills until December 2026 (but now my endocrinologist is texting me to find out what's up. CVS is stupid was explanation enough).
So there's no further communication about it. I get there and don't get my needles. Excuse me, where are my needles?
Pharm tech - there's no needles
me - why
Pharm tech - can't tell you. We can only see the screen for what IS here (WTF?) you need to go to consultation and ask.
I do this and ask what's up, why did you tell me I had no refills and why did you NOT refill it?
Pharm tech - I don't know why and it says it's no a covered service.
since when?
Pharm tech -I can't tell
well, my horrible insurance HAS done this before to force me to use their pharmacy only
I come home call my insurance and they said 'what do you mean they didn't give you your needles? It IS a paid service and CVS billed us at 14:20 today (which is when I was there). So you're telling me that they billed you and then DID NOT give me my needles
Yes. So I call CVS and they call me back (they no longer pick up the phone) and I say my insurance said you billed them making it impossible for me to get them elsewhere so where are they?!?
Pharm tech - oh your needles are right here. You can come pick it up.
THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME THEY WEREN'T THERE.
Pharm tech - I don't know who told you that.
YOU told me that (she's the only Middle Eastern woman there with a heavy accent so I recognize her voice)
Pharm tech - well I don't know why that happened because they're here.
It's a twenty mile drive to get back there. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?
Me going out the door on fire.
Dad: don't be me, don't go off
It was definitely a what would Spock do moment when I got there. And yes my needles were there.
I am trying to p ull everything off my faulty flashdrive which took 10 tries to get it to read (talk about giving me a heart attack) Finally got my new flash, still transferring data.
So on to the writerly ways (who's still here with me?) It's more a question than any advice. I just started an arc (The Atlas of Unknowable Things) and it's not just first person, it's I don't know the technical term for it, I'd call it conversational first person.
It feels like the person is sitting in the room with you, talking to you, sort of throwing in a few fourth wall breaking stuff like they're expecting you to answer.
I know a lot of people don't like first person (I do) and I was curious what people would think of this. WOuld you like it? Have you ever written it (I have not) How did you handle it if you did
I have aggravated my bad knee, seriously messed it up (not a surprise. I overworked it, the cartilage is burst into at least three pieces, it will need replacing) Even having the lap top sitting on it hurts a lot.
Here's about 2 weeks of links
Open Call
Toad Shade Zine
Three-Lobed Burning Eye September 2025 Window Speculative fiction with strong narrative voices
A Coup Of Owls Winter 2025 Issue Stories you’ve poured your soul into but haven’t been able to find the right home for. We do not have set issue themes but feel free to be inspired by the season, seasonal occasions and events.
Note: Only publishes creators from under represented and/or marginalized communities.
Cloaked Press is open to Novels and Novellas Fantasy, science fiction, and horror novels and novellas
Eavesdrop Resistance: Queer-focused stories of any genre: space opera, niche cryptid horror, experimental formats, and anything in between!
5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in August 2025
Of Swords & Roses
The First Line – Winter 2025
Clocks Dark fiction, speculative fiction, near sci-fi that deal with clocks, or a clockmaker
Bog Matter Magazine Fall 2025 Issue. the in-between
Translunar Travelers Lounge Fall 2025 Window
Speculative Fiction in the science fiction or fantasy variety
Trunk Stories Reprints or original stories: Shorts that have been rejected 20+ times, Novelettes that have been rejected 10+ times
Hearth Stories 2025 September Window Speculative fiction that explores connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world.
Dreams Divine Romantic fantasy stories set in or about dreams due next week if you have something like this
No Gods No Masters Stories that are ready to get their hands dirty in the making of a newer, fairer world.
50 Romance Publishers Open to Direct Submissions
Nine Manuscript Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in August 2025
Twin Flame Literary: Now Seeking Submissions
28 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for August 2025
From Around the web
How Editing Shapes Storytelling in Fiction and Memoir Writing
How to Prepare a Manuscript for Publishing
13 Book Binding Types to Know
Optimizing eBook Metadata for Authors in Competitive Niches
When Should I Use a Colon, Semicolon, and Dash?
How to Plan a Book Tour on Your Own
How to Choose the Right Editing Service for Your Genre and Goals
First-Time Authors: Overcoming Common Challenges When Writing Your First Book
Setting Up Your Book for Future Growth.
How to Start Dictating Fiction (Even If You’ve Tried and Failed Before) pro tip from someone who did her whole sabbatical this way PROOF READ the next day. This stuff is good but half the time it's also on crack. It's like close but no cigar.
Why Your Amazon Book Page Isn’t Converting — and How to Fix It
How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers
What happens to book characters when the book is over?
Plotter Vs. Pantser: Which Is Right for You?
9 Dos & Don’ts of Book Proposal Formatting
How to Begin a Sequel Without Confusion or Boredom
The Sentence as a Spine: How Syntax Shapes Story
From Betty
Getting Feedback On Your Writing
Five Tips for Characters That Go Against the Flow
Eight Dos and Don’ts for Making Magic Interesting
Twelve Sources of Wish Fulfillment for Your Story
Six Stories That Make Great Use of Their Premise
“In Medias Res” Means in the Middle, but What Is the Middle?
The Power of Dialogue: More Than Just Spoken Words
How to Write Killer Chapter Endings That Hook Readers
How to develop character wounds and misbeliefs
5 Paths to Plotting Your Novel
ARGGH! Words We Love to Hate
Steinbeck on Writing
How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers
How to Use the Four Levels of Conflict to Strengthen Your Story
Online Scam Protection for Writers: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself in 2025
How Carousels on Instagram Help Writers Increase Visibility & Connect with Readers I know nothing about this. I need to sit down and look this over
I then stop by CVS and we're lucky I wasn't on the 6 o'clock news. A few days back I called in my meds and they told me they had to call my doctor for my insulin needles. I was puzzled. I usually check that. Sure enough I have NINE refills until December 2026 (but now my endocrinologist is texting me to find out what's up. CVS is stupid was explanation enough).
So there's no further communication about it. I get there and don't get my needles. Excuse me, where are my needles?
Pharm tech - there's no needles
me - why
Pharm tech - can't tell you. We can only see the screen for what IS here (WTF?) you need to go to consultation and ask.
I do this and ask what's up, why did you tell me I had no refills and why did you NOT refill it?
Pharm tech - I don't know why and it says it's no a covered service.
since when?
Pharm tech -I can't tell
well, my horrible insurance HAS done this before to force me to use their pharmacy only
I come home call my insurance and they said 'what do you mean they didn't give you your needles? It IS a paid service and CVS billed us at 14:20 today (which is when I was there). So you're telling me that they billed you and then DID NOT give me my needles
Yes. So I call CVS and they call me back (they no longer pick up the phone) and I say my insurance said you billed them making it impossible for me to get them elsewhere so where are they?!?
Pharm tech - oh your needles are right here. You can come pick it up.
THEN WHY DID YOU TELL ME THEY WEREN'T THERE.
Pharm tech - I don't know who told you that.
YOU told me that (she's the only Middle Eastern woman there with a heavy accent so I recognize her voice)
Pharm tech - well I don't know why that happened because they're here.
It's a twenty mile drive to get back there. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?
Me going out the door on fire.
Dad: don't be me, don't go off
It was definitely a what would Spock do moment when I got there. And yes my needles were there.
I am trying to p ull everything off my faulty flashdrive which took 10 tries to get it to read (talk about giving me a heart attack) Finally got my new flash, still transferring data.
So on to the writerly ways (who's still here with me?) It's more a question than any advice. I just started an arc (The Atlas of Unknowable Things) and it's not just first person, it's I don't know the technical term for it, I'd call it conversational first person.
It feels like the person is sitting in the room with you, talking to you, sort of throwing in a few fourth wall breaking stuff like they're expecting you to answer.
I know a lot of people don't like first person (I do) and I was curious what people would think of this. WOuld you like it? Have you ever written it (I have not) How did you handle it if you did
I have aggravated my bad knee, seriously messed it up (not a surprise. I overworked it, the cartilage is burst into at least three pieces, it will need replacing) Even having the lap top sitting on it hurts a lot.
Here's about 2 weeks of links
Open Call
Toad Shade Zine
Three-Lobed Burning Eye September 2025 Window Speculative fiction with strong narrative voices
A Coup Of Owls Winter 2025 Issue Stories you’ve poured your soul into but haven’t been able to find the right home for. We do not have set issue themes but feel free to be inspired by the season, seasonal occasions and events.
Note: Only publishes creators from under represented and/or marginalized communities.
Cloaked Press is open to Novels and Novellas Fantasy, science fiction, and horror novels and novellas
Eavesdrop Resistance: Queer-focused stories of any genre: space opera, niche cryptid horror, experimental formats, and anything in between!
5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in August 2025
Of Swords & Roses
The First Line – Winter 2025
Clocks Dark fiction, speculative fiction, near sci-fi that deal with clocks, or a clockmaker
Bog Matter Magazine Fall 2025 Issue. the in-between
Translunar Travelers Lounge Fall 2025 Window
Speculative Fiction in the science fiction or fantasy variety
Trunk Stories Reprints or original stories: Shorts that have been rejected 20+ times, Novelettes that have been rejected 10+ times
Hearth Stories 2025 September Window Speculative fiction that explores connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world.
Dreams Divine Romantic fantasy stories set in or about dreams due next week if you have something like this
No Gods No Masters Stories that are ready to get their hands dirty in the making of a newer, fairer world.
50 Romance Publishers Open to Direct Submissions
Nine Manuscript Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in August 2025
Twin Flame Literary: Now Seeking Submissions
28 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for August 2025
From Around the web
How Editing Shapes Storytelling in Fiction and Memoir Writing
How to Prepare a Manuscript for Publishing
13 Book Binding Types to Know
Optimizing eBook Metadata for Authors in Competitive Niches
When Should I Use a Colon, Semicolon, and Dash?
How to Plan a Book Tour on Your Own
How to Choose the Right Editing Service for Your Genre and Goals
First-Time Authors: Overcoming Common Challenges When Writing Your First Book
Setting Up Your Book for Future Growth.
How to Start Dictating Fiction (Even If You’ve Tried and Failed Before) pro tip from someone who did her whole sabbatical this way PROOF READ the next day. This stuff is good but half the time it's also on crack. It's like close but no cigar.
Why Your Amazon Book Page Isn’t Converting — and How to Fix It
How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers
What happens to book characters when the book is over?
Plotter Vs. Pantser: Which Is Right for You?
9 Dos & Don’ts of Book Proposal Formatting
How to Begin a Sequel Without Confusion or Boredom
The Sentence as a Spine: How Syntax Shapes Story
From Betty
Getting Feedback On Your Writing
Five Tips for Characters That Go Against the Flow
Eight Dos and Don’ts for Making Magic Interesting
Twelve Sources of Wish Fulfillment for Your Story
Six Stories That Make Great Use of Their Premise
“In Medias Res” Means in the Middle, but What Is the Middle?
The Power of Dialogue: More Than Just Spoken Words
How to Write Killer Chapter Endings That Hook Readers
How to develop character wounds and misbeliefs
5 Paths to Plotting Your Novel
ARGGH! Words We Love to Hate
Steinbeck on Writing
How to Pair Your Book’s Beginning and Ending to Satisfy Readers
How to Use the Four Levels of Conflict to Strengthen Your Story
Online Scam Protection for Writers: How to Stay Safe and Protect Yourself in 2025
How Carousels on Instagram Help Writers Increase Visibility & Connect with Readers I know nothing about this. I need to sit down and look this over
The Untamed: An Elegant Solution by Giraffeter
Aug. 17th, 2025 07:46 pmranalore posting in fancakeFandom: The Untamed
Pairings/Characters: Lan Wangji/Nie Mingjue/Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli, Wen Qing, Wen Ning, Wen Yuan, Lan Xichen, Nie Huaisang, Jin Zixuan
Rating: Explicit
Length: 205K words
Creator Links:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
giraffeter
Theme: Marriage of Convenience, Everybody Lives/Nobody Dies, Fork in the Road AU, Fix-It
Summary: When Jiang Yanli joins Jiang Cheng in visiting Wei Wuxian at the Burial Grounds, the two brothers are on the verge of cutting ties forever — until Jiang Yanli has a better idea. Wei Wuxian doesn't need to leave the sect. He needs to get married, and she has the perfect Sect Leader in mind.
When Lan Wangji is invited to come along on Wei Wuxian's visit to the Unclean Realm to spend time with his new betrothed, Nie Mingjue, he agrees — even though his heart is breaking. How else is he ever going to see Wei Wuxian again?
When Nie Mingjue welcomes Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji into his home, he realizes two things very quickly: 1.) They clearly want each other so badly they can barely stand it, and 2.) Nie Mingjue is Into That.
(In which arranged marriage to Nie Mingjue solves just about everyone's problems)
Reccer's Notes: In the normal course of things, I'd say LWJ/WWX is my OTP. This story, however, has made me feral for LWJ/NMJ/WWX. More than that, though, this is a brilliant, carefully constructed fix-it. Giraffeter takes the time to set up every way this reality is changed from canon by the single decision to solve the friction between Wei Wuxian and the rest of the cultivation world by marrying him to a Sect Leader rather than cutting him off in the Burial Mounds. It's a long, immersive story that's well worth the time investment. The sex scenes are also some of the best I've read in my nearly thirty years in online fandom.
Fanwork Links: An Elegant Solution
Pairings/Characters: Lan Wangji/Nie Mingjue/Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, Jiang Yanli, Wen Qing, Wen Ning, Wen Yuan, Lan Xichen, Nie Huaisang, Jin Zixuan
Rating: Explicit
Length: 205K words
Creator Links:
Theme: Marriage of Convenience, Everybody Lives/Nobody Dies, Fork in the Road AU, Fix-It
Summary: When Jiang Yanli joins Jiang Cheng in visiting Wei Wuxian at the Burial Grounds, the two brothers are on the verge of cutting ties forever — until Jiang Yanli has a better idea. Wei Wuxian doesn't need to leave the sect. He needs to get married, and she has the perfect Sect Leader in mind.
When Lan Wangji is invited to come along on Wei Wuxian's visit to the Unclean Realm to spend time with his new betrothed, Nie Mingjue, he agrees — even though his heart is breaking. How else is he ever going to see Wei Wuxian again?
When Nie Mingjue welcomes Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji into his home, he realizes two things very quickly: 1.) They clearly want each other so badly they can barely stand it, and 2.) Nie Mingjue is Into That.
(In which arranged marriage to Nie Mingjue solves just about everyone's problems)
Reccer's Notes: In the normal course of things, I'd say LWJ/WWX is my OTP. This story, however, has made me feral for LWJ/NMJ/WWX. More than that, though, this is a brilliant, carefully constructed fix-it. Giraffeter takes the time to set up every way this reality is changed from canon by the single decision to solve the friction between Wei Wuxian and the rest of the cultivation world by marrying him to a Sect Leader rather than cutting him off in the Burial Mounds. It's a long, immersive story that's well worth the time investment. The sex scenes are also some of the best I've read in my nearly thirty years in online fandom.
Fanwork Links: An Elegant Solution
Late Relationship/Solo/WB Nominations
Aug. 17th, 2025 10:03 pmfic_in_a_box_mod posting in ficinaboxDuring signups we're willing to take late nominations in comments on this post! Please only nominate tags that you intend to immediately request.
Late Relationship/Solo/WB Nominations
Limitations
- We will add at most 10 fandoms per person.
- We will add at most 10 relationship/Solo:/WB: tags per person per fandom.*
- Tags must meet all of the below requirements.
- We will not be workshopping or fixing any nominations at this point..
(*We will add in WB: Any tags to any new fandom free of charge, though.)
Requirements:
- Late nominations must be in batch load format: Fandom,Tag,Tag,Tag(...)
- Each fandom should be on a separate line.
- Fandoms which are already in the tagset must be exactly as they appear in the tagset. If you're nominating a fandom that isn't in the tagset please let us know which fandoms are new.
- Relationships and characters must be in the format listed in the guidelines. If you think a character may be confusing (such as characters that canonically have more than one version and need to be distinguished, or characters who have names that make them sound like inanimate objects or abstract concepts) then please include an explanation.
- Worldbuilding tags must be in the format listed in the guidelines and adhere to all of the guidelines for WB tags. In addition, please include an explanation separate from the list for each worldbuilding tag for what it is (This doesn't need to be complicated, just enough that we'll know it fits the rules!). We will not be accepting worldbuilding tags that need workshopped, though you're welcome to workshop it yourself (or on the Newbie Discord Server if you need help!) and try again. You may find the nominations queries a useful reference.
- If you are not logged in, you will need to sign your nominations with your Ao3 name.
Late Relationship/WB Nominations will close on August 30th at 10:00PM Eastern (Countdown)! Make sure you request them before then! No new tags will be added after that point because your usual late nominations mod will be traveling for the rest of sign ups.
Sign ups open!
Aug. 17th, 2025 09:45 pmfic_in_a_box_mod posting in ficinaboxSign ups!
Signups are open! Go to the collection here (link) to sign up!
Signups will be open until August 31st at 9:59pm EDT (Countdown)
You must be 18+ to sign up.
Other links:
- Tagset
- Mediums Ruleset Post
- AO3 Automagic App (for browsing requests!)
- Sheet to help you select medium opt-in tags that produces a list you can copy/paste into AO3
- Late Nominations (These close on August 30th at 10:00PM Eastern)
- Fandom Promo
- FIAB Newbie Discord Server (we'll answer all your questions!)
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