#and cycle of abuse and forgiveness yada yada | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ovidialee · 3 years

Text

After the War Author Interview: @bunny-bopper

What a fantastic finale to After the War, the premiere collection by the Four Horsemen Writer’s Collective! Fourth Horseman @bunny-bopper sat down with us to delve into themes of revenge, abuse, and redemption. Plus, why she won’t just take the money, dammit. And finally, the shocking walkout on our interview...see what question pushed her too far!

1. Both you and @maria-de-salinas wrote in the Death Eater Chronicles universe –- she by choice and you by challenge. What strikes me is that both of you independently came up with the idea of revenge, specifically upon my misbehaving male characters! Revenge is very much the centre of this piece -- not only Euphemia against Snape, but Snape against himself. We speak often of the redemption arc in the original canon and here we’re seeing it in fanon in a way in which it almost makes him seem irredeemable. How did revenge become the theme? Was it something that you hit upon after thinking about it, or did you immediately know that was how the story had to go?

Yes, I too was amused by us hitting on the same theme! Those boys must have stirred something up in us! I thought it was interesting how we approached it from such different angles as well. But to answer your question, I knew from the moment you challenged me to have Euphemia in the story that it was going to be about revenge somehow. I found your portrayal of her and her feelings about Snape – even after what he did to her - fascinating, particularly the part where she wanted to be like him in some way and was even emulating his behaviours. It felt like a very honest look at the after effects of abuse and how the cycle can sadly continue.

So, I asked myself – how would Euphemia feel if she found out he was still alive? And of course, there was no straightforward answer to that! I think she hates him for what happened and for the path it led her down. She wants him to suffer the same humiliation and degradation he and Bellatrix caused her. But she still desires him and – most of all – wants him to desire her. So, her path towards revenge was going to be a complicated one.

2. That chills me in a very personal way and, as you know, I had a very personal reaction to this story and its inevitable ending, which we had a rich conversation over. Would you say the ending of this piece has a message? In a way, you expertly flip his redemption arc on its head. Many may debate if this means he’s irredeemable, but I wonder if the ending itself is a valid method of redemption?

I’ll start by saying that I don’t believe anyone – real or fictional – is irredeemable. We all have the capacity for good and bad, yada yada. In my view, the Snape in this fic has atoned for his past and, most importantly, he regrets his mistakes and all the people he hurt along the way. And we see through the Daily Prophet articles that (although there are still a few doubters) the outside world very much agrees. The problem is that he’s isolated. He’s alone with nothing but his memories and regrets and, in my experience, we are all our own worst judge, jury and executioner combined.

Enter Euphemia – who for her own personal reasons will never offer him the forgiveness he craves. Her being his only contact was the confirmation he needed that it was never going to come from anyone. And more than that, he deserves to suffer.

What I did find as I wrote this piece was that I used it to explore the general HP fandom’s view on Snape as a whole, and the argument over whether he is a ‘redeemable character’. Whether he only turned against Voldemort for the selfish reason of ‘wanting to fuck Lily’. This is even something Euphemia outright accuses him of. This was a very sore spot for Snape, because I imagine he asked himself the same thing over and over. Of course, the very fact that he is questioning it means that it isn’t true.

So, I suppose if there is a message to the ending, it’s is that anyone can be taken advantage of and manipulated when they are at their most vulnerable.

3. See! Look at this depth of understanding. I have begged you on my hands and knees to co-write me and make a ton of money. But I know that’s not something you’re interested in. What is it about fanfiction that you feel frees you in a way writing for a market wouldn’t? Or is it something else entirely?

Oh gosh, I appreciate your faith in me! Well, I didn’t start writing fanfiction until a couple of years ago, and before that I hadn’t done any creative writing since high school. (I won’t say when that was, but CD walkmans were the thing and skinny jeans weren’t invented yet.) Dipping my toes into writing has been just incredible – what started out as a way of me just getting more Snape in my life has become a way for me to express myself and explore ideas I didn’t even know I had! I also didn’t really expect anyone to read my fics so all the feedback I’ve gotten has been amazing.

That being said – I'm sort of a thin-skinned person and I don’t think I could handle all the criticism that comes from writing professionally. I can’t even leave a bad review on Goodreads because I imagine myself as the author and how sad I would feel! I also don’t really have any original character ideas at all. It’s just Snape taking up all the room in there!

4. Last question we’ve all wanted to know. What is your favourite thing about being a Hufflepuff?

Ok that’s it. This is needless slander. Interview over. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer soon!

*snort* In the meantime...

Read The Reckoning of Severus Snape

#bunnybopper #author interview #After the War: Death Eaters Never Die #four horsemen #The Reckoning of Severus Snape #discourse #revenge #redemption #writers on tumblr #hufflepuff #I mean Slytherin #dark fanfiction #harry potter fanfiction #I'm just here for the smut #severus snape #euphemia rowle #stop reading the tags and go to the fic already

9 notes · View notes

stitchedhart · 7 years

Photo

August 9, 2017. Happy birthday to me!

I celebrated another birthday. As I look back at how quickly time passes, I am amazed at how much changes can take place in a matter of a year. I think we go through cycles of change — when the complete unexpected throws you off your equilibrium —giving you the opportunity to reassess and recalibrate. The past year was one of those cycles for me — and slowly but surely the pieces that were thrown up in the air are falling into place. As my daughter said in her birthday message, its my second birthday without her Pa. Bit by bit the story of my life (our life) is painted in a new canvass without my hubby in the picture anymore. Sad..but thats life!

Iam 38 years old. Another year older. 38 years of roller coaster ride. 38 years of funtabulous life (insert sarcasm)… well, yeah at some point i did have a fabulous & great life. But adversities came like a wrecking ball beating the shit out of me and had me experienced all the not so pretty things. Fleeting moments of happiness and then in a snap …its gone! Perfectly fine though, because like drugs, happiness is but just a temporary high. Nothing lasts forever. One day we will all dissipate and evaporate into thin air and meet our creator. The concept of forever is just for the books- fiction, fairy tale and love sick stories of two people who meet unexpectedly and swept off their feet and asses.. yada yada yada! Hey, Im no bitter of life and love lol. Been there, done that. Ive had all the lessons i could get this life has to offer. Ive experienced a lot and maybe still a lot more to come along the way. Anyway whatever this life has to put in my plate soon ill just have to sit down, relax and wait. I’ll devour it when it is serve right under my nose.

Yeah. Im 38 and still a nobody. Widow at an early age. With 3 kids and with no fat bank account. But mind you though, there are few people who loves and cares for me regardless of circumstances.

There may be few lessons i have learned in the past 38 years of my life. Believe me, theres a lot more but ive limited the list to 38 only because im 38… lol

1. Enjoy. Life is short, you will never know how many days or years you have left in this world. Have fun and live with no regrets.

2. Your heart will be broken but you can survive the heartbreak and stitched back the broken pieces. I have learned that we have an unbreakable spirit that enables us to get back up even after the most crushing of heart experiences.

3. Experience. There are things that will only happen once in your lifetime. Do not let those opportunities slip away.

4. Stay humble. Keep your feet on the ground no matter how great you become. Keep your head high but always have a good heart.

5. Dream. Never stop dreaming. Dream big, dream far. Chase for it and fullfill it.

6. Give thanks. Fill your heart with gratefulness. Never forget those who helped you reach where you are right now.

7. Learn. Never stop. Always keep an open mind. Learn from your experiences. Learn from other people. There is a wealth of ideas waiting to be discovered. Go get first dibs!

8. Get hurt. Stumble. Fall down. Crash and burn. Do not be afraid to get wounded because that’s what makes life meaningful. You will learn lessons that will help you for the rest of your life.

9. Love. Open your heart, give it to people who derserves it and always give it without conditions. Share a part of yourself with others. Help spread happiness.

10. Pray. Have faith. Never question Him, His will, and His plans. Always believe that everything happens for a reason. He created an awesome story for you. You just need to believe in Him.

11. Forgive but don’t forget the lessons.

12. Being weak is not a disability. Know that, it is when you are weak that you are stronger.

13. The older you get, the more you realize you have no desire for drama, conflict and any kind of intensity.

14. Happiness is an inside job, it is an attitude.

15. Feelings are temporary. If you are happy just enjoy it while it lasts. If you are sad, dont distress it won't also lasts. Nothing lasts forever.

16. Love gives you fleeting moments of happiness but leaves you broken at some point

17. When you fall stand up and walk again.

18. Smile more often, it makes you younger.

19. Laughter is the best medicine.

20. Changes are constant.

21. Appreciate the small things.

22. Truth hurts but it heals.

23. Ask for help when you need it so you can teach others that it is a strength to ask for help when we need it. Pride is not deadly you can swallow it once in a while.

24. Words can cut..deep. Choose your words because once it is said it cant be undone….dont abuse your freedom of speech.

25. Be patient. Patience is a virtue.

26. Know when to let go.

27. Make a bucket list. Travel once in a while.

28. Help without expecting to be reciprocated.

29. Dont judge others because they sin differently.

30. Learn to see the good in every situation.

31. Adversities make you tough.

32. When it rains use your umbrella and appreciate the downpour. Dance. GOD is in the rain.

33. You cant please everyone so dont make it a habit. Just be yourself.

34. Never let anyone gets comfortable of disrespecting you.

35. Live a simple life. Its simplier. Yeah, no complications.

36. If people dont want you for being you just let it be. Its not you, its them.

37. Listen with sensitive attention when someone is speaking to you. Its the best feeling when you know someone wants to listen to you.

38. In this life, there’s no rewinding nor replay. Grab every chance stay happy and find time to reconnect with loved ones.

Every moment matters and every birthday is a celebration of you and your unique life force. Walk in that direction with a vision that you can really make a positive difference and know that life is meant to celebrate while you are living.

The next chapter of my story is yet to be unfolded..i hope id still be alive in the next 20 years or so… May God bless this soul that have been baked hard in the fires of adversities.

P.S. In my facebook account, i was overwhelmed with all the love and birthday greetings i have received from friends & family, and online buddies. Though there were mishaps, there has been abudant of blessings from up above! That being said, i thank my Creator for the gift of life! Family and friends, thanks for all the love and support. And to my 3 adorable monsters, as always your efforts touched me. My family in Hongkong- the Yung’s ..i am keeping the love in a photograph. 😙 From the bottom of my 38 years old stitched heart, THANK YOU!

#birthday #me at 38 #story of my life #adversities #changes #aging is real

0 notes