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highpriestessarchives · 1 month

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Fear: Using Stoicism to Shape Characters

WC: 2,730

Introduction

Like many people, I suffer from severe panic and anxiety attacks. My heart races at what feels like a thousand beats per minute, I get a cold sweat, and my thoughts do not have a filter. The latter of which, I find the most dangerous and disturbing, especially when said attacks get triggered by something so small or nothing at all.

A lot of the time, they boil down to not feeling safe. I feel like I’m vulnerable, that the worst things that happened to me will happen again tenfold, or I’ve become the worst person in existence. Fear, as a lot of us know, can have us assume the worst.

I’m still working on managing my fear, if it can be managed at all, but a lot of what I’ve been practicing is essentially Stoicism. Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher, often highlighted that it is not events themselves that disturb people, but rather their judgments about those events. One famous quote attributed to Epictetus that reflects this idea is: “People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.”

This sentiment suggests that fear and other negative emotions stem not from objective reality but from our interpretations and perceptions of reality.

I thought, “What a wonderful way to get to know our characters!” Not only do we have to have a grasp on the world around them, we have to understand the extent of how they perceive said reality and how it leads to their own fears as well as their ambitions, passions, hate, love, etc.

Amor Fati

One of my favorite phrases is “amor fati.” It’s what helped me most in navigating my own fears and, as a result, writing some ways in which my characters handle theirs.

The idea of “amor fati” is closely associated with philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, even though they didn't use those exact words. However, it was Nietzsche who made it a key part of his philosophy. He believed that true greatness comes from embracing fate and wanting nothing to change, not in the past, present, or future. In simple terms, it means loving and accepting everything that happens, rather than just enduring it.

When considering the relationship between “amor fati” and fear, several key points emerge:

Acceptance of the Uncontrollable: Fear often arises from the unknown or from circumstances beyond our control. “Amor fati” encourages individuals to relinquish their resistance to such uncertainties and to accept that life is inherently unpredictable. By embracing fate, individuals can find solace in the realization that some things are simply beyond their power to change or influence.

Facing Adversity with Resilience: Rather than viewing challenges as threats to be avoided or overcome, individuals can approach them with a sense of equanimity and resilience. Instead of succumbing to fear or anxiety in the face of challenges, one can choose to see them as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. By embracing adversity as an integral part of life’s journey, individuals can cultivate the strength and fortitude necessary to navigate difficult times with grace and composure.

Gratitude for All Experiences: Fear often stems from a sense of insecurity or dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances. “Amor fati” cultivates gratitude for all experiences, both positive and negative, recognizing that each contributes to the richness and depth of life. By embracing fate with gratitude and appreciation, individuals can mitigate the fear of the unknown and find peace and contentment in the present moment.

This idea is what helps form a “baseline” for my way of thinking and perceiving fear, which is what many people, fictional characters included, tend to mix up.

You don’t need to adopt the same mantra, of course, but I believe that having this Ground 0 in your own personal philosophy will add further depth and characterization in writing. It provides a deeper perspective on why your characters think the same or why they may deviate.

Distinction Between Events and Perceptions

Let’s go back to what Epictetus said: “People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them.” Stoicism teaches that events themselves are neutral; it is our interpretation of those events that shapes our emotional responses. This concept is often referred to as “cognitive appraisal” or “judgment” in Stoic philosophy.

In practical terms, this means that two individuals may encounter the same external circumstance, yet react to it in vastly different ways based on their subjective interpretations. For example, consider a person who loses their job unexpectedly. While one individual may perceive this event as a devastating blow to their self-worth and security, another may view it as an opportunity for growth and new possibilities. The event itself—the loss of a job—remains the same, but the emotional response varies depending on the individual's perception of the situation.

Epictetus’s insight invites us to reflect on the role of our perceptions in shaping our emotional experiences. It suggests that our judgments, beliefs, and attitudes about the events we encounter play a crucial role in determining how we feel and behave in response to those events. By recognizing this distinction between events and perceptions, individuals can gain greater agency over their emotional lives.

Moreover, understanding this distinction empowers individuals to practice what Epictetus called the “dichotomy of control”—the Stoic principle of focusing only on what is within our power to control, namely our thoughts, attitudes, and responses, rather than becoming consumed by external circumstances beyond our control. By directing our attention inward and cultivating a mindset of resilience and rationality, we can navigate life's challenges with greater equanimity and inner peace.

Applying this to character development, particularly in relation to crafting a character’s fears, can add depth and complexity to the character.

Understanding the Character’s Perception of Fearful Events:

Explore how the character interprets and perceives the events or situations that evoke fear. What underlying beliefs, past experiences, or personal values shape their perception of these events?

Consider whether the character’s fear is rooted in the objective reality of the situation or in their subjective interpretation of it. For example, is their fear based on genuine physical danger, or is it driven by irrational beliefs or past traumas?

Revealing Character Traits and Beliefs:

A character’s response to fear can provide insight into their personality, values, and beliefs. For instance, do they confront their fears head-on with courage and resilience, or do they succumb to anxiety and avoidance?

Consider how the character’s fear reflects broader themes or conflicts in the story. For example, does their fear stem from a desire for control, a fear of vulnerability, or a struggle with existential questions?

External Manifestations of Fear:

Consider how the character’s perception of fear manifests in their actions, behaviors, and interactions with others. Do they exhibit outward signs of fear, such as trembling or avoidance, or do they mask their fears behind a facade of bravado?

Pay attention to how the character’s response to fear influences their relationships with other characters. For example, do they push others away in an attempt to protect themselves, or do they seek support and connection during times of fear and uncertainty?

Symbolism and Subtext:

Use the character’s fears as a vehicle for exploring deeper themes and subtext within the story. What do their fears symbolize in terms of larger narrative themes or character arcs?

Consider how the character’s perception of fear parallels or contrasts with other characters in the story, providing opportunities for reflection and exploration of different perspectives.

“Personal Truths” Are Not Necessarily Lawful

No matter how much a character is afraid of something, there is a line to be drawn on how valid that fear is when justifying a character’s actions and self-proclaimed motives. A person can say that they are afraid of someone else and that they are acting to protect others, but does that truly evade them from the law? In other words, a Villain can be completely convinced that what they are doing is noble and right, or that it stems from their own trauma, but, at the end of the day, they’re a murderous liar.

For example, in George Orwell's allegorical novel Animal Farm, Napoleon is a Berkshire boar who emerges as one of the leaders of the animal revolution against the human farmer, Mr. Jones. Initially, Napoleon is portrayed as a strategic thinker and persuasive speaker, working alongside Snowball, another pig, to rally the other animals and establish the principles of Animalism, which advocate for equality and freedom from human oppression.

As the story progresses, Napoleon’s character undergoes a transformation fueled by his ambitions for power and control.

Napoleon’s fear of losing control over the farm drives many of his actions. He becomes increasingly paranoid about potential threats to his authority, particularly from Snowball, whom he views as a rival. This fear prompts him to manipulate and eliminate anyone who opposes him, including orchestrating the expulsion of Snowball from the farm and later falsely accusing him of being a traitor.

He also utilizes propaganda and manipulation to maintain his grip on power. He gradually assumes control over the farm’s decision-making processes, consolidating power in his own hands and using fear tactics to suppress dissent among the other animals. For example, he employs the threat of the mysterious “Jones” returning to instill fear and obedience among the animals.

Napoleon’s lust for power leads him to betray the principles of Animalism that he once espoused. He progressively becomes more authoritarian and exploitative, engaging in corrupt practices such as trading with humans and altering the Seven Commandments to justify his actions. Despite initially advocating for equality, Napoleon begins to live a life of luxury while the other animals toil and suffer.

As his regime becomes more entrenched, he resorts to violence and oppression to maintain control. He establishes a reign of terror, using his loyal enforcers, the ferocious dogs he raised since they were puppies, to suppress dissent and punish any animal perceived as disloyal. Under his rule, the farm descends into a state of fear and tyranny, with Napoleon ruling with an iron fist.

Napoleon’s character serves as a symbol of totalitarianism and the corrupting influence of power. His transformation from a revolutionary leader to a despotic dictator mirrors the rise of real-life totalitarian rulers who exploit fear and propaganda to consolidate power and suppress dissent. There is not one moment of self-reflection, of him questioning that, perhaps, his fears are unfounded or his “personal truths” are not true at all.

Playing With Reality

Now, how can you utilize fear in order to create a character with as much depth and reflection (or lack thereof) like Napoleon?

Exaggerating a character’s fear involves manipulating elements of reality within the narrative to heighten the character’s sense of paranoia, insecurity, and authoritarianism.

Distorted Perceptions: Employ literary devices such as unreliable narration or distorted perspectives to amplify the character’s fears. By presenting events through the lens of the character’s paranoia, the narrative can create a sense of heightened tension and uncertainty. For example, descriptions of seemingly innocuous occurrences may be exaggerated or imbued with sinister undertones to reflect the character’s heightened state of fear.

Symbolism and Imagery: Symbolic imagery can be used to represent the character’s fears in a heightened and exaggerated manner. For instance, recurring symbols of oppression, surveillance, or impending doom can serve as visual metaphors for the character’s anxieties and insecurities. These symbols can be woven throughout the narrative to reinforce the character’s sense of paranoia and isolation.

Surreal Elements: Introducing surreal or fantastical elements into the narrative can create a sense of disorientation and unease, effectively amplifying the character's fear. By blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy, the author can evoke a sense of psychological instability and existential dread. Surreal imagery, dream sequences, or hallucinatory experiences can all contribute to the character’s sense of dislocation and terror.

Manipulation of Time and Space: Playing with the conventions of time and space can further exaggerate the character’s fear and disorientation. Flashbacks, flash-forwards, or nonlinear storytelling techniques can create a sense of temporal dislocation, mirroring the character’s fractured mental state. Similarly, disorienting shifts in perspective or setting can contribute to the character's sense of being trapped or pursued by unseen forces.

Atmospheric Detailing: Careful attention to atmospheric detail can help to create a sense of oppressive dread and foreboding. Descriptions of the environment—such as gloomy weather, claustrophobic settings, or unsettling ambient sounds—can evoke a palpable sense of unease, intensifying the character's fear and paranoia.

Character Interaction and Dialogue: Dialogue and interaction with other characters can be used to reinforce the character’s fears and insecurities. Conversations may be laced with veiled threats, double entendres, or gaslighting tactics, leaving the character uncertain of whom to trust. Manipulative or menacing exchanges can heighten the character's sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Did anyone else get a little uneasy imagining all of that? I’d go rather mad if I had all of that happening to me, too. Now, what about the good guys? They are afraid of things, too, right?

Of course they are, and you can utilize the above methods for your heroes, as well! There might just be a little bit of extra work involved in ensuring that they don’t spiral into the villain role.

Establish Strong Moral Compass: From the outset, establish the hero’s core values and moral compass. Make it clear what principles guide their actions and decisions. This foundation will serve as a guiding light, helping to anchor the character and prevent them from straying into villainous territory.

Empathy and Compassion: Ensure that the hero retains their empathy and compassion towards others, even in the face of fear and adversity. By prioritizing the well-being of others and demonstrating empathy towards those in need, the hero reaffirms their commitment to noble ideals and reinforces their heroic identity.

Positive Support Systems: Surround the hero with positive support systems, including allies, mentors, and friends who can offer guidance, encouragement, and moral support. These relationships serve as anchors, providing the hero with strength and stability during moments of doubt and fear.

Consequences of Actions: Highlight the consequences of the hero’s actions and choices, emphasizing the impact they have on others and the world around them. By holding the hero accountable for their decisions and their effects, the narrative reinforces the importance of ethical behavior and reinforces their heroic identity.

Redemption and Forgiveness: If the hero does succumb to fear or makes mistakes along the way, provide opportunities for redemption and forgiveness. Allow the hero to acknowledge their faults, learn from their experiences, and strive to make amends. This narrative arc reinforces the hero’s humanity and resilience, emphasizing the possibility of growth and redemption.

Thematic Resonance: Ensure that the hero’s journey is thematically consistent and resonant, emphasizing themes of hope, courage, and resilience. By grounding the narrative in these overarching themes, the hero’s actions remain aligned with their fundamental nature, reinforcing their heroic identity and preventing them from veering into villainous territory.

Conclusion

Fear is a powerful and universal human experience that can shape both individuals and characters in profound ways. Drawing upon Stoic philosophy, particularly the concepts of “amor fati” and the distinction between events and perceptions, can provide valuable insights into understanding and managing fear. By exploring how characters perceive and respond to fear, writers can create nuanced and compelling portrayals that add depth and complexity to their stories.

“Amor fati,” or love of fate, encourages individuals to embrace and accept all aspects of their lives, including the uncertainties and challenges that provoke fear. By adopting an attitude of gratitude and acceptance towards fate, characters can navigate fear with resilience and courage, transforming adversity into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

Furthermore, understanding the distinction between events and perceptions allows writers to delve into the subjective nature of fear, exploring how characters’ interpretations and judgments shape their emotional experiences. By depicting characters’ fears as rooted in their perceptions of reality, writers can add layers of complexity to their motivations and behaviors, enhancing the depth and authenticity of their characterization.

While fear can drive characters to make choices that lead them down dark paths, it is ultimately their moral compass, empathy, and support systems that determine whether they remain heroes or succumb to villainy. By emphasizing themes of redemption, forgiveness, and growth, writers can ensure that even in the face of fear, their characters' journeys ultimately lead to strength, resilience, and self-discovery.

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allgirlsareprincesses · 5 months

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I'm so disappointed in Ca*t. But proud of the Reylo fandom for standing with the impacted writers. It's not the first time we've had to respond to bad behavior in the fandom and unfortunately it's unlikely to be the last. But let's make sure to pre-order these debuts and read the other impacted books. Keep lifting each other up!

#katrina kwan #molly x chang #book debuts #booktwt #booktok #book tumblr #reylo #reylo fandom #reylo fam #poc author

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anonymousgrlll · 5 months

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Late night confession/request,

To all the black authors out there pls don’t ever apologize for writing exclusively for black ppl… Sometimes I see y’all explaining y’all selves b/c maybe someone found it offensive that you didn’t write it in a way they could visualize themselves 🙄 There’s like millions of stories abt (anime character x reader) ‘blue eyes, blonde hair, pale skin’ etc

Nobody ever checks them lol b/c let’s face it it’s prolly a lot more nonblack/yt ppl on this app than black ppl But I be seeing them in the comments complaining when it’s for us, (the same stuff happens on Wattpad too)

That just shows me how racist they are tbh. 🤷🏾‍♀️ We deserve to see/visualize ourselves with these characters (fictional,actors, etc) as well too and it’s v important that we have other black ppl writing for US too…

So yes, I understand that x reader is supposed to be for anybody but bfrfr, that hand is never extended out to black readers lol and I’m tired of seeing only black writers having to explain themselves… STOP ✋🏾

We’re always the ones who have to be open and accepting of everyone else while others get to gatekeep without apologizing for it…

Anyways I LUV that I get to envision myself as a dark brownskinned girly when reading x black readers lol…

But now for the request; Pls for the luv of god 😫 do an ‘x black tall reader’ I’m 5’9, a good 5’10 w/certain shoes/boots on, and over 6ft in heels lmaoooo. So plsssss, I beg of you 2 write abt how the reader is tall 😭

Anyways, goes off to reading more fanfics 🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏾‍♀️

#black fanfic writer #black anime girl #bakugo x black reader #gojo x black reader #gojo x black y/n #jjk x black reader #black authors #black writers #poc writer #poc author

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missacidburn928 · 6 months

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Moonlight & Fang Masterlist

Fantasy/Little Red Riding Hood/ABO AU

Our Alphas: Jax Teller, Dean Winchester, Captain Syverson, Ari Levinson, Bucky Barnes

Our Little Red Omega "Selene/Red": Omega Fae with powerful sex magic who's scent lures the strongest Alpha's from all around to test their might and virility. Light hazel eyes in shades of green and amber. Full pouty lips. Thicc and curvy. Built to be every wolf’s desire. Made to be bred. Has an unquenchable lust for the taste of Alpha blood on her tongue and her mark on their flesh.

Summary:

Their sweet words fall like bittersweet honey. Lacing pain and menace under a sugary facade. Coating everything. Sticky, sweet and unthreatening. All earth and warmth. The best disguise for unsuspecting beings, with open hearts and damaged souls.

A succulent entree for her sharp teeth to feast upon. For she is made of moonlight and fang. All charm and soulful eyes. While hiding an all encompassing darkness inside.

Sinful lips with a deadly tongue. Patiently waiting for her prey to become safe and lucid. Drunk off of her words and lingering touch.

When their red hoods fall, exposing the softness of their throats. Her eyes become bigger, as her hunger and lust for flesh grows. Just one bite and she'll change your life.

My, oh my.

What big fangs you have my dear.

🐺

Chapters:

Little Red

The Orphan

The Hunter

The Blacksmith

The Rogue

The Forgotten Prince

Balance

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lalectoracaimitena · 2 months

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The Hole Review

The Hole discribes the story of Oghi, a man that suffers a car accident, loses his wife and ends up in the care of his mother-in-law. Throughout the story we get to see Oghi reflect on his past and present circumstances as he faces the difficulties of recovery. What starts out as a sympathetic character, slowly unravels into flaws and mistakes that make you wonder if his suffering is well deserved.

We are simotaniasly shown how his mother-in-law slowly and siglehandedly unravels his life and health. The question in the story being, how and why? As she digs up her daughter's garden you can see that she is slowly losing her mind and plotting, but you never have a firm grasp on why she's doing it. From neglect to humiliation she throrougly makes Oghi's life a living hell.

The book tackles a lot of interesting topics such as death, ableism, classism and infidelity. You can say Oghi was a man with qestionable morals as you go along with the story.

He starts of as a doting husband with a loving wife. Speaking of his deceased wife as if she was a dreamer and idealist that balanced his life of blandness. Then turns into a bitter husband succumbing to his spoiled and privilaged wife. Explaining how she couldn't hold on to anything for too long before giving it up and turning to something else completely while neglecting him. And ending as an unfaithful man who is only sorry that he was caught.

I found that what made this book so interesting is the fact that this can happen to and be anyone's life. Sometimes you just need time to realize how unhappy and miserable you really are underneath the rose colored glasses.

As a reader, the book starts off a bit slow and boring, but as it progresses I found myself wondering what would happen next. Oghi is a wonderfully complex character that shows how small things can seem until it's too late.

#bibliophile #booklr #books #reading #first book of the year #suspense #the hole #poc author #author of color #book review

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kodiescove · 2 months

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Hi yes

How do I befriend writers on Tumblr so I may buy their ebooks and write reviews of their books and spread word of their writing?

I am terrible at this whole "connecting with social media accounts" thing but I'd very much love to give Tumblr authors a shout out on my blog! Especially since everyone was down for my representation masterpost!

If you are an author who writes about:

Queer identities

BIPOC identities

Mental illness

Mental disabilities

Physical disabilities

PLEASE SEND ME A LINK TO YOUR EBOOK!

I will add it to my TBR!!!! It will get talked about and reviewed!!!! I will buy a physical version to donate to my hospital!!!!

#writers on tumblr #writeblr #writers and poets #writerscommunity #writing #author #queer author #queer authors #poc author #latinx authors #authors

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bigenargy · 1 year

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Bianca Barclay SFW alphabet

Warnings: Major Spoilers on Bianca's relationship with her family, not proofread but it eats anyway

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

When this girl falls, she falls HARD. That said Bianca is extremely affectionate despite her whole 'never knowing when love is genuine' thing.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

A true friendship with Bianca would start with you hating her, which would draw her to you more cause she's desperate for some true feelings. When you two become friends, she'd be the biggest hype-woman ever and would be super interested in everything you say and do.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

I'd say she enjoys cuddles a normal amount, but she absolutely loves early-morning cuddles and late-night cuddles the most.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

She would love to settle down with you and live in pure domestic bliss. She longs for normalcy (or as close as she can get while being a siren) and we know she gets none of that in her day-to-day life.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

The only reason she'd ever break up with you is to protect you from one thing or another. She'd probably use her siren song to make it so that you hate or forget about her.

F = Fiancé(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quickly would they want to get married?)

She'd be EXTREMELY reluctant to take a step as big as marriage. Not because she wouldn't feel ready or love you enough, but because she'd fear just how much her powers affect you.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Bianca has two faces. The dominating queen bee no one can refuse and your gentle girlfriend that's always whispering praises to you and going out of her way to make you happy.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

She only likes hugging you. She thinks your hugs feel the most genuine and will hug you often. I don't see her being big on PDA beyond holding your hand or an arm around your shoulder but when you two are alone she'll always be touching you in some way.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

It takes her years to say it. You'll have to say it first and trust she loves you back because for the first few years of your relationship she isn't saying it.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

She won't get jealous if someone flirts with you but if you flirt back, even playfully she'll go green. She wouldn't be mad at you but probably herself for not being enough and the person that flirted with you.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

She loves kissing you on the lips. Not even full make-out sessions but quick-pecks.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

She's hopeless with children. She probably scares them.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

BIG CUDDLER in the morning BIG

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Big nighttime cuddler too

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

At first, she'd seem like an open book until you learn increasingly about her slowly throughout your relationship.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

I don't think she's ever felt true anger. A lot of things may irritate her or get under her skin, but you'd probably only see her angry like once.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing or do they kind of forget everything?)

She remembers everything down to the placement of each birthmark you have.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

when she finally felt ready to say the L word to you. It was during a Late-night cuddle session that led to a lot of happy tears.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

She isn't overly protective and would also like the same energy from you. She's an athletic baddie and a cult leader's stepdaughter. The last thing she needs is you worrying yourself sick about her.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Gifts would be super personalized, and anniversaries would never be forgotten and celebrated uniquely each year. Dates tend to range from elaborate to at-home movie nights.

U = Ugly (What would be some unpleasant habits of theirs?)

Her lack of complete trust in you for the first few years of your relationship.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

She doesn't spend a lot of time on her appearance. She was just born looking as good as she is.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Like I said when this mf falls, she falls HARD. She'd put on a brave face, but she feels completely lost without you

X = Xtra (A random head canon for them.)

She cooks extremely well.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Her mom.

Z = ZZ (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

Maybe it's a siren thing but she goes to sleep late and wakes up early looking flawless.

#wednesday #bianca barclay #bianca barclay x reader #bianca barclay x y/n #wednesday x reader #poc author #lgbt fanfic

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bodrewritten · 2 months

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Tfw I want to rewrite daughter of discord, but I know one of the first scenes I'll have to write is the one where discord tells his daughter the "you have to act politer than other ponies so you won't get persecuted for being different" speech and I don't know if i have the heart to confront those feelings

#mlp fim #fluttercord #bride of discord #daughter of discord #iykyk #my little pony #friendship is magic #discord #screwball mlp #racism #poc author #poc writer #bride of discord rewritten #silly cats #cute cats #cat memes #discord cats

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the-orangeauthor · 11 months

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Perhaps

Perhaps, fewer words could be used to tell you,

The extents that I would go for you,

But then how else will you know,

That I would scale mountains topped with snow,

And that I would slay armies of your foes,

I would burn villages to the ground,

And build you a house where there is no home,

How I would hold you in the winter,

And watch you flourish in spring?

How would you know that I would carve your name in the moon?

That I would bring your wishes to life

And that I would never let you want,

And the way that I would look at you,

A solar system of your person,

One whole galaxy in my hands?

How does ‘I love you’ compare?

Perhaps for some , it is enough, those three words

Perhaps for you, I can make some that are new

———————————————

Perhaps is a poem from my WIP anthology The Little Letters! Let me know if you’d like to be on the tag list!

Taglist: @jingalalaadventures

#the little letters #poems #poc author #the mortifying ordeal of being perceived

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sometimesraven · 5 months

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WHEN THE STARS ALIGHT Appreciation Week Day One

Reasons why you picked up the book or reasons why you love it

OH MAN so I think I saw the call for ARC readers on TikTok and that's how I came across WTSA?

Honestly I read "star princess" in the summary and immediately slammed my way into the comment section bc one of my oldest writing hyperfixations was my own kind of star princesses and I'd literally never heard of another author using that kind of concept before.

I used to be obsessed with fantasy and romantasy but honestly dropped out of the genres when they ended up being a lil too same-y? Pretty white girl meets angsty white guy, dubious consent ensues. So I knew I was taking a risk picking it up but knowing there was a POC main character made me more receptive to the idea because you just Don't See That in romantasy or even just fantasy to be honest.

I'm glad I did! My ADHD struggles with flowery prose and content this heavy with information but with the pressure of ARC deadlines I was able to really push through and get fully into it, and after sitting with it for a while (something I haven't done with a piece of media in Some Time) I am fully obsessed with these complex, flawed characters and the world they're in. I'm glad I took a chance on this series and this author and I can't wait to keep reading <3

WTSA is an indie romantasy novel, the first in an ongoing trilogy published by Camilla Andrews. Find out more about the author and her projects here.

#eote #wtsaweek2023 #the essence of the equinox #camilla andrew #indie author #poc author #romantasy #indie romantasy #fantasy romance

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catfayssoux · 1 month

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It can get extremely disheartening to keep seeing so many book reviews with rules about writing I didn't know and I've published before and I've been writing *almost* my whole life. I keep thinking- "Ain't no way I'm publishing this book. It's gonna be awful." But I've got to figure out how to tune out the critics and just write the damn book.

Whatever I write will be with passion, so whoever doesn't like it will just have to deal with it. I'm writing what I would want to read.

I'm writing for the girls who are the age I was when I needed those stories. I'm writing to show them what real love looks like, because I had to learn on my own. I am writing for the mixed/black girls who want heroes to look up to. I'm writing for the girls who think they aren't beautiful, because they aren't a certain body type or don't have a certain eye or hair color. I'm writing for the girls who just want a boy best friend without the assumption they'll ever date.

So girls, I hope you like this one.

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highpriestessarchives · 2 months

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Expectations: In Which Diverse Stories Have Extra Criteria

CW: mentions of racism, brutality, colonization, more of a vent post than anything informative

As much as I don’t like it, I feel as though the best way to start this off is to provide context on my own background. I’ll get to why I don’t like it in a moment, so bear with me. I’m a first generation born Filipino American. My parents are from Tarlac (and a DNA test shows that we also have lineage traced back to Northern and Western Philippines as well some Central & Eastern and Southern China), and they raised us in a semi-traditional Filipino fashion. They didn’t teach us the language in fear of us being made fun of by other Americans, but we did grow up eating the food, respecting our elders, and practicing Filipino Catholic traditions that my parents grew up with in their homeland.

Needless to say, the remarks that followed me into my adult life have pulled my resonance with my heritage in every which way. To other Filipinos and other Asians, I looked part white, and they would ask for pictures of my parents for “proof” that I wasn’t. True story: I remember one of my college friends grabbing my phone and showing her friends in an “I told you so” manner, as if my race was some mystery for them to crack. It wasn’t. I fully told them from the start that I’m Filipino. My Titas would tell me that I looked “mestiza,” and how many young girls in the Philippines would want to look the way I do, and I didn’t know how to explain to them that I started hating how pale I am because of how other Asians would assume my race because of it.

At the same time, my non-Asian counterparts (yes, majority of the people who made these comments were white) would assume that I was some hodge-podge of all Asian cultures. I remember my high school teacher showing us a Vietnamese medicine commercial (this was a class on medical malpractice, and, if I remember correctly, she wanted to show us how medicine is advertised internationally), and she walked into class saying, “The only one who might understand this clip is Rory.” She’d used my deadname at the time, but you get the idea. Jaw-dropped, I had to say, “I don’t speak Vietnamese. I’m not Vietnamese.”

I know, what does this have to do with writing? We’ll get there; don’t worry.

Around 2018, the term “decolonization” entered my realm of awareness. I would see other children of immigrants from all over the world dive into their heritage and continue their ancestors’ practices. Thinking that this would be a genuine way to connect with my roots (I had, and still have, a complicated relationship with the Catholic Church, so I was excited to hear about other Filipino faiths), I began doing my research. At the time, I had a sizable following on TikTok, and I would post entertainment-only sort of videos regarding my spirituality and craft, and I even had to put out a video explaining why I didn’t go into more detail with the Filipino aspects of it. I wasn’t as learned with it as I am now, and I was afraid of the criticism and backlash others would have towards it. In hindsight, I really shouldn’t have given a sh*t, but the internet, as we all know, is cruel.

See, I use my writing as a way to connect with myself and other people, mainly. Yes, I have a story to tell, but a majority of my purpose is to discover and process my own emotions and findings. I use what I observed in society and how I grew up as well as what I learned from my own research. I won’t go into detail of the racism Asian Americans face nor the brutality we have endured over the years; frankly, if you are not already aware of it, Google is free.

Still, my work seemed to be followed by one main criticism: this isn’t yours to tell.

There were a myriad of reasons behind it. I wasn’t born in the Philippines, I’m white-passing, I wasn’t raised with anitismo, other marginalized groups have it “exponentially” worse, etc. I’d be lying if I said this didn’t affect my writing. I froze. I grappled with what I was “allowed” to tell based on all of these criteria. I’d pull up article after article of what I learned in hopes to justify the reasons for including certain aspects in my work; but because of my own upbringing, it never seemed to be enough. What’s worse, a portion of these criticisms completely dismissed the aspects of racism that Asian Americans have spoken up about time and time again (once again, because other’s have it worse or because there just wasn’t enough awareness about it for it to be “valid.”)

Imagine that. We read of thousands of iterations of medieval fantasies from white authors, thousands of European fae romances, thousands of Greek mythological retellings, and treat it as the default. There is no question of whether the author is Greek or Gaelic enough or if their ancestors played a huge role during the medieval era. Hell, my first published work was based on Greek and Celtic mythology, and no one talked about my race then, whether it was about how white I look or how I'm not white at all.

But gods help us if a minority doesn’t fit the ultimate minority model while telling their stories. To be honest, this was why I started disliking the need to talk about my background; it has begun to feel as though it is more to provide credentials rather than to satiate genuine curiosity from other people.

Yes, I do recognize that I wasn’t born in the Philippines and that I was raised Catholic, but I’ve come to terms with how I feel like that is okay.

First of all, if we want to hear from more diverse writers, we cannot keep projecting this “model minority” expectation towards them. Otherwise, it will discourage other diaspora writers, such as myself, from connecting and relaying their heritage in fear of not being “[insert marginalized group here] enough,” whatever that even means at this point.

Secondly, our history is full of movement, whether it was by our own will, such as my parents’ decision to come to America, or if it was forced upon us by our oppressors. As such, those raised outside of their homeland only further enriches our culture, not dilutes it.

To filter the perspectives of or to project your own biases towards diaspora writers is to promote the narratives of the colonizers. We are valid, and our stories should be, too.

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