Days 1-15
My check-in: Some light edits to two chapters of the longfic before sending it off to beta!
Day 26:
Day 25:
Day 24:
Day 23:
( More days )
When you check in, please use the most recent post and say what day(s) you’re checking in for. Remember you can drop in or out at any time, and let me know if I missed anyone!
How are your projects going today?
Pretty good
0 (0.0%)
Great!
0 (0.0%)
Haven't started yet
1 (50.0%)
Not happening..
1 (50.0%)
How did your week in writing go? Mine was mid-to-not-bad, I think.
And, I've hit a snag in the republication project.
Draft2Digital has produced Content Guidelines, to wit:
What are the requirements for self-certifying erotica content?
You must accurately declare the presence of specific erotic themes during the publishing process. You are required to disclose if your work contains any of the following:
Incest or Pseudo-Incest: Sexual relations between family members, whether biologically or non-biologically related (including step-relatives).
Bestiality: Sexual relations between humans and real-world animals. (Note: Fantasy creatures such as shape-shifters or aliens are not classified as bestiality).
Rape for Titillation: Content where the dominant theme is non-consensual sexual relations intended to titillate the reader.
Age Play: Consenting adult characters role-playing or pretending to be babies or children.
Dubious Consent (Dubcon): Scenes exploring the gray area between consent and non-consent where the receiver’s willingness is unclear.
Non-Consensual Sexual Slavery: Erotic depictions of kidnapping, imprisonment, or trafficking. This is distinct from BDSM, which relies on informed consent and safe words.
We do not accept content with pornographic images or content that glorifies taboo subjects such as sexual exploitation of children or rape.
. . . Given the squeamishness of the audiobook company that backed out of its contract because Chapter Whatever-It-Was, I'm guessing that D2Digital will find The Fey Duology to be in violation of its terms of use.
This? Is disappointing. To say the least.
The other, somewhat disturbing thing about this new policy is that books that certify "erotic" content will not be offered to libraries. I'd like to know if the libraries know that they're being "protected" in this manner. And, I do have right here a review from Library Journal stating that Duainfey is "for most libraries."
#
Sigh. This has been a good day for Stress Eating. At least it was strawberries. Mind you, strawberries and whipped cream, but it could've been worse.
So, the Plan. I'll continue getting the book together while I'm waiting for D2D to answer me (surprise! They warn of higher-than-normal customer contacts. Gee, I wonder why.), and based on their answer, I'll ... figure something out.
You'd think the people who are trying to suppress "erotica" would understand that hiding things in the corner, or forbidding certain things that people want, like, oh, I dunno? Abortion? Oh! Alcohol! Only drives it underground, where it warps and becomes deadly.
Yes, well. Back to work.
This day has not been as productive as I had envisioned.
#
Despite the best efforts of the universe, I did get some useful stuff done today. I include washing the dishes and vacuuming the dining room, living room, and bedroom in that.
Tomorrow, I need to research how/how much it will cost to register the copyright for The Fey Duology (we had always assigned and noted an ISBN, and published the copyright notice, which, until the late shenanigans with the AIs, provided protection as it showed Intent. The Anthropic Settlement teaches us that there's no protection without you spend money for it. Well. Lesson learned.), fill out the necessary forms, and maybe even finish formatting the book.
After which, it can languish until I get some Answers from D2D.
. . .I keep catching myself saying, to myself, or to the cats, or, yanno, to all of us, "Why is everything taking so long?" And, aside the universe being bored, the answer is -- today? Today, if I was focused on getting the book formatted, Steve would have vacuumed, done the dishes, and cooked dinner, too. If he'd drawn the book, then I'd've picked up the chores, and the book would have been ready for formatting (except we'd probably still be talking about if we're paying the copyright fee, and wondering to each other WTF D2D has got into its head) right about, oh -- now.
I'm never going to get used to this, am I?
Well.
Onward.
Everybody have a good evening. Stay safe. I'll check in tomorrow.
Here, have some daffodils:
I started out on Livejournal. I stuck with it for ... longer than a lot did, despite its occasional fits.
The requirement to agree to the Russian terms of service was the last straw. Sort of.
I shared mod duties with a couple of communities on both DW and LJ - and I still post over at LJ occasionally.
There are warm fuzzies for what LJ used to be, but boy am I glad I imported it all to Dreamwidth when I had the chance.
Now I'm here. I have been for quite awhile, and growing more comfy with it every day.

I also made rice this afternoon in preparation for making a crispy rice salad tomorrow. I am very intrigued by the idea of crispy rice salad, but I don't know if I will like it in actuality, even though I like all the components I plan to put in it. (I'd also be more confident if every recipe I look at didn't call for a different type of rice. I made basmati, for the record.) I guess I'll report back tomorrow and how it goes.
And it's been a full day of watching hockey, after a long night of watching hockey last night. It's been exciting, but so much more relaxing since my team isn't in it.
And finally, here is today's poem:
Why You Should Never Marry A Poet
by Heather Bell
Think about it - the way that credit cards, bougainvillea,
vacations, dictionaries, the road on the way to work will
all never be enough. The poet wishes
with her deepest bones
and writes that she wishes
she would have killed you
in the supermarket. She wonders why
she ever loved you in song.
She publishes book after book. Each line detailing
how your hair is ugly and monstrous in the morning. And how,
like moss, you cling to her
so piteously.
But you marry her anyway.
and she looks like a roar of snow
in white. You figure she will read a poem about you
that day in front of everyone: her throat
is, after all, a stamen
or matchstick.
But she is silent, says only the I DO's
and a few Bible verses.
The poet loves with a most violent
heart. What you have not known-
she has wanted to tell you the truth
all of these years,
but grew silent as an old lover does
at eighty. There is no way to say
how one loves the ache of your cracked lips,
the heavy belly of your tongue, the years she spent
feeling not loved,
but still loving. Think about it-
the poet is fearful of others knowing and finding your mouth.
She is frightened of you -
realizing you could have been
loved better or harder
or with real words.
***
How are you doing?
I am okay
5 (62.5%)
I am not okay, but don't need help right now
3 (37.5%)
I could use some help.
0 (0.0%)
How many other humans are you living with?
I am living single
3 (37.5%)
One other person
2 (25.0%)
More than one other person
3 (37.5%)
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
AO3: Link
Rating: G
Series: Widdershins (Jack O'Malley, Widdershins)
Wordcount: 611
Summary: Mal and Widdershins reflect.
Remarks: The grand climax of the webcomic Widdershins featured one last little nibblet of worldbuilding to... well, raise even more questions, frankly. I wrote this vignette in rushed response. It's been a very enjoyable journey, overall.
◘◘◘
( it was the humans who woke us up )

The ‘Museum of Us’ in San Diego has expanded the PostSecret Exhibition to include “Naked Mail”. Secrets written and mailed on objects, not postcards.


The potato and knife mailed to PostSecet with secrets are not on view, but you will be able to see the artificial banana, (packaged) condom, coconut, license plate, shirt, roller skate, the original PostSecret mailbox, and more.











The post PostSecret Exhibition Expansion appeared first on PostSecret.












—email—
In response to the teacher who cannot find magic in his or her classroom:
Your role is not to be the magician. Your role is to be the believer.
The magic will reveal itself (it is most often locked inside your students).












The post Classic Secrets appeared first on PostSecret.
To: “frank” <frank@postsecret.com>
Dear Frank-
Twelve years ago I mailed in my license plate with the message “I don’t know where my home is” scrawled on the front. I had just dropped out of college and moved across the country to live with my dad. A lot has changed since then, but some things haven’t.
My life imploded (again) and I found myself back in my dad’s house; I changed careers, graduated college, and went to grad school. But that secret has followed me for a decade, often featured on the website or exhibits.
It popped up a few weeks ago and I thought “nothing has changed, I’m still just that lost kid” and then I realized how wrong I was. I’m not sure that I feel any more at home here now than I did back then, but something has changed. I found home in myself. Finally the skin that I live in feels like enough. Thank you for being a place of growth, love, and acceptance for all these years.
-Erica

Hi Erica,
Thanks for your secret! I remember receiving that “naked mail” over a decade ago and yes it has been shared many times; on the web, in my PostSecret talks, and in museums from the Smithsonian to the Museum of Us.
I know many people have felt a connection to your secret and I believe many will now relate to your story behind it. Courage is contagious and I believe your story will inspire others to tell their truth – and take that first step in their journey.
Your secret definitely has a home, so glad you found yours.
Be well,
-Frank

The post PostSecret License appeared first on PostSecret.
( What is this about? )
There's another really cool tarot meme here:

The Mystical Dream Tarot & Citadel Oracle
Prompt Meme
Open to all fanworks. Come play with us!
What are you working on? What have you finished? What do you need encouragement on?
WOO HOO!
At last! I won't have to wait to 2027 for some hockey playoffs to look forward to.









