Rachael Arsenault's Blog - Posts Tagged "critical-role"
May Wrap-Up
Another month, another wrap-up. Let's go!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
This is a sequel to Seraphina, a book I read last year and absolutely adored. Though it took me a lot longer than I expected to get through this one, it didn’t disappoint – I just wasn’t in the ideal headspace to dig into something this long. But Hartman delivered exactly what I expected and wanted from this series, with continued political intrigue, deceit and mind games, plenty of twists, and so much more of that incredible world-building and gorgeous prose. This is one of those books that leaves me pining for the author’s skills, because damn. I definitely want to reread this series sometime in the future.
Articles:
Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body
Listen, the human body is a fascinating nightmare and I love learning about all its oddities. This is a great little exploration of that.
How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive
History is weird and complicated and often develops in unexpected ways that, even looking back, we misunderstand. This not only explains how the difference between ballpoint pens and fountain pens contributed to a shift from cursive writing to print, but also gives an overview of how ballpoint pens came to be and rose in popularity. Let me tell you, I did not expect the British Air Force to have an important role in that story.
"The First One That Died Sure Unnerved Me."
I don’t normally read a lot of epidemic-related writing, especially not right now – it’s part of every conversation I’ve been having lately and inescapable on social media, so I usually want my reading to be an escape from that. But this article intrigued me. And I’m glad I read it. Lutiant offers an interesting perspective on a dark period in history, and insight into a situation that is now repeating in our time. It feels like looking in a mirror and something about that makes this situation feel more… human, maybe? It’s a strange sort of comfort.
How 25 London Neighbourhoods Got Their Names
I’ve never been to London, but I’m still a sucker for history and etymology. Plus, stuff like this makes for great research/inspiration when it comes to creating my own worlds and naming places within them.
How the 18th Century Gay Bar Survived and Thrived in a Dangerous Environment
I know the queer community has always been around and has a long, proud history and culture, but it hadn’t occurred to me that gay bars, specifically, dated all the way back to the 1700s in London. While this isn’t exactly a happy story (because queer men had to hide who they were, and because of what happened when they and their molly houses were discovered), it is an interesting one, and certainly one we should be careful not to forget.
Pompeii Ruins Show That the Romans Invented Recycling
History. Is. WILD. There are so many things that seem very modern but turn out to have ancient roots, and recycling, apparently, is one of them. It also makes it so much more obvious that we can do better with reusing the goods we throw away, given how much our tools and know-how have grown in the thousands of years since Vesuvius erupted.
Other:
Mighty Vibes Vol 1: Lo-Fi Beats to Doodle To
This actually came out last month, but I’ve found myself listening to it over and over again during May. Not only is the animation adorable and full of awesome little Easter eggs for Critical Role fans, but this mix is perfect for helping me focus when my brain doesn’t want to work. I actually listened to it while reading some of the articles I include in this list!
Volume 2 came out near the tail end of the month – I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as the first one, but I love it, too, and look forward to having it on in the background as I plug away at creative projects.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
This book isn’t out quite yet, but it is available for pre-order and I am super excited for it to release in July. There’s an excerpt you can read in my previous blog post if you’re interested!
Articles:
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Fanfiction has long been disparaged by authors and critics alike, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find the dismissiveness irritating. I delve into that a little bit here, explaining how all writing can build skills, as well as providing some examples of professional fanfiction. If you’re a huge fan of fics or just don’t understand the appeal, maybe give this article a look.
Did My Cat Just Hiccup?
Research for this was part concern and part genuine curiosity. I was looking after my sister-in-law’s cat one night when she made a strange noise in her throat, so I starting looking into what it could be and if I should worry. The cat is fine, thankfully, and I was able to put together this little article from my research.
The Laws and Conventions of Naming Children
I don’t usually pay much attention to celebrity news, but seeing Elon Musk’s, uh… creative name choice for his son made me question how there aren’t stricter regulations on baby names. Turns out, there are – but it varies from country to country. And thus, this was born!
That's all for May. What have you been reading or creating? Any recommendations?
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
This is a sequel to Seraphina, a book I read last year and absolutely adored. Though it took me a lot longer than I expected to get through this one, it didn’t disappoint – I just wasn’t in the ideal headspace to dig into something this long. But Hartman delivered exactly what I expected and wanted from this series, with continued political intrigue, deceit and mind games, plenty of twists, and so much more of that incredible world-building and gorgeous prose. This is one of those books that leaves me pining for the author’s skills, because damn. I definitely want to reread this series sometime in the future.
Articles:
Top 10 Design Flaws in the Human Body
Listen, the human body is a fascinating nightmare and I love learning about all its oddities. This is a great little exploration of that.
How the Ballpoint Pen Killed Cursive
History is weird and complicated and often develops in unexpected ways that, even looking back, we misunderstand. This not only explains how the difference between ballpoint pens and fountain pens contributed to a shift from cursive writing to print, but also gives an overview of how ballpoint pens came to be and rose in popularity. Let me tell you, I did not expect the British Air Force to have an important role in that story.
"The First One That Died Sure Unnerved Me."
I don’t normally read a lot of epidemic-related writing, especially not right now – it’s part of every conversation I’ve been having lately and inescapable on social media, so I usually want my reading to be an escape from that. But this article intrigued me. And I’m glad I read it. Lutiant offers an interesting perspective on a dark period in history, and insight into a situation that is now repeating in our time. It feels like looking in a mirror and something about that makes this situation feel more… human, maybe? It’s a strange sort of comfort.
How 25 London Neighbourhoods Got Their Names
I’ve never been to London, but I’m still a sucker for history and etymology. Plus, stuff like this makes for great research/inspiration when it comes to creating my own worlds and naming places within them.
How the 18th Century Gay Bar Survived and Thrived in a Dangerous Environment
I know the queer community has always been around and has a long, proud history and culture, but it hadn’t occurred to me that gay bars, specifically, dated all the way back to the 1700s in London. While this isn’t exactly a happy story (because queer men had to hide who they were, and because of what happened when they and their molly houses were discovered), it is an interesting one, and certainly one we should be careful not to forget.
Pompeii Ruins Show That the Romans Invented Recycling
History. Is. WILD. There are so many things that seem very modern but turn out to have ancient roots, and recycling, apparently, is one of them. It also makes it so much more obvious that we can do better with reusing the goods we throw away, given how much our tools and know-how have grown in the thousands of years since Vesuvius erupted.
Other:
Mighty Vibes Vol 1: Lo-Fi Beats to Doodle To
This actually came out last month, but I’ve found myself listening to it over and over again during May. Not only is the animation adorable and full of awesome little Easter eggs for Critical Role fans, but this mix is perfect for helping me focus when my brain doesn’t want to work. I actually listened to it while reading some of the articles I include in this list!
Volume 2 came out near the tail end of the month – I haven’t had a chance to listen to it as much as the first one, but I love it, too, and look forward to having it on in the background as I plug away at creative projects.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
This book isn’t out quite yet, but it is available for pre-order and I am super excited for it to release in July. There’s an excerpt you can read in my previous blog post if you’re interested!
Articles:
Is Fanfiction a Valid Form of Writing?
Fanfiction has long been disparaged by authors and critics alike, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to find the dismissiveness irritating. I delve into that a little bit here, explaining how all writing can build skills, as well as providing some examples of professional fanfiction. If you’re a huge fan of fics or just don’t understand the appeal, maybe give this article a look.
Did My Cat Just Hiccup?
Research for this was part concern and part genuine curiosity. I was looking after my sister-in-law’s cat one night when she made a strange noise in her throat, so I starting looking into what it could be and if I should worry. The cat is fine, thankfully, and I was able to put together this little article from my research.
The Laws and Conventions of Naming Children
I don’t usually pay much attention to celebrity news, but seeing Elon Musk’s, uh… creative name choice for his son made me question how there aren’t stricter regulations on baby names. Turns out, there are – but it varies from country to country. And thus, this was born!
That's all for May. What have you been reading or creating? Any recommendations?
June Wrap-Up
I feel like these months keep getting shorter, but I'm going to stop making excuses for it. Sometimes I read and write a lot; sometimes I don't. These wrap-ups aren't about meeting an arbitrary quota - I just want to share what I've enjoyed so other people can enjoy it too.
So, without further ado: Let's dig into June!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Maiden, Mother, and Crone: Fantastical Trans Femmes by Gwen Benaway et al.
It took me longer to get around to reading this than I would have liked, but I loved it once I dug into it. Literally about a third of the stories in here could be considered my favourites, which says a lot about the quality of work presented. Plus, I just love being able to read a variety of stories about such an underrepresented group. I definitely gotta find more collections like this.
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Listen. Sometimes, your brain needs a break. You want to read, but you don’t want to deal with heavy stuff or stressful topics – you want fluff. And this book does a good job of that, especially since I’ve read it before and already know what to expect as I read. I will probably be reading more fluff like this in the near future, so be warned.
Articles:
Why Do Dogs Love Us? Science Explains
What did we do to deserve dogs, honestly? They’re an endless source of cuteness and love, and now we can say that’s scientifically proven.
Thoughts on Hysteria
It shouldn’t come as any surprise at this point that women and their problems are routinely dismissed as irrational and/or trivial, and the history of hysteria shows that quite well. While it’s funny to think about 19th century physicians prescribing orgasms to treat hysteria, it’s also disheartening to remember that hysteria was not a silly little thing – it was regarded as a serious condition, to the point that accusing a woman of hysteria could paint even the most rational and justified behaviour as completely illogical and deluded.
The Ancient Peruvian Mystery Solved from Space
So, the title of the article obviously hooked me in. Native American history? Check. Bizarre and weirdly specific premise? Check! But I obviously couldn’t exactly predict what the article itself would be about – and I was pleasantly surprised. It discusses puquois, these massive, spiralling holes whose exact age is uncertain and whose purpose has only recently become clear: They allow reliable access to water from aquifers, which is of critical importance in the extremely arid region. This means the Nasca people who invented them had incredible knowledge of geology and engineering, and I, for one, LOVE seeing indigenous ingenuity properly spotlighted.
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Soviet Sniper
I read this while doing research for one of the articles I wrote this month (it won’t be hard to guess which one once you see the titles), and it made me fall a little in love with Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s steadfastness, wit, and unwavering determination. I love learning about women who forced history to make room for them.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
She Who Rises
This book came out last year, but the sequel releases July 15th, plus it’s currently available for free download, so I wanted to share the link and give a heads up to make sure anyone whose interested doesn’t miss out on the sale. The deal ends on July 3rd.
Articles:
4 Cute and Chaotic Cats from Mythologies Around the World
There’s a lot of weird folklore throughout the world, which I love, and there’s a lot of different kitties around the world, which I also love. So I combined those two awesome things into one cute, quick little piece here, for your reading pleasure.
Storytelling in Critical Role: What We Can Learn, and What Can’t Be Replicated
I’m a nerd. A big, big nerd. And one of my biggest nerdy obsessions over the last three years has been Critical Role. I fell in love with D&D a few months before I started watching this show, and the love of the game combined with the amazing acting, storytelling, and shenanigans of the cast is just a match made in heaven. I could gush about this for hours, so it was hard to condense my thoughts on CR’s storytelling into just a short article. There is a none zero chance that I will write more of this in the future. Especially since they’re FINALLY BACK FROM HIATUS! (Just pretend there’s an explosion of confetti, okay?)
Badass Women Who Killed Nazis
The rise of fascism, neo-Nazis, and the alt-right is equal parts disheartening and infuriating, and sometimes you need to read about killing Nazis for some catharsis.
That's it for June. What have you guys been enjoying this month?
So, without further ado: Let's dig into June!
What I’ve Enjoyed:
Books:
Maiden, Mother, and Crone: Fantastical Trans Femmes by Gwen Benaway et al.
It took me longer to get around to reading this than I would have liked, but I loved it once I dug into it. Literally about a third of the stories in here could be considered my favourites, which says a lot about the quality of work presented. Plus, I just love being able to read a variety of stories about such an underrepresented group. I definitely gotta find more collections like this.
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Listen. Sometimes, your brain needs a break. You want to read, but you don’t want to deal with heavy stuff or stressful topics – you want fluff. And this book does a good job of that, especially since I’ve read it before and already know what to expect as I read. I will probably be reading more fluff like this in the near future, so be warned.
Articles:
Why Do Dogs Love Us? Science Explains
What did we do to deserve dogs, honestly? They’re an endless source of cuteness and love, and now we can say that’s scientifically proven.
Thoughts on Hysteria
It shouldn’t come as any surprise at this point that women and their problems are routinely dismissed as irrational and/or trivial, and the history of hysteria shows that quite well. While it’s funny to think about 19th century physicians prescribing orgasms to treat hysteria, it’s also disheartening to remember that hysteria was not a silly little thing – it was regarded as a serious condition, to the point that accusing a woman of hysteria could paint even the most rational and justified behaviour as completely illogical and deluded.
The Ancient Peruvian Mystery Solved from Space
So, the title of the article obviously hooked me in. Native American history? Check. Bizarre and weirdly specific premise? Check! But I obviously couldn’t exactly predict what the article itself would be about – and I was pleasantly surprised. It discusses puquois, these massive, spiralling holes whose exact age is uncertain and whose purpose has only recently become clear: They allow reliable access to water from aquifers, which is of critical importance in the extremely arid region. This means the Nasca people who invented them had incredible knowledge of geology and engineering, and I, for one, LOVE seeing indigenous ingenuity properly spotlighted.
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Soviet Sniper
I read this while doing research for one of the articles I wrote this month (it won’t be hard to guess which one once you see the titles), and it made me fall a little in love with Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s steadfastness, wit, and unwavering determination. I love learning about women who forced history to make room for them.
What I’ve Created:
Books:
She Who Rises
This book came out last year, but the sequel releases July 15th, plus it’s currently available for free download, so I wanted to share the link and give a heads up to make sure anyone whose interested doesn’t miss out on the sale. The deal ends on July 3rd.
Articles:
4 Cute and Chaotic Cats from Mythologies Around the World
There’s a lot of weird folklore throughout the world, which I love, and there’s a lot of different kitties around the world, which I also love. So I combined those two awesome things into one cute, quick little piece here, for your reading pleasure.
Storytelling in Critical Role: What We Can Learn, and What Can’t Be Replicated
I’m a nerd. A big, big nerd. And one of my biggest nerdy obsessions over the last three years has been Critical Role. I fell in love with D&D a few months before I started watching this show, and the love of the game combined with the amazing acting, storytelling, and shenanigans of the cast is just a match made in heaven. I could gush about this for hours, so it was hard to condense my thoughts on CR’s storytelling into just a short article. There is a none zero chance that I will write more of this in the future. Especially since they’re FINALLY BACK FROM HIATUS! (Just pretend there’s an explosion of confetti, okay?)
Badass Women Who Killed Nazis
The rise of fascism, neo-Nazis, and the alt-right is equal parts disheartening and infuriating, and sometimes you need to read about killing Nazis for some catharsis.
That's it for June. What have you guys been enjoying this month?
July Wrap-Up
Some light reading, a book release, and a very exciting short story publication. Let's dig in to July!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
I would love to pretend that everything I read is super deep or intellectual or even just part of uplifting lesser-heard communities, but… that’s not true. Sometimes your brain needs a little bit of candy, and right now this is the candy I’ve been craving. Maybe next month I’ll have something a little more exciting on my list – but I’m not gonna force myself.
Articles
The Teenage Girl Gang that Seduced and Killed Nazis
A harrowing and triumphant tale of two young sisters who gave their all to protect Jewish refugees and take down Nazi Germany. It’s not a unique tale, by any means – there are other teenage girls who did their part in the war effort – but that doesn’t make it any less important or heroic.
The Kung Fu Nuns of Kathmandu
While “Kung Fu Nuns” is certainly an interesting premise, these women are so much more than that. They’re dismantling gender inequality within Buddhism, learning kung fu to protect themselves and teaching it to other Indian women so that they can defend themselves against assault, and offering humanitarian aid after natural disasters and during this pandemic. These are women worth knowing about and worth celebrating, and they have certainly earned their shared title of The Fearless Ones.
Fast-Growing Mini-Forests Spring up in Europe to Aid Climate
I love the idea of planting small but dense and diverse sections of trees throughout cities, and really hope to see a future where there are cute little patchwork forests teeming with wildlife everywhere.
The College Student Who Decoded the Data Hidden in Inca Knots
There is so much indigenous history that we don’t know or can’t glean from indigenous historical records, so any breakthrough of this kind is pretty amazing. That it came about because of a perfect storm of well-matched skills and interests is… well, perfect.
The Forgotten Drink that Caffeinated North America for Centuries
I’m not a caffeine drinker myself (it doesn’t mix well with my insomnia), but, as I’ve said before, I love history. This piece was particularly interesting because it explored how conflicting goals and capitalist interests may have contributed to the mislabeling of cassina as a purgative, making people reluctant to drink for centuries – even though it would be a much cheaper alternative to coffee and tea in many parts of North America.
Other
Critical Role: Campaign Two
This show went on hiatus back in March, and the months without my weekly dose of dice rolling nerdy-ass voice actors was definitely a struggle – not least because they ended on a cliffhanger. But it’s back and I’m loving it and I’m crossing my fingers that the almost-inevitable re-hiatus doesn’t put fans on another cliffhanger for three months.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Living With No Reflection
I’ve been sitting on news of this story for a loooong time, and now I can finally share it! I found out a few months ago that my short story had been accepted for publication in audio format by Manawaker Studios, and I am very excited that my first audio-format story is now available to the world.
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
My book released this month! Aaaah! The build up to a book releasing is always a bit nerve-wracking, so I’m thrilled to finally have this out in the world for everyone to see. Please check out the series if you’re up for some magic and dragons and chaos. And keep your peepers peeled for a sale next month! ;D
Articles
’Just So Pitiful and Ugly’: Blackface, Bigotry, and Dehumanization in P.C. Cast’s ‘Moon Chosen’
I think thoughtful, critical analysis of the media we consume is incredibly important, especially when a piece of media presents deeply troubling or problematic topics. Sadly, this book is one such example of that sort of problem, and I didn’t feel right not addressing it in my own small way after reading it.
Ways to Boost Your Baby’s Brain Development
I’ve had babies on my mind in recent months, and that’s definitely influenced my decision to write this little piece. I think the complexity and malleability of babies’ brains is really fascinating, so researching this and sharing what I learned with the world was super fun. Definitely brought me back to the early days of university when I thought I wanted to be a psychologist!
As always, feel free to share what you've enjoyed this month in the comments below. :)
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
I would love to pretend that everything I read is super deep or intellectual or even just part of uplifting lesser-heard communities, but… that’s not true. Sometimes your brain needs a little bit of candy, and right now this is the candy I’ve been craving. Maybe next month I’ll have something a little more exciting on my list – but I’m not gonna force myself.
Articles
The Teenage Girl Gang that Seduced and Killed Nazis
A harrowing and triumphant tale of two young sisters who gave their all to protect Jewish refugees and take down Nazi Germany. It’s not a unique tale, by any means – there are other teenage girls who did their part in the war effort – but that doesn’t make it any less important or heroic.
The Kung Fu Nuns of Kathmandu
While “Kung Fu Nuns” is certainly an interesting premise, these women are so much more than that. They’re dismantling gender inequality within Buddhism, learning kung fu to protect themselves and teaching it to other Indian women so that they can defend themselves against assault, and offering humanitarian aid after natural disasters and during this pandemic. These are women worth knowing about and worth celebrating, and they have certainly earned their shared title of The Fearless Ones.
Fast-Growing Mini-Forests Spring up in Europe to Aid Climate
I love the idea of planting small but dense and diverse sections of trees throughout cities, and really hope to see a future where there are cute little patchwork forests teeming with wildlife everywhere.
The College Student Who Decoded the Data Hidden in Inca Knots
There is so much indigenous history that we don’t know or can’t glean from indigenous historical records, so any breakthrough of this kind is pretty amazing. That it came about because of a perfect storm of well-matched skills and interests is… well, perfect.
The Forgotten Drink that Caffeinated North America for Centuries
I’m not a caffeine drinker myself (it doesn’t mix well with my insomnia), but, as I’ve said before, I love history. This piece was particularly interesting because it explored how conflicting goals and capitalist interests may have contributed to the mislabeling of cassina as a purgative, making people reluctant to drink for centuries – even though it would be a much cheaper alternative to coffee and tea in many parts of North America.
Other
Critical Role: Campaign Two
This show went on hiatus back in March, and the months without my weekly dose of dice rolling nerdy-ass voice actors was definitely a struggle – not least because they ended on a cliffhanger. But it’s back and I’m loving it and I’m crossing my fingers that the almost-inevitable re-hiatus doesn’t put fans on another cliffhanger for three months.
What I’ve Created
Books/Short Stories
Living With No Reflection
I’ve been sitting on news of this story for a loooong time, and now I can finally share it! I found out a few months ago that my short story had been accepted for publication in audio format by Manawaker Studios, and I am very excited that my first audio-format story is now available to the world.
Those Who Fall (A New Age of Magic #2)
My book released this month! Aaaah! The build up to a book releasing is always a bit nerve-wracking, so I’m thrilled to finally have this out in the world for everyone to see. Please check out the series if you’re up for some magic and dragons and chaos. And keep your peepers peeled for a sale next month! ;D
Articles
’Just So Pitiful and Ugly’: Blackface, Bigotry, and Dehumanization in P.C. Cast’s ‘Moon Chosen’
I think thoughtful, critical analysis of the media we consume is incredibly important, especially when a piece of media presents deeply troubling or problematic topics. Sadly, this book is one such example of that sort of problem, and I didn’t feel right not addressing it in my own small way after reading it.
Ways to Boost Your Baby’s Brain Development
I’ve had babies on my mind in recent months, and that’s definitely influenced my decision to write this little piece. I think the complexity and malleability of babies’ brains is really fascinating, so researching this and sharing what I learned with the world was super fun. Definitely brought me back to the early days of university when I thought I wanted to be a psychologist!
As always, feel free to share what you've enjoyed this month in the comments below. :)
December Wrap-Up
Somehow, we managed to make it to the end of 2020. I don’t think I’m alone in saying it felt like this year would never end.
December was a quieter month than usual this year, but it still managed to be hectic nonetheless – getting stuff ready for the arrival of my baby, signing paperwork to officially tie the knot with my husband, navigating Christmas when I can’t travel to visit any of my family, etc. But it all turned out for the best! That being said, I’m more than ready to move on to a new (and hopefully better) year.
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins II #2 by Matthew Mercer, Jody Houser, Olivia Samson, MSASSYK
One of my current favourite shows is Critical Role, so I am more than happy to consume these narratives in new mediums. The comics thus far do such an awesome job at capturing the characters of Vox Machina and their dynamics with each other, and I loved finally getting to meet Pike and Percy. Makes me wanna rewatch Campaign One!
Critical Role: The Chronicles of Exandria The Mighty Nein by Critical Role and Dark Horse Books
I guess I’ve been on a bit of a Critical Role kick this month. Well, no, let’s be honest: I’m always on a Critical Role kick. In any case, this book is GORGEOUS. Not only is all the art featured incredible, but I loved looking back on the Mighty Nein’s journey through this lens – the idea of framing the narrative through collected notes of Beauregard and other archivists is really fun and interesting. Hoping to see another edition of this capturing later events of the campaign sometime.
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 7 and Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Vol. 8 by CLAMP
While certainly not as nostalgic as going through the omnibus collection of the original manga, I’m enjoying this series nonetheless. It’s a quick read, and I’m intrigued by the new magic and how the plot is unfolding. Plus, even when things are serious, I always find CCS has a delightfully lighthearted, optimistic slant to it.
Articles
Researchers “Translate” Bat Talk. Turns Out, They Argue – A Lot
I don’t care what anyone says, bats are super cute. Also apparently much smarter than we previously thought, since their communication turns out to be super nuanced and individualized rather than broadly group based. Neat!
Why Detroit Residents Pushed Back Against Tree-Planting
A super insightful piece about the importance of community outreach and involvement in decision-making, no matter how beneficial a planned initiative might be. This quote puts it best: “However, environmental justice is not just about the distribution of bad stuff, like pollution, or good stuff, like forestry projects across disadvantaged communities. It’s also about the distribution of power among communities that have historically only been the subjects and experiments of power structures.”
What I’ve Created
Articles
How to Slow Down and Write the Quiet Moments in Your Novel
Just a quick bit of writing advice for anyone struggling to slow down their novel – or for underwriters! I really like putting these pieces together. It helps me think critically about my own writing and the techniques and strategies I use, while also helping other writers improve on their work.
7 Ways to Feel The Christmas Spirit When You Can’t Be With Family
I know I’m not the only person whose Christmas looked a lot different this year. It was the first time I spent the holidays away from my parents, and I definitely missed seeing my family – but I did my best to find ways to bring some Christmas traditions and Christmas joy into these much quieter, smaller celebrations with my husband. With that in mind, I wrote this piece to share some suggestions on how you can do the same.
What to Know Before You Publish Your First Short Story
All publishing can be daunting, and short stories are no exception. So I put together some advice to help guide people trying this out for the first time.
Other
2020 Reflections / 2021 Resolutions
I uploaded this blog post earlier in the month, but I thought it was worth sharing here, too. 2020 was a hard year, and I think it’s easy to get disheartened looking back on all the goals and plans we made that never came to fruition. However, I’m trying not to be down on myself – it was a wild year, and not one we could easily predict or prepare for – so I count any accomplishment as significant at this point. So if you’re looking for that kind of reflective positivity, please give this a read!
And that's that. It was a busy month, a weird year, and I'm ready to see what 2021 brings.
January Wrap-Up
2021 started off pretty hectic, both in my personal life and the world at large. As I predicted in my 2020 Reflections / 2021 Resolutions post, I didn’t get a whole lot of reading and writing done this month. But hey: I was busy doing a bunch of adulting and paperwork, I was struggling through my last few weeks of pregnancy, I was recovering from a C-section, and – oh yeah – I was taking care of my newborn baby. So I think it’s fair to give myself a bit of leeway.
So, without further ado, here’s the small but wonderful selection of things I’ve enjoyed and created this month!
What I’ve Enjoyed
Books
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Aaaah, this was so good! I’d been seeing this book all over Twitter for a while, so I was stoked to finally actually get my hands on it. And it didn’t disappoint! Yadriel, Julian, and Maritza are a delight, and Yadriel and Julian had amazing chemistry together. Also, a trans protagonist, queer romance, and Latinx culture all made for a fresh read amongst the standard fare of contemporary fantasy and paranormal romance.
The World of Critical Role by Liz Marsham and Critical Role
Yet more nerdy indulgence – you didn’t think I’d completely leave it behind in December, did you? ;D This was a Christmas gift from my husband, and I’ve loved reading through it and getting more insight into the history of this amazing show and its incredible cast.
Articles
Portraits of Matriarchy: Where Grandmothers Are Still in Charge
An interesting look into a very different society from the one I grew up in, as well as the ways in which colonization and Westernization have impacted the traditions and values of the Mosuo. It’s also an easy read, full of gorgeous photos and insightful captions.
How Modern Mathematics Emerged from a Lost Islamic Library
I’m not much of a mathematician, but this article is still full of things I love: libraries, history, and dismantling Eurocentric ideas about history.
What I’ve Created
Articles
How Many Times Can You Defy Death in D&D?
Working on this was pure, nerdy self-indulgence, and it’s given me some ideas for fun character builds (though certainly nothing as extreme as the end result I came up with here). I definitely want to tackle more pieces like this!
Other
Is it too cheesy to say my favourite thing I created this month is my son? Too bad: It's true 😋
So that was January. Quite the way to start out the year – here’s hoping the rest of 2021 is less intense, but has just as much awesome reading material to offer. :D
How did you kick off the year?
