Yet another list for the sake of writing reference. I went with the more basic/well known mythological creatures so I didn’t really include some of the old and very obscure ones. I also want to specify that these a more European/American based mythological beasts. There is an enormous amount of mythological creatures special to every part of the world. Perhaps I’ll make more lists of fantasy creatures but more country/region specific?
“I did not fall in love. That makes it sound like a sort of accident. No, I did not fall. I descended a spiraling staircase, following it downwards, deeper and deeper. Sure, it was slower, but I was aware of every single step.
And the walk back up was so very, very slow.”
~ Excerpt from “Velvet Heart”, A story a began a year ago but never finished.
~*~
“I once met a fox who said, “lying is just another form of Story telling.”
“Yes,” I said. “That is true. But the intentions are never the same. A story is not built to manipulate.”
“Oh, but they are! Emotions and thoughts are twisted around the writer’s pen.”
“That is true. But the intention is to find beauty in manipulation. A means to an end. It is not a story woven to conceal and shadow. Fiction is called just that. ”
“Not all. Some are mislabeled and presented truthfully. Some are called history.”
“History is a story?”
“Indeed. Only ever told by the victors.” “
~Excerpt from “The Tales of Mr. Fox”, a short novel I started a year and a half ago. I hope to finish it eventually.
~*~
“Good can praise the Good, Evil can praise the Evil, but when Evil praises the good and Good understands the Evil is when it’s truly special.”
~Excerpt from a short story titled “Paper Girl”. Wrote it four years ago and never Finished it.
~*~
“I’ll tell you a secret:
You spot a romantic simply whether or not and how long they look at the sky.”
~Another Excerpt from “Paper Girl”
~*~
“I think I’d rather be an optimist than a pessimist- I don’t think I could take being wrong that often.”
~Excerpt from an unnamed short story.
“Take it from me, darling. I’d rather be single and happy then committed to the wrong person and miserable. “
~Another “Paper Girl” Excerpt
~*~
“Do you know what all stories have in common? They end.
Such is the human life.
Since the beginning of time, no one has escaped the sad truth that our human lives will meet a conclusion someday. Many have tried to escape this, but none succeed. Nothing is new under the sun. We live and die-that is life.
But how do we as humans cope with this unrelenting cold truth? That all we know will pass in the blink of an eye? The same way we deal with all hardships:
Art.
We tell stories. We sing songs. And create.
Through art we find beauty and solace in the saddest of truths. Because sometimes the loveliest things in life are tragic, and there is beauty in caring- therefore there is beauty in hurt. This is why we can smile a little as we realize the bittersweet truth- we cannot take anything with us, but we always leave something behind.
I am choosing to leave this behind. “
~Excerpt from “Space, Soul, & Death” which was intended to be a short story collection. I started it three years ago. Perhaps I’ll write enough pieces to finish it someday.
~*~
Thanks for sticking around to read this hodge podge of a post. Perhaps you might draw some inspiration from these dusty words and snippets of dialogue!
Yet another little fun personal post. I caught covid over a year ago and while I am thankful that it is over and I got better, it has left me with my taste buds rather… altered. This list of my favorite foods would have looked vastly different before catching the illness. I used to adore savory, well seasoned foods but now I find myself enjoying much sweeter things that are a bit easier on my palette. All that being said, welcome to my list of five favorite foods! Who knows, you may find a new food you want to try?
Beignets
This was the first food that really tasted amazing after I recovered from Covid. It was about four or five months since I had caught it and I was finding out that many meats, eggs, and a lot of easy protein foods tasted rotten and weird. Event things that I could eat smelled wrong and funny to me now. But then I went to a restaurant with my sister when we were visiting the city of Saint Louis… and I had a Beignet. And it tasted and smelled amazing, as it should. Turns out sugar and cinnamon a flavors that Covid left untouched and it was incredible. You might think I’m being dramatic and maybe I am, but at the time, It was a big deal to find a food that actually smelled and tasted good. Up until this point I was craving flavors I could no longer taste correctly like egg salad, fried chicken, or roast. But they smelled rotten. Then I had a Beignet and it actually tasted amazing and familiar.
And that’s the story of how they’re my favorite food, dethroning my long standing favorite food of tacos.
Greek Gyros
Oooooooh, greek food. Lovely, lovely greek food. We have a scrumptious greek food place about twenty minutes from our house and it is amazing. With the perfect balance of meat and salad and seasoned just right, I adore these wraps as they don’t sit on your stomach like a brick and leave you feeling gross like a lot of takeout.
Fries
Hehe… speaking of feeling gross…
Even as an adult, I still really like McDonald’s fries A LOT. I mean, as long as they’re hot and I don’t eat too many of them as they can definitely make you feel icky after too many. But those first few fries are so good, especially if they’re salted just right. I know they’re terrible for me and I try to limit the amount of fast food in my life but dang, they really are my Achille’s heel sometimes.
Funfetti Goey
If you’ve had a good funetti goey butter cake piece then you KNOW. I don’t really know how to describe this dessert. I used to serve them when I worked at a tea shop and they were INCREDIBLE. They’re kind of like cake flavored brownies but goey-er (as the name implies). If you haven’t tried them before then I STRONGLY encourage you to look up a recipe and give ’em a try, especially if you have a sweet tooth. Some people eat it with ice cream, but I personally like it plain. Either way, they’re awesome even though they’re basically diabetes in a square.
Chocolate Moose Tracks Ice cream
Fun fact, I’m slightly allergic to dairy. But also fun fact, I don’t always let that stop me. Another guilty pleasure of mine is ice cream in general but especially moose tracks ice cream but especially, especially chocolate moose tracks ice cream. Chocolate is just good, man. What can I say? It’s also worth mentioning that I had a chocolate moose tracks milk shake once and that was divine. So if you ever get the chance to order or make one, I implore you to take it!
Aaaaand that’s a wrap! Just a fun little light-hearted post for you to enjoy. It’s definitely not a list of the healthiest foods but sometimes the best stuff is simply terrible for you. So what are your favorite foods? Feel free to tell me down in the comment below! Let’s discuss, this is important stuff you know!
And the reference lists keep coming! But if you’re anything like me, you have a bookmark folder primarily for writing references and lists such as these to perhaps you will find some use for these! Though don’t get too distracted with lists and references. Keep writing!
Hello, ladies and gents! and welcome to another contest entry!
I’ve been enjoying getting more involved in the writing wordpress community and it’s been quite fun I must say! Especially considering all the fun little tags and contests floating around. So its no surprise that I’m participating in another community contest hosted by Inky. So, I present you my entry for Inky’s Custom Contest!
logo copyright credits- the ruby and flower are not Inky’s own images
Rules
add the featured image on the start of the post (but you can make your own design, and place Inky’s at the end.)
follow the selected categories: writing, painting, digital designing or baking.
max three entries (but you can only win one)
for writing, max words is 350. it also has to be family friendly.
for painting+ designing ; make sure it’s kid friendly. if you’re unsure; send it over to my gmail.
when pasting the logo; make sure to add the copyright credits. (caption)
use “inky’s custom contest” tag in the post.
My Entries
Originally, I wanted to enter in the Writing, Painting, Baking, & Digital Designing categories but, alas, as I am running low on time to work on creative projects these days (Yay College! :D), I’ll only be entering in the Baking, Painting & Digital Content categories.
Digital Design Entry
Fun fact about me (if anyone cares but I’m gonna tell it anyways), I started doing digital editing & Art when I was 11. And oh boy, was it bad. Like really bad. But now, 9 WHOLE YEARS LATER, I can look at my creations without cringing (sometimes). My favorite digital pieces have always been ones in that disney-esque CGI style (because the animation of Tangled enraptured me). If you’re interested in seeing more of my pieces, I generally upload them to my pinterest & I have a instagram for it. (I would love to see my fellow bloggers on other platforms! Also pinterest is like 90% of how I waste my time…)
Baking
These are Pecan Pie Tartlets (I freaking LOVE tartlets. They make me want to throw a teaparty or something, I swear). Generally they’re best right out of the oven and look so cute on a little plate. ❤
Painting
Blasted people are so hard to paint but they also feel so rewarding when you’re done if they turn out right. You really feel like you’ve accomplished something, yaknow?
Nominations:
And that concludes my entries! Nominations for entering are open right now so feel free to enter and tag Inky so she can see your lovely works of art! See ya, readers!
Hey there bloggers! Just like with my superpower masterlist (which you can find here), this is done for character creation and writer reference for whatever story you’re working on. I plan to do more lists like these in the future. I have one in the works for a list of fantasy creatures and a list of medieval/fantasy town jobs. Until then, enjoy my extensive list of fantasy classes.
Joy of joys! I have been tagged by the lovely Stara to do the GIF-Y Love Tag! And this is where I ask everyone to discuss the correct pronunciation of the word down below because me and my family are divided. “JIF” sounds so much better in my head but one could argue that “GIF” should be pronounced similar to “Graphic” as it is a moving Graphic? It makes sense, it just sounds weird in my head.
New year’s is not going how you expected. Not in the least. During the New Year’s Eve celebrations, you noticed a strange cloud on the horizon of the sky that no one else seems to pay attention to. Quickly, it culminates into an enormous storm before blowing everyone and everything about. Somehow, perhaps by falling and hitting your head, you’re knocked out. Only to wake up and find yourself on January 1st of the previous year.
★Vulnerable
You’re a reckless teen who has little to no regard for your own safety. Fed up with your act, your guardian angel quits. But little did you know what he was really protecting you from….
★A Mysterious Read
You go to check out book at your local library to find there is a book reserved at the desk for you. The cover is blank so you don’t know the title. Confused and unable to remember whether or not it was you who reserved the book, you take it home and begin to read. To your surprise, the book describes the beginning of your day, right up until you checked the book out. But there is more to read….
★Fish Bait
You are a farm boy who lives near a lake and herds goats and sheep for a living. One day, you decide to fish for your supper. But, to your surprise, you find something much bigger than a fish at the end of your line. You have caught the famed Capricorn.
★Cursed Castle
You are the daughter of a wealthy family who happens to own a castle. You don’t exactly live like a princess like expected. In fact, the castle is simply a tourist attraction and is the means by which your family makes their living. One day, while helping your mom clean the basement of the castle, you see a full suit of armor walk from one end of the hall to another before disappearing around the corner. Confused and amazed, you inform your mother who of course doesn’t believe you, chalking it up to the wild imagination of a child. But you know what you saw. And other weird things begin to happen….
★ Garnet Heart
The year is 2052, and you are a robotic scientist who has achieved much in your life. Your specialty is developing incredibly intelligent AI, and, for an upcoming Science Event, you decide to design a new, and innovative Robot: The GEM. The GEM design is a humanoid robot design with a chamber in the robot’s chest where you can place an item. You chose a Garnet, and your first GEM robot comes to life. You later find out that the personality of the robot depends on the gem you place in their chest.
★Maybe take a break from that coffee? It can make you jittery sometimes and keep you from hydrating. Grab a quick glass of water instead of another coffee refill.
★Messy notes are a thousand times better than no notes. As long as you can read what you wrote, keep charging on. Your notes don’t have to look cute, just legible and somewhat organized.
★Showing up to class looking a little sloppy is better than not showing up at all. I know its tempting to skip but it is a risky decision. Plus, you don’t want to use of your “sick days” for when you just don’t feel like going or you got up a little late.
★Take a shower if you feel like you can’t study anymore. Refresh your mind a little.
★You don’t have to do a deep clean, but try and make sure that at least the surface of your desk is somewhat clean and clear. This will help you focus.
★Seriously, turn your notifications off.
★Try and stay on top of laundry to where you have at least one clean outfit-preferably the one you’re wearing.
★Sleeping the night before a test will probably do you more good than pulling an all-nighter. Wake up with a little time to eat breakfast and drink a whole glass of water before the exam. The information you crammed the night before is useless if you’re so lethargic that you can’t recall it.
★Packed lunches will save you a lot of money.
★If you’re feeling groggy mid-study session, try moving around a little. Get some fresh air, it does wonders.
★You don’t have to feel “cute” all the time to be productive. Romanticizing your education and schoolwork is awesome unless it starts to get in the way of your work. You don’t have to have perfect notes all the time & drink those aesthetically pleasing iced lattes so much. At the end of the day, it’s about the work you put in.
Hey there! Aaaaand we’re still snowed in. But, on the bright side, that leaves me more time for blogging and writing and such. So here’s a little post about my favorite movies. It’s short and sweet because I limited myself to five movies (otherwise we’d probably be here for ages).
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
This one takes the #1 spot being my entire childhood. The only thing I love more than Lord of the Rings & Tolkien quotes is Narnia & C.S. Lewis quotes. In summary, these two authors made my childhood as did the director of this movie. Though I must clarify, the disney version. There is a British version floating around out there with a…. smaller budget resulting in a slightly… different cinematic experience.
To summarize, this Disney Movie is my most favorite move. I love everything about it. Everyone felt perfectly cast, the music in phenomenal, the animal characters are loveable, Aslan is grand, and the redemptive story of Edmund holds so much weight.
A solid 10/10 movie. I still want to be Lucy when I grow up.
2. The Lord of the Rings Movies
And here is where I sing the Praises of Peter Jackson. He did what seemed impossible- condensed down the enormous works of Tolkien into three wonderful movies that tell a cohesive and developed story that I find myself continually coming back to.
I sort of cheated here as these are technically three movies but I couldn’t pick a favorite among them as they tell one continuous story and each one is masterfully done and has its own strengths in their own rights.
These movies probably have my favorite soundtrack ever, my favorite fight sequences, and some of my favorite characters. My only complaints are Frodo’s character felt a bit off compared to the book and the Frodo and Sam parts sometimes felt like they slogged on too long (or perhaps that was the intention as we were supposed to feel the weight of their looooong journey with them?).
Overall a 9.8457/10.
3. Aladdin
The best disney princess movie that is not actually about the disney princess. Not really. Robin Williams is perfectly cast, the song “A Whole New World” is iconic and probably will be for a very, very long time and rightly so.
9.7/10
4. Star Wars: The Original Trilogy
Yeah, I’m going to cheat again. This is technically three movies but again, just like with Star Wars, its hard to pick a favorite out of these movies (though if you forced me, I’d probably have to say “The Empire Strikes” back but I could easily change my mind at any time. The ranking is that close).
Another iconic and phenomenal soundtrack. Lovably corny CGI effects and all, I love this movie. The writing is amazing and the story so full of hope. I know its simple in structure. A typical good vs. evil struggle but when you pair that with the sci-fi elements that, until that point, had never really been implemented on a big screen (with some exceptions with Star Trek but that was a show and was so stylistically and tonally different, I don’t really see them as that similar).
I grew up watching these which unfortunately led me to having a really high bar as to the level of writing I accept in my Star Wars films so I’m not a huge Disnified Star Wars fan. But, regardless, these movies continue to have a place in my heart.
9.68/10
5. Toy Story
One of Pixar’s crowning glory movies. Sure, this movies animation hasn’t aged that well. Their character models for humans were lacking (Andy may or may not look like a crackhead) but it makes sense for the time period it was in and definitely set a precedent for future CGI Animated movies. Woody & Buzz are THE iconic duo.
9.5/10
And that concludes my list although I could rant about my childhood movies for much longer. Thanks for reading and see you readers later!
By the Brooke 