Can fandom bring back the concept of a squick?
No for real in 2k15
Can fandom bring back the concept of a squick
A “squick” was a trope or topic that made the reader deeply uncomfortable, even might cause anxiety or intense emotional reactions
Everyone’s squicks were personal and diverse, and it was considered polite to say, “sorry I can’t read this because it squicks me, but you have fun in your corner doing what you doing”
Can we bring that back and reserve “trigger” for MI people who mean “if I see this I will have flashbacks and dissociate for hours”
I wasn’t aware this concept had fallen out of fandom. Seriously, bring it back, it’s useful as hell.
Key to the concept of “squick,” as it was first explained to me lo these many years ago, is that it is not a value judgment. If I say “mpreg is gross,” that’s a negative statement about mpreg (and, by extension, about those who enjoy writing or reading about it). If I say “mpreg squicks me,” that’s a value-neutral statement about me and my emotional reactions and how they affect my enjoyment of fiction.
And, as OP says, it does not carry the implications of intensity or trauma that “trigger” does. (Although I will point out that a trigger doesn’t have to cause flashbacks or dissociation. There are people a lot better qualified than I am to talk about that.)
Yes, yes, yes please to all of this!
squick: Something that makes you go “ewwww” and wish you had never seen/read it. Something that makes you deeply uncomfortable. Something you’re not interested in reading/seeing/thinking about, ever.
trigger: Something that you associate with/reminds you of a past trauma (mental, emotional, or physical) and therefore triggers your personal reaction to trauma (be it flashbacks, panic/anxiety attacks, unhealthy behaviours, a crying jag, whatever).
Please, please, please don’t use them interchangeably.
I may have reblogged this before but it’s worth doing again: such a useful concept.
Hermione: Transfiguration is so interesting!
Fred: It is interesting until you have to study it. then it becomes boring like everything else
things severus snape could hope to win by helping to protect the potters: nothing, zero, absolutely jack shit
things severus snape could hope to win by helping to protect the potters if it had been successful and the family had survived: still nothing, zero, absolutely jack shit
things he had to lose in both scenarios: everything, mostly his life
why do you do this to me
the most romantic line in the whole harry potter series is “i have seen your heart and it is mine.” that shit is unbelievably dramatic. it sounds like something out of wuthering heights. it sounds like an agonized confession delivered in a thunderstorm from one conflicted lover to another, acknowledging the way their fatal flaws mirror yet complement each other, a desire to reflect and to perceive and ultimately to forgive. unfortunately, it is also spoken by horcrux locket tom riddle to ron weasley
Hermione + Anybody = Perfection
Let’s talk about Hermione Granger. How does one create such a perfectly flexible character who can be paired with EVERYONE from the Potter universe? I’m really talking everyone here, from Neville to Harry to basically any and all Hogwarts students, to the Weasleys to the Malfoys to the Death Eaters to the Marauders to the Founders to bloody Lord Voldemort himself (though I’m partial to a young Tom Riddle myself)! She can work with absolutely everybody and make a steamy, romantic AND convincing pairing. All while staying in character. I applaud you, fanfic authors, for creating a world beyond J.K.Rowling’s, where Hermione can find love in the unlikeliest of places. Since I was never a big Romione fan, you have saved me! Kudos to you!
I love her! She is the all-time-shippable queen!
Do you ever forget how ‘into’ reading you can get? Like you read a lot of good fanfics/books, they’re good and everything
-But then you find a new story-
-and before you know it you’re crouched half on the floor, cos you only planned on stopping for a minute before doing that thing you were planning to do, and it’s been more than an hour, and you’re on the edge of whatever you’re sitting on and you’re gripping your phone with all your strength and if anyone wanted you to stop now they’d have to prY IT FROM YOUR COLD DEAD HANDS
So glad I'm not alone.
Most popular fics on HPFF:
As you know, HPFF is shutting down soon, so I’m compiling a list of the most popular fics on the site, so you can read it before it is gone, or you can download it for later. This list will not contain the fics that are posted on multiple sites.
- Above the Clouds by cathyyy - M, 43 chapters - Hermione is back for her seventh year at Hogwarts. Over one year has passed since the war and she finds herself changed by the experience. She needs something, someone. But everyone around her act like nothing ever happened, except for one. Draco Malfoy. With him as her teacher in flying, can she find a way to heal?
- Lady Malfoy by cherrypie3601 - M, 41 chapters - “Miss Granger, you are in grave danger,” he said slowly. “But the Ministy can offer you a safe hiding place, where no one will be able to find you.“ "Wh…where is this place?” Hermione said shakily. The man took a deep breath and looked into those brown eyes. “Miss Granger, what do you know of Malfoy Manor?“
- Pirates by singerhotti24 - T, 38 chapters - Pirates and Nobles: this very game gives a new definition to every witch and wizard. Murder doesn’t come with regret, fighting doesn’t come without scars, and hate treads a fine line with lust, not love. This very game was invented for inner house unity. To be honest, the murdering and hanging doesn’t really help. Updated: June 24, 2012
- One Sweet Day by KimMalfoy - T, 41 chapters - After losing the love of her life, the father of her now five year old daugther, Hermione wonders if she ever will be able to love again… And when she do find love it’s not as perfect as she excpected it to be… It’s a cruel game of love… but maybe, just maybe… one sweet day it’ll all work out just fine… || The story is completed!
- The Other Reality by FeltonLewis - M, 27 chapters - The war is over and the students are back at Hogwarts. Of course, Draco and Hermione get into a fight on the first day back and he wishes that she grows up to have the worst future imaginable to her. What happens when they end up in another time- seven years later- and find themselves together? Be careful what you wish for because you might end up like Draco and Hermione- stuck in The Other Reality.
- Otherwise Engaged by majamariamaja - M, 24 chapters - Hermione Granger’s practically perfect life is turned upside-down after meeting her former enemy at the local pub. This is her story. I froze. I wasn’t alone. Was Martin here? I removed the pillow from my face and opened my eyes. It wasn’t my bedroom. Where the hell was I? "Good morning, Mudblood.“ I screamed while jumping into a sitting position. "Malfoy?!"
- Lure of the Dark Side by Hermione_88 - M, 39 chapters - FINALLY COMPLETED!!! For all those fans of ‘Respect Me’ comes ‘Lure of the Dark Side’. Hermione is on assignment for Dumbledore. It’s the Order’s last chance to penetrate Lord Voldemort’s dark plans. But because of the circumstances – she can’t remember a thing about the assignment and so she really believes that she is devoted to the Dark Lord. Will they ever be able to bring her back?
- Arabesque by CelticKisses - M, 25 chapters - Hours became a painful ticking of seconds. The edges of the world were blurring. Her eyes were swollen shut or pinned open; she couldn’t tell through the pain. All she knew was the tight circle of his arms. The soft tickling of his breath on her neck as he held her. The way it felt to curl into his side and hope for oblivion; wish for the end. She was wishing for it - most profoundly. She no longer wanted to go on, to live like this.
- Fire and Air by Night Owl - T, 29 chapters - Thanks so much Scarlet for this amazing banner! You rock! The Trio are back for their sixth year at Hogwarts and everything is going great. But Hermione has a secret, a secret that is about to change her life forever. Will she be able to handle it when she finds out that someone else shares her secret? A story of action, danger, mystery, and romance. Chapter 29 up: "Epilogue” This story is now COMPLETE!
- The Checkout Chick by Sara4Harry - M, 31 chapters - **COMPLETE!!** Beautiful Banner by Naya_xox! Love it so so so much!!! Hermione has a summer part-time job at Diagon Alley as a cash-out chick before she goes back to Hogwarts for her 7th year. Draco and her encounter in the store. He finds her predicament a good opportunity to annoy her more. But what if his tricks go too far? A simple part-time job turns into one of the most defining moments in both Hermione and Draco’s lives. Winner of the ffssc Avant Garde Award
Mark
writing tip #2170:
the protagonist should fail as many times as they need for the reader to start feeling sorry for them
I'll keep that in mind.
In fanfiction there is a difference between being a good writer and a popular writer.
Just because you can write a well-structured story with dynamic and consistent writing and characters doesn’t mean you will be popular. And sometimes stories that have disorganized plots, mediocre writing, and/or OOC characters will be held up as the greatest things to ever exist.
Just because your writing isn’t popular doesn’t mean you are a bad writer. Don’t ever compromise who you are, who your characters are, your plot, your writing style, anything for the sake of readership.
There are popular writers everywhere. But there are only so many good writers.
sanddollarsandstars
I needed to read this today. I’m guessing maybe others do too!
^^^^THIS.
Thx.
rointheta-deactivated20150914
40 Questions — Meme for Fic Writers
- Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.
- Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?
- Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?
- How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Care to share one of them?
- Share one of your strengths.
- Share one of your weaknesses.
- Share a snippet from one of your favorite pieces of prose you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.
- Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.
- Which fic has been the hardest to write?
- Which fic has been the easiest to write?
- Is writing your passion or just a fun hobby?
- Is there an episode above all others that inspires you just a little bit more?
- What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?
- What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever come across?
- If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?
- If you only could write one pairing for the rest of your life, which pairing would it be?
- Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?
- Do you use any tools, like worksheets or outlines?
- Stephen King once said that his muse is a man who lives in the basement. Do you have a muse?
- Describe your perfect writing conditions.
- How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?
- Choose a passage from one of your earlier fics and edit it into your current writing style. (Person sending the ask is free to make suggestions).
- If you were to revise one of your older fics from start to finish, which would it be and why?
- Have you ever deleted one of your published fics?
- What do you look for in a beta?
- Do you beta yourself? If so, what kind of beta are you?
- How do you feel about collaborations?
- Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.
- If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?
- Do you accept prompts?
- Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?
- How do you feel about smut?
- How do you feel about crack?
- What are your thoughts on non-con and dub-con?
- Would you ever kill off a canon character?
- Which is your favorite site to post fic?
- Talk about your current wips.
- Talk about a review that made your day.
- Do you ever get rude reviews and how do you deal with them?
- Write an alternative ending to [insert fic title] (or just the summary of one).
why not :D
““I am yours.” His hand grabs the waves of her hair and he tugs her closer, breathes against her lips but not quite touching. His eyes are mesmerizing and deep enough to drown. She feels dizzy and lightheaded, almost dazed. His smile reminds her of a hounded animal - sharp at the edges, the peaks of his pearly white teeth glimmering in the red shadows of the candle. He looks dangerous. Wild. “You will be brutal. You will be invincible.” When he reaches out to trace the sharp edged bone of her shoulder down to her collarbone, something inside of her lapses. “You will be mine.” Every single muscle and sinew is on fire. All that’s left to do, is burn.”
— r.m | excerpt #69
Fuck, this just reminds me of my otp.
You’re welcome
gunslingerannie
This is the most useful thing I’ve ever reblogged.
i used to think when people said my cousin twice removed that their cousin must’ve did some fucked up shit to get kicked out of the family twice
tarascarol-deactivated20190616
this is why i go to the movies more now and watch more series. this. what a time to be alive. thank you for the fight, ladies.
I just have to repost this.
Things to Keep Out of Your Healthy Relationships!
(Alternately: how to identify problematic YA romances.)
Written by yours truly, contributions from @jltillary, @theinkrepository, @time-to-write-and-suffer, and @sakrebleu.
Non-consensual physical intimacy, especially in situations where it’s portrayed as being done for the benefit of the victim or situations where the victim forgives the forced intimacy because they decide they like it after it’s already been forced on them. Examples:
- Forcing a partner to accept physical comfort when they don’t want it.
- Kissing a partner in the middle of an argument.
- Framing consent as unnecessary simply because one person is attracted to the other.
- Stalking the other person, even for their own safety.
- Forcing the other person into some form of physical intimacy because they “liked it last time.”
- Implying that it’s normal for a certain physically intimate act to hurt and/or their partner should grin and bear it.
- Skipping over their partner’s preferred forms of intimacy in favor of what they want to do with/to their partner.
When in doubt: Consent should be explicitly given!!
Non-consensual communication. Examples:
- Physically stopping a partner from leaving in order to continue talking with them.
- Bringing up a topic the other person has made clear they don’t wish to discuss yet.
- Forcing the other person into conversations with people they previously showed they did not wish to talk with.
- Manipulating the conversation so that the other person shares a secret, especially one that doesn’t affect their partner.
Emotional manipulation. Examples:
- Telling the other person to do something (i.e. ‘go away’) as a test, where the person is at fault if they follow through and do as their partner asked.
- Blaming the other person for things beyond their control, especially “I wouldn’t be like this if not for you/your interests/your goals.”
- Claiming they’ll die (or kill themselves) if the other person leaves.
- Not wanting the other person to have friends of the same gender as their partner (i.e. a man not wanting his girlfriend to have any male friends).
- “If you really loved me you would do x, y, and z.”
- Demanding to be the most important part of their partner’s life, above and beyond their partner’s other responsibilities.
- Cheating on their partner as a form of punishment.
- Acting as though physical intimacy (or any other sort of intimacy) isn’t important, but then blaming the other person for not supplying it.
- Acting distant or cruel until the other person does what they want, or because the other person didn’t do what they wanted.
Demeaning actions and words, especially in instances where they blame the actions and words on internalized sexism, racism, etc as a shield, in instances outside of high-stress arguments, and whenever the character isn’t sincerely sorry for what they did or makes no point to change. Examples:
- Stating the other person’s interests or hobbies are inferior or a waste of time.
- Telling them they were look better if they did x, y and z.
- Demanding they stop doing something or start doing something else based on their gender, race, etc.
- Placing the other person in a subordinate role without their partner’s explicit consent.
- Not sharing certain pieces of information because they believe they know what’s best for their partner and don’t need the other person’s consent to act upon it.
- Bonus: Glorification of a partner simply for not demeaning the other person, (i.e. for acting like an average, decent human being,) especially when the partner in question boasts how amazing they are for loving their “curvy”/non-white/bisexual/not-like-other-girls/etc partner.
Please add more, if you feel so inclined!
Why do I see Tom Riddle in every sentence.
Words to replace said, except this actually helps
I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.
IN RESPONSE TO Acknowledged Answered Protested
INPUT/JOIN CONVERSATION/ASK Added Implored Inquired Insisted Proposed Queried Questioned Recommended Testified
GUILTY/RELUCTANCE/SORRY Admitted Apologized Conceded Confessed Professed
FOR SOMEONE ELSE Advised Criticized Suggested
JUST CHECKING Affirmed Agreed Alleged Confirmed
LOUD Announced Chanted Crowed
LEWD/CUTE/SECRET SPY FEEL Appealed Disclosed Moaned
ANGRY FUCK OFF MATE WANNA FIGHT Argued Barked Challenged Cursed Fumed Growled Hissed Roared Swore
SMARTASS Articulated Asserted Assured Avowed Claimed Commanded Cross-examined Demanded Digressed Directed Foretold Instructed Interrupted Predicted Proclaimed Quoted Theorized
ASSHOLE Bellowed Boasted Bragged
NERVOUS TRAINWRECK Babbled Bawled Mumbled Sputtered Stammered Stuttered
SUAVE MOTHERFUCKER Bargained Divulged Disclosed Exhorted
FIRST OFF Began
LASTLY Concluded Concurred
WEAK PUSY Begged Blurted Complained Cried Faltered Fretted
HAPPY/LOL Cajoled Exclaimed Gushed Jested Joked Laughed
WEIRDLY HAPPY/EXCITED Extolled Jabbered Raved
BRUH, CHILL Cautioned Warned
ACTUALLY, YOU’RE WRONG Chided Contended Corrected Countered Debated Elaborated Objected Ranted Retorted
CHILL SAVAGE Commented Continued Observed Surmised
LISTEN BUDDY Enunciated Explained Elaborated Hinted Implied Lectured Reiterated Recited Reminded Stressed
BRUH I NEED U AND U NEED ME Confided Offered Urged
FINE Consented Decided
TOO EMO FULL OF EMOTIONS Croaked Lamented Pledged Sobbed Sympathized Wailed Whimpered
JUST SAYING Declared Decreed Mentioned Noted Pointed out Postulated Speculated Stated Told Vouched
WASN’T ME Denied Lied
EVIL SMARTASS Dictated Equivocated Ordered Reprimanded Threatened
BORED Droned Sighed
SHHHH IT’S QUIET TIME Echoed Mumbled Murmured Muttered Uttered Whispered
DRAMA QUEEN Exaggerated Panted Pleaded Prayed Preached
OH SHIT Gasped Marveled Screamed Screeched Shouted Shrieked Yelped Yelled
ANNOYED Grumbled Grunted Jeered Quipped Scolded Snapped Snarled Sneered
ANNOYING Nagged
I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT WHATEVER Guessed Ventured
I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM Hooted Howled Yowled
I WONDER Pondered Voiced Wondered
OH, YEAH, WHOOPS Recalled Recited Remembered
SURPRISE BITCH Revealed
IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD Scoffed Snickered Snorted
BITCHY Tattled Taunted Teased
imagines–assemble
reblog to save a writer
Reblog because the titles for each category are comedy gold.
i-forgot-adam
reblog for future reference
carry-on-my-wayward-girl
I didn’t realize I needed this until now.
I thank god for this daily holy fuck
Thanks heavens I found this.
Source: msocasey
was-nikon-tropical-deactivated2
read it could save you
I don’t know if this post has been made yet but I just want to warn everybody that if someone stops you in a parking lot and asks you if you’re interested in some perfume and hands you a paper to smell, PLEASE DON’T SMELL IT.
i repeat, DON’T SMELL IT.
Apparently the sample papers are being laced with a drug to knock you out. Please signal boost this. It can save someone’s life!
sparklesandshinee
IMPORTANT
please repost to save people idc if “its not my blog type” jUST DO IT
anxietycosplay
please
Dude. Please be careful ❤️
Sorry guys, this is really important and hits close to home for me.
If someone you don’t know approaches you in a parking lot, run away. Far, far away.
Also, thanks for posting this. I seriously did not know about it at all.
Oh shit. No. Shit. Thank you
dazed-unfazed
Just gonna reblog this out of gratitude because I actually did forget…
Fffffffff let me get right on that.
and then reblog for the next forgetful son of a bitch
faunwood
I’m so great full for everyone that is reblogging this. I totally forgot to take mine
I think that there is some sort of unspoken fairy godparent thing where you see this, realize that you forgot your meds, and rebagel it because if you forgot someone else must have. And in our turn we all take care of each other, even if we don’t know it.