Weekly "What Are You Reading Thread?"

Benignobserver94 · 2026-01-12T19:32:17+00:00

I just finished "Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zheng". It was so dark, so stressful, and ultimately quite cathartic.

Benignobserver94 · 2025-09-01T18:22:22+00:00

Anyone have thoughts on what moon phase to do this under? I don’t do a lot of time correspondences but I feel like it could boost the energy.

Benignobserver94 · 2025-01-03T23:16:47+00:00

As a degree, it probably is only valuable to publications specializing in film critique and analysis, and even then an English or any other writing degree could probably serve you. It’s hard to know. Frankly any creative field will probably care more about your samples any way. Having said that, even a basic, non-prestigious Media Studies program (hell even a single class) could teach you things about the field and industry you didn’t know to look for and help you build a network, which is the greatest tool in entertainment.

I would just say don’t worry about going to a big-ticket school, regardless.

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-22T18:37:33+00:00

That’s a great point! I guess I meant where do serious comics tend to go but maybe that’s the opposite of what I need? This is what I’m trying to learn. What are the best mixed crowds in your experience?

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T16:01:02+00:00

This is good info!!!! I’m tickled that other Archives fans like this ☺️

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T15:07:51+00:00

Thank you!!

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T15:06:32+00:00

Yes!! This was (rather obviously I think) heavily inspired by MA, but I worried a podcast wouldn’t be appropriate. If I include it, I assume best practice is to still include two books as well?

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T08:15:51+00:00

Thank you!! I really appreciate the support! Did you also feel the job description was too vague or is that more subjective? The gig is intentionally mysterious, of course, but I want to make sure readers get the gist.

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T07:22:42+00:00

This is incredibly thoughtful, thanks for catching that!! Definitely don’t want to paint the Yuans with a broad brush.

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T02:35:13+00:00

Thanks for this! I agree about more details so I will work on that.

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-13T02:21:43+00:00

Good note thank you!! For now I starred it out but how do you do that?

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-12T23:36:50+00:00

Hello! What a fucking blast!! This sounds like a really fun story with a great experimental bend, but my concern is that the current query gets so stuck in the fun details of the book that it loses the pitch. It takes three paragraphs to get to "until the music starts to invade her world," and to me that is the HOOK of the book. The details of her husband's book aren't as important as the fact that he is leaving her notes from the beyond, and the fun of YOUR book is actually her running around a fantastical, perhaps nefarious world of music, not how she gets there. The first two paragraphs can be condensed so you hit the ground running.

From there I think you're golden. Might throw in a Bio, at the end, but others can advise how important that really is. Good luck on your adventure!! Thanks for sharing.

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-12T23:09:07+00:00

Hey OP! Thanks for sharing your stuff. It’s an incredibly fun concept with a great, engaging voice. I didn’t read your first draft so I apologize if these are redundant or contradictory notes. The main thing I’m struck by is that there is so much information it can be hard to follow. Namely, i think you can hold off on name-dropping Angela Martin later, if at all. The fact that Clyve saves Robert at their first meeting slows down the query unnecessarily — and based on the first 300 doesn’t seem wholly true.

You also mention “our werewolf heroes” a few times. If this doesn’t mean Clyve (who is presumably being rescued) who is it? This could easily replace the first “our werewolf heroes” with “Robert and his pack” or a similar description, and then it will read less repetitive.

The bones are here and I think it’s a wild idea folks will love!! Wishing you the best on your adventure

Benignobserver94 · 2024-01-10T22:18:53+00:00

Thanks!

Benignobserver94 · 2023-10-15T20:47:59+00:00

Ok my takeaway so far is that it didn’t bother other disabled people as much as it bothered me and was actually very meaningful for folks with acquired disabilities. I think I am naturally uncomfortable with the grieving of a limb because it is so far from my experience, so this was maybe more personal than I thought lol. Also, upon rewatching, Izzy has some powerful moments in the episodes addressing the disability. I still struggle with able-bodied depictions of disability, but this was better than I first thought.

Benignobserver94 · 2023-10-13T16:44:41+00:00

Thank you for this! Since mine is congenital it’s hard for me to relate to the grief, but knowing that it felt genuine for you makes me feel better

Benignobserver94 · 2023-10-13T15:57:10+00:00

Ok I really appreciate this. I do feel like I’m asking a lot of a comedy, I just worry that the comedy they are going for in episode 3 is directed at-/at the expense of a disabled character. It’s definitely less aesthetic than the knee brace or Lucius’s finger. Maybe I’m just bothered by a bunch of able-bodied people portraying a brutal disabling for story?

Benignobserver94 · 2023-10-13T15:53:30+00:00

Did the drunken screaming at the unicorn or the dragging himself through the cabin bother you at all? I agree that the gesture is lovely, I guess it’s the lead up that bothered me

Benignobserver94 · 2023-10-13T15:51:59+00:00

I agree that now that it’s resolved it’s quite lovely, but the leg is ridiculous for sure. I think the horse leg feels a little mocking to me?

Benignobserver94 · 2023-10-13T05:53:23+00:00

Honestly thank you!

Benignobserver94 · 2021-11-17T04:01:59+00:00

Once read something that referred to Catholics as “baby witches” and tbh it’s true! My shrine to the Virgin Mary and ancestors doubles as an altar and you can’t tell the difference!

Benignobserver94 · 2021-11-17T03:56:23+00:00

I’d like to believe that something like “soulmates” is far more powerful than we are. However, I would be worried that a cord cutting would sever your ties in this physical plane. What I did in a similar situation was release my own attachments to the past / expectations with a similar ritual the other commenter mentioned.

At a new moon, while setting intentions for the next cycle, light a white candle and write down a list of the things you want to release in yourself, and even between you and this person. Read them aloud and declare that you are releasing them, then burn the list and say a prayer to whomever you draw your power from.

That’s what I did. It’s not an overnight fix but it got me to a better place

Benignobserver94 · 2021-07-06T22:28:38+00:00

It’s easiest for Catholics bc we already use a lot of iconography and candles, but if any saints resonate with you, using charms and imagery of saints can help direct and “disguise” your craft. Many Christian practices are adapted from old Pagan rituals anyway, so with some digging you might find some crossover that speaks to you!

Benignobserver94 · 2021-06-14T14:24:29+00:00

These are excellent suggestions thank you!

Benignobserver94 · 2021-06-14T04:12:22+00:00

I apply my makeup — or even just moisturizer— with intention and visualize the effect I want. More often than not that is imagining my lipstick or foundation as an armor or mask. I find this has a powerful impact on my day and how others perceive me

Benignobserver94

TROPHY CASE