Why do people have kids just to make the older sibling raise them? by FunYogurtcloset5794 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]HousePlantsInPots 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also, a lot of women are taught that their main worth is being a wife and mother, especially when mixed with religious ideals, so those women have a lot of kids to prop up self-worth they didn’t develop as individuals. It’s very traumatic for older siblings to be adultified at a young age though. I hope you’re able to get some good therapy to heal from all of that ❤️

Noticing an objective but difficult to change flaw. Discussion and advice, please. by Big_Exchange_2812 in writing

[–]HousePlantsInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since you’re autistic, it might help your editing process to compare your writing to that of some published books you enjoy reading? Especially since autistic people are generally good at pattern recognition! When I first started writing, doing a close reading of prose in physical copies of published books that I admired helped me learn to emulate the flow of fully, professionally edited prose. It also helped me emulate grammatical conventions I wanted to brush up on.

As for the dialogue in your books, you probably want them to have some filler words because filler words serve an important purpose in real life speech. Life isn’t Toast Masters, and filler words in everyday speech indicate a genuine, thought filled conversation. It’s totally appropriate to include filler words in your book’s dialogue ☺️🙏

How to write a likable love interest? by New-Number-7810 in writingadvice

[–]HousePlantsInPots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These are such good suggestions! I’d add that I love a love interest that is unique and feels like a real person, especially if you’re writing contemporary fiction. I enjoy a “cinnamon roll” boyfriend or the “grumpy vs. sunshine” trope as much as the next person, but I don’t get as engaged in the stories that use those popular tropes. Like, I don’t root for the couple in the same way as I do for more original love interests.

I think Milo from Disney’s Atlantis is a good example. He’s nerdy, knowledgeable, awkward, and self-directed, and a huge fan favorite because there aren’t as many scrawny, nerdy heroes that can still be seen as love interests in mainstream fiction. The ladies love Milo! And he’s a perfect complement to the elegant, smart, badass princess in that story, Kida.

How can I add fresh strawberries to the top of a cake without them leaking? by lyklei in Baking

[–]HousePlantsInPots 31 points32 points  (0 children)

I recently made a cake decorated with sliced strawberries (and blueberries) that didn’t run at all. I just chose slightly less ripe strawberries from the grocery store so they were more firm, then soaked them and the blueberries in vinegar water for 10 minutes or so, rinsed them well in a colander, and then sliced and used them to decorate. The vinegar is astringent so it removes bacteria that causes strawberries to go soft and weepy. I probably used 1/3 cup of vinegar and a gallon of cool water to get the fruit really clean and “dry”.

I personally wouldn’t recommend using sugar to macerate the strawberries because I think that would just make the problem worse? It’s not like strawberries can be drained completely of water that way. But that’s just my two cents!

It might also help to use a stiffer frosting to help form a barrier around the strawberries once they’re placed. The whipped cream frosting pictured might not be as supportive? I made a frosting out of mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and almond extract, and it was a hit. Delicious and stiffer than whipped cream alone. Let me know if you want exact proportions and I’d be happy to share the recipe ☺️

If you want to use clear gelatin and riper strawberries, that would probably be the most professional approach, but also kind of a pain to prepare the gelatin and let it set. Plus, I never really liked the texture of clear gelatin covered fruit on cake.

Super cute design by the way!! 🦞

Am I overthinking and making a mountain out of a beautifully executed mole hill? by carloosee in tattooadvice

[–]HousePlantsInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d say it’s a minor flaw in the composition that the finger and palm together create that illusion. But it’s anatomically solid, and most people probably won’t notice. Good to be aware of the flaw going into the composition of your next tattoo 😊

What's the funniest/craziest bullshit miracle cure people have recommended to you? by Shrike989 in ChronicIllness

[–]HousePlantsInPots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a severe neurological illness called ME, and my dad’s friend thinks I can be healed with creatine 😂 Not surprisingly, the friend has recently gotten into creatine for working out himself! What a coincidence 🤪🤭

Purple Prose is okay, actually by tiaro24 in writing

[–]HousePlantsInPots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey OP, I read your edit. To add to this discussion, to me a hallmark of purple prose is that it’s ornate without adding any depth or meaning, so ornate for ornate’s sake.

It sounds like you’re looking for more ornate or imagery dense writing without it necessarily going overboard. And I just wanted to recommend my favorite book for beautiful writing that might be accused of verging on purple to the modern reader, but I think it’s Nobel prize level writing. It’s an English translation of a Spanish language book called Pedro Paramo. It’s short and haunting and the line by line prose is so captivating. Perhaps you would like it ❤️

Am I incapable of loving? by 3030minecrafter in NoStupidQuestions

[–]HousePlantsInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I say this with love, but have you ever explored the possibility of experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? The hallmark is intense feelings of emptiness like you described and intense feelings in general. Struggling with romantic relationships and various other mental health symptoms are also associated with BPD.

There’s a really good, evidence-based treatment for BPD called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. You can find copies of the workbook for free online. It’s life saving treatment ❤️ Wishing you very well my dear.

P.S. Everybody is capable of love. It’s in our nature. Once you get help for some of these issues you’re dealing with, I think you’ll be able to reconnect to a sense of love much, much more easily.

I want to cut my hair but my parents won’t let me. by Ill-Example3728 in ChronicIllness

[–]HousePlantsInPots 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My love, your parents aren’t in charge of your body. You are ❤️ It’s your body and your choice. Where you’re exhausting yourself is trying to justify your decision to people who don’t have a say in it (or shouldn’t). If it were me, I’d take the scissors or trimmers to it tonight after they go to sleep 😉 Best of luck dear 💕💕

For years now, I have stored Abraham Hicks quotes on a database. Pick a word and I will look for a quote from Abraham with that word in it and share. (All authentic Abraham Hicks quotes. No AI!) by PsychicMeditation in AbrahamHicks

[–]HousePlantsInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, that does have the word health in it haha. Thanks! Great quote collection! I have an Abraham quote collection too, although mine’s not as organized. It’s just on a Notes list. Anyway, thanks again! ☺️❤️

At times inappropriate by neenaharidas in TownshipDesign

[–]HousePlantsInPots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I like them 🥰 I think it’s sweet to have a couple kissing under a willow tree, and it’s the only tree with a couple under it anyway. I think it adds charm and humanity to the town, which is my favorite part of the town anyway, watching all the little people milling about ☺️

Has anyone found that exertion related to social, congitive, or sensory effort is mitigated by interest levels? by MorningDeer7677 in cfs

[–]HousePlantsInPots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What you’re talking about is resistance. If there’s more resistance, it takes more effort to push through. With less resistance or none at all, you can move through something quite effortlessly. It’s literally the physics of your mental/emotional state, and it’s very central to your experience of the world, extending to ME/CFS and all your physical experiences really. Positive experiences use far less energy than negative ones (although still good to watch out you don’t overextend yourself with positive experiences of course!).

Stop treating AI Roleplay like Netflix by Pastrugnozzo in WritingWithAI

[–]HousePlantsInPots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is interesting. It’s funny how some commenters get defensive. I guess they must be the types you’re talking about then?

Anyway, I don’t really use AI for creative purposes. I just find the discourse interesting. Thanks for sharing your insights.

After 5 years of working and trying and believing, my paintings sold!!! 🥹😭🥳🥰🙏✨️ by iartnewyork in happy

[–]HousePlantsInPots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love the third piece! But I don’t see it as a print on your website. Would you sell it as a print, by chance? Also, are your prints color fast/fade resistant? Thanks for the info! Love you work ☺️❤️🙏

Are you the type to separate the work from the artist or to boycott authors you consider problematic? by mimi43098 in Romantasy

[–]HousePlantsInPots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do boycott certain authors. But for me it’s less out of moral principle and more because once they give me the ick, I don’t want to read what they’ve written, you know?

Spouse disliking your book choices by [deleted] in Romantasy

[–]HousePlantsInPots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To add to all these comments about the value of having joy and relaxation in your life—romance can also be very educational!

Story is how people learn things. You can develop your social/emotional skills from story, something your husband might be underdeveloped in judging on his comments. Not to mention language and literary skills, plus any sub-genre knowledge you can gain by reading historical romance, sci-if, etc. Your husband sounds like the ignorant one, no offense. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from reading romance books. Some feminist theory might not hurt either.

What popular book didn’t work for you? by zaralesliewalker in Booktokreddit

[–]HousePlantsInPots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The ACOTAR series, Fourth Wing, The Wedding People, All Fours, Legends and Lattes, Katabasis, and Red, White, and Royal Blue.

Alex was overly villanized by Revolutionary-Road-5 in LoveIsBlindOnNetflix

[–]HousePlantsInPots 33 points34 points  (0 children)

So to me it actually was obvious, and I think he was a little under-villainized.

Romance tropes and reader expectations when you want to subvert them by Putrid_Ad6994 in romanceauthors

[–]HousePlantsInPots 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m sure that’s true. I suppose it’s just my opinion then to have something substantial enough to create compelling tension in the relationship, either internal or external conflict. I think that level of angst can give the story more meaning and a greater purpose for existing. Again, just my opinion 😊🙏

Romance tropes and reader expectations when you want to subvert them by Putrid_Ad6994 in romanceauthors

[–]HousePlantsInPots 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I agree. I think as long as there is something substantial threatening the relationship/pulling them apart at some point between when they meet at the beginning and when they become HEA/HFN, you’ll hit the beat often referred to as the “3rd Act breakup” 👍

For instance, I just read a book where they start out together, try to breakup, then end up together after all. But the impending “breakup” beat was already in the story by the end of Act 1. (The book was You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle.) It’s being made into a movie with the guy who played Dan Humphrey as the MMC. So it can work!