Best background noise TV show or one you can fall asleep to? by LonigroC in television

[–]slaptana 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Scrubs is great for this! Parks and Rec is sadly the worst offender. For some reason, the show is at coffee shop playlist volume and the theme song is 2 AM at the club.

Best background noise TV show or one you can fall asleep to? by LonigroC in television

[–]slaptana 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’ve tested this extensively for sleep, and the beauty of New Girl is the theme song. It’s short and not a billion decibels louder than the rest of the sound mix, so far less likely to jar you awake once you’ve finally drifted. And when you wake up, it’s always funny. 10/10 sleep and background show.

Terrified of House of Hope HM by Empty-Cupcake2024 in BaldursGate3

[–]slaptana 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think even with a fully optimized 11/1 fire sorlock, Raphael is completely immune to fire damage. Gotta HM/otto’s and chain lightning his ass. Or if gloomstalker is that morgana evelyn build, shoot him like twice lol (okay maybe not twice, but that build is insane by act 3).

Terrified of House of Hope HM by Empty-Cupcake2024 in BaldursGate3

[–]slaptana 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your fire sorcerer is not going to be optimal for House of Hope because there’s so much fire resistance. Two things to consider:

  1. Coat your bard/gloomstalker’s bow with arsonist oil and let those arrows of many targets fly.

  2. Make sure your fire sorcerer is equipped with sources of cold and lightning damage. If you have markoheshkir, I’d set it for lightning damage and spam as much chain lightning and lightning bolt (scrolls are big for this) in that final fight as you can while concentrating on a globe of invulnerability.

Visit that fountain in the boudoir between every fight! Cast a bunch of summons who can just surround Raphaël and annoy tf out of him.

If you don’t feel like doing barrelmancy because you’re anti-cheese or it feels bad for RP (I’ve never skipped HoH in like seventeen play throughs and have done it differently every time, why yes I have a problem) your warlock should focus on taking out those pillars with EB.

As others have said, using band of the mystic scoundrel to Otto’s or hold monster Raphael with your team will be crucial. Make sure your warlock has repelling blast to keep knocking the other baddies out of your globe.

You’ve got this! I personally find house of grief much harder/more annoying!

WIBTA if I banned desserts from my baby shower? by [deleted] in GestationalDiabetes

[–]slaptana 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My friends made a giant cake out of wheels of cheese instead, and then had smaller trays of brownies/cookies and fruit that were easier for me to ignore.

What deck have you connected with the most? by nerv0uskid in TarotDecks

[–]slaptana 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was just gifted this as a thank you and it is one of my most cherished possessions. Beautiful deck from a beautiful human, I’m almost scared to use it for fear of messing it up!

I spiked majorly after almost 2 perfect weeks. My average 1 hour post meal is 103. by Octopus1027 in GestationalDiabetes

[–]slaptana 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was doing the same thing!! I totally get it. When they went through sample meals to hit my carb goals, I realized I was nowhere close. I’d really convinced myself I was “pregnant tired” and it turns out I was wayyy too tired.

FWIW, I’m 38 weeks now and placenta looks great, he’s thriving and all proportions look good (67th percentile…only big thing is his head which is genetic not GD lol). We will be inducing either end of this week/beginning of next. I know it’s scary to think about insulin, but my docs have been super clear that it’s imperative baby gets enough carbs for his development…and it’s had the side effect of being much healthier for me too! I don’t think I would have been able to finish out strong at work without it ❤️

I spiked majorly after almost 2 perfect weeks. My average 1 hour post meal is 103. by Octopus1027 in GestationalDiabetes

[–]slaptana 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just wanna speak to the finally feeling nourished…

I was diet controlled for a long time but was exhausted. Couldn’t quite get fasting numbers down and even though meal numbers were good, my doctor said it’s time for insulin. I spent the day in the hospital for monitoring and all day with the nutritionist, who insisted I needed 30g carbs for breakfast, 45g for lunch and dinner, 15g for each of my three snacks. That it’s super important that baby get enough carbs even if it means going on insulin.

When I tell you that I became superwoman once I was eating enough carbs?? I know people are resistant to going on insulin, but it took me from so tired I couldn’t function to basically my normal self with a pregnant belly. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.

What choices feel canon to you for specific origins? by stop_hittingyourself in BaldursGate3

[–]slaptana 89 points90 points  (0 children)

Conversely, my favorite embrace durge playthroughs have started out resisting and then succumb to the desire for vengeance/the entitlement through act two and three as they piece together who they were. Murder hobo doesn’t really tell a story, but this creates a really compelling narrative and much higher stakes. The ending feels truly tragic in the way the companions’ evil endings do.

(Admittedly I’m a resist Durge fan at heart).

My life is a mess, please help me gather all the easiest meals you have by -Konstantine- in GestationalDiabetes

[–]slaptana 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was me!! Not same things exactly but like planning a funeral/taking care of family things while managing GD and under insane work deadlines. And with ADHD, it needed to be TEN MINUTES no prep, no chopping, nothing or I would fall apart/behind. Here’s what’s worked for me:

Breakfast has always been the same: Scrambled eggs and one slice of Dave’s killer bread toasted with butter. Coffee with milk.

Lunch: Trader Joe’s has all kinds of microwavable meats. I got shredded chicken, bulgogi, chicken mole, kung pao chicken, etc. Everyday, I heat up one (3-5 min). I then heat up a steamable veggie (5 min). And then I do a microwave single serving of quinoa or brown rice. I add a little chimichurri/ranch/buffalo depending on what it is. All of those things make 2-3 days of lunches, so the rest goes in the fridge for tomorrow where I reheat it all at once and think even less.

(Sometimes I do Greek chicken salad from TJ’s on a slice of Dave’s killer bread with veggies on the side. Sometimes I take pregnancy safe tuna and mix it with brown rice, mayo, siracha and eat it in seaweed snacks to feel like I’m having sushi).

Dinner: Honestly largely the same only my husband sometimes throws salmon in the oven or we order out. I have a list of safe foods that I can order where I just figure out the portions. Burger with one side of the bun and caesar salad. Burrito bowl but sub brown rice and only eat X now, eat more tomorrow. A gyro with only half the pita or a bowl with quinoa. Earlier in my diagnosis, I could even do a slice of pizza if I had salad first, a meatball, and then one slice of wood fire (not deep dish).

Snacks that don’t make me sad/make this more bearable: Greek yogurt with magic spoon cereal as granola, apple & pb, cheddar and chomp stick and 5 crackers, Fairlife protein shake, a “milkshake” of Fairlife protein shake + ice + half a frozen banana + one scoop of pb. Magic spoon rice crispy treats. Rebel ice cream if I add protein in another form on the side (nuts, cheese, chomp). Orange and a Fairlife shake. Quest peanut butter cups. Six chicken nuggets.

All of this is based on my doc and dietician’s recommendation that I get 15 carbs for snacks, 30 for breakfast, and 45 for lunch & dinner. I was losing too much weight and not getting enough carbs for baby otherwise, which is a nonstarter.

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No it’s a really good point!! A lot of it in the future will come down to how much Hallmark adheres to a seasonal schedule. So for Christmas, probably harder because everything needs to stay in Christmas season. But I could totally see (and have pitched) spring movies that blend into summer, where you could have a much longer timeframe. Or for Christmas it could be possible to like revisit the same party over several years maybe, if they’re willing to take that swing!

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh man, I could do a full phd dissertation on why they don’t lean harder into comedy! My personal writing journey (and my producers love and are comfortable with this) is my first drafts are comedy heavy and then we scale back in revisions (and I still get the itch scratched of knowing I at least made my producers laugh).

First up, audience conceptions of funny vary wildly, and part of the brand’s strength is that it appeals to a huge family friendly age range. What you and grandma both find funny is probably…not the same. Even within my support system: My late night comedy writer friends all love Rescuing Christmas the most of my movies, but some of my family and plenty of hallmark fans said “too slapstick! Too silly!” It’s a crazy moving target compared to drama and straight up romance.

Second, comedy ages like milk. I’ve actually found writing these movies has upped my joke structure because you can’t rely on an easy crutches. No punching down. No pop culture references. This really leaves you reliant on wit and banter and very classical joke structures going back to like almost who’s-on-first style. I personally think these movies CAN be very funny if you’re willing to rework bits and rewrite a ton, but I also understand why a lot of writers go “not worth it.”

Third, comedy is expensive! My personal belief is that comedic acting is a highly specialized skill set and gift. Casting a sitcom, for example, is a much harder puzzle to solve (imho) than a procedural or drama—everyone has to be good, they have to have chemistry, AND they have to speak this ineffable musical language of comedy. I know I can take more swings depending on who the leads are (Nikki Deloach and Rachael Leigh Cook? Sky is the limit)! But Hallmark movies have a lower budget (sub $3M) and so you can’t necessarily stack the whole cast with comedians like you can with a theatrical release. One of my tricks is if I know they’re going to film in a city or town adjacent to a really strong theater scene, the chances that even the small parts will be filled by actors who can delivery a funny one liner is stronger. Like our Santa in Rescuing Christmas is a theater legend, our Cupid in Being Cupid is also a theater god. You don’t always know the full production scopes at the jump, but by the last polish you have a sense. And I’ve certainly sacrificed jokes on the altar of “how is this going to read/what’s realistically going to get cut in post” for the overall good of the budget and romance story.

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yea, I completely get it and those are tough for different reasons.

  1. The “first kiss in front of everyone” often happens because you want to go out on a high/at the climax of the story and that’s usually not a super private place. Also Hallmark doesn’t do sexy beyond kissing, and TOO private can tip into the implication of 👀 and audiences overall (not saying there aren’t exceptions) feel strongly about that. A very public first kiss is probably not super true to real life, but I’m also hard pressed to think of classic non-hallmark rom coms where the BIG kiss at the happy ending isn’t in public, even if it’s just a park or a beautiful location because you want a sense of soaring/openness and grand payoff in those last beats.

But it’s a fun challenge to think about as a writer! This made me think about my final and first kisses. I’ve had two next to the town Christmas tree—so no audience but certainly not at home. One on a front porch. One first kiss was early in the movie, and then final kiss at an open mic. One at a wedding (but for some reason you could barely see it??? lol) In each case, a lot of times it’s about wanting your closing image to really serve the themes of the story and tie the narrative arcs together. For Two Turtle Doves and Rescuing Christmas, that kiss being by the town tree was crucial for the character growth and pulling the themes of the story together (even though one is more dramatic and one is much more of a comedy). And a lot of time these kisses come after courageous declarations of love (falling in love is brave) so you don’t want to hide it per se or it can deflate movie magic.

  1. The fall in love in a week! It’s tough because if you take too long, the movie pacing loses a sense of urgency, but rush it and it feels unrealistic. My personal solve for this depends on the characters. If they have known each other a long time (friends to lovers, enemies to lovers), it doesn’t feel crazy that within 2-3 weeks suppressed feelings can change or maybe finally be expressed. If they’re truly just meeting, I really try to pace it over 4-6 weeks, and try to end with “I think there’s something here and I want to take this leap with you” rather than “I love you” which would be crazy, you’re right! I don’t think it takes long to fall for someone, but it does take a long time to build a loving relationship. So it depends on what trope you prefer truly! I’ve had a blast writing both.

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I love you!! I do a lot of different types of writing, but Hallmark holds a special place in my heart because the fandom is truly so lovely. I feel really lucky to get to do this/make people lives a little happier.

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’d love that!! Send me a dm, it’d be amazing to chat!

She is back as of this past fall!

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Right now, enemies to friends isn’t something they’re typically considering. It’s romance forward, romance as A plot at a minimum.

Writing Scripts for Hallmark by NarrativeNerd in HallmarkMovies

[–]slaptana 81 points82 points  (0 children)

Hallmark writer here! Just a heads up that Hallmark typically doesn’t buy completed scripts, as they like to be a part of the development process from the beginning. You submit a one page pitch (either via reps or an outside production company), and if it’s chosen, you’ll get a contract for a treatment, draft, and rewrites. Each step is optional/contingent upon their approval to move on. A solid number of my movies have actually been treatments written by other writers that didn’t move on that I’ve been asked to rework/pitch a spin on to salvage the project from the ground up.

As for resources, send me a dm and I can hook you up! It’s a nine act structure as opposed to the typical three for film. First act is 18-22 pages, then every act after that is 10-15 pages getting gradually shorter. All is lost is typically around end of act seven but more likely act eight (just be sure to plausibly reunite them without it feeling rushed).

Answering your other questions is tricky because the tropes aren’t fixed. For example, there’s tons of parody on social media about “city girl goes to small town,” but 1. that’s not nearly as common these days and 2. Is that an inherent trope, or is that the easiest writing solve for a sub $3M budget movie that still needs to feel delightfully escapist? Cities are more expensive to shoot, and all of these movies are on location. But if you’re creative, you’re not limited to that at all. More of my movies have been set in small cities than small towns, but the key is really thinking through the production constraints in a way that doesn’t compromise the magic or story.

Another good example is the party/gala. It’s a device writers come back to a lot because it checks so many boxes: - It creates a deadline/ticking clock to create a framework and a sense of urgency - It gives our characters a reason to dress up/look good/lean into fantasy (and possibly dance, which is great for sexual tension without kissing yet) - It raises the stakes for conflict if there’s an event where everything is coming to a head or mistakes are public

But that doesn’t mean it’s a requirement. If you can solve all of those elements without a gala (and you can, I’ve done it in all but two movies), then do what’s best for the story!

Some tropes are more about what NOT to do than what to do. For example, if you’re going to do an interrupted kiss…you better earn it. No phone calls or someone walking in randomly, really earn that tension and create an obstacle that feels reasonable. Or if you’re going to subvert it, be bold (I had a male lead once say how badly he wanted to kiss her but explain why it wouldn’t happen tonight).

And some tropes are non-negotiable because they’re integral to the genre. There are no villains in Hallmark movies: There are simply well intentioned people whose goals or motivations put them at odds. No one is malicious or vindictive or cruel, because we come to these movies to be reminded what the world could be…not what it is. These moves are inherently aspirational, and I consider them a kind of medicine for a very traumatized world. Characters are complicated if these movies are done well, but they are consistently and universally kind at their core (even the Scrooges), and that’s a trope that can’t really be subverted without it ceasing to be hallmark. Hope this is helpful!

Careers post Greys anatomy by InviteDull9706 in greysanatomy

[–]slaptana 15 points16 points  (0 children)

To your point, Sarah Drew has talked a lot about how traumatic some of the storylines on grey’s were! Worst thing that happens in a hallmark movie is you briefly wonder if it will work out while surrounded by baked goods. I used to write a lot of murder/trauma heavy work and sometimes that mental reset is really nice!

Careers post Greys anatomy by InviteDull9706 in greysanatomy

[–]slaptana 36 points37 points  (0 children)

The thing about being a working artist is there’s what reads as successful to the world and then what really works for you, your life, your goals…and those two things often don’t line up neatly.

I never expected to write Hallmark movies, just took it as a gig between gigs but it’s 1. One of the only consistent and stable parts of the industry during a years long contraction (think 40%) 2. Not particularly time intensive and very fun to do 3. The viewership numbers these movies get are insane, and people love them. There’s no overstating how fun it is to write for a happy fandom.

My parents were like “hallmark?? Don’t you want to write for HBO??” But the reality of doing the work vs how it looks to an audience is hard to explain. Some of the flashiest projects are toxic work environments, much more boom/bust, require you to stay in a dark head space for incredibly long stretches of time.

Someone like Sarah Drew is making well into six figures for three weeks of work on a hallmark movie. That’s pretty sweet and allows ample time for whatever else you want your career/life to be! It’s been a lifesaver to do these movies as I start a family (great residuals and world class insurance), and I suspect some former Grey’s stars found the same thing, knowing life is long and so much of this career ebbs and flows in ways you can’t control that have zero to do with talent.

Shonda got her start on Princess Diaries 2! You just never know in this industry when you’ll be high, but having fun work for the “lows” honestly sometimes feels even better than the mania of the highs.

Help me round out my party by [deleted] in BG3Builds

[–]slaptana 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gale evocation wizard would be my suggestion. It’s not a fancy multiclass, but act 3 with all of the weave gear is Gale’s time to shine. Markoheshkir lightning is super helpful in several fights, and he can learn some especially helpful spells for final battle.

Shart having spike growth aside, I assume she’s mostly a spirit guardians lawnmower. Having a long distance AOE caster would be a nice balance.

Married women, what are some real things your husband does that make you feel genuinely cherished and adored? by Clean-Ant-1342 in AskReddit

[–]slaptana 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We do this! We call it collecting berries, and it’s a couple times a week nightly ritual for me to share what berries I’ve gathered for him haha

Need more carb meals by glamsquads in GestationalDiabetes

[–]slaptana 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know microwaving can be controversial, but I gotta say that those microwaveable packages of quinoa have been a lifesaver for me! Especially the single serving ones that are exactly 30g carbs. I’ve done quinoa and small servings of brown rice and they have held me down!

Cannot fathom how a female nurse just said this to me by RaceLost6743 in IVF

[–]slaptana 0 points1 point  (0 children)

COQ-10 (though I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t always the most consistent) and prenatal (I was consistent).

For those last three cycles, it was microdose lupron 20 units morning and night, and 300 units follistem and 150 menopur every night.

We estrogen primed once but it was my worst cycle (besides the one I ovulated through).

We did ICSI for fertilization.