So Yesterday, I FINALLY Read Prisoner's Throne. Finally. It Was Enjoyable - Great Fun, Had More References

I would be so interested in a prequel that shows Madoc's backstory, what happened with his first wife, and how he and Oriana came to be together. I reckon it would be more political/adventurous, but still. I think it would be so interesting to see how his moral compass actually works and to know more details about what happened to lead to the events of the main series.

Spoilers for The Prisoner’s Throne

Not Madoc giving me the most emotional responses in this book. 🥹

Listen, Madoc is the most complex, the most morally grey, the most treacherous, and yet, I adore him.

ⓘ This user wants to be someone's sweet villain and darling god, dearest punishment and sweet nemesis, who they think is the only real thing in a land of ghosts, and by who they are forever undone.

A new version of this Fantasy Library print!

Just about to sell out of the original run so I took the opportunity to amend a couple of things and add a bit more colour, I’ll be printing this with a few different background colours to choose from.

The book titles read:

1. A Massive, Brilliant Final Instalment of a Series You Didn’t Think Would Ever Be Concluded

2. Everyone You Recommend This To Will Love It As Much As You

3. A Clear & Concise Summary Of All Human History

4. A Novel You Once Loved But Have Since Forgotten

5. Still As Good As When You Read It As a Teenager (If Not Better)

6. A Perfect Short Story

7. A New, Canonical Entry In Your Favourite Series, Fixing The Problems In The Original Ending

8. A Brief Epilogue Telling You What Happened When Your Favourite Characters Grew Up

9. The Book You’ll Write If You Ever Have Time

This new version will be up on my shop by the middle of December 2022, in the meantime there are a few of the old one left and lots of other book and ttrpg themed prints!

ShelfWornDrawn on Etsy

Hello! Can you help me and/or give me examples of how to write a pre-teen? Specifically a slightly mature for their age but still socially-awkward, selfless, empathetic, extroverted 10-year-old

How to Write a Pre-Teen

Voice and Language

Simple but specific vocabulary: Pre-teens might not use very complex words, but they often know and throw in some “big words” they’ve recently learned or mimic words they hear adults use. Don’t overdo it, though—they’ll often misapply or half-understand these terms, which can create natural, humorous moments.

“It’s totally, like, a catastrophe that I forgot my project.”

Expressive dialogue: Pre-teens are enthusiastic and often exaggerate. They can also shift quickly between emotions, from excitement to frustration.

“That was the best movie ever!” might turn into “Actually, I mean, it was kinda boring in some parts, but, you know, overall…”

Thoughtful yet blunt: Kids this age often haven’t fully learned the “filters” adults use. They can be direct and say things that are surprisingly insightful or unexpectedly honest.

Thoughts and Perspective

Developing identity and opinions: They’re beginning to form their own beliefs but still echo the views of family, teachers, or friends.

“Mom says people should never lie, but I wonder if little lies are okay if they help people feel better…”

Questioning and introspective moments: Pre-teens are curious about life, relationships, and “big ideas.” They may ask questions, but sometimes keep their deep thoughts to themselves, exploring them internally.

“If friends are supposed to be there for each other, why do I feel alone even when they’re around?”

Struggle with abstract concepts: At this age, they’re just beginning to understand abstract ideas like justice or friendship but often approach them in straightforward, literal ways.

Behavior and Actions

Impulsivity and energy: They might shift quickly between activities and emotions, getting distracted or excited without much control over it. They may also blurt out ideas or act before thinking, especially if they’re extroverted.

For instance, a character might immediately jump up to help someone even if they aren’t sure what to do, or they might “borrow” something without fully considering the consequences.

Physical awkwardness: Pre-teens can be a bit clumsy as they’re still growing into their bodies. This can lead to endearing, awkward moments.

They might knock something over, trip over their own feet, or feel self-conscious in ways that show they’re still figuring themselves out physically as well as socially.

Friendships and Social Dynamics

Navigating social rules: Pre-teens are very aware of social “rules” but may not fully understand them. This is an age when they care a lot about what their friends think, but they’re also just beginning to question these dynamics.

A pre-teen might want to befriend the “cool” kids but feel conflicted when they realize their values don’t align. Or they may try too hard to impress friends and feel self-conscious afterward.

Conflicted loyalties: Friendships are often intense at this age, and they might struggle with conflicting feelings if friends argue or if they feel left out.

“I really like hanging out with Sarah, but I know Emma doesn’t. Maybe if I can make them both laugh, we could all just… get along?”

Small gestures: Pre-teens often show they care in understated ways, like sharing snacks, giving a small gift, or cheering someone up when they’re down. For a socially-awkward pre-teen, these gestures may come out clumsy but sweet.

Insecurity and Self-Awareness

Self-consciousness mixed with bravery: Pre-teens often fluctuate between trying to fit in and wanting to stand out. They might do something brave but then doubt themselves or quickly retreat if things don’t go as planned.

For instance, a character might volunteer to speak in front of the class only to feel panicked once they’re in the spotlight.

Hyper-awareness of themselves and others: They’re beginning to notice how others perceive them and may get flustered easily or worry about little things, like if their clothes look okay or if they sounded silly.

“I shouldn’t have laughed like that… I bet everyone thought I sounded so weird.”

Joking as a defense: Pre-teens often use humor to cope, covering up their awkwardness or discomfort by making jokes.

Reactions to Conflict and Emotion

Quick emotional shifts: They might go from laughing to frustrated to embarrassed in just a few minutes. They feel emotions intensely and may have outbursts or react strongly to things adults might dismiss as minor.

Heroic ideals vs. real-world disappointments: Many pre-teens have an idealized view of right and wrong, fairness, and heroism, and they may be disappointed when things don’t align with these ideals. They’re just starting to understand that people aren’t all good or all bad.

“I don’t get it… why would she lie about something like that? Friends are supposed to be honest!”

What people think why i became a bookbinder: Oh she wants to explore her artistic horizon with those pretty leather bound books of hers. She even gives them out as gifts to her friends. It most likely helps her with anxiety or maybe she just wanted a more special costume made notebook.

Why I actually became a bookbinder: I just illegally downloaded and printed out several of my favourite fanfics and books and started binding them into books cuz I love reading them but looking at screens for too long gives me headaches.

hot artists don't gatekeep

I've been resource gathering for YEARS so now I am going to share my dragons hoard

Floorplanner. Design and furnish a house for you to use for having a consistent background in your comic or anything! Free, you need an account, easy to use, and you can save multiple houses.

Comparing Heights. Input the heights of characters to see what the different is between them. Great for keeping consistency. Free.

Magma. Draw online with friends in real time. Great for practice or hanging out. Free, paid plan available, account preferred.

Smithsonian Open Access. Loads of free images. Free.

SketchDaily. Lots of pose references, massive library, is set on a timer so you can practice quick figure drawing. Free.

SculptGL. A sculpting tool which I am yet to master, but you should be able to make whatever 3d object you like with it. free.

Pexels. Free stock images. And the search engine is actually pretty good at pulling up what you want.

Figurosity. Great pose references, diverse body types, lots of "how to draw" videos directly on the site, the models are 3d and you can rotate the angle, but you can't make custom poses or edit body proportions. Free, account option, paid plans available.

Line of Action. More drawing references, this one also has a focus on expressions, hands/feet, animals, landscapes. Free.

Animal Photo. You pose a 3d skull model and select an animal species, and they give you a bunch of photo references for that animal at that angle. Super handy. Free.

Height Weight Chart. You ever see an OC listed as having a certain weight but then they look Wildly different than the number suggests? Well here's a site to avoid that! It shows real people at different weights and heights to give you a better idea of what these abstract numbers all look like. Free to use.

@tlaquetzqui thank you so much! This is spectacular. I've been looking for days trying to work out what rank he'd be in - my initial thought was Pilot Officer, which I think might still be right. Such a shame, as Squadron Leader felt more fitting, but he'd be too young, even in wartime. I don't necessarily need the historical accuracy, but I want it to at least make sense to anyone reading it, you know?

My MMC is 25, my FMC is 23 - I'm also looking at the roles she would have played during the war, though I'm kind of looking more into the Night Witches sort of arena for that.

Thank you so much again - clearing up some very confusing and vague aspects of my research here! :)

Help! I can't work out my character's Royal Air Force ranking. I'm looking online but it doesn't make it clear what age bracket you'd fall in to be these roles, especially in WWII...?

Does anyone know or have any resources they found particularly helpful?

Literally the only aesthetic I can say I've consistently loved. Like, LOOK at these houses. They are STUNNING.

Whimsical victorian houses

You're so welcome - it was a great meme.

I agree, if we follow the canon ending and even Cursed Child, the relationship is solid. 10/10 for friendship and love.

But I can't help but also look at it now in a different lens. Perhaps in a more idealistic, they've survived the war, they're in love, etc., this all works. Yes, I totally agree they would have planned and spoken about it - Brightest Witch of Her Age isn't just having children without thought.

And when looking at the original canon, I can completely understand why no one would ship Hermione/Draco. Talk about toxic issues! Like, I'm 100% certain none of bullies most of us faced went to the same level that Draco Malfoy did, and I think we'd all rather be caught streaking in a city center in the middle of winter than in a romantic situation with our childhood bullies.

However, the allure of the pairing makes sense. He was a reluctant pawn in a war, doing the absolute most for his family's sake. As the original series states, he was also "just a boy." It would be reasonable to expect that there was a course of reformation for the child soldiers caught up in the middle of the war; on both sides. Which does open us up to the redemption arc that's so popular in the fanfiction timelines.

The reason I think people can see why Ron/Hermione don't work comes down to their core personalities. Would he try and idealise her? Would their be resentment down the line for her career aspirations and the time it takes to succeed? As I said, I do 100% think that they loved each other and that, at the time of writing/publication, their pairing made perfect sense. I'd have been distraught if she'd ended up with Harry or some other random side character. But if the book were published today, do I think Ron would have been the appropriate match? Probably not. Maybe for her first serious relationship as they navigate post-war WW and early adulthood, but not for their late 20s/early 30s. Also, can I just add - this is why I came back to Tumblr - healthy and respectful debate/chat about characters we all know/love. So thank you! <3

i just know hermione will put y'all in a jar for this