Fanfiction Fridays: This summer vacation story is better than yours.

So I’m a pretty big fan of Welcome To Night Vale just in general. It’s pretty great. And one of the things I love about it is that, even though it’s already more diverse than most media, it isn’t afraid to continue adding in more intersectional diversity. I guess they figure haters gonna hate.

And Night Vale fanfiction is no stranger to this philosophy—the fanfic I’ve found has suggested such additions to canon as Carlos being trans*, Cecil being nonbinary, and the faceless woman who lives in your house being Old Woman Josie’s girlfriend from high school.

How I Survived My Summer Vacation, by Tamika Flynn, Age 12 3/4 is a gem among stories of this sort, and besides being intersectionally awesome, has got superb writing to boot.

fanart for this story by cactuartamer on tumblr

Sacré Bleu! A Christopher Moore Masterpiece

I'm Blue.

Bonjour à nouveau délicieux les lecteurs!

The illustrious Christopher Moore has once again made me sing his praises, in French no less! Yes, yes, I understand, enough with the French already. This time however I cannot help it! His latest novel composition Sacré Bleu!  A comedy d’Art is one that cannot be brushed aside. If you love art history or appreciate art, or want to read about artists’ shagging (hey, it’s a perspective) this is a great book for you.

The story is set in 19^th century France, the heyday of Parisian bohemian artists.  Here we follow the story of a young baker/painter (though not a painter of bakers) Lucien Lessard contrasted by the little drunk debaucher painter Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. It all begins with the curious death of the notoriously unstable Vincent Van Gogh. The two Frenchmen find the crazy Dutchman’s death to be shady at best so they begin to investigate it. Along the way we are introduced to the many famed artists of the 19^th century, including Monet, Renoir, and Cezanne at their poorest and unappreciated. We learn about their lives, their loves, their dreams, their delusions, and of course above all: their women. However, do not be fooled fellow artistes! These artists are not the highlights of the tale. No. That lies in the armature arms of blue. This world is a canvas that is impasto with blue. From the intense presence of the Colorman to the form of the alluring Juliette this colorful collage of characters are sure to have you crying sacré bleu!

Vous serez belle en bleu!