I Do Have A Piece Of Writing Advice, Actually.

I do have a piece of writing advice, actually.

See, the first time I grew parsnips, I fucked it up good. I hadn't seen parsnips sprouting before, right, and in my eagerness I was keeping a close eye on the row. And every time I saw some intruding grass coming up, I twitched it right out, and went back to anticipating the germination of my parsnips.

But it turns out parsnips take a bit longer than anything else I'd ever grown to distinguish themselves visually. It's just the two little split leaves, almost identical to a newly seeded bit of kentucky bluegrass when they first come up, and they take a good bit to establish themselves and spread out flat before the main stem with its first distinctive scallopy leaf gets going.

I didn't get any parsnips, not that year, because I'd weeded them all out as soon as they showed their faces, with my 'ugh no that's grass' twitchy horticulture finger.

The next year, having in retrospect come to suspect what had happened, I left the row alone and didn't weed anything until all the sprouts coming up had all had a bit to set in and show their colors, and I've grown lots of parsnips since. They're kind of a slow crop, not a huge return, but I like them and watching them grow and digging them up, and their papery little seeds in the second year, if you don't harvest one either on purpose or because you misjudged the frost, so it's worth it.

Anyway, whenever I see someone stuck and struggling with their writing who's gotten into that frustration loop of typing a few words, rejecting them, backspacing, and starting again, I find myself thinking, you gotta stop weeding your parsnips, man.

Happy STS!

What are the dietary staples of one culture/region in your word and how do they affect the geography, politics, culture, religion and/or economy?

I realize I haven't thought about that at all, but it sounds like an interesting way to further explore the world so I'll def try to think of it in the future

If only I could write as easily at home as I do at work!

I feel like I'm finally at that point where I can begin to show my closest friends the first part of my work, it just needs a little more love.

I'm trying to treat it like a college essay and printed it out on paper, because I sure can't seem to focus on it enough when it's on the screen.

If this works it's going to help me so fucking much in the future, too 🙏

The line of succession stuff is fascinating! Do you think you could explain the different ways you're supposed to address royalty, be it kings or queens or princesses?

Forms of Address for English Royals and Nobility

Quick clarification: forms of address vary across eras, countries, and even courts. So, take this as a general English guide but be sure to research the specific era, location, and even court or household (if you’re writing about or inspired by a particular monarch or noble) to find specifics. 

King & Queen 

His/Her/Your Grace (before 1500) His/Her/Your Majesty (after 1500) Sir/Ma’am (following initial address of Your Majesty, after 1800)

Crown Prince/Princess (Heir to the Throne)

His/Her/Your Royal Highness

Prince & Princess

His/Her/Your Highness

Duke & Duchess

His/Her/Your Grace

Children of Duke & Duchess

My Lord/My Lady

3rd Person, eldest child with title: according to title (Lord + Title) 3rd Person, no title: the Lord + First Name, the Lady + First Name

Marquess/Marchioness, Earl/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness

My Lord/My Lady

3rd Person: His Lordship/Her Ladyship

Children of Marquess/Marchioness, Earl/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness

My Lord/My Lady

3rd Person: Lord + First Name, Lady + First Name

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Have a question? My inbox is always open, but make sure to check my FAQ and post master lists first to see if I’ve already answered a similar question. :)

I want everyone’s best one liner writing advise!

Mine is that you have to know the ending of your story before you start it.