There's A Lot Of Dragon Age Media Out There Other Than The Games. Novels & Other Official Books, Visual

Hey you know what sucks is predatory companies that make you enter your email address so that they can harass and advertise to you to access resources you might need to keep track of expenses after a disaster. So, uh, fuck them.

If you need to track the cost of things like hotel stays, pet kenneling, medical care, etc. after a disaster you can use this worksheet.

If you need to create an inventory of your home for an insurance claim (and if you'd like to do this to keep someplace safe before a disaster) you can use this worksheet (two pages, instructions on the first page, worksheet on the second).

And here's a FEMA document with numbers for disaster relief groups and a checklist of documents that you may need to have replaced as well as a description of what to do if you had cash in your home that was destroyed and can possibly be replaced.

Get More Library! California edition

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to read more books? Me too. Are you in a situation where buying books is hard, carrying books is hard, storing books is hard, and/or your local library doesn't have enough of the kind of books you want to read? Tired of waiting for your library's ZipBooks queue?

If you live in California, under the cut is a big list of public libraries who offer free library cards to California residents 18 and older through some form of online registration. Includes links to catalogs and links to online registration forms. Some libraries listed here offer permanent/physical cards if you go into a branch, offer permanent cards online, offer cards to minors/out-of-state residents, etc. I've made notes on each library, but there's also a link to the library website if you need more info.

Nearly all of these libraries require a photo ID and proof of address for a full, permanent library card for a person 18 or older. Persons under 18 can typically get a permanent card with parent permission/signature. Some libraries allow teens to get a permanent library card if they have photo ID and proof of address, even if a parent is not present. I didn't make note of these nuances in this list, because this list focuses on digital access to materials. If you're traveling, you might find it worth half an hour to pop into a library branch and get that card.

These digital cards generally give you access to Libby, and some to Hoopla, but I haven't checked all of them. I've noted which ones are on Libby.

While the California libraries ask for your physical address, California public libraries are required by state law to protect the privacy of their patrons, and they are not allowed to disclose or sell the address you provided to any third parties.

If you don't live in California but you do live in the US, I highly recommend looking through the directory of libraries in your state (you'll need to expand the search options and enter the name of your state).

If you know of a California library that offers free cards online to all CA residents, even if those digital cards expire, please drop me a line and I'll look it up and add it.

If you want to make a list for a different state and drop me a line, I will add a link to that post in this post.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried most of these and the information contained here is what was present and available as of the writing of the post. It's possible I misread, misinterpreted, or flat out missed some information. If you find an error in this info, please let me know!

Queer Liberation Library: You only need an email address to obtain one. You have to attest that you live in the US, but they don't ask for your address or your age. This is my one exception to the "California" filter on this list, because it's incredibly useful and awesome. Gives you access to their Libby catalog.

Alameda County Library: Get an eCard online (valid for 30 days), or a permanent card in person. Libby, Hoopla, & a lot more. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Alameda Free Library: Get an eCard online (valid for 2 months), or a permanent card in person. Libby, Hoopla, & other services. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Altadena Library District: Get an eCard online (doesn't seem to expire), or a permanent card in person. CloudLibrary, Hoopla, & other services. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Arcadia Public Library: Get an eCard online (valid for 90 days, takes up to 48 hours), or a permanent card in person. Libby & Hoopla, possibly others (I couldn't find a list). (Catalog | Apply Online)

Burbank Public Library: Get an eCard online (valid for 1 year), or a permanent card in person or by phone (info on their website). Libby, Hoopla, & other services. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Burlingame Public Library: Get an eCard online (doesn't seem to expire), or a permanent card in person. Libby & Hoopla. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Commerce Public Library: Get an eCard online (valid for 1 month), or a permanent card in person. Libby, Hoopla, & other services. (Catalog | Apply Online)

El Dorado County Library: Get an eCard online (temporary, but I couldn't find any information on when it expires), or a permanent card in person. Libby & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

El Segundo Public Library: Get an eCard online (temporary, don't know how long it lasts), permanent card in person. Libby, Kanopy, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Escondido Public Library: Get an eCard online, physical in person. Libby, Hoopla, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Fullerton Public Library: Get an eCard online, physical in person. Libby & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Humboldt County Library: Get an eCard online, physical in person. County residents can get a permanent card; non-residents get an express card. Both get you access to Libby. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Mendocino County Library: Get an eCard online (valid for a year), permanent card in person. Libby, Hoopla, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Monterey County Free Libraries: Apply online for a card by mail (CA residents only), or get a card immediately in person at a branch (CA & out of state residents). (Catalog | Apply Online)

Oakland Public Library: Get a temporary card online (valid for 30 days), permanent card in person. Small chance you can get your card verified (and therefore permanent) by calling, but I haven't tried it yet. Check out their FAQ. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Riverside County Library: Get a card online (unclear how long it's valid for), permanent card in person. Out-of-state residents can get a card for $10/yr. Cloud Library, Comics Plus, Kanopy & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Riverside Public Library: Get an eCard online (doesn't expire), physical card in person. Libby, Hoopla, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

San Bernardino County Library: Get an eCard online, physical card in person. Libby, Comics Plus, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

San Diego Public Library: Get an eCard online (temporary, but doesn't say how long it lasts), permanent card in person. Cloud Library, Comics Plus, Kanopy, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

San Jose Public Library: Get a temporary eCard online (valid for 1 year), physical card in person. Libby, Hoopla, & much more. (Catalog | Apply Online)

South San Francisco Public Library: Get a temporary card online (valid for 30 days), permanent card in person. Cards (both kinds) expire after 3 years. Libby, Hoopla, & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Stanislaus County Library: Get a temporary card online (valid for 30 days, takes 48-72 hours to process), permanent card in person. Libby & others. (Catalog | Apply Online)

Writing References: Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ "Well-Rounded Character" Worksheet

Basics: How to Write a Character ⚜ A Story-Worthy Hero

Basics: Character-Building ⚜ Character Creation

Key Characters ⚜ Literary Characters ⚜ Morally Grey Characters

Personality Traits

5 Personality Traits (OCEAN) ⚜ 16 Personality Traits (16PF)

600+ Personality Traits

East vs. West Personalities ⚜ Trait Theories

Tips/Editing

Character Issues

Character Tropes for Inspiration

Tips from Rick Riordan

Writing Notes

Allegorical Characters

Binge ED

Childhood Bilingualism ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ On Children

Culture ⚜ Culture: Two Views ⚜ Culture Shock

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness)

Emotions ⚜ Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Facial Expressions

Fantasy Creatures

Happy/Excited Body Language ⚜ Laughter & Humor

Hate ⚜ Love

Health ⚜ Frameworks of Health

Identifying Character Descriptions

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory

Mutism ⚜ Shyness

Parenting Styles

Psychological Reactions to Unfair Behavior

Rhetoric ⚜ The Rhetorical Triangle

Swearing & Taboo Expressions

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Uncommon Words: Body ⚜ Emotions

Voice & Accent

Writing References: Plot ⚜ World-building

I needed this drag. Let’s change guys and not look back

Quick Tips for Writing Emotional Tension

They act like they don’t care, but we all know they’re just avoiding a massive emotional explosion.

One of them starts to spill their feelings, then clams up like, “Uh, never mind…” Cue the frustration.

One character throws out something super personal like it’s no big deal, but you can tell the other one’s like, “Wait, what?”

They let something slip that they were totally not ready to share, and then they freeze like, “Did I just say that?”

The “I’m fine” smile (but they’re not). One gives this shaky smile that doesn’t fool anyone, especially the other character.

They almost grab each other’s hand or hug, then they hesitate, and the moment passes. UGH, so frustrating!

One of them’s on the verge of tears but is trying sooo hard not to lose it. You can feel how much it hurts.

They talk about literally everything except the thing that’s actually bothering them. So. Annoying.

They used to be shoulder to shoulder, but now they’re standing a whole three feet apart like something big changed.

One’s suddenly acting like they barely know the other, being all polite and formal, and you just know there’s more going on.

Just a quick note from your friendly neighborhood bookworm/indie author

if you use kindle for the majority of your library, they will be shutting down the function that allows you to download your files and transfer them via USB on the 26th of February. Which doesn't sound like a huge deal, but this also means that if a book is taken off Amazon for any reason—like it being banned—they can scrape it off your kindle as well. So maybe backup your library?

— stars & space dividers (purple)

[Free] Masterlist Headers & Dividers!

Please consider liking or reblogging if you use 💕

hello again (bill clinton limewire voice) my fellow americans

There are a few states that actually have Shield/Refuge laws designed to help trans people fleeing from trans-unsafe states, which also guarantee trans folks access to healthcare. These states are:

California

Colorado

Illinois

Oregon

Vermont

Washington

Minnesota

New Mexico

Maine

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

Washington D.C.

Additionally, some states have "trans sanctuary" executive orders signifying safety for trans folks seeking healthcare. These states are:

Maryland

New Jersey

New York

Living as a resident in these states means you are protected by state's rights and state government to continue or begin receiving trans healthcare. These laws have been codified in their states so everything has been a-ok'd by their state governments.

Stay alive. You got this. I love you.

My doctor and therapist: now with this autism + ADHD diagnosis you need to learn to unmask because masking all the time will make you burn out again and feel like shit

Other people: well it's just interesting how after getting the diagnosis you suddenly start behaving like that I mean I'm not saying you're faking it's just funny how you suddenly cannot be normal like you were before

This is so cute!

FEBRUARY 28TH 10AM PST!!!!!!!