#modharmonia

[theochelpsquad]

When people call their OCs sirens when they’re really mermaids and vice versa: >://///////

[theochelpsquad]

Mermaids vs. Sirens

I know I reblogged a post about this already, but there’s also another large difference between mermaids and sirens. There’s also a popular misconception about the two that I’m going to clear up!

The main difference between sirens and mermaids is their appearance.

The image below is what a siren is:

Sirens are half-bird, half-human.

Sirens have wings, and most texts describe them as having the body of a bird, usually a vulture. Their head, in some cases, turns into the person the victim loves most. Others say they lure victims with singing and music.

A siren’s goal is to lure victims, like sailors or pirates, towards them. Sirens will live on cliffsides facing the ocean so when their victim jumps overboard to follow their lure, they drown in the dangerous waters.

The image below is what a mermaid is:

Mermaids are half-sea creature, half-human.

Though mermaids are usually drawn with the bottom half of a fish, they are sometimes drawn with the bottom of an octopus, sea horse, or any other sea creature.

Not all mermaids are depicted as the same. Some mermaids are playful and flirty and some sink ships out of vengeance. Several myths claim that mermaids can even be accidentally dangerous: they forget that humans need air to live and drag them down into the ocean, drowning them.

Mermaids (generally) have no goals or purposes. Of course, some harbor harsh grudges against humans and make it their job in life to kill as many as they can, most just frolic aimlessly and play with humans.

Before you go on to make your mermaid or siren OC, be careful to avoid this mistake: mermaids and sirens are not interchangeable. A popular misconception is that mermaids lure victims to drown with their music, out of petty vengeance. While mermaids can be dangerous, it is generally a siren who lures victims with music.

Further reading: http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/02/05/the-difference-between-mermaids-and-sirens/

[theochelpsquad]

Critiquing Critique: What is NOT Wrong with Your Writing

There’s this misconception going around on critique blogs about what makes an OC a Mary Sue. The original definition is an OC who is perfect or defies canon, but some people claim that if your OC is too similar to you, they’re a Mary Sue.

???????????

Honestly, this makes no sense.

The more you have in common with your OC, the easier it is to write their character.

This also overlooks the glaring problem of a lack of diversity. Of course someone might make their OC, for example, nonbinary and biracial--because they want to see more media that represents them and other nonbinary biracial people!

I’ve literally seen people put down OCs for being too similar to their creator dozens of times before, even though it’s a completely invalid reason.

To every other critique blog: can we all agree to stop doing this, please?

-Mod Harmonia

[theochelpsquad]

It is okay to use Japanese names for a FMA O.C?

If your O.C. is from Xing, then maybe! Xing is based off of China, but some Chinese names also exist as Japanese (for example, Mei). However, if the name doesn’t also exist as Chinese, then it’s best to pick a new name.

-Mod Harmonia

[theochelpsquad]

Writing Bilingual Characters

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of posts about fanfics of bilingual characters, and they’re written as badly as you would expect.

I’m considering writing a guide to bilingual characters and how to portray them! If anyone else who can speak multiple languages wants to help, send in an ask or a message!

[theochelpsquad]

Callout Post for Mod Eris, pt. 2

Reblogged a Pokemon post onto here?

When I said post more stuff I didn’t mean that

At least it was funny tho

Oh well could’ve been worse

[theochelpsquad]

Oh wait I forgot to link the Mary Sue OC quizzes to this blog oops

-Mod Harmonia

[theochelpsquad]

Hey!

What fandom do you want us to make a guide for next? Send an ask! If it’s in our list of fandoms we’ll do it!

-Harmonia