Mixing Memory and Desire

Canadian writer/editor/cat&pup mama/dress addict/traveler. My main fandoms are Lucifer (on Netflix), Dragon Age, and Mass Effect. Currently working on a bunch of original fic (including a novel co-written with my bestest bestie: @w0rdinista). My avatar is by the wonderful @aelwen.

[tarysande]

This notebook is “solving the puzzles in Dragon Age: Origins” old. 😂

[tarysande]

Because I know this is the place for nerdy things. I taught a class last week for the Federation of BC Writers. The intensive was “Edit Trek: The Next Iteration” and I committed to the bit. Every slide referenced Trek, and the flow was all “Captain’s Log” “Sensor Scan” “The Borg Edit” “The Starfleet Edit.”

And I wrote an editorial Prime Directive.

Yes, the color choices were intentional.

Nerrrrrd.

It was SO FUN.

🖖🏻

Also I shall tease you with the, uh, latest of my fountain pen purchases. As in, it arrived on Friday. It’s the Benu Talisman Pink Opal in an elastic flex nib. I was trying to decide on ink…

I ended up inking it with the Akita, but next time I’m going with Serpentine Blooms. Or A Dream Within A Dream.

(Guest appearance by my beloved Sailor Pro Gear Slim with Zoom nib 😍)

[tarysande]

I'm not dead yet /montypython

I used to wonder how people could just ... disappear from tumblr. And then, a few days ago, I realized I had just ... disappeared from tumblr. And I don't know why, really. Because it's still the only social-media-esque site I even like. Partly because I started using my phone more often, and the number of ads on mobile tumblr is ridiculous. And so is the cost of Premium. $100/yr? No. Partly because I have been so busy with work--and overwork--for so long that I don't even remember what it was LIKE to have hobbies, let alone time to care about them. Or do them. Or enjoy other people's content about them. Partly, I think, because I ended up on social media I hate (looking at you, everything by Meta) for work-related reasons, and that seemed to eat up sò very much of my time.

And probably because it becomes a habit to not go to a place in just the same way that it becomes a habit to go to a place.

Anyway. I'm still here. Still editing for money--both freelance and for a small publisher--which leaves me far far too little time for writing. But I am still writing. And I get to teach and mentor and be a part of a writing organization that I love and that I know I'm instrumental in helping to grow. I was a finalist for Editors Canada's most prestigious editing award last year. I have disposable income (shocking), which I mostly spend on books and fountain pens and fountain-pen-related things. I'm going to a writing retreat in France in October. I desperately miss playing video games and watching movies and TV, but I read a lot. I'm pretty happy, these days, and I have good friends, and 29 years ago I went on my first "date" with the boy I eventually married.

But I still miss this place, and sometimes I miss the person I was when I had so much more time to spend here. So, know that I still think fondly of you, and that even when I fail to show up for a long time, I'll still try to check in when I can.

[beemovieerotica]

[kismoss-deactivated20260201]

"Show me," she finds herself saying before she can think better of it.

He freezes, jaws twitching in surprise. "Commander?" His tone is careful, he’s not entirely certain what she’s asking.

"Show me what you see through your scope. How you choose your shots." She's not sure why it suddenly feels vital to understand this part of him, this merge of metal and mathematics. "Teach me your precision."

Garrus studies her for a long moment, then nods. "Grab your gear. But fair warning—I'm a demanding instructor."

They spend one hour on the range deck, Garrus adjusting her grip micro-increments at a time, his keel pressed against her back as he demonstrates proper breathing technique. She learns that he counts breaths, though his are sync to a different rhythm than human ones. Learns that turian eye structure means he sees slight variations in light wavelength that she never will. Learns that his hand on her shoulder, steadying her stance, is the most natural thing in the world.

"Precision isn't just about the shot," he murmurs, close enough that his breath stirs her hair. "It's about knowing yourself. Every tremor, every inhale. You have to become the constant in the equation."

Shepard focuses on the target, trying to see it the way he does—not as a destination for the bullet, but as an inevitability. An outcome already written in the space between heartbeats. His presence behind her is not at all distracting. It feels like restoring perfect balance. Like finding true north.

She takes the shot. Clean through the center mass of the target. Not quite his level of mastery, but close. His approving hum sends warmth spreading through her chest.

"Not bad, Shepard." His hands linger a moment before withdrawing. "Though you might want to work on that breathing pattern. Noticed a slight hitch right before you pulled the trigger."

"Occupational hazard," she manages, not quite looking at him. Not quite admitting why her breath caught.

Moments in Time

[kogarashi-art]

Month of Fanart - Day 11 One Step at a Time by tarysande

no paper texture has been added to this one

I like this one for its expansion on the docking tube sequence, especially in light of someone who got spaced. Keeping within the one-hour time limit definitely kept me from refining shapes too much on this one, and I had to do some digital shadow adjustment after the fact (plus adding stars), but overall I'm still rather happy with it.

@tarysande, this one's for you!

[klaasje]

two ppl with shared history is the bestest most delicious compelling dynamic in the world... exes. old friends. childhood friends. old friends who are no longer friends. decade long slowburns. multi decade slowburns. etc

[tarysande]

Not so friendly reminder that the appropriate response to a dog barking from several feet away is NOT to pull a switchblade and tell that dog’s owner multiple times that you’re going to kill her dog.

I’m fine. Lizzy is fine. But WTF. Frankly, my pal, I’m pretty sure my dog had the right idea barking at you. She was warning YOU not to come closer to HER or to ME. Because apparently you had both a weapon and a hostility problem.

Clearly, she’s fine now.

[coffee-without-anesthetics]

forgive me father for i have opened a notification and read the message within to make the red dot go away and then forgot to reply for a month . it will happen again

[preserving-tiktok]

[nycstark]

a court of thorns and roses. ballad of songbirds and snakes. bowl of macaroni and cheese

[playwrongs]

[nycstark]

you and i were simply chosen by the macaroni gods to voice the same cursed vision

a story of carbs and coincidence

[depsidase]

[mounted-archer]

Don't threaten him with a good time

[scribeofred]

@tarysande unfortunately I thought of you first <3

[tarysande]

FBCW - Writing Intensive: Revision Quest

Next week, the Federation of BC Writers is holding an editing intensive, and it’s going to be awesome. I’m particularly excited because one of the sessions will be led by Cheryl Klein (!!! the author of The Magic Words, which is my favorite craft book) ❤️❤️❤️

I’m also doing a session on DREADED FILTER WORDS 😂

1. You don’t need to be a member to attend (though members get a better rate)

2. That said, you don’t need to be in BC (or even Canada) to be a member.

3. It’s ridiculously inexpensive for the amount of programming you get. (Especially since it’s in Canadian dollars 😆)

4. Even if you can’t make sessions live, you’ll have access to the recordings.

5. Cheryl Klein 😍

[nondelphic]

writing isn’t hard it’s just emotionally devastating and time-consuming and requires full body possession by an idea

[buckys]

CHRIS PINE laughing at memes of himself

[hellspawn-enjoyer]

Good Morning!