The Arrow plot twist we never saw coming...

Well, sort of… I believe most in the Arrow fandom knew S8 would most likely be the last season of Arrow, but a shortened season? When was that ever in the cards!? Hello my lovely Arrow fandom friends and followers! I know that it’s been a minute since I’ve been on here - to live blog or otherwise - but real life (aka work life) decided to ramp up in February, and things became a little hectic. So, there’s been no real time to sit and live blog, or write fanfic. Just browse quickly and reblog a few things. 

In light of Stephen’s rather unexpected news on FB this afternoon (100% broke down watching him get emotional), I just wanted to write a few things down and share just what this show has done for and meant to me…

I came to Arrow late in the game. I binged watched seasons 1 & 2 right before season 3 started, and quickly found myself immersed in the story and in love with the show! I was excited to see what the future seasons would bring!! 

This was right around the time I was figuring out my tumblr page. A college friend of mine knew just how invested I can get in shows/movies/fandom and suggested that I should join tumblr; I would love it. However… for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what the hell tumblr was, I just didn’t get it. Arrow changed that for me. When I became a part of the Arrow fandom something finally clicked. And it only got better from there…

~ I finally had a new ship! While I may have many “minor” ships, there are only a few that really grab a hold of me and I invest my time in. Sarah and Jareth from Labyrinth were my first. They brought me to fandom and fanfiction; however, Olicity renewed my love and desire to be involved in it. Thanks to the amazing Olicity fanfic that was already out there, I had plot bunnies popping out of burrows for the first time in years! And with some gentle urging from @skcolicity - the first person I had the courage to talk to in the fandom - I wrote and posted my first fanfic in ages! 

Olicity felt real and grounded (for the most part, ha!). They were a TV couple that felt relatable. It appeared new and exciting, something that really hadn’t be done on a TV show yet. Or, at least in one that I watched. I was so happy to be ficcing and shipping again!

~ I have friends! In 2014, when S3 started, I was only 2 years into this post-college life called the “Real World”. I was in a new city, family and friends were miles away, and I was adulting all on my own. Pretty much the only friends I had were co-works, and while I have some great work friends, I felt limited in my social life. I had no idea to branch out. But thanks to Arrow, that all changed!

I gained internet friends, and it was so nice to talk (and squee) about something that didn’t involve what I did for a living! @arrow-through-my-writers-block and @hopedreamlovepray were two of my first fanfic author crushes. Their works inspired my own writing, and luckily they both became two of my closest fandom friends. (Ladies, I love you both <3.)

Next was taking the plunge and meeting some fandom friends in real life! This led me to @jedichick04 and @mel-loves-all. These ladies changed my life, and they probably don’t even realize it. Because, taking that plunge to meet them was the best decision I could have made. My list of internet-to-real life friends only grew from there:

@ireland1733, @scu11y22, @laurabelle2930, @emmilynestill, @smoakingbabbles, @lyricalarrow, Kai, Meg, and Brittany. All of you are blessings in my life, and I am so happy to have met you, and gotten to know you. *MUAH* 

~ I went to a con! The idea of SDCC has always seemed like a pipe dream to me. If I ever get to go, that would be awesome, but I’m not going to hold my breath. However, I did get a chance to do the thing were you meet the people from the show(s) that you love, take pictures with them, get autographs, hear stories, and gain so many memories! Attending HVFF (two years in a row!) was such an amazing experience. I’ve written about them here on my blog, and both years were such a blast! I know I never would have gone if it wasn’t for Arrow…

I know this (suddenly longer that I anticipated) post seems like a “goodbye”, but I promise you I’m not going anywhere! Arrow may be ending next year, but not my time in this fandom! I plan to keep writing for Olicity when to muse strikes, and I certainly plan to continue being involved in the Arrow/Olicity fandom here on tumblr. 

I just wanted to express my gratitude for a show that has come to mean more to me than I ever expected. Arrow has had it’s ups and downs throughout the years, but this fandom has always been there and it has been such a joy. Now before I wrap this up, just a couple more things…

@dust2dust34, @anthfan, @so-caffeinated, @millennialfangirl, @supersillyanddorky06, @bytemegeekette, @effie214, @sentence-fragments, @jsevick, @sophie1973, @tinaday3w, @deadlybingo, @yet-i-remain-quiet, @smoakmonster, @realityisoverrated-fic, and @mogirl97 thank you for your fic, your art, and your contributions to the Arrow and Olicity fandoms. But most importantly thank you for your friendship <3. You’ve made this fandom such an awesome place to be. 

The above list and anyone else tagged in this post is by no means a complete list of who I want to give a shoutout to. I know I’m missing/forgetting people and I am so so sorry!!! But please know if you follow me, if we’ve had an interaction of any kind: you are awesome, thank you for being a part of this awesome fandom, and all my love to you guys!!

Arrow fandom: you are my always! Cheers!

Oh, @redpensandgreenarrows!!!  You are so so so sweet!  This made me tear up! I am so glad you came into my life through this show as well!  I have enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) to watch the rest of the show while chatting via tumblr!

Also, thank you for your kind words towards my fics!  I am so honored I could be one of your first fanfic crushes! 

Thank you so so much!!!  Love you too!

Also, your love for The Labyrinth also is close to my heart!  I always love when I can find someone who also loves that movie!

‘Postcards’ - Part 3 - ‘Shoe Shopping’

A/N: Thank you so much for the fabulous response to this series! anthfan and I are having so much fun with it!  

For this installment, I couldn’t resist the image of Stephen that Willa Holland posted on her instagram after cw upfronts so this one is based on that picture! ;)  I really hope you enjoy it! 

Thanks for all the lovely comments on this collection so far!  It’s been a lot of fun for us!

Postcards Masterlist

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Postcards #3 - Shoe Shopping

The next day they found themselves driving along the coast, coming upon a small town that boasted some of the best shopping on the 101 with all the small town charm.  

Felicity’s smile as they’d driven through the city square made his decision to pull off at the quaint bed and breakfast on the edge of town an easy one.  

Keep reading

You and anthfan have made my week with these. I just love the little snippets of the Oliver and Felicity we rarely see in the show. I love this! And the postcards are awesome!

Thank you!!!  That is so awesome!  I’m glad you are enjoying this series!  We are having a lot of fun writing them!  Part of the fun of this is that joy we get to write about that we rarely get to see and knowing that, right now, that’s where they are - enjoying life together!  

The postcards have been fun to make!  I have gotten to open PhotoShop for the first time in probably a year and play around and it’s been a blast coming up with different ways to do it and make them all unique!

Thanks for reading and your kind words!  It means a lot! :D

Those postcards are awesome! I think part of the reason I enjoy them so much is because I collect ‘em. I have friends (some I’ve met and some I’ve not met) who rise to the occasion when I say 'send me one where you’re going’. I have a little scrap book for it. And I love that Thea, I imagine, gets these and puts 'me up on the door of their refrigerator!

Love! Love! Love! Thank you for sharing!

Okay seriously that gif is so cute! I’m in love with it!

Thank you!!! That’s awesome that you collect postcards, and that is so great that you have friends who will do that!  I bet that is a wonderful collection!  

Yes, I love the idea of Thea collecting them as well and that was something anthfan and I discussed when we started this - and it was her idea to have Thea collect them.  

I have really enjoyed making them so it’s really wonderful to hear that people are enjoying them so much!

Thanks again, my dear! :D :D :D

Totally interrupting here to say if you haven’t seen super young Kyle Chandler in the glory that was Homefront (TV show about the 1940s) you are MISSING OUT!

Okay, I will have to check this out! MORE KYLE CHANDLER!  YAY!

Seconding the Kyle Chandler Homefront love and suggestion. He is so light and wonderful, funny, charismatic and charming in it. I rewatched last summer on YouTube. Hopefully it is still there.

I have to jump in here and say yes to Homefront. That was my introduction to Mr. chandler. So good!

Mine too. I am so fucking excited right now.  Letthebrightstarlead there are others. LOL! We always complain about the lack of Homefront love anywhere but it’s a delight.

Here’s the youtube version. Still there. Still delightful. 

Sweet!  Thanks for links!!!

Totally interrupting here to say if you haven’t seen super young Kyle Chandler in the glory that was Homefront (TV show about the 1940s) you are MISSING OUT!

Okay, I will have to check this out! MORE KYLE CHANDLER!  YAY!

Ok, but what if...an entire act is devoted to the sexy times.

hopedreamlovepray I blame you for the mental breakdown I am currently having

:D  I simply stated that is plausible. 

(I MEAN THE ENTIRE WRITING STAFF SHIPS IT!)

So....any hopes of that Thea/Felicity scene I’ve been waiting for have pretty much been shot to hell, haven’t they?

My hope is that one got cut and will be in the bonus foorate.

Aw!

*blushes*

You are so sweet!  Thank you, hon!

i'll take care of you - oliver/felicity - pg-13 (fic prompt ficlet)

A/N: So effie214 gave me the prompt sick day and I was going to do ten different things with this but they decided to basically ignore my thoughts and cuddle.

I’m also feeling like crap so it’s appropriate timing. 

So here’s more fluff by Hope.  Sigh. (Tired of me yet?)

As always, I LOVE to know what you think!  Thanks for the support! :D

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i’ll take care of you - oliver/felicity - pg-13 (fic prompt ficlet)

He’d noticed something was off the night before, the way she’d fallen asleep as he drove them home from the Foundry, her skin seemingly paler than normal in the dim lights from the street.

She hadn’t woken when he’d parked and he carried them into their home, and up to their bedroom.  

Her head had lolled against her shoulder, mumbling something about a meeting and random numbers that he figured had to be the code she’d been working on for three days straight.

Read More

Love, love love! I can never be tired of fluff, especially when you are writing it, you have an amazing talent. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Aw, THANK YOU!  That means so much to me!  I’m very happy you enjoyed this one!  It’s always good to know you won’t tire of me. :D  

Thank you for your kind words and your well wishes.  I am on the mend…thanks to antibiotics.  :D

(P.S. - I love your username…but I’m so curious as to what it’s from or it’s meaning!)

I’d love to say that my username means something, but it really doesn’t. When I recently joined Tumblr, every name I tried was already taken and this is one that was on a list of suggestions. I love pandas (who doesn’t?) so I went with it.

So glad you’re feeling better!!

Ah, lol. Well, that’s good that you found one that actually has something you like in it!  And, yes, pandas are adorable and amazing! Completely agree! :D

Thanks you!  Slowly but surely getting back to 100%.  

:D

Watching 13 Going on 30 on my sick day movie binge...

Vienna by Billy Joel just started playing and I’m getting A LOT of Olicity feels.

Love that movie!

I hope you start to feel better soon!  Being sick is the pits, so hopefully you won’t have to go through this much longer.  Try to get lots of rest when you can.

Enjoy the movie.  :-)

*hugs*

Such a good movie!!!  I love it! And thank you!  I am feeling better so that's good!  I plan on going to bed soon!

Thanks so much, hon! 

How many people can Oliver Queen lose before there is no more Oliver Queen?

#that is going to be oliver’s turning point.#facing the reality of LOSING her.#because that is not an option.#there was no choice to make.#there IS no choice to make.#arrow spoilers#arrow 3x14.#he will choose her.#this is how you otp.#otp: there was no choice to make.#tv show: arrow cw.#ship: olicity.

( hopedreamlovepray )

"He might have to" - Captain on Oliver imagening life without Felicity.

Right.  Which is why that is going to be a huge turning point for him.  The fact that he might have to…that he possibly will have to even for the briefest of moments.  That is not acceptable to Oliver Queen.  

Have I told you how much I love you lately?

Haha!  I know how that goes.  But it's so good!  I really would love to see more after the breakfast.  I just loved that exchange so much.  (I loved them all but that one with him wanting her to be okay...)

And, YAY!!!

Well....I've had a little to drink. So...let's do something fun. Have a question about any of my fic?

Let me know! 😊. Ask box is open.

I see we had no questions. Good thing I had more to drink.

This is also why I don’t usually do this. Too much putting yourself out there. But I tried. :(

I didn’t know! I just saw this. :( I’m sorry hun. But even if I saw this before I don’t think I would have any questions because I love all your stories.

Hey, hon.  It's totally fine.  Just one of those things that I've seen done and was suggested to me.  

The questions that usually are posted when you do these things as part of a meme are like: "if you rewrote this story would you do anything different now?" or "What is your favorite scene in this story?" or "What was the hardest scene to write in this fic?"

Just little things that make you think or reread your work and think of them in a different context.

But thank you!  You would probably be the one who would have  most of my stories most familiar in your head because I know you've just read them all.  which I still think is awesome and it makes me smile so much that you wanted to do that! :D

Thanks again, sweetie!  You are so good to me!  Thanks for brightening my night! 

Let me know! 😊. Ask box is open.

I see we had no questions. Good thing I had more to drink.

This is also why I don’t usually do this. Too much putting yourself out there. But I tried. :(

I know what you mean, no one ever…

Exactly! The going back and reading, so many things occur to me. I pave posted a few of these writer things but never seem to get much take up

But then I’m not half as prolific as I was in the post season 1 hiatus. People have to have long memories when it comes to my fic

Well, I definitely still remember your stuff!  As I said, your Vegas fic is on my To Be ReRead ASAP list! :D

I've tried it a few different ways.  I've done the writer's things and just flat out asked for questions.  And when I do ask for them, I want to answer them.  There are times when real life gets hectic and I can't always get to my ask as regularly as I'd like to, but when I actually put things out there...I really do want to answer things.

I've actually just been rereading a few stories that I've never posted that I started basically a year or more ago.  It's amazing what you find or think of when you reread things some time after you had initially written them!

hopedreamlovepray replied to your post:If there’s a scene from any of your fanfics that…

I know, right?!?! Crazy amazing question! 

Shoot! I should have picked something with a thigh quiver. Dammit! :) 

Oh...OHHHHHH! ALWAYS THE THIGH QUIVER!!!!

ireland1733 replied to your post:Lets do something fun!

Can I say I like wine with my wine? I mostly drink wine when I’m writing and if I’m writing then I’m probably not eating. :) So usually the wine goes it alone. And can I just take a sec to give full props to the Captain’s own Nocking Point wine, red blend called Year Two:New Bow. Because its fucking delicious. 

I don’t actually read a ton of fic which is terrible of me I know. It’s a time issue. If I’m reading then I’m not writing. But if I am reading then I’m reading hopedreamlovepray because she’s the whole reason I’m on tumblr in the first place (I was fic stalking her and then I got to know her and now she’s an awesome friend who has to put up with my incessant nagging at all hours). And beyond that she can write internalization like it’s her damn job and I bow down to her skill. 

You are too sweet, hon!  Seriously though, trust me when I say that you can do angst and smangst like no one's business...and you enjoy evil cliffhangers more than you should!  

I'm more than honored to have brough you to tumblr.  That is truly still amazing to me.  But I'm so glad you joined and that you are someone I call friend as well! (Let's be honest, you put up with my insecurities and whining quite a bit as well!)

hopedreamlovepray reblogged your post and added:

I’m feeling very accomplished right now hehe truly I do! Basically whenever my favorite authors say “plot bunny” it makes me very happy, but more so if I were the supplier. :) Whether it pans out or not, I’m just excited for all future works you’ll put out. 

Thank you so much!!! :D You are so sweet!