Your Window to Inspiration: Seamlessly Browse Tumblr!
Writing - Blog Posts
Hello hello! I love your blog and its really helping me get back into writing after an uncomfortably long burnout break. My question is how would you write a character slowly going insane because of their circumstances and the things they are forced to endure to go through them? Thank you so much in advance?
Hi, I'm so glad you've been finding it helpful! I went over some of this in a bit more detail in my previous post answering a similar question (how to write a character slowly going insane from their world going out of their control), but it won't hurt to address it again.
Have a Baseline:
When writing a character who is slowly going insane due to external factors and challenges, it's important to start by introducing your character at a point where they're relatively stable mentally, showing their personality, goals, and relationships to give a general idea of how their life normally was before the deterioration of their mental stability. This will allow the readers to see for themselves what changes and shifts occurred, as well as their consequences.
Stressors:
Identify the key events or circumstances that will gradually wear down your character's sanity—whether it be external factors (intense stress, a traumatic experience, isolation, facing a series of challenges they aren't equipped or prepared to handle), internal, or both. In any case, it's important to have a clear reason in place.
Internal Struggle:
As the character starts to feel more and more pressure and stress, the initial signs of distress will start to show, both in their thoughts and behaviour. Using internal monologue or stream-of-consciousness narration to show their mental state. It may start with the character questioning themselves and behaving irrationally, then change to risky or self-destructive behaviour as their perceptions become increasingly distorted.
Thanks for asking! Happy writing ❤
heartbreak through body language in Men
A drooping posture can convey a sense of defeat and sadness. Keep shoulders slightly slouched, and avoid standing tall or with a straight back.
Facial expressions play a crucial role. A downturned mouth, furrowed brows, and a distant or vacant gaze can all indicate inner turmoil and heartache.
Men often avoid eye contact when they're feeling vulnerable. If you're experiencing heartbreak, you might find yourself looking down or away when speaking to others.
Restlessness can manifest in various forms, such as tapping fingers, bouncing legs, or constantly shifting positions. This indicates inner turmoil and an inability to find peace.
Movements may become slower and less purposeful when someone is experiencing emotional pain. This can include gestures like reaching for objects or adjusting clothing.
Men in heartbreak might withdraw from social interactions or participate less actively in conversations. They may seem physically present but emotionally distant.
Deep, heavy sighs are often involuntary reactions to emotional distress. They signify a release of tension and an underlying sense of sadness.
Heartbreak can drain one's energy. You may notice a decrease in enthusiasm, vitality, and overall liveliness in how you carry yourself and engage with others.
Crossing arms, hunching shoulders forward, or clasping hands in front of the body can create a barrier between oneself and others, reflecting emotional guardedness and pain.
Gestures may become less expressive and more restrained. Hand movements may be smaller in scale and less animated compared to usual.
Subplot Romance
Over the years I’ve created some twitter threads on writing and history and I’ve decided it’s a good time to start compiling and sharing them on this Tumblr. I’m going to tag them “writing”.
-
Here’s what I’ve learned about writing subplot romance. (People who write genre romance probably already know this stuff. It’s those of us who are mainly leavening romantic subplots into fantasy novels that need this info).
1. Romance = fundamentally character-driven. All internal conflict & internal growth. (Can these two trust each other? Will their character flaws drive them apart?) The more study you put into creating characters and building character arcs, the better your romantic writing.
A romance arc is not the SAME as a character arc, but it 100% NEEDS solid character work undergirding it.
2. Romance needs two ingredients: a compelling reason for the characters to be TOGETHER, & a compelling reason for them to be APART. This forms the conflict in the romance so do not skimp on either.
Eg, a common mistake in male-penned stories: female lead has no compelling reason to want male lead. “He’s a good-looking warrior dedicated to winning her throne!” Yeah nah, she’s literally surrounded by good-looking warriors dedicated to winning her throne, why’s he different?
3. Romance needs chemistry = a believable spark of attraction. Something that blew my mind when I realised it: romantic chemistry =/= sexual chemistry. Sexual chemistry (purely physical attraction) is simply PART of romantic chemistry.
Romantic chemistry is a good deal broader. (Read/watch some good romances to see how chemistry is built by different storytellers. One fave of mine is the Romola Garai EMMA. Peerless friends-to-lovers chemistry. Watch the actors’ body language; the way they gravitate to each other; the way their faces light up)
Chemistry tip A: if the driver behind sexual chemistry is lust, the driver behind romantic chemistry is trust. Protag needs/wants someone to trust. It’s the way you play with trust/distrust that will create romantic tension.
eg: love interest holds protag’s hand. With sexual chemistry, protag simply feels a jolt at the contact. With romantic chemistry, protag feels comforted and trustful - then betrayed when it turns out LI is tracking her pulse to see if she’s lying to him (see: MISS SHARP 😇)
Chemistry tip B: if protag is falling for someone, that person should occupy their mind. LI should be mentioned/thought of each scene, even when absent. When present: LI consistently provokes unaccustomed emotion - either positive or negative, depending.
Chemistry tip C: make the characters their best/most lovable/most iconic selves when with each other. Quirkiness, smarts, hilarity. Make these the most fun character scenes in the book & the audience will ship them. Passionately.
4. Build romantic chemistry/attraction through escalating moments of trust and tension. If aiming for happily-ever-after(HEA)/for-now(HFN), then the overall arc is towards greater trust, but you need those moments of tension to give the big payoff scenes appropriate catharsis.
OTOH, if you’re writing a tragic/backstabby romance, you need the trust/comfort moments in order to sell the big tragedy/betrayal.
5. Trust, comfort, & happiness are POWERFUL. This is what genre romance thrives upon. Even in dark/spiky stories, the most surprising thing in the story can be the moment when the LI DOESN’T betray the protag. That too can be wildly cathartic. Use it.
6. Just as character-driven skills help you with romance, so if you master romantic writing, you’ll be better able to write ALL types of relationship - platonic, friendly, hostile.
OK that’s all so far. Two book recs: ROMANCING THE BEAT by Gwen Hayes & THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY by Gail Carriger teach you the rules/expectations of genre romance so you’ll know what the rules are for a happy romance subplot & how to break them for a tragic version.
Writing Rage: How To Make Your Characters Seem Angry
Anger is a powerful emotion that can add depth and intensity to your character's personality. If you're facing issues realistically expressing your characters' rage, here are some quick tips to help you get the ball rolling. Whether your character is seething with quiet rage or exploding in a fit of fury, these tips will help you convey their emotions vividly to your readers.
This is blog one in my writing different emotions series. Go check it out to explore more emotions!
Facial Expressions
Furrowed Brows: Describe the deep lines between their eyebrows, signaling frustration or intensity.
Tightened Jaw: Mention their clenched jaw, indicating suppressed anger or tension.
Narrowed Eyes: Highlight how their eyes narrow, showing suspicion, irritation, or anger.
Raised Upper Lip: Note the slight curl of the lip, suggesting disdain or contempt.
Flared Nostrils: Describe how their nostrils flare, indicating heightened emotions like anger or aggression.
Body Language and Gestures
Crossed Arms: Show their defensive stance, portraying resistance or defiance.
Pointing Finger: Describe them pointing accusatively, conveying aggression or assertion.
Fist Clenching: Mention their clenched fists, symbolizing anger or readiness for confrontation.
Hand Gestures: Detail specific hand movements like chopping motions, indicating frustration or emphasis.
Aggressive Posturing: Describe them leaning forward, invading personal space to intimidate or assert dominance.
Posture
Tense Shoulders: Highlight their raised or tense shoulders, indicating stress or readiness for conflict.
Upright Stance: Describe their rigid posture, showing control or a desire to appear strong.
Stiff Movements: Mention their jerky or abrupt movements, reflecting agitation or impatience.
Eye Contact
Intense Stares: Describe their intense or prolonged gaze, signaling confrontation or challenge.
Avoiding Eye Contact: Note how they avoid eye contact, suggesting discomfort or a desire to disengage.
Glaring: Mention how they glare at others, conveying hostility or disapproval.
Dialogue
Raised or strained tone with variations in pitch reflects heightened emotions.
Short, clipped sentences or abrupt pauses convey controlled anger.
Use of profanity or harsh language intensifies verbal expressions of anger.
Volume increase, from whispers to shouts, mirrors escalating anger levels.
Monotonous or sarcastic tone adds layers to angry dialogue.
Interruptions or talking over others signify impatience and frustration.
Aggressive verbal cues like "I can't believe..." or "How dare you..." express anger explicitly.
Reactions
Physical Reactions: Detail physical responses like increased heart rate, sweating, or trembling, showing emotional arousal.
Defensive Maneuvers: Describe how they react defensively if someone tries to touch or talk to them, such as stepping back or raising a hand to ward off contact.
Object Interaction
Aggressive Handling: Show them slamming objects, throwing things, or gripping items tightly, reflecting anger or aggression.
Use of Props: Mention how they use objects to emphasize their emotions, like slamming a door or clenching a pen.
Descriptive Words:
Verbs:
Roared with fury, expressing unbridled anger.
Snapped in frustration, indicating sudden irritation.
Shouted angrily, releasing pent-up emotions.
Glared fiercely, showing intense displeasure.
Slammed objects in rage, symbolizing anger's physical manifestation.
Grunted in annoyance, displaying impatience.
Raged vehemently, portraying uncontrolled anger.
Adjectives:
Furious and incensed, conveying intense anger.
Seething with rage, bubbling beneath the surface.
Livid and fuming, exhibiting visible anger.
Agitated and irritated, showing growing impatience.
Enraged and wrathful, expressing extreme anger.
Vexed and irate, indicating annoyance.
Infuriated and incandescent, highlighting explosive anger.
Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?
Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!
Writing Weapons (1): Swords
The Thrusting Sword
Type of fight scene: entertaining, duels, non-lethal fights, non-gory deaths, swashbuckling adventure
Mostly used in: Europe, including Renaissance and Regency periods
Typical User: silm, male or female, good aerobic fitness
Main action: thrust, pierce, stab
Main motion: horizontal with the tip forward
Shape: straight, often thin, may be lightweight
Typical Injury: seeping blood, blood stains spreading
Strategy: target gaps in the armous, pierce a vital organ
Disadvantage: cannot slice through bone or armour
Examples: foil, epee, rapier, gladius
The Cleaving Sword
Type of fight scene: gritty, brutal, battles, cutting through armour
Typical user: tall brawny male with broad shulders and bulging biceps
Mostly used in: Medieval Europe
Main action: cleave, hack, chop, cut, split
Main motion: downwards
Shape: broad, straight, heavy, solid, sometime huge, sometimes need to be held in both hands, both sides sharpened
Typical Injury: severed large limbs
Strategy: hack off a leg, them decapitate; or split the skull
Disadvantage: too big to carry concealed, too heavy to carry in daily lifem too slow to draw for spontaneous action
Examples: Medieval greatsword, Scottish claymore, machete, falchion
The Slashing Sword
Type of fight scene: gritty or entertaining, executions, cavalry charge, on board a ship
Mostly used in: Asia, Middle East
Typical user: male (female is plausible), any body shape, Arab, Asian, mounted warrior, cavalryman, sailor, pirate
Main action: slash, cut, slice
Main motion: fluid, continuous, curving, eg.figure-eight
Shape: curved, often slender, extremely sharp on the outer edge
Typical Injury: severed limbs, lots of spurting blood
Strategy: first disable opponent's sword hand (cut it off or slice into tendons inside the elbow)
Disadvantage: unable to cut thorugh hard objects (e.g. metal armor)
Examples: scimitar, sabre, saif, shamshir, cutlass, katana
Blunders to Avoid:
Weapons performing what they shouldn't be able to do (e.g. a foil slashing metal armour)
Protagonists fighting with weapons for which they don't have the strength or build to handle
The hero carrying a huge sword all the time as if it's a wallet
Drawing a big sword form a sheath on the back (a physical impossiblity, unless your hero is a giant...)
Generic sword which can slash, stab, cleave, slash, block, pierce, thrust, whirl through the air, cut a few limbs, etc...as if that's plausible
adapted from <Writer's Craft> by Rayne Hall
Structuring Your Fight Scene
adapted from <Writer's Craft> by Rayne Hall
Suspense
Show your characters gearing up, readying themselves.
The pace is slow, the suspense is high (use suspense techniques)
Provide information about terrain, numbers, equipment, weapons, weather.
May have dialogue as the opponents taunt each other, hurl accusations, or make one final effort to avoid the slaughter.
Don't start too early - we don't need to see the hero getting out of bed, taking a shower and having tea.
2. Start
Fighters get into fight stance: knees slightly bent, one leg forward, abdominal muscles tensing, body turned diagonally, weapons at the ready.
Each side will usually try to be the first to strike, as this will give them advantage.
The movements in this section need to be specific and technically correct.
3. Action
This section may be quick or prolonged. If prolonged, no blow-by-blow descriptions are needed.
Focus on the overall direction of the fight
Make use of the location to make characters jump, leap, duck, hide, fall, etc.
Mention sounds of weapons
4. Surprise
Something unexpected happens: building catches fire, a downpour, relief force arrives, staircase collapses, bullet smashes into the only lightbulb and everything goes dark, hero losses his weapon, etc.
Add excitement, raise the stakes.
5. Climax
Both sides are tired and wounded
The hero is close to giving up, but is revived with passion
Move to the terrain's most dangerous spot: narrow swining rope-bridge, a roof-edge, sinking ship, etc.
Don't rush the climax! Hold the tension
6. Aftermath
The fight is over: bes buddies lying dead, bandaging, reverberating pain, etc.
Use sense of sight and smell
The hero may experience nausea, shaking, tearfulness or get sexually horny
Fight scene length
Historical/adventure/fantasy: 700-1000w
Romance: 400-700w
Unleashing the Power of Inspiration: Crafting Original Fiction from Beloved Books and Movies
As writers and authors, we often find ourselves captivated by the worlds created in our favorite books, TV shows, and movies. The characters, settings, and narratives leave an indelible mark on our creative minds, inspiring us to weave our own tales of wonder. However, it's essential to strike a delicate balance between drawing inspiration and avoiding the pitfalls of outright copying. In this article, I'll help you explore effective strategies for infusing inspiration from beloved sources into your own fiction book while maintaining authenticity and originality.
Checklist for Effective Incorporation of Inspiration:
Before we dive into the details, let me provide you with a handy checklist to ensure you're harnessing inspiration in a responsible and imaginative manner:
Identify key elements: Analyze your favorite book, TV show, or movie and pinpoint the aspects that resonate with you the most. These elements could include character development, plot structure, world-building, or even the emotional journey.
Seek multiple sources: Broaden your horizons by drawing inspiration from various sources, rather than solely relying on one. This will help you create a unique blend of ideas and themes while avoiding the risk of replicating a single work.
Understand the essence: Delve deeper into what makes your favorite works truly special. Analyze the underlying themes, motifs, and messages conveyed. By grasping the essence of these stories, you can extract the core elements that resonate with you and apply them thoughtfully in your own work.
Adapt, don't copy: Rather than replicating specific characters or plotlines, focus on adapting the essence of your favorite works to suit your unique story. Ask yourself how you can capture the emotions, atmosphere, or philosophical questions that made those works impactful and translate them into your own voice and narrative.
Combine with personal experiences: Infuse your story with your own life experiences, emotions, and observations. By blending external inspiration with your personal perspective, you can create a rich tapestry that reflects your unique voice and vision.
Embrace originality: Strive to bring something fresh and innovative to the table. Instead of emulating your favorite works verbatim, use them as a springboard to explore uncharted territory, experiment with new ideas, and develop your own creative style.
When incorporating inspiration into your fiction book, it's crucial to approach the process with a keen eye for adaptation rather than replication. Take a moment to reflect on what specifically draws you to your favorite books, TV shows, or movies. Is it the intricate world-building, the captivating plot twists, or the depth of the characters? Understanding the essence of what makes these works special allows you to extract the core elements that resonate with you and apply them thoughtfully in your own narrative.
For instance, let's say you're enthralled by the rich and immersive world-building of a particular fantasy series. Instead of attempting to recreate the exact setting or magical system, focus on the underlying principles that make it captivating. Is it the intricate interplay between magic and politics? The complex relationships between different species or factions? By identifying these foundational aspects, you can adapt them to suit your own fictional universe, infusing it with a unique twist that aligns with your overarching vision.
Similarly, examine the characters that have left a lasting impact on you. What qualities do they possess that make them memorable and relatable? Is it their internal conflicts, their emotional journeys, or their growth throughout the story? Rather than replicating these characters outright, delve into the essence of what makes them compelling. Then, apply those qualities to your own characters, infusing them with your unique perspectives and distinctive traits. By doing so, you'll create a fresh cast that embodies the spirit of your inspiration while remaining authentic to your story.
It's also essential to complement external inspiration with your personal experiences and observations. Draw from your own life to add depth and authenticity to your narrative. Incorporate elements of your own emotions, struggles, and triumphs, weaving them seamlessly into the fabric of your story. This infusion of personal touch not only enhances the originality of your work but also allows readers to connect with your characters and themes on a deeper level.
Ultimately, the key to effectively incorporating inspiration lies in embracing originality. While it's natural to be influenced by the works that have touched us profoundly, it's equally important to bring something fresh and innovative to the table. Use your favorite books, TV shows, and movies as a springboard to explore uncharted territory, experiment with new ideas, and develop your own creative style. By doing so, you'll create a fiction book that not only pays homage to your sources of inspiration but also stands on its own as a unique and captivating piece of literature.
Drawing inspiration from your favorite books, TV shows, and movies can be a powerful tool for any writer. By conscientiously adapting the essence of these works, combining them with your personal experiences, and infusing them with originality, you can craft a fiction book that resonates with readers while maintaining your own distinct voice. Remember, the key lies in taking the inspiration and transforming it into something entirely new, breathing life into your own imaginative world. So, go forth, let your favorite stories inspire you, and create masterpieces that will captivate readers for generations to come.
Physical Affection Prompts
hi all! I just thought I'd make my own list of various physical affection prompts and since no idea is ever original some of these are 100% on other peoples lists but im not using other lists as reference or copying anyone. this list is for my own use and other peoples use and there's no need to credit me (though it's always nice).
reblog to have your followers send you these as prompts !! or just use them for your own writing.
all of these are meant as sfw prompts but some may seem a bit more intimate.
tracing someones face
tucking hair behind their ear
forehead kisses
desperate hugs
crying into their neck/shoulder
reversed little spoon & big spoon (the one who is normally the big spoon is the little spoon and vice versa)
holding their hand under a table
kissing their hand
kissing their collarbone
sitting with legs in their lap
morning cuddles where they're both mostly asleep and they don't want to wake up yet but they want to cuddle
petting their hair
head pats
sitting on the floor in front of them while they sit on the couch and their arms touch their legs.
holding both of their hands
hugs from behind
gently touching their waist to move past them (dont do this to someone you're not dating! dont believe I have to say this.)
grabbing their wrist or hand and turning them around
playing with their hands when nervous
slow dancing
CM Meet Cute (or not) Challenge 📚☕️
The following are prompts including a Meet Cute/Ugly scenario (any first-time-meeting)! Reader or OC, Gen/Platonic, AND Character/Character fics are allowed!
This event is over (Masterlist of Fics here), but you are welcome to use any of these prompts. If you would like to be added to the existing Masterlist of entries, please check out the Rules below!
☕️ Generic Prompts 📚
Character gets locked out and their neighbor picks the lock for them.
Characters get the same coffee order. They both reach for it at the same time.
Characters get paired up at the work event icebreaker.
Characters both duck for cover under the same tiny storefront when it starts pouring.
Character is knocked into a stranger’s lap on the bus.
Characters are both stood up at the same date spot.
Character sits next to a stranger in the theater, but the two end up bonding when there’s a technical glitch.
On Character’s first day at the new job, they get stuck on the elevator with their new coworker.
Character breaks their heel/slips on the way into their new job. Their new coworker manages to catch them.
Character accidentally dumps their coffee on someone in a very dramatic fashion.
Character accidentally causes someone to slip and fall. They try to help them up, but they both fall down.
Characters are sat together on a long train ride.
Characters are on rival teams at a work event.
Characters reach for the same book at the library.
Character sits next to someone at an academic conference. They get way too excited about a topic that’s taboo/uncouth to normal people.
Character accidentally messages the wrong number. A stranger answers.
Character offers unsolicited fashion advice to a stranger in the dressing room.
Characters wear matching masks at a masquerade party.
It isn’t a meet cute at all. They know each other already but they don’t notice for an embarrassingly long time.
Character realized they left a piece of clothing in the laundromat but when they return, someone’s already started a load. The pair wait for it to finish together.
Character accidentally bumps into someone’s car in a parking lot. They are very upset… until they realize how cute the other one is.
Anything else you can think of!
🍄 Autumn Prompts 🍁
Character gets lost in a corn maze… meant for children. They begrudgingly ask a total stranger, for help.
Character fight over a perfect pumpkin at the patch and explain why each of them needs it.
Characters show up in an accidental couples’ costume.
Character tries to scare their friend, but ends up spooking a complete stranger.
Character steps on a stranger’s shoe… and realizes they are dressed like Cinderella.
Character accidentally gets hurt in a spooky attraction and a scare actor breaks character to help.
Character gets scared in a haunted tour and jumps in the arms of someone they think is their friend—but it’s not.
Character thinks someone is in a costume and tries to guess what it is. They’re not in a costume.
🫣 Dialogue Prompts 😅
“Hey, sorry, can I give you my number?” “What?” “Oh, not like that—I lost my phone.”
“My kid thinks you’re a real princess. Would you mind taking a photo with them?”
“I think we accidentally swapped orders. By the way, what the hell is in this?”
“Hey, would you mind talking to me so this creep will leave me alone?”
“Is it possible to actually die from embarrassment?”
“I definitely would have remembered meeting you.”
“Watch where you’re going!” “… You ran into me?!”
“That diamond is fake.” “So is the engagement.”
“You aren’t some crazy serial killer, right?”
“Do you believe in fate?”
“This is way too cliche.”
Rules 📚
The fic can be a Reader insert, an Original Character, a character/character ship, a platonic ship, or a Gen fic. It can feature any Criminal Minds character. AUs are more than welcome.
Tag me in the fic, or send the link to me in a Direct Message. It can be already written, or you can write it for the challenge - I’m collecting both! You can also tag it “#mentioningmargins” which is a tag I track.
The fic can be any genre, but ONLY send me smut if your bio states you are 18+. I DO NOT WANT smut written by minors. Ever. At all. I will check. Platonic ships and pure, fluffy fics are 100% allowed.
Please include Content Warnings and a one-sentence Summary of the fic in your post.
Have fun!
Happy Writing!
For May 2024, The Prompt Foundry is sticking with the classics and doing MerMay!
Hope everyone's excited to dive in!
If you use this list, please tag me here @thepromptfoundry, I’d love to see your writing and art!
Feel free to combine different days' prompts with each other, or combine them with other seasonal events! Use your OCs, your favorite characters from media, whatever tickles your fancy.
Respond to as many prompts as you want or as interest you, don’t worry about missing or skipping any. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
If you have any questions or musings, check our FAQ, and if you don't find your answer, shoot me an ask.
Plain text list below the cut:
1 Merfolk Royalty 2 Seafloor Cities 3 Merfolk and Sailors 4 Sinking Ships 5 Sirens 6 Fishnets 7 Deep Sea Mer 8 Undersea Agriculture 9 Seahorse Mer 10 High Tide 11 Underwater Communication 12 Merbabies 13 Sand Dollars 14 Drowning 15 Whale Mer 16 Storms at Sea 17 Shark Teeth 18 Tsunami 19 Octopus Mer 20 Mer Marriage 21 Evolutionarily Plausible Mer 22 Lost at Sea 23 The Mariana Trench 24 Selkies 25 Mer Schooling 26 Seashells 27 Merfolk Folklore 28 Freshwater Mer 29 Sunbathing 30 Watery Warfare 31 Land and Sea
In writing, epithets ("the taller man"/"the blonde"/etc) are inherently dehumanizing, in that they remove a character's name and identity, and instead focus on this other quality.
Which can be an extremely effective device within narration!
They can work very well for characters whose names the narrator doesn't know yet (especially to differentiate between two or more). How specific the epithet is can signal to the reader how important the character is going to be later on, and whether they should dedicate bandwidth to remembering them for later ("the bearded man" is much less likely to show up again than "the man with the angel tattoo")
They can indicate when characters stop being as an individual and instead embody their Role, like a detective choosing to think of their lover simply as The Thief when arresting them, or a royal character being referred to as The Queen when she's acting on behalf of the state
They can reveal the narrator's biases by repeatedly drawing attention to a particular quality that singles them out in the narrator's mind
But these only work if the epithet used is how the narrator primarily identifies that character. Which is why it's so jarring to see a lot of common epithets in intimate moments-- because it conveys that the main character is primarily thinking of their lover/best friend/etc in terms of their height or age or hair color.
Random Prompts 13:
"I hate you." "Aw, that's sweet. You can't even lie to my face."
"Why would you ever do this?" "Why? Why not?"
"Are you really that pissed off? It's just a little love bite." "I have stitches."
"Can we circle back to you two killing each other with blades later? We're under attack!"
"What just happened? Doesn't matter, it doesn't change us." "Oh, sure, my tongue in your mouth does nothing for our relationship, got it." "Keep talking and you won't have that tongue."
"If you ever hurt me, you're gonna regret it." "Maybe I should hurt you, just to test your bluff."
"Fuck me." "Agreed, this shit sucks-" "Fuck. Me."
"I shouldn't be worried. Why the hell am I worried?" "Because you like them?" "Like hell I do."
"Did you two..." "Kiss? Depends on what you call a kiss. Personally, being body-slammed into a wall then violently made out with isn't a kiss."
"Get the fuck out, right now!" "What? You invited me!"
REVERSE TROPE WRITING PROMPTS
Too many beds
Accidentally kidnapping a mafia boss
Really nice guy who hates only you
Academic rivals except it’s two teachers who compete to have the best class
Divorce of convenience
Too much communication
True hate’s kiss (only kissing your enemy can break a curse)
Dating your enemy’s sibling
Lovers to enemies
Hate at first sight
Love triangle where the two love interests get together instead
Fake amnesia
Soulmates who are fated to kill each other
Strangers to enemies
Instead of fake dating, everyone is convinced that you aren’t actually dating
Too hot to cuddle
Love interest CEO is a himbo/bimbo who runs their company into the ground
Nursing home au
Identifying places
Don’t know if your location is a city, town etc? Here’s rough population numbers for each.
Village: 50-1000 people
Town: 1000-6000 people
City: 6000-20,000 people
Metropolis: 20,000-50,000 people
"𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡?" 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙨
may or may not be based on my life lmaooo | tag me if you use any :)
"You never text first."
"Don't you wanna be something more than whatever...this is?"
"When are you going to be serious about this?"
"You say you want to talk to me, but you never call back."
"It feels like I'm the only one fighting for whatever we have."
"Why should I hold onto this?"
"You say you love me, but you said that to [insert pronoun] last week."
"Figure out what you want first before you come running back to me."
"You can't just come back to me whenever you get bored."
"I don't wanna be the second option anymore."
"Why do I have to beg just to see you?"
"It's like you don't wanna be with me."
"I'm not just something to pass the time with."
"Why does it feel like I'm wasting my time waiting for you?"
also if anyone treats you like this leave them right fucking now (a kind suggestion from someone who means well 😭)
The Ultimate (short) Guide to Crafting Captivating Book Titles: A Writer’s Journey into Naming Novels
Embracing the Power of a Book Title
Greetings, fellow writers and wordsmiths! As we embark on the magical journey of storytelling, there exists a crucial milestone—bestowing our creations with a name, a title that encapsulates the essence of our narrative. The quest for the perfect title can be as thrilling as drafting the story itself. In this guide, we will unravel the art and significance of titling a novel, exploring strategies, tips, and the creative process behind crafting an engaging and magnetic book title.
Understanding the Importance of a Book Title
The Gateway to Reader Connection
A book title is the beacon that beckons readers to explore the universe you’ve crafted. It’s the first impression, a snapshot that encapsulates the soul of your narrative. A compelling title can captivate an audience, generating curiosity and inviting them to step into the world you’ve woven within your pages.
Reflecting the Essence of Your Story
A well-crafted title encapsulates the core theme, mood, or central conflict of your novel. It should resonate with the narrative, teasing elements without revealing too much, leaving a trail of intrigue that entices readers to delve deeper.
The Art of Title Creation
Embrace the Journey: Start with a Working Title
Begin with a placeholder, a working title that captures the essence of your story in its rawest form. Let it evolve and grow as your narrative does. This title might serve as a guiding light until you uncover the perfect one.
Exploring the Heart of Your Story
Consider the central themes, characters, or pivotal moments within your book. Delve into the emotional core of your narrative and unearth words or phrases that resonate with its essence.
Utilizing Literary Devices and Techniques
Explore metaphors, alliteration, symbolism, or even poetic verses. Experiment with wordplay, juxtapositions, and contrasts. These literary devices can infuse depth and intrigue into your title.
Testing and Refining Your Title
The Power of Feedback
Share your title ideas with trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers. Gather feedback on their impressions and the emotions evoked by the titles. Use this input to refine and narrow down your choices.
Alignment with Your Target Audience
Consider your intended readership. Does your title resonate with the genre and expectations of your audience? Ensure it’s not only enticing but also aligns with the preferences of your potential readers.
Finalizing the Perfect Title
Distillation of Essence: Keep it Succinct and Evocative
Aim for brevity and impact. A concise yet evocative title can linger in the minds of readers. Often, the most powerful titles are those that say much with few words.
Research and Avoiding Clichés
Investigate existing titles in your genre to ensure your title stands out. Steer clear of clichés and overused phrases, aiming for originality and uniqueness.
Embrace the Artistry of Title Crafting
Crafting the ideal book title is an art in itself. It’s the literary cloak that shrouds your creation, inviting readers into the tapestry of your imagination. Embrace the journey of titling your novel with the same passion and creativity you pour into your storytelling. Let the title be a herald, whispering the promise of a remarkable journey that awaits within the pages of your book.
As you venture forth, remember, the perfect title awaits—a key to unlock the hearts and minds of your future readers.
Happy writing and titling!
This comprehensive guide aims to take writers through the journey of creating an impactful and engaging book title, emphasizing the importance of a title and offering practical strategies to craft one that truly resonates with a novel’s essence. If you need further insights, examples, or specific advice on any aspect of titling a novel, feel free to delve deeper into each section. Happy titling!
WORLD BUILDING CHECKLIST
If you are writing a book/story that takes place in another world, I have provided for you the complete world building checklist to ensure that you know your world inside out.
Economy A. Currency B. Poverty rate/line
Government A. Crime & Legal System B. Foreign Relations C. Politics D. War
The Land A. Physical & Historical Features B. Climate C. Geography D. Natural Resources E. Population
Society & Culture A. Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation B. Architecture C. Calendar D. Daily Life. E. Diet F. Ethics & Values G. fashion & Dress H. History I. Dining Customs J. Education K. Language L. Gestures M. Manners N. Meeting & Greeting O. Religion & Philosophy P. Social organization
Magic A. Magicians B. Magic and science C. Magic & Technology D. Rules of Magic
Technology C. Technology D. Medicine D. Transportation & Communication you're welcome <3
Fell free to reblog and fill it out if you want. I am curious to see the worlds in my fellow writers heads.
Follow me @leisureflame for more posts like this!
Writing Tips Master Post
Character writing/development:
Character Arcs
Making Character Profiles
Character Development
Comic Relief Arc
Internal Conflict
Creating Distinct Characters
Suicidal Urges/Martyr Complex
Creating Likeable Characters
Writing Strong Female Characters
Writing POC Characters
Character Voices
Plot devices/development:
Intrigue in Storytelling
Enemies to Lovers
Alternatives to Killing Characters
Worldbuilding
Misdirection
Consider Before Killing Characters
Foreshadowing
Narrative:
Emphasising the Stakes
Avoid Info-Dumping
Writing Without Dialogue
1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd Perspective
Fight Scenes (More)
Transitions
Pacing
Book writing:
Connected vs. Stand-Alone Series
A & B Stories
Miscellaneous:
Overcoming Writer's Block
1000 Follower Special
Writing Fantasy
Character Ask Game
not easy to please ⋆⭒˚｡⋆
alternatives to popular tropes
⇴ siblings's worst enemy
they're your sibling's enemy, so of course they're yours too. they're despicable and you seriously want them dead. luckily for you, the feeling's mutual.
⇴ struggling ceo and their know-it-all office worker
how did this mf become the ceo of one of the most progressive countries in the world?? they're clueless and you're the one that has to fix all their mistakes. you seriously don't get paid enough for this (unless they can come up with another way to pay you).
⇴ marriage of inconvenience
what happens in vegas stays in vegas. except when you've signed an official marriage contract, and everything is so much more complicated before. now this person is stuck with you until you can divorce! (or will you?)
⇴ forbidden hate
your parents absolutely adore the idea of the two of you together. they have wedding pinterest boards, future plans, and baby names for the two of you. only one thing: you two kinda hate each other, and hell would have to freeze over before you'd ever get with them.
⇴ no more second chances
sorry dude! f'ed up really bad the first time, and now you're not giving anymore chances, and your ex has to deal with the consequences. one problem: they can't deal with the consequences bc they're literally in love with you. hm. just what will this person do to get you back?
⇴ not so secret identity
everyone knows who they are. not even the old mask and hat trick could prevent people from identifying them. and it's fine–they absolutely bask in the fame. one problem though: they're a constant target to the entire world. perfect!
⇴ separated from each other
they never get any alone time. alone together in an elevator? too bad, a party of ten just showed up, pushing the two of you on the opposite side of the elevator. finally alone at home? nope! unfortunately, your friends make a surprise visit! oh how will you two ever get past this?
⇴ "you deserved it."
a normal person would've asked "who did this to you?" except your bond is not normal. not in the slightest. i mean seriously, what does this person want from you?
⇴ "i can't have you, so i'll let someone else take my place."
they know that they're not good enough for you, and that you deserve someone better than them. so, they choose to let you go, and hope that someone else can make your world light up like they used to
⇴ the one that is still here
everywhere you go, this person is there. whether it's physically, mentally, or spiritually, everything ties back to them. everything reminds you of them. you couldn't even escape if you tried.
⇴ playboy but he's actually a nerd that cannot get play
he's gorgeous–he's the most attractive man you think you've ever seen in your life. you think he's probably got it all–girls or boys coming up to him nonstop. only, that's not true in the slightest. somehow, he's managed to fumble every single time.
⇴ nobody wants the bad boy
he's troubled. there are rumors of him starting fights 24/7, and he lives in a bad area. he could really fuck someone up. nobody wants him.
⇴ "you must be delusional"
lovers that know that they're in love with each other, but when admitting it to their friends, they shut down their feelings.
⇴ loving someone to save them
none of that breaking up nonsense. love is power. their love and support causes you to be stronger than ever. knowing that there's love out there gives you a reason to keep on going. love saves you.
⇴ too smart to live
you've outdone yourself this time. bypassed every guard, rule, and law without anyone catching you. so, of course, there's only one solution here: to eliminate you.
⇴ different worlds (revised)
you grew up poor while they grew up rich. now, in the present, you are the more successful one, while they are struggling to get their life together. now, you must help the one who used to be in your current position, and fix things together.
⇴ one-sided blind date
rule one of having a blind date: you should not know who you're meeting. well, too late! you sneaked a peek at your friend's phone and found out who you'll be seeing soon. now, you're scrambling to get out of this date because you know exactly who it is.
Irritating Character Tropes:
1. Meddler: Had to share explosive commentary about everything and everyone.
2. Gossip-monger: Make up stories and spread them far and wide like a virus.
3. Riddler: Speaks in puzzles and keeps people on toes the hidden meanings in their tales.
4. Jester: Everything and everyone is a joke. Must crack a few ones to earn them wages.
5. Rat hole: Has to sneak in in nook and crannies like a rat to uncover secrets.
6. Interrogator: Wouldn't stop asking same questions with different angles.
7. Petty Thief: Kleptomaniac and pickpocket extraordinaire.
8. Quarreler: Need to pick a fight about everything and anything.
9. Idiot: Speaks out of turn, doesn't know what they are talking about.
10. Lame Poet: Make everyone suffer with their awful compositions.
11. Liar: Conjures up lies out of thin air without skipping a heartbeat.
12. Plotter: Manipulative, calculative, untrustworthy, and narcissistic.
13. Personality Divergent: Sucks living daylights and happiness from people around them.
14. Chaotic: Unorganized messy scatterbrain.
15. Peeping Tom: Needs jail time.
16. Impersonator: Either mentally disturbed or suffering from insecurities.
17. Man child: Regardless of gender acts like a child that needs supervision and extra attention.
18. Foul-mouthed: Starts and ends every sentence with one cursive word or the other.
19. Daydreamer: Always have head stuck in cloud and couldn't focus for more than 5 minutes.
20. Overzealous: Strict adherence to authority figures. Will not hesitate to commit crimes.
21. Righteous Prick: Nothing they do can be wrong or at fault.
22. Existentialist: Make others depressed with their annoying cynicism.
23. Overly-enthusiastic Schmuck: Out of touch with real world and impervious to any challenges. Thinks goodwill is enough resource and help.
24. Undoctor: Has a home remedy for every disease and ailment. Usually a chain-smoker with a protruding belly.
25. Know-it-all: Grammar Nazi, encyclopedia, general knowledge enthusiastic. Insufferable.
26. Geek: Lack of boundaries and respect for privacy.
27. Dare Devil: Needs to get hurt before setting anyone else on fire.
28. Psychoanalyst: Wouldn't shut up about what you actually think, need, and want.
29. Fortune-teller: Spew nonsense out their ass and present it as divine revelation.
30. Manufacturer: Breaks more things than repairs.
31. Conspiracy Theorist: Busy in organizing telepathic peace talks with president and alien civilization.
32. Over-committed Logician: Acts like a machine until an emotional explosions.
33. Otaku/Fic Connoisseur: Spoilers spoliers everywhere.
34. Drama Queen: Nonstop emotional blackmailer.
35. Fatphobic: Anorexic, suffering from health and psychological issues.
36. Glutton: Overweight, hates skinny people. Could use some exercise.
I mean the list doesn't ends. I can honestly think of just as many more of these.
Gotta add them all!
Boss: I looked at your computer while you were away from the desk
Me, an author: You fucking WHAT
I think the worst punishment the gods can give is making an author have absolutely zero drawing talent like what do you mean I can imagine what they look like in my head but I can't put it on paper because I can't draw a straight line this is bullshit.
Idle Thoughts
Time is a human concept. Time has no affect on the Gods. That means the Gods (and those touched by the Gods) exist always, at all times. Literally.
The reason humans say they speak in riddles, is because their vocabulary is different. They use a mixture of old and new words, fitting them together in a way that only they can truly understand.
Happy STS, Night!
What’s a trope or tropes you like writing, even if some people think it’s cheesy?
Thanks!
You know, that's the first time someone went and called me Night here and it makes me happy for very little reason :>
Honestly, I don't know if I play into any tropes in my writing. I don't play into them, I guess. Or I don't realize that I am. But I guess after thinking on it, there are potential tropes.
If Stars of the Sky goes the way I initially thought, it would be enemies to lovers, if it goes differently, there would probably be friends to lovers. There's potential soul mates (Because I am random) and I wanted to make Eros and Hades have more to their abilities than the obvious one can tell when death is nearby to people and the other can make people get together. So there's that. But even that might be done interestingly due to how the Named are granted their abilities.
I dunno, there might be things that I write that fall within tropes without me knowing. (Though honestly, if we look only at fanfiction, if killing the mc was a trope, I do it a ton)
Writing Patterns Tag Game
I was tagged by @houndsofcorduff to write the opening lines of about twenty of my stories/WIPs, note similarities, and choose my favorite. Might have missed something in that but close enough, I think.
Be warned, a lot of these are fanfiction. I feel no shame in admitting that I enjoy writing some good fanfiction. I might also note what I was going for with these stories because quite a few are somewhat abandoned-
Elevator There is something off in the forest. Blue eyes stare at a hole in the ground, cut squarely and surrounded in concrete.
Uhm, this one is just over a paragraph and a half or so and I can remember wanting to write what my recurring "dream" from when I was elementary grade. Partially because my Creative Writing classmates were confused about why I fear elevators. My fear is reasonable, I promise.
Focus on Me [MHA Edition] The clink of golden metal accompanies the young woman's footsteps, her molten silver eyes glancing over the area around her, her braided black hair trailing after her.
Congratulations, you've read the entire WIP. I had this character that I was obsessed with enough to write her into three different Anime. Funnily enough, she was originally an MHA oc and the other two stories have so much more- Nevermind the Demon Slayer one has nothing so I have to take that one out of the running for this and find another WIP-
Focus on Me {JJK Edition] Humans can have second chances. Eryn has believed that since she was a child. Injustice takes people away from families and friends, but she believes that humans will get second chances if they died unfairly. She has no evidence of this, but she continues to believe it.
I love this story and only abandoned it because other ideas flooded my head. A shame. So this was the first paragraph of the prologue, the very prologue where I slaughter Eryn in a very painful way. Fun times.
Brought to Ruin Forever is a long time. That's what she had been told since birth. Forever is how long it takes money to grow on trees, forever is how long it takes for love, forever is how long it takes for one to be immortal. But to her, forever is her reality. She will live forever, never truly dying, but forever suffering. She will exist even when the sun doesn't, exist even when she's turned to dust, exist even when humanity takes their last breath.
I was on something. Not drugs. Just something. Very philosophical, I'd say.
Sightless Curled black waist-length hair waves in a soft breeze as it weaves through a forest of giant oak and birch that tower high into the sky. A young woman sits under a tree, her pale hands resting in her lap, contrasting against the dirtied black leggings she wears. A simple black cloth is tied securely over her eyes, the cloth marking a stark line against her high cheekbones. Her eyebrows are relaxed, giving no real sign about how she’s feeling. A web of interlacing branches above her draws her attention, the sight making a slight smile grace her face.
That... Info dump? I think? That's the first paragraph anyway. I... Oh my skies I want to rewrite it for a fifth time and I haven't ever fully written it oh my-
Wolf Among Crows [Haikyuu!] Eryn Argyris is… an interesting individual. He went to the same middle school as Hinata, played in that first match against Kageyama's middle school, and was an insanely talented player. His receives were solid, with little error, and when he did spike, he tended to get past the blockers. Maybe not the receivers, but definitely the blockers.
Hey, it's another one of the Eryn saga! I guess he/she was in more than I thought- But that is the first paragraph. Don't worry that story was abandoned three paragraphs into chapter one-
Focus [Haikyuu!] Eryn Argyris comes from a middle school that impresses the importance of being skilled in every aspect of a sport, not just one area. Eryn is a deceptive player. He never showcases his own skills, only the skills of his teammates or his opponents when he analyzes them enough. When High School rolls around, his team disperses, but he finds himself in Karasuno. Eryn proves to be a silent trump card, choosing to hide within his teammates until they need him most.
...Another of the Eryn saga... and that's all I had written for that one. This is turning into the first paragraph instead of first line as this goes on-
Sukuna's Brother [JJK] The young child laughs as he runs along a beach, his parents watching from a distance. As he runs, he notices a glimmer at the corner of his eye. He stops, kneeling down and observing what he spied. A necklace, looking ancient and worn by time and the lapping shore, sits there, its dainty chain being tugged at by the water. Surely someone misses the necklace, the child thinks as he grabs it, tucking it in his pocket to tell his parents about later so they can take care of it.
Innocent child. That one is abandoned but I liked it while it lasted.
Golden Angel [MHA] Lyka has a secret. Not from his childhood best friends, they know all there is to know about him, like his favorite color is silver, his hair naturally has a stripe of gold, and he hates his mother with a passion unfitting of a future hero in training. That last is not as much of a secret as what he keeps from everyone else. Only his teachers know, aside from the two who know all there is to know about him, that he has two quirks. Two rather powerful quirks. One he uses to hide the other, the other the reason he hates his mother.
I abandon way too many stories. That's what this is telling me. There's more to this one than a first paragraph, but some of my brain's ideas are amusing... and this one I allowed myself to write an overpowered MHA oc when I am usually mutilating them somehow-
Ice Queen [MHA] She was overlooked. Her elder brother developed his quirk early, showing blue flames at the expense of his body. Her youngest brother is… just a weaker version of her. Not that anyone aside from Touya, her elder brother, knows of her flames despite her hero title. It took Touya leaving for her to realize she wanted to be a hero. A hero to spite her father and prevent families like theirs from forming.
Yeah... MHA is a common theme. Fanfiction too. Like only two of these so far have been not fanfiction. This one was actually a rewriting of my previous version of this same story.
Spirit Techniques [JJK] The sky is black up above, stars glimmering and flickering, the full moon lighting the Earth with a silver glow. A gust of wind sweeps between a duo, the younger of the two looking up at the elder. The elder smiles, her head tilting slightly. Her white hair sways in the breeze, golden charms clinking as individual braids brush against other braids. Her golden eyes are large, yet still feel intense as she reaches an arm out and pats the younger's head.
Honestly I like this scene only for the peace, since knowing me, I was likely about to throw the older of the two into a crap show.
Sable [MHA] The door crashing open was loud, louder than anything Gunvor Mochizuki had ever heard before, even with the enhanced hearing of her quirk. At twelve, she was a slight girl, with light blue hair that hangs to her shoulders, pale skin littered with the usual bruises expected of a twelve-year-old who climbs just about everything, and large, expressive azure and red eyes. She was small enough to be pushed into a cabinet under the TV by her mother, whose azure eyes were rather warm even as the sound of fighting erupted down the hall where Gunvor's father was engaging with the intruder.
Uhm... another MHA fanfiction... Don't worry, there wasn't any domestic violence in this one! I swear! Just thieves. And death- Not the MC this time! How wonderful is that? This one is a rewrite of a story of the same name. I think the original of this one might still be on Wattpad, actually? I loved this story, it was my baby.
A Court of Felines and Bats [ACOTAR] The winter is cold, bleak. Leafless trees stretch high overhead, skeletal fingers branching to the sky. Even the undergrowth, usually lush with leaves, is a collection of sticks and thorns hidden under snow piles. The black fur of her current form would usually stand out in this weather, but Gunvor's entire being is stealth. She sits deceptively still, crouched in wait, not even a flash of amber from her eyes.
I didn't kill Gunvor to throw her into ACOTAR in the prologue! Actually this one doesn't have a prologue, so I might have if I had written one. And yes, this is the same Gunvor from Sable.
Artistry [MHA] The sky is quaking. Not literally, of course. It isn't going to come crashing down on him. No, the quaking is thunder that follows flashes of lightning that almost blind those who look at the clouded sky. Fumie Kerr was sitting in his living room, the silver curtains of his windows drawn to block out the rather distracting flashes of light. His hand brushes against a page, leaving graphite marks on paper despite him not holding a pencil. Rather, the fingers of his left hand appear to have become pencils, brushing against the paper with finessed control due to him using his own body for his drawing endeavors. Eyes made of graphite stare at the paper in front of him, trails of the material leaking into the veins around his eyes as he tilts his head, staring at the sketch he's making.
Honestly, this character's power/quirk is amazing and I wish I didn't abandon him two paragraphs later.
Dreammare [MHA] Ayumu Amano knows his quirk isn't the most heroic. He hates that he was judged for it as much as he is. His quirk is a nearly perfect blend of his parents' quirks, even though they hadn't intended for his quirk to be so. Their quirks just meshed well enough to create his quirk. His classmates only see his nightmare side, avoiding his touch completely as though he would give them nightmares just by brushing against their clothes. It isn't like he has to make skin contact with five uncovered fingers anywhere but their face, or any amount of fingers to their face, which he has gloves to avoid. His gloves cover his ring and pinky fingers, which keeps even his accidental activation when he touches someone's faces safe for them.
I was rewriting this character, who is originally a villain, into a hero. Infodump, I guess. Honestly, he is interesting to me, but he is also so unique in how I think of him? Because he was never really a full villain in my mind before, and he's not really a full hero in this version (Like he met a villain on the street and chatted instead of fighting despite the danger- And no heroes were around aside from a nearly dead guy-)
Heteromorphy [MHA] What has he given up to get to this point? Pure black eyes narrow, staring at the street below. Black wings fold against his back, blocking the wind that blows from behind, his clothes creaking as he crouches. What memories were lost due to him rewinding? What people should he remember that he cannot? Slightly tanned fingers curl against the cement of the building he is perched upon, talons digging in slightly. His handler will have them filed eventually, a painful process since his handler believes in the complete removal, not just a trim. His wings spread out slightly, black against the daylight. A frown forms on plush lips, hidden by the collar of his zipped up jacket.
There's the first few lines/paragraphs. That guy is so unique because I get to write a forgetful character. Oh wait I abandoned him ;-;
Shattered Realm [JJK] Astra knows she's different. She sees creatures that no one else does, floating around and making warbling sounds that annoy her to no end. She hasn't met anyone who mentioned the creatures, even in passing. She was in her high school late at night for a club. She rests her chin in her palm as she watches the club president scratch at the paper covering of what the others are convinced is a paranormal object. Considering the aura Astra can feel coming from it, she doesn't think they are wrong.
My child with way too strong senses. I love her. She's in a different WIP, too. Honestly, this one was bound to get abandoned for no reason. That's just how I am, and the timeline fits for this one to be abandoned... Because of Stars of the Sky.
The Clearing Amari knows something is off about the clearing. Just looking at it sends signals of fear through her. Her werewolf instincts tell her not to comment on her fear, aware of the sensation of oddness radiating from the glade. It looks like a perfectly normal clearing. Oak trees surround it, grass and flowers fills it, a giant oak tree stands tall in the center. Yet even that is suspect.
This is a short story I did for my Creative Writing Class. It is still in need of some editing, hence its WIP status. If I'd actually written the Elevator to completion, and if the Elevator had werewolves, this would be it. Instead I got this. Not that it was a bad thing. I love how this one ended.
A Court of Death and Ruin(ation) [ACOTAR] Hades stares at the sky, watching it darken from a cerulean to an indigo. Her hands rest on her stomach, feeling her lifeblood leaking from her fingers. Her vision is going dark, blurring. She can still see the outline of her killer, feel his blood red eyes glare down at her, feel his hate in the air.
Ah, the prologue. The place where you give background to a story. Or a snippet of the future. Or, in this case, slaughter your MC. :) I threw Hades from Stars of the Sky into ACOTAR.
Stars of the Sky The forest is alight with life, the rustling of leaves, and chatter of animals. The trees sway in a soft breeze, creaking and groaning as some limbs are stressed by the weight of leaves and wavering in the wind. Within a small clearing, a young girl sits, her eyes closed as her silver hair sways in the breeze. Her head is tilted down, her lightly tanned skin glowing where beams of sunlight hit her skin. At her side is a sheathed sword, her left hand resting on the handle. She takes a breath, raising her head.
So uhm... I guess the theme of the opening paragraphs in three out of the four of my non-fanfiction stories is not using the main characters name. While Sightless holds the record for that among my stories (I think it took fifty-two paragraphs in the original) I think Hades did it best. Just the vibe I get.
So, a lot of them are describing scenery and/or characters. A couple have the MC dying. A few were the only lines of the story, a few had tons after it. Only one has lore behind the scene. A ton of them are fanfiction. Honestly, that is more consistent than I thought. Death, scenery, and info-dumps on what a character look like seem to be my norm.
My favorite opening line... It's a tie between Stars of the Sky and A Court of Death and Ruination. Maybe because they both have Hades. One has death. Maybe the scenery of these female characters existing in deadly situations (Well, is Hades in Stars of the Sky really in danger in her forest? Probably not, based on the existence of her Clan, but forests can be deadly. Just ask Hades in A Court of Death and Ruination.)
I could make this so much longer for a couple of these if I did first paragraph of chapter one + first paragraph of prologue if that applied to these stories, but I feel like my thoughts added a ton of length so I won't torture people further.
Tagging @rumeysawrites
I’m here with a Wacky Wednesday question!!
Hades has woken up cursed! She can now only speak in haikus. Describe her reaction and the reactions of others. How does this impact her life?
Bonus points: share some of her haikus
Answering this as a break from something important the day after it was asked, so I apologize for the delay and any spelling/grammar mistakes I might make. (It bothers me when I make them.) So Hades can now only speak in haikus. Great. The fun part about this happening is, no one knows what the heck is going on. No one knows what a haiku is, in her universe. She would feel like she's going crazy. If she were aware that she is a character in a written piece, she'd likely realize that her dialogue has been split.
Now, others would... Well, her teachers would either join along in confusion or try to get her kicked out of the school. No in between. Her friends would tease her. Her family is half dead so that doesn't matter. Her Clan would go with it--they respect her too much to even try to test her.
So I am not good at poems in general, and here you are, asking for a haiku. Because I want to fulfill the whole ask. I'll give it a few attempts.
This first one would probably be her messing about, honestly.
The stars glow golden Heart beats of fiery anger Sworn of dead and live
A cursed speech fights A dead blade lingers alone A woman gives life
Death brings to an end What was given to a life A beginning tale
I am not proud of these, but Hades would be messing around with her new curse. She'll suffer.
🐧 a funny quote (silly! laughs! jokes! puns!)
Uhm I don't think there are any funny quotes to be had in Stars of the Sky yet, but maybe-
Maybe this counts as a funny interaction? I dunno I lack the funnies.
"I'm Aphrodite!" The loud female rushes to Hades' side, hugging her arm. "How did you hear me? I was being quiet!" Aphrodite presses her plump breasts against Hades' arm, peering up at the younger girl with eyes of pure violet. Hades blushes slightly, tugging her arm free. The other girl is very pretty, which doesn't make suppressing the involuntary reaction easy. "And how did you fight while carrying all those bags? They look heavy! They didn't impede you at all?"
"You were right next to the door and talking much louder than the others. That's how I heard you." Hades scowls as Aphrodite tries to hug her arm again.
Aphrodite was just meeting Hades and has no sense of personal space.
Introducing Nightmaricwriter
I realized I don't have an introduction post here despite having things posted here, and that is the biggest pain since last week.
So here's me
I am Nightmaricwriter, but I often shorten that to Nightwriter, and if one wants, I can be called Night.
I am nineteen years old, and I attend college as a Creative Writing major.
I have been writing since... I think third grade, but I didn't fall in love with writing until sixth grade. I have been obsessed with reading for about the same amount of time. I started with original stories with fantasy elements, then got into the world of writing fanfiction, but the spark for writing original stories hasn't faded.
Current stories
Currently, I am working on a story called Stars Of The Sky, which I am hoping to turn into a book. It's about Hades, a god-named individual, leaving her Clan to discover how to better protect her Clan, but she discovers a myriad of things that she has to deal with.
There's also A Court of Death and Ruin (temporary name), an ACOTAR fanfiction. This is throwing Hades from Stars of the Sky into ACOTAR to cause problems for the original plot line.
Previously, I was working on Sightless, but I have abandoned that one temporarily because too many ideas go through my brain. This was about a female main character leaving a world that used her powers, alongside her twin brother and adopted brother, using her twin's power to travel to a new dimension and a new world. There, she discovers her absurd magic affinity and a dark god that only she has the capacity to slay.
I have also written a myriad of fanfiction, but will not discuss all of them because there is an absurd amount of them.
Fun Facts
-I identify as biromantic, as I am not sexually attracted to anyone, but I am romantically attracted to the binary genders.
That being said, I have a bad romantic history and might be very unlucky in that regard.
-My characters are usually on the spectrum of being attracted to just about anyone. Partially because it amuses me to write bi panic for very little reason, but also because some of me needs to be in my characters.
-I have a terrible sleep schedule and do nothing with the additional time that gives me. Seriously, waking up at three am is absurd when I don't have to be up until seven. It isn't every night, but it is almost every night.
I might write some character introduction posts once I have more characters with information created.
WIP Intro
This is a ACOTAR fanfiction story I started today. I couldn't get the thought out of my brain and it was begging to be written. So this is me throwing Hades, from my other WIP, Stars of the Sky, that has yet to be introduced because I am too busy loring it out, into the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. No idea where it is going at this time, but @aalinaaaaaa wanted to read the prologue, so I am giving the prologue here.
Due to my nature, I will be incorporating elements from Stars of the Sky into this story, and I have no idea how that will work out. Only that this isn't the first time I've killed the MC in the prologue. I sometimes write like this to explore an oc in a different environment because it amuses me to imagine how much my characters could change the novels I enjoy reading.
So, warnings before you seek the prologue: Death, blood, and injuries. No fighting though. Didn't give that in this... yet.
Hades stares at the sky, watching it darken from a cerulean to an indigo. Her hands rest on her stomach, feeling her lifeblood leaking from her fingers. Her vision is going dark, blurring. She can still see the outline of her killer, feel his blood red eyes glare down at her, feel his hate in the air.
Her eyes close, her breath slowing. It hurts, dying to a stomach wound. She knows she doesn't have the time to treat it, doesn't have enough time to seek treatment from others, either. She can't survive.
Hades feels her life slipping from her. She feels it more intimately than others. With her connection to her Personal God, The God Of Death, Dead, and The Underworld, Hades, she can feel who is close to dying. Right now, she is close to dying.
Her soul is slipping from her, and she can't gather enough strength to hold on. She can feel herself going weightless, her muscles no longer responding to her. She soon stops feeling her body, her consciousness going with her soul.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hades opens her eyes, expecting the meadow of Elysium, but she only sees a wooden roof above her. She's… alive? She groans quietly, pushing herself to sit up. The room she's in is small, with two doors leading to other places, she assumes, a table that takes up a good portion of the room, and she's now sitting with her back to a fireplace.
Her stomach hurts, but it doesn't burn. She tugs the hem of her shirt up, scanning where her wound had been. Not even a trace of the wound remains. Had Apollo gotten to her in time? Probably not. He wouldn't have been able to beat Ares.
Hades crosses her legs so she can set her elbows on her knees. She can vaguely feel four living beings in this building, but none in this room. She leans back, resting against the fireplace. She could just leave. She doesn't know where she is, but it shouldn't be too hard to work her way to somewhere she knows.
That would be her plan if she wasn't so exhausted. She lays back down, curling onto her side. Maybe she's safe enough to spend a few days here.