carriereedwrites

[carriereedwrites]

Could I ask for tips on how to write kisses?

Writing The Perfect Kiss Scene

#1 Find the RIGHT moment

We all know what I mean! The "zing" when the character's faces are get close enough must come unexpected (but) when both of them are looking for romance/comfort.

For example:

Tripping over each other in the hallway

Person A covering their face with their hands and Person B prying them off, their eyes meeting...

Sitting next to each other in the library, elbows touching, and they happen to turn around to face each other...

Find a natural way to bring your characters the romantic atmosphere!

#2 Noticing the Other Person

It's natural to to see someone in a different way when there's romantic vibe pulsating in the air. Maybe your character notices that their crush has a speck of green in their eyes they didn't notice before.

#3 Build Ups

Describe how the characters feel moments before their lips touch. This includes things like racing hearts, sweaty palms, unsteady breathing. etc.

#4 Feeling all Self-Conscious

If you're writing a first-person POV or want to portray the nervous excitement of kissing a love interest for the first time, you can afford to have your character be distracted by how they feel inside, or worrying about how they smell/look, etc.

Maybe they feel like it's too early in the relationship to kiss

They're still thinking about that annoying math problem

Did I apply my new cherry-flavored chapstick? etc.

This should come in the same beat as the "notice the other person", heightening the romance tension between the characters.

Once they get closer and the kiss actually happens, these worries will melt away!

#4 Describing the Details

In most cases, it's best to keep things understated (especially in regards to tongues)

tongues cannot "tangle" or "battle" or "swish around"...please, no.

Focus on the lips and how the characters move (like hugging, pushing the other against a wall, breathing, etc.), adding the tongue as an afterthought.

Don't get too exicted about taste.

No, her tongue didn't taste like fresh roses and peaches, unless she was eating peach candy right before the kiss.

Focus on other sensations other than taste: especially touch, heat. the tickle of his breath on her cheekc, etc. Or even the smell of shampoo.

#5 The Pullaway + Reaction

Does the kiss end naturally, or does something else interrupt them?

How do the characters react: do they blush, say something, hug he other person, or run away with a deep blush? For couples, they can even tease the other.

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[carriereedwrites]

MMMMMMMMMMM... this is delightful. Makes me wanna... write a quick fight scene. Maybe they make-out after? Who tf knows? I sure as hell don't. *cue chaotic, maniacal laugh*

No character is going to live unscathed.

We writers seem to be an expert at getting our darlings bashed up, beaten and abused (sometimes to the point of insanity). That' great, and let's make sure we are doing it right.

Cuts and Scrapes

The area will immediately begin to swell up.

Blood rushes to accelerate the healing process, and that makes the skin around the wound look red and swollen, and it will feel warm (though not hot).

Most wounds wouldn't bleed too much, unless it's a head injury.

Try to give indications of how severe the wound is.

How wide is the injury? How far does it stretch across the character's body? Can bone be seen? Is blood seeping into their clothes or pooling underneath them?

Is it a clean slice, or is it torn open? Have parts of the flesh been pulled away?

How much does the wound frighten the injured character?

Bruises

When the injury is first sustained, it will look swollen and red.

Over time, the bruise will darken to a shade of blue, purple, or black.

After that, it will gradually turn yellow or green. Then it will turn brown and eventually fade away.

The word choice matters!

Describing a bruise as a "contusion" creates a violent connotation, while "blemish" doesn't sound so harsh.

Describing bruises as "discolored" or "shadows" comes with a more melancholy connotation.

How They Feel

An injury from blunt trauma, such as a bruise, is going to feel dull, and like it's throbbing.

It will feel stiff and firm from the swelling, and it may sting if touched.

As the bruise ages, it may feel tender and sore, but only when pressure is applied or the area is moved.

A wound from a sharp object, however, is likely to feel hot, tingly, or numb.

The pain may be delayed, but after the initial rush of adrenaline wears off, the pain from this type of injury will be fairly constant.

Scrapes tend to feel hot and itchy, and the scab from a nasty scrape can cover a wide area. It will also get itchier as it heals, motivating the character to pick at it and delay healing.

Healing Duration

The time it takes an injury to heal is going to depend on the severity of the injury.

As a general rule, however:

Bruises take about 2 weeks Scrapes take about 1 week

Minor cuts take about 2 weeks

Surgical incisions and sutured wounds take about 4-6 weeks

A bad wound that doesn't get stitches could take up to 3 months

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee! ☕

[carriereedwrites]

EMBRACE IT DAMN YOU. LOOK AT IT AND EMBRACE IT.

Writer hood is writing your first ever smut scene and literally physically running away From it thinking. "what unholiness just came out my mind?!." haha.

[carriereedwrites]

Finally. Someone said it.

A little piece of advice for Americans navigating what will be an increasing number of posts about US politics in the coming year:

If a post makes you feel angry, upset, and hopeless, while offering no actionable information, scroll on and don't reblog it. I know that is going to feel harsh in some cases. But it's important to spend your political energy on what you can actually do and not be sunk into helpless rage and despair that benefits no one.

[carriereedwrites]

I'm not crying. You're crying.

To my inner child:

I'm sorry you couldn't experience the life you wished for.

You had no way of seeing how things were going to unfold

You're allowed to cry for what was lost and for what could have been

But it's going to be okay

I'm building a life that we can both enjoy for the rest of our days

We're going to be okay

I love you.

-Us

[carriereedwrites]

Lasted for about... a year. Again. And I'm sick of the shit. YOU HEAR ME, BRAIN. I'M SICK OF YOUR SHIIIIIIT.

*doesn’t write for a day*

*immediately feels guilty*

*doesn’t write more out of guilt*

[carriereedwrites]

Ooooo, I love me some writing help.

Outlining 6 (Solo Writer’s Curriculum)

This is the sixth item for The Solo Writer’s Curriculum - Module 10: Outlining. The curriculum is an index of resources for learning to write grouped by topic. Having finished looking at ideas, we are now looking at what you need to do to get writing. That includes some key decisions and some activities that are useful to some writers. If you plan to outline your story, this module should give you methods to use including approaches, practical tools and examples.

Item 6 is Jenna Moreci - HOW TO PLAN YOUR NEXT BOOK

[carriereedwrites]

Frickin' brilliant!!! A beautiful resource, friend. Thank you for sharing!

THE WRITER'S WORKBOOK - free

Hello hello, it's me!

Today I'm here to tell you about each feature of "The Writer's Workbook", which you can download for free.

Note: this workbook has two variations, so you can print it or use it digitally as a PDF.

I designed this workbook in an intuitive way so that the plot progresses as you go further in the exercises. It is divided in six big categories: Idea & Plot, Character Development, World Building, Writing, Journal, and Resources.

Note: feel free to skip exercises or to complete them in any other order than the one suggested by me!

IDEA & PLOT

This section is meant to help you develop your idea before you even know who your characters are.

In this part, you will choose the central conflict, write down keywords about your idea, and draw a mind map. Then, you'll proceed to find your voice through different exercises, to then find each key point of the plot, from exposition to resolution.

It's also in this part that you are going to come up with plot twists and the ending of the book.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Here, as the name says, you will completely develop all your characters, from the protagonist to the side characters. You will also have the opportunity to develop their relationships through mind maps and brainstorming processes.

WORLDBUILDING

Just like the other categories, worldbuilding is a fundamental step when plotting a novel.

In this workbook, you'll be asked to draw or generate a map of your world so that you always have it near you whenever you need it. There are also some prompts to fill out about it, and locations to create and explore.

In this part, you can also make a timeline for all the main events in your world.

WRITING

Now that most of your story is planned, it's time to think about writing it!

This section is perfect to come up with the best title for your book, brainstorming and develop the opening scene, and fully developing each key point using the snowflake method.

There's also a place to write down all the scenes and chapters you want to include in your book and check it off as you write it.

JOURNAL

This part is for you to reflect on your writing goals, on your ideas, and to see your progress. It's important to check this often and make sure you always have your goals in mind!

RESOURCES

Here you will find some useful resources from writing communities to courses and softwares to help you in this process and, hopefully, make it easier!

THE WRITER'S WORKBOOK

If you don't have it already grab it now here! It's completely free and I'm sure it will help you develop your new idea <3

[carriereedwrites]

Hype Songs of the Morning: Check It Out - Nicki Minaj ft will.i.am Qveen Herby - Abracadabra I've been feeling a little burnt out in the creative department. The easiest way for me to get out of that rut is to listen to music. Music feeds the soul and gives your brain that guud guud creative input. And I need it, because I have a deadline to meet. 😫🤣 #amwriting #amwritingromance #music #writingcommunity #writing #writinginspiration #writinglife https://www.instagram.com/p/CpTARU7v1Ol1-EQOxyJ7n5aviyE3OJh0H0S-ek0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[carriereedwrites]

I caved. I did the cup noodle egg souffle hack. Best hack ever. I never drink my soup (don't you DARE come for my Asian card!) so this was amazing to try. I'm gonna do this until forever. https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOWJNYp8D4R2Bhs709y6shN6r5V2bxiX9JoAA0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[carriereedwrites]

Just a few things from today's Mililani Rec 6 craft fair haul. 🥰 @mizmatchedstar nevers ceases to amaze me with her kawaii Sailor Moon stationery. @knbsupplyco has THE best washi tapes and B-Grade/Oopsie grab bags that I will cherish. And @kuuipo.collection with her DuPont Tyvek totes and bags, which are ADORBS. Can't wait to see ya'll again! (And thank you for being patient with my excited son, who couldn't stop touching things 🤣) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpHIhxiL4srWE0HJHm4lRUrZICA22pzoyIspus0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[carriereedwrites]

HAPPY NEW YEAR, YA'LL!!!

Here's to healing, growth and success in all that we push forward in.

In this life, we are only meant to do one thing: we just have to love each other as much as we can, and forgive those who aren't willing to do the same. Whether it's just loving themselves or others, forgive those who can't do either, and just go on about your life. Live it. Love it. Retain the good energy, give the good energy, and refute the negative.

Go after that degree. Go after that dream. Tell that person you love them. Go heal those traumas. Go to therapy. Take that family trip. The years are getting shorter, ya'll. Don't waste your time on what ifs. Do it now. And if it doesn't work out? At least you did something with your time. Make sure it's worth YOUR time and pay no mind to anyone else.

If there's anything I've learned in the last three years: life is short and there's no excuses.

Go. Go and LIVE. Happy 2023, ya'll.

[carriereedwrites]

New Year, New Writing Shit Posts.

Ya'll... life sucked hard for 2022. Life got in the way. Personal issues. The standard depressive episode. Not taking care of myself the way I should be. Always pouring from an empty cup into people who didn't care or had shitty ass cups. The usual. And lord forbid that I claim 2023 to be "my year" just to be positive about the next 365 days.

As my best friend would say, "I couldn't give two giraffes and a blueberry muffin." And that's the energy I'm bringing into 2023. Honey badger don't give a ~fuck~ about nothing. I am going to do what I enjoy, when I want to enjoy it. That's it. That simple.

Listen, we only have so much time on this earth. Why do we spend it worrying about things we can't control? Why do we hold on so tightly to the things that limit us? Because it feels safe? Because we're afraid of failing? Because we don't want to admit when we're wrong?

Screw that.

From now, until the rest of my days, I will never quit being me. I will learn and grow. I will respect people's perspectives, even if I disagree. But, I will not be afraid to reinforce my boundaries when I have to. If people in my life need to be left behind for me to achieve what I need to achieve, so be it. No one is slowing me down. Ever. My happiness matters. Because if I am happy, and my cup is overflowing, I can help fill other people's cups. No more pouring from empty cups, ya'll.

I am a writer. I am a spiritual person. I love and care about people a little too much, and that's alright. Because it feels wrong not to care and be empathetic. I'm going to do what feels right and be unapologetically me.

And most importantly, I will never stop shit posting about being a writer. Because that shit is funny. And if you can't laugh at yourself, are you really enjoying life? So, I have some back posts to get out. I hope all of you enjoy them.

To all my fellow writers: Head up, chest out, back straight. Walk into every room like the Majesty you are. You can do this, love. Finish that story. Write that book. Get that agent. Hell, get published! Take the damn plunge! But never lose yourself, never give up and never lose your humor. You can do ANYTHING as long as you do it for the love of it.

~ Happy Writing, Ya'll ~

[carriereedwrites]

Same. I would love to send you one of those sticky-hand things for earning so many bonus points. 🤣

HOW TO (NOT) BE A GREAT WRITER:

We've all been here. We've been guilty of at least ONE of these things. There's no shame in it. Embrace it, dear writer. EMBRACE. IT.

Buy lots of notebooks and shove them in the designated "Do-Not-Touch-Me" corner

Bonus points if the notebooks are fancy ones you got through Amazon Prime One-Day delivery on a whim because you're SOOOO SURREE this will help you be productive

Buy pens in every color, in every point size, because you never know which one you'll aboslutely NEED to write structure notes with

Buy lots and lots and lots (and lots!) of craft books that you have to read in order to know what you're doing

Bonus points if you feel like you need to read them all before you even *think* about writing a single thing

Watch a bunch of Youtube videos on writing until 2AM, or until you've sought validation via a complete stranger that you've poured hours of your life watching their content OR when you're sure you're through with your existential crisis

Fun Fact: None of those things go away

Be adamant that you will eventually finish your book *this year* but internally panic because you keep deleting and rewriting the first half of your story and you've yet to write past the Inciting Incident

Bonus points if you insist that you need to write it perfectly to be worth getting past Chapter 5

And that's it. My top 5 traits of being a succeful writer. Do you know any that I've missed? Let me know in the comments!

~ Happy Writing, Ya'll ~

[carriereedwrites]

I agree and understand all of this. After this experience, I've learned to just email the general email address or the admissions email address and make the subject very clear. All I'm doing is research for a story. And usually, I get a helpful reply back. Sometimes, we learn by doing. The trick is to keep from making the same blunders. (Still learning this, even as a grown ass adult)

Also, this works for most places of business. I would definitely agree that when conducting research, be extremely open and honest in your first contact. In my experience, people LOVE to give the truth about what they do. They hate unrealistic expectations just as much as the next person and will appreciate someone trying to portray their lives correctly. And you also make great connections this way.

@animezinglife Thanks for pointing this out, friend!

TFW you have to email the college recruiter from another state that you're not actually a potential student - you're actually a romance writer trying to get info on one of their programs because the imaginary person living in your head wants to go there... Yeah, that was an awkwardly written email, let me tell you.

[carriereedwrites]

Fuck you for being so loud. Jk, jk. Kinda.

#neurospicy

[carriereedwrites]

I am the 1% in this poll and I go for eBooks just for ease of convenience. However, guess where I go through for most of these books? The Libby App, which allows me to borrow eBooks from the library. Without it, I definitely would have spent $100+ on buying books, even in digital format (I can easily read a book a day).

But, when I was a kid, omfgggg the feeling of getting passed down a borrowed book was like receiving a tome of knowledge from another person. Libraries are important experiences, people!

I try not to make a habit of getting on here and posting takes out of spite but I really am so perplexed by how much favor I see towards huge book retail chains and the trendiness of always buying new.... Like idk ! It just seems like an odd pair, book loving and consumerism. It's weird there isn't pushback there even in the sense of like.... Sustainability? Especially when being green and buying secondhand is so popular in fashion. Of course I don't think there's anything at all wrong with buying new books or special editions out of love for the book, but ALSO I feel pretty strongly that there should be more hype for libraries and used book stores in online book communities. Like shit, I LOVE library books....... The crinkly plastic covers? Never knowing when you're going to find some anonymous person's annotations? The ATMOSPHERE of libraries? Come on...... :(