#How to Write

[cutesyh]

If a scene feels flat and you can't figure it out, ask yourself:

• What can MC smell? Is there an ocean breeze, sweat, a cinnamon roll fresh out the oven?

• What can MC hear, besides the dialogue? Is a bird singing, river flowing, a car speeding, clock ticking?

• Can they taste something, even if they're not eating? Previously drunk alcohol or juice, aftertaste of a cigarette, smog, too instense perfume?

• Can they feel something on their skin? Rough clothes or delicate material, blowing wind, an allergy or a rash, grass that theyre laying on?

• What does the character see, besides other characters? Is the room dark or is sunlight coming in nicely? Are the colours vibrant or dull? Are there any plants?

• What's the weather? Is it snowing and the cold is making goosebumps appear on their arms? Is it hot and sweaty and clothes are clinging to their body?

• HOW DOES IT MAKE THEM FEEL? To any of the above.

Do they like the smell of cinnamon rolls or are they weirdos (I'm a weirdo, I don't fit in).

Does the clock ticking calm them down or annoy them?

Do they enjoy the aftertaste of a cig and like how dirty it makes them feel?

Are they sensitive to touch and how their clothing feels on their skin or are they indifferent?

Would they enjoy the scenery more if it was more sunny out, because they're afraid of the darkness?

Do they like it snowy or are they always cold and hate winter?

Come on, give them persoanlity, likes and dislikes, don't be scared to make them people and not only likeable characters.

[charitysstories]

❤️🔥

Body Language

When someone is…

Angry

Face: 

Furrowed brow

Clenched jaw

Flared nostrils

Flushed/reddened skin

Intense (or avoiding) eye contact

Narrowed eyes

Tense/pursed lips

Puffed out cheeks

Bare teeth

Voice:

Harsher tone

Lower/deeper tone

Louder volume

Growling

Squeaking

Tight/strained

Forceful 

Gestures/Posture:

Clenched fists

Pointing

Waving hands/fists

Chopping hands

Protruding chest

Crossed arms/legs

Pacing

Leaning away

Hunched shoulders

[thewatcher727]

Writing Description Notes:

Updated 9th September 2024 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes

Facial Expressions

Masking Emotions

Smiles/Smirks/Grins

Eye Contact/Eye Movements

Blushing

Voice/Tone

Body Language/Idle Movement

Thoughts/Thinking/Focusing/Distracted

Silence

Memories

Happy/Content/Comforted

Love/Romance

Sadness/Crying/Hurt

Confidence/Determination/Hopeful

Surprised/Shocked

Guilt/Regret

Disgusted/Jealous

Uncertain/Doubtful/Worried

Anger/Rage

Laughter

Confused

Speechless/Tongue Tied

Fear/Terrified

Mental Pain

Physical Pain

Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted

Eating

Drinking

Warm/Hot

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Hello Rin,

thank you for every writing tip you have shared on this plattform. We can see that you put a lot of love and thought into every article.

I hope this question wasn't already asked... Do you have any writing tips on writing fighting scenes ? Like with a sword or close combat fightings? If you already have answer it, I don't mind just having the links. Wishing you a nice day.

oh my god, first of all thank you that is so kind?? i always wonder if my unhinged rambling posts are just void-screaming or if people actually find them useful, so this means the world. thank you.

and secondly you're in luck because i have SO MANY thoughts about fight scenes (specifically grounded, close combat ones.)

i don't think i actually made a post, but i do remember getting a few questions about this but me being a procrastinator i haven't answered yet. so hopefully this post does me some justice. i'll drop my biggest tips below and maybe do a full post soon if tumblr doesn't eat me first.

basics first:

i cannot stress this enough: a good fight scene is never JUST about the choreography. you have to take characters, emotion and of course consequences into account. you are not writing a marvel movie. you're writing a moment that has meaning (for your book)

a few questions to ask yourself:

what does the character(s) want in this fight?

what do they stand to lose (besides blood and violence)

are they trying to survive? win? delay someone? impress someone? hide something?

ALWAYS know the goal. once you know that, then you can go for the cool stuff.

sword fighting tips (you're gonna need these)

distance = tension. don't think swords are only clash clash stab. footwork, spacing, baiting the opponent are all a part of sword fighting. try to have your characters circle, lunge, feint. use the space (i'll make a post listing vocabulary for fight scenes)

research about blades. a rapier fight moves very differently than a longsword brawl. daggers are close and dirty, a bit more intentional. but make it feel like a choice, not just vibes. try to think about your characters and what sword they'd use, and think about why, and about their opponent.

defensive moments reveal character. does your MC block? dodge? parry? flinch? get scratched because they're stubborn and refuse to back up? every motion should say something about them, get intentional about their movements, and try to show more than tell.

mention the weight. the sweat. the off-hand, the boot scuff. one-handed swords get heavy fast. two-handed weapons leave you exposed. details >> flash. details always.

hand-to-hand combat tips and advice

real fights are fast, messy and ugly. no one's doing spin kicks unless they trained. someone's gonna bite, or elbow, or slam a knee where it hurts. don't try to be cinematic, be brutal, realistic.

momentum matters. a strong punch means overcommitting your shoulder. that leaves your ribs open. writing combat is basically newton's laws + spicy emotion.

try to keep your sentence tight. short sentences feel fast, choppy and sudden. use that to your advantage as a writer, then when the fight slows or if there's a pause, then lengthen the prose. contrast = tension.

DO NOT, and i literally mean DO NOT describe every move. please for the love of story pacing. show us the fight through feel, and reaction. not a second-by-second log!!

example: "He swung. She ducked, too slow. Pain cracked across her cheekbone. Blood, again. Always Blood."

thats 1000x better than this:

"He lifted his right fist and brought it across in a wide arc toward her left cheek. She tried to duck but the fist connected with her face... and blah blah blah"

i'm sure you get it.

little hack i use with fighting scenes

try to write the same fight twice. once from each POV. characters notice different things, their focus shifts, their reactions diverge, etc. it's a goldmine for understanding their psyche, then weave it all together in your final scene.

also? use fights to foreshadow relationships. who protects who. who hesitates. who goes too far, and my favorite; who betrayed who.

I HOPE THIS HELPS!! i love writing fight scenes bc they are peak "show not tell" and honestly? you learn a lot about your characters when they're cornered and pissed and desperate.

if you ever need a breakdown of knife fighting choreography based on vibes and character class, just say the word. i'll be feral in five (lol)

-rin t.

[byoldervine]

Types Of Writer’s Block (And How To Fix Them)

1. High inspiration, low motivation. You have so many ideas to write, but you just don’t have the motivation to actually get them down, and even if you can make yourself start writing it you’ll often find yourself getting distracted or disengaged in favour of imagining everything playing out

Try just bullet pointing the ideas you have instead of writing them properly, especially if you won’t remember it afterwards if you don’t. At least you’ll have the ideas ready to use when you have the motivation later on

2. Low inspiration, high motivation. You’re all prepared, you’re so pumped to write, you open your document aaaaand… three hours later, that cursor is still blinking at the top of a blank page

RIP pantsers but this is where plotting wins out; refer back to your plans and figure out where to go from here. You can also use your bullet points from the last point if this is applicable

3. No inspiration, no motivation. You don’t have any ideas, you don’t feel like writing, all in all everything is just sucky when you think about it

Make a deal with yourself; usually when I’m feeling this way I can tell myself “Okay, just write anyway for ten minutes and after that, if you really want to stop, you can stop” and then once my ten minutes is up I’ve often found my flow. Just remember that, if you still don’t want to keep writing after your ten minutes is up, don’t keep writing anyway and break your deal - it’ll be harder to make deals with yourself in future if your brain knows you don’t honour them

4. Can’t bridge the gap. When you’re stuck on this one sentence/paragraph that you just don’t know how to progress through. Until you figure it out, productivity has slowed to a halt

Mark it up, bullet point what you want to happen here, then move on. A lot of people don’t know how to keep writing after skipping a part because they don’t know exactly what happened to lead up to this moment - but you have a general idea just like you do for everything else you’re writing, and that’s enough. Just keep it generic and know you can go back to edit later, at the same time as when you’re filling in the blank. It’ll give editing you a clear purpose, if nothing else

5. Perfectionism and self-doubt. You don’t think your writing is perfect first time, so you struggle to accept that it’s anything better than a total failure. Whether or not you’re aware of the fact that this is an unrealistic standard makes no difference

Perfection is stagnant. If you write the perfect story, which would require you to turn a good story into something objective rather than subjective, then after that you’d never write again, because nothing will ever meet that standard again. That or you would only ever write the same kind of stories over and over, never growing or developing as a writer. If you’re looking back on your writing and saying “This is so bad, I hate it”, that’s generally a good thing; it means you’ve grown and improved. Maybe your current writing isn’t bad, if just matched your skill level at the time, and since then you’re able to maintain a higher standard since you’ve learned more about your craft as time went on

[imbecominggayer]

Writing Advice: How To Write A Backstory

Most new writers tend to fall into one of two camps when writing a character properly for the first time, including me.

A: Every single day from the moment they were born til the day they die is noted in excruciating detail. You know when they first tried sauerkraut to their second kiss to their first laughter and beyond.

B: "My tragic backstory is that my author forgot to give me a backstory".

Now, I'm no writing saint. My one character, Nonkosi, barely has a backstory to speak on. All I know is that she had a family, became a vigilante, and then got isekaied. HOWEVER! I'm gonna help you learn how to paint your backstories in broad strokes, when to add detail, when to take away detail, and to know how detailed a character's backstory needs to be.

A) What should a backstory include?

The short answer: anything that impacts a character's personality.

However, in general, the rule of what to include is: what is their socioeconomic background, what was their education like, what was their family situation like, how did they get their ideology, how did they get their goal.

To illustrate: My character, Monday. Monday has a poor socioeconomic background with standard american education but no college, their father was neglectful due to being an alcoholic (now recovering) and her mother left after dad was diagnosed with cancer. They struggle with abandonment issues as a result of this, however, Monday also yearns for stability in romance so they have a tendency of getting into relationships then self-sabotaging. In her backstory, she was in a relationship with a man named Mason Walls but after some toxic friends got her believing that Mason was abusive, she got him falsely arrested. Now, her goal is avoid that responsibility as Mason tried to find her.

However, this information isn't all necessary for every character. For example: My character, Roku Antoiny, doesn't have a backstory that explains her love for acting and for being an actress.

Why? Because character desires can be classified into two boxes:

Character

Primordial

In the story, Roku's desire to be an actress is Primordial, not in a Lovecraft way but in a way that her desire is framed as being a part of the human desire for artistic creation which is a central motif of the worldbuilding and lore. However, Monday's desire is Character, because it's grounded in actual circumstances so, basically.

Character: desires that are grounded in backstories and physical circumstances that serve to illustrate a character's flaws and specific personality

Primordial: desires that connect with fundamental human lessons that serve to illustrate a motif of humanity or to illustrate themes.

As you can tell, the primary purpose of the backstory is to:

Illustrate flaws, desires, and world themes.

My one character, Myroslava, has a backstory that doesn't have details on socioeconomic class. Why? Because that isn't a theme and her personality traits are less because of money and more due to familial upbringing. Yituing's backstory doesn't focus on her family since her upbringing doesn't impact her personality. Her time loop struggles do most of the heavy lifting.

B) What details should be included?

Let me tell you, backstories are like art, do big broad strokes and then do some points for detail.

These big broad strokes are, like, macro context for history. The Macro details are:

Big defining moments of tragedy

Most important people in their lives when they were kids

Events that show key themes

Culture (like origin, maybe religion, stuff like that)

Again, it's character info-dump time! My character, Yuuma Mochizuki, has three main events in her past: Being abandoned in a coin locker as a newborn, being adopted by Rin Mochizuki and her new step-father, David Rodriguez, and the death of Rin.

So, their defining moment of tragedy, the 'no coming back' point is being a coin locker baby. This moment spells themes of insecurity, abandonment, and ostracization. Yuuma's most important people in her life as a kid are Rin and David which end up further pushing this narrative of ostracization contrasted with acceptance because, as a "Contrasting Moment", Yuuma was often not accepted by foster parents due to their mild intellectual disability and institutionalization in Japan's foster system. So, Yuuma growing up in Japan is key for these moments, since coin locker babies are primarily found in Asia and Japan is notorious for it's high rates of ostracization.

These key themes of ostracization, insecurity, the feeling of being someone that 'fell through the cracks' is found in all the characters. I honestly also chose the backstory of a coin locker baby because it was some juicy imagery so coin lockers, lockers, and boxes are ripe with symbolism.

However, there are also micro context!:

Sentimental moments

Details primarily to give life to backstory characters

Inside jokes

Slice of life bullshirt

What do I mean by "details to give life", basically, like, I sometimes give characters in the backstory and that won't be main characters things called "micro details" that main characters can reference for some implied meaning. For example, I made David into a sculpture of clay so that way, his honorary child, Yuuma, could reference his clay hands and stains. This detail not only gives life to David but also illustrates the close ties between Yuuma and David. Another example is the fact that David is jewish. When Yuuma and Rin immigrated to the USA since Rin was marrying David, they accidentally picked up some jewish slang when learning English.

So David being Jewish and a Sculpture serve to give him life and it can be used as some life for Yuuma, since now their language is colored by David, fleshing out those macro context details.

Slice of Life bullshirt is basically those everyday moments that a character may look back fondly on. After all, people tend to reminisce on loved ones and think of the little moments, like when Yuuma tried to brush Rin's hair since her scrub cap always ruined it but they ended up making it worse, or when Yuuma told their love interest, Jukka, about David trying to make Takoyaki since he wanted to help Rin and Yuuma get comfy in America, not realizing that's a primarily festival day food.

To REITERATE: Broad stroke with tiny points of detail.

C) I'm Burnt Out And Can't Write Anymore <3 Yuuma Mochizuki

[charitysstories]

Is this a Taylor Swift reference...!?

When your Character Wears a Cardigan

Cardigan - a sweater that is open in the front, usually featuring buttons that can close the garment.

Types of Cardigans

Knit from merino wool, cashmere, cotton, or synthetic fibers, cardigans come in several cuts and fits. The 4 common cardigan styles include:

Cropped: Also known as a shrug, a cropped cardigan is a short cardigan style that falls around the mid-torso. Cropped cardigans are similar to a shawl, as you can wear them over a dress or tank top to keep the shoulder and arms warm.

Hooded: A hooded cardigan has a hood attached to the back of the sweater to provide extra warmth. They are a great addition to fall outfits as a layer worn under jackets or blazers.

Long: Falling anywhere from the mid-thigh to the ankle, long cardigans provide your legs with extra warmth. Different styles of long cardigans vary in length—dusters or longline cardigans fall below the knee, and maxi cardigans reach the ankles.

V-neck: These cardigans have a distinct neckline that comes down, forming a V-shape. Compared to a rounded or crewneck collar, the V-neck creates a slimming effect that accentuates the body's natural shape. Most V-neck cardigans feature a button-down front so that you can wear the sweater open or closed.

How to Wear a Cardigan

Here are tips for how to style cardigans for a variety of occasions:

Add to a business casual outfit. Cardigans are wardrobe essentials for smart casual or business casual looks. Layer a shawl-collar cardigan over a white button-down shirt, tucking the dress shirt into a pair of chinos. Complete the look with loafers.

Choose a bold color. Make your cardigan a statement piece by choosing a bold color. Pair a bright, cozy cardigan with a pair of suede pants or slim-fitting black midi skirt and tights. You can also wear cardigans with intricate designs, such as embroidery or beading, to enhance and dress up an outfit.

Pair with a crop top. During warm months, a thin, loose-knit cardigan sweater works as a lightweight outerwear layer. Style a cami or crop top with a short cardigan for a laid-back, casual outfit. You can wear this look with shorts or high-waist jeans.

Throw a chunky-knit cardigan over casual outfits. Cable knit cardigans are warm and comfortable sweaters you can style with a long-sleeve shirt and a pair of slouchy joggers or wide-leg pants. You can also style an oversized cardigan with a pair of mom jeans or skinny jeans and ankle boots for a trendy daytime look.

Try an over-the-shoulder look. For a casual summer outfit, tuck a T-shirt into a pair of pants or a mini skirt and drape a cotton cardigan over your shoulders. Complete the outfit with white sneakers.

Rather than pulling a cardigan over your head, you simply slip your arms into the sleeves. Cardigans are often made with very fine knit, giving them a thin, lightweight feel that makes them a great layering piece.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[writers-potion]

Words to Use Instead Of...

Beautiful

stunning

gorgeous

breath-taking

lovely

jaw-dropping

pretty

glowing

dazzling

exquisite

angelic

radiant

ravishing

excellent

ideal

sightly

wonderful

elegant

bewitching

captivating

mesmerizing

enthralling

magnetic

impressive

tasteful

charming

desirable

enchanting

Interesting

stricking

unusual

appealing

absorbing

srresting

gripping

riveting

alluring

amusing

exceptional

fascinating

impressive

provocative

prepossessing

exotic

readable

refreshing

entrancing

exceptional

Good

honest

upright

dutiful

enthical

pure

guiltless

lily-white

reputable

righteous

tractable

obedient

incorrupt

respectable

honorable

inculpable

irreprehensible

praiseworthy

well-behaved

uncorrupted

irreproachable

Awesome

wondrous

amazing

out-of-this-world

phenomenal

remarkable

stunning

fascinating

astounding

awe-inspiring

extraordinary

impressive

incredible

mind-blowing

mind-boggling

miraculous

stupendous

Cute

endeaing

adorable

lovable

sweet

lovely

appealing

engaging

delightful

darling

charming

enchanting

attractive

bonny

cutesy

adorbs

dear

twee

Shy

modest

self-effacing

sheepish

timid

way

reserved

unassured

skittish

chary

coy

hesitant

humble

introverted

unsocial

bashful

awkward

apprehensive

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

[gray-r-regan]

We're never going to be able to articulate how to do the work that results in a finished piece of writing in a way that would make sense to a new writer.

The best we can do is, 'you can plan like crazy if you want, then kiss 90% of it goodbye when everything changes before you're finished, or you can just start, then try to figure out what the hell you were trying to say after you're done. Either way, you will have to do the second one, and after you do the second one, you'll have to do the first, and then start over. The same idea will be very different in the end, based on which you choose first. Anyway, forget all that, because if you decide to actually sit down and do the work, it does mostly boil down to vivid hallucination and faithful, creative reporting on what the hallucinations dictate.'

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to show emotions

Part V

How to show grief

a vacant look

slack facial expressions

shaky hands

trembling lips

swallowing

struggling to breathe

tears rolling down their cheeks

How to show fondness

smiling with their mouth and their eyes

softening their features

cannot keep their eyes off of the object of their fondness

sometimes pouting the lips a bit

reaching out, wanting to touch them

How to show envy

narrowing their eyes

rolling their eyes

raising their eyebrows

grinding their teeth

tightening jaw

chin poking out

pouting their lips

forced smiling

crossing arms

shifting their gaze

clenching their fists

tensing their muscles

then becoming restless/fidgeting

swallowing hard

stiffening

holding their breath

blinking rapidly

exhaling sharply

How to show regret

scrubbing a hand over the face

sighing heavily

downturned mouth

slightly bending over

shoulders hanging low

hands falling to the sides

a pained expression

heavy eyes

staring down at their feet

More: How to write emotions Masterpost

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

[unboundprompts]

body language descriptions please?

(eg: she cocked her head)

thank you 💗💗💗

Body Language Descriptions

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

Anxiety/Nervousness

She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her fingers tugging nervously at the fabric as she struggled to find the right words.

They bit their lower lip.

He looked away, unable to meet her gaze, a clear indication of his guilt.

She absentmindedly rubbed her neck.

He chewed his nails, a nervous habit that he couldn't seem to quit.

They rubbed their hands together nervously.

He tightened his jaw.

She felt beads of sweat forming on her brow, betraying her calm facade as her heart raced.

Frustration/Impatience

Their fists clenched at their sides.

He tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table, a clear sign of impatience as he waited for her to finish.

He rolled his eyes, the gesture full of exasperation as he dismissed her words.

She let out a heavy sigh, the sound heavy with resignation as she faced the inevitable.

He threw his hands up in defeat.

Curiosity

He leaned forward in his chair, eager to hear more, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical as she questioned his intentions.

She tilted her head slightly.

He watched intently, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in every detail of her story.

Confidence/Assertiveness

He stood tall with his shoulders back, projecting confidence even in the face of uncertainty.

They sat on the edge of their seat.

She gestured wildly, her hands moving animatedly as she tried to express her excitement.

He stood with his hands on his hips, exuding an air of authority and control over the situation.

They held their chin up high, projecting self-assurance even in the face of adversity.

Defensiveness/Resignation

He crossed his arms over his chest, a defensive posture that spoke volumes about his discomfort.

He braced himself against the wall, a protective stance.

She folded her hands in her lap, a sign of restraint as she fought the urge to speak.

They shrank back slightly, their shoulders hunching as if trying to make themselves smaller in the face of criticism.

He held his breath momentarily, steeling himself for the inevitable conflict he sensed was coming.

She covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the situation as she tried to block out the world.

Thoughtfulness/Concentration

She furrowed her brow in concentration, her mind clearly racing as she tried to solve the problem at hand.

She nodded slowly, processing the information, her expression thoughtful and contemplative.

He stared blankly into space, lost in thought as he processed what had just been revealed.

He drummed his fingers on the table, the rhythmic sound a sign of his deep contemplation.

She tapped her foot lightly, her mind racing.

Eagerness/Excitement

He paced back and forth, his restless energy manifesting in the constant movement as he considered his options.

She bent forward, her elbows resting on her knees, a sign of intimacy and engagement in the conversation.

She swayed slightly from side to side, a subconscious display of her nervous energy as she waited for the verdict.

He bounced on his toes, his excitement palpable.

She jumped up and down, a spontaneous display of her joy that couldn’t be contained.

[theaawalker]

Steps to Write a Cunning Femme Fatale

follow for more tips 💋 || request writing tips 💌

1. Establish Her Persona

Define Her Allure: Craft her as enigmatic, charming, and intelligent. She should draw people in with her charisma and mystique.

Give Her Depth: Avoid clichés by giving her a unique backstory, motivations, or vulnerabilities that shape her actions.

Choose Her Strengths: Highlight skills like manipulation, resourcefulness, or combat abilities that give her an edge.

2. Shape Her Role in the Plot

Decide Her Purpose: Determine if she’s an ally, antagonist, or morally gray character, and how her actions drive the story.

Design Power Dynamics: Show how she wields control or influence over other characters, often exploiting weaknesses.

Weave Intrigue: Keep her intentions ambiguous to maintain tension and mystery.

3. Build Her Relationships

Contrast With Others: Develop relationships that show how she contrasts with or complements other characters (e.g., a vulnerable hero or a rival villain).

Show Complexity: Explore the layers in her interactions, such as her ability to mix truth with deception.

Reveal Gradually: Unfold her true nature over time, leaving both characters and the audience guessing.

4. Create a Striking Appearance

Use Symbolism: Incorporate elements of her look that reflect her personality, like bold colors, sleek outfits, or unique accessories.

Convey Confidence: Show her self-assuredness in the way she moves, speaks, and holds herself.

Highlight Ambiguity: Blend qualities that make her both alluring and dangerous (e.g., a soft smile hiding sharp intent).

5. Show Her in Action

Establish Power Plays: Showcase her intelligence and cunning through strategic actions, manipulations, or daring risks.

Create High Stakes: Put her in situations where she must outwit others or face consequences.

Balance Strength and Vulnerability: Let her excel in some areas while occasionally exposing a flaw or fear to humanize her.

6. Develop a Satisfying Arc

Choose Her Outcome: Decide if she triumphs, meets her downfall, or remains ambiguous at the story’s end.

Reflect Growth or Decline: Show how her actions shape her destiny—whether she evolves, succumbs, or holds her ground.

Tie Back to Themes: Ensure her arc aligns with the overarching themes of the story, like betrayal, love, or revenge.

Examples of Femme Fatales in Stories

1. Film Examples

Phyllis Dietrichson (Double Indemnity): Uses charm and manipulation to pull others into her schemes, embodying the classic femme fatale archetype.

Mal Cobb (Inception): A tragic yet dangerous figure, her motivations blur the lines between reality and illusion.

Nikita (La Femme Nikita): Balances vulnerability and lethal skill, creating a layered and compelling character.

2. Literature Examples

Catherine Tramell (Basic Instinct): A brilliant, enigmatic writer whose intelligence and seduction make her a master manipulator.

Milady de Winter (The Three Musketeers): A cunning and ruthless antagonist, she uses her wits and charm to outmaneuver the heroes.

Amy Dunne (Gone Girl): Subverts the idea of victimhood with her calculated and chilling actions, redefining the femme fatale for modern audiences.

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thank you, i am farkle :)

[aloevera-o]

Hi dearest tumblr writers here is some tips you have no choice in using now.

Please stop over using: said, say, yell, whispered, in your stories. Its atrocious,

(Edit)

I know I phrased it that you were "over using" said. (I was making a joke) I'm not going to bully you for using it. I provided this list for those who *want* it. Personally *I* do not frequently use "said" BECAUSE *I* like to show more emotion in my dialog. Again I am not going to say your writing is good or bad based on the tag on your dialog. This list is for those who WANT to use it.

Use these instead

Neutral 

Announced 

Commented

Divulged(Make known)

Explained

Called

Began

Told

Reported

Observed

Remarked(Say something as a comment;mention 2. Regard with attention;notice)

Noted

Continued

Conferred(Grant or bestow 2. Have discussion;exchange opinions)

Replying

Replied

Retorted(Say something in answer to a remark, usually in a sharp, angry, or witty manner)

Answered

Responded

Suggesting

Advised

Appealed

Asserted

Beckoned(Make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come near)

Urged

Promised

Inclined

Implored(Beg someone earnestly or desperately to do something)

Implied

Hinted

Persuaded

Touted(Attempt to sell, typically by pestering in an aggressive or bold way)

Proposed

Teasing or Flirting

Grinned

Quipped (Make a witty remark)

Teased

Taunted

Purred

Mocked

Mimicked

Provoked (Stimulate or give rise to in someone)

Joked

Lied

Imitated

Making a Sound

Breathed

Choked

Croaked

Drawled(Speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds)

Echoed

Grunted

Keened (Wail in grief for a dead person)

Moaned

Mumbled

Murmured

Painted

Sang

Stifled

Sniveled(Cry and sniff in a feeble or fretful way)

Snorted

Whimpered

Whined

Uttered

Bawled

Howled

Whispered

Accusing

Accused

Articulated

Postulated(Suggest or assume the existence or fact truth or a basis for a reasoning, discussion, or belief)

Angry

Barked

Bellowed (Emit a deep, loud roar, typically in pain or anger)

Bossed

Carped (Complain or find fault continually about trivial matters)

Censured (Express severe disapproval)

Commended

Criticized

Demanded

Raged

Ordered

Reprimanded

Scoffed (Speak to someone or about something in a scornful derision or mocking way)

Scolded

Seethed (Bubble up as a result or being boiled)

Snapped

Screamed

Snarled

Told off

Thundered

Roared

Yelled

Chided (Scold or rebuke)

Leered (Look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious, or lascivious way)

Condemned 

Rebuked (Express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions)

Admonished (Warn or reprimand firmly)

Chastised (Rebuke or reprimand severely) 

Berated (Scold or criticize angrily)

Interrupting

Interjected

Interrupted

Chimed in

Comforting

Soothed

Comforted

Reassured

Consoled

Empathized

Asking a Question

Sought

Inquired

Doubted

Hypothesized

Guessed

Supposed

Suggested

Lilted (Speak, sing, or sound with a lilt)

Wondered

Probed(Physically explore or examine)

Beseeched(Ask someone urgently and fervently;implore)

Acceptance

Accepted

Acknowledged

Admitted

Affirmed

Agreed

Justified

Settled

Verified

Concurred

Condoned(accept and allow behavior usually thought as offensive)

Cocky or Snarky

Grinned

Taunted

Purred

Jabbered(Talk rapidly and excitedly with little sense)

Fear

Shrieked

Screamed

Swore

Quaked

Shivered

Trembled

Warned

Cautioned

Shuddered

Stammered

Fretted (Be constantly or visibly worried or anxious)

Hesitated

Stuttered

Quavered (Shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion)

Happy

Babbled

Beamed

Blurted

Bursted

Cheered

Chortled (Laugh in a breathy, gleeful way;chuckle)

Chuckled

Crooned (Hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner)

Crowed (Gloating;saying something in a triumphant manner)

Exclaimed

Giggled

Laughed

Rejoiced

Sad

Wailed

Cried

Sobbed

Yelped

Agonized (Undergo great mental anguish through worrying about something)

Blubbered (Sob noiselessly and uncontrollably)

Groaned

Mourned

Puled (Cry querulously or weakly)

Cried

Wept

Grieved 

Lamented (Mourn someone's death)

"She said with (a)(tone)" Is also a better option than just "she said". Or mix and match

Casual 

Chiding 

Courteous 

Curious 

Dry 

Flirtatious 

Level 

Rasping 

Small 

Panicky 

Soothing 

Condescending 

Perpetually tired/angry/excited 

Controlled grin

Fond look

Gloomy sigh

Note of relief

Sad smile

Sense of guilt

Sigh of irritation

Forced smirk

Wry smile

Crooked smile

Conviction

Determination

Rage

Firm persistence

Pleasure

Quiet empathy

Simple directness

Astonishment

Still emotion

Also here are some better adjectives for words you are banned from using too

“Good”

Exceptional

Adequate

Splendid

Superb

Admirable

Favorable

Marvelous

Satisfactory

Reputable

Worthy

Respectable

Pure

Uncorrupted

Efficient

Dependable

Merciful

Considerate

Mannerly

Proper

Decorous

Satisfactory

“Okay”

Satisfactory

Approved

Acceptable

Passable

Tolerable

Sustainable

“Nice”

Lovely

Beautiful

Favorable

Adequate

Kind

Friendly

Attractive

Polite

Helpful

Inviting

Nifty

Delightful

Pleasant

Admirable

Pretty

“Bad”

Atrocious

Awful

Cheap

Rough

Unacceptable

Cruddy

Defective

Incorrect

Inadequate

Raunchy

Inferior

Poor

“With anger”

Acidly

Angrily

Crossly

Irritably

Loudly

Roughly

Tartly

Tightly

Smugly

Sternly

Hotly

“With sadness”

Depressingly

Gently

Sadly

Softly

Desperately

“Not caring”

Absently

Complacently

Dryly

“With arrogance”

Sarcastically

Condescendingly

Smugly

“With neutrality”

Naturally

Calmly

Approvingly

“With care”

Understandingly

Empathetically

Carefully

Hesitantly

Cautiously

Quietly

Uncertainly

That is my peace, thank you

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Do you have any tips for strangers arranged marriage plot? Kinda struggle to start :(

Thx 𖹭

YES absolutely, arranged marriage strangers-to-lovers is so juicy, but yeah, the beginning can feel weirdly hard to crack. like… how do you start a relationship when there's no relationship yet?? you’re trying to build chemistry and stakes from nothing, and still make it feel emotionally real.

so let’s break it down 👇

🌶️the core tension = contract vs connection. they’re bound together by something external (family, politics, survival, magic law, whatever), not choice. that friction between “we have to be in this” and “do we want to be in this” is your heartbeat. → every early scene should let that tension breathe. → she doesn’t know if she can trust him. he doesn’t know what she wants. they misread each other. they pull back. they move forward. they get it wrong. it’s messy, because real closeness grows from uncertainty.

🌒 start after the decision, but before the comfort. you don’t need to open with the wedding or proposal unless it’s plot-critical. honestly, it’s often more powerful to start right after the commitment is sealed. → they’ve signed the papers. the ceremony is done. now they’re staring at each other in the hallway of a shared home like: “so… you want the left drawer or?” → this gives you room to explore who they are in proximity to each other, and how the arrangement shifts their behavior.

🔍 build tension through contrast. they should approach this situation differently. one might see it as duty. the other as punishment. one’s trying too hard. the other’s emotionally shut down. one’s deeply polite. the other pushes buttons. → the contrast gives you sparks. and from those sparks, you can build emotional ground.

🔥 scenes > exposition. show the distance through awkward firsts. → eating dinner together without talking. → realizing they don’t know how the other takes their tea. → one getting sick and the other not knowing if they’re allowed to help. these tiny moments do more than backstory ever could.

🕯️don’t skip the awkward stage. seriously. lean into it. the first time they argue, the first accidental touch, the first sign of protectiveness or jealousy. even the silence has texture. → when you show the shift from “i don’t know you” to “i’m starting to see you,” it hits harder. you want that moment later where the reader realizes: wait… they know each other now.

💡 quick prompts from me to get started:

she finds something of his in their shared space, something vulnerable.

one of them is forced to defend the other in public, even if they barely know them.

a shared chore, task, or journey where they have to cooperate, but completely clash.

someone from their past shows up and the other gets an unexpected glimpse of who they were before this marriage.

🌼 final note from me: you’re not writing a romance that starts with attraction. you’re writing one that starts with obligation and grows. and that’s so rich, because everything they learn about each other is earned.

you got this. the start doesn’t have to be perfect, just real. and a little uncomfortable. (i’m cheering you on from the metaphorical arranged marriage sidelines 🖤)

[maelancoli]

Writing Intimacy

i often see writers sharing a sentiment of struggling with writing kiss scenes which honestly bleeds into other portrayals of physical intimacy. i see it a lot in modernized styles of writing popularized by the recent trend in publishing to encourage short, choppy sentences and few adverbs, even less descriptive language. this makes intimacy come across awkward, like someone writing a script or clumsy recounting of events rather than a beautiful paragraph of human connection.

or just plane horniness. but hey, horny doesn't have to be mutually exclusive with poetic or sensual.

shallow example: they kissed desperately, tongues swirling and she moaned. it made her feel warm inside.

in depth example: she reached for the other woman slowly and with a small measure of uncertainty. the moment her fingers brushed the sharp, soft jaw of her companion, eliza's hesitance slid away. the first kiss was gentle when she finally closed the distance between them. she pressed her lips lightly to gabriella's in silent exploration. a tender question. gabriella answered by meeting her kiss with a firmer one of her own. eliza felt the woman's fingers curling into her umber hair, fingernails scraping along her scalp. everything inside eliza relaxed and the nervousness uncoiled from her gut. a warm buzz of energy sunk through her flesh down to the very core of her soul. this was right. this was always where she needed to be.

the first complaint i see regards discomfort in writing a kiss, feeling like one is intruding on the characters. the only way to get around this is to practice. anything that makes you uncomfortable in writing is something you should explore. writing is at its best when we are pushing the envelope of our own comfort zones. if it feels cringy, if it feels too intimate, too weird, too intrusive, good. do it anyway! try different styles, practice it, think about which parts of it make you balk the most and then explore that, dissect it and dive into getting comfortable with the portrayal of human connection.

of course the biggest part comes to not knowing what to say other than "they kissed" or, of course, the tried and true "their lips crashed and their tongues battled for dominance" 😐. so this is my best advice: think beyond the mouth. okay, we know their mouths are mashing. but what are their hands doing? are they touching one another's hair? are they scratching or gripping desperately at one another? are they gliding their hands along each other's body or are they wrapping their arms tightly to hold each other close? do they sigh? do they groan? do they relax? do they tense? are they comfortable with each other or giddy and uncertain? is it a relief, or is it bringing more questions? is it building tension or finally breaking it?

get descriptive with the emotions. how is it making the main character/pov holder feel? how are they carrying those emotions in their body? how do they feel the desire in their body? desire is not just felt below the belt. it's in the gut, it's in the chest, it's in the flushing of cheeks, the chills beneath the skin, the goosebumps over the surface of the flesh. everyone has different pleasure zones. a kiss might not always lead desire for overtly sexual touches. a kiss might lead to the desire for an embrace. a kiss might lead to the impulse to bite or lick at other areas. a kiss could awaken desire to be caressed or caress the neck, the shoulder, the back, the arms etc. describe that desire, show those impulses of pleasure and affection.

of course there is the tactile. what does the love interest taste like? what do they smell like? how do they kiss? rough and greedy? slow and sensual? explorative and hesitant? expertly or clumsily? how does it feel to be kissed by them? how does it feel to kiss them?

i.e. examine who these individuals are, what their motives and feelings are within that moment, who they are together, what it looks like when these two individuals come together. a kiss is not about the mouth. it's about opening the door to vulnerability and desire in one's entire body and soul.