#Slow Creativity

[rae-butter]

Honestly, I love it when characters relapse. When someone who’s gotten over their anger issues falls into a situation so out of their depth they fall back on their old habits. When someone who’s learned to open up becomes a recluse again in order to cope with something outside their control.

There’s just something so horrible, so toxic, about watching a character grow and then slip back into their old selves in order to cope, bc you know they still care, that they’re the same inside, but watching them hurt so hard they don’t know what else to do brings a sense of catharsis.

[astridsdreamspace]

✨ Welcome to Dreamspace Studio ✨ We finally have a little home of our own on the web—a place where the creative sparks live, the podcast dispatches land, and our constellation of written works shines bright. We’re blending real-world freelancing with dreamy storytelling, zines, reflections, and gentle, grounded community vibes. Whether you're here for the blog, the podcast, the books, or the behind-the-scenes tea from the raccoon with the tiny satchel (yes, Thimble)—you're in the right place. Thanks for being here. We’re just getting started. 🌙🖋️💫 #DreamspaceStudio

[creativepromptsforwriting]

Do you have any tips for how to slow down time in a story?

How to slow down time

To slow down time in your story you need to use a mix of different writing ingredients: you need different descriptions that capture the reader in the moment as well as internal monologue and different sentence structures.

Detailed Descriptions:

Sensory Details: Use the five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to describe what the character is seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, and tasting in intricate detail.

Detailed Observations: Zoom in on small, often overlooked details. The sound a tea cup makes as it hits the ground, the way an expression on a character's face changes, the turning of heads as someone enters the room.

Slow Motion: Manipulate the time by describing how it feels like slow motion to the characters: "Time slowed down, and it felt as if the whole of humanity had decided to stop breathing for a moment."

Physical Reactions: A detailed description of the physical aspects of a scene. The movements a character makes, how their gaze turns, their breathing changes, their body begins to shake.

Psychological Aspects: Focus on the anxiety of a character looking at a clock that never seems to move, their nervousness seeping out of them

Internal Monologue:

Memories and Flashbacks: Add context by showing memories or flashbacks that relate to the situation.

Pondering: Let the character reflect on the situation, their feelings and their plan for the next steps. Let the reader explore the character's inner life.

Dialogue:

Reduced Dialogue: Dialogue brings a scene into real time. Use it thoughtfully and sparringly, with lots of inner thoughts and reactions in between.

Silence: Make use of silence between the characters which can be filled with more descriptions.

Language:

Smaller Steps: Write out each action taken, no matter how small, and focus on describing each step that happens.

Control Pacing: Use your sentence structure to create long descriptions that slow it down, and short, impactful ones to pick up the pace if needed for a moment.

More: Masterpost: How to write a story

- Jana

[distort-t]

SHY AFFECTION PROMPTS—

Walking side by side, the back of their fingers brushing—too shy to initiate hand-holding.

Teasing the tips of person B’s hair between their fingers, watching their fingers, unable to meet B’s gaze.

Subtle acts of service: opening a door for them, covering cornered edges when the other bends down to pick something up, purchasing something of the other’s interest.

”You look—uh, good. You look good.” Stammering, trying to appear confident when complimenting the other. Cue the throat clearing and avoidance of eye-contact.

Hesitant smiles and blushy cheeks.

Person A about to say something before thinking against it and closing their mouth.

Agonising slow-paced romance.

Person B sticking by person A’s side while they’re sick and stuck to bed rest, despite A’s warning of getting them sick too.

Thoughtful picnic dates.

Almost confessions.

”I care about you, and I want the best for you.”

Friends to lovers.

Looking for each other in social settings.

“You mean more to me than that.”

”Come on, we’re friends.” “Are we really?”

Angsty confessions after built up feelings being hidden.

Everyone can see it but them.

“We’re just friends!” “With how B is looking at you now? I don’t think you’re just friends.”

Starry night skies, damp grass, and deep talks about life.

B learning about A’s body insecurities and finding that it’s their favourite part of them.

Love-fuelled kisses under whispering nights.

So deeply in love that it almost makes their friends uncomfortable to witness.

Feathery forehead kisses.

Neither of them raise their voice—a love so gentle and kind that it makes your teeth rot.

Either one has social anxiety and the other orders for them at cafes and restaurants, or both of them do and one disregards their own anxiety and steps up.

Late nights cuddled up and quiet giggles.

”You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

”I want our kids to have your eyes.”

Inside jokes that literally no one understands.

[welcometogrouchland]

[ID in ALT] I've made posts before about Talia/Dick co-parenting Damian moments (will never happen but let me dream) and this came to me in a vision. Took me ages to finish for some reason 😭 and then even longer to post

[nondelphic]

me: i love slow burn

also me, on chapter 2: kiss or i’m setting the house on fire

[thingsmaygetalittlecrazy]

My humble offering to the choccy gods 🫴🙏🙌😉

Clora is hyper-focused on school and Seb is hyper-focused on Clora 😌🫶

I saw a photo of a couple like this and all I could think was how SebClora coded it was LOOOL 😆 and honestly this piece may not be my fav thing but I learned so much while I made it and im just glad I didn't scrap it during any of my frustrating moments 🫶💖

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT @choccy-milky 🫶🫶🫶

(Just ignore all the sloppiness and errors I'll do better next time, I didn't even know what clipping layers WERE when I made majority of this 😅)

[deception-united]

Let's talk about enemies to lovers tropes.

Indisputably one of the best tropes out there. And one of the most infuriating, to write and to read.

When writing an enemies-to-lovers romance, there are several elements to consider in order to create a compelling and engaging story.

Here are some things to avoid and include:

DO NOT:

Create one-dimensional, flat characters. Both characters should have depth, flaws, and virtues that make them relatable and interesting.

Force conflict. While conflict is essential in this trope, it should arise naturally from the characters' personalities, circumstances, and past interactions. Avoid contriving conflicts solely for the sake of drama.

Cause sudden, unrealistic transformations in character behavior. While characters can change and grow throughout the story, it should be gradual and believable.

Overuse tropes. Try to bring fresh perspectives and unique elements to your story to avoid clichés and predictability. Yes, readers will still read the story if they like the trope, notwithstanding the vast amount of nearly identical novels they've consumed. I know you're guilty. But unique elements will make it stand out amongst the sea of literature out there.

Rely on stereotypical traits for either character. Subvert expectations and give your characters complexity and nuance.

DO:

Develop rich backstories for both characters, including the reasons behind their animosity towards each other. This adds depth and understanding to their dynamic.

Ensure there's palpable chemistry between the enemies-turned-lovers. Their interactions should spark tension, passion, and intrigue, drawing readers into their evolving relationship.

Show gradual character development as they transition from enemies to lovers. Each should challenge the other's beliefs, leading to personal growth and introspection.

Build emotional tension through witty banter, charged encounters, and moments of vulnerability. Let the unresolved tension simmer beneath the surface, keeping readers invested in their relationship.

Introduce conflicts with high stakes that test the characters' newfound bond. This can come from internal struggles, external threats, or obstacles that force them to confront their feelings.

Allow the romance to develop gradually, building anticipation and suspense as the characters navigate their evolving feelings for each other.

Even as enemies, there should be moments of mutual respect or admiration between the characters. Highlight these moments to show the underlying potential for a deeper connection.

Stay true to the characters' personalities and motivations throughout the story. Authenticity breeds believability and emotional resonance.

Happy writing ❤

Previous | Next

[fisherrprince]

Instead of writing a fanfic like a normal person this oneshot turned into two separate, contextless things,

[vitalverstappen]

Fresh Out The Slammer - L. Stroll

summary: now, pretty baby, i'm running back home to you

pairing: Lance Stroll x childhood friend!reader

warnings: swearing, smoking, drinks, use of y/n

word count: 2.9k

masterlist

the tortured drivers' department masterlist

It finally happened. 

After months of the relationship slowly dying, the plug was finally pulled. You would be lying if you said you were mad about it, as you had been mourning the relationship while you were still in it. But you were definitely disappointed at how much you had lost yourself while with him.

Everyday, your friends found you hiding away from them, spending time in your ex-boyfriend's apartment, hoping you’d get a better day with him than the one before. And each day would end with you disappointed that you couldn’t catch the high you once had with him.

But as you spent those years cooped up in that dingy apartment, your mind wandered. To your friends, the old life you had, and there was one person in particular that flooded your thoughts. 

Lance.

The two of you sort of grew up together, as your family moved next door to him in Montreal when you were in grade school. You’d always been close with him, though life had pulled you in different directions over the years. He was the kind of friend who knew your quirks, the way you laughed too loud at dumb jokes, and the way you’d always order the same meal at your local diner. 

Before you got into your relationship with your now ex-boyfriend, Lance was your partner in crime. The two of you were inseparable, balancing on a delicate tightrope between best friends and something more, though neither of you dared to actually make a move on each other (except for the one time after a high school party that you woke up in his bed… but neither of you dared to ever bring that up). 

Once you got into that relationship, you lost touch with a lot of your friends, including Lance. You’d still get glimpses of his life through his Instagram posts, though most of those were with some vague caption about the most recent grand prix. 

You couldn’t help but to feel a pang of regret every time you scrolled through his posts, the shots of him at races or exploring new cities, living a life that seemed so full and so free. It made you feel small, like you’d let years slip by without ever truly reaching for something of your own. The relationship had consumed you, and somewhere along the way, you’d lost the spark you’d once had. 

But now, after everything had fallen apart, that spark was starting to flicker again. You felt an emptiness - yes - but also a sort of restlessness, like your soul had been asleep for too long. 

With every passing day, you slowly began to piece yourself back together, reaching out to old friends and going to places you loved. That’s how you found yourself out at one of your favorite bars in the city, surrounded by your favorite girls. 

You were still in the process of rediscovering who you were outside of the relationship, but tonight, the weight felt a little lighter. The bar was buzzing with laughter and live music, a mix of old regulars and new faces. Your friends were their usual selves - lighthearted, lively, and full of energy. They pulled you into the night, encouraging you to laugh and drink, to forget the heaviness that had weighed on you for so long. 

The familiar comfort of being around them was a balm to your weary heart. They knew about the breakup, of course. They’d been there for you in the quiet moments, the ones where you questioned everything. But tonight, it felt like a chance to just be. No more reflecting on the past. No more wondering where it went wrong. Just living in the presence for once. 

You found yourself laughing more than you had in months, a little buzzed but feeling freer with each passing minute. As your friends chatted about their own lives - work, travel - you felt a shift within you. The old you, the one who would jump into these nights without hesitation, was starting to come back to the surface. 

While a few of your friends chatted away, you pulled your phone out and began to tap through social media. Lance had recently posted a story, and without hesitation, you tapped on it. The view of the Montreal skyline from the top of some skyscraper caught you off guard. He was in town. 

“Ooooo what’s Stroll up to?” one of your friends asked, peering over your shoulder, causing you to jump out of your skin.

You quickly turned off your phone, thrown off by the question. “Uh, I don’t know. In some city, I guess.” 

“Bullshit, he’s in Montreal,” another of your friends said, “we all saw his story.” 

One of your other friend’s eyes lit up, “Why don’t you invite him? I’m sure he’d love to see you.” 

“I don’t know,” you said quietly, running a few fingers through your hair. “I haven’t seen him in years.” 

“That sounds like even more of a reason he’d want to see you,” your friend said. “Invite him over. He can’t be more than a few blocks away.”

Your shoulders slumped, clearly not getting out of this. You sighed, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement bubble up. Your friends were relentless when they got an idea in their heads, and it seemed like tonight was no different. As much as you had tried to keep the idea of Lance at an arm’s length… at least for the moment… now the seed was planted, and there was no way to avoid it. 

“Fine,” you muttered, your fingers already hovering over your phone screen. 

With a deep breath, you pulled up Lance’s contact and started typing, your heart racing as the words appeared on the screen. 

Just saw your story. You back in town for the Grand Prix?

Your thumb hovered over the send button, and for the moment, it felt like the whole world was waiting on you. What was the right thing to say? Should you keep it casual, or should you let a bit of that old familiarity slip in?

I’m out with some friends tonight. Would be great to catch up if you’re free? 

You pressed send before you could overthink it. And you stood there, staring at your screen, waiting for a reply that you weren’t sure you even wanted. 

The minutes dragged by, and your friends were practically vibrating with excitement at the thought of you reconnecting with Lance. They were giddy, tossing suggestions about places you could meet up or how you should play it cool when he responded. You couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm, but it only made the waiting feel worse. 

Finally, just as you were about to set your phone down and stop thinking about it, the familiar ping of a notification broke the silence. 

Lance’s name lit up your screen. 

I’m in town for the race, but I’m free tonight. You still in the city? 

Your heart skipped a beat. That was quick.

You replied almost instantly, the words flowing before you could stop them. Yeah, I am. We’re at the bar we always used to go to. You should stop by. 

You hit send, and then quickly tucked your phone back into your bag, trying to pretend you weren’t about to throw up from nerves. Your friends were watching you like hawks, waiting for any sign of his response. You forced a smile, and tried to focus on the conversation, but your mind kept drifting back to Lance. 

Minutes passed. Then the door swung open, and a burst of cool night air rushed into the bar. For a split second, you thought it was him, but it was just a group of guys laughing as they entered. 

Then, another few minutes later, the message came. 

I’m on my way. Be there soon. 

Your stomach flipped. 

“He’s coming,” you blurted out, your voice sounding slightly too high pitched. You could feel the eyes of your friends on you, and the sudden surge of nervous energy only made it worse. 

“Oh my god, this is happening,” one of your friends whispered dramatically. “I can’t believe you’re about to see him again.”

You grinned, feeling both excited and terrified. It had been so long since you’d seen Lance, and now there he was, about to walk through that door. You hadn’t even begun to process what any of it could actually mean, and yet the anticipation hung thick in the air. 

A few minutes later, you heard the door open again. This time, you knew exactly who had walked in. 

You turned around and saw him standing there - Lance, looking just as you remembered, yet somehow different. His hair was a little longer than it used to be, and his eyes, though still the familiar shade of brown, seemed to carry a weight you hadn’t noticed before. 

His eyes scanned the room, and you watched as he waved to the group of guys who had come in loudly earlier. It quickly clicked that they were some of the other drivers. It wasn’t long before his gaze landed on you. The smile that spread onto his face was almost shy, like he was still unsure of how to greet you after so long. 

Your heart skipped a beat as Lance made his way toward you, the rest of the bar noise fading into the background. For a moment, everything felt suspended in time, just the two of you, standing there, surrounded by the laughter and chatter from your friends, but only seeing each other. 

When he reached you, he stopped for a second, as if gathering his bearings. Then, with a soft chuckle, he said, “It’s been too long. You look… well you look like you’ve finally been living life.” 

You smiled, feeling a bit shy under his gaze. “I’m getting there,” you replied, trying to keep things light despite the butterflies doing flips in your stomach. “It’s been a weird couple of years.”

He nodded, his gaze softening. “Yeah, I get that. It’s hard to stay in touch with both of us having different lives. I’ve been… all over the place.”

The awkwardness that had lingered in the air slowly started to dissolve, and you realized how much you had missed his presence. That familiar comfort was still there, almost like no time had passed. 

Your friends had already taken to teasing you, grinning at the two of you like they were watching an episode of their favorite show. “So, are we going to do this whole catching up thing or what?”  one of them piped up, giving you a mischievous grin. 

Lance laughed and turned to them. “I mean, if it’s okay with you all, I’d love to steal her for a minute.”

You saw a flash of something in his eyes as he said it - something that was both familiar and new. The playful tone in his voice had you laughing, the knot in your chest loosening with every passing second.

“Sure,” you said, gesturing to the doors that led out to the balcony. “Let’s grab a drink and do that whole catching up thing.”

As the cool summer air hit both of you, your nerves settled even more. You placed your drink down on a table and took out a pack of Marlboro’s from your purse, along with a lighter. 

“You smoke now?” he asked, watching you as you lit the cigarette

You shrugged, “Picked it up as a coping mechanism. I wanna quit, but old habits die hard,” you answered, showing him the pack as if to offer him one, which he politely declined. You took a long drag, letting the ashes fall off the ledge of the railing. “So tell me, what’s it like being a superstar driver these days?” 

Lance smirked, glancing back inside to the bar where his gridmates were downing god knows how many drinks, though there was a hint of humility in his expression. “I wouldn’t say superstar… It’s a lot of long hours and a lot of travel. You know, typical Formula 1 stuff. But it’s been… interesting. Lots of highs, lots of lows, but I’m grateful. Not everyone gets to live that dream.”

You nodded, impressed despite yourself. “It’s honestly wild to think about. You’ve always had that drive, you know?” 

Lance’s eyes lit up, the smile on his face widening. “Yeah, I guess it’s in the blood. But what about you? Last time we talked, you were… well in a different place.”

Your heart stuttered at his words, and you couldn’t help but feel a little vulnerable. You hadn’t fully realized how much of yourself you’d lost until he had pointed it out. 

“Yeah,” you said, your voice softer now. “I got a little lost in it all, but the relationship ending kinda felt like breaking out of the slammer. I’ve been starting to focus more on things I forgot about for too long. Like reconnecting with people who actually know me, not just the version of me that fits into someone else’s world.”

The cigarette in your hand had burned down to a nub, and as you walked over to the ashtray, you could feel Lance’s gaze on you with every step you took. It didn’t feel threatening in any way, it was more as if he was trying to read the things you hadn’t said out loud.

When you returned next to him, your lips parted slightly, like you wanted to say something more, but instead, you just nodded. “I get that.” Lance spoke, filling in the silence. “It’s easy to lose yourself when you’re giving so much of yourself to someone else. But it’s good to see you finding your way back.” 

That last line from him hung in the air between you two like something sacred - soft, heavy, and full of quiet truth. You looked over at him, really looked at him this time. The Lance you used to know was still there: the boy with a quick wit and stubborn heart. But he’d grown, and you had too. Maybe that’s what this whole night was about - two people, bruised by life in different ways, standing face-to-face again and wondering if there was still something worth salvaging beneath the dust of time.

You gave a soft laugh, a little disbelieving. “You always have a way of saying the right thing without sounding cheesy.” 

He smiled - god, that same crooked smile - and leaned against the railing next to you. “Well,” he said, “maybe I’m just saying what I should’ve said years ago.”

That stopped you. It wasn’t a bold declaration, not quite. But it was honest. More honest than either of you had dared to be back then. And somehow, in the thick silence that followed, your heart didn’t race the way it used to in panic - it thudded solidly, rhythmically, like it finally had something steady to beat for. 

You looked out at the city, the lights glittering like little moments waiting to happen. You could hear the murmur of the bar behind you, the distant clink of glasses, your friends’ laughter filtering through the glass. But all of that felt far away now. 

“What do you think would’ve happened,” you asked, “if we hadn’t lost touch?” 

Lance looked thoughtful, not brushing it off like a hypothetical meant to be laughed away. “I think we probably would’ve screwed it up,” he said eventually, smiling gently. “We were kids. Timing was shit. But… I also think we would’ve found our way back here eventually. To this. Us.”

That word us felt heavy in your chest, but not in a bad way. It didn’t ache. It resonated. 

You flicked away the last of your cigarette and turned fully toward him. “Well,” you said, your voice steadier than you expected, “we’re not kids anymore.”

“No,” he agreed. “We’re not.” 

There was something electric in the air then. Not the volatile kind you’d been used to in your past relationship. It was something calmer, fuller. The kind that felt like maybe, finally, you weren’t chasing a high. You were returning home. 

You reached for your drink, more out of habit than thirst, and took a slow sip. “So what now?” you asked, keeping your tone casual, though your heart was suddenly lighter. 

Lance tilted his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Now,” he said, “we figure out if the versions of us that exist today still fit the way they used to.”

You raised a brow. “And if they don’t?”

“Then we figure out if they can fit in a new way,” he said. “No pressure. No pretending. Just… truth this time.”

You couldn’t help but smile. “That sounds dangerously healthy.”

Lance laughed, and for a moment, the years melted away. “Don’t worry,” he said, nudging your shoulder gently. “I’m sure we’ll still mess it up a little. Old habits die hard, right?”

You laughed, really laughed this time, and something inside you clicked back into place. The girl who used to find joy in messy nights and quiet conversations. The one who danced without a care, who didn’t shrink herself to make room for someone else. She was here. And maybe, just maybe, she was ready to let herself fall—gently this time.

You looked over at him, your voice soft but sure. “Let’s not let this slip away again.”

Lance held your gaze, and there was no hesitation in his eyes. “We won’t.”

[unboundprompts]

Can you give tips for slow burn/developing romance? I’m good at writing couples once they’re already in love, but when they have a crush on each other or them slowly developing feelings I don’t really know how to do

How to Write a Slow Burn Romance

-> writersdigest.com

-> reddit.com

The Growing Relationship

Make sure the reasons your characters don't get together right away makes sense. It doesn't need to be realistic, but it needs to be believable.

Focus on how their relationship grows. Spend time on the meeting, the getting to know each other, the subtle moments and big moments that draw them to each other. There will be obstacles, arguments, and conflicts to solve.

Make the development of the relationship natural for the characters.

Start as far back in their relationship as you can. This will allow the longest amount of time for their relationship to be exploired in the story. If it fits, you can start when they first meet. Of course, if it doesn't fit your story, you can start later in their relationship.

Build the Tension

You want your readers to be on the edge of their seats when it comes to your character's relationship. They should be screaming "just kiss already!"

Add near-miss moments. An almost kiss interrupted by a phone call. A hug that lasts just a moment too long.

Add little indications of feelings. Soft Smiles. Winking. The brush of a finger. Lingering glances.

Pining. Give insights into your character's thoughts. Constant thoughts about the other person. Butterflies when they think about them. The anticipation.

Slow Burn, Not Slow Pace

There needs to be other plot points happening while the romantic tension is building. Your characters should be dealing with other situations while they are also pining after each other.

Outside Forces

Slowburns are not always endless pining and dancing around one another. Sometimes, there are outside forces that are keeping characters apart when they already realize that the feelings are mutual.

Examples: Distance between the characters, health/mental health reasons, job/work complications, family dynamics, character goals, characters are on two different sides of a conflict, etc.

If you like what I do and want to support me, please consider buying me a coffee! I also offer editing services and other writing advice on my Ko-fi! Become a member to receive exclusive content, early access, and prioritized writing prompt requests.

I also have a Patreon! Become a member to gain access to a Member's Only Community where you can chat and message other members and myself. Also gain access to my personal writing, which includes completed short stories, chapters from novels in progress, as well as completed scenes.

[tomwindeknecht]

It's been a while since I have done a creative night edit like this. These are actual light trails from passing cars going through Joshua Tree National Park in the evening. I took multiple shots with long shutter speeds to capture the movement of the taillights, blended the images, and then edited them with color.

[captain-clandestiny]

grisped. grabbed. snatched. both a symbolic illustration the hold life has had on me lately and a canon event from the Blusleeves storyline

[jwisun]

hi, is this anything? april fools :P

nct dream x(?) gn!reader sfw stupid dumb silly crack

[alleesaur]

artfight is upon us.. see you on the battlefield

[aureoboros]

he thinks he’s hilarious

also biblically accurate adriel (yay autopsy scars! and more accurate face scars!!) i’m so bad at sorting out files… it took me forever to figure this out