#writing exercise

[scealaiscoite]

⋆˚࿔ one hundred paired prompts 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

¹⁾ a pot of fresh coffee and split knuckles

²⁾ orange peels and a car battery

³⁾ sand dunes and leather boots

⁴⁾ a printer and a knife

⁵⁾ incense and handcuffs

⁶⁾ a crushed velvet sofa and a video camera

⁷⁾ stale cigarettes and cotton candy

⁸⁾ loose change and headlights

⁹⁾ grey hairs and a gold belt buckle

¹⁰⁾ burnt coffee and grass stains

¹¹⁾ cherry cola and blue jeans

¹²⁾ chipped green nail polish and an empty dinner table

¹³⁾ a stack of paperwork and metal music

¹⁴⁾ a patchwork quilt and sweet tea

¹⁵⁾ a hockey sweater and a two-seater sofa

¹⁶⁾ perfume oil and rolled up shirtsleeves

¹⁷⁾ fallen leaves and guilt

¹⁸⁾ radio channels and a birthday card

¹⁹⁾ ravens and meadowsweet

²⁰⁾ apologies and bitter red wine

²¹⁾ library books and pouring rain

²²⁾ a breathalyser and popcorn

²³⁾ princess plasters and iodine

²⁴⁾ a tote bag with one broken strap and a winding staircase

²⁵⁾ a parasol and a tumbler of straight whiskey

²⁶⁾ fresh honey and a cult

²⁷⁾ wisdom teeth and blue eyes

²⁸⁾ sour cherries and a stolen hoodie

²⁹⁾ the flu and a heatwave

³⁰⁾ a boonie hat and a sunset

³¹⁾ vanilla perfume and a kitchen counter

³²⁾ a buffalo skull and a leather armchair

³³⁾ a throw pillow and a doorway

³⁴⁾ pink fluffy handcuffs and an unexpected guest

³⁶⁾ a package and a divorce

³⁷⁾ a stripper pole and a hangover

³⁸⁾ familiar cologne and a black eye

³⁹⁾ a lit candle and a snowstorm

⁴⁰⁾ an unsealed letter and a fallen pine tree

⁴¹⁾ headlights and footprints

⁴²⁾ a blocked number and traffic lights

⁴³⁾ a racesuit and a countdown

⁴⁴⁾ a butcher’s apron and a phonecall

⁴⁵⁾ battered comic books and a broken window

⁴⁶⁾ cold floorboards and a roommate

⁴⁷⁾ smooth vermouth and gold rings

⁴⁸⁾ a lip piercing and a rough hand

⁴⁹⁾ someone’s spare room and an eclipse

⁵⁰⁾ a game of mahjong and bad jazz music

⁵¹⁾ a jigsaw puzzle and a mortuary

⁵²⁾ a broke-up sidewalk and a knitted scarf

⁵³⁾ a poundshop wig and broken glass

⁵⁴⁾ a bunk bed and a crush

⁵⁵⁾ a red ink tattoo and a dinner gone cold

⁵⁶⁾ a warm palm and a flannel shirt

⁵⁷⁾ fresh basil and a half-empty bottle of arrack

⁵⁸⁾ a nightclub bathroom and smeared eyeliner

⁵⁹⁾ a busted lip and strawberry icecream

⁶⁰⁾ a floral-patterned dress and a looming balcony

⁶¹⁾ peach pits and a pressed shirt collar

⁶²⁾ a white mercedes and cheap perfume

⁶³⁾ a fwb and a housekey

⁶⁴⁾ a blue sarong and a fingertip tracing over a scar

⁶⁵⁾ a sauna room and a terse exchange

⁶⁶⁾ fried plantains and a briefcase

⁶⁷⁾ dried lavender and a tiled bathtub

⁶⁸⁾ a hotel room and a bouquet of lilies

⁶⁹⁾ sweet mango lassi and a suitcase

⁷⁰⁾ orange streetlights and a nightmare

⁷¹⁾ a crucifix and a thigh tattoo

⁷²⁾ a palm tattoo and the thrum of a heartbeat

⁷³⁾ a champagne room and a police siren

⁷⁴⁾ blue nitrile gloves and a hickey

⁷⁵⁾ a double-wide trailer and shotgun shells

⁷⁶⁾ stitches and pyjama shorts

⁷⁷⁾ karaoke and a snowdrift

⁷⁸⁾ an older man and a twin bed

⁷⁹⁾ chinese takeout and a graveyard

⁸⁰⁾ wet clothes and ambulance sirens

⁸¹⁾ carbolic soap and a creaking staircase

⁸²⁾ an undercover assignment and wrung hands

⁸³⁾ the back seat of a limousine and bustling night streets

⁸⁴⁾ a steamed-up bathroom and cold floorboards

⁸⁵⁾ a grand prix and a breakup

⁸⁶⁾ a third place trophy and a picture frame

⁸⁷⁾ the last slice of birthday cake and crossed legs

⁸⁸⁾ squashed raspberries and heated cheeks

⁸⁹⁾ pink lipgloss and brass knuckles

⁹⁰⁾ a ghost mask and a late visit

⁹¹⁾ loose bullets and slashed tires

⁹²⁾ a tactical belt and patterned bedsheets

⁹³⁾ a goaltender’s stick and a lonely walk home

⁹⁴⁾ a dog bed and a migraine

⁹⁵⁾ lit billboards and a floor-length gown

⁹⁶⁾ a divebar negroni and a game of pool

⁹⁷⁾ olive trees at harvest time and divorce papers

⁹⁸⁾ a caviar bump and vanilla coke

⁹⁹⁾ a whale tail and pantsuit

¹⁰⁰⁾ legs thrown into a lap and calloused hands

[sixteenseveredhands]

Child's Writing Exercises and Doodles, from Egypt, c. 1000-1200 CE: this was made by a child who was practicing Hebrew, creating doodles and scribbles on the page as they worked

This writing fragment is nearly 1,000 years old, and it was made by a child who lived in Egypt during the Middle Ages. Several letters of the Hebrew alphabet are written on the page, probably as part of a writing exercise, but the child apparently got a little bored/distracted, as they also left a drawing of a camel (or possibly a person), a doodle that resembles a menorah, and an assortment of other scribbles on the page.

This is the work of a Jewish child from Fustat (Old Cairo), and it was preserved in the collection known as the Cairo Genizah Manuscripts. As the University of Cambridge Library explains:

For a thousand years, the Jewish community of Fustat placed their worn-out books and other writings in a storeroom (genizah) of the Ben Ezra Synagogue ... According to rabbinic law, once a holy book can no longer be used (because it is too old, or because its text is no longer relevant) it cannot be destroyed or casually discarded: texts containing the name of God should be buried or, if burial is not possible, placed in a genizah.

At least from the early 11th century, the Jews of Fustat ... reverently placed their old texts in the Genizah. Remarkably, however, they placed not only the expected religious works, such as Bibles, prayer books and compendia of Jewish law, but also what we would regard as secular works and everyday documents: shopping lists, marriage contracts, divorce deeds, pages from Arabic fables, works of Sufi and Shi'ite philosophy, medical books, magical amulets, business letters and accounts, and hundreds of letters: examples of practically every kind of written text produced by the Jewish communities of the Near East can now be found in the Genizah Collection, and it presents an unparalleled insight into the medieval Jewish world.

Sources & More Info:

Cambridge Digital Library: Writing Exercises with Child's Drawings

Cambridge Digital Library: More About the Cairo Genizah Manuscripts

[creativepromptsforwriting]

Date Mishaps

a misunderstanding about where they would be meeting, so both are waiting at a different location

a last minute emergency means they have to bring someone else with them on the date (e.g. child, little sibling, pet)

they were absolutely not dressed for the weather and end up getting completely wet in the rain

one of their phones is dead and they can't reach each other

even though they had reservations, the restaurant is closed

one of them gets hurt on the date, which makes them end up in the ER

they met online without a proper picture of each other and they keep missing each other at the bar, not able to find out who their actual date is

the waiter was supposed to bring a dessert with an engagement ring to the table next to them but brings it to them and now the awkwardness has reached new heights

they are doing speed dating, but unfortunately they already know each person of the other sex that is there

a date on a boat is nice until a swan attacks and someone falls into the water

they are both not local and they keep getting lost

their boss/parents/friends are also on a date in the same restaurant

one of them gets called back into work for an emergency and their date insists to walk them there

they thought they would have a date with someone else and are confused by who actually shows up

More: Date Gone Wrong

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

[docescene]

List of Types of Kisses

This list is divided by category, kiss type, emotion conveyed, and description. You can do whatever you want with this information.

More prompts!

Location

[BELLY KISS] Love, care: a gesture of affection and protection;

[CHEEK KISS] Respect, affection: gesture of greeting, friendship, or affection;

[CHIN KISS] Passion, desire: an intimate and sensual gesture.

[EAR KISS] Desire, intimacy: a sensual and provocative gesture;

[EYELID KISS] Love, affection: a delicate and romantic gesture;

[FOOT KISS] Adoration, devotion: a gesture of submission or adoration.

[FOREHEAD KISS] Love, care, comfort: a gesture of affection, protection, and tenderness;

[HAIR KISS] Affection, tenderness: a gesture of affection and care.

[HAND KISS] Admiration, reverence: a gesture of respect and admiration;

[KNEE KISS] Passion, desire: an intimate and sensual gesture;

[MOUTH KISS] Passion, love, desire: the most common, can vary in intensity and technique;

[NECK KISS] Desire, passion: a sensual and provocative gesture;

[NOSE KISS] Affection, complicity: a gesture of affection and intimacy;

[SHOULDER KISS] Passion, desire: an intimate and sensual gesture;

Intensity

[CHASTEN KISS] Friendship, affection: a light touch on the lips, expressing affection and friendship;

[OVERWHELMING KISS] Passion, desire: a strong and urgent kiss, expressing intense passion;

[PASSIONATE KISS] Passion, love: an intense and desire-filled kiss, with tongue and light bites;

[SHY KISS] Insecurity, desire: a hesitant and delicate kiss, expressing insecurity and desire.

Type

[CINEMATIC KISS] Romance, idealization: a long and passionate kiss, idealized in movies;

[BUTTERFLY KISS] Romanticism, delicacy: kissing with eyelashes, expressing delicacy;

[ESKIMO KISS] Affection, friendship: rubbing noses, a gesture of affection in cold cultures;

[FISH KISS] Sensuality: kissing with lips slightly open;

[FRENCH KISS] Passion, desire: exchange of saliva and tongue movements;

[INVERTED KISS] Passion, adventure: kissing with bodies inverted, like in Spider-Man;

[LIZARD KISS] Sensuality, playfulness: licking the other person's lips;

[PECK] Friendship, affection: a quick and light touch of the lips;

[VAMPIRE KISS] Sensuality, mystery: kissing the neck with a slight suck.

Context

[APOLOGY KISS] Regret, forgiveness: expressing regret and seeking reconciliation;

[COMFORT KISS] Compassion, comfort: expressing compassion and comfort;

[FAREWELL KISS] Longing, hope: expressing longing and hope for reunion;

[THANK-YOU KISS] Gratitude, recognition: expressing gratitude;

[WELCOME KISS] Joy, happiness: expressing happiness at seeing someone.

[angstober]

Welcome to another year of Angstober! We're delighted to unveil the prompts for this year of angsty, spooky fun.

What is Angstober?

Angstober is a yearly October challenge with 31 angst-themed prompts to inspire you to create. The challenge is open to all sorts of creative work - writing, art, edits, whatever you want - in whatever medium you want. Original work or fanworks? Whatever you feel inspired for!

How do I take part?

Tag your works with #angstober2024 and the day of the prompt (e.g., #day 01) to share on tumblr. Feel free to @ us directly in the post as well! To share your work on AO3, add it to the Angstober 2024 collection.

You can post your works whenever - early or late - and use as many or as few prompts as you feel inspired for! We'll do our best to reblog as many works to the @angstober blog as we can.

Is there a banner to post my work with?

Absolutely!

Anything else?

Nope. Happy Angsting!

2024 Prompt List

Again

2. Countdown

3. Self-Destruction

4. Blood

5. Do Better

6. Medication

7. “You Still Don’t Get It.”

8. Growing Pains

9. Promise

10. Humiliation

11. Wake Up

12. Rotten Touch

13. Shaking

14. Only Around You

15. False Hope

16. No One Else To Turn To

17. “Shhh…”

18. Falling Stars

19. Tear-Stained Cheek

20. Spare Me

21. Abandoned

22. Crocodile Tears

23. Safe/Unsafe

24. Dark Sunrise

25. You’re No Better

26. Persuasion

27. Curled Up

28. Perfect

29. Get Out

30. Nothing Else To Tell You

31. It Ends Here

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Exploring your Setting

(Excerpted from the Young Novelist Workbook)

PART 1: Settings That Create Moods

Mood - the feeling of your novel; its emotional quality.

You can also think of the mood as how you want someone to feel while reading your novel. 

Examples: playful, serious, mysterious, tense, warm, dangerous, joyous

The setting of a novel - where and when the story takes place. As you know, most novels have more than one setting.

Usually, the author decides to have one large setting.

Example: Los Angeles in 1995

and then many smaller settings

Examples: The laundromat where the characters hang out on the weekends, or the classroom where they get in a fight

Settings do more than serve as a backdrop to the action in your novel. They can also create or enhance the mood of your novel. 

Example

If you wanted to create a creepy mood for a scene in your novel, you could start with something like: 

"A dead tree stood alone in a dark field. Its branches creaked in a cold wind, and in the distance, something howled.”

These images remind us of dark, disturbing things, and show the reader that the scene of the novel is “creepy” without having to tell them directly.

Describing the Setting: A Sample Exercise

Describe the settings that would help create each of the moods listed below.

Try to write 2 or 3 sentences for each mood.

Include specific details about the sights, sounds, sensations (and maybe even smells) of the settings you choose:

Creepy, Joyous, Suspenseful/tense

Now make up 2-3 of your own moods and describe a setting that would go along with each one. 

The last step is to apply your new skills to your upcoming novel.

Think of a scene from each section of your novel.

Then, write or list details to describe a setting that will help create the right mood for each scene.

Example: You might set your climax on the edge of a crumbling cliff at sunset in the middle of a thunderstorm. 

A setting from your set-up:

A setting from your inciting incident:

A setting from your rising action:

A setting from your climax:

A setting from your falling action:

A setting from your resolution:

Now you have settings to enhance the different moods that will be in your novel.

PART 2: Settings That Reinforce Characters

Another advanced writing trick is to show things about your characters just by putting them in specific settings.

Examples: If you were writing about a mysterious person, you might place them in a dark mansion on a hill outside of town; if you were writing about a musician, you might place them in a messy room filled with instruments, speakers, and microphones.

Sample Exercise

For each of the following characters, try to come up with a setting that will reflect or reinforce what you imagine about them.

As you write, try to be as detailed as possible.

Don’t forget colors, sounds, and even smells.

Focus on where the character is.

The shy new kid in town:

A secret scientist superhero:

A character from your novel:

Another character from your novel:

Source

[love-me-a-good-prompt]

RANDOM DIALOGUE IDEAS #17

Feel free to use any of these dialogue ideas in your writing. Be creative with the context!

"there's something I need to tell you"

"hold me"

"I'll meet you there"

"I've seen this before"

"you can't do that"

"I don't feel that way about you"

"I'm not sure about this"

"it looks great"

"I'll introduce you"

"let's try again"

"I don't like it"

"I want to show you something"

"that wasn't part of the plan"

"I don't know where it is"

"you're better than that"

"there's nothing to worry about"

"I would never do that to you"

"this is important to me"

"I was joking"

"tell me the truth"

[prompt-heaven]

100 different AUs

academic au

alien au

alpha/beta/omega au

amnesia au

apocalypse au

artist au

arranged marriage au

assassin au

athlete au

babysitter/nanny au

bakery au

bartender au

billionaire au

bodyguard au

bodyswap au

bookstore au

bounty hunter au

brother's best friend/dad's best friend au

camgirl au

camp counselor au

chef au

circus au

coffee shop au

cowboy au

cult au

dark au

deserted island au

dog walker au

dystopian au

enemies to lovers/rivals au

fairy tale au

fake relationship au

fantasy au

farm au

firefighter au

fisherman au

flower shop au

friends with benefits au

ghost au

grocery store au

guardian angel au

haunted house au

historical au

hitchhiker au

holiday au

hospital au

hunter/prey au

kidnapping au

law enforcement au

library au

lifeguard au

lumberjack au

mafia/mob au

maid/butler au

magic au

master/slave au

mechanic au

mermaid au

model au

modern au

monster au

mundane au

music store au

neighbour au

office/coworker au

paranormal investigator au

pen pal au

pirate au

prison au

private detective au

reincarnation au

road trip au

rockstar au

roommate au

royalty au

scientist au

sex worker au

single parent au

slasher au

soulmates au

space au

spy au

stalker au

stepcest au

street racer au

sugar daddy au

superhero au

surfer au

tattoo artist au

teacher/professor/tutor au

time travel au

treasure hunter au

undercover au

vampire/werewolf au

veterinarian au

vigilante au

wedding planner au

western au

witch au

yandere au

[writing-chats]

loss (description for writers)

"every new death brings back the full weight of those already gone"

they no longer visit the same places, glancing at each reflective surface as though the other would return

they crouch down beside the photo, stroking the frame lightly with a thinly veiled agony

wind brushing their hair over their shoulders, they closed their eyes in remembrance

a cavity had been torn where their heart had been

they stared out into the distance, waiting. waiting for the inevitable silence, waiting for the impossible

their memory forever pervades the deepest parts of their mind

alcohol bottles smashed and upright sit in standstill across the apartment

gulping as they realise they're alone

forever searching a room for them, even if they would never have gone there in the first place

"i wish they were here"

making up excuses for why they left

blaming themselves

long nights accompanied by grief and the momentary glimmer of hope caught through useless introspection

dreaming of them

they re-imagine themselves: apply on makeup, change their appearance, anything to distract themselves from the person who lost

absence haunts them like a ghost; they see it like no one else ever could

fingers grasping at thin air... a fist forming sans softness

a tender kiss on the last sealed envelope they sent

polite addresses to their family/friends, without motivation

subsistence lifestyles

curling around themselves, wrinkling the sheets, on an empty bed

no one to hold them up when they're drunk and alone

calling other people their name then frowning, a sharp pain striking their chest. yet not apologising anyway

"if only you could see me now"

biting into something to quench the sound of their wild unending sobs

a blankness in realisation

staring at a place of their past and realising it would never come back again

talking to walls/themselves pretending it is the other person, spilling all the words and secrets they had not told

[humdrummoloch]

Here's an exercise to apply to your story: pick any scene and build up its stakes.

Most scenes should have at least a tiny bit of tension. Not every scene has to drip with artificial melodrama, but if the audience doesn't see a good reason to care about what's happening, they probably won't.

Using this 3-part exercise I just made up, just with a few quick bullet lists, you can dissect that scene's stakes and make them mean something.

PART 1: THE TELLING

Take a moment to focus on the stakes in your scene. What's the worst that could happen? List them.

Here's the rule: if a stake is obvious, don't count it.

Wrong: "If he kills me, I die."

Wrong: "If the villain fails to get the artefact, he fails."

Wrong: "If I lose this match, I lose."

Sure, yeah. But what ELSE?

Correct: "If I die, there'll be no one to protect my family."

Correct: "If I don't get this magical artefact before the hero stops me, my plans to take over the world will be sabotaged."

Correct: "If I lose this match, I'll never make it to the championships and show the world what I can do."

The stronger these stakes are, the better (within reason). "So-and-so might die" isn't a compelling (as it could be) narrative stake even in stories where people do die.

Even in low-stakes stories, the characters care about those low stakes. If it's important to them that they impress that client or get that job, tell us WHY they care. Is it their lifelong dream, or the promise they made to their dying mother, or the job that'll take them away from a horrible living situation? Will failure embarrass them in front of their crush?

PART 2: THE SHOWING

Now you know what could go bad, let the audience feel it. Just take things that matter and tweak them so that they're tangible.

"If I don't join the fight, my friend might die!" -> Show us an enemy raising a sword about to strike their friend down if the character doesn't rush in to save them NOW.

"If I drop out, I'll be a bad daughter!" -> Show us her parents bragging about their kid's academic performance and telling her they're happy they have a good kid with a bright future instead of some "no-good delinquent."

"If I don't pay by next week the bank's gonna take our house!" -> Show us the character begging for just a few more days, show their reaction to overhearing someone talking about buying the house from the bank to bulldoze the property. Show what the house means to them and how they made it their home.

PART 3: THE HAPPENING

Remember, a bullet seems a whole lot deadlier when it doesn't literally miss every time. But it would be strange if every scifi involved the whole planet blowing up, right? Or if the main characters all died? So, you have to show us you're not kidding by employing a secret third thing. Here's the trick to this: divide up the stakes into pieces and make one of the pieces happen.

If the protag's team is in actual danger, just one of them can die. Maybe even someone "essential" -- the climax will be boosted from the team overcoming this setback, the story becoming more clutch and unpredictable to the audience.

A marriage on the rocks? Show that their previously happy kid is suddenly hiding things from them and failing in school.

The city in danger? Show us buildings being knocked over.

Hell, the protag themselves in danger? They've got a leg they might not be using.

If a stake can't be split down like this, it might be better to have the bulldozers show up at the house during the climax. Maybe even let the house fall.

After this exercise, your scene should now feel a whole lot more weighty, whether it's a job application or a final battle to the death. Again, not every scene needs tension and it can go too far and become silly, but I hope this exercise helps you the way it helps me.

[petiteredthinker]

Feeling a little better today, better than yesterday.

[scealaiscoite]

setting prompts ˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🕊️ ꒱

¹⁾ a rural gas station in the middle of the night

²⁾ the last room at a drive-in motel in the small hours of the morning

³⁾ a cold, draughty church on a thursday night

⁴⁾ a stranger’s bedroom at noon

⁵⁾ a window seat on a red-eye flight during a storm

⁶⁾ a hospital waiting room with only one other person in it

⁷⁾ a sleeper train eight hours from its destination

⁸⁾ the first night in a new house, alone

⁹⁾ the steps of a wedding chapel in the rain

¹⁰⁾ a dingy truck stop after ten hours on the road

¹¹⁾ a divorce attorney’s office on valentine’s day

¹²⁾ the beach at ten on a monday morning

¹³⁾ a police station in a foreign country

¹⁴⁾ a coffee shop at two in the morning

¹⁵⁾ a concert venue, hours after the band’s set has finished

¹⁶⁾ a boat miles from land in any direction

¹⁷⁾ the third highest floor in a skyscraper

¹⁸⁾ the end of the line at a b-list movie star’s meet-and-greet

¹⁹⁾ a bar an hour after last call

²⁰⁾ an overgrown garden in a heatwave

²¹⁾ a car park lit only by streetlamps

²²⁾ a film set two days from the end of production

²³⁾ a graveyard in spring

²⁴⁾ the lap of someone who’s been gone for too long

²⁵⁾ a kitchen counter whilst dinner’s being made

[taytjiefourie]

Show Don't Tell: Anger

Greetings, lovely people! It's great to be back with another post in my 'Show Don't Tell' series! I hope you've all been doing well. Without further ado, let's dive right into today's topic: anger.

Anger is a powerful and complex emotion that can manifest in many ways. It can range from a mild irritation to a full-blown rage, and can be triggered by a variety of factors, including frustration, injustice, or hurt. While it's natural to want to avoid anger in our personal lives, it can actually be a useful tool when it comes to creative writing.

When it comes to writing, anger can add depth and complexity to characters and their interactions. By showing a character's anger, we can reveal their motivations, values, and flaws, and create a more dynamic and realistic portrayal of human emotion. Additionally, anger can create tension and conflict in a story, driving the plot forward and keeping readers engaged.

But hey, I'm not here to talk about the nitty-gritty of anger. I'm here to help you learn how to effectively show your character's anger in your writing! So let's dive right in, starting with the powerful tool of body language.

Clenched fists

Tightly crossed arms

Stiff or rigid posture

Facial expressions like frowning, scowling, or furrowing their brows

Pacing or restlessness

Grinding teeth or jaw clenching

Aggressive gestures like pointing or shaking a finger

Staring or glaring

Raised voice or shouting

Heavy breathing or sighing

Pounding a fist on a surface

Tightened or bulging neck muscles

Sweating or flushed skin

Looking away or avoiding eye contact

Physical violence, such as hitting or throwing objects

Tensing or flexing muscles

Clenching or unclenching fists repeatedly

Baring teeth or showing a snarl

Raising eyebrows or narrowing eyes

Rolling eyes or making sarcastic facial expressions

Biting or chewing on their lips

Tapping their foot or fingers impatiently

Leaning in aggressively or invading personal space

Hunching over or making themselves appear smaller

Using a monotone or clipped tone of voice

Holding their breath or exhaling loudly

Clapping hands sarcastically or making dismissive hand gestures

Making fists and shaking them at someone

Puffing up their chest or standing tall to appear more imposing

Stomping their feet or making loud footsteps.

Scrunching their nose or flaring nostrils

Puckering or twisting their mouth

Tugging or pulling at their hair or clothing

Crossing or uncrossing their legs or ankles abruptly

Bending or clenching their toes or curling their toes tightly

Bouncing or tapping their knee rapidly

Grinding or rubbing their hands together

Picking at their nails or skin

Covering their face or eyes with their hands

Throwing their head back in frustration or exasperation.

Raising or lowering their voice

Slamming things down too hard that they are carrying.

Pursing their lips and nodding.

Running their tongue on the inside of their cheek.

Stalking instead of walking

Scratching their head or neck vigorously

Pulling or tugging at their ears

Biting their tongue or inside of their cheek

Flinching or tensing up when someone approaches them

Nodding their head sharply or repeatedly

Squeezing or gripping an object tightly, such as a pen or a phone

Slamming doors or drawers

Puffing out their cheeks or blowing air out forcefully

Fidgeting or shifting their weight from foot to foot

Raising one or both eyebrows in surprise or anger.

Shrugging off someone's touch or pushing them away

Curling their lips or sneering

Tilting their head back and closing their eyes

Scrunching up their face in disgust or disapproval

Stomping their foot or kicking an object

Folding their arms tightly across their chest

Clutching their stomach or chest

Rubbing their hands together quickly

Stiffening their body or freezing in place

Turning their back on someone or walking away abruptly.

Making a fist and pressing it into their other hand

Running a hand through their hair in frustration

Holding their hand to their forehead or temple

Biting their lower lip or the inside of their cheek

Tensing their jaw and grinding their teeth

Clenching their fists behind their back or in their pockets

Tugging at their collar or tie

Staring daggers or giving someone a withering look

Curling their toes or flexing their feet

Drumming their fingers or tapping their nails on a surface.

Covering their mouth with their hand and closing their eyes.

Scratching or rubbing the back of their neck

Rubbing their eyes or face vigorously

Putting their hands on their hips and leaning forward

Standing up abruptly or pacing back and forth

Pushing a chair or other object out of the way

Clapping their hands sharply or slamming them on a surface

Breathing heavily or audibly

Hunching their shoulders or shrugging in frustration

There are so many ways to bring your character's anger to life in your writing, and your readers will feel it in their bones! Body language is just one tool in your arsenal, but there are plenty of others to explore. Next up, let's talk about sensory details. While there may be some overlap with body language, there are also unique ways to use sensory details to convey anger.

Sensory details are all about bringing your reader into your character's experience by describing what they feel, see, hear, taste, and smell. But it's not just about surface-level sensations; it's about capturing what your character feels on the inside too. Think about the way anger might make your character's heart race or their vision narrow, or the way it might leave a sour taste in their mouth or make them hyper-aware of certain smells.

Clenched teeth or jaw

Rapid heartbeat or pounding in the chest

Flushed or reddened face

Sweating or clammy skin

Heavy breathing or panting

Muscles tensing or knotting up

Twitching or trembling limbs

Ringing in the ears or muffled sounds

Vision tunneling or blurring

Sensitivity to light or sound

Tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes

Pounding or throbbing headache

Dry mouth or tightness in the throat

Stomach churning or nausea

Tingling or itching sensation on the skin

Increased sensitivity to smells or tastes

Loss of appetite or overeating

Difficulty concentrating or focusing

Racing thoughts or an inability to think straight

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

Tense or stiff neck and shoulders

Clammy or shaking hands

Uncontrollable shaking or shivering

Rapid speech or stuttering

Breathy or strained voice

High-pitched or shrill tone

Swelling or throbbing veins

Rapid blinking or eye twitching

Heavy or labored sighs

Chills or goosebumps

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Flushed or blotchy skin

Pacing or restless movements

Increased energy or restlessness

Headache or pressure in the temples

Chest tightness or discomfort

Dry or sweaty palms

Fidgeting or tapping feet or fingers

Frowning or scowling

Clenching or grinding teeth.

Action is the next layer in showing your character's anger. It's all about capturing the choices they make and the way they interact with their surroundings and other characters while feeling that intense emotion. Maybe they lash out and say things they regret later, or they bottle up their anger and internalize it until it explodes. Maybe they turn to self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or reckless driving, or they channel their anger into a creative outlet like writing or painting. Whatever actions your character takes, they can reveal a lot about their personality, values, and motivations, and help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Yelling or screaming

Throwing objects or slamming doors

Punching or hitting walls

Physically attacking someone

Storming out of a room or location

Refusing to engage in conversation

Passive-aggressive behavior

Giving the silent treatment

Ignoring or avoiding the source of their anger

Interrupting others or talking over them

Criticizing or belittling others

Blaming others for their problems

Making sarcastic or cutting remarks

Engaging in risky behavior or taking unnecessary risks

Excessive drinking or drug use

Engaging in self-harm or other destructive behaviors

Seeking revenge or planning retaliation

Seeking control or power over others

Using manipulation or coercion to get what they want

Betraying or sabotaging others

Withholding affection or love

Sarcasm

Eye-rolling

Mocking or imitating others

Giving ultimatums

Exaggerating or lying about their feelings or experiences

Making threats

Refusing to compromise

Refusing to listen or hear other perspectives.

Getting physically tense or rigid

Clenching their fists or teeth

Biting their nails or lips

Fidgeting or tapping their foot

Pacing back and forth

Making abrupt or sudden movements

Staring or glaring at someone

Crossing their arms or legs defensively

Scratching or rubbing their skin

Crying or showing signs of distress

Withdrawal or isolation from others

Demanding attention or validation from others

Disrupting the peace or harmony in a space or environment

Refusing to follow rules or guidelines

Engaging in arguments or fights with others

Becoming overly competitive or aggressive in their pursuits

Ignoring advice or guidance from others

Showing a lack of empathy or compassion towards others

Being overly critical or nitpicky

Refusing to apologize or take responsibility for their actions.

Exhibiting physical symptoms like sweating or shaking

Making demands or issuing commands to others

Engaging in reckless or dangerous behavior

Becoming overly defensive or argumentative

Engaging in self-destructive behavior or self-sabotage

Refusing to acknowledge or address the source of their anger

Blaming themselves for problems that are not their fault

Seeking out conflict or confrontation with others

Using passive-aggressive behavior to communicate their anger

Engaging in obsessive or compulsive behaviors

Struggling to focus or concentrate due to their anger

Engaging in self-soothing behaviors like rocking or pacing

Using humor to mask or downplay their anger

Becoming distant or disengaged from others.

Now, let's talk about setting. It's not just where your characters are, but how they react to it. This means the environment can be used to show off their anger or even help readers understand why they are feeling angry.

Secluding themselves in a quiet, isolated part of the environment

Moving quickly and aggressively through the environment

Becoming agitated or restless in a peaceful or serene environment

Ignoring or avoiding other characters in the environment

Intentionally damaging the environment or objects within it

Distancing themselves from others or backing away from objects in the environment

Taking actions that disrupt the peace or harmony of the environment, such as slamming doors or turning over tables

Focusing on negative aspects of the environment, such as dirt or clutter, and feeling anger towards those elements

Becoming fixated on a particular aspect of the environment and feeling anger towards anyone who interferes with it.

Avoiding eye contact with others in the environment

Making sarcastic or biting comments about the environment

Displaying impatience or frustration with slow-moving objects or people in the environment

Purposefully choosing a more hostile or uncomfortable location to match their angry emotional state

Remember how a bright, sunny day with chirping birds and fresh flowers can instantly put you in a happy mood? Well, the same goes for the location in your story. Even without a character present, scenery can influence the way readers perceive the mood. So, when it comes to anger, the location can be used to set the tone just as much as the character's actions and emotions.

Weather: Dark clouds, lightning, thunder, and heavy rain can create an ominous and angry atmosphere.

Time of Day: Nighttime or sunset can create a moody and angry atmosphere.

Location: A rundown or dangerous part of town can create a sense of anger or unease.

Objects: Broken or destroyed objects can indicate a character's anger and frustration.

Colors: Dark or vibrant colors like red or black can be used to create a sense of anger.

Noises: Loud, jarring noises like alarms or sirens can create a sense of anger and urgency.

Crowds: A crowded or noisy environment can be used to create feelings of anger or irritation.

Architecture: Cold or sterile environments like hospitals or government buildings can create a sense of anger and frustration.

Nature: A barren or lifeless landscape can create a sense of anger or despair.

Animals: Aggressive or hostile animals can be used to create a sense of danger and anger.

Now, let's talk about dialogue. There's nothing quite like a character yelling and cussing up a storm to show their anger, right? It's one of the most powerful ways to convey intense emotions through words. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the ways in which dialogue can be used to show anger in your writing!

Cursing and using expletives

Speaking loudly and aggressively

Interrupting others and speaking over them

Using sarcastic or mocking tones

Making threats or using violent language

Using short, sharp sentences or phrases

Speaking through gritted teeth or a clenched jaw

Insulting or belittling others

Using repetitive or redundant language

Refusing to engage in conversation or responding with silence.

Using rhetorical questions that are meant to convey frustration

Interrupting themselves mid-sentence with a burst of anger

Repeating a particular phrase or word to emphasize their anger

Using a dismissive tone to indicate irritation or impatience

Speaking with a tone that is icy or cold

Using a monotone voice to convey anger and frustration

Resorting to name-calling or insults

Being defensive or argumentative in their responses

Speaking rapidly and stumbling over their words in their anger

Using a confrontational or challenging tone to express anger.

And what comes after all of that? Well, my dear friend, when you've exhausted their words, body language, senses, and actions, what's left? That's when you dive into their mind and explore their point of view. You can write about their thoughts and inner dialogue to really capture the depth of their anger.

Negative thoughts about others or the situation

Self-criticism and frustration

Dwelling on past events that caused the anger

Increased cynicism and pessimism

A desire for revenge or justice

Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks

Racing or intrusive thoughts

A feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control

A sense of injustice or unfair treatment

Blaming others or external circumstances for their anger

Now we come to the last item on our list - metaphors and analogies. They are frequently used in writing to create colorful and vivid descriptions, and can also effectively convey a character's anger. However, it's important to be careful with their use, as readers can become annoyed if they are overused.

"Her anger burned like a wildfire, consuming everything in its path."

"He felt like a coiled snake, ready to strike at any moment."

"Her anger was a thunderstorm, building and brewing until it finally erupted."

"His anger was a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any second."

"She felt like a volcano, with her anger bubbling just below the surface."

"His anger was a raging river, with powerful currents and dangerous undertows."

"She felt like a caged animal, trapped and helpless in her anger."

"His anger was a sharp sword, cutting through everything in its way."

"She felt like a stormy sea, with her anger churning like the waves."

"His anger was a blazing inferno, burning everything in its wake."

"His anger boiled like lava in a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment."

"Her words sliced through me like a knife, leaving me raw and bleeding with anger."

"He was a ticking time bomb, just waiting to explode with fury."

"Her temper was a wildfire, spreading quickly and uncontrollably."

"His rage was a storm, brewing and building until it unleashed with a violent outburst."

"She was a snake, coiled and ready to strike with venomous anger."

"His fury was a thunderous roar, shaking the very foundations of the earth."

"Her temper was a beast, wild and untamed, impossible to control."

"His anger was a whirlpool, pulling me down into its dark depths."

"She was a volcano, her anger a fiery eruption that left nothing but destruction in its wake."

Well, that's all for today's post. It's always bittersweet to say goodbye, but don't worry, I'll be back soon with more juicy writing tips! Before I go, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post. Did you find it helpful? Did you learn something new? And more importantly, what other emotions do you want me to tackle next? Let me know in the comments below!

You can find plenty of these posts on my Tumblr, so be sure to check them out! or you can find a more organized version here!

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to create an atmosphere: Supermarket

Sight

advertisements for products

big signs showing discounts

aisles full of colorful products

fresh produce

employees in matching uniforms

all different kinds of costumers

with shopping carts

with children running around

with a stroller or toddlers sitting in the shopping cart

with a service dog by their side

Hearing

the sound of shopping carts being pushed and bumping into shelves

parents calling for their children

people talking on the phone

a man asking his wife if they still have enough toilet paper at home

someone asking the employee where they can find something

music interrupted by announcements about promotions the store is doing

the surring and beeping sound of the cash register belt

the sound of the electronic doors opening and shutting again

Touch

the stickiness of the floors

the differents textures of each item they think about buying

the coldness and often stickiness of the handle of the shopping cart

the sudden wetness from some products that are either fresh produce or where the package is leaking

Smell

the smell of spilled drinks that someone dropped and left for the employees to clean up

the smell of cleaning products from them having to sweep it up

the smell of hand sanitizer

the smell of different products the costumer holds up to their face and smells to decide if they like it

the horrendous smell of deposit machines where you return your not quite empty beer bottles to and the leftover liquid spills everywhere

Taste

different samples offered at the supermarket

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[t1ck-tick-b0om]

my favorite writing exercises :D

go to a public place (coffee shop, library, etc.) with something to write with, and create fake character descriptions for random people you see. list what they wear, give them a name, and create their backstory. pay close attention to what they look like and what they are doing (studying, reading, etc.)

look around and find two random, inanimate objects. describe what they look like, how they would act if they were alive, and give them names. after the individual descriptions are finished, write a tragic love story between the two objects.

write down a random word (this is more interesting if the word is longer) and list the history of the word, the definition, examples of it in sentences, and its synonyms and antonyms.

[atlantis-just-drowned]

"I would help you bury a corpse!"

Well I would bury yours.

I would carry your weight on my shoulders and walk for miles and miles and miles. I would bring you where you always said your heart belonged. Where you always wanted to rest and explore. I would watch the sun set and dig the most comfortable grave for you to sleep in. I would carve your name into a stone with my own hands and write how much I loved you. I would lay you down into the freshly turned earth with all the gentleness I could muster and press a kiss to your cold forehead. I would tell you goodnight and wish you beautiful dreams. I would cover your pale body with the soil and the salt of my tears. I would plant your favourite flowers upon your grave. I would visit you every time your absence would weigh too heavily on my soul. I would give you rest. I would give you peace. Because it's what you would deserve, above all else.