thecorpuscorpse

[thecorpuscorpse]

17 May, 1932 The Letters of Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf (1924-1941)

[thecorpuscorpse]

the suffering never ends

[thecorpuscorpse]

How do I make my Eldritch abomination less anthro and more inhuman? I'd rather not just slap on a bunch of animal traits.

[thecorpuscorpse]

Overused Words in Writing & How to Avoid Them

We’ve all got our comfort words—those trusty adjectives, verbs, or phrases we lean on like a crutch. But when certain words show up too often, they lose their impact, leaving your writing feeling repetitive or uninspired.

1. “Very” and Its Cousins

Why It’s Overused: It’s easy to tack on “very” for emphasis, but it’s vague and doesn’t pull its weight.

Instead of: “She was very tired.” Try: “She was exhausted.” / “She dragged her feet like lead weights.”

💡 Tip: Use precise, vivid descriptions rather than vague intensifiers.

2. “Looked” and “Saw”

Why It’s Overused: It’s functional but flat, and it often tells instead of shows.

Instead of: “He looked at her in disbelief.” Try: “His eyebrows shot up, his lips parting as if words had failed him.”

💡 Tip: Focus on body language or sensory details instead of relying on generic verbs.

3. “Suddenly”

Why It’s Overused: It’s often used to create surprise, but it tells readers how to feel instead of letting the scene deliver the shock.

Instead of: “Suddenly, the door slammed shut.” Try: “The door slammed shut, the sound ricocheting through the empty room.”

💡 Tip: Let the action or pacing create urgency without needing to announce it.

4. “Said” (When Overdone or Misused)

Why It’s Overused: While “said” is often invisible and functional, using it in every dialogue tag can feel robotic.

Instead of: “I can’t believe it,” she said. “Me neither,” he said. Try: Replace with an action: “I can’t believe it.” She ran a hand through her hair, pacing. “Me neither.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed.

💡 Tip: Don’t ditch “said” entirely; just mix it up with context clues or action beats.

5. “Felt”

Why It’s Overused: It’s a shortcut that tells instead of showing emotions.

Instead of: “She felt nervous.” Try: “Her palms slicked with sweat, and she couldn’t stop her leg from bouncing.”

💡 Tip: Let readers infer emotions through sensory details or behavior.

6. “Really” and “Actually”

Why It’s Overused: They add little to your sentences and can dilute the impact of stronger words.

Instead of: “I really don’t think that’s a good idea.” Try: “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

💡 Tip: If a sentence works without these words, cut them.

7. “Walked” or “Ran”

Why It’s Overused: These are go-to movement words, but they can feel bland when used repeatedly.

Instead of: “He walked into the room.” Try: “He strolled in like he owned the place.” / “He shuffled in, avoiding everyone’s eyes.”

💡 Tip: Use verbs that convey mood, speed, or attitude.

8. “Just”

Why It’s Overused: It sneaks into sentences unnecessarily, weakening your prose.

Instead of: “I just wanted to say I’m sorry.” Try: “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

💡 Tip: Delete “just” unless it adds essential nuance.

9. “Thought”

Why It’s Overused: It tells readers what a character is thinking instead of showing it through internal dialogue or action.

Instead of: “She thought he might be lying.” Try: “His story didn’t add up. The timelines didn’t match, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes.”

💡 Tip: Immerse readers in the character’s perspective without announcing their thoughts.

10. “Nice” and Other Vague Adjectives

Why It’s Overused: It’s generic and doesn’t give readers a clear picture.

Instead of: “He was a nice guy.” Try: “He always remembered her coffee order and held the door open, even when his arms were full.”

💡 Tip: Show qualities through actions instead of relying on vague descriptors.

Final Tips for Avoiding Overused Words:

1. Use a thesaurus wisely: Swap overused words for synonyms, but stay true to your character’s voice and the scene’s tone.

2. Read your work aloud: You’ll catch repetitive patterns and clunky phrases more easily.

3. Edit in layers: Focus on eliminating overused words during your second or third pass, not your first draft.

[thecorpuscorpse]

how to draw arms ? ? 

[thecorpuscorpse]

A mouth-watering fuck-ton of hand angle references.

By Shadowcross on DA.

[thecorpuscorpse]

Things I’ve noticed are essential in plotting and would probably have saved me a lot of time if I had considered it earlier

The START of your story - how fucked up flawed is your premise/character at the start? what do they have to change? why are they HERE?

The END of your story - How do you want your main character/theme/universe to change after your story? Does it get better or worse? THIS SETS UP THE TONE DRASTICALLY.

What you want to happen IN BETWEEN - the MEAT of it. What made you start writing this WIP in the first place. Don't be ashamed to indulge, it's where the BRAIN JUICE comes from. You want a deep dive into worldbuilding and complex systems? Then your start and end should be rooted in some fundamental, unique rule of your universe (what made you obsess over it?). Want to write unabashed ship content? Make sure your start and end are so compelling you'll never run out of smut scenarios to shove in between scenes (what relationship dynamics made you ship it in the first place?).

The ANTE - the GRAVITY of your story. How high are the stakes? Writing a blurb or interaction? start with a small day-in-the-life so you can focus on shorter timelines and hourly minutiae that can easily get overlooked in more complicated epics. Or you can go ham on it and plot out your whole universe's timeline from conception to demise. Remember: the larger the scale, the less attached your story may get. How quickly time flies in your story typically correlates with the ante (not a hard rule, ofc, but most epics span years of time within a few pages, while a romance novel usually charts out the events of a few months over a whole manuscript.)

Everything else follows….?

[thecorpuscorpse]

Something I found on Twitter that really puts things in perspective as a creator.

[thecorpuscorpse]

#9- Sweet Amber Spice

"Why are you still working?"

It had been a quiet night- one muffled by snow that shut out the busy city they brought havoc upon day in and day out. Now, only the crackling fire and clink of ice in Villains drink filled the silence.

That, and the sound of the upstairs office window as it slid open.

"Why aren't you?" Hero retorted as they slowly stepped into the light.

"It's a holiday," they hummed before taking another sip of their drink. "Can't have my crew working today- really, I'm not a monster."

While Hero could've begged to differ, they knew Villain would only make them beg. The city clean up crews were still handling their last altercation. Yet, something in Villains easy composure and solemn voice didn't sit well with Hero.

"You don't seem like the... sentimental type to do that," Hero noted.

Villain shrugged, and polished off the rest of their drink. "'Tis the season, I guess." They held up their glass, and nodded towards the bar.

"Get me another, would you, dear?"

Hero was hesitant, but not resistant to Villain. They drew closer, and Villain took their full liberty- as they always did- admiring the way Heros fitted black tactical gear hugged their body in all the right ways. It wasn't much different than how Villain looked when given their success, and it made Hero feel the same gut-twisting flutter each time.

Hero took their glass, and returned to the couch a moment later with two in their hands.

"Now, you never answered my question," Villain continued as they took the glass while fingertips grazed against one another. "Why are you working?"

Hero stalled in their sip, and glanced to Villain.

"Because you're always up to something, Villain, and I thought that, maybe, you would try something when most people were at home with their family. A bank heist, or something."

"Or something, Hero?" Villain chuckled. "And you say my plans are half-baked."

"They are!"

"Then what is your plan now?"

Hero went quiet as they took in a bigger drink than intended. Villain watched contemplative brows knit together as they sought out the right words.

"...You don't."

"....No." Hero muttered.

"Because you're not working, are you?" Villain set their drink down on the table, and shifted to face Hero.

Either Hero had to be a lightweight, or something else brought a warm hue to their cheeks. Their eyes averted from Villains, and looked to their drink.

"How do you know that?" Hero didn't want to know what gave them away, but it maybe they could salvage a bit of pride.

"No gun, no radio- just empty holsters." Villain hummed as they watched Hero. "The only thing I can't figure out is why- out of all your adoring fans, you're here."

The fire in front of them warmed the living room well, but Hero was certain it was more to do with how Villain drew closer. Every word, every exchange, seemed to pull them closer until Hero could feel their knees touching and feel the smooth rumble of Villains voice.

"We can't have what others can," Hero said after a long moment. "Anyone close to me, you could kill. Anyone close to you, I could leverage out on you. It's lonely, isn't it?"

Something in Villain twisted. Not out of anger, not out of rage, but of the truthful pain of the life they both lived. To hear it aloud only solidified it the endless ebb and flow of their nature.

"But..." Hero set their glass down on the table. "We can have each other, if just... for tonight?"

The words seeped warmth, just as Heros hand did when it intertwined with Villains. Despite the reality of the never ending obligations of their work, at the end of the day, it would always be Hero. Regardless of the tyranny and havoc, Hero always knew it would be Villain behind it all.

In the end, it was always them.

Their breaths mixed together the taste of sweet amber spice, and kept one another warm long after the fireplace was reduced to dim, glowing embers. When the morning came, Villain awoke on the couch alone, yet not to the sight of Hero, or their two long forgotten drinks from the night before.

But to two, steaming coffee mugs.

[thecorpuscorpse]

'Revenge is bad' to YOU. i love when a character destroys everyone who wronged them. i love when they get to bite and maim and tear and rip and scratch and kill. Sorry ur catholic about it but i'm different

[thecorpuscorpse]

okay, yes, I know that comma isn't supposed to be there but I want the reader to take a breath! I want a pause! Stop trying to correct me, I'm trying to control the flow of reading

[thecorpuscorpse]

"I'm sorry," Villain murmurs, trailing a soft kiss down the side of Hero's neck. "I'm sorry."

Hero rolls their head back, giving them complete access to their shoulders, knowing they're giving too much trust as those teeth nip gently at their flesh.

"You're not sorry," Hero's voice comes out in whisper, almost solemn, as if speaking too loudly will break the sanctity of this stolen moment. "If you were sorry you'd quite. You'd stop hurting people." Those warm lips travel back up to their ear, pressing another kiss, another graze of teeth against the bottom of their jaw.

"I'm not sorry for what I do," Another kiss pressed tenderly to their jaw, to the underside of their ear. "I'm not sorry for what I am." Villain's voice is low, a calm rumble. They press a soft, open-mouthed kiss to their shoulder. "But I'm sorry it hurts you."

As they speak this last part, they bite down ever so slightly, drawing blood as Hero gasps quietly, before pressing an almost apologetic kiss to the spot.

"Yeah." Hero's voice is thick now with unspoken emotion and unsaid words. "Yeah, I know."

[thecorpuscorpse]

an evil henchman that doesn't do any work and just sits around the boss's office all day flirting with them

[thecorpuscorpse]

Top-Tier Villain Motivations

They will be safe. It doesn't matter who else or what else burns as long as They will be safe.

I will be safe. The hunger and the cold will never touch me again.

Fuck any bitch who's prettier(/cooler/better-liked/better at making dumplings) than me.

Yes, Master

Love me. Love me. Love me. Love me. LOVE ME!

I know the terrible things these so-called "heroes" will do if I don't stop them (<- is absolutely wrong)

I don't want a better future, I want a better past!

No other way to get performance art funded these days

[thecorpuscorpse]

#8 - A Drop of Fear

Hero couldn't recall how many weeks they had been working at the case with their partner. Dead end after dead body, and yet never a step closer to the culprit. Each corpse, drained of their blood and massacred in garish display during the late hours of the night were the only constants at every scene.

Another body made for another long day, which led into another long night. The endless clicking of the clock, the creak of the old space heaters on full blast, or the towering piles of paperwork on the desks would drive just about anyone mad- had Hero been alone.

"Got a light?" Hero's partner asked as they packed a carton of cigarettes on their knee.

"Hm?" Hero hummed, and rummaged through their coat pocket. "Ah, yes, right here..."

A gold zippo shimmered under the overhanging light. Hero clicked it open and sparked the wick while their partner met them half way. Their partner leaned over the desk, and brought the end of the cigarette to meet the flame. Hero watched as the cherry burned, and cast a warm glow on their partners skin, how their lips cradled the filter as they took in the smoke- all before noticing how the fire flickered in dark and tired eyes.

"You're staring," Hero's partner huffed out with a smokey chuckle, before they settled in to their chair. "What gives?"

"You look like shit, that's all," Hero shrugged as they pocketed their lighter and sat down. "I can work on the Hawkins case for a bit if you want to go lie down."

"And leave you to all the fun?"

"I... hardly think this is-"

"Oh, please, Hero, it's a joke- lighten up or else I'll find you dead at the end of your own barrel..." Their partner puffed out another plume. "Or a bottle, I don't know- you haven't taken me out for a drink yet, so I don't know if you even do partake~"

Hero sighed, yet allowed a faint smile. "Once this is said and done, we'll go anywhere you like, sound reasonable?"

"Hm.. fairly," they hummed before returning to their work, and Hero to theirs.

Had Hero not gotten a partner only a few months ago, perhaps that would be how they'd meet their maker. Their partner pulled Hero out of the deepest spirals when they got obsessed with minimal details, helped them see a bigger picture, and looked damn good doing it all with a spry and charming demeanor.

Yet, as the hours ticked on, their partner faded. It wasn't until Hero noticed them nodding off amidst comparing evidence that they sighed, and kicked their leg under the desk.

"Go. Lay. Down."

Their partner jostled awake at the sound of Heros voice, a soft groan to follow. "But Hero-"

"I said, it's fine," Hero waved their partner towards the spare room in the office, reserved for nights like this one. "I'll wake you if I come up with anything."

Their partner watched them for a long time- longer than Hero would've assumed it'd take them to process their words. Finally, they nodded and stood with a stretch.

"Alright, alright... don't have to twist my arm about it..." They grumbled. Their partner closed the door, and Hero was left to their affairs in the office.

None of the data they had seemed to be connecting. There was no consistency in the victims themselves. The night posed a threat to all who got enveloped by the darkness, and city curfew ordinances worked to an extent. There were the chosen few who believed they were different, and could walk the streets unscathed.

And it was always the files of the chosen few who flooded Heros desk.

Amongst the grotesque pictures and detailed coroner reports, the phone rang. Heros stomach turned, hoping it wasn't another victim. Hero slammed their hip against the desk, causing a curse to hiss past their teeth as they answered.

"Dammit all.. Hello?"

"Detective, we have a sighting, its-"

"Yes!" Hero called as they headed to towards the spare room. "We are on our way out now, let me just wake up my-"

As Hero pushed open the door, their stride ceased.

The bed was empty, sheets disheveled. The window leading to the fire escape was open, allowing the curtains to billow in with the wind.

"Where did you say that sighting was..." Hero managed to say past the lump in their throat.

"Behind your office building, Detective. We have units on your way, just stay where you are and we-"

Hero hung up.

There was no way they were letting it get away this time.

---

How had they not heard anything? How could they let this be their fault? How come they couldn't keep their spiraling in check to pay attention to the fact their partner was taken while they slept?

Hero grasped the grip of their gun tightly as they stepped out to the street, and the cool air soothed their reddened eyes.

Only a few other buildings surrounded theirs, spaced by yellowed streetlamps, before the road extended off into the woods. Multiple search parties scanned the trees, yet the creature was too smart to attack a group. No, the coward waited until their victim was alone and sheltered from the eyes of the world.

Much like Hero was.

The police had a ten minute drive, but Hero was sure the case would surely be wrapped up by then. The streetlights offered a dim, faded light down the alleyway. As one hand steadied the gun, the other reached for their belt, and to their dismay found no flashlight.

"Come on out, you motherfucker..." Hero cursed, striking their lighter on their leg.

Something shuffled around the corner- a tall, obscured shadow just out of the lights reach. Hero took a deep breath, and kept moving forward.

Hero cocked the gun, and before the pin fell, a flash of smoke clouded their vision. An unrelenting force pushed them back against the wall, making Hero drop the lighter. Before they could raise the gun again, the same powerful force wrenched it from their hand and pinned their wrist to the rough brick.

"Let me go!" Hero yelled as they brought up a fist to swing at the creature. That, too, was caught, and pinned to the wall.

"You really are utterly predictable," a voice- a snide, smooth... familiar voice retorted.

Hero stopped struggling, and as the smoke settled around them, the faint glow of the fallen lighter illuminated angular, otherworldly features.

"N-no..."

Hero looked up at the set of toothy canines hidden behind perfectly arched lips, and the faintest hint of cigarettes lingered on their bated breath. Dark eyes- entirely black- fixated on Hero, and were illuminated by the flickering flame of the lighter below them.

"It.. It can't be.. you... I-I don't understand, I-"

There was no warmth to be found when the space between them was closed by the towering, distorted body of their partner- the true Villain.

"Then, let me help you understand."

Not even when Hero felt a set of lips against their own.

There was too much to make of the situation: hours of mind numbing work, fatigue from the late nights, all for the grief and anger of potentially having lost their partner be for naught when their partner brought this upon them.

But, Hero found relief in knowing they weren't another victim.

The tension eased, which allowed long arms to let go of Heros wrists and wrap around their waist. Their skin was colder than the cuffs on Heros hip, but was softer than Hero imagined it to be. As they began to lose themselves in the kiss and how sharp their teeth were against Heros tongue, they parted.

"Oh?"

"W..what?"

"So, thats it..."

"What are you on about?"

"Here I thought all your staring, all your fake politeness, was because you knew it was me and had me figured out from the start," they chuckled as they raised Heros face. "Not that you had a little crush on me~"

Against their cold, clawed hands, Hero felt warmth rise to their face.

"I did not!" they dismissed. "I do not- what do you expect me to make of this? You've killed dozens of people, I-I have to do whats right!"

"Then do it," they mused by Heros ear. A long, slender tongue ran along the pulsing vein up their neck. "I don't taste a drop of fear in your sweat Hero... maybe it's in your blood..."

Hero could hardly think of what to do, pinned the way they were. On one hand, Villain lied to them about the nightmare brought upon the town. On the other, it was still their partner. Hero seen what they could do to a body, so why weren't they finishing the job now?

"Why would I be scared of you?" Hero managed with a scoff. "What an insult..."

A hand tilted Heros head to the side, and Villains leg pushed between theirs to spread them. Despite the cold body, a hot breath ghosted along their neck. Somewhere in the distance, Hero could hear sirens.

"You have every reason to be; I could kill you right now."

"Then do it."

Instead of a response, there was a chuckle before white hot pain emanated in their neck.

Elongated fangs sunk into the flesh before they retracted shortly after. Soft lips closed around the wound, and they drank Hero in deeply. Their tongue ran along the vein while massaging along the skin. A strangled gasp left Heros lips. but their hands only held onto their partners clothes.

"You... bite like a mosquito~" They sighed with an amused chuckle, before the leg between theirs pressed upwards to pull a different sound from Hero's chest.

"And you moan like a whore," Villain hummed. "You take this so well like one too."

Stars began to dance at the corners of Heros vision. As their body grew weak, Villain cradled them close. One hand held Heros face, and their other arm stayed securely around their waist. Was Villain this way with the other victims? Was Heros hunch that this would be different wrong?

"Is... this all you need? Blood?"

There wasn't a response- only a soft hum and a gentle caress of Villains thumb against Heros cheek.

"Then.. leave me alive," Hero managed out, their voice slurred as consciousness grew more distant. "And I won't... you don't..."

Hero blinked, and then they were sat on the ground of the alley. Villain guided Heros hand to hold their neck, all while a smile stayed pleasantly plastered on their bloodied mouth.

"Shh, you won't have anything to worry about soon. You did so good for me." Villain wiped a bit of blood from their chin, and licked it off their thumb. "Tasted even better."

Red and blue lights stirred Hero from the darkness which overtook soon after. Voices blurred with radio frequencies, the buildings spun around them, but Villain was nowhere to be found. The world around Hero went black and they slipped into a dreamless sleep.

---

When Hero awoke in the hospital, they were greeted with chief for questioning. A thick bandage held firm around their neck, but despite the grizzly attack, Hero had no details to report. It was dark, so they couldn't get a description. It was quick, with little time to tell either. It wasn't long after the interview that Hero was checked over, and given strict bed rest orders by the doctor.

Once they crossed through the lobby and into the warmth of the sunny day, the wind carried by the faint smell of a cigarette. Hero followed the scent to a familiar pair of dark eyes, no longer clouded by fatigue.

"You're staring..." Hero cautioned as they neared.

"Yeah, because you look like shit~" Villain flicked off the ash from their cigarette as a smile crossed their lips.

Hero couldn't help but yield one of their own.

"C'mon. I could go for a drink right now," they said with a sigh as they took the cigarette from Villains hand. "But you're buying... sound reasonable?"

"Hmm..." Villain hummed in thought as they took a step forward to slip the gold zippo back in the front pocket of Heros jacket before smoothing their hands down their chest.

"Fairly~"

[thecorpuscorpse]

[thecorpuscorpse]

I want to write a book called “your character dies in the woods” that details all the pitfalls and dangers of being out on the road & in the wild for people without outdoors/wilderness experience bc I cannot keep reading narratives brush over life threatening conditions like nothing is happening.

I just read a book by one of my favorite authors whose plots are essentially airtight, but the MC was walking on a country road on a cold winter night and she was knocked down and fell into a drainage ditch covered in ice, broke through and got covered in icy mud and water.

Then she had a “miserable” 3 more miles to walk to the inn.

Babes she would not MAKE it to that inn.