bonnibelleangelica

[bonnibelleangelica]

No tags, just a little journal entry...

My book is done. But I’ll be honest, I’m the most scared I’ve been so far. Sometimes I wish I had written a simple romance with basic themes instead of aiming so high. There’s too much to be wrong about now. I’ve had to research everything from genetics to evolution to albinism to eugenics to racial stereotypes and even with all that, I'm so scared of being wrong. I can handle criticism and I can handle mean people, but the first bad review that's right will hurt. The more I worry, the less I can think. I forget about everything I've done right and everything I love and it's all just... words.

I’ll be okay. I have a release date and 100k words so I can't quit. My beta readers will gas me up and I’ll go back to my cocky, extra self.

[bonnibelleangelica]

I finished my book last week and as I jump into editing and beta reading let me just say, I didn’t think about how long a book is. Like, I did, I made this progress thermometer and everything but like, now I have to read the same book end to end over and over again?? It's a good book, don’t get me wrong, but like... Could you read a book 4x in a row? I have ADHD and dyslexia so this bad boy is starting to sound like static. Still slaps tho...

Anyway, Human Nature launches October 4th so follow me here, here > @statusquoofficial and on instagram at StatusQuoOfficial ❤️

[bonnibelleangelica]

Me: * dissociating and not being able to comprehend anything I’ve written *

Me: THESE ARE ALL JUST WORDS !!!

[bonnibelleangelica]

Writing: Things I Learnt the Hard Way #18

~Story Elements Brought to Life~

Show, Don’t Tell is a classic writing tool that every author has to master. However, many people struggle with the concept, thinking it just means adding sensory detail and saying “My palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy,” instead of “I was nervous.” This is a very valid aspect of SDT but it’s only just scratching the surface.

For example, in my book (bear with me), there are 4 social classes based on genetic quality. I could just say that and I do, my main character speaks about them many times, but if you get to the end of the series and all you know of them is what you were directly told, my world-building will feel hollow.

What do I do?

Show it, obviously. I could have my character walk amongst each class, seeing how they live and what cultural differences they have, but if I want to go deeper, I should try to embody them. Create characters that represent each class so that we can feel their culture come alive. When you think about them, a face pops into your head, a mascot, an icon. Of course, there can be multiple characters from each class and that can serve to show different facets, opposing reactions to the same circumstances, but at the very least, we should get a taste of all of them.

This goes for more than just classes too. Embody all the core elements of your world. Show the victims, the grieving mothers who lost their son in that war you’re always going on about, the poor souls that weren’t as lucky as your protagonist. Magic system? Have a character (even a minor one) for every kind of sorcery.

“There are wizards that ride dragons.” Okay? Where? I don’t see them. What was even the point of mentioning them?

Check out the other writing tips on my page and here’s my dystopian romance book >>> @statusquoofficial

[bonnibelleangelica]

Writing: Things I Learnt The Hardway #17

~Villians and Conflicts~

This isn’t a RULE but it did help me with my book so listen up.

Your antagonist (bad guy) should be in opposition to your protagonist’s (main character) goals. Not just a mean or even an evil person, this character should be what stands directly in your MC’s way. If you’re struggling to find a conflict under all that worldbuilding and character development, tie a person to a problem. Not just “I need to escape this cult.’ Try ‘I need to escape the leader of this cult who just so happens to also be my mother...” For example ;)

This sounds like Writing 101 but it can be easy to lose interest when your MC isn’t anyone’s target in particular. Environmental and situational conflicts are valid, but they run dry faster and can turn into plot-convenient obstacles that pop up randomly. A villain that knows the protagonist’s goals keeps the fight proactive and intentional more than just being difficult.

Anyway my book about a boy escaping his mother’s cult coming out October 4th. Check it out > @statusquoofficial

[bonnibelleangelica]

[bonnibelleangelica]

Look at this stupid motherfucker...

[bonnibelleangelica]

Hi Tumblr, you can handle a few extras:

-In all likelihood, you’ll ignore my wishes and ship Elmer and Phylum instead. Such is life

-Some of you will have a weird obsession with Ash (THE CHILD)

-My lesbians will be part of those harem fics, no matter how hard I try.

-Some will say my autistic rep is stereotypical because Canopy is bad with eye contact. Those who actually have autism will see all the tiny details and know it's in her bones.

-My narrative voice will annoy the hell out of some people. It is sarcastic and it is obnoxious.

-Go on you son of a bitch, make Phylum trans. Its ok

[bonnibelleangelica]

I just finished my book

[bonnibelleangelica]

Check it out here > @statusquoofficial

CAT GIRLS

[bonnibelleangelica]

I just finished my book

I just finished my book

[bonnibelleangelica]

Writing: Things I Learnt The Hard Way #16

This time, the ‘hard way’ was sitting through the worse workshop of my life and hating the speaker’s opinions so much that I was forced to make my own answer. He seemed to think people hate reading?? So he wanted us to never use any big words or metaphors, just the most blunt phrasing possible.

Ironically, this man would not shut up and trailed off on tangents every time he opened his mouth.

Anyway follow me on Threads and Instagram 🩷 My book comes out October 4th!

[bonnibelleangelica]

When a man snaps at you, I highly recommend saying “Rarrrr! Talk about a cat-boy, meow...”

[bonnibelleangelica]

This quote is actually really funny in context. It's just a little albino girl standing in a dark room. She isn’t trying to be creepy, it’s just an unfortunate set of circumstances.

But on a deeper level, this is the perfect introduction for her. Phylum (MC) has almost no experience with this class of his people, just rumours and stigma. He’s scared of a little disabled girl for literally just existing. Her nightgown is stained because it's her only outfit and the room is dark because the lights are broken. Very thematic if I do say so myself :3

-Human Nature: Chapter 10- Doors