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My dash has been weird for the last few days and I figured yours might be too so here’s a cat making soup

Holy shit

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Writing great descriptions

Some constant feedback I've been getting on my work is that I'm really good at writing descriptions of places and characters. So, I thought I'd share how I describe things in my writing:

1. Use the 5 senses

This may seem pretty obvious. It's advice that you'll probably hear a lot.

However, very few writers actually implement it.

Yes, sight is very important in fiction, because it helps your reader visualize the setting and characters. But your descriptions will feel bland if that is all you use.

But I also wouldn't recommend using all 5 senses in one description.

Pick those that would stand out. Unless your character can't see, sight will most likely be one of the senses you choose. Then, think about whether there would be a specific sound that the character would pick up on. Maybe there's a particular smell. Then focus on those.

Maybe your character is seeing the gold of silk bedsheets whilst feeling its smoothness and smelling cologne.

Maybe they're tasting chemicals in the air and smelling smoke etc.

Choose 2/3 senses and hone in on those.

2. Live through your character

This step goes for any form of narration that is close to your character - First person, third person deep, third person subjective, stream of consciousness etc.

Where a description is written through the character's eyes, you need to convey the place/character in the way they would.

Is your character very attracted to eyes? Then they'd spend more time describing another character's eyes. Has your character never smelled cow dung? Then that may be something they notice aptly about their setting. Is your character vain? Do they have any interests that might inform their view of the world?

An artist will notice different things than a builder. A writer might imagine the event/character as a scene - noticing the poetic aspects of something. A professional athlete might notice someone's physical aptness for a particular sport. A chef will describe a taste experience differently than a hungry sailor etc.

Make sure to use your character's senses.

3. Bring in emotion/association

Often, places/people are poignantly described through linking them to another experience/thing or by focusing on the emotion they evoke.

Does the setting evoke wonder, disgust or fear? Does it look like a haunted house or a fairytale castle?

Does a character radiate kindness or intimidation. Do they make your POV character think of lazy days or a roller-coaster?

How can you describe the place/person on a deeper level than with the 5 senses?

Even better if you can incorporate tip 2 and make the emotion/association specific to the POV character's perspective.

4. Use the right words

This tip has a few aspects to it.

Firstly, it's important to orientate your reader through description. Otherwise, you might end up with talking/floating head syndrome. BUT, it's crucial not to overdo the descriptions in your work. Long, purply descriptions lose readers' attention. So, you need to convey what is necessary to immerse they reader in as few words as possible.

This requires using precise adjectives and adverbs. Don't string together long sentences of descriptors if two better words could convey the same thing. As long as you don't end up sounding like a dictionary, a thesaurus is your friend. Look for the word that is specific to your intention and use only that.

Secondly, it's important to consider the connotations of a word/the mood a word created. If you're describing a fairytale castle, the word "gross" is probably less appropriate than "grand" even though they can literally be used for the same thing.

Think of the mood you want to convey. How do you want the reader to experience this place/character. And use words that will reinforce that mood.

"Magic" and "sorcery" have different connotations. As do "secret" and "clandestine".

Good descriptions use the right words.

This is also something you can improve on/fix during editing. So, you don't necessarily have to get caught up on finding the perfect word whilst drafting.

5. Only describe what is necessary

Some things are universal. People have eyebrows. Toiletpapier looks like toiletpapier. A door is a door.

So, unless there's something note-worthy about an everyday object, it really isn't necessary to describe it.

You can just say: she opened the window. You don't have to describe the pane, the reflection of sunlight on the glass etc. Unless it's stained glass or a three-story Victorian bay window or something like that.

Sometimes, it's fitting to describe something others would have experienced, but that is in limited circumstances. If you're writing a love scene, maybe it's worth it to describe the feeling of bedsheets against the character's bare back etc.

A good rule is not to describe anything your character isn't experiencing or wouldn't notice. Don't go into detail explaining the way a wind-chime sounds if there isn't even a breeze. Don't describe a kitchen floor if it isn't something the character wouldn't have commented on.

Unless you have a very good reason.

So, those are my tips on writing great descriptions. I hope that this can be useful. If you would like me to post some examples from my latest novel, please let me know.

Reblog if you found these tips useful. Follow me for similar content.

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Tumblr Code.

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thank u barbie for showing bi/lesbian solidarity

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Mickey Mouse says:

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#literal fetus

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Behind the Scenes (October 2000)

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“I love anyone who has turned up the volume when my song comes on the radio… anyone who can sing along to my songs when I play them live. Anyone who’s ever requested a song on the radio, or even remembered my name. You have let me into your life, and I will never be able to thank you enough for that. I love YOU”

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A List of Random Character Quirks

For interesting and 3-dimensional characters

Can’t whistle (but wishes they could)

Super frugal

Runs a cat blog

Wears too many hats

Loves poetry

Scared of birds

Despises country music

Terrible driver

Hates clowns

Watches only old movies

Likes to paint

Doesn’t wear white because they’re messy 

Learned a very obscure language for fun

Allergic to their dog but loves the dog anyway

Loves bingo

Gum chewing addiction

Has never been seen with their long hair down

Snorts while laughing

Loves spiders

Can recite lines from books or movies

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I FUCKING FOUND THE VIDEO OF SHAWN SAYING HE LIKES BEING LITTLE SPOON

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List of Elemental Abilities

Air/Wind

Aerokinesis -manipulate the air, wind, and gas.

Aeroportation - teleport using air/wind currents.

Air Mimicry - transform into a cloud of gas, fog, or mist.

Atmokinesis - manipulate the weather by mixing water, fire, earth, air, and lightning/electricity.

Deoxygenation - suck up all the oxygen from a place.

Lung Adaptation - breath anywhere

Wind Generation - create blasts of air.

Divine Winds Manipulation - create and control heavenly winds.

Dark Wind Manipulation - create and control eerie winds.

Earth

Geokinesis - control, manipulate, and reshape the earth at will.

Atmokinesis - control and manipulate the weather by mixing water, fire, earth, air, and lightning/electricity.

Crystallokinesis - manipulate minerals and crystals.

Ferrokinesis… manipulate metal at will.

Fraxikinesis - manipulate burnt matter.

Geo-Thermokinesis - manipulate, control, and create lava, magma and volcanoes.

Golem Creation - make golems out of inanimate materials like rocks, wood, plants, magma, etc.

Granulation… can turn things into sand.

Halokinesis - control and manipulate salt.

Hyalokinesis - control and manipulate glass.

Koniokinesis - manipulate and control dust particles.

Plassikinesis - manipulate and control all forms of plastic.

Psammokinesis - can control and manipulate sand.

Terrakinesis - control, manipulate and alter/reshape the surrounding terrain and landscape at will.

Terraportation - teleport via the earth and earth-based materials.

Sacred Earth Manipulation - Create, manipulate, control, reshape divine earth minerals.

Black Earth Manipulation - Create, manipulate and control tainted and evil earth minerals.

Fire

Pyrokinesis - create, control and manipulate fire, flame and heat.

Atmokinesis - control and manipulate the weather by mixing water, fire, earth, air, and lightning/electricity.

Fire Breath - breathe out flames.

Geo-Thermokinesis - manipulate lava, magma and volcanoes.

Heliokinesis - manipulate and control the sun and sunlight.

Hell-Fire Manipulation - Generate and control flames of hell.

Holy Fire Manipulation - Generate and control flames of Heaven.

Inflammation - burn things.

Melting - heat molecules to melt things.

Plasmakinesis - can control plasma.

Pyrotechnics - create fireworks.

Self-Detonation - explode self and reform.

Thermokinesis - create, control and manipulate heat.

Water

Hydrokinesis - manipulate and control liquid water and mold it into any desired shape or form.

Aquatic Adaptation - adapted to underwater living.

Aquatic Respiration - breathe underwater.

Atmokinesis- control and manipulate the various aspects of the weather by mixing water, fire, earth, air, and lightning/electricity.

Dehydration - absorb water.

Hydroportation - teleport across short or long distances through liquid water.

Water Mimicry - turn into liquid water.

Holy Water Manipulation - create, manipulate and control graceful waters.

Dark Water Manipulation - create, manipulate and control evil and dangerous waters.

Darkness

Umbrakinesis - can manipulate and control darkness or shadows.

Animated Shadow - Animate one’s shadow.

Light Absorption - block out light in an area.

Night Vision - see in the dark.

Sacred Darkness - create holy darkness.

Shadow Camouflage - be unseen in shadows.

Shadow Mimicry - become a shadow.

Umbrageous Teleportation - teleport via the shadows and darkness.

Electricity/Lightning

Quintessence Force -Can generate whitish-blue lightning that also contains pure life energy.

Electrokinesis - control, generate or absorb electric fields and shoot lightning bolts.

Activation & Deactivation - turn stuff on and off.

Positron Manipulation - control positrons, the antimatter counterpart to electrons.

Electrical Absorption - absorb electricity.

Electric Mimicry -transform entire body into a lightning-like being of pure electrical energy

Electrical Transportation - teleport with lightning.

Divine Lightning Manipulation - create and control the brightest lightning.

Black Lightning Manipulation - create and control the darkest lightning.

Energy

Dynamokinesis - manipulate existing energy.

Energy Blast - create blasts of energy.

Energy Emission - release energy.

Quintessence Force - create and manipulate unique form of electrical and life energy.

Mana Manipulation

Chi Manipulation

Electricity Manipulation

Energy Manipulation

Ice

Cryokinesis - control ice, snow and other forms of frozen water.

Freeze Breath - freeze things in solid ice.

Freezing - lower the temperature in kinetic atoms to freezing temperatures.

Frigokinesis - control snow either as precipitation or already on the ground.

Ice Beam - shoot beams of freezing energy.

Ice Generation

Light

Dark Light Manipulation - create the darkest light in existence.

White Light Manipulation- create sacred light from the divine.

Photokinesis - create and manipulate pure light.

Force-Field Generation - create protective shields of solid photons.

Invisibility - be unseen.

Laser Emission - bend light wavelengths to create lasers.

Light Absorption -absorb the light around you.

Light Generation - emit blinding light or glow in the dark.

Light Mimicry - take on the traits of light.

Photoportation - Teleport by using photons.

Projective Invisibility - turn other things invisible.

Evil Banish - Rid and banish all spirits of evil and black magic.

Light Manipulation

Weather

Atmokinesis - manipulate the various aspects of the weather by using water, fire, earth, air, and lightning/electricity.

Atmokinetic Resistance - immunity to all weather-based abilities and effects.

Atmokinetic Sensing - sense the future weather patterns.

Other

Aether Manipulation

Cosmic Manipulation

Gravity Manipulation

Nether Manipulation

Space-Time Manipulation

From Superpower Wikia. See their complete list of superpowers HERE.

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16 Villain Archetypes

The TYRANT: the bullying despot, he wants power at any price. He ruthlessly conquers all he surveys, crushing his enemies beneath his feet. People are but pawns to him, and he holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this man’s way – he’ll think nothing of destroying you. The BASTARD: the dispossessed son, he burns with resentment. He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him. His deeds are often for effect – he wants to provoke action in others. He proudly announces his rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by his boyish demeanor – he’s a bundle of hate. The DEVIL: the charming fiend, he gives people what he thinks they deserve. Charisma allows him to lure his victims to their own destruction. His ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him well. Close your ears to his cajolery – he’ll tempt you to disaster. The TRAITOR: the double agent, he betrays those who trust him most. No one suspects the evil that lurks in his heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends. Never turn your back on him — he means you harm. The OUTCAST: the lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, he has been set off from others, and usually for good cause. He craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on him - he’ll have none for you. The EVIL GENIUS: the malevolent mastermind, he loves to show off his superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark. Don’t let him pull your strings – the game is always rigged in his favor. The SADIST: the savage predator, he enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this man; and he plays those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk, away from this man – he’ll tear out your heart, and laugh while doing it. The TERRORIST: the dark knight, he serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue, and judges all around him by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify his nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give him pause. Don’t try to appeal to his sense of justice – his does not resemble yours. The BITCH: the abusive autocrat, she lies, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her – only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her – she doesn’t help anyone but herself. The BLACK WIDOW: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie. The BACKSTABBER: the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victims’ secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in her – she’ll betray you every time. The LUNATIC: the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic – she is unfathomable. The PARASITE: the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her – she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself. The SCHEMER: the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs – she means you no good. The FANATIC: the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies hers action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways – she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong. The MATRIARCH: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.

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this is the cutest little thing I’ve ever seen. thank you

poor bby boy isn’t angry he just needs a hug

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In this house we love and respect Christy Altomare