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💔 EMOTIONS: THE SECRET INGREDIENT YOUR STORY IS STARVING FOR

Filed under: Writing Tips, Writer Feels, Prose That Bleeds

Let’s be clear: if your story doesn’t make anyone feel something… It’s not a story. It’s a mildly interesting grocery list with plot.

We don’t stay up past midnight flipping pages for worldbuilding. We stay because our hearts are tangled in someone else’s grief, joy, rage, or reckless longing.

🌒 1. EMOTION IS THE REAL MAGIC. Swords are cool. Starships are cooler. But if your protagonist can’t feel anything while their kingdom burns or their lover leaves, we’re not going to care.

Emotion is what turns “plot” into “experience.”

🕯️ 2. DON’T TELL US HOW TO FEEL. BLEED IT ONTO THE PAGE. Don’t write:

“She was sad.”

Write:

“She sat on the floor and peeled the label off her bottle, again and again, until her thumbs stung.”

Let your character’s actions, reactions, and silences carry the emotional weight. Readers aren’t dumb—they’ll feel it if you let them.

🌊 3. BIG MOMENTS NEED SOFT SPACES. The battle is epic. The twist is brutal. But did you give us the quiet after? The shaking hands. The broken voice. The moment of laughter that comes too soon and too loud.

Emotion lives in the in-between.

🔥 4. EVEN MONSTERS FEEL. Your villain? They cry in the dark. Your hero? They panic, spiral, grieve, hope.

Emotions don’t make characters weak—they make them real. And real characters make unforgettable stories.

🖋️ 5. WRITE WHAT HURTS. That thing you don’t want to write? That scene that hits a little too close? That’s probably the one readers will remember years from now.

Emotions make your writing honest. And honest writing haunts.

✨ Final Spell: If plot is the skeleton, emotion is the blood. Let your story feel. Let it ache, laugh, scream, love. Because when your reader’s chest tightens and their throat burns—they’re not just reading. They’re living it.

Write brave. Write raw. —Cloaked Press 🖤

[cloakedpress]

WRITING DIVERSITY WITHOUT SCREWING IT UP

Filed under: Writing Tips, Hot Takes, Don't Be That Author

Let’s talk about writing diverse characters. Not the kind where someone slaps “ethnically ambiguous” on a background character and calls it representation. We mean actual diversity. Of race. Gender. Culture. Ability. Queerness. Faith. Class. Neurodivergence. The whole spectral banquet of humanity.

So here’s how to not write a disaster:

🌈 1. DIVERSITY ISN’T A TREND. It's not a flavor of the month. It’s not a box to tick so your story looks “woke.” If you're adding a marginalized character just to prove you're a Good Writer™—don't.

Diverse people are not seasoning. They’re the meal.

🧠 2. AVOID THE TRAP OF “DIVERSITY” = TRAUMA. Marginalized characters deserve joy, magic, adventure, romance, rage, and bad decisions—not just stories about pain.

If your only disabled character exists to “inspire” the abled hero, congrats: you wrote a Hallmark villain origin story.

💀 3. STEREOTYPES ARE LAZY. No, not all Black characters need to be sassy. Not all queer characters need tragic pasts. Not all Asian characters are geniuses. We contain multitudes. Write people, not tropes.

When in doubt: if it feels like something a 90s sitcom would do, delete it.

📖 4. DO YOUR DAMN RESEARCH. Writing outside your own lived experience? Cool. But don’t wing it.

Read books by people in that community.

Follow creators, not just critics.

Listen before you write.

Get sensitivity readers if you’re stepping into unfamiliar territory.

Google is free. So are most library cards.

🩶 5. LET DIVERSITY TOUCH THE WHOLE STORY. Don’t silo it. A queer character’s identity affects how they move through the world. A character with chronic illness may interact with magic, tech, or battle differently. Let identity shape the narrative. That’s the good stuff.

✨ Final Spell: Representation isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being thoughtful. Intentional. Honest.

Don’t write to impress. Write to reflect the world—and maybe make it a little bigger in the process.

Stay strange, stay true. —Cloaked Press 🖤

[cloakedpress]

Tips from a Beta Reading Writer

This one's for the scenes with multiple characters, and you're not sure how to keep everyone involved.

Writing group scenes is chaos. Someone’s talking, someone’s interrupting, someone’s zoning out thinking about breadsticks. And if you’re not careful, half your cast fades into the background like NPCs in a video game. I used to struggle with this so much—my characters would just exist in the scene without actually affecting it. But here’s what I've learned and have started implementing:

✨ Give everyone a job in the scene ✨

Not their literal job—like, not everyone needs to be solving a crime or casting spells. I mean: Why are they in this moment? What’s their role in the conversation?

My favourite examples are:

The Driver: Moves the convo forward. They have an agenda, they’re pushing the action.

The Instigator: Pokes the bear. Asks the messy questions. Stirring the pot like a chef on a mission.

The Voice of Reason: "Guys, maybe we don’t commit arson today?"

The Distracted One: Completely in their own world. Tuning out, doodling on a napkin, thinking about their ex.

The Observer: Not saying much, but noticing everything. (Quiet characters still have presence!)

The Wild Card: Who knows what they’ll do? Certainly not them. Probably about to make things worse.

If a character has no function, they’ll disappear. Give them something—even if it’s just a side comment, a reaction, or stealing fries off someone’s plate. Keep them interesting, and your readers will stay interested too.

[cloakedpress]

🖋️ WRITING DIALOGUE THAT DOESN’T SUCK (EVEN A LITTLE BIT)

Filed under: Writing Tips, Writer Problems, Mysteriously Good Prose

So. You’re writing a scene. It’s tense. Maybe someone just confessed to murder—or worse, love. You lean back, crack your knuckles, and then…

Your characters start talking like they're auditioning for a soap opera in purgatory.

Don’t panic. Cloaked Press is here to help you un-suckify your dialogue.

🌕 1. IF IT SOUNDS LIKE A SCREENPLAY FROM THE VOID, DELETE IT. Bad dialogue often tries too hard to sound dramatic. You know the kind:

“I can’t believe you, Veronica. After everything.” “Don’t you see? I had to steal the emerald dagger. For us.”

No one talks like this. Not even cursed pirate lovers from the 18th century.

Try this instead:

“You always think I owe you.” “I didn’t do it for you. I did it so we’d both live.”

Still dramatic. Still juicy. But believable.

🌘 2. EVERY LINE SHOULD DO SOMETHING. Dialogue isn’t filler. It’s not there to kill time until the next werewolf attack or necromancer duel. It should:

Reveal character

Build tension

Advance the plot

Or be so charming we want to tattoo it on our forearm

If it doesn’t do any of those, cut it like it just betrayed the protagonist.

🌒 3. GIVE YOUR CHARACTERS DIFFERENT VOICES (NO, REALLY) All your characters shouldn’t sound like you with a thesaurus. One mumbles. One over-explains. One says “fuck” like it’s a comma.

Think of dialogue like fingerprints. No two should match.

🌑 4. SUBTEXT IS YOUR DARK AND GLORIOUS FRIEND. What characters don’t say is often more powerful than what they do.

“You’re late.” “Traffic.” “Right.” She doesn’t ask why he smells like blood.

That’s tension. That’s mystery. That’s 👏 how 👏 we 👏 do 👏 it.

🌗 5. READ IT OUT LOUD. CRINGE TEST ENGAGED. If it makes you wince when you read it, congrats. You found the bad line. Fix it or bury it under the floorboards.

Bonus: hearing it aloud helps you catch rhythm, pacing, and any unintentional comedy.

✨ Final Spell: Great dialogue feels natural, but it’s actually sneaky and intentional. Like a fae bargain. Or your favorite villain.

So revise. Listen. And don’t be afraid to make it weird.

Darkly yours, —The Cloaked Press Team 🖤

[cloakedpress]

how to avoid burnout as a writer (from someone who has been on fire too many times)

✨ burnout is real and it sucks. ✨ it sneaks up on you. one day you're vibing, writing 3k words like you're possessed by a victorian ghost, and the next you can't even open your google doc without feeling like you're made of sand.

so, here’s a soft little reminder list for avoiding that very specific hell:

1. set baby goals, not monster goals.

yes, it’s sexy to aim for 5k words a day. no, it’s not sustainable unless you are a literal cryptid who feeds on caffeine and deadlines. try "write 100 words" or "open the document and stare at it lovingly." smaller wins keep the spark alive.

2. romanticize resting.

if you treat naps, nature walks, and binge-watching shows like sacred rituals, your brain will actually thank you by NOT catching fire. resting isn't "losing time" — it's fueling your magic.

3. stop treating first drafts like final drafts.

your first draft is supposed to be messy. it’s a goblin draft. let it have typos and weird pacing and characters who change eye color halfway through a scene. perfectionism is burnout’s evil twin.

4. write for yourself first.

not your future readers. not your critical cousin. not even your annoying inner editor who sounds suspiciously like your 8th grade english teacher. write what makes you feel something.

5. say yes to real life.

touch grass. call your friends. eat a popsicle. people-watching at the grocery store counts as research, actually. if you make your whole life about writing, it will eat you alive. you are a human, not a word factory.

6. accept the seasons of writing.

sometimes you’ll be in full-on creative beast mode. sometimes you’ll feel like a wrung-out dishcloth. both are normal. trust the cycle.

🌿 writing is a long game. protect your spark. protect your heart. the world needs your stories, but it needs you more. 🌿

[cloakedpress]

I have this character named Jade. She's the sister of one of the MC's, Meia. She's kind of the antagonist in this story, having stolen the Emerald Crown. I know for what purpose she did this: So people like her and Meia could live somewhere (they lost their parents and couldn't find a place in Emeraude anymore). Meia is going on the quest to sabotage it. I want Jade to change her mind at the end of the story, but... How do I do that?

Jade’s change of heart could come from her growing inner conflict over the consequences of her actions. Initially, she steals the Emerald Crown to secure a future for herself and Meia, but as the story progresses, she starts to see how her plan brings unintended harm to others. The guilt begins to weigh on her, and by the end of the story, she’s torn between her sense of survival and the realization that her actions are causing more suffering than she anticipated.

[cloakedpress]

Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing: Let’s Talk Pros & Cons

Hey writer friends (and curious readers)!  

If you’re knee-deep in drafting your novel or have a shiny manuscript ready to go, you’ve probably asked yourself:  

Should I self-publish, or go the traditional route?

The answer? It depends. (Annoying, I know—but stick with me.)

Let’s break it down.

SELF-PUBLISHING: Total Control, Total Chaos

Pros:

- Creative Freedom: Want a purple cover with a sword-wielding raccoon on it? Do it. Your book, your rules.

- Speed: You can publish as soon as you're ready—no year-long submission slogs.

- Royalties: You keep a bigger piece of the pie. Amazon, for example, gives you up to 70%.

- You Own Everything: Rights? Yours. Choices? Yours. Empire? Potentially yours.

Cons:

- You're the Boss (and the Intern): Editing, cover design, marketing? All on you, unless you outsource.

- Money Upfront: Professional editing and cover art cost money. Good books need investment.

- Distribution Struggles: Getting into bookstores is harder, and industry recognition isn’t guaranteed.

- Marketing is Mandatory: If you don’t shout about your book, no one else will. Harsh but true.

---

TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING: Prestige & Patience (Big 5 and Bigger Publishers)

Pros:

- Professional Team: Editors, designers, marketers—oh my! You get a whole squad.

- Industry Cred: Awards, reviews, and shelf space in bookstores become a real possibility.

- Advance Money: Sometimes you get paid *before* the book even drops.

- Wider Distribution: Libraries, indie stores, and big box stores are way more accessible.

Cons:

- Gatekeeping is Real: Getting an agent and a deal can take years—and lots of rejections.

- You Lose Some Control: Your title, cover, even content might change based on the publisher’s vision.

- Royalties Are Lower: Expect 8-15% on print books, and smaller eBook percentages.

- Slower Process: From acceptance to release can take 1–2 years. Yep. Years.

So…Which One’s Better?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.  

Want to maintain creative control and move fast? Self-pub might be your jam.  

Crave bookstore presence and a team behind you? Traditional could be the dream.

TL;DR: - Self-pub = indie punk rock band. Loud, scrappy, fully yours.   - Traditional = record label deal. Glossier, wider reach, but more compromise.

Whichever path you choose—just keep writing.

[cloakedpress]

how to write characters that feel like real people and not NPCs in your brain

You ever read a book and think “this character would survive maybe five minutes in a real conversation”? Yeah. Let’s avoid that. Here’s how to make your fictional friends feel real:

everyone wants something

Even if it’s small. Even if it’s stupid. Every character—from your MC to the one-line barista—should want something. A promotion. Revenge. A nap. World domination. That want shapes how they act.

give them contradictions

Humans are messy. Let your characters be brave and terrified, kind but petty, loyal but deeply in denial. That tension? That’s where the magic lives.

let them make bad choices

If your character is right all the time, they’re either boring or a liar. People mess up. Let your character mess up in ways that feel true to them, not just to move the plot.

interior life > cool dialogue

Quippy one-liners are fun, but what’s going on underneath? What are they afraid to say out loud? What thoughts would they take to the grave? That’s what makes a character feel alive.

how do they show emotion?

Not everyone cries when sad. Some get mean. Some go quiet. Some rearrange their bookshelves obsessively. Find their emotional language.

backstory = spice, not soup

You don’t need a 12-page trauma dump to make a character real. Drip in bits of their past when it matters. Let it shape them quietly.

voice matters

Everyone shouldn’t sound like you. Think about how your character talks. What words do they overuse? Do they ramble? Are they blunt? What don’t they say?

tl;dr: believable characters aren’t perfect—they’re specific. They’ve got fears, flaws, favorite snacks, weird opinions, and conflicting goals. Make them messy. Make them human.

[cloakedpress]

how to fight writer’s block like it personally insulted your best friend

Writer’s block isn’t a myth. It’s real. It’s rude. And it shows up exactly when you don’t want it to—like an ex at your book launch. Here’s how to yeet it into the void:

1. stop trying to write “good”

Seriously. Lower the bar. Bury the bar. Let the bar rot in the forest. Write badly on purpose. Be cringe. Be free. You can’t fix a blank page, but you can edit a disaster.

2. change the medium

Tired: typing in the same doc for hours. Wired: scribbling in a notebook like a Victorian ghost. Inspired: recording a voice memo like a sleep-deprived cryptid explaining your plot to future you.

3. skip the part that’s blocking you

Stuck on Chapter 5? Write Chapter 9. Write the ending. Write that one scene with the knife and the rain and the betrayal. You can stitch it all together later like Frankenstein’s monster.

4. give your brain new input

Go outside. Touch grass. Watch a movie. Read a book not in your genre. Eavesdrop at a coffee shop. Ideas in = ideas out.

5. bribe yourself

“Write 100 words and you get a cookie.” “Finish this scene and you can scroll Pinterest for aesthetics.” Become your own treat-dispensing machine.

6. embrace ✨trash drafts✨

Your first draft is not the final product. It’s the mess you make before the magic. Let it be wild. Let it be ugly. Let it live.

7. stop declaring war on your creativity

Sometimes writer’s block is just burnout in a trench coat. Maybe what you need isn’t to write harder—it’s to rest, to dream, to let the well refill.

tl;dr: writer’s block can’t survive if you trick it into thinking you're just vibing. So vibe. Write weird stuff. Take breaks. Make art like no one’s watching (because no one is yet).

You’ve got this.

[cloakedpress]

how to weave subplots into your story without getting tangled in the mess

Subplots: the spicy side quests of your main narrative. They deepen your world, flesh out your characters, and keep things interesting. But if you’ve ever added one and ended up with a story that feels like it’s running in six directions at once… yeah. Let’s fix that.

1. your subplot should serve the main plot

Don’t just throw in a romance arc or a secret sibling reveal because it’s fun (though it is fun). Ask:  

- Does this subplot challenge the main character’s goals?  

- Does it echo or contrast the main theme?  

- Does it change something by the end?

If it’s just a cute side quest with no real impact, it’s fanfic material for your own story. Cool, but maybe not plot-essential.

2. intertwine, don’t parallel

Bad: your subplot exists in a bubble, running beside the plot but never touching it.  

Better: your subplot interacts with the main plot. Maybe it complicates things. Maybe it supports the MC in a moment of crisis. Maybe it explodes everything.

Example: your MC is hunting a killer, and the subplot is their failing marriage. Good subplotting means the stress of the hunt affects the marriage, and the marriage affects the hunt.

3. stagger your arcs

Your main plot might hit its midpoint twist at chapter 10. Have a subplot hit a *smaller* emotional beat around chapter 7 or 13. It keeps pacing dynamic and gives your readers something to chew on between big moments.

4. use subplots to develop side characters

Side characters are more than background noise. Give them wants. Give them stakes. Let their stories *collide* with your MC’s. That’s when the magic happens.

5. know when to shut it down 

Not every subplot needs a 3-act structure and a dramatic finale. Some are small. Some fade out naturally. Some just shift the perspective enough to reframe the main plot. If you’re tying up subplot #6 with a bow in the epilogue, maybe ask yourself if it really needed to be there.

6. outline the spiderweb 

It helps to map out how every subplot connects to the main story. Literally. Draw lines. Make a chaos diagram. It doesn’t have to be neat—just make sure those threads touch.

TL;DR:

Subplots are great. Subplots are juicy. But they’re not decoration—they’re infrastructure. Weave them into the story’s bones or risk writing 3 novels in one.

[cloakedpress]

how to stop over-describing in your writing

So you’re writing a scene and suddenly you’ve spent three paragraphs describing the way the curtains flutter in the breeze. Been there. Here’s how to rein it in:

Ask: Does this detail do something?

Does it build mood? Reveal character? Advance the plot? If it’s just vibing there because it’s “pretty,” consider trimming it.

One strong detail > five weak ones

Instead of listing every feature of a room, pick one or two vivid, specific things that convey the vibe. Trust your reader to fill in the rest.

Read aloud

If your paragraph feels like it's dragging or you’re running out of breath, chances are your reader will feel it too.

Treat descriptions like seasoning

A little goes a long way. Sprinkle, don’t dump.

Use the character’s POV

Describe only what they would notice. A detective will see clues. A florist will see the wilting roses. Let their perspective guide the focus.

Sometimes you have to edit it out

Sometimes the line is beautiful. Poetic. Gorgeous. But it doesn’t belong. Cut it. Save it for later. Mourn. Move on.

tl;dr: if your prose starts sounding like a nature documentary, take a step back. Description is a tool, not the whole toolbox.

[cloakedpress]

how to deal with self-doubt as a writer (from someone who lives there rent-free)

writing is hard. even when you love it. especially when you care. and if you’ve ever stared at a page and thought “why am i even doing this?” or “i’ll never be good enough,” congrats, you’re officially a writer.

so here’s the thing. self-doubt isn’t a sign you’re failing. it’s a sign you care. you want your words to matter. you want your stories to land. that’s good. that means you’re reaching for something real.

but here’s how to keep going when the doubt gets loud:

write anyway seriously. even if it’s bad. even if it feels pointless. writing is a muscle. show up, scribble something, and count it as a win.

stop comparing your favorite author has a different path. different tools. different struggles. you’re not behind. you’re on your timeline.

don’t wait for confidence confidence doesn’t show up before the work. it comes after you’ve done the scary thing. write scared. write unsure. write badly if you have to. just keep writing.

talk to other writers you’ll find out they all feel the same way. yes, even the published ones. yes, even the ones with book deals and fan art and movie options.

reread something you’re proud of remember that time you wrote something that made you smile? made someone else cry? go back and read that. you did it once. you can do it again.

be gentle with yourself you don’t have to write every day. you don’t have to be perfect. you’re allowed to rest. you’re allowed to try again.

your voice matters. even if it shakes. even if it whispers. even if it’s still figuring out what it wants to say.

write your messy little stories. write your weird little worlds. write what makes you feel something.

and if no one’s told you today: you’re doing a good job. keep going.

[cloakedpress]

How to Write Better Characters: Roles, Motivation & Actually Making People Care

Let’s be real: your story can have the coolest magic system, the twistiness of the plot, or the hottest vampire/detective/alien—  

but if your characters are flat?  

Nobody’s sticking around.

So let’s break down how to give your characters real presence in your story by understanding their role, their motivation, and how to make them hit harder on the page.

1. What’s Their Role in the Story?

Every character needs a *reason to exist*. Think of them like parts in a machine. What do they *do* in your narrative?

Here are a few basic types:

- Protagonist: The one we’re rooting for. They drive the plot forward.

- Antagonist: The one in their way. Doesn’t have to be evil—just opposed.

- Foil: Someone who reflects the main character’s traits by contrast.

- Mentor: Offers wisdom, often with a tragic backstory or dramatic exit.

- Love Interest: Romantic tension? Check. But make sure they’re *more* than just eye candy.

- Wildcard: Unpredictable chaos gremlin. Every story needs one.

TIP: If you can remove a character without changing the plot? You probably should.

2. What Do They Want? (AKA Motivation)

This is the *core* of your character. Motivation makes everything feel real. Ask yourself:

- What does this character want more than anything?

- Why do they want it?

- What are they willing to do (or give up) to get it?

Bonus points if their motivation is in conflict with someone else’s. That’s where the juicy drama lives.

Ex: “She wants to save her sister. He wants to save the world. One bomb. One choice.”    Now we’re COOKING.

3. How Do You Show It?

Motivation isn’t just monologues and dramatic speeches. It’s in:

- What they *notice* first in a room.

- Who they *trust* (or don’t).

- The mistakes they keep repeating.

- The lies they tell *themselves*.

A character who’s obsessed with control might organize their bag mid-crisis.  

A character desperate to be loved might make themselves useful to everyone… even villains.

4. Let Them Be Messy

Perfect characters are boring.  

Give them contradictions. Regrets. Bad coping mechanisms. Let them be *wrong*. Let them grow.

Characters who never fail or change = characters nobody relates to.

Let your soft boys punch someone. Let your bad girls cry. Let your villains have a point.

5. Ask Yourself the Hard Stuff

- What would break this character?

- What line won’t they cross?

- Who are they when no one’s watching?

If you can answer these? You *know* your character.

6. Level Up: Relationships Matter

Characters don’t exist in a vacuum. Use dynamics to reveal depth:

- A character might be brave in a fight but terrified of disappointing their mentor.

- A flirty rogue might go speechless around the person they actually care about.

- A villain’s cruelty might soften around their childhood friend.

People are different with different people. Show it.

 TL;DR:  

Great characters = clear role + deep motivation + real emotion. 

Make them want things. Make them struggle. Make them human (even if they’re a dragon princess from space).

Want help building a specific character? Drop their name + vibe in my ask box. Let’s break them open together.

[cloakedpress]

Lust, Love, and the Sweet, Sweet Burn: Writing Romance That Makes Readers Feel

Let’s talk romance—specifically the kind that makes readers scream into pillows, clutch their chests, and whisper “just kiss already” at the page. Whether you're a seasoned romance author or just dipping your toes into the love pool, there's one golden truth to remember: good romance is about *tension*. And tension lives in the delicious space between lust and love.

First Comes Lust…

Lust is that electric charge between characters. It’s the stolen glances, the way one of them notices the other's hands or voice or the way they lean in a little too close when they talk. Lust is immediate. It’s instinctual. And let’s be honest, it’s fun as hell to write.

But if you stop there—if all your characters do is pine and make out and pine some more—you risk making it all surface-level. Lust is the spark, but it’s not the whole fire.

Then Comes Love (Eventually)

Love, real love, is slower. It’s about trust, vulnerability, and seeing the other person fully—flaws, baggage, weird hobbies and all—and still leaning in. It happens in the quiet moments: making tea for someone who's had a bad day, remembering how they take their coffee, watching them geek out about something they care about. That’s where readers fall with your characters.

The magic is in the shift—when your characters go from “I want to kiss you until my brain falls out” to “I’d burn the world down if it meant keeping you safe.” It doesn’t happen all at once. And that’s where the slow burn comes in.

Ah, the Slow Burn: Delicious Torture

Slow burn romance is a masterclass in delayed gratification. It's all about restraint. You’re letting readers live in the tension—the almost-touches, the lingering stares, the confessions that never quite happen. And every time the characters get this close to admitting their feelings or acting on them and then don’t? Readers get more hooked.

But here’s the key: something has to be progressing. Slow burn doesn’t mean nothing happens. It means everything matters. 

Every moment builds the foundation. Every emotional beat gets us one step closer to that glorious payoff.

Think of it like cooking over a low flame. You’re letting the flavors deepen. So when the first kiss finally lands? It’s earned. It’s fireworks. It matters.

Tips for Writing a Killer Slow Burn

- Give them obstacles. Emotional baggage, clashing goals, external threats—give your characters legit reasons not to jump into bed right away.

- Let them see each other. Intimacy isn’t just physical. Let your characters learn each other’s fears, dreams, scars.

- Build micro-tension. Hands grazing. One of them patching the other up after a fight. A joke that turns into a confession. Let every small moment do work.

- Make the payoff worth it. When they finally get together—make it satisfying. Let it feel like the culmination of everything they’ve been through.

Don’t Just Make Them Hot—Make Them Real

It’s easy to write about two people who are attracted to each other. What’s harder—and infinitely more rewarding—is writing two people who choose each other. Who grow, change, fight, make up, and fall deeper the whole time.

So go ahead. Light the match. Let them burn slowly. And when your readers are begging for that kiss? That’s how you know you’ve done it right.

[cloakedpress]

How to Write Better Villains (Because Your Story Deserves One)

There’s nothing worse than a forgettable villain. You know the type: cartoonishly evil for no reason, monologuing their master plan to no one in particular, and vanishing from memory the second you finish the book. A great villain, though? They haunt your thoughts, challenge your hero, and—sometimes—you catch yourself *agreeing with them*. If you want to level up your storytelling, here’s how to craft villains that stick.

1. Give them a reason to be bad (and make it make sense)

Nobody wakes up one day and just decides to be evil (unless they’re in a Saturday morning cartoon). Real people are shaped by their pasts, fears, and desires—and your villains should be, too. Maybe they believe they’re saving the world, just in a way that costs too much. Maybe they were betrayed and now trust no one. Whatever the case, give them a *why*. Even better? Make your readers *understand* that why, even if they don’t agree with it.

2. Avoid the evil-for-evil’s-sake trope  

Mustache twirling is out. Complexity is in. A villain who kicks puppies just to prove they’re the bad guy is boring. But a villain who feeds stray dogs while orchestrating a political coup? *That’s* compelling. The best antagonists aren’t evil—they’re driven. And when their goals put them in direct conflict with the hero, *that’s* where the tension comes from. Let them think they’re the hero of their own story.

3. Let your villain challenge the protagonist in meaningful ways  

Your villain shouldn’t just be a physical threat—they should challenge your hero’s beliefs, force them to make hard choices, and maybe even make them question themselves. When the antagonist represents a deeper, thematic opposite to the protagonist, you’ve got literary gold. Think of how The Joker unravels Batman’s moral code, or how Killmonger forces T’Challa to reconsider Wakanda’s isolationism. Conflict isn’t just punches—it’s philosophy.

4. Make them unforgettable

Whether it’s a chilling line of dialogue, an eerie calmness, or a twisted sense of humor, give your villain something *distinct*. Personality matters. A unique voice, a specific mannerism, or an unexpected vulnerability can elevate your villain from “meh” to “iconic.” Think about what makes them tick—and what makes them *memorable*.

5. Don’t be afraid to make them right

The scariest villains are the ones who are *almost* right. When a reader can see where they’re coming from—or even agree with some of their points—that’s powerful. It creates tension not just in the story, but in the reader’s own mind. And that’s exactly what a good villain should do: make you question, make you uncomfortable, and make the story impossible to forget.

What are some of your favorite villains in fiction? Drop your favs (or your own villain WIPs) in the tags or replies—I’d love to see them!

[cloakedpress]

<3 Welcome to Cloaked Press <3

Whimsical. Dark. Reader-obsessed.

We’re a small, independent publishing house conjured into existence in 2017 by writers who wanted something different—something better—for authors and readers alike.

We specialize in: Fantasy that cuts deep Horror that lingers in your bones Sci-fi that stares back when you blink at the stars

And yes—we actually market for our authors. Because we’re author-owned. Because we believe in paying it forward. Because writers should be seen and sold.

We release about 5 spellbinding titles per year, carefully chosen and beautifully crafted, with a focus on original voices, queer stories, and genre blends that don’t color inside the lines.

Our books live in indie bookstores, haunt the halls of Amazon, rest quietly on Barnes & Noble Online, and sometimes whisper through the pages of your favorite newsletter.

Want to know more? Check out our latest titles, preorder something strange and wonderful, or follow us here for behind-the-scenes, cover reveals, author spotlights, and bookish chaos.

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[cloakedpress]

Dark things linger in the mirror. And some of them want out. Grim Reflection is just $0.99 until April 16—don’t miss this chilling New Adult supernatural thriller.

Shay was only looking for proof that ghosts exist. What she found nearly pulled her through the glass.

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