creativemessbyvd

[creativemessbyvd]

writing mood™️

[creativemessbyvd]

Writing Characters with Wings: The Beauty, the Burden, and the Biomechanics

So you’re writing a character with wings. Angelic, draconic, demonic, fae, fallen, or otherwise — gorgeous. But if you want them to feel real, grounded in a world where wings are more than just aesthetics or metaphors, here’s your deep dive into everything you need to consider when writing winged characters.

Wingspan 101: The Numbers That Make It Work

Let’s talk size — because wings aren’t small, and the human body isn’t light.

A human-sized character needs massive wings to fly. The general rule from biology is that the wingspan must be at least 2.5 to 3 times the total body height to achieve lift — often larger if the character is dense with muscle or armor.

A 6-foot tall character would need wings at least 15-18 feet across (that’s 7.5–9 feet per wing!) — and even larger for powered flight or with weapons/gear/clothing.

Bat-like or dragon wings will be longer due to needing more surface area for lift, while bird wings rely more on shape, feathers, and aerodynamics.

And that’s not even getting into takeoff — unless they’re leaping off cliffs, running starts or magical assistance are necessary.

✍️ Tip: If your winged character flies easily from the ground, consider making flight magically assisted rather than biologically plausible. That frees you from gravity’s judgmental eye.

Everyday Difficulties of Wing Ownership

Having wings isn’t all ethereal silhouettes and poetic metaphors. Here are the gritty, unglamorous realities your characters would face:

Sleeping

Wings get crushed if you lie on your back.

Side sleeping is awkward if your wings are large or jointed.

Custom bedding? Absolutely. Maybe even hammocks, curved cushions, or nest-like bedding.

Clothing

Normal shirts and jackets won’t work.

You’ll need wing slits, open backs, or wraps that tie around the body. Think Roman togas or modern backless dresses.

Armour? Custom-forged and probably a pain. Don’t forget feather damage or joint pinching.

✍️ Consider how your character feels about their body being constantly on display. Wings often mean exposed backs and shoulders, which may create vulnerability, vanity, or resentment.

Doors and Crowds

Wide wings = tight doorways, smacking people in corridors, and no stealth in crowds.

Imagine folding your wings every time you sit, walk through a room, or pass a stranger.

✍️ Tip: You can give them a signature motion — like a wing flick when annoyed, or folding them tightly when anxious. Use wings as expressive body language.

Anatomy & Pain: The Biology Behind the Beauty

Let’s be honest: if we’re slapping wings on a human back, we’re violating all kinds of anatomical logic — but that’s okay if you build consistency into your world.

Placement

Real wings (like bird wings) emerge from the shoulder blade area and require massive muscles in the chest and upper back.

This means your winged character would likely have a thickened thorax, and expanded ribcage, and potentially a modified spine to support the muscle and articulation.

Pain and Maintenance

Wings get sore after long flights.

Molting? Yes. Feathers die and fall off.

Injuries like tears, broken bones, or ruffled feathers aren’t just painful — they can be humiliating, especially if wings are a sign of status or identity.

✍️ Treat wings like hands or limbs — they require grooming, get tired, and define personality.

Symbolism & Emotional Weight

Wings often carry metaphorical meaning — and this is where your story can shine.

Liberation or Burden?

Are wings a gift? A sign of divine favor?

Or are they a curse — a mark of something inhuman, a heavy cross to bear?

Intimacy

Touching someone’s wings might be deeply intimate, even erotic or sacred.

Wing injuries could feel like a violation, akin to broken hands or scarred faces.

✍️ Try writing a scene where someone helps preen feathers, cleans wounds, or covers their wings with a blanket. That’s not just care — that’s vulnerability, love, and trust in one.

Emotional Tics

Wings can curl inwards when frightened or sad, flare open when defensive, or shudder when someone’s overwhelmed.

Use them to externalise emotion without needing dialogue.

Societal & Cultural Impacts

If some people have wings and others don’t — that matters. A lot.

Are winged beings seen as divine, or dangerous?

Can they fly freely, or are they kept grounded by laws, jealousy, or architecture?

Are winged people segregated, idolised, or feared?

✍️ A culture that evolved around flight might have multi-level cities, mid-air rituals, different greetings, or class divisions based on wingspan.

Dark Wings, Darker Implications

If your character can’t fly — even with wings — that’s a story.

Maybe their wings are damaged, too small, or shamed.

Maybe they’re haunted by a fall or terrified of heights.

What does that do to a person — to have wings but be bound to the ground?

That contradiction can become a core part of a character arc — not just about wings, but about freedom, failure, and fear.

In Summary

Characters with wings are so much more than “a human but cooler.” They’re a walking contradiction — majestic and awkward, powerful and vulnerable, soaring and struggling.

So write their aches. Write the mornings they wake up with crumpled feathers. Write the power trip of rising above the world, and the terror of falling. Write them like people — winged, wounded, wonderful people.

💬 Reblog with your favorite winged characters, your original ones, or the best wing-related scene you’ve ever read or written! I’d love to see what you’re working on.

[creativemessbyvd]

I think this might be one of my favorite dialogue I have ever written. Spoilers I guess(?) for my upcoming fic CODE GREEN FOX.

Conversation between Sonic and Rouge, very bare bones, I'll add descriptions later for the final fic, sometimes I just like to do the dialogue first and then add everything else when I know where the scene is going, bc to be honest, Sonic's question just surprised me as well.

Sonic starts and then Rouge and it continues like that:

“How do you know when you are in love?” “That’s … quite a big ask, Sonic. I don’t know if I’m the right person to ask this.” “I… honestly didn’t think of anyone else I could ask that wouldn’t leave me feeling, heh, silly I guess? You are straightforward, you won’t sugarcoat or lie to me. I think I know what love feels like but I’m … afraid.” “Afraid?” “Afraid I’m moving too fast for once? The one time my speed isn’t going to help me at all.” “Thank you for the vote of confidence, but wouldn’t Amy have been a better option?” “Haha, yeah, maybe. But while I love Ames to death, she would immediately go crazy in trying to make everything perfect, and probably try to out-romance all her favorite novels and movies. While I don’t necessarily think it would be bad, it could end up being way too much, too soon, you know?” “Yeah, I get what you mean. But I have never been in love before, honey.” “…” “What’s that face for?” “… you know, I came so early to make sure I caught you at home. Knuckles told me he had plans of coming around to take you out for lunch because you guys just got back and Shadow mentioned you might get a new mission as soon as tomorrow or Monday.” “WHAT?! How was that not the first thing you mentioned!” At his raised eyebrows, she caught on. “Oh, ha ha ha, very funny.”

This story continues to surprise me, I'm having fun just writing for an hour every day and continuing to see where these characters take me XD

Anywho, here's a very basic summary for CODE: GREEN FOX, it's gonna have Sonadow, some sprinkled Knuxouge, lots of shenanigans by the gang, some surprise guests and angst for Tails (and then lots of comfort from his bro and friends)! Inspired by Nine from Sonic Prime (I have yet to see it bc I have no time, I either write or I watch it, can't do both, but it's on my list I promise!) and the Timon and Pumba scene of "Can you feel the love tonight?" from the Lion King 3 (1 1/2 for us millennials)

Tails is a little green monster to anyone who tries to have a romantic relationship with Sonic, and has now all the information to disrupt Shadow and Sonic’s first date thanks to Rouge. Amy and Knuckles have no other choice but to call in a Code Green Fox to stop him.

If you are interested, let me know? I'm already 7k words in and not even halfway done on the first chapter! But it won't be an epic one, 5 chapters max! This is gonna be fun!

[creativemessbyvd]

sometimes when I’m being especially self deprecating and convinced no one likes me I have to tell myself “you’re being goob. you are being goob right now”

[creativemessbyvd]

10 Lies Your Character Believes About Themselves (And They’d Die Before Admitting It)

These aren't the fun, Disney Channel lies like “I'm just a regular girl” while literally being a secret pop star. These are the ugly ones. The ones that get in your character’s blood and start rewriting their whole life without them noticing.

» “If people really knew me, they'd leave.” Not "might." Would. No question. So they smile bigger. They edit harder. They keep conversations surface-level. All while carrying this bone-deep certainty that love is conditional... and they are dangerously close to failing the test.

» “I have to earn every good thing.” Rest? Happiness? A day without guilt? They treat those things like prizes at the end of a brutal obstacle course. No one told them they could just have good things. No strings. No blood price. (So they keep bleeding anyway.)

» “I'm too much.” Too loud. Too intense. Too sensitive. Too complicated. They know it. They've been told. So now they pull themselves in, hold their breath, bite back everything real until they barely take up space at all. (And ironically, they still think they’re being "too much.")

» “I'm not enough.” Neat little trick, right? They’re both "too much" and "not enough" at the same time. Magic. They're convinced everyone else got the secret manual for how to be lovable and they somehow missed it.

» “If I'm strong enough, nothing can hurt me.” They call it resilience. Other people call it stubbornness. Reality calls it self-destruction. They've mistaken numbness for healing and independence for invulnerability. But hurt still gets in. It just hits harder when it’s been bottled up for years.

» “I’m responsible for everyone's happiness.” Caretaker. Peacemaker. Therapist friend. Emotional sponge. They���ve appointed themselves as everyone's safety net, believing that if they don’t hold everything together, everything will fall apart. (Newsflash: it's not their circus, and it never was.)

» “I don't need anyone.” Need is a dirty word. It’s weak. It’s dangerous. So they white-knuckle their way through life, collecting scars and pretending it’s freedom. But late at night? In the dark? They’d sell their soul for someone to just... stay.

» “I'm the villain in someone else's story and they might be right.” They know they've hurt people. Made bad calls. Left damage. And no matter how much good they do now, some part of them whispers, You don’t get to come back from that.

» “My best days are behind me.” Whether they peaked in high school, lost their shot at something important, or just carry a chronic ache of nostalgia, they believe it’s too late. That nothing good can be built from where they are now. (Which, ironically, makes them waste even more time.)

» “This is as good as it gets.” They settle. For bad love. Boring jobs. Half-dead dreams. They tell themselves it's "realistic." "Mature." "Practical." But underneath? It's fear. It's heartbreak. It's the quiet belief that hope is something they can’t afford anymore.

[creativemessbyvd]

As a writer, you sometimes start with an idea and have a clear destination. Like being a bus, you know the stops, maybe some construction around the city takes you through a different street. But you generally know how you'll end up in your desired destination.

All the buses I take are not buses but rollercoasters. From the outside I can see the start and end but the loops I thought I would have are not the same I end up having, the drops arrive too soon and I am unable to stop them as I am carried to them. All my characters are laughing in joy around me on the ride as I gaze in horror at what appears on the document as I throw all my plans and outlines out the fucking side to watch them fall down the side of the rollercoaster.

[creativemessbyvd]

Art dump! Cuz! I forget to post here!

[creativemessbyvd]

[creativemessbyvd]

20 Compelling Positive-Negative Trait Pairs

Here are 20 positive and negative trait pairs that can create compelling character dynamics in storytelling:

1. Bravery - Recklessness: A character is courageous in the face of danger but often takes unnecessary risks.

2. Intelligence - Arrogance: A character is exceptionally smart but looks down on others.

3. Compassion - Naivety: A character is deeply caring but easily deceived due to their trusting nature.

4. Determination - Stubbornness: A character is persistent in their goals but unwilling to adapt or compromise.

5. Charisma - Manipulativeness: A character is charming and persuasive but often uses these traits to exploit others.

6. Resourcefulness - Opportunism: A character is adept at finding solutions but is also quick to exploit situations for personal gain.

7. Loyalty - Blind Obedience: A character is fiercely loyal but follows orders without question, even when they're wrong.

8. Optimism - Denial: A character remains hopeful in difficult times but often ignores harsh realities.

9. Humor - Inappropriateness: A character lightens the mood with jokes but often crosses the line with their humor.

10. Generosity - Lack of Boundaries: A character is giving and selfless but often neglects their own needs and well-being.

11. Patience - Passivity: A character is calm and tolerant but sometimes fails to take action when needed.

12. Wisdom - Cynicism: A character has deep understanding and insight but is often pessimistic about the world.

13. Confidence - Overconfidence: A character believes in their abilities but sometimes underestimates challenges.

14. Honesty - Bluntness: A character is truthful and straightforward but often insensitive in their delivery.

15. Self-discipline - Rigidity: A character maintains strong control over their actions but is inflexible and resistant to change.

16. Adventurousness - Impulsiveness: A character loves exploring and trying new things but often acts without thinking.

17. Empathy - Overwhelm: A character deeply understands and feels others' emotions but can become overwhelmed by them.

18. Ambition - Ruthlessness: A character is driven to achieve great things but willing to do anything, even unethical, to succeed.

19. Resilience - Emotional Detachment: A character can endure hardships without breaking but often seems emotionally distant.

20. Strategic - Calculative: A character excels at planning and foresight but can be cold and overly pragmatic in their decisions.

These pairs create complex, multi-dimensional characters that can drive rich, dynamic storytelling.

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[creativemessbyvd]

it may take me a month to put out a chapter but at least im not using ai to write it.

it may take me a month to put out a chapter but at least im not using ai to write it.

it may take me a month to put out a chapter but at least im not using ai to write it.

it may take me a month to put out a chapter but at least im not using ai to write it.

it may take me a month to put out a chapter but at least im not using ai to write it.

IT MAY TAKE ME A MONTH TO PUT OUT A CHAPTER BUT AT LEAST IM NOT USING AI TO WRITE IT

[creativemessbyvd]

Hello

Hi!

[creativemessbyvd]

I know I just released a teaser for my Maria Lives/Time travels Post Sonic Movie 3 AU but I have another idea now and it is angst central bc I read Saving Sonic (mind the tags!) and I need more fics post Metal Virus! So I will release this thing and go work and try to calm my anxiety through fandom when I come back (maybe someone will like this idea or leave a comment!)

I'm new to the fandom, I finished the Metal Virus Saga and I am devastated still, and putting off continuing, all lore I know of is through fics and fandom and thats it, so please don't be all weird if this sounds OOC or I got something wrong, I'm gonna treat this as my personal sandbox and will use what works for me. Also there'll be Sonadow, and lots of hugs and trauma for Sonic >:3

SUMMARY:

Invincible (in the end, we lose control)

Sonic's best kept secret, his origins as continuation of Project Shadow at the hands of Ivo Robotnik, are laid bare in the final moments of the Metal Virus outbreak. His family and friends blame him for everything as tensions rise in the final, critical moments.

In the aftermath, those who had been zombotified are horrified to learn how it all went wrong. Especially once Rouge reveals she too had those files Starline mentioned and the truth becomes even more confusing.

As they rebuild and things settle down, Shadow can't rest until he can clear up Sonic's name and find the missing hero. He knows first hand what it means to have origins that leave you as public enemy #1. Vanilla and Vector, alongside GUN, Omega and Gemerl hold secrets themselves, secrets they swore to keep at the behest of Sonic, who had never wanted to burden his brother or friends with his past.

However, when Sonic is returned with Blaze's help, now free of the amnesia, he runs. Can the broken bridges be mended as he sinks lower into his dark thoughts? The outbreak was a nightmare, but the aftermath will be an uphill battle for them all.

SETTING:

In the midst of the Metal Virus Incident, Dr. Starline goes digging into Eggman's files, going back as far as he can go. He finds a file that leaves him speechless, and takes it "for some insurance". Rouge catches him and decides to also copy the files, but must encrypt them in case Eggman and Starline figure out she is there. As they all meet up on Angel Island, preparing their last plan before the end, tensions rise against Sonic for his decision to not kill the amnesiac Eggman. Starline had been contained and he had read the file. He reveals there's a reason why neither Sonic or the Doctor had ever taken each other out.

SCENE:

"I admire you, Dr. Robotnik, but your obsession with Sonic goes far beyond what I believed. You wanted to get him infected but not before you had a better grasp, and you refused to prepare a vaccine unless you captured him." He turns to Sonic. "You are a hero, of course the idea of killing your enemy would be something you would never consider, but the doctor has never had those reservations, except when it comes to you. You told me doctor that only you could take him out, and yet during your reign you kept him alive." "To make him watch his world be destroyed!" Eggman defends, clearly nervous for once. "No, no I don't think that's it. You have had multiple attempts to kill him and yet, you haven't." "Starline!" Now Eggman is angry, and they are sure if it weren't for his prison, he'd be at Starline's neck. "You care too much about him to kill him, and here is the proof. Isn't that right, Project Christmas?" Nononononono Starline threw his watch over, as it projected an image that left everyone speechless. It was an old photo, showing a much younger Eggman (not even fully bald!) holding onto a tiny, blue hedgehog. Both were smiling towards the camera, clearly comfortable in each other's presence. Whisper and Espio had to hold back an enraged Knuckles, who attempted to tackle a worsening, infected Sonic. Amy and Cream gazed in horror and confusion, waiting for an answer. Tails stood, as closed as he dared to his brother. "I-I.." There was so much noise, and not at the same time, in his head. "Sonic, why?" Why had he never told him? Why had he hidden it? Why did he betray them? "Clearly, the Doctor never needed a second mind, he had always had the world's hero as his hidden collaborator." Starline continued, clearly more angry and slighted for his previous attempts are gaining Eggman's favor. "That is not true!" Despite having a knot in his throat, Sonic had to yell this out, watching his friends step back. Suddenly, Cream came forward, holding onto Gemerl, who remained silent. "Did you… plan this with him, Mr. Sonic? Is my mom gone, because of you?" Sonic couldn't stop, but more than anything he wanted to reassure Cream at that moment with a hug. He didn't have a clear head to properly explain and his silence made her cry, prompting Gemerl to move her father away.

"Of course, how stupid of me!" If it weren't critical for him to remain where he was, Sonic swore he would have his hands around Starline's neck, as he continued to feed the flames of what was left of his closest circle. "Infect the hero and have him continue to speed through and infect the land, all the while it continues to mutate at a much faster rate, but you made it so it won't fully catch up to him. Brilliant Doctor Robotnik, absolutely brilliant." "Sonic, tell me he is lying!" Amy screamed, tears streaming down her face, as she held Starline's watch with the photo in her hand. "He is! That is not the truth at all!" He was so tired, his whole body was at its limit, but he knew his closed eyes weren't due to his fatigue. In truth, he couldn't look them in the eyes. His brother's voice cut through the mad muttering from Starline, cutting through to Sonic's heart. "Your bracelet. You told me it got destroyed fighting Eggman, Sonic did you … destroy it so we wouldn't get the vaccine in time?" No, anyone but Tails, anyone but his baby brother. "Tails, no! I would never do that! You have to believe me!" "How can I when it seems all this time you been in alliance with him!" Tails never screamed. He got shocked, he got angry. But he had never screamed in such a manner towards his hero and older brother. "Bravo, truly a plot so devious and perfect. Truly there will never be a mind like your own Robotnik." And with that, finally Starline quieted down. From a communicator, they heard Rouge call out to them. She had been sent out with the others to scout the Deadly Six. They were supposed to be already at the different points to get the Emeralds. "What is taking so long? We've located the Deadly Six! Is anyone there?!" "We're coming Rouge." Knuckles got close to Sonic, moving Tails behind him as the kit continued to silently cry. "You and I will have words when this is over and the world is safe, hedgehog. You better hold your end of this plan."

[creativemessbyvd]

CJ The X on Perfectionism

[creativemessbyvd]

i’m going to hold your hands when i say this and i am only going to be kind about it once: ai does not belong in fandom spaces, ever. not in writing, not in art, not in video, not at all. it does not matter how bad you want to see your favourite characters kiss, or how much you need a bit of help finishing a chapter, or whatever.

make friends with artists. commission somebody. learn to draw yourself. ask for a beta read. try a writing partnership. fandom spaces are communities, so engage with them! it is about the journey and the fact that we all love something enough to create and build together about that thing.

spending 30 seconds to kill a tree and get an AI to push out some soulless empty piece of “content” is antithetical to the entire point of being engaged with fandom, and if you’ve taken to doing this you should really reconsider if you belong in these spaces with the rest of us.

[creativemessbyvd]

the suffering never ends

[creativemessbyvd]

A small list of random ass sites I’ve found useful when writing:

Fragrantica: perfume enthusiast site that has a long list of scents. v helpful when you’re writing your guilty pleasure abo fics

Just One Cookbook: recipe site that centers on Japanese cuisine. Lots of different recipes to browse, plenty of inspiration so you’re not just “ramen and sushi” 

This comparing heights page: gives you a visual on height differences between characters

A page on the colors of bruises+healing stages: well just that. there you go. describe your bruises properly

McCormick Science Institute: yes this is a real thing. the site shows off research on spices and gives the history on them. be historically accurate or just indulge in mindless fascination. boost your restaurant au with it

A Glossary of Astronomy Terms: to pepper in that sweet terminology for your astrophysics major college au needs

[creativemessbyvd]

Small fantasy worldbuilding elements you might want to think about:

A currency that isn’t gold-standard/having gold be as valuable as tin

A currency that runs entirely on a perishable resource, like cocoa beans

A clock that isn’t 24-hours

More or less than four seasons/seasons other than the ones we know

Fantastical weather patterns like irregular cloud formations, iridescent rain

Multiple moons/no moon

Planetary rings

A northern lights effect, but near the equator

Roads that aren’t brown or grey/black, like San Juan’s blue bricks

Jewelry beyond precious gems and metals

Marriage signifiers other than wedding bands

The husband taking the wife's name / newlyweds inventing a new surname upon marriage

No concept of virginity or bastardry

More than 2 genders/no concept of gender

Monotheism, but not creationism

Gods that don’t look like people

Domesticated pets that aren’t re-skinned dogs and cats

Some normalized supernatural element that has nothing to do with the plot

Magical communication that isn’t Fantasy Zoom

“Books” that aren’t bound or scrolls

A nonverbal means of communicating, like sign language

A race of people who are obligate carnivores/ vegetarians/ vegans/ pescatarians (not religious, biological imperative)

I’ve done about half of these myself in one WIP or another and a little detail here or there goes a long way in reminding the audience that this isn’t Kansas anymore.