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fictitioustale · 1 year

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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS

>INTRODUCTION.EXE

Although it’s not a big must to include a vivid description of your character, it would be ideal because if you don’t, your reader will form his/her own impression which creates a problem if later the character is described, making the reader have to adjust their thinking to suit the description which should never happen.

Little reminders of different physical attributed, habits, gestures, etc., combined with action add to the feel of the character, making them ‘living and breathing beings.’ Some writers may not describe their character and leave it up to the readers to form their own image but remember, this is your canvas, your characters! And they should be imagined the way you have them visualized in your head.

Here are a few words to help with your descriptions:

>EYES [GENERAL]

Small, narrow, sharp, squinty, round, wide-set, close-set, deep-set, sunken, bulging, protruding, wide, hooded, heavy-lidded, bedroom, bright, dull, sparkling, glittering, flecked, bleary, rheumy, cloudy, red-rimmed, beady, bird-like, cat-like, jewel-like, steely, hard, fringed with long lashes, with sweeping lashes, with thick lashes.

>EYES [COLOR]

Chestnut, chocolate, brown, cocoa brown, mocha, mahogany, sepia, siena brown, minx brown, copper, amber, cognac, whiskey, brandy, honey, tawny, topaz, hazel, obsidian, onyx, coal, raven, midnight, sky blue, arctic blue, sunny blue, crystal blue, cerulean, electric blue, azure, lake blue, aquamarine, turquoise, denim blue, slate blue/slate gray, storm blue/storm gray, silver blue/silver gray, ash gray, chrome, platinum, pewter, smoky gray, dove gray, shark gray, fog gray, gunmetal gray, olive, emerald, leaf green, moss green.

>EYEBROWS

Arched, straight, plucked, sparse, trim, dark, faint, thin, thick, unruly, bushy, heavy.

>NOSE

Snub, dainty, button, turned-up, long, broad, thin, straight, pointed, crooked, aquiline, roman, bulbous, flared, hawk, strong.

>MOUTH/LIPS

Thin, narrow, full, lush, cupids bow, rosebud, dry, cracked, chapped, moist, glossy, straight teeth, gap between teeth, gleaming white teeth, overbite, underbite.

>FACIAL HAIR

Clean-shaven, smooth-shaven, beard, moustache, neckbeard, goatee, sideburns, mutton-chop sideburns, stubble a few days' growth of beard, five o' clock shadow.

>SKIN [COLOR]

black, brown, beige, white, pink, umber, sepia, ochre, russet, terra-cotta, gold, tawny, taupe, khaki, fawn, yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral, pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver, straw hay, beach, sand, mountain cliff, field, sunlight, sunrise, sunset, afterglow, dawn, day, daybreak, desert, clay, fall, autumn leaves, twilight, calla lilies, western coneflower, hazel fay, hibiscus, freesia, rose, cattails, seashell, driftwood, pinecone, acorn, amber, mahogany, walnut, chestnut, golden oak, ash, platinum, copper, brass, gold, bronze, onyx, obsidian, sard, topaz, carnelian, smoky quartz, rutile, pyrite, citrine, gypsum, ebony, golden, pale, pallid, pasty, fair, light, cream, alabaster, ivory, bisque, porcelain, chalky, sallow, peach

>SKIN [GENERAL]

Lined, wrinkled, seamed, leathery, sagging, loose, drooping, clear, smooth, silken, sating, dry, flaky, delicate, thin, translucent, luminescent, baby-soft, flawless, poreless, with large pores, glowing, dewy, dull, velvety, fuzzy, rough, uneven, mottled, dimpled, doughy, firm, freckled, pimply, pockmarked, blemished, pitted, scarred, bruised, veined, scratched, sunburned, weather-beaten, raw, tattooed.

>FACE [STRUCTURE]

Square, round, oblong, oval, elongated, narrow, heart-shaped, cat-like, wolfish, high forehead, broad forehead, prominent brow ridge, protruding brow bone, sharp cheekbones, high cheekbones, angular cheekbones, hollow cheeks, square jaw, chiseled, sculpted, craggy, soft, jowly, jutting chin, pointed chin, weak chin, receding chin, double chin, cleft chin, dimple in chin, visible Adams apple.

>HANDS

Delicate, small, large, square, sturdy, smooth, rough, calloused, elegant, plump, manicured, stubby fingers, long fingers, ragged nails, grimy fingernails, ink-stained.

>HAIR [GENERAL]

Long, short, shoulder-length, loose, limp, dull, shiny, glossy, sleek, smooth, luminous, lustrous, spiky, stringy, shaggy, tangled, messy, tousled, windblown, unkempt, bedhead, straggly, neatly combed, parted, slicked down/slicked back, cropped, slipped, buzzed/buzz cut, crewcut, bob, mullet, curly, bushy, frizzy, wavy, straight, lanky, dry, oily, greasy, layers, corkscrews, spirals, ringlets, braids, widows peak, bald, shaved, comb-over, afro, thick, luxuriant, voluminous, full, wild, untamed, bouncy, wispy, fine, thinning.

>HAIR [COLOR]

Black, blue-black, jet black, raven, ebony, inky black, midnight, sable, salt and pepper, silver/silver gray, charcoal gray, steel gray, white, snow-white, brown, brunette, chocolate brown, coffee brown, ash brown, brown sugar, nut brown, tawny brown, toffee brown, red, ginger, auburn, titian-haired, copper, strawberry blonde, butterscotch, honey, blonde, golden, wheat, sandy blonde, flaxen, fair-haired, bleached, platinum.

>BODY TYPE [GENERAL]

Tall, average height, short, petite, tiny, compact, big, large, burly, beefy, bulky, brawny, barrel-chested, heavy/heavy set, fat, overweight, obese, flabby, chubby, pudgy, pot-bellied, portly, thick, stoat, lush, plush, full-figured, ample, rounded, generous, voluptuous, curvy, hourglass, plump, leggy/long legged, gangling, lanky, coltish, lissome, willowy, lithe, lean, slim, slender, trim, thin, skinny, emaciated, gaunt, bony, spare, solid, stocky, wiry, rangy, sinewy, stringy, ropy, sturdy, strapping, powerful, hulking, fit, athletic, toned, built, muscular, chiseled, taut, ripped, herculean, broad-shouldered, sloping shoulders, bowlegged.

>SKIN [GENERAL]

>OUTRODUCTION.EXE

As a writer, writing character descriptions is important because you are painting the canvas for your readers and no artist leaves any details out. Some ways to write strong characters is starting with physical appearance; since literature is non-visual, a picture is the first step towards building your characters development and instead of focusing on monotone words, choose the adjectives that stand out to you and really go along with the image you have in mind about your character, and think of the characters interests and hobbies; if you mention that your character likes harry potter, your readers might imagine them with some sort of accessory in their outfit that represent him.

Of course, in our life, we see many different people, with many different traits and features, so why not use them? Practicing writing character descriptions that fit the people in your life is a great way to make the description flow easily especially if there was a person who really caught your eye, and you still remember them. Writing descriptions that feature your friends and family will make it easier for you because you’ve spent so much time with them. So try to make a list of possible physical traits and character traits that you’ve observed in your life, like when you meet someone new, what’s the first thing you notice? Think of your first impressions of people and create your own person.

#writing #descriptions #physical appearance #eyes #noses #mouths #ears

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fictitioustale · 1 year

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PUNCTUATION

Having perfect punctuation is difficult. No one gets it right, and that’s okay. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn how to use proper punctuation. Afterall, punctuation is what makes or breaks a book.

You won’t believe the several books I have come across that make you want to start reading from their description, layout, and aesthetic and then you read the first chapter and a huge bucket of cringe is dumped on you.

The sentences would be rough, have the wrong your or you’re, which is a huge pet peeve of mine, and the punctuation... it’s a hot mess. It makes the writer in me want to edit the whole book; I kid you not.

punctuation you should know.

& - Ampersand. Used to represent the word ‘and’.

‘ – Apostrophe. Used to show possession, to construct contractions and to make odd plurals.

: - Colon. Used after a complete statement to introduce a series of items.

, - Comma. Used mainly to indicate a brief pause.

- - Dash. Used to emphasize words or phrases and to summarize ideas.

… - Ellipsis. Used to indicate a pause or a trail of thought

! – Exclamation Mark. Used after an interjection or to indicate strong feelings.

. – Period. Used at the end of a complete declarative sentence.

( ) – Parenthesis. Used to set off additional info.

? – Question Mark. Used to indicate a direct query.

“ “ – Quotation Marks. Used to set off speech, a quotation, a phrase, or a word.

; - Semicolon. Used to link two independent clause that are closely related.

– - Em-dashes. Used to indicate a switch in focus.

why should you use punctuation?

You are probably wondering, why should I use punctuation when a lot of people couldn't care less about it? Well, Punctuation fills our writing and lets the reader know how the sentence should be read.

commas

Adding a comma is an intentional choice, a moment where you are asking the read to stop, sit up and notice – calling attention to the first part of a sentence or to make them feel an emotion like pausing awkwardly to show the awkwardness in the scene. Read your work out loud as you have written it, and then read it as you intent it to sound. Ask yourself: are they different? If so, add or subtract the commas where desired.

fullstop

Think about any moment in life where you were overcome by emotion that it was quite near impossible to form a complete thought. Using periods to end a sentence, to bring it to a ‘’full stop’’, can indicate that inability to process, like you’ve gone numb.

quotation marks

Consistency, quotation marks and dialogue.

The perfect combo.

Using or not using quotes, identing, breaking paragraphs and all the other rules surrounding dialogue affect style as much as tone does and, in this case, you need to ask yourself how you want the words to look like on the page. One line, no quotation marks at all? Or do you want to achieve an at-a-loss feeling.

It must be done with intention, like the commas, you can read your work aloud as it is written then again with how you intend it to be read.

em-dashes, colons & parentheses

These three have a similar goal to achieve when it comes to creative writing. As long as you don’t overuse them, its very difficult to misuse them.

Do you want your narrator to remark his or her thoughts all the time? Em-dash!

Do you want to distinctively expand a thought and make it seem like an awaited reveal and important detail? Use a colon!

Do you want to pull your readers aside, add an alternative viewpoint or let the readers in on something special that only they know and no one else and tell a story within a story? Parentheses!

These three will bring out the voice of a particular character or narrator and make your writing lively. Playing around with them and adding a few em-dashes there and here might bring out a new side to your story that you were unaware it was even there.

save a life, use punctuation

Now that I've shown you how to break some rules; I'm going to show you some rules to follow because, quite literally, correct punctuation saves lives.

all punctuations must be parallel.

When a main clause is interrupted with a comma or dash, you have to use the same punctuation marks at the end as well. Example: the five of them, known to partake in illegal activities, were spotted around the scene earlier that day.

at the end of a clause, you have to include a colon.

semicolons are used to equal emphasis.

To connection two related independent clause in a compound sentence, you can use a semicolon as a sub to a coordinating conjunction. Example: lucy answered the question hurriedly; she was busy.

Punctuation can be exhausting; its true but, in the end, it will impact your story for the better and now that you’ve got the basics in your toolbox, you can begin to play around, alter them, and intentionally manipulate punctuation for the better in your writing. Remember to always research when in doubt and sometimes, go with the flow and it will work out for the better. Although its easier said and almost never done, understanding the important of punctuation and perfecting your punctuation game will make your reader at ease and not have to read more than once to understand what you meant.

we did our research, be sure to do yours! here's our links for reference to get you started.

Punctuation for Writers | Jericho Writers (2021). Available at: https://jerichowriters.com/punctuation-writers/ [Accessed: September 2023].

MasterClass, 2022. How to Use Punctuation: 14 Rules Every Writer Must Know. [Online] Available at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-punctuation [Accessed September 2023].

Punctuation: The writers full guide! (2023). Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/punctuation-writers-full-guide-learnlaughspeak/ [Accessed: September 2023].

#writing #punctuation #writing tips

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fictitioustale · 1 year

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WRITE THE BOOK YOU WISH TO READ

If you’re like me, then you probably have a list of book ideas on your phones ‘note’ app because as writers, we can’t deny having millions of book ideas and plots running through our heads on the daily, creating storylines and book in our heads that we wish existed, but they don’t, for now.

Instead of writing that list of book ideas and keeping them stored there, we should do something about it! We are all unique and our minds are quite different, yet they have one thing in common: the ability to come up with some of the most amazing ideas and stories but we shouldn’t just stop at coming up with the idea, you should turn it into a reality. Make it come true.

So, if you were looking for a sign to turn one of your ideas into a reality, this is it! So do it! Use that creativity and beautiful mind to your advantage, you have the power to write the story you wish you could read.

it’s about the journey, not the destination.

Writing is a journey and that’s what matters the most. You’ll arrive at your destination, everyone does, so take the journey step by step and enjoy it, take your time, and write a lot but be sure to let that criticism in, after all, other people will be reading your story. Don’t wait to write and be patient and don’t rush because it will take time to develop your story.

What is the meaning of writing? It’s not about you, the real meaning of writing will come to you from the words flowing from your fingertips and a story that truly grabs readers. Don’t be afraid to dive in; be human and take advice.

Of course, you shouldn’t walk this journey alone. You are going to be the ink of this book but what about the readers? Establishing a relationship with potential readers will get you honest opinions and finding these people (even if they are writers like you!), you can build a tribe.

believe in yourself.

Many say to talk to experts like established writers, they don’t always know what’s best, the way you work is different than how they work, and you shouldn’t follow someone’s structure, no one knows you better than you know yourself and believing in yourself is the only way to achieve this and following you bliss.

Disciplining yourself is key to unlocking many aspects. You can just walk blindly and expect everything to fall in its own path, you need to create that path. How? Write daily. Write what you’re passionate about, make your heart roar and don’t be afraid to say yes! Remember that no great art was ever created without a great heart and to read as much as we can in our genre.

the world’s greatest treasure.

We mustn’t forget the internet: the worlds greatest treasure and how we can use it to our advantage! Because we, as writers, can reach other’s from across the world and gives us the opportunity to publish our work online, even if it’s not perfect, we mustn’t look over the small mistake but fix them into making our work better with the help of others’ opinions.

The internet provides us with the opportunity to never stop learning, apart from the many books on our bookshelves, we can access many sites online that allows us to never stop learning.

In the end, our book will end up being our greatest achievement that we will cherish so we shouldn’t hold back when writing it but instead we have to be proud of it, because it’s not just a book with words but a book filled with a whole world full of characters and stories waiting to be discovered and read.

#writing #prose

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