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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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How to Introduce and End Flashbacks

Introducing a Flashback

Through Sensory Triggers A sound, smell, or physical sensation can catapult a character into a memory. Example: The faint scent of jasmine wafted through the open window, pulling her back to her grandmother’s garden. She could almost feel the warm sun on her back as they planted flowers together, her grandmother’s laugh ringing in her ears. Sensory cues are especially effective because they feel immediate and relatable.

Using an Object or Photo Physical items are natural prompts for reminiscing. Example: He picked up the crumpled letter, its edges worn with age. As his eyes scanned the familiar handwriting, the years fell away. He was 16 again, reading those very words for the first time.

Dialogue That Sparks a Memory A conversation can easily lead to a flashback when a particular word or phrase resonates. Example: “You always overthink everything,” she said, laughing. He froze. Those were the exact words his father had thrown at him that night, before slamming the door and leaving for good.

A Character’s Internal Reflection This works well in introspective or emotional scenes. Example: As she stared at the divorce papers, her mind drifted to the first time they’d met.

A Sudden Triggering Event High-emotion events often cause memories to resurface. Example: The screech of tires on asphalt sent a cold shiver down her spine. In a heartbeat, she was back on that icy road, watching headlights careen toward her father’s car.

Dream or Hallucination For a more surreal tone, a dream or hallucination can segue into a flashback. Example: The dream unfolded like a reel of film, showing her the beachside house they’d once called home. She saw herself, small and wide-eyed, chasing the waves as her father’s voice called out in laughter.

Abrupt, Emotional Break For intense moments, an abrupt flashback can mimic a real-life flood of memory. Example: The argument escalated, he slammed his fist on the table. The sound echoed in her ears, morphing into the memory of her father’s hand hitting the dining room table, his voice booming in anger.

Ways to End a Flashback

Tie Back to the Trigger Return to the sensory cue or object that initiated the flashback. Example: The scent of jasmine faded, and she blinked, back in her office. The garden was gone, replaced by the gray walls and the cold glow of her computer screen.

Return to Present Action Use a sharp, present-day event to jolt the character back. Example: “Hey, are you even listening?” Her coworker’s voice snapped her out of the memory. She turned, realizing she’d been staring at the clock for minutes. OR “Are you okay?” His voice cut through the silence, pulling her out of the memory. She nodded quickly, hiding her unease.

Reinforce the Emotional Impact Show how the flashback has affected the character’s current emotions or decisions. Example: The memory left her hands trembling. She wiped her eyes quickly, unwilling to let the tears win this time. She had a meeting to face.

Transition with a Parallel Action Use a seamless flow between the past and present through similar actions or emotions. Example: In the memory, she had dropped the vase, its shattering echoing in the quiet house. Back in the present, her hand hovered over a similar vase on the shelf. She hesitated, her breath shallow, before carefully setting it down as if the past might repeat itself.\

Narrative Reflection Let the character or narrator explicitly acknowledge the memory and its significance. Example: She exhaled, shaking off the memory like dust from an old book. It didn’t matter anymore, she told herself, but her heart still felt heavy.

Anchor to the Setting Bring the reader’s focus back to the surroundings. Example: The memory faded, and she was left staring at the cracked pavement under her feet, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the street.

#ref #important

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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Angry Dialogue

Part I

"You had one job, and you still managed to mess it up!"

"I trusted you, and this is how you repay me?"

"Are you happy now that you ruined it all?"

"Don't you dare walk away while I'm talking to you!"

"Is this all just a joke to you?"

"Great, this is just great, so perfect."

"Do you actually believe the bullshit you're saying?"

"It's so frustrating trying to talk to you!"

"Oh, so now it's my fault? How convenient!"

"I can't believe I ever trusted you!"

"You think a simple 'sorry' will fix this?"

"How could you do this to me?"

"Do you even care how much you are hurting me?"

"This is absolutely not what I signed up for!"

"Stop blaming me for your mistakes!"

"You never listen—ever!"

"I can't believe you thought I wouldn't find out."

"Are you seriously trying to justify this?"

"Oh, you want to fight me? You're so immature!"

"Nothing you say can make this right!"

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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The Gentle Hour - Fitzwilliam Darcy X Female Reader

Title: The Gentle Hour

Fitzwilliam Darcy X Female Reader

Additional Characters: Georgiana (Mentioned), and Pemberley Staff (Mentioned)

WC: 2,135

Warnings: Can be imagined as any Darcy, movie reference, book reference (Anna Karenina), teasing, flirting?, banter, nicknames, italics, Mrs Darcy Reader, a smidge suggestive (for Regency times), very brief mention of marriage, and just pure fluff

The gentle light of the fading day bathed the room in a soft glow as you sat alone in the tranquility of your library, a gift from your beloved husband. The day after you moved to Pemberley, Fitzwilliam surprised you in a way you could never have imagined. He had made you cover your eyes, making you promise not to peek, his voice filled with playful excitement. You bit your bottom lip, giggling with anticipation, and a sense of such love bloomed in your chest just at the sound of his voice. He led you gently, step by step, guiding you toward the large double doors with a hand waist, and the other on the small of your back.

With a flourish, he opened one of the doors, his hands returning to your waist as he brought you further into the room. He stood behind you then, his warmth a comforting presence as his hands rested on your waist; you subconsciously leaned back into him. A soft kiss to your cheek followed, and he whispered in your ear, ‘Open your eyes.’

The moment you did, the sight before you took your breath away. The grand library, with its towering shelves and rows upon rows of books, stretched out before you. It was more than you could have dreamed, and your heart swelled with joy at the thought of reading them all. His words, spoken with such care and softness, rang in your ears: ‘It’s all for you.’ And in that instant, your soul whispered what your lips could not: that no words could ever capture the depth of your love for him.

You sighed deeply, content as you finished yet another chapter. You had no idea how long you had been hiding away in the library, nor did it matter. All you knew was that this book was utterly delightful and fascinating, and even as you turned the page, you were already making quiet plans to read it again once it was through.

Outside, the sun had long since dipped beneath the horizon, the beginnings of stars dotting the open, cloudless sky. Around the house, the soft sounds of footsteps came and went as the staff moved through the halls, lighting candles to keep the evening at bay. You remained curled up on the plush sofa, one of your favorite shawls drawn snug around your shoulders to keep the chill from creeping in, aided by the gentle warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth. A single candle sat beside you on the small table, its flame dancing just so, casting a golden glow upon the pages.

You had not seen much of Fitzwilliam all day. He had been caught up in some sort of business, the nature of which he had not troubled you with, but that did not mean you had been lonely, nor unoccupied. Much of the day had been spent in the pleasant company of Georgiana, whose sweet nature made the hours pass easily. You had played the piano with her in the drawing room, your fingers stumbling now and then as laughter interrupted your practice, and you had spoken at length about music, novels, and all manner of things. Together, you had taken a leisurely walk through the gardens, the soft spring air perfumed with blooming roses and pastel tulips. It was only after bidding her goodnight that you had retreated here, to your cherished library, to read a few chapters before bed, but the story had captured you so completely, it had long since passed into many chapters more.

You were nearing the end of your current chapter, just mere pages away from its close, when the quiet creak of one of the library doors opening echoed softly through the room. Yet, your attention remained fixed, captured and utterly enraptured by the flowing words before you, the world within the book holding you captive in its gentle grasp. The warm flicker of candlelight, the comforting weight of the shawl around your shoulders, and the faint rustle of turning pages formed a cocoon around you - so much so that you scarcely noticed the presence now stepping quietly into the room.

You were gently pulled from the world of your book as a familiar warmth pressed against the top of your head - his lips, soft and lingering in their affection. You smiled, your heart blooming and cheeks warming at that simple gesture. Fitzwilliam slipped around to join you on the sofa and his eyes met yours, soft and tired, yet still holding that light only you ever seemed to draw out of him. You closed the book gently, its pages still humming in your mind, and let your feet drop from the sofa to sit a little straighter.

"Have you finished with your work for the day, my love?" You asked softly, your voice carrying both affection and relief.

He looked at you then - truly looked at you. His gaze moved from the gentle fall of your hair to the soft curve of your smile, lingering on the familiar warmth in your eyes that never failed to undo him. There was a hush in his chest, a stillness that only you could summon. In that quiet moment, he could scarcely comprehend how he had ever known a life without you in it.

“Yes,” He said at last, “Though I regret not finishing sooner, if only you had seen you earlier. I feel quite guilty for having left you alone for so long. I trust you spent the day with Georgiana?”

At the mention of his sister, you straightened where you sat, your smile blooming all the more. “Yes. We had a truly lovely day. We played for a while, spoke at length, and took a turn about the gardens. She is such a joy, Fitz. We laughed so much, I quite forgot the time.”

As you recounted the day, Fitzwilliam watched you, silent, his expression tender. There was something in his gaze, quiet, intense, almost reverent, that made you falter mid-sentence. His gaze seemed to go deeper and you couldn't help but ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?” You asked gently, your breath catching.

“You are everything to me, Mrs. Darcy.” He said, his voice barely above a whisper, the words rich with a tenderness that made your heart flutter. He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on you, as if memorizing every detail of you, “And in this light, you are more lovely than words could ever express.”

You let out a soft breath, glancing down at your lap, your cheeks warming under his loving, intense gaze. "You're too kind, Mr. Darcy," You murmured, a small smile tugging at your lips.

He did not reply immediately. Instead, he reached out with a gentle hand, his fingers brushing a stray strand of your hair behind your ear, the tips of his fingers caressing your cheek as he did so. His touch lingered there for a moment, "I speak only the truth, Mrs. Darcy.”

You let out a sigh, shaking your head with a playful smile. “You’ve been working for so long, no doubt hunched over your desk, writing letter after letter. You deserve some rest, Fitz.”

He needed no further encouragement. Without another word, he scooted down along the sofa, hands interlaced upon his stomach, settling your head upon your lap with a contented sigh. You smiled down at home, your heart full, before reopening your book, holding it open with one hand.

Your other hand drifted to his hair, your fingers finding the soft curls that had always been so inviting. You gently twirled a few strands around your fingers, the motion soothing both you and your husband as you lost yourself in not only the book, but the simple comfort of the moment. The fire crackled softly, the only sound between you, save for the occasional turn of a page.

The fire crackled softly, the only sound between you, save for the occasional turn of a page.

After a moment, Fitzwilliam reopened his eyes, his gaze lingering on you as you read. His expression softened as the light from the fire danced in your eyes. “Would you read to me?” He asked quietly, his voice barely more than a murmur, yet filled with a quiet longing.

You looked down at him, smiling softly as you nodded, “Levin still continued in the same delirious condition in which it seemed to him that he and his happiness constituted the chief and sole aim of all existence,” You continued to twirl his curls, “And that he need not now think or care about anything, that everything was being done and would be done for him by others.”

Fitzwilliam watched you as you spoke, his eyes tracing the gentle movement of your lips, the way the words danced so softly from them. The sound of it, steady and sure, lulled him further into peace, and yet he remained awake, simply to watch you like this. To listen. To feel.

To love you, in stillness.

You blinked slowly, the lines of the page beginning to blur ever so slightly, and Fitzwilliam noticed. His gaze, ever attentive, lingered on the growing heaviness in your eyes, the way your voice had softened further with each passing line.

“Growing tired?” He asked gently, and you let out a tired chuckle.

“Perhaps,” You replied, your smile touched with sleep as you shut the book and set it carefully upon the small table beside the candle, its flame still flickering faithfully.

He lifted himself from your lap then, moving with unhurried grace, just as you turned your gaze toward the window. Night had fallen fully - only the pale shimmer of moonlight remained. You must have been reading for an hour, perhaps more, added to the fact that Fitzwilliam joined you.

With one hand pressed into the cushion to steady himself, Fitzwilliam took a moment to simply look at you, your figure softened by firelight and your expression calm. “Shall we retire for the evening?”

You nodded. “Yes, I believe we should.”

But before your feet could touch the floor, he surprised you - one arm sweeping behind your back, the other beneath your knees - as he effortlessly lifted you into his arms. You gasped, a little laugh spilling from your lips, your arms looping around his neck instinctively.

“Fitzwilliam!” You managed through your giggle.

He only smiled down at you, the look in his eyes impossibly tender.

You leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to the underside of his jaw, your lips barely brushing his skin, before resting your head against his shoulder. He held you close as he carried you from the library toward the comfort of your shared room, the candlelight slowly dimming behind you.

You gave a soft, playful kick of your feet, a quiet smile curling on your lips as the tune you and Georgiana had played earlier that afternoon fluttered through your thoughts - light, lilting, and impossibly sweet. It lingered there like a lullaby, echoing faintly as Fitzwilliam nudged open the bedroom door with care. The soft creak of the hinges gave way as he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him with the gentle tap of his heel. The room was lit, dim from the candles littered around the room.

He laid you down upon the bed with the utmost care. The fresh linens, cool at first, quickly yielded to the warmth of your skin. He was quick to undress for the night, and you watched him with quiet admiration, the familiar lines of him, the ease of him, always leaving your heart breathless. He joined you beneath the blankets, the warmth of his body and the gentle rustle of the covers enfolding you in comfort. You turned onto your side, facing him, and he mirrored you, his hand tucked beneath his cheek, his eyes never once wavering from yours.

"I love you," He whispered, and you whispered it right back.

Your noses brushed in the quiet, his breath warm against your lips. Then his lips found yours, slow, certain, no need for more than that. Just the press of him, and the way it made your heart still and stutter all at once.

His arm came up to wrap around you, pulling you closer still until you were nestled against him. The steady beat of his heart was soothing beneath your ear, as was his cotton chemise against your hands. You breathed in the scent of him, cinnamon, pine, and bergamot, the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath your cheek. And as your eyes fluttered shut and sleep began to take its claim on you, you had no need for anything more - only the steady rhythm of Fitzwilliam’s fingers brushing through your hair, and the warmth of him beside you.

~~~

Main Masterlist | Pride And Prejudice Masterlist

#mr darcy #good fics

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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Hiiiiii againnn its meee coming back to annoy you again :D

I saw you extended your accepting date until the 9th, and I know I literally just requested something, but would you be down to write a blurb for an angry love confession in the pouring rain? I'm a sucker for that cliché trope, and I love your writing so so much <3

Once again a female reader if you don't mind 😭

bestie you've freaking GOT IT and sometimes cliché tropes are the best, really who are we to judge btw i also put carl davis' pride and prejudice suite iii on repeat while writing this for ~vibes~

Pairing: Fitzwilliam Darcy x fem!Reader

Warnings: scandalous behaviour for the 1800s i guess, minor height description (shorter than Colin Firth and Matthew MacFayden, they're both like 6'2)

The Truth

Normally when the rain was pouring down from above you'd make it a point to look for cover, but what was the point in that anymore. You let the cold water from the sky envelope you, absorb into your skin, soak your clothes. If you just focused on the rain you wouldn't have to focus on anything else.

If it were just you, alone in the world perhaps that would be the case, and although it felt like it sometimes, that didn't mean you'd get peace when you wanted it.

His voice was muffled at first, but you supposed that was your own fault, too focused on other things to bring your mind to hear what he was saying, but as he approached closer you could hear him clearer.

"What are you doing?! It's pouring outside!"

You could hear the urgency in his tone, but couldn't bring yourself to feel it.

"I'm well aware of that," you called back.

"Then why in God's name are you out here?"

He was behind you now, you could tell, his voice so close you could just about feel his warm breath cut past the cold air surrounding you.

You turned around and shook your head with a slight shrug of your shoulders.

"I don't know," you admitted.

"Well come inside then," he insisted, offering an arm to you. "We'll both get sick if we stay out here any longer."

"I don't care."

"You don't care?" he frowned. "What is going on? You don't seem like yourself."

"Lying can do that to a person," you said simply and turned away.

"Lying?" you could almost hear the exasperation in his voice. "Please, I don't understand."

"Of course you don't, why would you? You don't feel the same," you mumbled to yourself.

"I really must insist you explain what is going on," he said quite firmly.

"I can't!" you shook your head and wrapped an arm around your waist, the other covering your mouth. "Please, Mr. Darcy, just...just leave me."

There was silence for a moment and you thought maybe he head left, the downpour masking the sound of his footsteps, but then a voice spoke up.

"No. I will not leave you."

"What is it you want from me?" you turned back to him again and asked angirly.

"I want the truth."

"The truth is that I love you!" you looked down at your feet, knowing you wouldn't be able to meet his gaze. "I love you and I don't think you feel the slightest ounce of that towards me."

"And what would give you that impression?" you heard the squish of wet grass and mud beneath his feet as he came closer to you. "Because if I, in any way, have made you feel like that, it must be rectified."

You finally looked up at him, tears mixed with raindrops runnig down your face.

"Fitzwilliam, please, I-I can't bear to have my heart broken," you whispered. "If this is just kindness I-I-"

You weren't given a chance to finish your sentence as he lifted your face to look up at him, his hands were warm against your cold skin and out of instinct your eyes fluttered shut, just as he pressed his lips on yours.

You gripped tightly onto his forearms, bringing him as close as you could, wishing nothing more in the world than for that moment to last forever.

When you pulled apart, his forehead still resting on your own, you let out a small breathy chuckle, letting one of your hands come up and hold his cheek.

"You never said anything," you whispered, "and with all this-this talk of suitresses...I-I thought I was being foolish."

"I must be the fool for not saying anything earlier," he lifted his head only to kiss your forehead, and bring you in for a proper embrace. It felt as if you were meant to be joined and knit together as one and it reminded you that in the end, it was always important to tell the truth.

#oooooh🩷🩷🩷#mr darcy #good fics

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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Physical One-Liners Part IV

"Even your snoring sounds adorable."

"Your warmth feels like home to me."

"I could spend forever tracing the lines of your smile."

"Every time you hold me, the world seems to fade away."

"Your hugs are my favourite kind of comfort."

"I swear, you're addicted to being close to me."

"Are you memorizing the way I smell?"

"You're always finding escuses to touch me, aren't you?"

"I want to catalogue every detail of your body."

"Your arms are the safest place in the world."

"Every scar tells a story, and I want to listen to all of them."

"Do you want me to help with your hair?"

"When your hand brushes mine, I can't function anymore."

"I want to forget where your body begins and where mine ends."

"Your heartbeat is my favourite song to listen to."

More: One-Liners Masterpost

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts Part I

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts Part II

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts Part III

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts Part IV

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts Part V

Caring for their partner prompts

Comforting the caretaker prompts

Injury Dialogue Prompts

Sickness Dialogue Prompts

Fighting & Making Up Prompts

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! 🥰

#prompt #ref

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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Dialogue Masterpost

Dialogue prompts are my favourite kind. So little context, so much creative space to have fun with. So here is a my masterpost full of dialogue prompts.

Romantic Dialogue

Flirting Prompts - Oblivious and flirty

Teasing Prompts

More Teasing Prompts

Romance Dialogue - Bubbly + Reserved

Dramatic/Break-up Dialogue Prompts

More Break-up Dialogue Prompts

One-sided affections dialogue

Unwanted Attention Prompts

Unrequited Love Prompts

Push and pull romantic prompts

Jealousy Prompts

heartbreaking.

First Kiss Prompts

Things said during sex Prompts

Awkward Post-Sex Dialogue

Smutty Dialogue (Masterpost)

One-Liners Dialogue - Romantic, Smutty + Physical (Masterpost)

Romance Dialogue Prompts – Uncomfortable with affection

Grumpy Affectionate Dialogue

Grumpy + Sunshine Dialogue

Inexperienced with romance Prompts

Love Confessions (Masterpost)

Romantic Date Dialogue Prompts

Asking out on a date

Anniversary Dinner Dialogue

Secret Relationship Dialogue

How to write Enemies to Lovers + Dialogue Prompts

Oblivious Enemies to Lovers Prompts

Enemies to Lovers: Apocalypse AU

Exes to lovers dialogue

Friends to lovers Dialogue

Best friends to lovers Dialogue

Childhood friends to enemies to lovers Dialogue

Enemies to friends with benefits Prompts

Enemies to friends Prompts

Fluffy

Fluffy Dialogue Prompts Part I

Fluffy Dialogue Prompts Part II

Fluffy Sentence Starters

One Hundred Compliments

Shy Compliments

Hidden Pregnancy Dialogue

Sleepy Starters

Cooking/Baking Dialogue Prompts

Friends and Family

Silly Drunk Dialogue

Bar Conversation Starters

Rekindling Friendship Dialogue

Not Wanting to Rekindle Friendship Dialogue

Reconnecting Friends Prompts

Supernatural/Crime/Co.

Hero x Villain - Snarky Dialogue

Hero + Villain Dialogue

Angst Villain Dialogue

Supervillain Roommates

Life & Death Prompts + Dialogue

Demons Dialogue

Angel/Demon Dialogue

Angel/Human Dialogue

Human/Ghost Dialogue Prompts

Assassins Banter Dialogue

Showing aliens the human world

FBI mentor and mentee prompts

Heist Prompts

Hurt/Comfort and Angst

Hurt/Comfort Dialogue Prompts

Angsty Dialogue (Masterpost)

AUs

Bodyguard Dialogue Prompts

Patient and Doctor Prompts

Neighbors to Lovers Dialogue

Coffee Shop Prompts

Matchmaking at Work Prompts

Royalty Dialogue

Princess x Loyal Companion

Prince/ss x Commoner

Princess x Guard

Arranged Marriage Dialogue

Royal Arranged Marriage Dialogue Prompts

Royalty Forced Married to Actual Lovers Prompts

Royal x Royal Ball Dancing

Grad Students Prompts

High School Popular Kid + Outcast Dialogue

Dialogue Responses Masterlist

Drabble Prompts Masterlist

Three Word Sentences

Four Word Sentences

Five Word Sentences

Six Word Sentences

short & impactful

powerful.

"I can't…"

Reactions to… (Masterpost)

Asking for permission

Random Questions Prompts

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! 🥰

#prompt #ref

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fleabagsheridan · 4 months ago

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Drabble List #14

75 prompts to write drabbles or longer stories.

"I didn't ask for your help."

"We're in this together."

"You have to let me go."

"I won't let them take you."

"We need to stay focused."

"All day, every day."

"They underestimated us."

"We have to keep going, no matter what."

"I can't let you go."

"This is our chance to make a difference."

"We need to think outside the box."

"I'm not afraid anymore."

"You can't silence the truth."

"We're stronger together."

"We can't ignore the signs any longer."

"Every decision has a consequence."

"Why did you choose me?"

"I can't pretend everything is okay."

"You're not who I thought you were."

"What happens if we fail?"

"I wish things could be different."

"You need to trust yourself more."

"This isn't just about you and me."

"We have to stop running."

"How can you be so sure?"

"You know what's at stake."

"I can't believe you lied to me."

"It's time to face our fears."

"We have to do what's right."

"I'm not backing down."

"This is our fight."

"You can't control everything."

"We need to take a leap of faith."

"I won't let them break me."

"This is our destiny."

"We have to trust each other."

"I'm not giving up on us."

"We can't let them win."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I need your help."

"We have to stay focused."

"This is our moment to shine."

"I'm not afraid of the truth."

"I can't believe you lied to me."

"We have to make it right."

"What are you willing to sacrifice?"

"You can't change the past."

"We have to face the truth."

"This is our only chance."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"We can't let them win."

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"You have no idea what you're asking."

"I spent Sunday in bed."

"You have to trust me."

"We can't let them destroy everything."

"I can't do this alone."

"You need to believe in yourself."

"This isn't just about survival."

"We have to keep moving forward."

"I never meant to hurt you."

"You can't keep running away."

"We need to think clearly."

"I can't let you go."

"You know what you did."

"You have to see it for yourself."

"This is our destiny."

"We need to find a way out."

"I can't let them hurt you."

"You have to make a decision."

"This is just the beginning."

"We need to hold on to hope."

"I can't believe it's come to this."

"You have to be strong."

"Want to hear my alibi?"

"This isn't just a story."

Drabble Masterlist

Have fun creating and writing!

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

#ref #prompt

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fleabagsheridan · 5 months ago

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Hey! do you have tips to write a phone call? so what the character is doing during this time? i can't just write dialogue, right?

Hey :)

Here are some options for you:

How to write a phone call

Doing something other than talking:

washing dishes (very noisy)

folding laundry

brushing teeths (some people hate to hear that)

lying on their back on the floor or their bed, kicking up their feet, staring at the ceiling

walking up and down

getting distracted

trying on clothes, missing half of the conversation with their head stuck in a hoodie

doing their makeup and hair

drinking or eating

vacuuming (the noisiest)

I hope this helps!

- Jana

#ref

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fleabagsheridan · 5 months ago

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How to Write a Character with THAT *Sad Aura*

Have you ever stumbled upon a character, who, despite radiating wholesome, positive energy, also has a subtle undertone of sadness? It's kind of intriguing, isn't it? If you've ever wanted to write a perhaps more complex character or explore writing emotions, why not check this out?

What am I talking about?

Let's do a quick introduction as to what I mean. I've said this a couple times already, but to the reader, this character feels despondent even though they act nothing like it. This doesn't mean they have to act happy all the time (like my first example); they might act cold, or apathetic, but the point is they don't act visibly sad.

This faint melancholic mood provides a charming, or even nostalgic feel to the audience through ONE character! Isn't that kind of fun?

Eye Expressions

This character will not show sadness on their face--that contradicts the idea of "sad aura". But you know what they say, right? Eyes are the windows to the soul; they do not lie!

When trying to highlight some of this unhappiness, write about their eyes. Talk about how their eyes look oddly dim sometimes when they smile, or how they don't meet their friend's eyes when they laugh. These cues are simple but powerful.

Adverbs

You always have to be mindful of adverbs, but here especially, adverbs (and adjectives) unconsciously influence how your audience views the character.

For example, avoid saying too much of "smiled brightly" or "talked excitedly". If these are the adverbs you purposefully want to use to portray your character, then by all means! However, these adverbs add a happier connotation, which you must be aware of. If you want something more neutral (which I recommend for the most part), consider using lighter adverbs/adjectives, such as "smiled softly", or "offered lightly".

Reasons

A reason is normally needed for almost everything. Here, you want genuine reasons to back up why your character doesn't ask for help, thus forcing them to work through their unhappiness alone.

This could be because they think other people can't solve the problem, they don't want to bother others, they don't think their issue is a big deal, or they simply believe there's no solution.

Physical Hints

And if all this isn't enough, then drop some physical hints! Perhaps your character gets distracted often, tends to hesitate before speaking, deflects concerned comments with jokes, or has a hard time acknowledging reassurances, even when it's unrelated to their personal troubles. These habits suggest the idea your character has more than meets the eye.

Mood Changes

When people are upset, their mood tends to fluctuate. For most of us, we're typically upset for a short period, so we cycle through emotions such as anger, sadness, and even joy during these moments.

However, if your character is consistently sad, not just for a day or two, their mood might shift on different days. Maybe they're really tired one day, hardly speaking. Maybe the next, they are more frustrated, snapping at people or ignoring them. Maybe the day after that, they are overly energetic, bouncing everywhere and talking all the time, providing a bit of whiplash.

Purpose

Similar to having a reason for their reluctance of reaching out, you also want to ensure that they have a purpose for fighting. Why haven't they given up yet? This is especially crucial when considering the real world, where feeling upset leads to a lack of motivation.

So, what keeps them going, then? Do they want to fix their regrets? Do they want to change?

Backstory and Actions

To be honest, I wouldn't consider a backstory an absolute necessity, but I highly suggest creating one. Why? Because you can accurately identify the reason for your character's guilt, regret, and sorrows from the past with an actual backstory.

The events of your character's past always influence their future actions.

For example, if they were a part of a severe car accident in the past, perhaps they only feel comfortable when they are the driver in the future because that means they can control the car.

Conclusion

This character is not especially different from any other character, besides the fact that they are neither obvious nor overly secretive of their genuine feelings.

With that being said, focus on embodying their eye expressions, be careful about which adverbs and adjectives you choose to use--I recommend choosing ones with more neutral connotations for a sense of melancholy, explain why your character keeps their sadness to themselves and why they keep fighting despite it, show mood fluctuations, drop physical hints, such as actions and/or specific personality traits, and make sure to connect their past to their present!

Happy writing~

3hks ^^

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