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List of awesome British slang. I quizzed my SO these. They were a bit not good. But man did we have fun with this. It’s not a complete list of British slang. It’s a bit more updated.

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Body Language Cheat Sheet for Writers

As described by Selnick’s article:

Author and doctor of clinical psychology Carolyn Kaufman has released a one-page body language cheat sheet of psychological “tells” (PDF link) fiction writers can use to dress their characters.

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Writing Drunk, Editing Sober

There's Science in That

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Hey, literature folks. Have y'all noticed that people are using kennings again? I mean, sea pancake, danger noodle, sea roomba. 

How’s that different from describing the sea as the whale-road or gannet’s bath? 

THIS IS SO FUCKING AWESOME. I love kennings.

- Kylo Bean on twitter

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every writing tip article and their mother: dont ever use adverbs ever!

me, shoveling more adverbs onto the page because i do what i want: just you fucking try and stop me

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do you ever see someone in some quiet intimate moment and suddenly love them so desperately you feel like you’re dying

#like when they pass a mirror and make a face and mess with their hair a little #or when you hear someone singing in their car with the windows rolled up as they drive past you #i don’t know how to express this i just. people are people and it makes me so sad and filled up sometimes

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Presented by myself and @goodluckdetective without comment

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Dear Men Writers

Lesser known facts when writing women:

High heeled shoes don’t become flats if you break the heels off.

The posts of earrings aren’t sharp.

Nail polish takes a long time to dry and smudges when wet.

You can’t hold in a period like pee.

Inserting a tampon is not arousing or sexual in any way, ever.

Feel free to add your own.

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Myths, Creatures, and Folklore

Want to create a religion for your fictional world? Here are some references and resources!

General:

General Folklore

Various Folktales

Heroes

Weather Folklore

Trees in Mythology

Animals in Mythology

Birds in Mythology

Flowers in Mythology

Fruit in Mythology

Plants in Mythology

Folktales from Around the World

Africa:

Egyptian Mythology

African Mythology

More African Mythology

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

The Gods of Africa

Even More African Mythology

West African Mythology

All About African Mythology

African Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

The Americas:

Aztec Mythology

Haitian Mythology

Inca Mythology

Maya Mythology

Native American Mythology

More Inca Mythology

More Native American Mythology

South American Mythical Creatures

North American Mythical Creatures

Aztec Gods and Goddesses

Asia:

Chinese Mythology

Hindu Mythology

Japanese Mythology

Korean Mythology

More Japanese Mythology

Chinese and Japanese Mythical Creatures

Indian Mythical Creatures

Chinese Gods and Goddesses

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Korean Gods and Goddesses

Europe:

Basque Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Etruscan Mythology

Greek Mythology

Latvian Mythology

Norse Mythology

Roman Mythology

Arthurian Legends

Bestiary

Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Lands

Finnish Mythology

Celtic Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

Middle East:

Islamic Mythology

Judaic Mythology

Mesopotamian Mythology

Persian Mythology

Middle Eastern Mythical Creatures

Oceania:

Aboriginal Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

More Polynesian Mythology

Mythology of the Polynesian Islands

Melanesian Mythology

Massive Polynesian Mythology Post

Maori Mythical Creatures

Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses

Hawaiian Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses

Creating a Fantasy Religion:

Creating Part 1

Creating Part 2

Creating Part 3

Creating Part 4

Fantasy Religion Design Guide

Using Religion in Fantasy

Religion in Fantasy

Creating Fantasy Worlds

Beliefs in Fantasy

Some superstitions:

Read More

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Body Language Cheat Sheet for Writers

As described by Selnick’s article:

Author and doctor of clinical psychology Carolyn Kaufman has released a one-page body language cheat sheet of psychological “tells” (PDF link) fiction writers can use to dress their characters.

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A man exits a store in the middle of a busy city. He looks up to his side, and standing there is a complete duplicate of him holding a gun, who then shoots him in the head. 

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dark hospital starters

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control starters

“I can make you do whatever I want now. Come on, TRY to oppose me, I dare you.” “Aren’t you a good boy/girl, listening to every command I give you. Come here, let me give you a kiss.” “Undress. I have bought you new clothes.” “Are you hungry? Look at this plate of food. Don’t touch it. You’re only allowed to look. I love seeing your instinct lose from the control I have on you.” “You’re my puppet now. How does it feel?” “How long has it been? Five days? Six? Don’t fall asleep. I SAID DON’T FALL ASLEEP!” “Hold your hand above the flame. It amuses me.” “How dare you speak to me before being given permission?” “I don’t remember telling you you could leave your room.” “Look at how good you are to me. You never complain. I think you deserve a present.” “I’m not going to lock the door this time, but you won’t leave anyway.” “Begging isn’t going to make me give it to you. In fact, I quite like the sight.” “I’m so sorry for disobeying you. I understand if you’re going to punish me now. I deserve it.” “Do you remember what freedom feels like?” “What would you be doing right now if you were allowed to do anything in the world, my dear?” “Why are you complaining? I’m doing what’s best for you.” “Of course I care about you. That’s why you’re not allowed to leave the house.” “What did you just say? I think I made it very clear what happens to those who don’t listen to my commands…” ”How does it feel to think in my voice?” “Your wish is my command. I’ll always listen to you.” “Oh dear, I see you’ve had a little accident… I thought I’d told you to keep it in.”

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kidnapped/imprisoned starter sentences

“Not eating the food I give you is not going to make me give you nicer food.” “You should be grateful I come down here and talk to you at all.” “Listen to me or I’ll treat you even worse.” “I picked you off the street because you were beautiful. You should feel flattered.” “You don’t need freedom if I give you everything you need.” “You can come out of the basement if you give me a very good reason to let you.” “What’s this? Are you trying to get away from me? You should know better.” “Get on your knees and pray I’ll forgive you.” “Oh, you’re hungry? Sing me a song and you can have my leftovers.” “Don’t cry, I’m keeping you safe down here, away from the world. You don’t need it. You only need me.” “Freedom is a burden. You should be glad I took it away from you.” “I bought you some new clothes. Please wear them tonight at dinner.” “You don’t get to decide anything, understood? I make the rules and you obey them if you want to remain unharmed.” “You’re nothing but a little doll I get to play with.” “I own you.” “Don’t worry, I’m not going to take away your virginity just like that. I’m saving it for something special.” “I’m not going to kill you. Not yet.” “If you’re good, you can shower with warm water today.” “Crying won’t make me stop hurting you. It just encourages me.” “You’re so young…” “I love it when you scream, but I will only stop when you can’t scream anymore.” “I’m sorry, I completely forgot you were still down here.” “There’s someone coming to join me tonight. I’m sure you’ll be quiet, or I’ll have to kill my guest again and it’ll be your fault.” “You’re going to have some company tonight. Try to think of him/her as your little brother/sister. I want you to do to him/her what I do to you, understood?” “I’m bringing some friends along to show them how well trained you are.” “How dare you talk to me like that. Wash your mouth, with soap. Now.” “It’s been a pleasure watching you grow up. Your mummy and daddy would have been so proud of you.” “I brought you some food. Now crawl over here and lick it out of the bowl like a good pet.” “I think you should remind me why you’re worth keeping alive down here.” “Tell me how much you love me and you can have your dinner.” — “Hello? Is anyone down here?!” “Oh my god, what is this place? How can you still be alive? I’ll get you help! Please hold on.” “You don’t have to hide from me. I’m trying to help you. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” “What happened to you? How long have you been kept here?” “Hello? Where am I?! Who are you?” “Have you ever tried to escape? Do you think it’s possible if we work together?” “It’s the police! Show yourself!” “Is that really you? Oh my god, I found you, I can’t believe I found you…”

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torture starters : deprivation

[ mentions of abuse, torture, kidnapping, etc. ]

“You’re hungry, aren’t you?” “I didn’t think you could look any worse, but you surprise me every day.” “Remind me, how long haven’t I fed you? Oh wait, you can’t tell day from night, can you?” “Oh no, I didn’t bring this food down for you. I just wanted to have something to watch while I ate.” “You know it’s rude to fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, right?” “Wakey-wakey! You’ve slept a whole forty seconds! Time to remind you of what happens when you do that again.” ”That blindfold is never coming off again.” “I never said you could have fresh water.” “All you have to do is say you did it, and I’ll let you sleep again. Permanently.” ”You might break the world record ‘staying awake’ soon! If you don’t die first, of course.” ”Who’re you talking to? You do realise you’re all alone down here, right?” “Remember sleep?” ”Look around while you still can. After today you’ll never see colours again.” ”For a moment there I thought you’d finally starved.” “It’s nice and warm outside. Remember sunshine?” “Drifting off again, are you?” “Good morning! Did you sleep well?” “Look what I found! Cat food. It’s your favourite…” “All you have to do is confess you did it, and you can have this water.” “You tell me the truth and you walk out of here. It’s that simple.” “Hellooo? You still alive in there?” “Look, I made breakfast! For myself.” “Okay so, would you rather not sleep or not eat for the coming seven days?”

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not sure what should happen next in your story?

Embarrass your protagonist. Make them seem weak and vulnerable in some way.

Shoot someone. That always takes the reader by surprise. 

In relation, kidnap someone. Or, rather, make it seem to your protagonist like someone has been kidnapped. 

Have one of your side characters disappear or become unavailable for some reason. This will frustrate your protagonist.

Have someone kiss the wrong girl, boy, or person, especially if you’ve been setting up a romance angle. It’s annoying.

If this story involves parents, have them argue. Push the threat of divorce, even if you know it won’t ever happen. It’ll make your readers nervous.

Have someone frame your protagonist for a crime they didn’t commit. This could range from a dispute to a minor crime to a full-blown felony.

If this is a fantasy story involving magic or witchcraft, create a terrible accident that’s a direct result of their spell-casting. 

Injure your protagonist in some way, or push them into a treacherous scenario where they might not make it out alive. 

Have two side characters who are both close to the protagonist get into a literal fist-fight. This creates tension for the reader, especially if these characters are well-developed, because they won’t know who to root for.

Make your protagonist get lost somewhere (at night in the middle of town, in the woods, in someone else’s house, etc.) 

Involve a murder. It can be as in-depth and as important as you want it to be. 

Introduce a new character that seems to prey on your protagonist’s flaws and bring them out to light.

If it’s in-character, have one of your characters get drunk or take drugs. Show the fallout of that decision through your protagonist. 

Spread a rumor about your protagonist. 

If your protagonist is in high-school, create drama in the school atmosphere. A death of a student, even if your protagonist didn’t know them personally, changes the vibe. 

If your story involves children, have one of them do something dangerous (touch a hot stove, run out into the road, etc.) and show how the protagonist responds to this, even if the child isn’t related to them. 

In a fantasy story, toss out the idea of a rebellion or war between clans or villages (or whatever units you are working with). 

Add a scenario where your protagonist has to make a choice. We all have watched movies where we have screamed don’t go in there! at the top of our lungs at the main character. Make them go in there. 

Have your protagonist find something, even if they don’t understand the importance of it yet. A key, a document, an old stuffed animal, etc. 

Foreshadow later events in some way. (Need help? Ask me!)

Have your protagonist get involved in some sort of verbal altercation with someone else, even if they weren’t the one who started it. 

Let your protagonist get sick. No, but really, this happens in real life all the time and it’s rarely ever talked about in literature, unless it’s at its extremes. It could range from a common cold to pneumonia. Maybe they end up in the hospital because of it. Maybe they are unable to do that one thing (whatever that may be) because of it.

Have someone unexpected knock on your protagonist’s door. 

Introduce a character that takes immediate interest in your protagonist’s past, which might trigger a flashback.

Have your protagonist try to hide something from someone else and fail.

Formulate some sort of argument or dispute between your protagonist and their love interest to push them apart. 

Have your protagonist lose something of great value in their house and show their struggle to find it. This will frustrate the reader just as much as the protagonist.

Create a situation where your protagonist needs to sneak out in the middle of the night for some reason.

Prevent your character from getting home or to an important destination in some way (a car accident, a bad storm, flat tire, running out of gas, etc.)

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A boy almost fell asleep while on the phone with me as I talked about my passions. He does not love me.