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show, don't tell:

anticipation - bouncing legs - darting eyes - breathing deeply - useless / mindless tasks - eyes on the clock - checking and re-checking

frustration - grumbling - heavy footsteps - hot flush - narrowed eyes - pointing fingers - pacing / stomping

sadness - eyes filling up with tears - blinking quickly - hiccuped breaths - face turned away - red / burning cheeks - short sentences with gulps

happiness - smiling / cheeks hurting - animated - chest hurts from laughing - rapid movements - eye contact - quick speaking

boredom - complaining - sighing - grumbling - pacing - leg bouncing - picking at nails

fear - quick heartbeat - shaking / clammy hands - pinching self - tuck away - closing eyes - clenched hands

disappointment - no eye contact - hard swallow - clenched hands - tears, occasionally - mhm-hmm

tiredness - spacing out - eyes closing - nodding head absently - long sighs - no eye contact - grim smile

confidence - prolonged eye contact - appreciates instead of apologizing - active listening - shoulders back - micro reactions

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How to structure a chapter

Writing a chapter for the first time can be overwhelming, because well… what actually makes a chapter?

Really, it’s entirely up to you. But I know that’s useless advice, so here are some steps I personally use to help you structure your chapter effectively

📌 Step 1 - Determine the main point of your chapter What is a singular plot point, event, character arc point, or relationship progression/regression that you would like to dedicate this chapter to?

📌 Step 2 - Determine the change What changes in this chapter? Whatever event you decided to tackle, it should show a different situation at the beginning of your chapter from the end. What happened that changed that initial situation you opened with?

📌 Step 3 - Determine the scenes Now that you’ve got the main idea of your chapter down, and you know it showcases a change, you can get a bit more detailed with it. Separate it into scenes by thinking of the locations where this change takes place. Each new location = a new scene.

📌 Step 4 - Determine the beats Beats are an even smaller story structure element than scenes. It’s anything important that happens within a scene, it’s anything worth noting down. Here's an example of a simple chapter breakdown →

Chapter 1 Annie’s first day at school after a car accident she was involved in the previous week. She goes from accepting help to proving she doesn’t need it.

Scene 1 (bus)

Annie is hesitant to get on the bus

With the help of her best friend, she manages the trip to school

Scene 2 (class)

teacher is shocked to see Annie back so quickly

Annie feels annoyed by the extra attention on her

Scene 3 (lunch)

Annie’s friends treat her as if she’s going to break

the drama teacher comes by to announce a new play, but tells Annie she’s excused under the circumstances

Scene 4 (hallway)

Annie signs up for the lead of the project to prove she’s fine

By the way...

Plotter’s Almanac is dropping in just 4 days! This book will guide you in outlining your project from beginning to end, and shine light on the things you should focus on when you actually start to write!

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CHARACTERS AS COCKTAILS 🍹 ➤ dceu harley quinn

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some of my favourite looks over the years ♡

…

https://instagram.com/caminimm

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Album covers with Black ppl in bodies of water >>>>

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have fun w/ this

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Signals in the Smoke by Michael Fardon

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A synopsis is a summary of your manuscript. That’s it. You get a chance to answer the question “what’s your novel about?” in one single-spaced page in an omniscient narrative voice. Usually it is required in the query process (along with a query letter and sample pages). One tip that took off a lot of pressure for me is that the function of a synopsis is primarily practical. The synopsis is not about voice and beautifully-crafted prose—its purpose is to let the agent know what happens.

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Zandile Tshabalala (South African, b. 1999)

Sweetest Love, 2022

Acrylic

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her dedication to wear brown and other earth tones >