maz-writes

[maz-writes]

Male character: *has paternal instinct*

My only three (3) brain cells:

[maz-writes]

fave movie trope is when the protag is in a class dealing with their own shit and the teacher is lecturing about SOME history/science/literature that is a clear analogy for the plot at hand…………lmao. like fuckity doo is dealing with his jealousy over his brother and the teacher is like “who’s heard of the story of…….cain and able ;)”. 

[maz-writes]

“Extremely detailed character sheet template”

Character Chart Character’s full name: Reason or meaning of name: Character’s nickname: Reason for nickname: Birth date: Physical appearance Age: How old does he/she appear: Weight: Height: Body build: Shape of face: Eye color: Glasses or contacts: Skin tone: Distinguishing marks: Predominant features: Hair color: Type of hair: Hairstyle: Voice: Overall attractiveness: Physical disabilities: Usual fashion of dress: Favorite outfit: Jewelry or accessories: Personality Good personality traits: Bad personality traits: Mood character is most often in: Sense of humor: Character’s greatest joy in life: Character’s greatest fear: Why? What single event would most throw this character’s life into complete turmoil? Character is most at ease when: Most ill at ease when: Enraged when: Depressed or sad when: Priorities: Life philosophy: If granted one wish, it would be: Why? Character’s soft spot: Is this soft spot obvious to others? Greatest strength: Greatest vulnerability or weakness: Biggest regret: Minor regret: Biggest accomplishment: Minor accomplishment: Past failures he/she would be embarrassed to have people know about: Why? Character’s darkest secret: Does anyone else know? Goals Drives and motivations: Immediate goals: Long term goals: How the character plans to accomplish these goals: How other characters will be affected: Past Hometown: Type of childhood: Pets: First memory: Most important childhood memory: Why: Childhood hero: Dream job: Education: Religion: Finances: Present Current location: Currently living with: Pets: Religion: Occupation: Finances: Family Mother: Relationship with her: Father: Relationship with him: Siblings: Relationship with them: Spouse: Relationship with him/her: Children: Relationship with them: Other important family members: Favorites Color: Least favorite color: Music: Food: Literature: Form of entertainment: Expressions: Mode of transportation: Most prized possession: Habits Hobbies: Plays a musical instrument? Plays a sport? How he/she would spend a rainy day: Spending habits: Smokes: Drinks: Other drugs: What does he/she do too much of? What does he/she do too little of? Extremely skilled at: Extremely unskilled at: Nervous tics: Usual body posture: Mannerisms: Peculiarities: Traits Optimist or pessimist? Introvert or extrovert? Daredevil or cautious? Logical or emotional? Disorderly and messy or methodical and neat? Prefers working or relaxing? Confident or unsure of himself/herself? Animal lover? Self-perception How he/she feels about himself/herself: One word the character would use to describe self: One paragraph description of how the character would describe self: What does the character consider his/her best personality trait? What does the character consider his/her worst personality trait? What does the character consider his/her best physical characteristic? What does the character consider his/her worst physical characteristic? How does the character think others perceive him/her: What would the character most like to change about himself/herself: Relationships with others Opinion of other people in general: Does the character hide his/her true opinions and emotions from others? Person character most hates: Best friend(s): Love interest(s): Person character goes to for advice: Person character feels responsible for or takes care of: Person character feels shy or awkward around: Person character openly admires: Person character secretly admires: Most important person in character’s life before story starts: After story starts:

found here

[maz-writes]

guys! i’ve been gone for MONTHS! i’ve been applying to college and getting used to the new school hear and all that good stuff, but now that i am settled in AND officially applied to all my colleges (which is crazy) i am going to be on here more often! just in time for NaNoWriMo too! i never ever “succeed” in nanowrimo, but it’s always a good time! i am currently planning my new WIP, “The Hunted Blood”, and while it will not be completely planned out in time for nanowrimo to start, i will still be writing as much as i possibly can this november! so excited to be back!

[maz-writes]

Ten questions to ask a friend who just read your novel

Here are ten questions to ask that will not put your friend in a tough spot, but will still give you some useful input on your novel:

1. At what point did you feel like “Ah, now the story has really begun!”  2. What were the points where you found yourself skimming?  3. Which setting in the book was clearest to you as you were reading it? Which do you remember the best?  4. Which character would you most like to meet and get to know?  5. What was the most suspenseful moment in the book?  6. If you had to pick one character to get rid of, who would you axe?  7. Was there a situation in the novel that reminded you of something in your own life?  8. Where did you stop reading, the first time you cracked open the manuscript? (Can show you where your first dull part is, and help you fix your pacing.)  9. What was the last book you read, before this? And what did you think of it? (This can put their comments in context in surprising ways, when you find out what their general interests are. It might surprise you.)  10. Finish this sentence: “I kept reading because…”

Your friend is probably still going to tell you, “It was good!” However, if you can ask any specific questions, and read between the lines, you can still get some helpful information out of even the most well-meaning reader.

Source: Examiner

[maz-writes]

EDITING WITH MAZ (part one)

I’ve been on an editing spree with my WIP, Crossroads, lately. I’m still in my first phase of editing: just reading through and commenting on it. It’s been pretty productive, but I’ve also produced some more /interesting/ comments:

[maz-writes]

honestly it’s been a rough month for me and i haven’t gotten much of anything done today. but i just edited 15 pages of Crossroads today and i just posted a new character spotlight thing so i’m getting back into things and i am so excited. 

[maz-writes]

Get to know the Crossroads Universe!

For my WIP Crossroads

Character Spotlight:

Casey Henares was born into a lower-middle-class family in San Antonio, Texas. His parents immigrated to Texas from Mexico before he was born. He went by his birth name, Carlos Luis, until he moved to El Paso in second grade. He was made fun of for his name in San Antonio and did not want to suffer the same harassment as he grew up. As Casey grew up, his mother’s strict rules and high hopes felt suffocating. When he discovered the freeing feeling of being drunk at a party, there was no going back, until showing up to school drunk too many times in combination with punching a teacher gets him expelled. 

Despite his past, his mother still provided a home for Casey as long as he could clean up his act. Casey tried, but his alcoholism and short-temper only got him into more trouble. When Casey turned 21, he beat up a man in a coffee shop for harassing a barista. Despite his good intentions, he is put on parole for a year. 

After getting off parole and being sober for one year, Casey relapses. That was the final straw for his mother and she kicked him out. With nowhere to go, Casey found Mala Suerte, California. It was far away from Texas and he could rent an apartment for next to nothing. But, he still struggled to keep a job because of his alcohol habits. When he was presented with a job with DCE, he jumped at the chance - after all, he did need an outlet for his anger and a job that wouldn’t mind his alcoholism. 

Casey Henares is passionate and caring. He always acts with good intentions and will stand up for what he cares about. Sometimes he gets too angry and acts violently, which he hates about himself, but he is adored by others for his kindness and sense of humor. 

View his full mood board and some more fast facts about him and the other Crossroads characters by clicking here.

More Character Spotlights:

Margot McAdams

Mark Stover

[maz-writes]

writer: this is one of my male characters! he cares about his guy friends and loves them deeply.

tumblr: oh! so he’s gay!

writer: uh…no, he’s attracted to women.

tumblr: ….so he’s bi!

writer: uhh…no…….he loves his guy friends but he’s not romantically/sexually attracted to them.

tumblr: ….so you’re homophobic.

writer:

[maz-writes]

selfish girl joins a team of irritable boys and accidentally causes the downfall of a major organization

The worse the explanation, the better.

[maz-writes]

Symbolism

I thought I might not be the only writer out there who likes to put symbolism in their stories so I found some things and what they represent!!

Animals

Alligator - stealth, survival

Ant - diligence, industry, community, remarkable strength, hard working, success, patience

Antelope - action

Armadillo - boundaries, self protection

Badger - aggressiveness, passion and drive

Bat - rebirth, longevity, joy, good luck

Bear - gentle strength, dreaming, introspection, power, protection

Beaver - builder, accomplishing goals

Bee - divine messenger, love, service, gathering, community

Bird - enlightenment, perspective, swiftness, vision, prophetic knowledge

Boar - nature-based wealth, prosperity, success, protection, courage

Buffalo - prayer, abundance, survival needs met, good fortune, healing

Bulls’ horns - a good symbol in meditation for motivation

Butterfly - rebirth, the soul, transformation, the three phases of life

Cat - feminine energy, mystical power, used to keep the wearer safe in travel, wholeness

Chameleons - ever-changing future, inconsistency

Cheetah - speed, focus

Cougar - power, swiftness, balance

Cows - red cows are a symbol of hope, inspiring symbol for nurturing efforts

Coyote - trickster

Crane - longevity. A pair of cranes symbolizes “Long Marriage”

Cricket - good luck charm, singing, Spring, fertility

Crow - sacred law, gateway to supernatural, shape shifting, illusion

Deer - graceful gentleness, sensitivity, compassion, kindness

Dog - companionship, health, service, loyalty, protection, future prosperity

Dolphin - manna, joy, childlike play, helpfulness, breath of life, harmony, intelligence, self connection

Donkey - fertility, easy childbirth, efficiency, health, well-being, and luck

Dove - peace, innocence, fidelity, love, gentleness, kindnes

Dragonfly - good fortune, magic, vision, dreams, luck, and ancient knowledge, illusion

Dragon - wisdom due to long lives and potent magic, royalty, Emperor, eternity, courage, strength, rain, Spring

Eagle - courage, spirit, bravery, strength

Elephant - commitment, strength, astuteness

Elk - stamina, pride, power, majesty

Fish - miracles, providence, sea/water magic, good luck and prosperity, foresight, fortune, salmon in particular, are associated with knowledge

Fox - camouflage, adaptability, integration, tricksters, shape shifters, and possessors of great magic

Frog - healing, cleansing, messages, health, honesty, fluidity, purification

Gazelle - awareness

Giraffe - grounded vision

Goat - tenacity, diligence, can help to achieve goals, endure criticism, and stay safe. Goat’s fur or foot - an anti-evil talisman.

Goose - safe return, love of home

Grasshopper - nobility, prosperity

Hawk - nessenger, strength, foresight, truth

Hippopotamus - emotional depths

Horses - power, stamina, speed, transportation and communication - A black horse with a white marking on its forehead is lucky

Hummingbird - joy, pure love, celebration of life

Ladybug - delight, trust

Lamb - filial piety (dutiful respect or regard for parents).

Lion (baby) cubs - inspire mercy and gentleness.

Lion (grown) - inspire strength, courage

Lions - pride, nobility, cunning, courage, just laws, fairness, the sun, images can protect sacred ground.

Lizard - dreaming, foresight, ancient secrets

Lynx - secrets

Monkey - benevolence, drives away evil

Moose - self-esteem, assertiveness

Mountain Lion - wisdom, leadership

Mouse - frugality, rebirth, scrutiny

Opossum - strategy, diversion

Otter - medicine (woman), balanced feminine energy

Owl - deception, wisdom, clairvoyance, magic

Ox - evil spirits that disturb lakes, rivers, and seas

Peacock - wholeness, dignity, beauty, recognition, self assurance, pride

Pig - rebirth and rejuvenation

Porcupine - innocence

Rabbit - fear, fertility, moon magic, speed, swiftness, longevity, courage, strength

Raccoon - dexterity, disguise

Raven - magic

Robin - growth, renewal

Rooster - courageous, warlike disposition, warmth and life of the Universe

Scorpion - the “fire within” that often needs careful tending

Seal - inner voice

Sheep - sacrifice

Snake - cunning, evil, supernatural power

Spider - destiny, fate, weaving

Squirrel - gathering

Swan - grace

Tiger - courage, bravery, fierceness, strength, being in the now

Turtle - mother earth

Weasel - stealth

Whale - record keeper

Wolf - teacher, A Guide to the Sacred

Zebra - Individuality

PLANTS

Aloe- Healing, protection, affection

Amaryllis- Pride

Anemone- Forsaken

Angelica- Inspiration

Apple blossom- Preference

Arborvitae- Unchanging friendship

Aster- Symbol of Love, Daintiness

Basil- Good wishes

Bay- Glory

Begonia- Beware

Bittersweet- Truth

Black-eyed Susan- Justice

Bluebell- Humility, kindness

Candytuft- Indifference

Red carnation- My Heart Aches, admiration

- White carnation- Innocence, pure love, women’s good luck gift

- Pink carnation- I’ll never forget you

- Yellow carnation- Disdain, disappointment, rejection

Chamomile- Patience

Chives- Usefulness

Chrysanthemum- Cheerfulness

Clover, white- Think of me

Coreopsis- Always cheerful

Coriander- Hidden worth

Crocus- spring, Youthful gladness

Cumin- Fidelity

Cyclamen- Resignation and good-bye

Daffodil- Regard

Daisy- Innocence, hope

Dill- Powerful against evil

Edelweiss- Courage, devotion

Fennel- Flattery

Fern- Sincerity

Forget-me-not- True love memories

Gardenia- Secret love

Geranium- oak-leavedTrue friendship

Gladiolus- Remembrance

Goldenrod- Encouragement, good fortune

Heliotrope- Eternal love

Holly- Hope

Hollyhock- Ambition

Honeysuckle- Bonds of love

Horehound- Health

Hyacinth- Games and sport, playfulness, rashness

– Blue Hyacinth- Constancy of love

– Purple Hyacinth- Sorrow, forgiveness, regret

– Yellow Hyacinth- Jealousy

– White Hyacinth- Loveliness, prayers for someone

Hydrangea- Gratitude for being understood; frigidity and heartlessness

Hyssop- Sacrifice, cleanliness

Iris- A message

Ivy- Friendship, continuity

Jasmine- white- Sweet love

Lady’s-mantle- Comforting

Lavender- Devotion, virtue

Lemon balm- Sympathy

Lilac- Joy of youth

Lily, calla- Beauty

Lily, day- Chinese emblem for mother

Lily-of-the-valley- Sweetness, purity

Lotus Flower- Purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration, and rebirth

Magnolia- Love of nature

Marjoram- Joy and happiness

Mint- Virtue

Morning glory- Affection

Myrtle- Good luck and love in a marriage

Nasturtium- Patriotism

Oak- Strength

Oregano- Substance

Pansy- Thoughts

Parsley- Festivity

Peony- Bashful, happy life

Pine- Humility

Poppy, red- Consolation

Rhododendron- Danger, flee

Rose, red- Love, I love you.

Rose, dark crimson- Mourning

Rose, pink- Happiness

Rose, white- Purity, heavenly, I’m worthy of you

Rose, yellow- Jealousy, decrease of love

Rosemary- Remembrance

Rue- Grace, clear vision

Sage- Wisdom, immortality

Salvia, blue- I think of you

Salvia, red- Forever mine

Savory Spice-  interest

Sorrel- Affection

Southernwood- Constancy, jest

Sunflower- Adoration

Sweet pea- Pleasures

Sweet William- Gallantry

Sweet woodruff- Humility

Tansy- Hostile thoughts

Tarragon- Lasting interest

Thyme- Courage, strength

Tulip, red- Passion, declaration of love

Tulip, yellow- Sunshine in your smile

Valerian- Readiness

Violet- Loyalty, devotion, faithfulness, modesty

Wallflower- Faithfulness in adversity

Willow- Sadness

Yarrow- Everlasting love

Zinnia- Thoughts of absent friends

Color

Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate, sincerity, happiness (Only in Japan)

Pink: love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.

Beige and ivory: symbolize unification. 

Ivory: symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. 

Beige: calm and simplicity.

Yellow: signifies joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.

Dark Blue: Symbolizes integrity, knowledge, power, and seriousness.

Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.

Turquoise: calm. 

Teal: sophistication. 

Aquamarine: symbolizes water. 

Lighter turquoise: a feminine appeal.

Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, honor, arrogance, mourning, temperance.

Lavender: femininity, grace and elegance.

Orange: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.

Green: Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, service, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.

Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.

Gray: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.

White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.

Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures), austerity, detachment.

[maz-writes]

ok universe, i’m ready to feel good things. make me feel good things.

[maz-writes]

Characters With Eyeglasses

I came across a writer wanting advice when it comes to characters that wear glasses. They want to be realistic and write a main character that actually needs them and isn’t just wearing glasses because they’re a “nerd” or to make them look “smart”.

So I’m writing this to help answer their question, since I do wear glasses and I know the great and not so great things about wearing them.

People get glasses because they need them in order to see properly. Their eyesight is poor and they squint a lot because it’s a struggle to see things clearly. Just keep in mind that not every person’s eyesight is the same.

Some only need glasses to read. Others may need them because they are short sighted — myopia, which means that near objects are seen clearly without glasses but distant objects are blurred. The further away the object are, the more blurred they will be. While others need them because they are long sighted — hypermetropia/hyperopia, which refers to people who find it harder to see near objects but are better at seeing objects far away.

I’m near sighted. When I was younger I would have to sit in the front row because that was the only way I could see the black board clearly. Sometimes when I had to sit in the back I would ask a classmate near me if I could copy their notes and they would kindly let me see it.

I knew I needed glasses but I was reluctant to get them until my eyesight started to become a bigger problem for me: it was interfering with my education. The first time I got them I was surprise at how clear and detail everything was. It was like watching a HD television after being so use to the basic crappy and blurry television. 

Everyone’s first time wearing glasses is like that, being amazing at the clarity in their eyesight. Of course, every first timer is also told by the Optometrist that it takes some time for their eyes to adjust to wearing glasses and getting use to wearing them. That is why people get a headache when using them because their eyes are trying to get use to not being overwork anymore. They could finally relax now that you have glasses.

Now, what many don’t know is that there are some pros and cons to wearing glasses just as there is for many things in life. Some people like to wear contacts instead of glasses while others prefer it the other way around, and then there are those that use both for different situations. 

Glasses

The Cons:

Glasses can be irritating for the ears and nose. 

They fog up.

Not ideal to be wearing for sports or certain activities (such as roller coasters, bungee jumping, swimming, martial arts, skydiving, kissing, paintball, etc.)

They can slide off, especially when looking down.

Peripheral vision is distorted.

They can be easily smudge.

Rain and/or snow will make it difficult to see.

You have to buy a prescription sunglasses if you want your eyes protected from the sun, especially when driving. Note: Transitions lenses don’t change in the car because the windshield blocks UV rays.

Hard to fit under 3D glasses, ski goggles, sunglasses and lab glasses.

Glasses give off a reflection and glare, especially at night (unless you have an anti-reflection coating).

Fear that they’ll break while you’re wearing them and have pieces of it damage your eyes/face.

It’s a bit difficult to put on makeup with glasses on.

Depending on the glasses, they can’t be worn with certain hats

The Pros:

They last longer.

Easy to put on.

Easy to find then contacts.

Makes a person look sophisticated.

There are many designs and style of glasses to choose from.

Can correct astigmatism better.

They don’t have to be constantly clean like contacts do (and it’s cheaper to clean, as well as easier to do).

Objects that would damage eyes can often bounce off glasses (such as a pebble).

They don’t require frequent replacement purchases, and are cheaper in the long run.

They pose zero risk for infection or eye irritation.

If in an emergency they can be use to start a fire.

Your Character and Glasses

Now when it comes to writing about a character that wear glasses keep in mind why they need them and what kind of glasses do they have. Is the frame and style of their glasses Wayfarer, Aviator, Cat-eye, Round, Square, Rectangle, Rounded, Oval or Wrap? Maybe they can’t afford the more stylish frames so they have to get a basic version of one of those? Also, keep in mind the shape of the character’s face because one of the main factors of knowing which glasses to get is knowing what frame can compliment their face.

+ Square Faces - Recommend oval and round frames. Glasses with temples that are center set or that connect at the top of the frame. Butterfly shaped glasses. Avoid geometric and square shaped frames, as well as low-set temples or color accents on the bottom of the frames that draw emphasis to the chin.

+ Oval Faces - Recommend square, rectangular and geometric shapes which add angles to soft curves. Avoid frames that are too large for your features..

+ Oblong Faces - Recommend tall frames help create a shorter face. Broad glasses with an accented top rim or decorative temple that adds width. Avoid small frames that are out of proportion and short frames that accentuate face length.

+ Round Faces - Recommend angular and geometric frames that sharpen facial features. Rectangular and horizontal styles makes faces appear longer and thinner. Upswept frames that draw attention to top of face. Glasses with temples that connect at the top of the frame add length. Avoid small frames that are out of proportion and short frames that accentuate face length.

+ Diamond Faces - Recommend upswept styles like cat eyes that emphasize the cheek bones. Oval frames that maintain balance and rimless styles that allow cheek bones to shine. Avoid narrow frames that draw attention to narrow eye line.

+ Heart Faces - Recommend bottom-heavy frames that add width to lower face. Styles with low-set temples to draw attention downward. Narrow, round frames that soften the forehead. Avoid top-heavy styles that draw attention upward. Decorative temples that accentuate the broad upper face.

+ Triangle Faces - Recommend semi-rimless frames that accentuate the upper face. Top-heavy styles styles that balance the width of the jaw. Frame bottoms that angle inward. Avoid low-set temples that widen the jaw and narrow frames that are out of proportion.

Be Aware Of Your Characters That Wear Glasses

Most writers tend to forget that there are issues that those specific characters can face because they wear glasses. For example, what if your character is cooking a stew? As they are stirring the pot it wouldn’t be surprising to see that their glasses start to fog up, causing them to be temporarily blind until they move away. Or maybe it’s raining and it’s making it difficult for them to see things clearly?

Another thing that all people with glasses experience is that they sometimes can’t see where they put their glasses when they took them off, even if it’s out in plain view. They either find someone to help them or they have to pat around to find them.

Also, if a character was transported into an alien world where eyeglasses are unheard of then don’t be surprise that they’ll attract attention for wearing them. It’s not just the character with glasses that you have to keep in mind but the characters around them as well. How would they react to your character? Are they the type that like to try on people’s glasses? Do they find the glasses the character is wearing strange because nothing like it exist in their society/world/time period?

What if your character is learning how to fight with swords, daggers or any other type of weapon? Glasses can sometimes get in the way when it comes to certain activities. If a character had to roll on the ground to get away from a swipe of a sword, they can loose their glasses like that. Or their glasses can get knock off and break. It also gets in the way if they had to swim.

Is your character absent minded? Or are their glasses so lightweight that they forget they are even wearing them? If so, then they might have a habit of forgetting they are still wearing their glasses when they are about to shower or go for a swim. Is your character always aware of their own glasses, so much that they put their glasses away when they’re doing activities that can cause them to break? Did they learn how to fight or do things by relying on their other senses because they can’t always use their eyesight knowing that it’s poor?

There’s a reason why I listed the pros and cons for wearing glasses. It’s moments like that, where the writer has to keep in mind about their characters that wear glasses. It’s not only realistic but another way to bring your character to life. It allows the readers who don’t wear glasses to understand more about those that do and those who do wear them to feel a connection with that character, sympathizing with them.

The same can be said for those that wear contacts lenses. So here’s the pros and cons for them. And remember to keep in mind if your character wears them when you write your story.

Contact Lenses

The Cons:

Need to learn how to put them on and to take them off.

Needs to be cleaned regularly.

Can’t sleep with them in.

Hard to find if lost.

Can’t open eyes completely underwater.

Can cause irritability in smoky rooms.

Can be costly buying contacts and solutions.

Need to renew prescription yearly.

Can be easily tear if not careful.

The eyes can become dry out when wearing them.

It can cause damage to the eye if a speck of dirt is between the lens and the surface of your eye.

They get uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time.

Beware of getting an infection if lenses aren’t clean properly.

People who have a history record of recurrent severe allergic reactions or eye infections may not be suitable to wear contact lenses.

Can’t wear if the environment is dirty or dusty. 

Need to be careful when putting makeup on, especially the eye makeup.

The Pros:

No one can tell you’re wearing contacts (it offer natural eyesight without distortion, glare, or poor peripheral vision).

No additional weight on your face, and no readjusting like you have to so with glasses.

Perfect for sports and other activities.

Can customize the contacts by making them colored

The field of view is larger

No fogging

They will not fall off easily.

Can still see if it’s raining or snowing.

Easier to put on makeup.

[maz-writes]

This is an ultimate masterlist of many resources that could be helpful for writers. I apologize in advance for any not working links. Check out the ultimate writing resource masterlist here (x) and my “novel” tag here (x).

✑ PLANNING

Outlining & Organizing

For the Architects: The Planning Process

Rough Drafts

How do you plan a novel?

Plot Development: Climax, Resolution, and Your Main Character

Plotting and Planing

I Have An Idea for a Novel! Now What?

Choosing the Best Outline Method

How to Write a Novel: The Snowflake Method

Effectively Outlining Your Plot

Conflict and Character within Story Structure

Outlining Your Plot

Ideas, Plots & Using the Premise Sheets

✑ INSPIRATION

Finding story ideas

Choosing ideas and endings

When a plot isn’t strong enough to make a whole story

Writing a story that’s doomed to suck

How to Finish What You Start: A Five-Step Plan for Writers

Finishing Your Novel

Finish Your Novel

How to Finish Your Novel when You Want to Quit

How To Push Past The Bullshit And Write That Goddamn Novel: A Very Simple No-Fuckery Writing Plan

✑ PLOT

In General

25 Turns, Pivots and Twists to Complicate Your Story

The ABCs (and Ds and Es) of Plot Development

Originality Is Overrated

How to Create a Plot Outline in Eight Easy Steps

Finding Plot: Idea Nets

The Story Goal: Your Key to Creating a Solid Plot Structure

Make your reader root for your main character

Creating Conflict and Sustaining Suspense

Tips for Creating a Compelling Plot

The Thirty-six (plus one) Dramatic Situations

Adding Subplots to a Novel

Weaving Subplots into a Novel

7 Ways to Add Subplots to Your Novel

Crafting a Successful Romance Subplot

How to Improve your Writing: Subplots and Subtext

Understanding the Role of Subplots

How to Use Subtext in your Writing

The Secret Life of Subtext

How to Use Subtext

Beginning

Creating a Process: Getting Your Ideas onto Paper (And into a Story)

Why First Chapters?

Starting with a Bang

In the Beginning

The Beginning of your Novel that isn’t the Beginning of your Novel

A Beginning from the Middle

Starting with a Bang

First Chapters: What To Include @ The Beginning Writer

23 Clichés to Avoid When Beginning Your Story

Start Writing Now

Done Planning. What Now?

Continuing Your Long-Format Story

How to Start a Novel 

100 best first lines from novels

The First Sentence of a Book Report

How To Write A Killer First Sentence To Open Your Book

How to Write the First Sentence of a Book

The Most Important Sentence: How to Write a Killer Opening

Hook Your Reader from the First Sentence: How to Write Great Beginnings

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing and the Red Hering

Narrative Elements: Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing and Suspense

Foreshadowing Key Details

Writing Fiction: Foreshadowing

The Literary Device of Foreshadowing

All About Foreshadowing in Fiction

Foreshadowing

Flashbacks and Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing — How and Why to Use It In Your Writing

Setting

Four Ways to Bring Settings to Life

Write a Setting for a Book

Writing Dynamic Settings

How To Make Your Setting a Character

Guide for Setting

5 Tips for Writing Better Settings

Building a Novel’s Setting

Ending

A Novel Ending

How to End Your Novel

How to End Your Novel 2

How to End a Novel With a Punch

How to End a Novel

How to Finish a Novel

How to Write The Ending of Your Novel

Keys to Great Endings

3 Things That End A Story Well

Ending a Novel: Five Things to Avoid

Endings that Ruin Your Novel

Closing Time: The Ending

✑ CHARACTER

Names

Behind the Name

Surname Meanings and Origins

Surname Meanings and Origins - A Free Dictionary of Surnames

Common US Surnames & Their Meanings

Last Name Meanings & Origins

Name Generators

Name Playground

Different Types of Characters

Ways To Describe a Personality

Character Traits Meme

Types of Characters

Types of Characters in Fiction

Seven Common Character Types

Six Types of Courageous Characters

Creating Fictional Characters (Masterlist)

Building Fictional Characters

Fiction Writer’s Character Chart

Character Building Workshop

Tips for Characterization

Fiction Writer’s Character Chart

Advantages, Disadvantages and Skills 

Males

Strong Male Characters

The History and Nature of Man Friendships

Friendship for Guys (No Tears!)

‘I Love You, Man’ and the rules of male friendship

Male Friendship

Understanding Male Friendship

Straight male friendship, now with more cuddling

Character Development

P.O.V. And Background

Writing a Character: Questionnaire

10 Days of Character Building

Getting to Know Your Characters

Character Development Exercises

✑ STYLE

Chapters

How Many Chapters is the Right Amount of Chapters?

The Arbitrary Nature of the Chapter

How Long is a Chapter?

How Long Should Novel Chapters Be?

Chapter & Novel Lengths 

Section vs. Scene Breaks

Dialogue 

The Passion of Dialogue

25 Things You Should Know About Dialogue

Dialogue Writing Tips

Punctuation Dialogue

How to Write Believable Dialogue

Writing Dialogue: The Music of Speech

Writing Scenes with Many Characters

It’s Not What They Say …

Top 10 Tips for Writing Dialogue

Speaking of Dialogue

Dialogue Tips

Interrupted Dialogue

Two Tips for Interrupted Dialogue

Show, Don’t Tell (Description)

“Tell” Makes a Great Placeholder

The Literary Merit of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bad Creative Writing Advice

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Better Than You Normally Do

DailyWritingTips: Show, Don’t Tell

GrammarGirl: Show, Don’t Tell

Writing Style: What Is It?

Detail Enhances Your Fiction

Using Sensory Details

Description in Fiction

Using Concrete Detail

Depth Through Perception

Showing Emotions & Feelings

Character Description

Describing Your Characters (by inkfish7 on DeviantArt)

Help with Character Development

Creating Characters that Jump Off the Page

Omitting Character Description

Introducing Your Character(s): DON’T

Character Crafting

Writer’s Relief Blog: “Character Development In Stories And Novels”

Article: How Do You Think Up Your Characters?

5 Character Points You May Be Ignoring

List of colors, hair types and hairstyles

List of words to use in a character’s description 

200 words to describe hair

How to describe hair

Words used to describe the state of people’s hair

How to describe your haircut

Hair color sharts

Four Ways to Reveal Backstory

Words Used to Describe Clothes

Flashbacks

Using Flashbacks in Writing

Flashbacks by All Write

Using Flashback in Fiction

Fatal Backstory

Flashbacks as opening gambit

Don’t Begin at the Beginning

Flashbacks in Books

TVTropes: Flashback

Objects in the Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear: Flashback Techniques in Fiction

3 Tips for Writing Successful Flashbacks

The 5 Rules of Writing Effective Flashbacks

How to Handle Flashbacks In Writing

Flashbacks and Foreshadowing

Reddit Forum: Is a flashback in the first chapter a good idea?

Forum Discussing Flackbacks

P.O.V

You, Me, and XE - Points of View

What’s Your Point of View?

Establishing the Right Point of View: How to Avoid “Stepping Out of Character”

How to Start Writing in the Third Person

The Opposite Gender P.O.V.

LANGUAGE

 How To Say Said

200 Words Instead of Said

Words to Use Instead of Said

A List of Words to Use Instead of Said

Alternatives to “Walk”

60 Synonyms for “Walk”

✑ USEFUL WEBSITES/LINKS

Grammar Monster

Google Scholar

GodChecker

Tip Of My Tounge

Speech Tags

Pixar Story Rules

Written? Kitten!

TED Talks

DarkCopy

Family Echo

Some Words About Word Count

How Long Should My Novel Be?

The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test

Writer’s “Cheat Sheets”

Last but not least, the most helpful tool for any writer out there is Google!

[maz-writes]

Get to know the Crossroads Universe!

For my WIP Crossroads

Character Spotlight:

Happy Pride Month! Get to know an LGBT character from my current WIP, Crossroads!

Mark Stover was born into an upper-middle class family in Trinity, North Carolina. For three generations, all of the men in his family joined the police force. Mark has other ideas, though. He hates violence and high pressure situations, so he decides that becoming a policeman isn’t the best path for him. This haunts him from the time he is a little boy and is afraid to reveal his career choice to his parents. 

However, his future career isn’t the only thing bothering Mark. He realizes that he is gay in his early teenage years. Unfortunately, Mark’s family are devout Christians and he is growing up in the Bible Belt. He knows he will never be accepted in his family or in his city. 

During his senior year of high school, he reveals that he will not be going to the police academy, but will instead be majoring in pre-Law at NYU. He thinks all of his problems will be solved after going to New York and escaping his family, but he has a breakdown the night after he graduates high school and leaves home in the middle of the night.

He doesn’t have much money or anywhere to go, so he catches the cheapest flight available: cross-country to Mala Suerte, California.  In Mala Suerte, he studies law online. He struggles financially and finds himself joining DCE when he is in desperate need for money. DCE is contrary to everything he’s ever wanted in his life: violent, high-pressure, unintellectual. But he has to do it to get by. 

Mark Stover is intelligent and kind. He will always look out for others and cares deeply about everything he is involved in. He is resilient, and despite the obstacles he has faced in his past, he is determined to make something out of his life. 

View his full mood board and some more fast facts about him and the other Crossroads characters by clicking here. 

More Character Spotlights:

Margot McAdams

[maz-writes]

Tag your oc who has scars/marks that constantly remind them of horrible backstory you probably gave them.

You know the one.

[maz-writes]

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