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[mentatsmayor]

Emotional Walls Your Character Has Built (And What Might Finally Break Them)

(How your character defends their soft core and what could shatter it) Because protection becomes prison real fast.

✶ Sarcasm as armor. (Break it with someone who laughs gently, not mockingly.) ✶ Hyper-independence. (Break it with someone who shows up even when they’re told not to.) ✶ Stoicism. (Break it with a safe space to fall apart.) ✶ Flirting to avoid intimacy. (Break it with real vulnerability they didn’t see coming.) ✶ Ghosting everyone. (Break it with someone who won’t take silence as an answer.) ✶ Lying for convenience. (Break it with someone who sees through them but stays anyway.) ✶ Avoiding touch. (Break it with accidental, gentle contact that feels like home.) ✶ Oversharing meaningless things to hide real depth. (Break it with someone who asks the second question.) ✶ Overworking. (Break it with forced stillness and the terrifying sound of their own thoughts.) ✶ Pretending not to care. (Break it with a loss they can’t fake their way through.) ✶ Avoiding mirrors. (Break it with a quiet compliment that hits too hard.) ✶ Turning every conversation into a joke. (Break it with someone who doesn’t laugh.) ✶ Being everyone’s helper. (Break it when someone asks what they need, and waits for an answer.) ✶ Constantly saying “I’m fine.” (Break it when they finally scream that they’re not.) ✶ Running. Always running. (Break it with someone who doesn’t chase, but doesn’t leave, either.) ✶ Intellectualizing every feeling. (Break it with raw, messy emotion they can’t logic away.) ✶ Trying to be the strong one. (Break it when someone sees the weight they’re carrying, and offers to help.) ✶ Hiding behind success. (Break it when they succeed and still feel empty.) ✶ Avoiding conflict at all costs. (Break it when silence causes more pain than the truth.) ✶ Focusing on everyone else’s healing but their own. (Break it when they hit emotional burnout.)

[mentatsmayor]

girl who desperately craves something but is also deathly afraid of reaching for it: *hasnt responded to you in a week*

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fucked up hurt/comfort. the person who stabbed you tends to your wound. the person who killed your loved one helps you grieve.

[mentatsmayor]

Rook Origins Prompts

de Riva

1. Was Rook born in Salle? If not, where were they born?

2. Was Rook raised by their parents? If not, who raised them/where did they grow up?

3. How did Rook end up with the Crows? Did they join willingly? Were they sold to the Crows? How old were they when this happened?

4. How did Rook handle their training? Did they ever try to run away? Did they ever lash out at their trainer(s), or did they try to hide from them? Or were they more likely to try to impress their trainers to escape any potential punishment?

5. When did Rook meet Viago? Was Rook always in the same Crow House as Viago? Did they help him overthrow the Fifth Talon/become the new Fifth Talon?

6. What was Rook’s relationship with Viago like while they were growing up? Does it change over time?

7. For Mage Rooks, when was their magic discovered? Were they trained by the Crows? Were they sent to a Circle for training? How was Rook affected by the Mage Rebellion?

8. For rogue/warrior Rooks, what drew them to their preferred method of fighting? Did they discover it early? Do they like fighting?

9. Does Rook specialise in any type of assassination? Why? Did they choose this, or was it chosen for them? Are they naturally good at it, or do they have to work hard to become skilled at it?

10. When does Rook take their first contract? Does Viago give it to them, or was it the prior Fifth Talon? How do they feel about it? Are they successful/do they complete it?

11. How does Rook end up in Treviso? How do they feel about recently becoming a fully-fledged Crow? What about the Antaam invasion/that specific patrol exactly makes them act without permission? Is this typical of Rook or is this the first time they’ve acted like this?

12. How does Rook feel when they find out they compromised a larger Crow operation against the Antaam? How do they feel about having angered multiple Talons, including Viago? How do they feel about being sent away?

13. Was Varric one of the prisoners Rook saved? If not, how do they meet him? Do they become part of the team to stop Solas right away, or does it take some time for Varric & Harding to fill them in?

14. Does Rook like travelling with Varric & Harding? What do they think of each? What do they think of the mission to stop Solas?

———

For use as writing prompts, as an ask game, etc. Enjoy fleshing out your Rook's origin!

Ingellvar | Thorne | Mercar | Aldwir | Laidir

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my angel,

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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

[mentatsmayor]

Character Movements #1

╰ Sighing

Not just “he sighed.” That’s lazy. Give us the why behind the air. Is it the kind of sigh that deflates their whole chest, like they’ve been holding the world on their lungs? Or one sharp exhale through the nose, all frustration and fed-up energy? Maybe it’s quiet—barely audible. Maybe they don’t even realize they’re doing it. But the room shifts a little when they do. Sighs can mean “I give up,” or “finally,” or “not this sh*t again.” Just depends on what’s dragging at their ribs.

╰ Shivering

This isn’t just about cold. A character can shiver in a warm room if they’re scared enough. Maybe their skin prickles before it starts, like tiny goosebumps racing up their arms. Maybe it hits in a full-body tremble, their breath catching like something primal in them just screamed “danger.” Or maybe it’s subtle, like a soft internal quake they’re trying not to show. It’s the kind of movement that betrays the truth they won’t say out loud.

╰ Trembling Hands

Shaking hands are so intimate. They’re not dramatic—they’re revealing. It’s the way their fingers fumble to light a cigarette. The way they have to tuck their hands under their thighs so no one sees. Maybe they keep reaching for the glass but can’t quite get a grip. Or maybe they do grip and the tremor runs through the whole glass like a warning. It’s not about the shake. It’s about the fact they wish they weren’t shaking at all.

╰ Clenching Fists

This one? Its tension incarnate. And it doesn’t always mean someone’s about to punch something. Sometimes they ball their fists just to keep from crying. Or because they’re trying so hard not to say something they’ll regret. Look for the subtleties: white knuckles, nails digging into palms, fists flexing open and closed like they’re trying to wring out emotion. It’s control. Rage. Determination. Or the act of stuffing all that inside a cage of fingers.

╰ Biting Nails

It’s more than “they’re nervous.” It’s compulsion. Habit. A survival tic. They might not even realize they’re doing it—just fingers to mouth, chewing down without looking, like their body’s trying to chew through the waiting. Maybe their nails are ragged. Maybe they flinch when they bite too deep. Maybe it’s the sound, the soft click of teeth and nail in a dead-silent room. It’s vulnerability dressed up as fidgeting.

╰ Tapping Fingers

This is the soundtrack of a restless mind. Is the rhythm sharp? Fast? Jittery? Are they tapping with one finger like a countdown—or all five, like a rainstorm on the table? They might not even notice. But other people do. Someone asks them to stop, and they bristle. Or they stop mid-tap when someone says the wrong thing, and that silence? That silence is loud. Tapping fingers are rarely idle. They’re keeping time with the character’s thoughts.

╰ Pacing

Pacing isn’t just walking back and forth—it’s the body trying to outrun a thought. They stand. They sit. They stand again. They move because stillness feels like being buried alive. Maybe their footsteps are soft, barefoot across carpet. Or hard-soled and echoing through a hallway like a threat. Maybe they walk a perfect loop, over and over. Maybe it’s erratic, jerking toward the door, away, toward again. Their mind is spinning, and their body’s just trying to keep up.

╰ Slumping Shoulders

This isn’t just a posture change—it’s the moment the weight wins. Shoulders that sag say “I lost.” Or “I’m done.” Or “Please don’t ask me to care anymore.” Maybe they slump in a chair and stare at the floor. Maybe they’re standing, but something in them folds anyway. Their spine’s still straight, but their shoulders fall like scaffolding giving way.

╰ Tilting Head

Simple movement—loaded meaning. They tilt their head when someone says something that doesn’t quite click. Or when they’re trying to listen harder, like angling their body will help them hear the truth under the words. Maybe the tilt is sharp and skeptical, like “You sure about that?” Or soft and curious, like “I’m trying to understand.” Or just a little too slow, too drawn out—like a predator sizing up prey. It’s instinctual. And it always means they’re paying attention.

╰ Rubbing Temples

This one screams I’m trying to hold it together. It might be frustration. Migraine. Bone-deep exhaustion. They press fingers to their temples like they’re physically trying to squash the problem before it leaks further into their head. Maybe their fingers circle gently, trying to soothe themselves. Maybe it’s two fingers, firm pressure, eyes closed, jaw clenched. It’s the gesture of someone whose brain won’t shut up—and whose body knows it.

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ok but how about a lavellan who betrays rook because fuck you, you lil shit! my people's lands were stolen by shems, my culture taken away, my clan was hunted their entire life, and now you come here, fuck up a perfectly good ritual, start a blight that's wiping out my homeland and have the AUDACITY to moralize how a guy that spend hundreds of years freeing slaves is actually a terrible person, no fuck you! solas the dagger is fake, this bitch is lying!

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finally broke 1k words in my elgar’rook/dreadrook fic. only took me fuckin four days to build up momentum but we are so back, boys

[mentatsmayor]

Writing Description Notes:

Updated 9th September 2024 More writing tips, review tips & writing description notes

Facial Expressions

Masking Emotions

Smiles/Smirks/Grins

Eye Contact/Eye Movements

Blushing

Voice/Tone

Body Language/Idle Movement

Thoughts/Thinking/Focusing/Distracted

Silence

Memories

Happy/Content/Comforted

Love/Romance

Sadness/Crying/Hurt

Confidence/Determination/Hopeful

Surprised/Shocked

Guilt/Regret

Disgusted/Jealous

Uncertain/Doubtful/Worried

Anger/Rage

Laughter

Confused

Speechless/Tongue Tied

Fear/Terrified

Mental Pain

Physical Pain

Tired/Drowsy/Exhausted

Eating

Drinking

Warm/Hot

[mentatsmayor]

100 Dialogue Tags You Can Use Instead of “Said”

For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words). 

1. Neutral Tags 

Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags: 

Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.

2. Questioning Tags 

Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:

Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.

3. Emotive Tags 

Emotional dialogue tags:

Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.

4. Descriptive Tags 

Insightful, tonal dialogue tags: 

Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.

5. Action-Oriented Tags 

Movement-based dialogue tags: 

Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.

6. Conflict Tags 

Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:

Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.

7. Agreement Tags 

Understanding, compliant dialogue tags: 

Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.

8. Disagreement Tags 

Resistant, defiant dialogue tags: 

Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.

9. Confused Tags 

Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:

Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.

10. Surprise Tags

Shock-inducing dialogue tags:

Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.

Note: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No I am NOT telling people to abandon said and use these. Yes I understand that said is often good enough, but sometimes you WANT to draw attention to how the character is speaking. If you think adding an action/movement to your dialogue is 'good enough' hate to break it to you but that ruins immersion much more than a casual 'mumbled'. And for the last time: this is just a resource list, CALM DOWN. Hope that covers all the annoyingly redundant replies :)

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

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[mentatsmayor]

why is describing the way menacing men manspread so HARD

[mentatsmayor]

Ways to Disable a Mage in DA

Here are the canon ways and my HCs. Steal, modify, or ignore as you wish.

Magical restraints

A room with wards

These are standard issue in Circle basements, but rare elsewhere as they're complicated and expensive. The huge advantage is that once a mage is in one, there is no way to use magic.

Tranquility

Only used by the Circle, but an effective way to cut a mage off from the Fade and thus, from magic.

Templars

Very effective, but restricted to Templars.

Shackles (warded)

Still pretty expensive toys and manufactured by the Chantry so not generally available. A chantry might have a pair or two hanging around for emergencies.

Physical Restraints

Shackles (regular)

Gaider writes in Asunder that shackles effectively restrain Rhys. I'm not buying that completely. They limit movement, but I think a dextrous mage could eventually work some spells since their hands are free.

Binding

Completely wrapping the fingers and hands in fabric or leather strips to render them immobile, usually paired with shackles. This is a good one and pretty damn effective. Big issue is if you've got a prisoner you don't want to feed and help to the bathroom, this gets awkward.

Removal of hands

Whelp, that does it.

Chemical Restraints

Fantasy Oxaliplatin

Inspired by my chemo, this would be a potion that hampers fine motor skills and makes hands numb to a degree. It messes with the ability to cast spells. It's not fool proof as a determined mage might be able to come up with a way to cast even hampered by the potion, so it's generally paired with the next potion. Together they make a good option if you want to confine a mage, but don't want to be stuck handfeeding them.

This one, if used over a longer length of time, can have longlasting or chronic effects. Fine motor controls are buggered, numbness and clumsiness last, and neuropathy can set in making it pretty painful. With a great spirit healer there's still hope of fixing it though.

Some mind dulling potion

Pair bad hands with something that hinders thought to a certain degree and you've got a fairly effective way to render a mage magicless for a time.

Big guns potion

This would be a hallucinogen of some sort that just scrambles thoughts to an extreme degree, making it hard to order and organize in any sensible way. This gets used on powerful and/or experienced mages. It will often still be used with binding and shackles though because if somehow a mage manages to put two thoughts together and construct a spell, it's gonna be wild. I HC that this one can have long lasting effects, like possible psychotic breaks in the future, so it's not extremely common unless the mage in question isn't expected to make it out of their jam or their captors just don't give a shit.

More thoughts and additions are welcome!

[mentatsmayor]

Write a scene backward

If you’re struggling to finish a scene, try writing it in reverse. Start with the ending and work your way back. By writing the end first, you eliminate the early need for setup and instead focus on what is essential to arrive at that point.

This reverse approach lets you look at cause-and-effect, making each step deliberate and necessary. It also shifts your perspective. Instead of building up to consequences, you’re tracing the path of how you got there and the cause.

[mentatsmayor]

Okay I JUST realized I never posted these on here—- BUT BASICALLY, about a year and a half ago I started doing these experimental black hairstyle posts that were threads long on Twitter, to give artists a source of inspo for their black ocs whose hair they wanted to try something new with! There’s more to black hair than just the selected styles portrayed in media, and I thought it would be fun to show people how much texture, shape, fades, length, and style can be combined when drawing black hair—-cause it’s a kind of manipulation our hair can do irl! The OG thread from when I made these a year ago were lost with the hacking of my original Twitter account (@/bagels_donuts) but I’ve since reuploaded the whole thread to my new Twitter (@/ItsDonutsFR)! I hope artists on tumblr find these useful, sorry it took me so long to post them here😭🙏🏾 I’ll upload them all in parts!

Part 1: Long masc hairstyles + playing with fades

[mentatsmayor]

characters that i frequently find inspiration in while developing my oc, Leleya:

Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Empress Jessamine Kaldwin (Dishonored)

Jade (yes from Victorious, leave me alone)

Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)

Hermione Granger, but meaner (and fuck you, JKR)

Elide (TOG)

more recently, Lucy Chen (The Rookie)

[mentatsmayor]

thinkin about my ffxiv miqo'te oc who ended up becoming my favorite oc to date, traversing all the different fandoms i've been involved in since like 2018 and being slapped into au after au because developing her in different universes has become such a comforting thing for me, just for me to be too worried about her being a "mary sue"/cringey and talking about her Literally No Where