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“i’m so proud of you,” i whisper as my favorite character undergoes well written character development

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Seven years after, I see you again 😚

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As a general rule, if the Chosen One prophecy can be removed from your story without affecting the plot in any way whatsoever, you should probably remove it.

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I actually think about this a lot when I'm reading or writing. I also think about this in rl too. I have this general feeling that if real life was a story, my personality and background would make me a perfect/typical supporting character. Maybe one who gets a spin-off afterwards, but isn't as popular as the original.

Have you ever wondered what background characters must feel like when they’re watching their comrades being torn through by superheroes or supervillians? Or when a hero comes crashing through their window/wall, followed by all sorts of baddies?

What must it be like to live in the world of fiction, where everything literally revolves around a set group of characters?

It’s a good thing we’re all our own main characters.

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A Few Tips On Writing Chapters

Give each chapter a descriptive title. 

Especially if you find yourself at sea when deciding how exactly to chop your story into pieces. Even if you don’t want to use chapter titles in your final draft, they’re of enormous use when you’re still figuring out exactly what the shape of your story is. By giving your chapter a descriptive title, you’re giving your chapter a focus and a particular story for your chapter to tell. 

Make sure each chapter has its own self contained narrative arc. 

This is not to say that every novel must be episodic, but that each section should have its own beginning, middle, and end. It should have set up, build up, and resolution. It should ask a question an implicit question at the beginning and provide a slightly more explicit answer at the end. 

Example: one chapter in my book is just 500 words. Two new characters drive into town, get out of a car, knock on a door, and they say their names. The beginning is the introduction of the mystery of these characters. It’s the question “who are these people?” As they drive, you see them and where they are going, which builds towards the answer. As a resolution, you get their names. 

You wouldn’t call this a “short story” by any means, but it does have a firm beginning, middle, end. It is a contained unit. 

A chapter break can–and sometimes should–come in the middle of a scene. 

Twists and cliffhangers can appear at the end of novels, so it would be silly to say you couldn’t end a chapter that way, too. Cliffhangers and twists are usually both a result of other plot points, and the cause of a new problem. Narratively, they function both as the ending of one thing and the beginning of another, so they make for great chapter breaks. Separating the scene at a cliffhanger is often better/cleaner than lumping the entire scene into one chapter. 

Example: Alex is warned to stay away from a dangerous cliff. Alex gets adventurous and wanders toward cliff. Alex falls off of cliff. Beginning. Middle. End. 

Alex is actually hanging from cliff! Alex figures out a way to get back to solid ground, struggles. Alex makes it back to solid ground. Beginning. Middle. End.

You want your readers to “just one more chapter!” their way through your book. Stuffing moments of high tension into the middle of chapters that resolve neatly won’t keep them turning pages.

Always end your chapters on a point of intrigue. 

Using points of tension to bookend chapters is important because chapter endings are usually where readers put a book down during a reading session. They’re very naturally places to close the cover and walk away. 

As a writer, you don’t want this. You absolutely don’t want to give your reader great places to put the book down, because you need them to pick the book up again as soon as possible. Not the next day, or the next week, (or never), but while they have a spare minute during their commute, or during their lunch break, or under their desk in class. 

You want to encourage this by taking that perfectly natural endpoint, that place they expect to be able to put the book down, and forcing them to take even a tiny peak at the next chapter. 

This doesn’t mean ending every chapter on a verifiable cliffhanger, but there has to be something. A character can solve a mystery. A new character can appear. There can be a moment of irony. A new idea. Just so long as it’s something that will make the reader think “I need to know what happens next.” 

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Advice on Writing Thieves, Assassins, or Other Stealthy Characters

I’ve put a lot of research into this, and I’ve seen a lot of great rogue-like characters, where the author was clearly unsure as to how they perform their criminal activities. If you feel the need to ask why I know this stuff, my main writings are for a book series called “A Thief’s War,” which should be more than enough explanation. I swear I’m not personally a thief.

Anyway, here we go:

Lockpicking:

I’ve seen some stories where characters grab a paperclip, and boom, no lock can stop them. I’ve also seen some where master thieves take a hammer and smash the lock.

A lock has a series of tumblers in it, each of which need to click into place for it to unlock. A key’s design is usual exactly what it must be to get these tumblers into the proper position.

There are a wide array of shapes and sizes for lockpicks, and if you’re going to go around picking locks, you’re going to need more than one. There is no universal lockpick. Furthermore, for some reason a lot of people don’t include the secondary locking tool: a lock wrench. This is used to turn the the lock, and to keep the tumblers in place once you’ve appropriately placed them with the lockpick.

A lockpicker will know that a tumbler is in place when they hear it click, but the noise is usually quiet, so they’ll often have their ear close to the door.

Can you pick a lock with a paperclip? Yes, but it’s hard as hell, and a paperclip won’t fit into all locks. Not to mention it’s a pain turning the lock once the tumblers are in place.

 With code locks, a lot of movies or books show someone pressing their ear closely to the lock, whilst turning it, and listening for a click when it hits the right number. This actually works. These are the most useless goddamn locks in history.

Now, if you’re writing modern day, with smart locks and various other such tech, I’m afraid I can’t help. I haven’t studied that as much. Though, the previous advice will help for most locks, and that information still applies to basically all types of lock that aren’t incredibly expensive.

Sneaking:

The dashing rogue slips through the shadows, his cloak billowing behind him, and somehow none of the dozen patrolling guards walking right by happen to notice him.

Yeah, that’s not how it works.

Sneaking involves a lot of remaining very still, knowing your surroundings, and holding your breath.

A thief infiltrating a house will scout it out, usually for weeks in advance. Sometimes they’ll pose as various businessmen, and try to get the owners of the house let them in for a while so they can study the ins and outs of it. Cracking open a window isn’t quiet, and you need to know what doors will creak and what doors won’t.

If you’re trying to sneak, you need to try and stick near furniture and heavy objects. The floor isn’t nearly as likely to creak when you’re near these. Furthermore, you need to step lightly, and wear the appropriate footwear. Usually some cloth wrapping’s around one’s feet will help to be quiet, but avoid any shoes that might make clacking noises, or sound like they’re peeling off the floor when they move. A thief will also never scuff their feet, if they’re any good at sneaking.

Black clothing only helps you sneak if it’s dark, and your surroundings aren’t bright coloured. If you’re in a city of white buildings and marble, you’ll want matching attire. This is just for if you’re skulking about a city, though. Just make sure you don’t stand out. However, dark clothing will greatly help you not be seen from a distance when it’s night.

If a thief suspects someone is nearby, they should always try to locate a nearby hiding spot, and remain perfectly still. Do not move, and hold a thief will hold their breath if they start getting anxious, as heavy breathing could easily give someone away.

Many stories also don’t seem to account for the fact that various rogues and criminals have shadows, too. Even a quick and subtle movement of a shadow might be enough to give away one’s presence. It’s really, really hard to actually sneak up on someone due to this, and several other factors. Most people will actually feel tense, and usually catch wind of it if someone is sneaking up behind them, as even very quiet sounds and movements like breathing will subconsciously register to people if you get too close.

I’m a master assassin, and I carry a goddamn greatsword:

There is a reason they would use daggers. Assassins didn’t usually sneak into the king’s bedchamber in the dead of night, without being seen once. There are guards. A long hallway with two guards standing in front of the door at the end, there is absolutely no way to slip past that.

They would usually have to get into the building during the day, disguised as a servant, or even another guard. They’d have to wait for the perfect opportunity to sneak into that nobleman’s bedchamber, midday when he was absent, and then wait in there for hours.

If the assassin is sneaking in at night, they rarely go through the interior of the building. Just like a thief, they’ll get the layout of the building, and then they’ll usually enter through a window, or wherever is closest to the target. If they don’t have those guard patrols memorised, they’re screwed.

But you know what’s not subtle? An assassin carrying around a scimitar, or some flashy crossbow. If you’re going to sneak past people, you need a weapon no one will see, and that you can probably hide if someone decides to search you.

Fingerprints:

This is mainly relevant for modern era stories, and I just wanted to say that I’ve seen a few shows where a criminal isn’t wearing gloves throughout the whole thing. You always wear gloves, you never leave the murder weapon. If you touched something without gloves, you may as well take it with you to avoid risk.

Slipping out of Handcuffs:

This usually requires dislocating your fingers. Ouch. But, if the one cuffing or tying up the thief isn’t paying too much attention, you can keep your hands at an appropriate angle that the cuffs will not go on correctly, or the ropes not pulled tight enough, and you can probably slip out of them.

Who needs masks when you have shadowy hoods?

Guess what the easiest facial feature to notice in the dark is? If you guessed eyes, then you’re right. But, if you’re blending in, and your eyes are veiled by the hood that’s somehow not obscuring your vision while you crane your neck downwards to ensure that it covers your face, then people are usually still going to be able to see your lips, which stand out the second most of any feature on a person.

Yes, a hood is good if you’re trying to blend in. But it’s not good for making sure people don’t see your face. Wear a damned mask.

This is all I’ve got, for now. Hope it helps someone!

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I hope your writing goes well today.

I hope you achieve all of your goals.

I hope your words flow smoothly.

I hope that you are inspired today.

And if it doesn’t,

that’s okay too :)

Maybe tomorrow will be better.

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Gradual character description, but every time the character reappears, you add a wildly insane new descriptor that slowly forces the reader to reevaluate everything they thought they knew every few pages. 1st appaearance, you say they have blue eyes. Second appearance, horns. 3rd appearance, casually mention they have wings. 4th, their skin is green. 5th, tail. By the 6th, it’s just like, oh yeah, did I forget to mention they’re literally a dragon?

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Has this been done yet?

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me: i wanna write, i feel like writing

*opens a doc*

me: ok brain now let’s write

my brain:

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Be bold. A mediocre idea put into practice is better than ten brilliant ideas never carried out.

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The fury in a protective character when their vulnerable friend is put in danger. The eyes twitching slightly and narrowing. A clenched jaw, clenched fists. Stepping forward in warning, with a glare that is as clear a threat as any words.

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does anyone else suddenly get hit with flashes of dialogue or scenery or characterization that would be perfect to use if you actually had a plot you could incorporate it into

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One sentence story:

She wasn’t a heartbreaker, she preferred her hearts pulversied before consumption.

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Chapter 2 of Conquered Kingdom

Summary: Senkha has found herself under the employment of Madame Oriella of the Bordello. Now in the Capitol, she is closer to the Senate who has controlled every aspect of her life. After several years living in such close vicinity, is the same? Or has she assimilated to her new lifestyle?

WIP Page Link is Here

Find the Chapter on:

BetaBooks

FictionPress

Wattpad

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@mixzue​ tagged me in this thing, so I guess I’ll do it now! This is written from Caveron’s perspective, maybe about midway through the first act of Burning Lies. That way he’s actually had a chance to encounter the other characters lol.

Rules: Answer 15 questions about your WIP from a character’s perspective, then tag 15 people.

1. What is your full name?

Caveron Malus.

2. What does your full name mean?

I think “Malus” is supposed to mean, like, “evil” or something. That’s probably why my father chose it? I have no idea what “Caveron” is supposed to mean. I guess I just define myself in that sense…

3. What are your other nicknames/names?

I mean, I’ve been called “Cavvy” before, but I hate that. Maybe if I got close to someone, I’d be fine with being called “Cav,” though.

4. What is your gender?

Male.

5. What is your sexuality?

I mean…I’m not really a sex kind of guy, if that makes any sense, but I definitely lean towards men.

6. Where are you from?

The Zarif Forest in Ātarla. It used to be really nice there. Not that I got to enjoy it much…

7. How old are you?

19.

8. What is your species/magic form?

Um…I’m human? Mostly?? My father was a kydo–a hybrid–but I didn’t inherit any magic or anything…

9. What does your human form look like?

Like me???

10. What’s your aesthetic?

Watching water flow through a riverbed, listening to the songs of birds, and breathing in the smell of flowers. No people, no fire, no screams of agony, just peace. Maybe I can knit while I’m at it.

11. Who’s your best friend?

I don’t have any friends. Everyone I cared about is dead.

12. Would you ever get a piercing or tattoo?

I mean, I have the Cultist Mark on my left palm that kind of itches all the time since it was burned into my skin when I was a kid, so that sort of counts I guess? Other than that, not really. Why would I intentionally cause myself pain just to add something onto my body?

13. When are you happiest?

When I can relax be myself, without worrying about anyone or anything.

14. What’s your biggest secret?

I’m terrified of this Cult. I’m supposed to be leading it, but these people are insane, and I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore. Please don’t tell anyone.

15. What was your first impression of ___?

the guy that almost dropped a tree on me? I mean, he was just trying to protect himself, but damn that was intense! He uprooted the entire tree just to drop it on the guy in front of him! He’s lucky he didn’t crush himself, though. I hope I get to meet him again–those powers of his might help me get out of this hellhole…

I don’t really know a ton of people, and I think most everyone I do has already been tagged in this before, so I’m just gonna leave it open to “whoever wants to do it!”

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Thanks @n1ghtcrwler for the tag. It’s my first oc ask so that’s pretty cool. :)

Rules: Answer 15 questions about your WIP from a character’s perspective, then tag 15 people.

1. What is your full name?

Antonia Amura Crestel, but please I’d really prefer it if you called me by my nickname, and by prefer I mean I’ll ignore you if you don’t.

2. What does your full name mean?

My first name means priceless, and my second means sharp-sighted.

3. What are your other nicknames/names?

Nia. Which is what I expect you’ll call me.

4. What is your gender?

Female.

5. What is your sexuality?

Pretty gay, like moved in the middle of the forest, living off the Earth by myself, gay.

6. Where are you from?

Not so small town in Florida.

7. How old are you?

23

8. What is your species/magic form?

As a half human, half seer, I don’t really have a second form. Unless you count a scrunched up face from the blinding headaches I get from using my powers, or more accurately, my powers using me.

9. What does your human form look like?

Pretty tall at 5’11 with dark brown skin, brown eyes, and dark brown curly hair.

10. What’s your aesthetic?

The quiet and peace of being left alone. The scent and feel of a warm cup of tea nestled between my palms.

11. Who’s your best friend?

Would have to be my twin Anthony, even if he’s a spoiled brat, I know he always has my back.

12. Would you ever get a piercing or tattoo?

The first and last time I tried to get a tattoo my mom called me when I entered the pallor, crying about me ruining the family name. Figured it was more trouble than it was worth.

13. When are you happiest?

Gardening. Feeling the earth shift under my finger is pretty cool, and also really peaceful.

14. What’s your biggest secret?

I’m kind of a little jealous of my brother and sometimes I feel a bit resentful. His Gift is so powerful, as expected from someone of our line, but here I am, can’t even see the briefest of visions, all I have is weird feelings and hunches, and if that wasn’t bad enough I can’t even control it. So yeah, I think a little jealousy is reasonable.

15. What was your first impression of ___?

The baby dragon that broke into my house and chowed down on my leg? Well, pretty annoyed. I’d been feeling antsy the entire day and here’s this bugger frightening me half to death by running around my house, then he decides that my legs were the perfect teething post. Dragon bites hurt, baby or not. So not the best first impression.

And tagging @arwallace @parsector @romeomathgod @mslynnwrites @sunnydwrites @weathershade @ashes-and-constellations @awritinglen @aesthetictropes @midnightstreetwanderings @thesteamgothwrites @artsybookwyrm @cirianne @sjjsalamanders @briarch