oddlyopal

[oddlyopal]

dramatic irony enjoyers when they know something the characters dont

[oddlyopal]

Vibes for Softly Tortured Characters

For the ones who make you want to wrap them in a blanket and also scream “JUST TALK TO SOMEONE.”

Always looks like they didn’t sleep (because they didn’t)

Talks like they’re about to say something else, but never does

Constantly touches their sleeves/jewelry/lip, like if they’re not holding something, they’ll fall apart

Laughs too easily, but it never quite reaches their eyes

Over-apologizes for things no one noticed

Craves affection but flinches when they get it

Body language = trying to take up as little space as possible

Flashes of unexpected rage, like pressure finally cracking glass

Always says “I’m fine” in a tone that screams “Please ask again”

Cries alone, then wipes their face like it’s a secret

Feels safest in chaos because stillness feels like waiting for pain

Thinks being loved means being a burden

Cannot remember the last time they were truly, fully relaxed

Keeps people at arm’s length, but is the first to drop everything if someone else needs help

Treats their own joy like it's a luxury they didn’t earn

[oddlyopal]

Ways I Show a Character is Emotionally Burned Out (Before They Even Realize It Themselves)

I love writing characters who think they’re fine but are actually walking emotional house fires with bad coping mechanisms.

They stop doing the things they used to love and don’t even notice. Their guitar gathers dust. Their favorite podcast becomes background noise. Their hobbies feel like homework now.

They pick the path of least resistance every time, even when it hurts them. No, they don’t want to go to that thing. No, they don’t want to talk to that person. But whatever’s easier. That’s the motto now.

They’re tired but can’t sleep. Or they sleep but wake up more tired. Classic burnout move: lying in bed with their brain racing like a toddler on espresso.

They give other people emotional advice they refuse to take themselves. “You have to set boundaries!” they say—while ignoring 8 texts from someone they should’ve cut off three emotional breakdowns ago.

They cry at something stupidly small. Like spilling soup. Or a dog in a commercial. Or losing their pen. The soup is never just soup.

They say “I’m just tired” like it’s a personality trait now. And not like… emotionally drained to the bone but afraid to admit it out loud.

They ghost people they love, not out of malice, but because even replying feels like too much. Social battery? Absolutely obliterated. Texting back feels like filing taxes.

They stop reacting to big things. Catastrophes get a blank stare. Disasters feel like “just another Tuesday.” The well of feeling is running dry.

They avoid being alone with their own thoughts. Constant noise. TV always on. Music blasting. Because silence = reckoning, and reckoning is terrifying.

They start hoping something will force them to stop. An accident. A missed deadline. Someone else finally telling them, “You need a break.” Because asking for help? Unthinkable.

[oddlyopal]

i loveeeeeee nonlinear storytelling. show me where we are. now show me how we got here. the end before the beginning. show me how it was inevitable or how many chances we had to change things(nothing was ever going to change). let's meet in the middle as all the puzzle pieces slide into place hell yeah that's the good shit.

[oddlyopal]

Signs a Character Is Falling in Love

ෆ They Start Noticing the Small Things: The way the other person laughs. How they stir their coffee. The exact shape of their handwriting.

ෆ Hyper-Awareness of Touch. A brush of fingers becomes a full-body event. They replay it later. On loop.

ෆ They Look for Them First in a Room. Just a glance. A check. Not because they care. Obviously.

ෆ Jealousy They Can’t Explain. A spike of irritation when someone else makes them laugh. What’s that about? They don’t want to know.

ෆ Their Defenses Go Weird. More sarcasm. More teasing. Or less of everything. Silence, suddenly.

ෆ Uncharacteristic Generosity. Lending a book. Making a playlist. Bringing coffee “just because.” They’re not in love. They’re just nice.

ෆ They Get Irritated by Their Own Reactions. Why do they care so much? Why are they thinking about this? Why won’t it stop?

ෆ They Start Mirroring. Their speech patterns shift. Their posture echoes the other person. It’s subconscious. It’s terrifying.

ෆ They Avoid Eye Contact More Than Usual. Because they’re afraid if they look too long, the truth will pour out.

ෆ They Rehearse Conversations in Their Head. Over and over, what they could say, what they wish they said. They’re not in love. Nope. Definitely not.

[oddlyopal]

Oddly Opal Consept Art

#1 - (?)

Illustration sneak peak:

Best friends - Opal, Yarrow, and Camille on one of their many lunch dates catching up on life.

(Low key kinda terrifying if you look at the face too long lol)

Full picture coming soon.

Stay tuned for more updates!

[oddlyopal]

What do you get when you combine the beloved tropes of:

Beauty and the Beast

The Sound of Music

and

John Wick?

You get a slow-burn monster romance called:

"Opal Audley is a lost little soul who becomes a light in the wake of a family in mourning. Helping the Carson Family raise a mother-less baby, Ms. Opal accidently uncovers some dark secrets about the child in her care. These secrets eventually lead Ms. Opal down her own ancestral road of self-discovery. Trying to navigate the tumultuous era of the New '20's feels like an Olympic sport for those that have to scream to make their voices heard, and the people in Opal's shoes are running a hellish marathon.

In a world of never-ending war and marches for freedom, a dark force is on a perilous hunt for power, and this paracidic creature enjoys the ruthless game of using others to maintain control. Opal Audley and The Carson Family traverse down the darkest paths of truth in order to survive their fates- if only they were aware of the flicker of hope that was just waiting to be ignited on the other side.

Oddly Opal is a slow-burn monster romance about Life, Death, Rebirth, and the life-long connections that are made along the way. With magical jewelry, strange colored blood, and a cat as black as the void, Opal Audley and The Carson Family will discover parts of themselves that they never knew existed. This group of misfits will learn that the happiest of endings can come out of the saddest beginnings."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

This book touches on the pressures that society often place on us humans, and how neuro-divergent people like Opal Audley cope with such a daunting world. This book is filled with a wide range of emotions, from blissfully happy to unbelievably heartbreaking, but don't worry dear readers......

There is a happy ending!!!!!!

Think the idea is cheesy? Read it and find out.

Think it's too ambitious? Read it and find out.

Think I can't do those popular tropes justice?

Read it and find out.

The book is currently has three betas, but I am always looking for more. Other than that, everything else is ready to be published, including the Book Cover up above. As a new self-publisher I know that this is going to be a journey, but I WILL make it happen, and people WILL absolutely adore the new and upcoming book.

This Tumblr will be all about Oddly Opal.

I will share things that resonate with the characters like:

- character art

- character sheets

- character mood boards

- music lists

- I will ABSOLUTELY be adding art to the finished product.

So go ahead and give this Tumblr a follow for more Oddly Opal content! 🥰

I have plans, so y'all stay tuned!!!