somethingreallydeepandprofound

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Focus on one project at a time? Finish a project before starting another? Blasphemy.

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since the old version of this post was flagged for 'adult content'...

reblog this post if your account is a trans safe space or owned by a trans person!

along with that, reblog if your account is a non-binary spectrum safe space or owned by someone on the enby spectrum!

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do you have any tips on writing character driven stories? like, how to plan them or maybe configure a plot?

Writing Character Driven Stories

It helps if you understand what a character driven story is versus a plot driven story... In a plot driven story, the conflict of the story is external (something happens to the character) and they formulate a goal (again, an external goal) in response to this thing. For example, a dragon flies into their village and kidnaps the fair maiden they’re in love with, so they have to go on a quest to track her down and rescue her.  In a character driven story, the conflict of the story is internal (something going on inside the characters heart and mind). The goal they formulate in an effort to resolve this conflict may be internal, external, or both. For example, a character is tired of being called stupid, so they decide to prove everyone wrong by graduating at the top of their class. Or, they’re tired of being called stupid, so they decide to grow a thicker skin and show everyone their words are no longer hurtful. These days, however, most stories are a combination of plot driven and character driven. It’s really rare that you see a story that is just one or the other. You can certainly do it, of course, but you might consider whether your story might be more interesting if you have both an internal and external conflict taking place--especially if there’s a way you can tie them together.

As far as planning/plotting a character driven story, it works the same as with any other story. Have a look at my Plot & Story Structure post master list for more help. :)

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Have a question? My inbox is always open, but make sure to check my FAQ and post master lists first to see if I’ve already answered a similar question. :)

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Novels aren’t written by muses who come down through the ceiling and shoot magic through your fingers. Time + Work = Novel.

Stephanie Perkins  (source)

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Reblog if you think asexuality is a legitimate sexuality.

I'm trying to prove something.

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werenotreallystrangers

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stuff I like

- when the person kidnapped by the villain is all ‘no one’s going to come for me’ and 

- someone does, but it’s the person they’d least expect

- EVERYONE COMES because wow, maybe I am depressed because I didn’t think I knew this many people, much less that they liked me

- no one comes and the villain gets pissed on their captive’s behalf and treats them better than their former associates did

- they rescue themselves and everyone’s so impressed but the person yells because I AM CAPABLE AND YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST NOTICED I’D BEEN KIDNAPPED

- they get rescued by a deus ex machina, preferably their dad/mom/grandma/old associate who is exponentially cooler than the heroes 

basically, I like it when people get rescued and get validation

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writing is hard because sometimes you want to write a sentence that is pleasant and rhythmic and compelling to read and sometimes you just want to get the characters across a damn room

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how write book?

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Me: I am going to consume this new content in reasonable amounts at a reasonable pace

Me, 5 minutes later:

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spark !! your !! joy!!

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Hi! I'm so sorry if this question is stupid. So the main character in my story is bilingual. How do I show how she switches between English and her native tongue while talking with her mother, from the perspective of the main character and someone who's not bilingual. I don't know what to Google for this problem. (btw, I'm also trilingual)

Not at all! This is a good question and I’ve written a couple posts about it before here and here. 

Additional Resources for Writing Multilingual Dialogue:

Any advices for writing a multilingual character? | Clever Girl Helps 

Writing Multilingual Characters | Lizard Is Writing

tips for writing bilingual characters | Writing With Color

5 Techniques for Writing Bilingual Dialogue 

5 Ways To Incorporate Multiple Languages Into Your Fantasy Novel 

Bilingual Characters – 4 Common Mistakes 

Writing Believable Bilingual Characters

For future reference, I Googled “how to write multilingual dialogue” and Google provided similar search requests at the bottom of the page.

Thank you for asking!

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Questions You (as the author) should be able to answer about your WIP.

1) What were your characters doing before the book began? What will happen after the book ended? 

2) Why did you write this book? (for fun? based on true experience, inspired by another book?) 

3) Who are the characters based on? If they are based on anyone? 

4) What is the meaning/ significance of the title? 

5) What was the biggest obstacle you overcame while writing this book? 

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Why Are There No Female Lovable Scoundrels?

I had a realization the other night about “Strong Female Characters” ™ and the apparent double standard of what we put up with in male characters vs female characters. The reason why, when we see a female character doing something stupid, we judge her so much more harshly and are willing to cut the male some slack. 

And, okay, yes, misogyny. Yes, cultural norms and gender roles and generations of baggage. Yes. 

But here’s a thing that’s super important that I think keeps getting overlooked: Strong Female Characters ™ are never funny. 

Like, look. We are willing to put up with all manner of shitty behavior from our male characters – brooding, mistake-making, emotionally reactive, illogical – because they’re also usually funny and charming. 

The reason why Guy A is a lovable scoundrel and Girl B is an irritating bitch is that Girl B takes herself so damn seriously. She doesn’t seem fun to be around. Guy A is a terrible human and would make for an awful friend, but he seems fun. 

Just something to think about when you’re looking at characterization, whether as a writer or media consumer. 

Let your girls be funny. Let your girls be charming. It might make a big difference. 

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me reading any of my own writing: what the fuck are you talking about

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Me while editing: *adds a sentence*

*finds nearly identical sentence in the next paragraph*