#creativity hacks

[queenbookwenchphotoblog]

This isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing photo I’ve ever taken, but it’s documentation of a creative hack I’m really proud of—I decided to bedazzle my markers with cheap stick-on rhinestones to keep them from rolling off the table constantly!

I wasn’t completely confident that it would work until I tried it—and it _really_ does!

[thatsbelievable]

[wistfulwatcher]

1.02 Primm | 4.09 A Slippery Slope

[pixel8or]

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

📉 The 5 Worst Writing Advice Bits You Might Still Believe

(Let’s Burn Them Together)

You’ve been lied to. Or at least, misled by well-meaning chaos goblins with strong opinions and a Twitter account.

Here’s a lovingly aggressive breakdown of writing “advice” you need to kick into a volcano immediately:

─────── ✦ ───────

“Write Every Day or You’re Not a Real Writer”

🗑️ Into the fire it goes.

This is advice built for guilt, not creativity. You’re a writer if you write. That includes:

Writing on weekends.

Writing in your Notes app once a week.

Writing one scene per month.

Thinking intensely about a story while doing literally anything else.

Consistency helps, sure. But daily output? Not the only path. And definitely not a moral obligation.

✨ Alternative: Write when you can, track what works, and let your process breathe.

─────── ✦ ───────

“If You’re Stuck, You Just Don’t Want It Bad Enough”

This is the kind of advice that sounds motivational until it destroys your relationship with writing.

Being stuck doesn’t mean you’re lazy or not passionate. It could mean: → You’re burnt out. → Your plot needs restructuring. → Your brain is full of static. → You’re scared to get it wrong.

✨ Alternative: Ask what your block is protecting you from. Then fix the problem, not your willpower.

─────── ✦ ───────

“Kill Your Darlings”

Yes, let’s just delete everything with emotional weight and pretend that makes it deep.

Look, editing matters. But this advice gets misused constantly. Killing your darlings doesn’t mean gutting every beautiful or weird or vulnerable thing in your prose. It means cutting what doesn’t serve the story.

✨ Alternative: Kill what doesn’t carry weight. Keep what resonates. Be ruthless with purpose, not performance.

─────── ✦ ───────

“Avoid Adverbs at All Costs”

This one was born in grammar hell.

Adverbs aren’t the enemy. Lazy adverbs are. But you know what else is lazy? Blanket bans. Adverbs can tighten a sentence, clarify emotion, or give rhythm when used intentionally.

✨ Alternative: Use adverbs when they do something specific. Don’t fear them, control them.

─────── ✦ ───────

“Your First Draft Has to Be Good or Don’t Bother”

This one? Evil.

It’s the fast track to perfectionism paralysis. First drafts aren’t supposed to be good. They’re supposed to exist. You can’t fix a blank page. You can fix a bad one.

✨ Alternative: Let your draft be messy. Be cringe. Be excessive. You’ll sculpt later. Right now? Just build the block of marble.

─────── ✦ ───────

Final thoughts from your local chaos scribe:

→ You don’t need to suffer to earn the title “writer.” → Your process is allowed to look different. → You are not broken because someone’s advice didn’t work for you. → Not everything that sounds “productive” is healthy. → Burn the rulebook. Build a toolkit instead.

—rin t. // writing advice that doesn’t suck™ // thewriteadviceforwriters

[pennavnprojects]

Verbs, Verbs, Verbs

Recently, during feedback in my writing group, I got a compliment on my choice of verbs. I thanked the person who gave me the compliment, explaining that I spend a lot of time deciding which verbs I use. Later, it got me thinking about my own writing style. I realized I started selecting specific verbs to overcome my bad habit of using adverbs. Seriously. He walked leisurely -> He ambled She quickly jumped -> She leaped He looked attentively -> He stared She sat listlessly -> She slumped

Taking a few extra seconds to find the right verb has been a game-changer for my writing. If you're like me, and tend to overuse adverbs, definitely try this!

[retrocgads]

USA 1993

[glowettee]

hi there! im a fan of your page 💕

can you give me the best studying techniques?

hi angel!! @mythicalmarion tysm for asking about study techniques 🤍 i'm so excited to share my secret methods that helped me maintain perfect grades while still having a dreamy lifestyle + time for self-care!! and thank you for being a fan of my blog, it means everything to me. <3

~ ♡ my non-basic study secrets that actually work ♡ ~

(don't mind the number formatting)

the neural bridging technique this is literally my favorite discovery!! instead of traditional note-taking, i create what i call "neural bridges" between different subjects. for example, when studying both literature + history, i connect historical events with the literature written during that time. i use a special notebook divided into sections where each page has two columns - one for each subject. the connections help you understand both subjects deeper + create stronger memory patterns!!

here's how i do it:

example:

left column: historical event

right column: literary connection

middle: draw connecting lines + add small insights

bottom: write how they influenced each other

the shadow expert method this changed everything for me!! i pretend i'm going to be interviewed as an expert on the topic i'm studying. i create potential interview questions + prepare detailed answers. but here's the twist - i record myself answering these questions in three different ways:

basic explanation (like i'm talking to a friend)

detailed analysis (like i'm teaching a class)

complex discussion (like i'm at a conference)

this forces you to understand the topic from multiple angles + helps you explain concepts in different ways!!

the reverse engineering study system instead of starting with the basics, i begin with the most complex example i can find and work backwards to understand the fundamentals. for example, in calculus, i start with a complicated equation + break it down into smaller parts until i reach the basic concepts.

my process looks like:

find the hardest example in the textbook

list every concept needed to understand it

create a concept map working backwards

study each component separately

rebuild the complex example step by step

the sensory anchoring technique this is seriously game-changing!! i associate different types of information with specific sensory experiences:

theoretical concepts - study while standing

factual information - sitting at my desk

problem-solving - walking slowly

memorization - gentle swaying

review - lying down

your body literally creates muscle memory associated with different types of learning!!

the metacognition mapping strategy i created this method where i track my understanding using what i call "clarity scores":

level 1: can recognize it

level 2: can explain it simply

level 3: can teach it

level 4: can apply it to new situations

level 5: can connect it to other topics

i keep a spreadsheet tracking my clarity levels for each topic + focus my study time on moving everything to level 5!!

the information architecture method instead of linear notes, i create what i call "knowledge buildings":

foundation: basic principles

first floor: key concepts

second floor: applications

top floor: advanced ideas

roof: real-world connections

each "floor" must be solid before moving up + i review from top to bottom weekly!!

the cognitive stamina training this is my absolute secret weapon!! i use a special interval system based on brain wave patterns:

32 minutes of focused study

8 minutes of active recall

16 minutes of teaching the material to my plushies

4 minutes of complete rest

the specific timing helps maintain peak mental performance + prevents study fatigue!!

the synthesis spiral evolution this method literally transformed how i retain information:

create main concept spirals

add branch spirals for subtopics

connect related concepts with colored lines

review by tracing the spiral paths

add new connections each study session

your notes evolve into a beautiful web of knowledge that grows with your understanding!!

these methods might seem different from typical study advice, but they're based on how our brains actually process + store information!! i developed these through lots of research + personal experimentation, and they've helped me maintain perfect grades while still having time for self-care, hobbies + fun!!

sending you the biggest hug + all my good study vibes!! remember that effective studying is about working with your brain, not against it <3

p.s. if you try any of these methods, please let me know how they work for you!! i love hearing about your study journeys!!

xoxo, mindy 🤍

glowettee hotline is still open, drop your dilemmas before the next advice post 💌: https://bit.ly/glowetteehotline

[moonshynecybin]

hacks writers and thank god for that

[aipurjopa]

Unironic ls!havocs...Parrot helping Spoke backdoor and being involved in tricking his enemies for fun. I am a newgen fan so I thought I'd never see them again aaaaaaaaaa

it’s so crazy… I never thought I’d hear from them in an lifesteal context ever again… so cool… parrotx2 and the love of the game

[writerformanymuses]

one of the best things I did when transitioning my writing from solely fanfic to my original novel was developing a progress system.

all the premade software and planning books were just overwhelming and did not work for me. it also did not motivate me at all. i can not do sequential writing because i will get writers block and just not write.

so with google docs, i made a color system, and oh boy, it has been so helpful. i can see at a glance what has been done, what needs doing, and what could be worked on.

this helps because depending on how many spoons i have to write, i know where i can apply my given effort for the day. some days its just proofing, some days its just starting a chapter, and some days its knocking out a whole thing.

very helpful if you're AuDHD or have chronic conditions like me!

[thatsbelievable]

[wistfulwatcher]

deborah + describing ava in her speech

[kara-knuckles]

[etherealtidesandneonshadows]

Tips for writing with mental illness:

Pinterest is a legitimate way to become inspired or to research your story. One of my WIPs is partially from finding aesthetics I wanted to write about.

Bullet points and even asking yourself questions in the document is fine. Ex: "Do I want X to climb up the cliff or try to go get help?"

Writing anything, even if it's not related to your WIP, is fine. It's momentum.

Creating playlists is also a good source of inspiration and brainstorming. A lot of plot points from my current WIP were brainstormed during songs that inspired my creative juices.

[sskybooks]

Your character has been kidnapped...

The chains on your wrists rattle as you move. Your butt is starting to hurt from the chair you're sitting on. A double mirror is on one side of the wall. You stare at the reflection. You're disheveled, but you're fine. The door opens, and someone in a black cloak walks into the room. His face is hidden by a mask. It is completely white and shows no facial features. He sits down across from you, his arms clasped in front of him.

“Now, let us begin.”

His voice is human-sounding, so you cross "unknown beast from beyond" off your list. He lifts a stack of papers and sets them on the desk. You can’t see what is written there.

“Who are you?” you ask.

“I am part of the story police. I’m going to ask you some questions. Answer them to the best of your ability.”

“Why? What do you want?”

“Simply what’s best for the author.”

“Author? What author?”

“It doesn’t matter. Let’s start.”

(This is a character interview. You sit down with your character in your head and talk to them. This is a good tactic to flesh out your characters. The scenario was just to give your character context. You can use it or not. Enjoy)

Part one: The basics

What is your name?

What three words best describe your personality?

How old are you now?

When were you born?

Do you have a lifelong dream or aspiration?

What is your state of mind usually?

Where do you call home now?

To what social class do you belong?

What do you tend to do that other people find strange? 

What are your quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?

Do you have any bad habits? If so, what are they and how do you plan to get rid of them?

Do you have a lifelong dream or aspiration?

Part Two: Family

How close are you to your family?

Do you have a spouse or significant other? Describe them.

Have you started your own family? Describe them if you do. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?

Who was your Father and what was he like?

Who was your Mother and what was she like?

Who are you closest to in your family?

Is there someone in your family you wish you were closer to?

What was your parent’s marriage like?

Did they remain married? If not, how did that affect you? When did they split?

Part Three: Friends and Relationships with Others

In general, how do you treat other people that you have just met?

Does your treatment of people change depending on how well you know them and if so how?

Who is the most important person in your life and why?

Who is the person you respect the most and why?

Who are your friends? Describe them.

Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who and why?

If you died or went missing, who would miss you?

Who is the person you despise the most, and why?

Do you tend to argue with people or avoid conflict?

Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?

Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?

Do you care what others think of you?

What is the most important quality you look for in a friend?

What do you most value in your friends?

Part Four: Growing Up (Childhood)

Where were you born?

Where did you grow up?

How would you describe your childhood in general?

What is your earliest memory?

What is your fondest childhood memory?

What is your worst childhood memory?

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child, what were your favorite activities?

As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?

As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?

Part Five: Growing Up (Teen/Young Adult)

How much schooling have you had?

Did you enjoy school?

Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?

While growing up, did you have any role models other than your parents? Describe them.

While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?

How old were you when you went on your first date? Describe the date.

What is your favorite memory from your teen years?

What is your worst memory from your teen years?

When and with whom was your first kiss?

Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.

Part Six: Past Influences

What do you consider the most important even of your life so far?

Who has had the most influence on you?

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

What is your greatest regret?

What is the most evil thing you have ever done?

Do you have a criminal record of any kind?

When was the time you were the most frightened?

What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?

If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?

What is your best memory?

What is your worst memory?

When and where were you the happiest?

Part Seven: Beliefs and Opinions

Are you optimistic or pessimistic?

What is your greatest fear?

Have you told any one your fear before?

Who would be the one person you’d never tell your fear?

Are you able to kill?

Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?

In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?

Do you believe in the existence of soul males and/or true love?

What do you believe makes a successful life?

How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings? (Meaning do you hide your true self from others and in what way?)

Do you have any biases or prejudices?

Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why?

Who or what, if anything, would you die for? (or go to extremes for?)

What is your best feature, in your opinion?

What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Are there any types that people should never do? Why or why not?

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Part Seven: Religen/politics.

What are your religious views?

what religion are you apart of?

What are your beliefs?

what will you not do as part of your religion?

What are daily/weekly practices do you do?

What holidays do you celebrate?

Why do you follow your particular religion?

Are you aware of the origins of your religion?

Do you ever disagree with the teachings?

Do you ever have a crisis of faith?

Do you trust priests or religious leaders?

Why do you think religions were created

Do you believe in an afterlife punishment/reward?

Do you know much about religious history?

Are you ever sceptical of holy fables/stories?

Do you think you can be manipulated by religion?

Do you ever dislike non-believers of your faith?

what commands from a religious leader would you not obay?

What are your political views?

What life experiences have you had that have led you to feel so passionately about this issue?

Where do your beliefs come from? Family? Church? Work?

What do you think your beliefs might be if you had been born into a different family, religion, race, gender, class, or time?

What is at the heart of this issue, for you as an individual?

Why do you care so much about this issue?

Do you see any gray areas in the issue we are discussing, or ideas you find it difficult to define?

Do you have any mixed feelings, doubts, uncertainties, or discomforts regarding this issue that you would be willing to share?

Is there any part of this issue that you are not 100% certain of or would be willing to discuss and talk about?

Do you think other definitions, meanings, experiences, or emotions are possible? How?

What underlying values or ethical beliefs have led you to your current political beliefs?

Part Eight: Likes and Dislikes

What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?

What is your most treasured possession?

What is your favorite color? Why?

What is your least favorite color? Why?

What is your favorite food? Why?

What is your least favorite food? Why?

What is your favorite sound? Why?

What is your least favorite sound? Why?

What is your favorite smell/scent? Why?

What is your least favorite smell/scent? Why?

What, if anything, do you like to entertain your self with? Books or movies? Why?

What makes you mad?

What makes you furious?

What makes you laugh?

What makes you laugh out loud, hysterically?

What makes you cry?

What makes you cry, hysterically?

What shocks or offends you?

How do you deal with stress?

Are you spontaneous or do you always need to have a plan? Why?

What are your pet peeves?

Where do you go when you’re angry or depressed?

What do you do when you are sad? Why?

What do you do when you are angry? Why?

What do you do when you are happy? Why?

What do you do when you are scared? Why?

What do you do when you’re bored?

What type of music do you like? Favorite bands or musicians?

What annoys you more than anything else?

What kind of weather is your least favorite? Why?

What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

What is the most awful thing you have ever seen?

What sorts of things embarrass you?

Part Nine: Self Image

Describe a normal day for you.

How do you feel when your routine is disrupted?

What is your greatest strength as a person?

What is your greatest weakness?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Are you generally introverted or extroverted?

Are you generally organized or messy?

Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at.

Name three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

What are your reasons for being an adventurer or heroic? Are your real reasons different than the ones you tell other people in public? If so, detail both reasons.

What three words best describe your personality?

What three words would others probably use to describe you?

What about you is heroic?

Are you a better lead or follower? Why?

What is your responsibility to the world? Why?

What do you like about yourself?

What don’t you like about yourself?

How do you picture yourself?

Part Ten: Occupation & Finance

What is your occupation? (If you don’t have one, where does your money come from?)

Do you like your job?

What is your boss/employer like?

What are your co-workers like?

Do you get along with your co-workers?

Which co-workers don’t you get along with and why?

What is something you had to learn that you hated?

Do you tend to save or spend your money? Why?

If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money, what would you do with it?

Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If yes, why? Do you want to quit?

Do you drink on a regular basis?

Have you ever tried any kind of “mood altering” substance? Which ones? Describe the experience.

Part 11: Love

Have you ever been in love? What happened?

Have you ever had your heart broken?

Do you currently have a lover? Describe them, what you are attracted to, and what the relationship is like.

What is the perfect romantic date?

Describe your perfect partner.

Do you ever want to get married? When do you see this happening?

Do you want children? Why or why not?

What was your most recent romantic relationship like? Who was it with?

What’s the worst thing you’ve done to someone you love?

Part twelve: Morality

What one act in your past are you most ashamed of?

What one act in your past are you most proud of?

Have you ever been in a physical fight before? Over what, with who, and who won?

What do you feel most strongly about?

What do you pretend to feel strongly about, just to impress people?

What trait do you find most admirable and how often do you find it?

Is there anything you think should not be incorporated into the media or arts? (i.e., sex, violence, etc). What and why or why not?

Do you think the future is hopeful? Why or why not?

Do you think redemption is possible? Why or why not?

Is there something you think is absolutely unforgivable? What is it?

Is it okay for men to cry?

Is it okay for you to cry?

What do you think is wrong with most people, overall?

What is the worst thing you could ever do to someone you hated?

Do you have feelings that disturb you? What and why?

On what occasions do you lie?

Do you think it is okay to lie?

Part thrteen: Talents/Superpowers

Tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities.

What do you think now of being supernatural? Is it cool or have you been screwed?

Do you have a mentor? Describe them and how you became their student.

Do you have any magical items? Where did you get them?

Think of a major event that happened during your training/initiation. Describe the experience.

What is something you had to learn during your training that you hated? Why did you hate it?

What is something you had to learn during your training that you loved? Why did you love it?

Part fourteen: Future

What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.

What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?

If you could, what advice would you, the hero, give to the villain? Or If you could, why would you, the villain want the hero to be at your side or part of your team?

If your house burned down, what one thing would you want to save?

What is a nightmare (during sleep) that you have often?

What is a daydream that you have often?

What is your motto?

Part fifteen: Chariter arc

If you could go back to any point in history and change something, what would it be?

What is the absolute worst thing that could happen to you at this point in the story?

What is the best thing that could happen at this point in the story?

Everybody’s hiding something—a fear, a weakness, a strength, an unpopular opinion. What are you hiding right now?