#kestal

[kestalsblog]

Basic Tips to Improve Your Writing

I used to read a lot of unprofessional writing online, and through that endeavor, I started mentally compiling different qualities that turned me off to people's work right away. I'm sharing some of my thoughts about ways to improve your writing so others don't click off your work right away!

-Change paragraphs when different characters are speaking.

-In that same thread, remember to make new paragraphs and not have one giant block of text. This isn't only discouraging for some readers, but actually physically impossible to read for those who are visually impaired.

-Learn grammar. Sorry, but there is no way around this one. For example, commas aren't just for aesthetic appeal or your personal choice, and it will turn some readers away if your writing is littered with grammatical errors. You can't break the rules for creative purposes if you don't even know them, and the difference is generally apparent.

-Remember the narration style you've chosen. For example, if you're writing in third person limited, you can't think outside the mind of your main character. Don't jump suddenly to the thoughts of other characters or an all-knowing, omniscient voice.

-Slow down. Each word matters, so try not to think of writing as "I must get from Point A to Point B," but "I must get from Point A to Point B beautifully."

-Avoid repeating the same word or phrase too much, especially within the same paragraph. There are exceptions in dialogue, of course. (It's sweet when writers acquire their own personalized phrasings that mark their voice, but I have turned away from works where the exact same line just kept coming up again and again).

-Don't forget about setting. You might be able to imagine where your characters are, but no one else can if you don't let them know.

-Use a consistent verb tense.

-Your characters are not you and generally shouldn't always be mouthpieces for you to share your own values and thoughts.

-Your characters should sound distinctly different from each other, including their talking styles.

-Don't bog the reader down with too much description, and make sure the description you do have is realistic. Think about it. In the morning, do you wake up, go to the mirror, and think to yourself, "I looked at my shaggy dark hair and emerald green eyes"? Nobody thinks that way about their own appearance, and it feels like a forced way to let the reader know what the main character looks like.

-Also, related, there's no need to start tossing out every character trait for each character if it's not relevant to the story.

-Last, show some passion and excitement for your own work. Make sure the language embodies that passion because if you don't even care about your writing, who will?

[kestalsblog]

Hm, I thought about this further and decided to expand - in a thoughtful way, I hope. I always like differing opinions 🙂 It can be difficult to convey tone via text alone though, so as much as I love written words, I feel it's always important I try to address my intentions, as not to be disparaging.

Anyway, I think a person's name is a lot like an invisible word (like "the") in most writing. It's not as noticeable when repeated as an unusual word might be. For example, if a writer kept repeating "frigid" over and over, readers are bound to catch on and question why.

On the other hand, I agree that a name 12 times within 2 paragraphs might feel excessive, and it's most likely a case of simply needing to restructure sentences to use more pronouns and varied syntax to feel less repetitive.

I like OP's point about how epithets work when used with sophisticated narrative intention beyond the writer just trying to avoid using a name. Again, it's a little wonky to read a first-person narration where the character is thinking of his best friend as "the redhead." I know personally I've never thought of the people in my life that way, at least not the people I actually know. Even "my friend" would work better, but still show a level of distance - and that works, if that's the point!

At the end of the day, I too stand by the notion that writers must decide what works best for their own sentences and paragraphs, though I always reiterate to analyze the intention beyond those decisions.

And maybe I'm just too romantic (I am), but I admit that for me, every story is, in a way, a love letter. 💌

In writing, epithets ("the taller man"/"the blonde"/etc) are inherently dehumanizing, in that they remove a character's name and identity, and instead focus on this other quality.

Which can be an extremely effective device within narration!

They can work very well for characters whose names the narrator doesn't know yet (especially to differentiate between two or more). How specific the epithet is can signal to the reader how important the character is going to be later on, and whether they should dedicate bandwidth to remembering them for later ("the bearded man" is much less likely to show up again than "the man with the angel tattoo")

They can indicate when characters stop being as an individual and instead embody their Role, like a detective choosing to think of their lover simply as The Thief when arresting them, or a royal character being referred to as The Queen when she's acting on behalf of the state

They can reveal the narrator's biases by repeatedly drawing attention to a particular quality that singles them out in the narrator's mind

But these only work if the epithet used is how the narrator primarily identifies that character. Which is why it's so jarring to see a lot of common epithets in intimate moments-- because it conveys that the main character is primarily thinking of their lover/best friend/etc in terms of their height or age or hair color.

[vagabondfirelily]

A cat rubs against his legs, its fur grey, ears short and rounded, and one eye missing. Verin heard Essek call her Kestal. She meows at him once and he bends down to scratch her behind the ears before she turns away and makes herself comfortable on one of the armchairs in the sitting room. With a small smile etched on his lips, he goes back to looking out the window. From here, he can just about spot Essek in the garden outside.

The sun has already begun to set, but the air is still warm with the peaceful embrace of summer. Essek kneels in the dirt, a large sun hat on his head, rose-printed gloves on his hands, and a wicker basket by his side as he plucks fresh vegetables from the ground for dinner. (Caleb mentioned a vegetable stew, to which Essek immediately lit up and told Verin he had to try it.)

Verin watches his brother work in a shirt one size too big, the sleeves rolled up. It looks like it could belong to Caleb, but Verin knows better. He can see Essek’s taste in the dark colors and the softness of the material, in the way it comfortably swallows his frame. Low sunlight glints off his silver ear cuffs. He’s barefoot. He has been all day.

The sound of light footsteps reaches his ears from behind and he turns just in time to see Caleb enter the room with a steaming cup of tea held between his hands. Two cats trail behind him, tails and heads raised expectantly. Amusement bubbles in Verin’s chest, he’s still getting used to sights like this. Caleb approaches him slowly.

“One of Caduceus’s newer blends. I believe it will be to your liking.”

He sets the tea carefully on the table in the middle of the sitting area and Verin sends him a smile.

“Thank you.”

He can feel Caleb shuffle behind him as he turns to look back at Essek. He’s been doing that a lot today.

“She used to walk barefoot. Our mother. Back when we were still in the creche. She was always easier on me than she was on Essek. I do not know why I remember that.”

His words are somewhat halting, startling even to himself. He cannot tell what brought this on. It’s just that he saw Essek this morning – comfortable clothes, a small hesitant smile and bare feet on the ground – and a weight has settled over his chest.

If Caleb’s surprised, he makes no sign of it.

“Does he tell you about her?”

“Not much.”

There’s a soft clatter and Verin hears Caleb reprimand gently one of the cats in Zemnian.

“I did not think he would. They never got along well with each other. I think he’s always been afraid of how similar he is to her. He has her eyes, though.”

He turns his head to Caleb and flashes him a fanged smile. Caleb smiles back, mirth kindling in his eyes.

“I would assume then that you have your father’s.”

“And you would be correct.”

Verin laughs brightly for a second before his eyes stray back to his brother outside the window, smile slowly fading away.

“I think she’s always haunted him in a way. I think they both have.”

Read more on AO3

[crimesoughtarchive]

you know what here have all of the for fun children i have made for cassian.

most recent cassian and minths child. a half drow tiefling! named Kestal Emberstrike

Grace Emberstrike. Cassian and Raserei's magic baby. a full tiefling.

These are all of the children he has with cimmeriana

Eldritch, Melancholy, Abysmal, Thorn, and Cryptic

[starfayy]

"Finn Kestall" for you all

@serenity-of-waffles

I am once again thinking about the reluctant ruler whose arc justly and correctly includes assuming the throne and taking responsibility for the people set before them

[shoppingdopaciente]

Joelheira O Kestal Reforço de Joelheira Ajustável Plus foi projetado para dar o máximo apoio e proteção a seus joelhos.

[modaonlinemagazalari]

https://www.modaonlinemagazalari.com/moda-markas/kestal/

Kestal

[harrypotterhousequotes]

SLYTHERIN: "I am made of shadow and unsettled darkness. There is nothing so steady as a bridge inside of me." –Melissa de la Cruz (Natasha Kestal: Stolen)

[books-to-add-to-your-tbr]

Title: Heart of Dread

Author: Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Johnston

Series or standalone: series

Publication year: 2013

Genres: fiction, fantasy, dystopia, romance, science fiction

Blurb: Welcome to New Vegas - a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature: freezing. But some things never change; the diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground, and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumours about sinister sorcery in its shadows. At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she’s heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue”. They say it’s a paradise where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise - more importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light. But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other...but can true love survive the lies?

[kestalsblog]

Tips for Writing Characters in Recovery from Addiction

I've encountered several portrayals of characters in recovery from addiction, both in fanfiction and published writing, that are clearly somewhat under-researched or leaning into stereotypes. Additionally, writing advice posts on the subject often feel detached and cite statistics rather than express humanity.

As a result, I decided to put together what I believe to be some characteristics and shared experiences of people in recovery that aren't just about withdrawal and might be less familiar to the general public. Perhaps they can be useful to writers aiming to write thoughtful and accurate portrayals of characters in similar situations.

Please note, of course, that both addiction and recovery are very unique, personalized experiences, so no one list will ever apply 100% to a single person—fictional or real.

Dreams of relapse. I personally experience these dreams at least 4-5 times a month, and they're unlike any other other dreams I have because they're so vivid and lifelike that I wake from them completely convinced for a moment that I did, in fact, relapse. These dreams do NOT mean you want to relapse. In fact, they are often a sign of extreme fear of relapse. The possibility of it is so nightmarish that your mind can only translate it into a literal night terror.

Adding to the previous point, the fear of relapse is seriously underestimated. Some people assume recovered addicts are always thinking about relapsing in a tempting way, but lots of these thoughts stem from the absolute, paralyzing terror of the past repeating itself—not an alluring urge to return to it.

Paranoia that everyone is looking at you thinking "they know the truth about my past. They know I was an addict." These beliefs are, of course, unfounded.

Constantly categorizing everything as "before addiction," "during addiction," and "after addiction." Even something as simple as looking at photographs can elicit thoughts like, "I was so happy in this picture. I had no idea what was coming for me in six months."

Counting recovery days nonstop to the point that it can even become debilitating. Your sense of time is forever altered because you're always trying to "catch up" on all the time you "wasted."

If people know, they will constantly make snide or condescending remarks, no matter how far along in recovery you are. "An addict is always an addict." "Well, I can see you're doing better than you used to be!" "I would never do something like that."

People will relentlessly assume you are less intelligent and talk to you like you're a child, especially if you're in the early stages of recovery.

Everyone knows addicts lose friends and/or family, and sometimes for good reasons, but the sheer number of people who leave for no apparent reason when you're actively trying to get better is surprising. The stigma surrounding addiction is so intensely negative that most people don't even want to be tangentially associated with it.

Addicts and recovered addicts are fetishized in unexpected ways— sometimes because of the obviously sickly appearance, the assumption that they will do anything to feed their addiction, the false belief that they are "fun" or "exciting," or maybe even that they just seem pathetic. Random people in public will approach you and straight-up ask for the most disrespectful sexual acts you can imagine. (After my addiction became common knowledge, people I thought were good people suddenly started trying like mad to sleep with me and then ditched me entirely. That's probably one of the most painful learning moments I had).

Physical symptoms can appear months, even years, after recovery starts. I know some who have noticed their hands suddenly becoming shakier, their hair thinner, and unusual chest pains.

You often become so angry and guilty with your past self that it prevents you from seeing how extraordinary your progress really is.

You start to realize how far you've come and how liberated you are in the smallest of moments. One of the greatest accomplishments of mine was realizing one morning when I woke up that the last thought I'd had before going to bed had not been about my addiction. Throughout my entire years of addiction, it was literally always the first thing on my mind when I woke up, even if it was just getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. It was the last thing I thought of every single night before I fell asleep.

Speaking of sleep, a full night's sleep! Full meals! Not feeling sick 100% of the time. At first, it's almost like growing into a new body.

Your memory is not the same as before, whether you remember too much or there are big dark patches in your mind.

The appreciation. As difficult and painful as it is, a world in recovery is also so often a world of supreme beauty. You pay attention to life's details in ways you never could have imagined before. Things assume a gentle sincerity and sensitivity they never had previously.

Relapse does not always even happen. Some people quit and never look back. I decided to change my life in every way in February 2021 and spent all of that March relapsing. By April 1, I was ready and never went back once.

Addicts are always deemed selfish and narcissistic, even recovered addicts. Sometimes, ironically, recovery leads to increased empathy. It can take reaching a low point to understand another person's low point.

Recovery can be quiet. It's not always over-the-top constant relapses, breakdowns, etc. Sometimes it's just very private and silent attempts to make your life better.

Finally, a point I would like to emphasize is that addiction is a lonely, isolating experience, but often recovery is too. Yes, you can have rehab (if you're lucky to get into a good one), and, yes ,you might have a group or loved ones who help you (I hope). But every reason behind addiction and what you're actually addicted to is so individualized that no one will ever wholly share your experience. Finding a community can be challenging.

But, despite it all, recovery is a unique, beautiful, enlightening experience. If I were given the choice to go back and make it so I'd never had any of it happen, I would choose that option in a heartbeat. Still, I know in the depths of my soul, I'd be trading away some of the most raw, vulnerable, and profound lessons of my life in favor of blissful ignorance.

Above all else, I hope if you write a character in recovery, you try to portray them as you would anyone else—a nuanced and interesting human being 🫶

[smolavidwriter]

Look what @voxpanica drew for me. It’s our OC Jack Kestal the poor ensign on the Executor. The sweater itself is a pun courtesy of Jack’s friend Eli. I think it’s rather fitting for his current mood in Imperial Helpers Trying Their Best.

[ask-dnd-sides]

Yep! Hope is, I believe, one of the most important things in the world. Just, have hope that it'll be okay, and that you'll be home soon. -🍰

(The girl looks down at the ground.)

Child: Ussta ilhar zuch telanthus kestal zhahus waela...

[divatmarkak-hu]

Kestal

https://www.divatmarkak.hu/marka/kestal/

Kestal

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[modaonlinemagazalari]

https://www.modaonlinemagazalari.com/moda-markas/kestal/

Kestal

[kestalsblog]

Another tip for writers: try not to be so disparaging to your own work. I see so many posts where people are like "my story is garbage" and "I know it's bad, but . . ."

You can be a cheerleader for your writing while still being humble.

Honestly, and I don't even mean this rudely, but my first response to posts like "my writing is bad" is generally "okay, I believe you. I won't read it then."

[ask-dnd-sides]

(Block Cassandra) It's alright to not trust me kiddo, you did just meet me after all. I don't like the witch either. Don't lose hope though, okay? Even though you don't trust me, don't lose hope. Hope is very very important. We'll try our best to get you home as soon as possible. -🍰

Child: Kestal?