#writedaily

[nauticalnotions]

Pathetic Fallacy

Something I Learned Today, and I Wish to Share Here to Help Anyone:

Use Your Setting to Add Emotional Depth: A Guide to Pathetic Fallacy

What is Pathetic Fallacy?

Pathetic fallacy is when features of inanimate nature are given human feelings or characteristics.

It is a powerful tool to express a character's feelings using the surroundings, creating an atmosphere without explicitly stating what the characters feel.

Using Nature to Echo Emotions:

Despair and Loss: The vivid colors of surroundings might turn gray, or a relentless drizzle may cast the landscape in gloom when a character is overwhelmed by despair. These subtle changes deepen the emotional connection for readers.

Anger and Turmoil: Incorporate dynamic elements like a thunderstorm to reflect intense emotions. The violent winds and sharp flashes of lightning mirror the inner turbulence of the character, making the turmoil palpable.

Reflection and Sorrow: For softer emotions, use elements like a gentle breeze through leaves or a thick fog. These details not only set the mood but also draw readers into experiencing the character's quiet sorrow.

Practical Tips for Writers:

Identify the Emotion: Clearly understand the emotion you want to convey.

Choose Suitable Elements: Select environmental details that naturally reflect or enhance this emotion, such as weather conditions, landscape features, or the state of inanimate objects.

Integrate Subtly: Blend these elements into the narrative subtly. They should support and not overwhelm the emotional tone of the scene.

Why Use Pathetic Fallacy?

Pathetic fallacy does more than decorate a scene; it connects readers to your character's emotional journey, making the story immersive and moving.

By aligning the external environment with the character’s internal state, you create a unified narrative that resonates deeply with readers.

[medvoc]

The snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas towered above Sherpa guide Tenzin and his team of climbers. They were on a mission to conquer the treacherous peak known as "The Widowmaker". As they trudged through the thick snow, Tenzin's eyes caught sight of something unusual. It was a set of massive footprints, at least three times the size of a human's.

Tenzin's heart pounded in his chest as he realized what he was looking at - the legendary Yeti. He had heard stories of the creature since he was a child, but he never believed they were anything more than myths. Now, face-to-face with the evidence of its existence, he couldn't help but wonder what other secrets the mountains held.

As the team continued their ascent, Tenzin couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every so often, he would catch a glimpse of something moving in the shadows, but when he turned to look, it was always gone.

In this story, you'll join a group of intrepid explorers as they venture into the rugged Himalayan mountains in search of the elusive Yeti. Along the way, they'll encounter all sorts of challenges and dangers, and you'll be on the edge of your seat as you follow their journey.

LİNK: https://vocal.media/fiction/the-legend-of-the-himalayan-yeti

⁣https://www.instagram.com/medvoc/

[decaffeinated-musings]

Everything is temporary and nothing just finishes !

In Tibet, Buddhist monks make beautiful mandalas out of sand. They spend hours, even days, crafting these complex, geometric designs, and then they wipe them and destroy them. Then, they start all over again.

It is to remind them that nothing lasts forever and everything on this place called earth is temporary. Everything that comes to existence ends, so we should not attach ourselves to anything.

It also reminds that no work in this world just finishes. We have to do it again & again. To be finished would mean the end of our lives. We complete one project at school/work, the other will come up, we clean our closets and then after a week they will be messed up again.

So, instead of going nuts over these things, we have to learn to love it & embrace it, because that's just how life is.

[journalingjane]

11 days out from finishing this second journal. I’ve purchased a larger journal in hopes it will last me until the end of this year. 

[northernbard]

BLACK SAND. I felt a cold blow on my face. İ opened my eyes and the ice water hit my face again. I swallowed water and coughed. İn front of me everything was blurry. I tried to get up, but i' don't have the strength. I crawled away from the shore. Look at my hands, they were covered in black sand. I turned around and the grey clouds stalked me above me. When I can sit up, I feel intense pain in my leg. My bleu jeans, they were riped and blood was coming out. I tore my plaid shirt, and cover it with it. I looked from side to side. There was no one. I took a deep breath and got up. I started walking, leaving the sea behind. I came to a two-way road. İn front of me, only wild nature. Nothing more. I focus the parka, when it started to rain. I walked and walked, alone and terrified, until, in the distance, I saw dim lights. I walked through the middle of the road, not knowing if the driver would stop. But the did. Of the Land Rover, a man got out, surprised to see himself said:

- Miss, ¿is it okay?

I looked at him and started crying. He took me by the arms and got me in to the car. Covered me a blanket. He picked up the radio and spoke in a language I didn't understand.

- ¿What's your name? -ask.

- Fiona.

- Ivar - replied with a frown-. ¿What are you doing to here?

- I don't know.

He looked at me puzzled and picked up the radio.

........................................... GM

Photo Pinterest.

[imperfectionistchic]

The Invisible String Phenomenon

It is somehow beyond human understanding how some moments just connect to the other.

How one person can change your perspective and fast forward to ten years, you are where that person told you, they see you to be.

How all your interests as a kid will find you ten years later and that they will be significant in your "purpose."

How you realize your partner came to your life at the right moment. In moments you were praying for each other, still faceless, those were the moments of protection and valuable growth.

Those signs... I thought God was winking at me hehe. But I also call them the invisible string phenomenon.

They say that humans are always looking for patterns and this may explain why we experience these deja vu- like feelings, eureka moments, that connection....

But I really believe that there is an invisible string tied to me and my calling.

[fizzawrites]

A billion feelings come together to give

a chaotic outburst of emotions

Looking painfully beautiful

Yet wins the heart and connect soul

Poetry has its own magic

@fizzawrites

[fyapoetry]

Find a way let go of the past hurts from previous relationships in order to help your present relationship develop and grow. Stay in the present and enjoy the uniqueness of your new partner. Double tap if you agree. #poetgram #writerblock #heartachequotes #writedaily #igwords #wordvomit #writingismypassion #thehopelessromantic #unheard #poet_artist #penguinpoetry #poemstoliveby #wordporm #darkwritings #poetrycommunityofinstagram #instawriterscommunity #writes #prosepoetry #silverleafpoetry #poetryquotes #poetryandquotes #poetrypornquotes #poetryquote #poetryreaders #readingpoetry #amreadingya #poetryreading (at Georgetown, Guyana) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_1ACsTl1ef/?igshid=1manetx1460zk

[wanderessoflove]

Name

I want to be your favorite color.

I want you to spot me in a rack of clothes,

Search me in the skies,

And say my name when people want to know you.

[nauticalnotions]

Understanding Character Motivation

What is Character Motivation? Character motivation is the driving force behind every action a character takes. It is the reason behind their decisions and behaviors in various situations, propelling them toward their goals, through conflicts, or around obstacles. Without strong motivation, characters may appear flat or their actions arbitrary.

Why Important? Strong motivations enliven characters for the reader, clarifying their actions and making their decisions relatable. This understanding fosters a believable journey through the plot and fuels the conflicts that make stories compelling.

Kinds of Motivations

Internal vs. External Motivations

Internal Motivations: These motivations are personal and intrinsic to the character, such as desires, fears, beliefs, or emotional deficits. Examples include a desire for acceptance, proving oneself, or overcoming a personal fear.

External Motivations: These motivations arise from external forces that compel the character into action, like societal pressures or environmental challenges. Examples include quests for treasure, missions to save someone, or escaping danger.

Positive vs. Negative Motivations

Positive Motivations: Motivations stemming from positive desires like love, ambition, or justice. Characters with these motivations are driven to achieve beneficial or noble outcomes.

Negative Motivations: Driven by negative impulses such as fear, revenge, or greed, these motivations typically focus on avoiding adverse outcomes.

Craft Compelling Motivations

Know Your Characters

Backstory: Characters should have rich, detailed backgrounds that inform their current desires and fears based on past experiences.

Personality: Personality traits (optimistic, pessimistic, brave, cautious) significantly influence what motivates a character.

Set Clear Objectives

Specific and Measurable: Goals should be concrete, such as opening a bakery in their hometown, rather than vague ambitions like "being happy."

Achievable: Ensure the goals are realistic within the story’s context, challenging yet possible to attain.

Establish Stakes

What are the consequences if the character fails to achieve their objective? High stakes increase motivation, whether these are personal losses or broader dangers.

Show Growth and Change

Changing Motivations: As the story progresses, a character's motivations might evolve, reflecting their dynamic nature.

Internal Conflict: Characters may experience conflict when their motivations clash with their beliefs or values, adding depth and complexity.

Examples of Motives

Classic Motives in Literature and Film

Revenge: In 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' Edmond Dantès seeks vengeance against those who wronged him.

Love: In 'Romeo and Juliet,' the love between the protagonists highlights the futility of family feuds.

Novel Example of Survival: In "The Hunger Games," Katniss Everdeen fights to protect her family and survive against all odds.

Different Motivations

Redemption: A former villain seeks redemption for past deeds.

Curiosity: An explorer driven by the need to discover new worlds.

Legacy: An artist wants to create works that will outlive their own mortality.

Writing Tips on Motivations

Show, Don't Tell: Demonstrate motivations through actions, dialogue, and internal monologue rather than exposition.

Internal Consistency: Ensure that motivations established at the start align with actions throughout the story to avoid frustrating readers.

Make It Personal: Personal stakes engage readers more deeply than abstract ones.

Avoid Clichés: Add unique twists to classic motives to keep them fresh and engaging.

Test Motivations Against Obstacles: Challenge your characters’ motivations through trials to reveal their true nature and create tension.

Conclusion

Character motivation is central to your story, initiating plot developments and enriching your characters. By deeply understanding and portraying these motivations, you can engage readers effectively and integrate these elements seamlessly into your narrative. Enjoy the creative process of developing your characters!

[laurenorderboston]

[sunnygoesbananasworld-blog]

Know your worth and move on. #notetomyself . . . . . . . . . . . #ifistay #doitfortheprocess #peoplescreatives #madetocreate #magazine #creative #read #reads #book #bookstagram #booknerd #write #writes #writedaily #creative #acreativedc #artjournaling #journals #journal #journaling #artjournalgirl #tumblr #aesthetic #aesthetics #creativity #tumblrgirl #huji #hujicam #artweinspire #art (at Bangalore, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo__o6anRvS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11gr6bdhtc8k0

[medvoc]

Once upon a time, in the aftermath of the Titanomachy, Zeus had become the ruler of the gods and the mortals. He had divided the universe into three parts with his brothers, Hades and Poseidon. But the victory against the Titans had left a bitter taste in Zeus’ mouth, and he often wondered if there was something more he could have done to avoid the war.

One day, as he was pondering over this thought, he decided to seek the advice of Prometheus, the Titan who had fought with him against his own kind. Zeus knew that Prometheus was a wise and insightful god, and he hoped that he could provide him with some guidance.

You can visit my page by clicking the link below for the continuation of the story🌟

Are you a fan of mythology and epic tales of gods and monsters? 🌟 Then you won't want to miss my latest post on "The Titanomachy: A War Between Gods"! 📚🔥 @vocal_creators

This incredible battle between the Olympian gods and the Titans was one of the most epic and important events in Greek mythology. And in my post, I delve deep into the stories and characters that make this conflict so compelling.

Whether you're a longtime fan of mythology or you're just discovering these stories for the first time, "The Titanomachy" is sure to captivate and inspire you. So head on over to my page and check it out! And if you enjoy it, don't forget to give it a like and share it with your friends. 🙌

LİNK: https://vocal.media/fiction/the-titanomachy-a-war-between-gods 🙌🌟

Thanks for your support, and I can't wait to hear what you think! 🚀📝 

[arvwrites]

Wealth

I sit by the pond I built in my backyard,

It’s made from childhood dreams and adult feelings,

It’s small and maybe as deep as a puddle,

But within it there is something that keeps me holding on,

So each day I sit at its edge excited for the fish that I might one day catch.

-A.R-V

[lighthouseofthewanderess]

Goodbye

We’re all clear success isn’t a measure of the cars you own, the house, a perfect job, or family vacations every year. I’m sick of all the quotes that do nothing but bounce off the surface. The supposed pushing of self to do better and get to the end of the rainbow. But a rainbow’s a pretty swell thing by its own. The pot of gold is just a carrot to think you’re getting somewhere. Here’s a thought -- what if every day, you’re already there. Whatever moment you’re expecting when you reach the end is what you’re capable of feeling right here, right now. People underrate the small things that contribute equally to the meaning of ‘success’.

Being a single parent is harder than they say it is. I’ve seen my mom spend all her time with me for the past 2 decades and give up equally much. She stayed in a job just because there was no other alternative. She broke it to her daughter that there simply was no money to pursue medical science. But I see her stand tall next to me; as If I represent all the years she’s put in. Her face has wrinkled, her eyes widen up as she counts out change for the groceries. She forgets things, sometimes even gifts that I’ve got for her. I’ve never seen her pamper herself, try to marry again, or meet anyone even. Her life was simply never in the equation. It was always about me. For her, the measure of success is giving me a life she thought she couldn’t. Not without the concept of a family. Her little ways of knowing she’s done good is letting me pick whatever color of curtain I wanted in my room. To take me around town in a first-hand car. To cover the prices on the menu and warn me not to piss her off. That’s what I’m talking about. Yesterday maybe, none of this would’ve been possible, but today it is. And they’re all a bunch of little things that reflect equally on a point in life when things aren’t out of whack. When I take her out for dinner or book ourselves a spa date she shies away and says its a lot of money. But it also gives her another measure; her daughter is spending on things that were a luxury in her time. Here progress is success.

I remember making a little list of things I want to buy when I get a job. To me, success meant landing a good job. It meant reaching a moment where you can start building castles in the sky. But once I got there, I didn’t feel like I achieved anything. I felt it in the little things but not in walking into a job that I had landed. In a coffee from Starbucks -- a shop that was always far from my reach. In buying books off Amazon and watching the parcels reach an address. In a solo trip where money just melted away. Where I would have the luxury to take a couple days off and see a new place without anyone to steer my ship. I would smile whenever I found myself not giving it much thought but just doing the things I want. That was a little victory. For someone who’s always thought of the money first, to spend on herself. Here freedom is success.

Maybe I’m still talking about elusive things. Let’s come down to my clear compass for a sense of achievement. I’ve seen how movies have it all wrong. A serial killer probably turned out that way because he had an abusive childhood. The villain got his pure hatred because he was bullied in school. She saw violence as a child and ended up in prostitution. What are these character sketches even? Taking a minuscule sampling and repeating it on film over and over again until the jokes along the same vein start to prop up. Those who have gone through some trauma run the risk of personality disorders, clinical depression, insomnia, and a whole host of other issues. But there’s two ways to look at it. Either you add to those silly stereotypes or prove them wrong. And as a strong-headed Aries, I just had to prove them wrong.

The last few years saw me deal with all my big D related problems. I was doing great at work, the organization was bagging awards with things I had helped on. That’s because I had high-functioning anxiety. It helped me be super productive, have my mind on multiple things and move really fast with it all. It didn’t do anything for my self confidence. For the award night, I remember shopping alone trying to pick out a dress that would help me look like ‘I got this thing’. Even when I found it, I felt insecure wearing it. And on the stage a pretty girl smiled and shook hands but I was caving into myself. This wasn’t the sweet taste of success if inside I felt I didn’t deserve it. Getting out of the house was a task, every day felt like I didn’t have the strength in me. It was as though the wind would blow me away. On my bike, riding slow, I would feel the wheels drifting off to the side. Where was my center of gravity? Where was that core that would forever burn my light like the sun? Even on the off days, I wouldn’t like to get near the bed and give myself a break. I kept myself busy because the mind was a great magician who convinced me I wasn’t doing enough in life. It was a slow but painful process. To get out, to spend time with friends after dark. To tell myself that I am good enough, and where I am is good enough. Getting that positivity in me took forever, but once it did, I found happiness in the small things. In throwing a house party, in buying a swimming costume, in trying on outfits that were clearly chic. But that’s where I found my success. And like it or not, these small bursts count more than publications, headlines, awards, piled up gifts, or insane hikes. Success here is gifting yourself memories.

A colleague of mine, Kavya, brought out another important facet to this whole conversation. We ended up good people. People capable of loving, of giving and taking the world as it comes. The intricacies of why it is hard will be felt only if you went through something equally bad. And while I’m at it, let me give a tip for the people who you might be helping out. Please don’t say ‘I know what you’re feeling.’ It gets us super annoyed; not because we’re better at feeling pain but because it is impossible for any human to know and feel what the other person is going through. So stick to more harmless things like ‘I’m there for you.’ or “Do you want ice cream’ -- these we don’t mind so much. Going back to Kavya’s words as we sat up on the terrace talking about life and the like. Loving had to mean feeling. And just the right amount. If you felt nothing or way too much, it could fall into a disorder. I look at us like double-edged swords. On one side we're reactive and can lash out. And on the other we simply are our past, which could be dangerous in itself. To move from there and give love, I started with accepting what happened to me. To tell myself hurting another person because I was hurt isn’t going to heal me. To believe that the other person is deserving of my love even though I have been deprived of it. And getting comfortable with the fact that revenge is reserved for the movies and in real life it is spiteful. It meant building walls because only you are ever really there for yourself. You may have a wonderful partner, a loving family, but at the end of the day no one is going to war for you when you’re not in the picture. Then it was about operating this mechanism where the walls can come down instead of breaking it down entirely and exposing yourself. And this thought didn’t come without a few burnt fingers. Moments filled with too much hope in the world only to limp back because what else did you expect? Moments filled too much hate that it turned the atmosphere sour and made you cancel plans for the fear of ruining it again. After the walls were strong and the self fortified, there was still one big, huge quality I struggled to get. Trust was my biggest fear. To me it meant giving direct access to my castle, to operate the walls at their will. And I just couldn’t do it. Even with my own mom I couldn't. It wasn’t shown in the big decisions like where to invest what. I am smart enough to let people who know it better, do it. But it came in directing her on the streets because I didn't trust her to do it on her own. In standing next to her as she baked cake because I was sure it’ll get messed up. My mom didn’t know about my anxiety issues for 2 years either because I couldn’t trust her to believe me. I didn’t think she would get it, I was worried she’ll not even consider it a problem. That big cloud of imagined consequences kept me from telling her anything about my life. This is something I did with a lot of people. I kept my castle in plain sight and widened the moat around it. The cold distance could be felt the minute someone saw me from afar. I wasn’t welcoming, I didn’t want to be everyone's friend. I didn’t trust them enough to stay, to not leave me behind. And so, I didn’t want to give them any leverage either to hurt me with my own stories. I’ve stayed with one workplace for 4 years, I saw many people come and go. People I couldn’t deny not loving. Sunflowers that just spread so much light and happiness in my life that I couldn’t stop myself from trusting them. And when they left, I felt pangs of loss. I felt that I will be forgotten, no one sunflower will come my way or that this was all just a game. But thanks to them, and the way they still tuned in on my life, I realized trust is something you build over time. It is like a bridge. The walls stay, the moat stays. But everyone who really wants to know you will spend time to build that bridge and stay inside. Success here is letting love in. Till today, I’ve done a great job of not trusting people. Years have flown and yet the closest ones to me know only a fraction. It is an inside joke with myself. People think I open up easy. I share willingly and matters of sensitivity. That I am an open book. But in reality, it’s only the pages I’ve shown you that you’ve read. But now it’s all out, the entire thing. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to let you in, and now that you’ve met the real me, I hope you stay.

[woodlandfever]

father's day & back roads

Father’s day was a picture perfect June evening. My relationship with my biological father is broken. I wouldn’t say beyond repair, but there has been enough sustained long term damage that being in the same room as him makes the air feel thin and uncomfortable.

The air in the forest, however, was fresh and cooling down after the afternoon sun hid behind the trees. My partner’s family were *finally gone, and I quickly hopped in the shower. I was on a mission to wash off the residue and stench of the flames from the fire pit. I believed it was polite to smell, at least neutral, when trapped in the car with someone for a while.

Footnote: *I enjoy the company of my partner’s family very much. I wrote finally because our abode is humble and it feels sort of chaotic when there are too many people there for too long. It is a cozy home made for two. 

On father’s day, my evening plans were to spend it with someone else's father, a man named Sam. Deep in the pit of my mind, I wonder if his son will be upset. I know his son. We are really good friends. Would he think my friendship with his dad is weird? Is my friendship with his dad weird? Is it weird that my mechanic is becoming one of my best friends in this town? It certainly is convenient, but that’s not the only reason we talk almost every day. He does not mind me stopping by the shop and talking for hours. He is patient and he listens. 

On father’s day evening, I pulled up to the garage to pick him up to go off-roading. After wiping himself off from garage dirt we are on our way. Sam makes fun of my cautious driving around the bends. 

"We cannot all go 70 mph down a narrow back road", I joke back. 

Off-roading is one of those things that people either casually dislike or obsessively make it their personality trait. I fall somewhere in-between. I enjoy looking at videos of big lifted cars climbing over rocks, but it’s not everyone’s thing so I keep the amusement to myself.

When Sam offered to take me on my first trail I was delighted. My vehicle did rather well and the trail was rather busy. I had to make way for two cars. That’s a rural town’s definition of busy. After we got to the end of the trail, I was pretty low on gas so I made the decision to head back to the shop instead of turning around and doing the trail again.   

Driving back to the shop, the mountain road slopped down and I felt free and embodied for the first time in a long time. It was my first time on this road and somehow the curves, bumps, and slopes did not scare me. Not one bit. The pit in my stomach was released and I felt a deep sense of safety. In Sam’s presence I felt as if nothing bad could happen. In his presence I could sense the road ahead and my vehicle and I were performing as a unit. I could sense everything that the vehicle wanted to tell me and how the wheel wanted to turn. I also was not sweating, did this mean I wasn’t too nervous? The A.C in the vehicle was working perfectly. I think he could tell where my mind was. Spending time with Sam made me excited to get older. Even though the road ahead was unknown, spending time with him made me feel that I could handle whatever was around the bend. 

"Wow, this A.C is working great! Who’s your mechanic?" Sam exclaimed.

I smiled, quickly stealing a gaze off the road towards him.

"He’s just some guy."

"Some guy."

It was interactions like these that made me question wether this relationship was insane, inappropriate, exhilarating, or all of the above. What was wrong with finding qualities that you admire in people and wishing they were the ones that raised you? What could possibly be wrong about spending time with an older man who is also your friend’s father? 

Conversations between Sam and I flowed like a river after rain. Agreeable and sustainable. I catch myself articulating in structured sentences and not using vernacular. He asks me about my ideas for the future.

"I hesitate to state what it is I want in the future because I am not sure the future I want exists yet," I reply.

Sam nods in understanding.

I come to the conclusion that this friendship is worth holding on to. After all, what’s wrong with not wanting to be alone and afraid, in a world we never made.