#writing friendship

[tinyreviews]

Writing Tips: The Power of Friendship

How To Portray Friendship?

Friendship is more than just agreement; it's caring for each other despite disagreements.

Common interests and shared values often form the foundation of strong friendships.

Trust and respect are fundamental to any meaningful friendship.

Establishing trust is a gradual process, and working well together helps strengthen it.

Each character may uphold different ideologies, leading to potential conflict and lack of trust. This is fertile ground for an enemies to friends trope.

Building Friendship:

Spending time together, especially pursuing shared interests, is a great way to build and nurture friendships.

Engaging in matching self-disclosure, where characters exchange revelations about themselves, deepens their connection.

Overcoming challenges together, even just being present while the other person faces difficulty, can solidify the bonds of friendship.

How Can Friendship Help the Plot?

Friendships can be used to resolve crises in the plot, especially when one character is alone and in a dire situation, and the Power Of Friendship comes to the rescue.

Common Tropes That Involve Friendships:

Teamwork: A group of friends lose cohesion at first, but in the end, work together to defeat the villains.

The Loner: Some characters may question the power of friendship, doubting their friends' loyalty. This leads to isolation. These loners often have self-loathing issues, stemming from abuse or abandonment experiences, making it challenging for them to trust anyone. Their arc, of course, is to learn to trust the right people.

The Never-Gonna-Give-You-Up Ideal: This character represents unwavering friendship. They are willing to endure physical damage and take on the world for their friends, providing reliable support regardless of the circumstances. They are the embodiment of the Power Of Friendship.

The "I know you are somewhere in there" fight: Involves attempting to reach the friend hidden behind the evil facade, drawing them back with a never-give-up bond, often seen in master/student, parent/child, romance, or simple friendship dynamics. Breaking the mind control is achieved through various methods, including: 

a. Friends slowly chipping away at the brainwashed character's beliefs by talking them back to the side of good, reminding them who they really are.

b. The brainwashed character committing an act so heinous that it shocks them back to reality.

c. A specific trigger phrase that reminds the character of their true self.

d. Forcing the character to cross a moral line they wouldn't typically cross.

Subversion of Friendship:

Villains can hijack the power of friendship by holding one friend hostage to lure the others into a trap.

They can isolate a character, taunt them and bring up valid reasons their friends have no interest in coming to their aid. Ultimately, turning them against their friends. Only to be proven wrong when their friends arrive to save them.

Villains can make the hero surrender by threatening a friend.

This is part of my Writing Tips series. Everyday I publish a writing tip to this blog.

[ancientroyalblood]

Creating Realistic Character Relationships

Bring Your Characters to Life Through Meaningful Connection One of the most compelling elements of any story isn’t just what happens—it’s who it happens to, and how they connect with others. Realistic character relationships give your story emotional resonance, deepen conflict, and help readers invest in your characters on a personal level. Whether it’s friendship, rivalry, romance, or family…

[sentientsky]

characters going “we were lovers once”: eh, it’s okay i guess. it’s nice enough

characters going “we were friends once”: absolutely devastating. one hit knockout i’m gone

[thedeadpoetsociety]

"i wonder if we ever think of each other at the same time."

[minimalist-quotes]

You're not grown until you know how to communicate, apologize, be truthful and accept accountability without blaming someone else.

[emilybraydenblogs]

I confuse people. i have a happy personality and a sad soul. i'm bold but shy. i love deeply but sometimes i feel heartless. i'm healing and hurting at the same time. i'm dedicated to growth, but i self sabotage

[what-iz-life]

I confuse people. i have a happy personality and a sad soul. i'm bold but shy. i love deeply but sometimes i feel heartless. i'm healing and hurting at the same time. i'm dedicated to growth, but i self sabotage

[the-flower32]

Friendship practice pt2!

Sibling dynamic edition! again; let me know if this feels like a real friendship and if not- how to fix it.

1519 words

comment if you have questions or want context

“Thank you again Dorothy” Bilina said as Dorothy followed her into the fenced area around her Coup. Toto and Eureka trailed behind them. 

“Its no problem. I didn’t really have a plan for today and I always loved spending time with the chicks on the farm back home… before we couldn't afford to take care of them anymore that is...”

Inside the fence there were several little chicks running around, chirping, and playing amongst themselves.  

“Dorothy Jr!” Bilinna called, all her chicks stopped what they were doing, ran up to her, and patiently waited for their mother to speak. 

“Im going to the wizard to check on the sick one, Dorothy, and her-... friends, are going to be watching you. Behave alright?”

“Ok mom.” the chicks said. 

“I’ll be back in a few hours,” Billinna turned to Dorothy, “they just need to be fed and kept entertained till I get back.”

“Got it.” Dorothy nodded.

“We’ll keep a good eye on them Miss Billina.” Toto said sitting proudly. 

“Im sure you two will…” Bilinna eyed Eureka, who had climbed onto a rock in the sun and layed down. “Not to sure about her still.” Bilinna muttered.

“Eureka will behave as well.” Dorothy said loudly, looking towards the kitten. Eureka opened an eye and sighed.

“I ate before we got here if thats what your worried about.” she said.

“Thats her way of agreeing.” Toto rolled his eyes. “We’ll watch her too.”

With a nod Bilinna walked out of the fence.

Immediately the chicks swarmed Dorothy and Toto, asking questions and jumping around. 

“Alright alright,” Dorothy motioned for them to calm down, “can some one show me where your food is?”

“Inside! Inside!” several cherred and headed towards the Coup. Dorothy followed after them, slowly as to avoid stepping on one. 

About five little chicks stayed behind and stared at Toto.

“Aren't you bunch hungry?”

“No.” one of them said. 

“What are you again?” another asked.

“Im a dog.” he answered patiently.

“Whats that?”

“Is it a type of bird?”

“Where’s your wings?”

“Why do you have four legs?”

“Your feathers are weird.”

Toto’s ears pressed to the side of his head, the chicks on the Gale’s farm couldn't talk- sure they could ‘peep’ but that was far less annoying. 

Eureka laughed from her spot on the rock.

“Thats exactly why I don't like kids.” she sighed.

“You like Dorothy just fine.” Toto snapped his head towards her. 

“She’s twelve.”

“She’s still a kid.”

“Tween.”

“Your point?”

“She’s more mature. And far less grabby than other kids I’ve met.” Eureka shuttered. “Not to mention a lot quieter than those balls of fluff swarming you.”

Toto rolled his eyes and looked back to the chicks waiting for answers to their questions, with a deep breath he began answering as best as he could amongst the constant peeping.. 

Eureka shook her head and rolled on her back, letting the sun warm her stomach. 

“Everyone line up!” Dorothy called as she came back with the crowd of chicks and a bag of feed in her hands. 

Immediately the chicks swarmed around her and excitedly pecked at the food she spilled into a little feeder Ozma had made especially for Bilinna and her chicks.

After they were all fed the chicks separated into little groups and played little games. Some were being carried around on Toto’s back, some asking questions about Dorothy’s adventures and how their mom helped defeat the Gnome King. 

All the while Eureka stayed a comfortable distance and watched.

Whenever a chick got too close for her comfort, all she had to do was glare at them and press her ears to her head and they’d back off. 

“Can you stop scaring them?” Toto had walked up to the rock, an annoyed expression on his face. 

“Only if you can keep them from bugging me.”

“They’re only a few weeks old, you cant blame them for having questions.”

“I can blame them for being annoying.”

“Your annoying.” Toto pressed his ears back.

“Yet you spend time with me.” she stared him down.

“Because Dorothy loves us, and wants us to get along.”

“Well its not my fault that you feel the need to bug me when I've been behaving quite well.”

“Behaving?”

“Yes! I haven't chased, or swatted, or bugged a single chick unless they get too close. Do you know how hard it is to avoid chasing something thats right in front of you and covered in feathers. Cat’s are made to catch birds after all.”

Toto sighed and started his way back to the group of chicks.

“Alright, fine. I don't know what its like to have Cat impulses. Fair. But you could ask them to leave you alone instead of hissing.”

“I haven't hissed once!”

“They said you did!”

“They what?!”

Then a high-pitched and distressed noise broke through their argument. 

They both turned to the origin of the sound, and saw a small chick weaseling their way through a gap in the fence. 

“No, no, no!” Toto started towards the chick.

“Whats happening?” Dorothy called.

“A ball of fluff’s trying to escape!” Eureka shouted back, she watched Toto sprint towards the chick, and was too late to stop it. He began trying to weasel his way through the hole. 

“Oh he’s not gonna fit.” Eureka hopped off her rock. 

“Dorothy, you need to seal this hole with something till we get the chick back!” Eureka called as she effortlessly jumped on top of the fence. She looked over, saw dorothy nod, and hopped down. 

She landed in front of toto, who had gotten half way through. 

“What are you-”

“Helping.” She grabbed the ribbon around his neck with her teeth and helped pull him through the hole. 

“Where'd it go?” Eureka asked as toto began sniffing. His head bolted from the ground, ears pointing up. 

“This way.” the two bolted off after the chick.

They pushed through some bushes in the Emerald Palace gardens and came to a fountain. 

“Is that the-”

“Fountain of Oblivion? No, Ozma had it sealed up after last weeks incident.”

“Oh, good.”

The Chick was standing on the rim of the fountain and curiously looking at the water. 

The cat and dog immediately sprinted towards the chick. 

Eureka hopped on the rim and nocked the chick off, just as Toto arrived below it and caught the chick on his snout. 

“That could of been bad.” Toto sighed, and placed the chick safely on the ground. 

“Your telling me-!” Eureka lost her balance and her lower half dipped into the water, toto jumped up and grabbed her paw with his teeth. He pulled her out onto the grass. Where she stood stiff and aggravated. 

“...Dorothy’ll get you a towel.” Toto said. 

“I know. Lets get the brat back.” Eureka said through gritted teeth. 

The two walked back to the fence, Toto carrying the chick on his back, while Eureka stayed grimacing. 

“I HATE being wet.” she grumbled.

“More or less than that time you went on trial?” Toto asked.

“More, the trial was fun.”

“Right, making Ozma think you ate her pet was ‘fun’.”

“No, watching the trial itself was fun. I’d never seen one before. Though, having lived her a while I doubt the ‘normal’ way a trials done was anything like what I saw.”

“Probably not. I remember Henry talking about having to go to court about ‘bankruptcy’ soon, but I don't think it’ll be a trail.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, haven't you been listening to their discussions after dinner? Oh wait- you were sleeping weren't you?”

“I don't understand how you can stay awake after eating. Now- what's ‘Bankruptcy’?”

“I don't know, but he sounds really upset about it,” Toto looked up as he tried to remember, “he keeps saying something about the farm and needing ‘money’.”

“I still don't understand humans and ‘money’. The people of Oz don't use money, so why do Kansas people do?”

“I dont know.”

They walked in silence for a while.

“You think its gonna be bad for Dorothy?” Eureka asked slowly.

“I dont know.”  Toto sighed, “Im keeping my ear out for any mention of her tho.”

“Good…” Eureka nodded. Then she glanced towards the chick on Toto’s back and started laughing.

“What?”

“Its asleep!”

“Really?” he wasn't able to turn his head around, but the chick had in fact nestled into his fur and fallen asleep.

“Thats adorable.” Eureka chucked as she began walking again. Toto’s ears pointed.

“I thought you didn't like them.”

“They’re cute when they’re quiet, like all children are.”

The two made it to the front of the fence, and were let in by Dorothy.

“What happened to you?” Dorothy asked concerned, as she took the sleeping chick from Toto’s back.

“Don't ask, just get me a towel… please.” Eureka said as she rung out her still dripping tale with her paws. 

Toto chucked and Eureka flicked water at him. 

Toto looked at her, annoyed, with ears pressed down. 

“The next time I have a bath, Im going get you back for that.”

Eureka scoffed with a smile, “Good luck!”

TipJar

[littlemissihaveaquestion]

Reminder that spring will always come back, music will never stop being created, and there are still so many books left to read! You’re alive! You’re alive! You’re alive!

[timetravelsong]

𝐈𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐈’𝐦 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞.

excerpts from a book I’ll never write

[lucidloving]

Girlpool—Before the World Was Big // memorial bench quoting Toni Morrison's Sula // @inanotherunivrse // Iain S. Thomas, I Wrote This For You // Zadie Smith, Swing Time // Fall Out Boy—The Kids Aren't Alright // Audrey Emmett // Mikko Harvey, "For M" // Mahmoud Darwish, Memory for Forgetfulness: August, Beirut, 1982 (tr. Ibrahim Muhawi) // Langston Hughes, "Poem"

[authenticity2025]

Maturity is when you realize people can't give you what they can't give themselves, so you stop expecting loyalty from people who betray themselves, stop expecting honesty from people who lie to themselves, and stop expecting peace from people who are at war with themselves.

[ophelia-is-not-okay]

The intimacy of “How did you know that?”

“because I know you.”

[thedeadpoetsociety]

"tell me it was real, because it was real to me."

[minimalist-quotes]

Don't ever let someone make you feel guilty because they are suffering the consequences of their own actions.

[thebroccolination]

I FUCKING LOVE THEIR FRIENDSHIP

Just for context, [Helluva Boss spoilers] Blitz and Fizz were childhood friends working at a circus who, due to an explosion, didn’t speak for fifteen years.

And on an unrelated note, Blitz has shown a consistent love for horses throughout the series.

When they rekindle their friendship, this happens:

Blitz’s FACE. FIZZ’S FACE.

There’s no judgment in the world like best friend judgment, and no shamelessness like best friend shamelessness.

I love them so much.