#writingchallenge

[the-traveling-poet]

ᴅʀᴀʙʙʟᴇ ᴄʜᴀʟʟᴇɴɢᴇ 2024 // ᴅᴀʏ TWENTY SEVEN ~ OVERFLOW

After consulting with my wife, aka @levispersonalslave , we’ve come to the decision that this drabble must one day become a mini-series. This will come to fruition.

Huge thanks again to @thedrabblecollective for hosting this month’s drabble challenge! It’s really inspired me to keep writing :) Go check out their page and read everyone’s daily drabbles!

Content ~ Levi Ackerman x GN!Reader, Modern!AU, SFW

~ All Days + Borders Here! ~

Echoing laughter broke through the overflow of rain pelting through the dark night, drowning out any traffic along the highway. The cold droplets of rain hitting your skin went unnoticed by you, your hands clasped in Levi’s warm one.

He’d raced with you from the store across the emptying parking lot, attempting to stay dry; but upon seeing the pointlessness to the endeavor, he’d slowed to a walk alongside you.

“C’mon, we’re out of the way,” you’d laugh, twirling yourself by his arm.

“Dance in the rain with me, just once?”

Dodging another puddle, Levi sighed and finally gave in.

[plotandelegy]

Crafting Spells with Incantations: A Primer for Fantasy Writers

1. The Roots of Language & Power: Think about languages. Why is Latin so captivating to many? Elvish words from Tolkien's Middle Earth gives us a sense of nostalgia. Incantations borrow from the weight and mystery of forgotten or invented tongues to create allure in our fictional works. Authors might want to consider phonetic aesthetics and rhyming words. Cadence can distinguish between magic that stays with the reader or falls short.

2. The Binding Element - Intention: Fancy words can enchant, but intention carries power. Consider the caster's emotions, desires, and the cost of wielding the magic. A simple spell to light a candle may be whispered, while summoning a storm might require a shout. Emotional resonance adds depth to your magical system. Depth can make it more relatable and memorable. 

3. The Harmony of Gesture: Incantations are often paired with gestures. The flow between word and motion can amplify potency. Perhaps the caster must trace a key through the air to open a door. Visual clues help readers see spell casting in their minds. 

4. The Complexity of Consequence: Let spells have consequences. Mispronouncing an incantation could come with disastrous or unexpected outcomes. Spells can backfire if cast with doubt. Create checks and balances that challenge your characters. 

5. Soundscapes of Sorcery: When performed correctly, what sounds accompany the spell? What sounds come when the magic is incorrect? Spells that summon forth storms release echoing booms in the distance. Offer readers a multi-sensory experience where they can 'hear' the magic too

-Indigo

If you’d like more check out my article on unique and classical sources of magic.

[komunitaspuanberaksara]

Ternyata, kita adalah dua orang yang tidak mengerti seni komunikasi, dua orang yang saling mencintai yang sama-sama insecure terhadap diri kita masing-masing.

Saat itu kukira hanya aku yang insecure ternyata, kamu juga.

Tidak ada yang perlu disesali, tidak ada yang perlu dimulai kembali, kita hanya perlu belajar untuk saling mengerti, melengkapi, dan menerima pasangan kita nantinya di masa depan.

—@sitijubaedahputrimanguntur

[monthlywritingchallenges]

🎵 Coming Soon: January Song Challenge! 🎵

Start the new year with creativity and inspiration! Different song will guide your stories, drabbles, or poems, focusing on themes of new beginnings, hope, and growth.

✨ Prompts inspired by meaningful lyrics and melodies.

✨ Open to all genres, fandoms, and original works.

Stay tuned for the song list and get ready to kick off 2024 with creativity! 🎶

You want a song on the list? Send it via Ask!

[hayalienn]

Zuros-2

‘Emergency Detected!’ The room was now blinking red as the alarm blared in the mission control office.

“System failure reported on Astro-14. Oxygen levels are at a critical stage!” the technician announced upon investigating, as the rest of the room erupted chaotically.

“Abort Mission! Prepare launch for the rescue ship Zuros-2.” The in charge– Mr. Yarvolk, remained calm yet had a sharp tone. “Send Tasha and Isaac.”

Tasha audibly grimaced. Of course, they would send that nerd. Why not Lauren? She would have been more composed and fun.

“You can whine later on.” Tasha’s thoughts were interrupted by the man himself. She rolled her eyes as Isaac gathered the reports laying around the table, and they boarded the rescue ship preparing for launch.

They had to follow navigations from satellites, and bring the crew members back safely to Earth. But the thought of working with the 'new guy in town' made her stomach churn. He was always competing with her. If he loved research materials that much, Why couldn’t he glue himself in the library?

Tasha got back to observing the radar to get further towards the coordinates of the Astro-14. Isaac meanwhile was sorting out the files he had brought. She noticed his eyes narrowing while flipping through the contents of an unnamed folder.

The ship then jolted as though an object struck on it. “What in the world? I didn’t detect a single debris nearby?” Tasha began running the troubleshoot diagnostics, as Isaac unraveled another document, scrunching his brows reading them. 

“Do you even want to help? Could you give your presence here?”

The spaceship shuddered as an alert popped up ‘Unidentified System Error.’

“He sabotaged Astro-14.” Isaac finally spoke. 

“He? Who is this he?”

“You know whom…” he responded back, lowering his voice so as to not get detected by the systems broadcasted in the control room back on Earth.

Tasha started paling as she realised. Is this why Isaac isn’t reacting much? So as to not give away what was discovered? 

“Life support is failing here as well. We’d never know if this rescue ship was rigged either.” 

What was his intention? Was he afraid we’d figure out his secrets?

“Get into the safety pod and expose him.” Isaac continued as the spaceship began counting down to shut down all its systems.  

“And leave you alone here? You don’t get to make that order!” 

“Cut it!” Isaac snapped, “You are way more confident when it comes to confrontation! I’d never catch up to you when it comes to strategically talking to people, okay? I’ve always admired you!” 

Tasha felt heavy hearted as she stared at Isaac. Since when did he notice such things and cared?

“Look, this is the wrong time for this. Take these files, and call the Police upon ground.” Isaac threw the important evidence at her.

“Promise you will have Mr. Yarvolk arrested as soon as possible.” he motioned his hand towards the open entrance of the safety pod.

“I Promise.”

 •────────────⋅ᓚᘏᗢ⋅────────────•

This is part of the Weekly Writing Challenge with @yukastraeza! This week's tropes for me were: - Right person wrong time - Rival to Lovers - New in Town

[nauticalnotions]

The Art of Character Development: How to Breathe Life into Your Fiction

Welcome, Fellow Writers!

Are you ready to breathe life into your characters and have them leap from the page into the hearts of your readers? Good! Developing characters is one of the greatest enjoyments for writing fiction. So let's get started on this great journey of discovery!

1. Get to Know Your Characters

Before you write convincing characters, you need to really know them. Think of your characters as human beings with past histories, dreams, and flaws. Here are some ways to get to know them better:

Backstory:

What in their past has made them who they are?

Did they have a happy childhood?

Were there any traumatizing events?

This will often determine motivations and actions.

For example, if your character has been brought up in an orphanage, they may have trust issues or perhaps independence.

Personality Traits:

Are they introverted or extroverted, pessimistic or optimistic?

Knowing their core personality will help project what their actions and reactions would be like in a given set of circumstances.

Perhaps your protagonist, Emma, is an extroverted optimist who lights up a room with brightness, even in dire situations.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Nobody is perfect, and your characters shouldn't be either.

Make the characters more human by giving them something both admirable and a flaw that rounds them out.

Emma can be wonderfully brave but very impulsive, leading her sometimes to heroism and other times to disastrous folly.

2. Establish Clear Goals and Motivation:

Characters need goals for the plot to have direction and motivations to explain why they pursue those goals. Ask yourself:

What do they want?

Their wants vary from saving the world to searching for love to achieving personal redemption.

Emily, a draftsman, aches to be a famous explorer, a dream her long-dead father never attained.

Why do they want it?

This can be found in their backstory and personality.

Perhaps Emma's father was an explorer who went missing on a wild search, and now she feels a deep need to carry on his legacy and find out what happened to him.

3. Show People, Activities, and Scenery

Dynamic characters tend to rebuild and alter throughout the story. This is often based on life's complications and conflicts. Here's how to effectively outline your character growth:

Conflict:

Put your characters in situations that push them as far as possible.

These challenges force them to make uncomfortable choices and face their flaws.

For example, Emma has to decide whether to save a friend, testing her bravery and impulsiveness.

Reactions:

Show how your characters react to these challenges.

Do they rise to the occasion, or do they struggle and fail? Both outcomes can lead to growth.

Emma might fail to save her friend due to her impulsive nature, marking a turning point for her.

Introspection:

Allow these moments of introspection to your characters.

They allow readers to understand the change in them.

Emma could sit near a bonfire and reflect on her father's legacy and how to become a better leader.

4. Cultivate Relationships

People's relationships with others often define their personality. It might be a friendship bond, family attachment, or enmity; all reveal different dimensions of personality and contribute to character development. Consider:

Allies and Friends:

Allies and friends usually have your best interest at heart, but sometimes they could work in opposition to you.

How would they impact your protagonist's decisions and developments over time?

Emma's best friend, Leo, might argue with a lot of her decisions, making her more thoughtful.

Opponents and Antagonists:

An antagonist challenges the characters, putting them in situations where growth comes from unexpected places.

A realistic rival for Emma could be a highly skilled but ruthless explorer who pushes Emma to reconsider her methods.

Love Interests:

Romantic relationships show vulnerability and may drive change.

Falling in love with a local guide might teach Emma the importance of patience and planning.

5. Use Dialogue Effectively

Dialogue is a great way to develop a character. It reveals personality, conveys emotions, and shows growth. Consider:

Voice:

Each character should have a distinct voice corresponding to their background, personality, and state of mind.

Emma might use exuberant, adventurous language while Leo might be cautious and thoughtful.

Subtext:

Sometimes the unspoken part holds more meaning than what is said.

Use subtext to add depth to your dialogue.

For instance, when Emma says, "I don't need help," it could mean she's afraid of showing weakness.

Conflict and Resolution:

Show characters responding to conflict through dialogue and illustrate how interactions escalate.

Emma and Leo can argue about the best way forward, expressing their viewpoints and eventually finding a resolution.

6. Show, Don't Tell

Instead of telling readers about a character's trait, show it through actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts. For instance:

Telling: John was brave.

Showing: John entered the dark alley; his heart was pounding, but his will remained unflinching.

7. Ensure Consistency and Believability

Make sure your characters act within the line of their personalities and motivations. If they do something that feels unnatural, believe there are reasons for the change. This makes the development of the characters organic and reliable. If Emma becomes reserved, note the experiences that lead to the change.

8. Reflect Real Human Experience

Great characters reflect the complexity of real human experience. They have doubts, make mistakes, and aren't always likable. This complexity makes them richer and more engaging. Perhaps Emma makes a selfish decision that puts her team at risk, creating tension and growth.

9. Foils and Contrasts

Foils are characters set against your main character, highlighting their traits and growth. By setting a character with opposite traits next to the protagonist, you highlight their development. Zara's ruthlessness can highlight Emma's growing sense of responsibility and ethics.

10. Be Flexible

Sometimes your characters develop in unexpected ways. Allow this evolution and let your characters tell you who they are. This elasticity can lead to more authentic and surprising growth. If Emma's journey shifts from being an explorer to a leader, embrace it!

[authorchrisalex]

Writer Friends Challenge—Day Four

Today it’s all about my favorite settings to write about. I don’t know if I have a favorite setting to write, but I do have favorite scenes I like to write, and the settings on those can shift from story to story. There’s always a scene of intimacy between the characters. Oh, not in a spicy bedroom, sexy times sort of intimate, but a scene that is just the two of them alone having a meaningful discussion or discussions. In A Twelfth Night Wager it was the mistletoe in the greenhouse that prompted a kiss between Win and Addie. In The Love Line it was wading in the river, Andrew’s arms wrapped around Lucy-Anne. And in A Midnight Scandal it was Hugh and Lillian in Hugh’s bed reconnecting after six years apart. 

For my current (still unnamed) story, it’s Eliza and Gideon on a walk together in the spring, the poppies blooming around them as the sun begins to set. This image pretty much sums it up, though I don’t know what conversation they’re having quite yet. But this scene is definitely happening. It’s so cozy and romantic and leaves much to the interpretation of the reader. That’s the problem with plantsing stories. I know what happens without actually knowing what happens. 

Christina

What about you? Do you have a favorite scene or setting that makes its way into your stories? As a reader, what are your favorite scenes and setting to come across?

[beaniearchive]

Day 13: Blue Cues

A magical object promises something, but it delivers the opposite.

Hera glanced at the small star mark tatted onto her skin. 

“Okay…Cool…?” She trailed a finger over the new design, wondering how on earth she was going to conceal this. Her eyes landed on the vanity where a tube of concealer lay. It would have to do tomorrow. Swinging her chair, she looked at her bed, letting out a sigh. When she found a scuffed up, rusty ring at the antique fair today, magic was not the first thing on her mind. It was a passion project of hers to pick up jewelry and refurbish it. This ring had just called out to her because of the dull, sapphire stone on it. Rebuffing it gently with a brush, Hera was just testing out the size of the ring to her finger when she heard a voice in her head telling her that she was going to find her perfect pair. How she was going to find someone perfect for her with this new blue star on her neck was beyond her, but there was nothing she could do. Standing up, Hera walked over to her closet, pulling out a light cardigan to put over her tank top. A walk would help take her mind off things. She was sure of it. 

Cool summer breezes flew past her, causing her bangs to part gently. She readjusted her hair with her hands, briefly looking up at the sky to look at the stars. One major perk that came with living in the countryside was the endless view of stars. It mesmerized her nightly, and she felt like it was the one time she could talk to her parents without judgement. Knowing they were lighting up the night sky for her to seek solace in gave her so much comfort. Hera smiled, keeping herself along the banks of the lake as she slowly trekked forward. When she was younger, it scared her to walk alone because she’d never done it before. It took a young boy with blue eyes to encourage her. The two of them had looked at the fireflies blinking away with the night sky. Fondly, Hera looked in front of her. She had yet to find another view like that, and she had gradually lost contact with the boy with blue eyes. Moments in life led her to wonder where he was at with his life. Seeing as how she’s never seen him around since then, she assumed he wasn’t around here. 

Her neck pulsed and glowed hot, inducing a sharp hiss from Hera. She closed her eyes, clapping a hand to the spot where her new tattoo lay. It seared, and she whimpered. Her eyes haphazardly gazed at the lake beside her, and she crouched down, dipping her fingertips into the surface. Eyes closed, she blindly cupped some of the lake water, lathering it onto her neck. It did little to alleviate the pain, but she kept her cool hands on her neck. Hera gritted her teeth, willing herself to focus on the breeze’s whisper around her ear. 

She didn’t know how long she crouched on the floor, but she realized she couldn’t stay hunched here. Shaking out the discomfort in her legs, Hera steadied herself slowly. The pain on her neck had dulled into a deep ache. At least it was no longer searing her skin. Belatedly, Hera realized she should have checked her neck against the lake’s reflection to see if anything had changed. She would do it back home. It was too dark to see anything at the moment, anyways. 

At home, she made a beeline towards the mirror, and gasped. There was no longer a star, but multiple stars that came together to create a constellation. They weren’t that obvious, as her first star had been a small dot from afar, but now, no one would be able to ignore it. She groaned. It was shaped like a demented “W.” Except, one length of it was spread out more than the other. 

– 

Blue eyes met blue in the reflected surface. A small tingle trailed down the man’s spine, and the corners of his lips turned up. 

“It’s time.” 

Word count: 693

[inherhouseshewaitsdreaming]

Preptober 2023 - Snowflake Edition

Here in the Office we're going to be doing Preptober using the Snowflake method.

What is Preptober? During the month of October, people planning to do NaNoWriMo prepare for the month, getting their story and their lives ready to complete the challenge. The programme is actually 6 weeks long, so this room is going to be a little longer than a month.

What is NaNoWriMo? During the month of November, writers around the world attempt to write 50,000 words of a novel in one month - known as National Novel Writing Month.

What is the Snowflake Method? This is a fiction writing method where you follow 10 steps to get your novel ready to write. The steps all involve gradually expanding and branching your story (sort of like a snowflake). It is the brainchild of Randy Ingermanson.

I strongly recommend buying Ingermanson's book How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method and reading along with it. Its a very engaging read. At first the unusual style in which it was written put me off a little, but after a while I realised I was actually hooked on the story he was telling too (following the journey of the book's protagonist quite closely, which I am guessing was the point). I often struggle to read 'examples' in fiction writing books and the way this book is written overcame that completely.

For this room, I will use the material Ingerman provides for free on his website. I will not add anything from the book, but I will suggest chapters to read if you are also reading.

How will this work? Throughout the 6 weeks of Preptober, I will post prompts to complete two things:

The steps of the Snowflake Method, spaced out according to their length.

The steps of the Preptober course outline from the NaNoWriMo website.

We’ll use the Snowflake Method to cover the first few weeks of Preptober. Because you move around between things like plot and character, we won’t be doing these in order. Below is the the full schedule of posts.

Week 1 (normally idea generation)

18 September: Step 1 (takes about 1 hour)

20 September: Step 2 (takes about 1 hour)

22 September: Step 3 (takes a few hours, depending how many characters you have)

Week 2 (normally characters)

25 September: Step 4 (takes a few hours)

28 September: Step 5 (takes a few days)

Week 3 (normally plot)

2 October: Step 6 (takes a week)

Week 4 (normally worldbuilding)

9 October: Step 7 (takes a week)

Week 5 (normally grow your writing community)

16 October: Step 8

Week 6 (normally find and manage your time)

23 October: Step 9

Step 10 is to write so that will start on 1 November. You can always skip over to Ingermanson's website and find the next steps if you need to arrange things on a different time scale.

[undernightskies]

Somewhat akin to tiredness, this ache soaked into my bones, like a sponge steeped in alcohol. I am numb from the lack of sustenance, a nice feeling, to be emptied out. I am elemental, atomic, now I am almost nothing. Thin as a breeze, as a nightgown barely covering, slight like silk, maybe even only, a puff of air. They describe it as gnawing, these pains, this deep knowing, that I could be half of me. I foraged within myself, among the new green of budding leaves and found the twigs of disaster that I hung my reflection upon. And the hoarded parts of me, that desired more and more. I rummaged within and found myself lessened like cotton candy after one small bite. What if I was happier to sate this clambering hunger with cream drunk love? I cannot. My ribs rise and fall to the beat of denial and dissolution, evaporation, as though we are only clouds.

[kdwilliamson]

Continue the story: SCIFI

Writing Prompt: "You're the last member of a lost flight crew to a faraway planet...except for the voice on the long-range radio." Guidelines: No-self harm material. Be creative, and respectful and have fun! Please limit to 2-3 paragraphs each.

---

"I don't think I'm going to make it..."

His voice echoed through the cabin, as Jessup lay on the floor and against the wall, alone.

A voice spoke through the room intercom system, "Don't say that Jessup." It was Aries, the ship's AI technical assistant. "According to my readings, you still have approximately 4 more days of oxygen left."

Jessup sighed slowly and turned his head to face the intercom, everything hurt, even turning his head. "Only 4 days? Will we even reach our destination?" ---

[emlinden]

For one last creative challenge of the year, I'll be participating in the Storytelling Collective's first ever 31 Days of December Drafting challenge, where participants commit to either writing 250-500 words per day, or to writing for 25 minutes every day. I'm going to be trying out the latter, sense I always base my goals on word counts and want to see what basing them on time is like. It seems like a good opportunity to try something new, and to easily keep the writing going during the holidays.

[komunitaspuanberaksara]

Rabu Kelabu

Aksara ini dirangkai oleh rindu yang pekat, semoga kau tak gagal menuntaskannya, agar tak ada sesak yang tercekat. Di rabu berikutnya, semoga kau tak bosan dengan kata-kata yang barangkali akan menyayat.

Untuk lelaki bermata kelabu.

Rabu ini namamu kueja lewat mimpi. Ketika tersadar aku melelapkan diri dalam repetisi. Berharap melupa, atau apa saja yang membuat aku tak mengingat.

Aku masih tetaplah hati yang luruh hanya dengan mendengar namamu. Kemana pun ia kusembunyikan, kenyataan itu tak bimbang mengikutiku yang selalu menolak.

Cinta sepertinya menjadi energi negatif saat ia tak berbalas. Bahkan saat aku menghindar, berlari dan membaca segala mantra, masih saja duka menyelemuti tubuhku yang menggigil karena tak pernah memilikimu.

Mungkin aku, jika saja dan seandainya memilikimu, maka tak pernah mencoret istana sebagai tempat bermukim yang abadi. Mungkin aku, jika saja dan seandainya dimilikimu, maka tak akan pernah menghapus rumah sebagai tempat paling nyaman untuk kembali.

Tapi kita tidak saling, dan keparatnya aku menjadi; yang tidak butuh istana juga rumah, sebab sejak kau meniadakan kisah kita, aku adalah petualang ke mana kau tak akan pernah datang.

—nonaabuabu

Di belahan bumi rindu, 13 September 2023

[penandprompt]

[books-bones-and-bards]

Day 2 of Writers United 30 Day Challenge

[lamarsdreamsllc]

Ink of the Revenant - Chapter 42: The True King Rises (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1536879478-ink-of-the-revenant-chapter-42-the-true-king?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=LamarsDreamsLLC Ramon "Ink" Salazar was a tattoo artist-until a cartel bullet ended him a decade ago. Now, resurrected in a stranger's body, he's an unstoppable assassin with a glowing serpent tattoo that whispers secrets. In the neon-drenched streets of Santa Sombras, Ramon hunts for his buried corpse to unravel why he was killed, building a criminal empire from scratch with a crew of misfit bodyguards. But as he rises to become the "King of Ink," shadowy Collectors, a ruthless cartel lord, and a mysterious priest threaten to drag him back to the grave. Expect magic-tinged action, gritty cartel wars, and a found family fighting for survival in a city where ink writes life-and blood writes death. #Action #Thriller #Supernatural