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When writing emotionally reserved characters:

Show your character's struggles with holding in emotions. Just because your character won't let themself go in public, doesn't mean they don't struggle holding everything in.

Find a motive. Pride and/or consideration for those around them can make emotionally reserved people hold back more than would be considered good for them. There are other reasons too, perhaps the initial cause and the reason now are different, but try to give them a reason.

Show side-effects. Everything you bottled up shows itself in another way, whether it's physical or mental. This can be long- and short-term, depending on the severity of the emotions.

Give them coping mechanisms. Everyone who wishes not to show certain emotions has a trick or two to keep themselves in check. Taking a sip of water, not looking people in the eyes, clenching their fists, breathing just a bit too deeply.

Write subconscious signs that they give off, which close friends or family might pick on. Just because these characters want to keep their emotions to themselves, doesn't mean they don't give off signs. Some manage to keep said signs well hidden from those closest to them, but it's more common for environment to pick up on something at the very least.

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Want to know how to hook you reader from the first moment??

(✨ Easy and quick tips to make your first chapter memorable✨)

There have been endless the number of times that I have wondered about the correct formula of starting an history, and although I've learned that in writing there is no one correct way around it, I have gathered some of the tips that helped me the most. That being said, let's get to the tips!!

Introduce them to the mc. Show the reader who they are and what they are facing (can be internal conflict or something instant). Don't start from the pov of a character they won't see again.

Show what the readers are going to feel through the book, the "vibe" that you spent countless Pinterest boards crafting. Do you want them to feel afraid? Happy? Hopeless? Perhaps cozy?

Don't introduce more than three characters at once, and try not to be confusing. Your readers are already lost when your story begins, so try to guide them gently. A confused mind always says no.

Start with something that will later affect the story and move your characters forward. Ask yourself: does this first scene have an impact on the characters or the plot? If no, you can try making it more impactful or starting somewhere else.

Get your readers' curiosity triggered. At the end of the scene, there must be something they want to know to continue reading. It doesn't have to be a cliffhanger, but something like "will the protagonist go on the quest?" or "what are they gonna do now that they don't have any shelter?". The "now that they ..." formula always works for me!

That's all for now, and thank you for reading! As always, happy writing :)

Other tips for writers: previous

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Structuring Your Fight Scene

adapted from <Writer's Craft> by Rayne Hall

Suspense

Show your characters gearing up, readying themselves.

The pace is slow, the suspense is high (use suspense techniques)

Provide information about terrain, numbers, equipment, weapons, weather.

May have dialogue as the opponents taunt each other, hurl accusations, or make one final effort to avoid the slaughter.

Don't start too early - we don't need to see the hero getting out of bed, taking a shower and having tea.

2. Start

Fighters get into fight stance: knees slightly bent, one leg forward, abdominal muscles tensing, body turned diagonally, weapons at the ready.

Each side will usually try to be the first to strike, as this will give them advantage.

The movements in this section need to be specific and technically correct.

3. Action

This section may be quick or prolonged. If prolonged, no blow-by-blow descriptions are needed.

Focus on the overall direction of the fight

Make use of the location to make characters jump, leap, duck, hide, fall, etc.

Mention sounds of weapons

4. Surprise

Something unexpected happens: building catches fire, a downpour, relief force arrives, staircase collapses, bullet smashes into the only lightbulb and everything goes dark, hero losses his weapon, etc.

Add excitement, raise the stakes.

5. Climax

Both sides are tired and wounded

The hero is close to giving up, but is revived with passion

Move to the terrain's most dangerous spot: narrow swining rope-bridge, a roof-edge, sinking ship, etc.

Don't rush the climax! Hold the tension

6. Aftermath

The fight is over: bes buddies lying dead, bandaging, reverberating pain, etc.

Use sense of sight and smell

The hero may experience nausea, shaking, tearfulness or get sexually horny

Fight scene length

Historical/adventure/fantasy: 700-1000w

Romance: 400-700w

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I think I’m going to take a break from my writing challenge due to me being really busy right now. I’ll probably get back to it when things calm down.

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When you’re not sure if your ocs are going to end up together and then you find the perfect wedding song for them

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May Writing Challenge Day 11

Drabble Prompt #9: "I hate us sometimes."

Once they hit dry land and George felt better, Kimberly approached him with her idea.

“You hate Allison, right?”

“Well, I try not to hate anyone, but I do find her irritating, yes.”

Kimberly rolled her eyes. “I have a plan, but I need your help. I want to get Allison removed from the wedding.”

“Is this because you weren’t named maid of honor?”

“No. She’s going to destroy this entire weekend. I want Emmy and Daniel to have the wedding they deserve and that can’t happen her here.”

George considered her offer. “Yes, I’ll help.”

Kimberly grinned. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Are you always so insolent?”

“Are you always so importunate?”

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I’ve begun publishing an original story on Wattpad! It’s a supernatural thriller about a girl who is bitten by a werewolf. Perfect for fans of Supernatural or Teen Wolf imo :)

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“Jade pulled her silver Jeep up the dark driveway of a house sitting on the edge of the woods, finding a spot among all the other vehicles. She put the car in park then turned to Claire, who stared at her with big brown eyes.

“Stop. Stop making that face.”

Claire’s expression dropped and she rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry that my fear is too strong for you.”

Jade smiled. “Thank you.”

She climbed out of the car and Claire followed along, making their way up the long stretch of pavement to the house. Right before she went up the front steps after Jade, Claire heard a rustling sound. She stopped, glancing at the bushes at the edge of the woods as they shook in the low light. Claire held her breath, waiting.

Jade came back down the steps, breaking the silence. “What are you doing? Come on!”

Claire watched as her friend went inside the house. With one last glance at the bushes, Claire ran up the steps, catching the door right before it closed.

Between the leaves, a pair of yellow eyes glowed.”

Fangs Chapter 1 // Clarke Creek Book 1

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May Writing Challenge Day 10

Drabble Prompt #49: "You're not getting sea sick, are you?"

After prep work, the wedding party went on a boat tour of the island. Kimberly spotted George standing by himself looking at people. Judging, she supposed.

Then Allison walked up to him and he somehow turned even grumpier. Intrigued, Kimberly watched their interaction until the girl was shooed away, then approached George.

“I see you’ve met the beast.”

George was surprised to see her. “Allison? I’ve meet her before. ‘Beast’ is an understatement.”

Kimberly smiled to herself. “I still can’t believe she’s best friends with Emmy. Having her here has been horrible.”

George nodded, though he looked uncomfortable.

“I just want to shove her overboard. Is that horrible?”

“Not as horrible as what I want to do,” muttered George.

Kimberly finally looked at him again. His skin had turned pale as his eyes flicked around urgently.

“Are you seasick?”

“No!” George swallowed hard. “I’m fine.”

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May Writing Challenge Day 9

Drabble Prompt #66: "Your handwriting is atrocious."

They made it to the hotel and slept the night. The next day was set aside for the bridesmaids to help Emmy get things ready for the wedding. Kimberly was tasked with writing names on the placement cards.

"I see your handwriting hasn't improved," someone sneered over her shoulder.

Kimberly looked up to see Allison, her high school nemesis and Emmy's best friend/maid of honor.

"Nice to see you too, Allison," Kimberly said through a fake smile.

"You're going to have to redo these," said Allison, motioning to all the cards Kimberly had already filled out.

"You can't--"

Allison held up a hand. "As maid of honor, I was granted the executive power to approve everything pertaining to the wedding. Except for the guest list, of course."

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May Writing Challenge Day 8

Drabble Prompt #45: "Lies. Just Lies"

Kimberly switched seats with Daniel to sit next to Emmy when they got on the plane.

"Are you trying to set me up with George?"

Her sister's widened eyes answered before she did. "What?"

"I heard him talking to Daniel, Em. He said I was 'suitable'," Kimberly scoffed.

"He's a great guy, Kim, I promise," Emmy said, but all Kimberly could hear was Lies! All lies! "He's one of my favorite people in the world, next to you."

Kimberly sighed, glancing over at George. Her sister had a tendency to be naive about these things. People. She'd show her what kind of person George was. Even if it took all weekend.

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May Writing Challenge Day 7

Drabble Prompt #51: “Did you eavesdrop?”

They went out for dinner until their flight to the Bahamas. Daniel and Emmy sat across from each other, leaving Kimberly across from George.

After dinner, they took a cab back to the airport to wait for their flight. Emmy went to the bathroom, leaving Kimberly with Daniel and George. Kimberly got up to go get a water from the vending machine.

"So what do you think?" she heard Daniel wonder.

"She's very sweet. I've told you that," George said.

"Not Emmy," Daniel laughed. "Kimberly."

"Her? She's suitable, I guess."

"Come on. You're not seeing anyone."

"And I don't think I'll be changing that anytime soon," George concluded.

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I know adverbs are controversial, but "said softly" means something different than "whispered" and this is the hill I will die on.

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Okay I'm writing a book rn about a group of friends who are all going through their senior year of high school. There's not much of an overarching storyline (yet) except for their individual romances, but it's mostly about them trying to find themselves throughout the year before they graduate.

HOWEVER, I am struggling to name this story. I initially named it The Perfect Chord (or PC for short) because it was originally going to have more music stuff in it, but over time it's kind of shifted away from that, and I suck at naming things so if you guys have any suggestions please please please share them in the comments

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What to use instead of 'said'

Normally:

• added • replied • answered • stated • announced • questioned • asked • mentioned • remarked

Loudly:

• cheered • shouted • yelled • demanded • barked • blurted • growled • scolded •snorted

Softly:

• muttered • murmured • mumbled • uttered • stuttered • hissed • moaned • mouthed

Emotionally:

• begged • cried • confessed • complained • promised • pleaded

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if I ask nicely will you reblog this and give the name of one of your OCs in tags and a fun fact about them 🥺

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*hypnotizes you* write your book write your book write your book