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Also based on real life events

[writing-references-by-kate]

free resources to write a novel in 2024

hello hello! it's me, rach!

as the new year approaches, many of us set goals and resolutions - myself included. one of my goals for 2024 is to write a novel (I've been procrastinating on this for quite a long time now). i assume that some of you might have the same goal, that's why I'm writing this post today.

over 2023 i've been releasing some freebies for authors just like me, so I thought I could compile my favorites in this post. hope you find this useful :)

1) the writer's workbook

this workbook has over 60 exercises to help you develop characters, scenarios, etc. if you're ever stuck, I'm pretty sure this workbook will be your best friend.

2) author's corner (notion template)

this is the most downloaded freebie in my shop! it is a notion dashboard with everything you need to organize your writing and has some templates included (like scrivener)!!

3) another notion template

this one has two themes you can choose from: cottage-core and dark academia. they're very similar to the previous template, but this one is more recent and I added some new features. feel free to explore both and pick the one you like the most.

4) the author's journal

this is a cute printable with 20 pages that will help you stay on track and manage your social media accounts as a writer who shares their work online. you can also register what you're currently writing and your personal research and resources.

5) plan your book printable

this is a 6-page printable for you to fill out and plan your book easily and effectively.

6) excel sheet to organize tasks & word-count

this is a simple excel sheet, but it is very effective for keeping track of your tasks & word-count of your novels. also, it is 100% customizable to your liking!

that's all for now! feel free to explore my gumroad shop where I have plenty of freebies to grab! also, don't forget to subscribe so that you never miss any opportunity to get a goodie for free :)

hope this post was useful!

have a nice day,

rach

[writing-references-by-kate]

[writing-references-by-kate]

So my problem with most ‘get to know your character’ questioneers is that they’re full of questions that just aren’t that important (what color eyes do they have) too hard to answer right away (what is their greatest fear) or are just impossible to answer (what is their favorite movie.)  Like no one has one single favorite movie. And even if they do the answer changes.

If I’m doing this exercise, I want 7-10 questions to get the character feeling real in my head. So I thought I’d share the ones that get me (and my students) good results: 

What is the character’s go-to drink order? (this one gets into how do they like to be publicly perceived, because there is always some level of theatricality to ordering drinks at a bar/resturant)

What is their grooming routine? (how do they treat themselves in private)

What was their most expensive purchase/where does their disposable income go? (Gets you thinking about socio-economic class, values, and how they spend their leisure time)

Do they have any scars or tattoos? (good way to get into literal backstory) 

What was the last time they cried, and under what circumstances? (Good way to get some *emotional* backstory in.) 

Are they an oldest, middle, youngest or only child? (This one might be a me thing, because I LOVE writing/reading about family dynamics, but knowing what kinds of things were ‘normal’ for them growing up is important.)

Describe the shoes they’re wearing. (This is a big catch all, gets into money, taste, practicality, level of wear, level of repair, literally what kind of shoes they require to live their life.)

Describe the place where they sleep. (ie what does their safe space look like. How much (or how little) care / decoration / personal touch goes into it.)

What is their favorite holiday? (How do they relate to their culture/outside world. Also fun is least favorite holiday.) 

What objects do they always carry around with them? (What do they need for their normal, day-to-day routine? What does ‘normal’ even look like for them.) 

[writing-references-by-kate]

“polyam relationships need  more diversity than m/m/f”

                                                               “i want two boys to thirst                                                                                                                 after me”

[writing-references-by-kate]

[writing-references-by-kate]

a hundred different kisses

whispering “kiss me” to your lover

wrapping your arms around your lover’s neck

kisses traveling from your lover’s nose to their lips

breaking the kiss, instantly pressing your lips back together

intertwining fingers

soft kisses that grow more passionate by each second

forehead against forehead

running fingers through your lover’s hair

unbuttoning your lover’s shirt, pressed against the wall

surprise kisses, your lover wasn’t prepared but responds immediately

a kiss that says “we’re late for work, but let’s be later”

kisses under a light waterfall

pulling your lover closer by the waistband

kissing under the stars

messy kisses, destroying furniture trying to reach the bed

a kiss that isn’t meant to happen but does so anyway

sliding your hands down your lover’s chest

grabbing your lover by the collar

“if we’re caught kissing we’re most likely dead but let’s risk it”

hand kisses

exploring each other’s lips

smiling in-between kisses

now-or-never kisses

caressing your lover’s cheek

good night kisses

“i was supposed to take a shower, alone, but go ahead jump right in”

brushing lips together, lingering for a moment, catching your breath

an accidental kiss between two exes

kisses in which, we’ve already said goodbye for the day but i can’t help stealing another one

this might be our last kiss so let’s make it last

kitchen counter make-outs

jumping into your lover’s arms

soft kisses while cuddling in bed

i missed you kisses

a kiss leaving you breathless

stopping a kiss when it gets too heated

a kiss on the cheek that turns into a kiss on the lips

trailing kisses from your lover’s lips to their neck

“everything is going to be okay” kisses

kisses that start out passionate but grows more delicate

pulling away from a kiss to look at each other, smiling as you dive in for another kiss

a kiss to celebrate an engagement

wrapping your legs around your lover’s body as they lift you

a goodbye kiss expect neither can let go

“we shouldn’t do this” but they do so, anyway

a swirling reunion kiss

“i’ve had a terrible day at work so just kiss me”

a kiss that lasts longer than it should

tending to your lover’s wound, placing a kiss on top of their head, grateful they’re still alive

a goodbye kiss that says “i don’t love you the way you love me, and i’m setting you free”

spinning your lover into a kiss on the dance floor

kisses in which, “i can’t believe this is real, but i love you so much”

tucking a strand of hair behind your lover’s ear

tracing your lips against the corner of your lover’s mouth

light kisses scattered across your lover’s face down to their collarbone

pulling your lover into your lap, them straddling your hips

bushing your lips against your lover’s, wanting to savior the moment

playful kisses, such as, ‘‘i’m not going to kiss you.’‘ ‘‘why?’‘ ‘‘because if i do, i don’t think we’re getting out of bed today’‘

kissing your lover’s wounds after having bandaged them up

mistletoe kisses

surprising your lover from behind, smacking a kiss on their cheek

caressing your lover’s cheek

trying to concentrate on a task, but your lover kisses your neck, making your head spin

looking deep into your lover’s eyes, before dropping your gaze to their lips

shushing your lover as they try to kiss you, telling them tonight is all about them, not you

a kiss only meant to last a moment, but when your lips meet, you can’t pull away from each other

leaning into your lover’s touch, their fingers tracing down your stomach, their body pressed against yours

a tender kiss on your lover’s chest

kissing your lover so gently, worried that if you pull away for just one second, they might disappear

an accidental kiss that confuses you both, but only a moment pass before you crash your lips back against each other’s

lingering forehead against forehead, consumed by each other and barely having enough strength to breathe

accidentally bumping noses

kissing your lover’s forehead, then bending down to meet their lips

a kiss to forgive each other after an argument

standing on your tippy toes, frustrated you can’t reach your lover’s lips

unrequited love that is now requited, and a kiss that proves it

legs wrapped around your lover’s body, hands tearing their shirt off

pushing your lover onto the bed, kissing down their stomach

throwing your lover over your shoulder, carrying them towards the bed

crashing your lips together during an argument

kisses in which, “we just broke up, but let’s kiss one last time”

whispering “i love you” in-between kisses

your lover pinning your arms above your head, telling you to stay quiet

trying to deny your feelings, but attraction gets the best of you, and you push them up against the wall

smiling in-between kisses

reunion kisses, “i thought you were dead”

not being able to focus on anything during a conversation, you’re too busy staring at your lover’s lips

kisses in which ‘i’ll kiss you right now to prove i don’t feel anything for you’‘ but the kiss proves the opposite

kissing each other’s pain away, your tears mixing with your lover’s

your lover pulls you away from a kiss, asks you to marry them

telling your lover you want all of them tonight

grabbing hold of your lover’s collar, begging them to kiss you

sliding your hands down your lover’s chest, unzipping their zipper

untying your lover’s tie, using it to pull your lover into a kiss

not being able to unbutton your lover’s shirt, their kisses are everywhere and too distracting

kissing your lover’s tears away

passionately making-out against a wall

“let’s just kiss to see what it’s like” then pulling away, lingering for a moment, then going in for the second kiss

hungry kisses and ripped apart clothes

“it’s always been you” kisses

[writing-references-by-kate]

milfs…,, milves,

[writing-references-by-kate]

…

@tristan.todd

[writing-references-by-kate]

show, don't tell:

anticipation - bouncing legs - darting eyes - breathing deeply - useless / mindless tasks - eyes on the clock - checking and re-checking

frustration - grumbling - heavy footsteps - hot flush - narrowed eyes - pointing fingers - pacing / stomping

sadness - eyes filling up with tears - blinking quickly - hiccuped breaths - face turned away - red / burning cheeks - short sentences with gulps

happiness - smiling / cheeks hurting - animated - chest hurts from laughing - rapid movements - eye contact - quick speaking

boredom - complaining - sighing - grumbling - pacing - leg bouncing - picking at nails

fear - quick heartbeat - shaking / clammy hands - pinching self - tuck away - closing eyes - clenched hands

disappointment - no eye contact - hard swallow - clenched hands - tears, occasionally - mhm-hmm

tiredness - spacing out - eyes closing - nodding head absently - long sighs - no eye contact - grim smile

confidence - prolonged eye contact - appreciates instead of apologizing - active listening - shoulders back - micro reactions

[writing-references-by-kate]

I love you unpopular female characters I love you unlikeable female characters I love you aggressive selfish annoying female characters you are literally everything

[writing-references-by-kate]

Sara Mrad | Spring/Summer 2018

[writing-references-by-kate]

Masterpost: How to write a story?

Compilation of writing advice for some aspects of the writing process.

How to motivate myself to write more

How to get rid of writer’s block

Basic Overview: How to write a story

How to outline a story

How to come up with plot

How to create a character

How to make a character unique

How to use nicknames

How to start a story

How to write a prologue

How to write conversation

How to write witty banter

How to write the last line

How to write a summary

How to write a book description

How to write romance

How to write friendships

How to write emotional scenes

How to write an argument

How to write yelling

How to write anger

How to write betrayal

How to title fanfiction

How to write an unreliable narrator

First Person vs. Third Person POV

How to write character deaths

How to use songs in a fanfiction

How to name fictional things

How to write multiple points of view

Introducing a group of characters

Large cast of characters interacting in one scene

Redemption arc

Plot twists

Fatal Character Flaws

Good traits gone bad

More specific scenarios

Slow burn

AU ideas

Favourite tropes

How to create quick chemistry

How to write a bilingual character

How to write a character with glasses

How to create a villain

How to write a polyamorous relationship

How to write a wedding

How to write found family

How to write forbidden love

How to write a road trip

How to create and write a cult

How to write amnesia

How to write a stratocracy

How to write the mafia

Criminal past comes to light

Reasons for breaking up while still loving each other

Relationship Problems

Relationship Changes

Milestones in a relationship

Platonic activities for friends

Settings for conversations

Introducing partner(s) to family

Honeymoon

Date gone wrong

Love Language - Showing, not telling

Love Language - Showing you care

Affections without touching

Giving the reader butterflies with your characters

Reasons a couple would divorce on good terms

How to write enemies to lovers

How to write lovers to enemies to lovers

How to write academic rivals to lovers

How to write age difference

How to create a coffee shop atmosphere

How to create an atmosphere: Library

How to write a college party

How to write modern royalty

Arranged matrimony for royalty

Paramilitary Forces/ Militia

Inconvenient things a ghost could do

A Queen’s Assassination Plot

Crime Story - Detective’s POV

Evil organization of assassins

Evil wins in the end

Causes for the apocalypse

Last day on earth

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

[writing-references-by-kate]

Am I safe here?

[writing-references-by-kate]

how do I grow a set of antlers and become a deep forest mist deity within 5 years

[writing-references-by-kate]

the feminine urge to disappear somewhere into the forest to live with faeries where the ancient trees whisper you their secrets

[writing-references-by-kate]

OC Ask Game: Adjectives

Get to know each other's OCs! Let the writer know which OC and what number!

Which OC is the most...

loyal?

impatient?

clumsy?

ambitious?

caring?

feared?

admired?

nitpicky?

reliable?

clingy?

logical?

soft?

chill?

blunt?

sarcastic?

quick-tempered?

fashionable?

attentive?

confident?

rebellious?

superstitious?

introverted?

extroverted?

witty?

fearful?

brave?

anxious?

social?

fair?

optimistic?

pessimistic?

helpful?

talented?

outspoken?

generous?

bold?

petty?

fun?

badass?

spontaneous?

popular?

athletic?

organised?

capable?

adventurous?