#help with writing

[the-introverted-writer-for-life]

How to come up with a plot

You've got a character. Or a setting. Or one or two perfect scenes with oh-so perfect vibes that you can imagine clear as daylight in your head... But no storyline.

Hopefully this post solves that.

As a writer myself, I've struggled with this sort of thing a lot with the book I'm planning at the moment, so I'm writing from experience.

Very often, the posts I see talk about your character's motivation and goals - what they want to achieve in life, why they want it, but sometimes the characters we make don't have original goals, and therefore no motivation.

Here are a few thought processes to find a plot if your character has no original goals:

Think about how your story would start. What's normal life like for your character? Do they live in a snowy forest treehouse, and hunt food everyday, or do they live in a modern day city with shops and schools and phones?

Then think about what could change, and how that affects the character. Does a harsh winter cut off their food supply, meaning they have to go further away into the forest and then something happens? Or does a natural disaster hit some family or friends away in another town, and they have to go and check they're alright?

Think about these changes, and create some sort of problem that the character finds they could fix. Common things include family member falls ill and the character goes looking for a cure, character and Co have to flee their home because of said problem, some sort of evil has come to their home and they have to fight it, etc.

OR, you could think about what the character might do to muck things up. Maybe they accidentally (or on purpose) hurt a loved one, or they do something else that upsets a higher force, or a bad trait they have takes over for a few minutes, but at the end of it the damage is done - something the character does that they need to fix, then work out how they could fix it.

Your story will not entertain if the quest to fix the problem is easy. Think about some sort of obstacle that could hinder them - whether this be physical, emotional, or even magical (if your story includes magic), make sure you don't let them fix it without proving themselves.

MAKE SURE YOU WRITE THIS DOWN. you don't want to be reading this at 3am in the morning and then have a MASSIVE BRAIN SPARK and then forget it three hours later when you get up, and lose that information forever. Trust me. I know.

If you can't think of a problem, or any way that your character could have a problem, maybe go back to the drawing board and tweak your ideas slightly. Maybe include a slightly worse trait in your character, or think about what could happen to other characters - the possibilities are endless.

Good luck and happy writing!!

#writing #world building #writers block #Problems #main character #fantasy #writing worlds #world drama #plot #writing plots #writing problems #help with writing

[lilartifex]

Amazing Names for Your Stories, Worldbuilding, and Pretty Much Everything

I feel like somewhere on this site, someone has to have posted about this, but I haven't come across it yet, so here we go:

I'm not sure about everyone else, but for me, coming up with names is, by far, the most difficult thing about creating anything.

Years ago, I found the most amazing website with over 1200 name generators. It has names for, and I'm not exaggerating here, EVERYTHING.

Names for fantasy characters of any species? Done.

Names from specific origins and time periods? Yup.

Names for towns, cities, spells, plants, books, new species, councils, countries, or online usernames? Here ya go.

It even has a section where you can find names suitable for most pop-culture fandoms. Like, there are name generators in there specifically for Weeping Angels from Doctor Who, all the way up to names for your Minecraft dog.

There are even description generators, if you're completely stuck trying to find a good description for a character, or just need to see one written out to get your creative ideas flowing.

All names and resources are submitted by fans of the site and are completely free to use; it also adds new generators all the time. Whether you're looking for a name or just inspiration, you'll probably find it there.

On its sister website, there are things like flag creators, map makers, town creators, a combat and initiative tracker, and even family tree and language generators.

The site's called Fantasy Name Generators, and you can find it here:

And here's the sister website, where you can find a bunch of tools for DnD-type games or just worldbuilding in general:

#name generator #creative writing #writing #roleplay #fantasy #original character #rp resources #writing resources #dnd #creative inspiration #inspiration #worldbuilding #worldbuilding resources #help with writing

[annbourbon]

After reading What is...? by @creativepromptsforwriting (if you haven't read her blog or follow her WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?)

I decided to add some of my notes here too. Because it's on the little things I've been studying every night to get better at writing. So please consider this post as part/collab of "What is...?"

★Please keep in mind that this comes from someone whose first language it's not english, so, what for some might be obvious, for others it is not.

Blurb? is a short promotional description on your book. But can also be used to promote movies and other things.

Needs: Hook + Keywords (define an audience) + keep it short and leave them wanting for more.

* Remember to check for spelling and grammar mistakes.

Nowadays you can use quotes from your book as promo too. Pinterest is your best ally here. Make a bunch of attractive images with a colorful quotes and upload it on your social media! ^♡^

Honestly when it comes to promos you should exploit it all (meaning: create quotes, collage, your cover, promos, etc!) Be your own fan. Create a playlist, ambience, set the mood. Let your own world drag you into the woods, do not resist it.

If you love it, other will love it too.

W.I.P.? Means Work in Progress. So you have yet a lot to do to finish your story. it's okay, it takes time \^♡^/

Pathetic fallacy Vs Personification?

Pathetic fallacy

It's specifically about giving emotions to something non-human (objects, nature, or animals)

Writers use the pathetic fallacy to evoke a specific mood or feeling that usually reflects their own or a character's internal state. While I have seen some detractors of using this technique, think of Emily Brontë novel, Wuthering Heights, or Shakespeare in several of his works like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Or Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. So study it and use it carefully and you should be fine. Times change but you should write however you want too.

Personification

On the other hand, is giving any human attribute to an object.

Think of The Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, and Toy Story as great examples of what personification is.

Atmosphere?  is the way an author uses setting, objects, or internal thoughts of characters to create emotion, mood, or experiences for the reader.

For me Mary Shelley with Frankenstein is one of the most accurate examples I can give, but when I think about it, Robinson Crusoe, and Moby Dick, both feel tremendously claustrophobic and desperate to the reader, full of details, the time passes slowly and it's insufferable. Which in theory is not okay because the reader can drop the book but guess what? They're classic because you want to know what happens next. Which brings me to my next point, if you want to know more about the art of writing, you should try the following channels on YT:

Abbie Emmons

She has some interesting videos, but one crazy tip that will change your mind. It actually works. And don't worry, she keeps repeating it over and over so you learn it too. She also offers some courses and several activities like writing together (in case you're trying to write but can't, now you have a date!)

Ellie Dashwood

If you're into social dynamics, subtlety and want to get better writing period stories wether they are romantic or dramas, then she's your best bet. While she doesn't teach you how to write better she does teach you literature and history. And trust me, some of these things can be more than helpful. The way she analyzes and provides for clarification over social situations has made me understand not just Jane Austen but my own time in a different way.

Fiction Beast

This is showing me a lot of literature and making me read classics. Of course it wouldn't work if it wasn't because of Ellie but it's a must! because it does explains a lot.

Ana Neu

I just discovered her and Ellen so I can't say a lot of things but their videos have been really helpful with some of the things I've been working on especially with Fit or Die, so you should check out both of these girls.

Ellen Brock

and of course, he needs no introduction, but if you didn't know, he has several classes posted on his channel which have been helping me tremendously.

Brandon Sanderson

*Disclaimer: They're not paying me for doing promo. I just do this on my own account because I truly admire their work and effort put into it. Plus, I always do this for anyone if I truly admire the way they work. And I believe this is helpful for anyone with hopes of becoming an author. Even if it's just a hobby. Have fun~!

#annabourbon #danteann #faith dante #books #writers write #write #writer #writing #female writers #fiction writing #creative #creative writing #words #indie writer #writerscommunity #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writer problems #writing tips #help with writing #writing advice #writing a book #writing about writing #writing books #book blog #books and reading #writers and readers

[anony-mouse-writing]

There is an instinctual fear of failure when you don't write in the genre/theme of the 'Hottest Books'.

The whole "will people even like this?" mindset.

It is hard to get out of, and the fear of failure because it won't be the new "Romance Hit" or "Fae" plotline.

Does anyone read Sci-Fi anymore? Or even a Sci-Fi romance (and no that 'Ice Planet Barbarians' series does not count.

#writing #author #writer community #writing is hard #writing resources #help with writing #scifi

[xgrimmtales]

In Creative Slump

Hello, my name is Grimm and as you can tell from the title...I'm in a slump. Throughout the past weeks, my creativity has dried up. It's mainly because the amount of revamping I've been doing on all of my projects (as I always want to improve on my writing skills and worldbuliding). But, being a perfectionist has ultimately been the reason the why this account has been inactive for months at a time. Can anyone give me any tips on dealing with writer's block? If so, it would much appreciated.

#writeblr #writeblr community #writers on tumblr #help with writing #writers block

[candyrushsweetest]

Writing (Tips & My Journey)

I enjoy being a writer. It allows me to dig deep into my creativity somehow. I enjoy drawing, but sometimes the imagination that comes with writing helps inspire me to draw as well. They kind of intertwine in a way, even if you can’t see it much.

Honestly, I feel a lot of people are good readers and writers—they just don’t want to actively take the steps to become that. In the mean time, someone could just be doing it for fun, and that’s completely okay. Whatever gets your creative brain flowing.

If you’re going to do it professionally, however, I would recommend on improving and not just writing the same words on every single sentence. I would recommend:

expanding your vocabulary (no matter the language you write in)

develop your characters more — No one wants a bland protagonist or character that leads them through a story, and no one truly feels for side characters with zero personality or only only one trait that makes them USEFUL… (such as a character only being happy and looking on the bright side. I could recommend giving them a trait of toxic positivity and work on why they’re like this and develop that in your story, along with giving them background.)

Look at your past writing and see what you like and don’t like. Change what you don’t like and keep what you do (while also actively asking for critique, of course).

Maybe have someone you trust enough with your story to read your writing—it could help you develop as a writer to hear others opinions!

Don’t avoid criticism, embrace it. Don’t take critique as an insult but rather as a way to move forward and change your writing to be even better.

That’s all I’ve got for now, but I would also recommend plotting and actively taking notes on how you want your story to go. I take them in a little diary I have in real life instead of on my computer so that I’m not messing with the project that I have written on my PC or laptop. (or any form of device).

When you first begin writting, just write down whatever and then add those elements in a more organized way and choose and toss the things that either won’t work or are too much for the story. You can also organize it better since it’ll only be the rough draft. Then you can begin your chapter if you so wish!

Thanks for reading!! I really appreciate it and hope this helps you with your own projects :>

#writing tips #writing #author #novelist #novel tips #story writing tips #story writing #fanfiction #organization #tips #help #help with writing #helping #useful #useful writing tips #hope this was helpful

[hiya-im-mary]

I found this on Pinterest!!! Useful stuff for ya :D

Source:

#Writing #helpful #useful #writing tips #help with writing #pinterest #pinterest repost

[beasvoice]

as a teenage girl i experience the experienced, yet it feels unseen.

highschool, the drama, the people; as unpredictable as it was for me, i find comfort in the instability of it all. its frustrating to communicate worries that are pushed to the side and seen as less than. its frustrating to try and compare these worries to otherworldly, yet very real and very painful situations that is outside of my ‘known’.

i wish for someday to feel at ease when walking in a crowd as i tend to do everyday in the corridors. i wish to understand that stories do not have to include the presence of myself. i yet to learn how to seperate one aspect of life from another; family from school, friends to self.

i hope as a teenage girl, i can experience the experienced; yet surprise others with my attitude

#self help #self love #high school #poetry #writers and poets #writing #hell is a teenage girl #teenagers #school #help with writing #new writers on tumblr #in the works

[miserabellemortem]

Good writing resources...

I suck, I suck a lot when it comes to writing. I also deal with dyslexia in this matter and have focusing issues like any other individual. If there are some good resources that can help me improve my writing. That aren't just short cuts that fill gaps of ever growing problems. Please reblog this and share.

I genuinely wish to get better and would love to make some writing friends that maybe could proof some of my projects. That way I can get a better idea on where i'm lacking.

As an adult with other adult friends and all of us having full time jobs. No one really wants to read your vampire fanfiction and H2O knockoff writings.

But one thing I have on my bucket list is to finish one story for public reading.

And so far i've been using the following programs/websites:

#writeblr #original writing #creative writing #writers on tumblr #writing resources #writing tips #writing advice #asking for help #help with writing #fantasy writing #personal projects

[katishome]

hi guys!! i’m having major writers block and i’ve got a short story due in my lit class tomorrow morning🌝PLEASE HELP I NEED IT

it’s about a guy being cast aside cause he expresses his feelings and his feminine side, and finds a strange girl who accepts him and shows him another side to the world. i kinda want it to be like secret goddess kinda thing

#writers block #help with writing

[imagine-a-fangirl]

Hello lovely people,

I need your help once again. I'm currently working on a one shot where the reader goes to Texas to meet rhe guys family. But surprise surprise I know nothing about Texas.

So who can help me out and tell me about Texas? The people, activities(going out), the feeling, the envoirement. Just everything basically :)

Without a little help it will all be based oj movies😅

#texas #help with writing #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin #hangman #top gun maverick imagine

[hufflepuffwriter1995]

Hello!! Im looking for some tips on how to describe characters that aren't, well to be frank, white. As a white person myself I find leaning to words that I'm not sure are actually okay to use. Like "almond shaped eyes" "chocolate brown skin" etc. I don't want to offend or even trigger my readers so I'm looking for help to describe my characters in a way that isn't racist.

The characters I need help with are inspired by Jimin, J-Hope, Suga and V from my BTS, along with caracters inspired Vanessa Morgan, Zendya and Kat Graham. Please be kind, as I am doing this because I don't want to hurt people. Other than that, anything you can give me is appreciated.

#help #writing tips #help with writing #how to describe characters

[frownyalfred]

Tips for writing those gala scenes, from someone who goes to them occasionally:

Generally you unbutton and re-button a suit coat when you sit down and stand up.

You’re supposed to hold wine or champagne glasses by the stem to avoid warming up the liquid inside. A character out of their depth might hold the glass around the sides instead.

When rich/important people forget your name and they’re drunk, they usually just tell you that they don’t remember or completely skip over any opportunity to use your name so they don’t look silly.

A good way to indicate you don’t want to shake someone’s hand at an event is to hold a drink in your right hand (and if you’re a woman, a purse in the other so you definitely can’t shift the glass to another hand and then shake)

Americans who still kiss cheeks as a welcome generally don’t press lips to cheeks, it’s more of a touch of cheek to cheek or even a hover (these days, mostly to avoid smudging a woman’s makeup)

The distinctions between dress codes (black tie, cocktail, etc) are very intricate but obvious to those who know how to look. If you wear a short skirt to a black tie event for example, people would clock that instantly even if the dress itself was very formal. Same thing goes for certain articles of men’s clothing.

Open bars / cash bars at events usually carry limited options. They’re meant to serve lots of people very quickly, so nobody is getting a cosmo or a Manhattan etc.

Members of the press generally aren’t allowed to freely circulate at nicer galas/events without a very good reason. When they do, they need to identify themselves before talking with someone.

#late night thoughts #are these helpful at all? #obv these aren’t applicable to every gala scene #galas #writing tips #writing guide #these don’t apply as much in Gotham obvs #but that’s because it’s Gotham

[deoidesign]

A general cane guide for writers and artists (from a cane user, writer, and artist!)

Disclaimer: Though I have been using a cane for 6 years, I am not a doctor, nor am I by any means an expert. This guide is true to my experience, but there are as many ways to use a cane as there are cane users!

This guide will not include: White canes for blindness, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs as I have no personal experience with these.

This is meant to be a general guide to get you started and avoid some common mishaps/misconceptions in your writing, but you absolutely should continue to do your own research outside of this guide!

This is NOT a medical resource!!! And never tell a real person you think they're using a cane wrong!

The biggest recurring problem I've seen is using the cane on the wrong side. The cane goes on the opposite side of the pain! If your character has even-sided pain or needs it for balance/weakness, then use the cane in the non-dominant hand to keep the dominant hand free. Some cane users also switch sides to give their arm a rest!

A cane takes about 20% of your weight off the opposite leg. It should fit within your natural gait and become something of an extension of your body. If you need more weight off than 20%, then crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair is needed.

Putting more pressure on the cane, using it on the wrong side, or having it at the wrong height can make it less effective, and can cause long term damage to your body from improper pressure and posture. (Hugh Laurie genuinely hurt his body from years of using a cane wrong on House!)

(some people elect to use a cane wrong for their personal situation despite this, everyone is different!)

(an animated GIF of a cane matching the natural walking gait. It turns red when pressure is placed on it.)

When going up and down stairs, there is an ideal standard: You want to use the handrail and the cane at the same time, or prioritize the handrail if it's only on one side. When going up stairs you lead with your good leg and follow with the cane and hurt leg together. When going down stairs you lead with the cane and the bad leg and follow with the good leg!

Realistically though, many people don't move out of the way for cane users to access the railing, many stairs don't have railings, and many are wet, rusty, or generally not ideal to grip.

In these cases, if you have a friend nearby, holding on to them is a good idea. Or, take it one step at a time carefully if you're alone.

Now we come to a very common mistake I see... Using fashion canes for medical use!

(These are 4 broad shapes, but there is INCREDIBLE variation in cane handles. Research heavily what will be best for your character's specific needs!)

The handle is the contact point for all the weight you're putting on your cane, and that pressure is being put onto your hand, wrist, and shoulder. So the shape is very important for long term use!

Knob handles (and very decorative handles) are not used for medical use for this reason. It adds extra stress to the body and can damage your hand to put constant pressure onto these painful shapes.

The weight of a cane is also incredibly important, as a heavier cane will cause wear on your body much faster. When you're using it all day, it gets heavy fast! If your character struggles with weakness, then they won't want a heavy cane if they can help it!

This is also part of why sword canes aren't usually very viable for medical use (along with them usually being knob handles) is that swords are extra weight!

However, a small knife or perhaps a retractable blade hidden within the base might be viable even for weak characters.

Bases have a lot of variability as well, and the modern standard is generally adjustable bases. Adjustable canes are very handy if your character regularly changes shoe height, for instance (gotta keep the height at your hip!)

Canes help on most terrain with their standard base and structure. But for some terrain, you might want a different base, or to forego the cane entirely! This article covers it pretty well.

Many cane users decorate their canes! Stickers are incredibly common, and painting canes is relatively common as well! You'll also see people replacing the standard wrist strap with a personalized one, or even adding a small charm to the ring the strap connects to. (nothing too large, or it gets annoying as the cane is swinging around everywhere)

(my canes, for reference)

If your character uses a cane full time, then they might also have multiple canes that look different aesthetically to match their outfits!

When it comes to practical things outside of the cane, you reasonably only have one hand available while it's being used. Many people will hook their cane onto their arm or let it dangle on the strap (if they have one) while using their cane arm, but it's often significantly less convenient than 2 hands. But, if you need 2 hands, then it's either setting the cane down or letting it hang!

For this reason, optimizing one handed use is ideal! Keeping bags/items on the side of your free hand helps keep your items accessible.

When sitting, the cane either leans against a wall or table, goes under the chair, or hooks onto the back of the chair. (It often falls when hanging off of a chair, in my experience)

When getting up, the user will either use their cane to help them balance/support as they stand, or get up and then grab their cane. This depends on what it's being used for (balance vs pain when walking, for instance!)

That's everything I can think of for now. Thank you for reading my long-but-absolutely-not-comprehensive list of things to keep in mind when writing or drawing a cane user!

Happy disability pride month! Go forth and make more characters use canes!!!

#mobility aid #cane user #writing tips #writing advice #drawing tips #art tutorial #art tips #art reference #art resources #art help #my art #long post

[eridan-ampora]

i love it when characters are codependent. i love it when losing someone feels like losing a limb. i love it when two people "complete" each other so wholly and terribly that one can barely function without the other. i love it when the fear of losing the only person who understands them is so all-consuming they'll destroy anything to stay together, including themselves.

#gray.txt #im really normal about moirails #i need to start writing again LOL #ive done 3 entire fics in the last decade but also im on adhd meds so maybe thatll help #still need 2 overcome my debilitating perfectionism tho. it's a work in progress

[tofixtheshadows]

I've been thinking a lot lately about how Kabru deprives himself.

Kabru as a character is intertwined with the idea that sometimes we have to sacrifice the needs of the few for the good of the many. He ultimately subverts this first by sabotaging the Canaries and then by letting Laios go, but in practice he's already been living a life of self-sacrifice.

Saving people, and learning the secrets of the dungeons to seal them, are what's important. Not his own comforts. Not his own desires. He forces them down until he doesn't know they're there, until one of them has to come spilling out during the confession in chapter 76.

Specifically, I think it's very significant, in a story about food and all that it entails, that Kabru is rarely shown eating. He's the deuteragonist of Dungeon Meshi, the cooking manga, but while meals are the anchoring points of Laios's journey, given loving focus, for Kabru, they're ... not.

I'm sure he eats during dungeon expeditions, in the routine way that adventurers must when they sit down to camp. But on the surface, you get the idea that Kabru spends most of his time doing his self-assigned dungeon-related tasks: meeting with people, studying them, putting together that evidence board, researching the dungeon, god knows what else. Feeding himself is secondary.

He's introduced during a meal, eating at a restaurant, just to set up the contrast between his party and Laios's. And it's the last normal meal we see him eating until the communal ending feast (if you consider Falin's dragon parts normal).

First, we get this:

Kabru's response here is such a non-answer, it strongly implies to me that he wasn't thinking about it until Rin brought it up. That he might not even be feeling the hunger signals that he logically knew he should.

They sit down to eat, but Kabru is never drawn reaching for food or eating it like the rest of his party. He only drinks.

It's possible this means nothing, that we can just assume he's putting food in his mouth off-panel, but again, this entire manga is about food. Cooking it, eating it, appreciating it, taking pleasure in it, grounding yourself in the necessary routine of it and affirming your right to live by consuming it. It's given such a huge focus.

We don't see him eat again until the harpy egg.

What a significant question for the protagonist to ask his foil in this story about eating! Aren't you hungry? Aren't you, Kabru?

He was revived only minutes ago after a violent encounter. And then he chokes down food that causes him further harm by triggering him, all because he's so determined to stay in Laios's good graces.

In his flashback, we see Milsiril trying to spoon-feed young Kabru cake that we know he doesn't like. He doesn't want to eat: he wants to be training.

Then with Mithrun, we see him eating the least-monstery monster food he can get his hands on, for the sake of survival- walking mushroom, barometz, an egg. The barometz is his first chance to make something like an a real meal, and he actually seems excited about it because he wants to replicate a lamb dish his mother used to make him!

...but he doesn't get to enjoy it like he wanted to.

Then, when all the Canaries are eating field rations ... Kabru still isn't shown eating. He's only shown giving food to Mithrun.

And of course the next time he eats is the bavarois, which for his sake is at least plant based ... but he still has to use a coping mechanism to get through it.

I don't think Kabru does this all on purpose. I think Kui does this all on purpose. Kabru's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should be understood as informing his character just as much as Laios's autism informs his. It's another way that Kabru and Laios act as foils: where Laios takes pleasure in meals and approaches food with the excitement of discovery, Kabru's experiences with eating are tainted by his trauma. Laios indulges; Kabru denies himself. Laios is shown enjoying food, Kabru is shown struggling with it.

And I can very easily imagine a reason why Kabru might have a subconscious aversion towards eating.

Meals are the privilege of the living.

#Dungeon Meshi #Delicious in Dungeon #Kabru #Kabru of Utaya #Laios Touden #Dungeon Meshi meta #you can have him in the tags too. as a treat. #Dungeon Meshi spoilers #this was directly inspired by livelaughlaios's post about Kabru self harming but I decided it got too long to make it a direct reply #this is a theory I've been working on for weeks because I kept noticing this while skimming for screencaps #I'm hesitant to trigger tag this because of the way certain subcultures on tumblr operate #but if anyone needs me to add a content warning please let me know #also I included image descriptions! I did my best #I think they even help illustrate my points but my god were they sad to write. Kabru is so fucking sad you guys #musings with Dea