genplz-writes

[genplz-writes]

Me: *reads a book* Me: *loves the book* Me: *gets on tumblr to see related posts*

Tumblr: You thought you read something popular?

Tumblr: Here there are like six people and a shoelace in this fandom.

[genplz-writes]

“The history of my life is the history of the struggle between an overwhelming urge to write and a combination of circumstances bent on keeping me from it.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

[genplz-writes]

$5, 2018

Private school drop out. Too broke to be there. Gifted kid facade fading. Marlboro reds. Late night sad sesh. Quad always quad. Philly alt. White boy cry about ex over a shit riff. Sad about a boy. No better am I? Crowded basements. $5. White people everywhere. Piss beer. Bad taste, always. Lights all around. Dark room. One couch. Right space. Tight face. Shit friends. Mask off, mask on, mask off. Transactional sex. No love. One guy.  Overdrive. Obsession. Infatuation. Stained all over me. All over you. Lead me to my edge. Insane inhale. Exhale two. Gritty mumbles. Downbeat. Drone on. Desire, desire, desire. Clone to be you. Never could. Minutes out. Blurry lines and leaking ink. Shameful. Now, shameless. Burns by design. Indie lover. Reactive screams. Ocean of tears. She's here. They're gone. My love. A soundtrack to forever. I'll be numb next time I'm here I wish. Come true? It did.

-GenPlz

(About my time in Philly. Smoking a Marlboro red in the first time in 2 years and it made me reminisce)

#gen-wrote #writers on tumblr #my writing #poetry #songwriting #writeblr #writerscommunity #writing #poets on tumblr #poem #original poem #writers and poets #my photos #marlboro #cigarette #smoking #alternative #music #college days

[genplz-writes]

📖 On editing as you write

I've seen a lot of "don't edit as you write" and "just get it all down on the page as fast as you can and keep going" writing advice online. While this totally works for some people and some projects, especially if you're writing with an outline and/or are very momentum-driven, I'd like to offer a different perspective.

Editing as you go, reworking the same scene or chapter a few times before you move on, and focusing on small details in early drafts can be super helpful for some writers.

I usually discovery write these days, so doing a deep dive into most scenes as I go along is amazing at helping me understand the story as it develops and it gives me a clearer insight into the characters and their motivations. Zooming through a zero draft or first draft wouldn't serve the same function for me.

Yes, there are definitely scenes and chapters that I fly through and just get the words out, knowing those sections are purely functional for now and I'll come back to them later. Those tend to be the more plotty and actiony parts for me, where what I need to make progress is this-happens-then-that-happens information.

But obsessively fiddling with individual words and sentence structure when it feels right enables me to really dig into my story. It doesn't prevent me from moving forward. It helps me move forward in the right direction. It lets me build the foundation I need and it gives me a cleaner draft to work from when it comes time to revise.

So if you feel like you're Doing It Wrong™ because you prefer to edit as you go, you aren't. You're just doing it differently from how some other people do it, and that's OK. We all have our own processes. Sometimes different projects, or different stages of the same project, call for different approaches.

If it's working for you, it's working. Keep going 💜

[genplz-writes]

[genplz-writes]

WorldBuilding Ask Game

Here is a little ask game for WorldBuilding in your WIP to pad out one country or all of them! Use it for yourself or ask a friend and spread some love. Focus on a particular section and have fun!

Geography

What does your world look like? What's the biome? Are there different ones?

Are there any oceans? If so, are they accessible? Are they a reliable source of travel and food?

Are there any rivers in your world? Any lakes? What's the longest river? Deepest lake?

Is there a safe supply of drinking water? If not, why not?

Are there mountains in your world? What's the highest one?

What is the weather like? How does this effect life?

What animals inhabit the world? What animals are indigenous or considered exotic?

What are some natural features your world is famous for? Is your world considered beautiful?

How many countries in your world?

How are countries divided? By natural lines or by agreements?

Population

What's the population like? Is it large or sparse?

Is there any factors in population density? Do more people live in a certain area more than elsewhere? Why is that?

Are there different peoples living in your world? If so, how do they get on?

How important is nationality? Are foreigners tolerated? Or are they unwelcome?

What countries get on? What countries hate one another?

Are there any important cities? Why are they important?

What's the architecture like? Are there any outside influences?

What's a typical building material? What's considered an expensive feature to include?

What is infrastructure like? Are roads and railways in good condition?

Is there public transport? Is it reliable?

Government

What system of government does your world adhere to? Is it popular?

Where is the seat of government?

Are there different governmental agencies?

Are there political parties? If so, what are their goals?

How much control does the government have over the average person?

Can your people vote? If not, why not? If so, who has/hasn't the right to?

Are there any parties or organisations that oppose the government?

How does the government crack down on sedition?

Are people allowed to criticise the government? If so, how? If not, how do they get around it?

How are laws made? Who makes them?

Is there any odd laws in your world?

What are some punishments to crime? Are they considered fair?

What crimes are unfathomable for the people?

Who handles justice? Is justice obtainable for all?

Are there any police? What's their reputation?

What role does the military play in your world?

Who controls the army? Head of state or government as a whole?

Is it considered a good career path?

Who can join the army? Are there any restrictions?

What is your world's stance on war? Are there any neutral parties? Or particularly warlike ones?

Commerce and Trade

How is trade done?

Is currency universal or dictated by region?

How is your economy going? What effects it?

What trade is your world known for?

What are some exports? What must your world import?

Are any goods considered luxurious?

What services are available in your world? What services are niche?

What sort of work is common? Is work readily available?

Who is expected to work?

Are workers treated fairly or unfairly?

Are there any ways workers are protected? If not, what are some consequences?

Is your world more reliant on technology or on labour?

Is agriculture possible in your world? If so what can your people grow?

How big is industry? What goods can your people make?

What resources can your country exploit?

What are some barriers to trade and commerce?

Is your nation known for quality? Or Quantity?

Who does your country trade with most often? Who do they boycott?

Are there any major ports in your country?

Are there any banned goods? If so, is there a black market for their purchase?

Society

How society expect one to behave in public? Are there different expectations for different people/genders/ranks?

Is there a social order? Can one move up the ranks?

Is there any considerations made on account of rank, gender, age or position?

What is considered a social faux pas?

Are there any gestures or actions that are considered rude or socially unforgivable?

What would utterly shock somebody to see somebody do?

What are some opinions that are normal for your world but can be considered subversive in real life?

How can one rise up the status ladder? Is there much trouble to do so?

What denotes a person's place in society?

How is life different in cities compared to life in the countryside?

Daily life

Where would someone go to buy their weekly shop? Is food easy to come by?

What would be the daily routine of the wealthy? The common man?

How is hygiene handled in your world? Where does one go to spruce up?

What would be some day to day tasks one might face?

What is the favoured means of travel?

Are there any problems in your world that could effect a daily routine? Potholes? Gigantic spiders? Acid rain?

What ammenties would an average person expect to have access to?

Where would one go if they are injured or ill? What's healthcare like?

Do people feel safe where they live? Are there any places somebody might face danger?

How do people communicate? Is it difficult? Why?

What do people do for fun? What's considered normal fun versus hedonistic?

What pastimes are common? What kind aren't?

Is education valued?

Is there access to education? If so, for who?

Are the population educated? If so to what extent?

Family Life

What is the typical family set up?

Is extended family important?

Who can be considered family? Who can't be?

Is marriage considered a duty? Or is it more of a personal choice?

Is divorce possible?

Can people adopt children?

What happens to orphaned children?

Are children important? If not, why not? If so, why?

What are some typical toys children play with?

What are some games children play with one another?

How is in charge of household chores?

Is there a hierarchy in families?

Are children expected to take on certain roles?

What is the living situation like between the different ranks? Are the roles different?

What's considered the proper way to raise a child?

Culture and Languages

Are there multiple cultures in your world? How do they differ? Do they mesh well together?

How are cultures similar? How are they different?

Are there any traditions in your world? How important is tradition?

What are some rituals your culture undertakes?

Are there any special days? Events?

What are some traditional values in your world? Does it effect daily life?

Are there traditional clothes for your world? Are they something somebody wears on a daily basis or just on occasion?

Are there any rules around what people can wear?

What would be considered formal dress? Casual dress?

What would happen if somebody wore the wrong clothes to an event?

What languages are spoken in your world? If so, how do they sound?

Are there any dialects? If so, how do they sound?

Are most people monolingual? Or bilingual? Or multilingual?

Are there any languages that are closely related?

What is considered a universal language?

Religion

Is religion a thing in your world?

Is religion a staple of life or just a small part?

Does religion affect politics, personal lives and affiliations?

Is your world sectarian? Or ruled by religion?

What are some influences religion has on daily life?

What sort of religion is it? Monotheistic? Polytheistic?

What are some myths your people believe in?

What common rituals does one undertake on a day to day basis?

How does one please a deity?

Where do your people pray? How do they?

What symbols would denote a follower of a certain belief system to a stranger?

What places or objects are considered sacred?

Are there religious orders? If so, who can join?

Is there tolerance or violence over religion? If so, between which faiths?

Food and Drink

What are some traditional dishes in your world?

What would be a basic diet for the common man?

What's considered a delicacy?

Is there a societal difference in diet? What are the factors that effect diet between classes?

Is there any influence from other cuisines? If not, why not? If so, to what extent?

What would a typical breakfast contain?

What would lunch be?

What would be a typical dinner?

What meals are served during the day?

What's considered a comfort food or drink?

Are there any restrictions on who can eat what or when?

Are there any banned foods?

What stance does your world take on alcohol? Is it legal? Can anybody consume it?

Are there any dining customs? Are traditions?

Is there a difference in formal meals or casual meals? If so, what's involved?

Are there any gestures or actions unacceptable at the dinner table?

How are guests treated at meals? If they are given deference, how so?

Are there certain rules about how one can prepare food?

Are there any restrictions on eating with certain people?

How is food generally prepared by?

History

Who are some notable figures from history?

Who founded the country?

Is history looked back on with fondness? Or do your people rather forget?

Are there any heroes in history? Any villains?

What are some highpoints in the history of your land?

What are some points of history nobody likes to speak about?

Does history effect your land, people, culture, language in the present? If so in what ways?

What historic monuments are still around in the present day? What has been lost?

How do people learn about history? Do they learn the truth? Or just an abridged version?

What's a historical event that is important to the story?

[genplz-writes]

Don’t forget to make time to read

When you’re a writer, reading is just as important as writing. It keeps you engaged in different story worlds, and lets you learn from other authors and their unique writing techniques.

[genplz-writes]

And Now I’ll Let You Go

My strength is that I love you

You’ll never, truly know:

Obsessed by your devotion,

I cannot let it show

Inside me, she is, lurking

waiting for my fall;

the only thing that keeps her

free inside my walls;

are presence in my being,

The Truest Self of me;

the One that I kept hidden

before I could be free

She only trusts my presence,

the only one she knows;

she never got her safety

and truly - now, this shows:

addiction at its truest

obsessed of false illusions,

she never had a choice:

but I will stay all present

and lend her my true voice;

Dearest Earthlings of addiction

it’s possible to be

in self love and in safety,

to roam and dance, be free;

work and willingness are needed

and courage of the heart,

for trauma work is painful

all unique in its art

But you will not find this safety,

if you never start.

And back to start of poem,

these things I’ve said before,

but now I’m at the end, and

I want to add -one- more;

To my dearest diamond

to the one with sparkles of the shore;

My strength is that I love you,

you’ll never, truly know,

obsessed by your devotion

I will not let this show,

And now

I’ll let you go.

[genplz-writes]

Stumped in my WIP

World events, stress in my personal life, and just mental health has stifled my creativity process with my wip. I started to spend my time writing something related to it. A short story about the MCs father, the catch is now I'm stumped on that too. I don't know how to really write a short story. Or how to really write. I just write what's in my mind and soul and stories I feel like I need to get out.

Any advice?

#gen-wrote #writers on tumblr #writing advice #writing help #writerscommunity #writing #need writing help

[genplz-writes]

Good morning beautiful friend! Let me tell you, I went through and read every. single. thing. on your master list over the last week or so, and holy guacamole am I obsessed! You write so eloquently ❤️ All of these amazing writers (your lovely self included of course) inspired me to start posting my own writing. I wanted to ask if you had any tips on getting started? Where do I start? What's the best way to get my work viewed, what's the best way to tag stuff? Any other tips? I have some projects I've been working on, but I wanted to ask a few people for some tips before I posted anything. I'll appreciate anything you have to offer. Hope you're having the most amazing day. You deserve someone bringing you surprise flowers, no traffic on your way home, and a lovely breeze to keep you cool 😘

Hello dear! Thank you so much for your lovely ask! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my works, and thank you for reaching out! I’ve written a few posts on writing advice so far, but I’m happy to share more. Here’s some stuff I’ve written already:

Characterization for Characters

General Fandom Writing Advice

How To Conquer Writer’s Block

And here’s a few other posts by some other folks I’ve found helpful:

Writing Inclusively

Writing for Fun

In terms of getting started, here’s some general advice:

Write the stories you want to write. I’ve said this before but I cannot emphasize it enough. I’ve seen so many writer’s get burnt out by chasing trends and changing tastes of their followers, and as a result neglect the stories that are important to them. The best works are the ones that come straight from your heart, and your own personal passions. Ignore fandom trends and stay true to your own inspirations.

Curate your own space. This means creating a blog for your writing, figuring out what you do and do not want on it, who you do and do not want to engage with, and making sure these boundaries are clear to others. A great way to do this is through an FAQ or about post. I have mine linked in my masterlist if you’d like to take a look.

Additionally- find other authors and writers you enjoy, and try to make friends! It helps to have someone to share hobbies and ideas with. Whenever I’m running short of inspiration, I often approach my other writer friends to run an idea by them, and it is extremely helpful. Finding your own community is key.

Tag appropriately. Know common triggers, and be open to folks asking you to tag stuff you perhaps forgot to mention. Some common stuff includes sexual assault, noncon, major character death, specific traumas, self harm, etc. This helps folks filter the stuff they do not wish to see from you.

Use readmore/keep reading. I try to keep my posts pretty short, giving the tags, warnings, summary, header, and a brief intro to the piece. It’s common courtesy to shorten long posts to avoid making others scroll past over 500 words. (I often dismiss fics if they break this rule, and I’m certain others do the same)

Know what to tag and not tag to get your works seen. One thing I’ve noticed about he x reader side of fandoms is that they will spam the main tags, when a lot of folks are not looking for x reader fics. I’ve stopped posting any x reader content in the mw2/cod mw2/modern warfare/mwII tags, or if I do I always include an ‘x reader’ disclaimer so folks can filter it out

Also, in terms of tags, tag only the characters included in your writing. It doesn’t happen often, but I do see folks making a fic and then tagging it as every character under the sun to get it seen. Do not do this. It is spam.

That being said, there’s a bunch of ways to get your works seen. Taking up ideas from other folks (with permission) about headcanons, participating in writing challenges (@glitterypirateduck has a FANTASTIC few writing challenges, and more to come from what I can tell) and simply tagging your works so folks can find them is a great way to get started. Also, feel free to open requests as well. I find a lot of inspiration in folks coming to me with ideas they’d like to see written.

It helps to make your works visually attractive. I spend a lot of time on headers and creating banners for my works. It’s a lot of fun! It also helps you develop a good eye for visual design, which is a useful skill in general. If you are making banners, remember to request permission from artists if you are to use their art in your designs, and respect their wishes if they say no. Also, don’t just find art from Pinterest and include it. Try to find the source and ask there.

Finally, have fun! Writing fic shouldn’t be an obligation, it should be a joy and a gift. If you aren’t having fun, what’s the point?

I know this set of advice is a little scattered, but I hope you found it helpful! Feel free to ask more questions if you’d like. I might come out with some writing tips I’ve found helpful for my own particular style, as well as a guide to some common writing tools/programs/resources I currently use, and have used in the past. I hope this helped!

[genplz-writes]

@januaryhoney // @naynawrites on Instagram // @sunflorally // @geloyconcepcion on Instagram // @lucidloving // @petrichara

[genplz-writes]

Bella Goth

Lust and lies will get you killed

You'll be like my brother and their victims before

I'm lost but I don't know it

I'm here but I don't know who I am

Go out and find me

I'm here in plain sight

In the land of Mojave and Wright

Among aliens and strangers

Get out while you can

What we built was taken

All my memories were erased

What we loss, it was everything to me

It's me, Mortimer baby

~

You can catch me in a strange town

But cross me again

And you too wont even be around

See my red dress swing in the Mojave

You thought you could get rid of me

Well baby, you just cant find me

~~

I didn't know marrying rich

Would look like this

We vowed to grow old

But I look just the same

Why are there aging lines all over your face

Baby, the poison I drank trapped me

-GenPlz

(a song? I wrote inspired by Bella Goth lore LMAO)

#gen-wrote #my writing #writers on tumblr #the sims 2 #the sims community #writeblr #poetry #songwriting #poets on tumblr #bad poetry #funny

[genplz-writes]

Literary history that happened on 17 October

[genplz-writes]

"I'd sacrifice my hand to be with you

I'd never let you go, never let you go

I'd run through the forest like a bridegroom

I'd never let you go, never let you go"

-- GenPlz

A chorus for a song about G-d (lol)

#songwriting #my writing #gen-wrote #writerblr #writers on tumblr #poetry #poem #song lyrics #writers and poets #jewish #judaism #baruch hashem

[genplz-writes]

In Japanese pottery, there’s an artful form of repair called kintsugi. When a piece of ceramic pottery breaks, rather than trying to restore it to its original condition, the artisan accentuates the fault using gold to fill the crack. This beautifully draws attention to where the work was broken, creating a golden vein. Instead of the flaw diminishing the work, it becomes a focal point, an area of both physical and aesthetic strength. The scar also tells the story of the piece, chronicling its past experience. We can apply this same technique to ourselves and embrace our imperfections.

- Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being

[genplz-writes]

No one follows this anymore because it's been extremely inactive, but I decided to change to a writing blog since I graduated university. My WIP is called "The Priestess" (due to have a name change) and I've been working on it since late 2021/early 2022. Here's a little intro about me:

23

African-American and Carribean Orthodox Jew (convert, do not ask any questions regarding this)

My favorite artist are Caroline Polachek (hence the name), Björk (hence the avi), Kate Bush, and artists/bands mainly from the 90s/00s

I've been writing stories since I was a kid but never published anything cause I could never finish

I love singing and video games (mainly the sims and ck3)

My favorite color is red and black

My main blog is @theomankoranch if you'd like to follow

Here's a bit about my WIP

No tropes I can think of since it kinda started off as an anti-trope project

I'm 2/3 of the way done with the first draft (20 VERY LONG chapters in Google Drive)

Inspired by Japanese folklore typically seen in anime and Jewish demonology

It's an adventure, fantasy, mystery comedy(?) set in an alternate world than ours.

The MC is a 20-something Orthodox Jew-adjacent woman of color named Yana Darling. The main cast of characters that'll be in her main group are all Jewish-adjacent. It is a fictional religion called Nabalism that closely mirrors Judaism and other folk religions.

I will also reblog some writing resources and posts I find helpful. In any way, just keep following along with my journey!

#gen-wrote #writing #writerscommunity #writers on tumblr #writeblr #wip #my writing #blog intro #introductory post #introduction #writing resources #writerblr intro

[genplz-writes]

My freelance editing website is up!! I'm still tweaking it, but it should be navigable and coherent by now, at least.

Author friends, check it out! I'm offering copy editing, line editing, proofreading, sensitivity reading, and beta reading services. I want to prioritize accessibility & affordability, so I'm experimenting with sliding scales and payment plans.

Get in touch if you have any questions (or feedback on the website) or want to request a free sample edit. I hope I can work with some of you soon!! 🖤