sabrinajennings

[sabrinajennings]

Quick writing tip for historical fiction:

Always make sure to research when something (word, machine, food, clothing style, etc.) came into common use, not just when it was invented.

Extra important if there's a possibility any of your readers might remember the time period.

#writing #author #writers #writer #writing and writers #authors #writing ideas #writing about writing #writing advice

[sabrinajennings]

Quick writing tip:

Pay attention to your verb tense in dialogue.

You will most likely use past tense in narration, but dialogue should be in all tenses as appropriate. I have frequently seen dialogue where a character refers to someone in the past tense when there is no reason to suspect they're deceased (and sometimes they in fact aren't.) Most real people will refer to someone in present tense even for a short while after they pass away out of habit, so a character should never start referring to another past tense when they've been missing for 5 minutes (unless of course it's supposed to be a hint of their guilt).

#writing advice #writing #author #writers #writer #writing and writers #authors

[sabrinajennings]

@josephinegerardywriter I would just like to tell you that since you posted this it has become my default and only response to this question. Thank you.

“I’m thirsty. What do you have?”

“There’s water if you want it, and air if you don’t.”

[sabrinajennings]

If you're ever worried that your characters are all kind of the same, take the Meyers Briggs test for each of them. It really helped me.

#writing #author #writers #writer #authors #writing and writers #writing ideas #writing advice

[sabrinajennings]

Dialogue prompt: distraction

#writing #author #writers #writing prompt #writer #writing and writers #authors #writing ideas #story inspo #story prompt #dialogue inspi #dialogue ideas

[sabrinajennings]

Let's have some writing prompt fun! Reply with which of my writing prompts you think are based on a true story (they're numbered so less typing, yay!).

I'll post the correct answers next week along with some of the stories behind them.

#writing #writers #author #writer #writing and writers #authors #writing ideas #writers life #writing on tumblr #writing about writing

[sabrinajennings]

When you live with a writer who is writing:

You may encounter:

Loud huffing, sighing, and groaning

Pacing (so much Pacing)

Talking/mumbling to self

Loud nonsensical exclamations

Existential crises

Crying

Do not be alarmed these are all perfectly normal parts of the creative process.

#writing #author #writers #writer #writing and writers #writer probz #writer problems #writers life #writers of tumblr #also posting to tumblr to avoid actually writing

[sabrinajennings]

#writing #author #writers #writer #authors #writing about writing #writing and writers #writers life

[sabrinajennings]

Writing prompt: "Knife Skills"

#writing #writing prompt #author #writers #writer #authors #writing ideas

[sabrinajennings]

The literary equivalent of skipping to the end of the movie:

"This had better be a slow burn romance. If they don't get together I'm going to..."

Can't take it anymore and reads jacket blurb from most recent book in series for any sign that things have progressed.

"...she is facing personal decisions as well..."

*shrill clenched teeth screaming*

#bookish life #bookish post #bookish problems #readersgonnaread #reader #reading #booksbooksbooks

[sabrinajennings]

When people begin recognizing you at the grocery store:

Normal people: This is so warm and welcoming! I feel like I belong!💕

Me, an introvert: It's time to move.

#not writing #introversion #funny stuff #realatable #introverted

[sabrinajennings]

Things that are embarrassing:

Calling someone by the name of one of your characters instead of their real name.

Especially if it's a character loosely based on them.

Not that I would know anything about that.

#writing #author #writers #writer #writing about writing #writer probz #writers life #writing and writers #writer problems #author problems #at least it wasn't to their face

[sabrinajennings]

Just so you know, sometimes passive voice is necessary as it can mean something different (and more factually correct) than active voice.

#writing #author #writers #writer #writing advice #writers life #writing about writing #writing and writers

[sabrinajennings]

#1 sign you are telling:

..."As you know"...

#writing #author #writers #writer #words #writer probz #writers life #writing advice #writing and writers

[sabrinajennings]

It's only bad writing if it's unintentional

#writing #author #writers #writer #writing advice

[sabrinajennings]

Also on hill

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

#writing rules are made to be broken #please stop giving dogmatic advice #it's a part of speech for a reason

[sabrinajennings]

Dialogue prompt: Colored glasses

#writing #writing prompt #author #writers #writer #prompt #dialogue #dialogue prompt #dialogue ideas #dialogue inspiration