I’ve found that writing little scenes that don’t need to be in the story can help with this. Like writing the “they woke up, did their routine, went to work” scenes can help you get to know them, see them as any other person, which can help when trying to write their story. Obviously this would take forever to do with every side character, but with my main characters it helps a lot. And you can even write random interactions between side and main characters, which has also helped me.
Your characters aren’t just plot devices. They existed before the story started, and they’ll exist after it ends. Give them history, quirks, and contradictions. Maybe they always order the same coffee because it reminds them of home. Maybe they pick fights because it’s easier than being vulnerable. Maybe they love thunderstorms because they grew up listening to the rain through a broken window. The best characters feel alive because they have little pieces of reality stitched into them.
Man, we have got to stop treating art like it has an expiration date. That show stopped airing? Doesn’t mean it can’t haunt your every waking thought. Everybody’s into this album, but you don’t have the energy for new music right now? It’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready. That movie’s fifty years old and indie as shit? Incredible, you have the chance to share it with folks who might never otherwise feel that particular punch of delight. Books don’t go bad. Shows inspire fandoms decades after they’ve wrapped up. We’re still looking at cave paintings and statue work from ancient times and letting the joy of creation bring tears to our eyes. That’s the point of art. It’s as close to immortality as we ever get. Why try to give that magic a shelf life?
me rereading a scene: omg why is she acting like that who wrote this? i wrote this.
Writing is like, type type type, clackity clack clack- and whoops im on social media now
see the THING IS I don't feel like I ever worked hard enough to have "earned" the burnout, which is. probably how we got here.
Unfortunately I speak this language
Ah, writers. We’re like caffeinated raccoons with a thesaurus—erratic, dramatic, and perpetually on the verge of either brilliance or a breakdown. We love our craft, we loathe it, we panic about it, and sometimes we have midnight sword fights with it (metaphorically… usually). For my long-suffering friends and family, here’s a guide to decipher the cryptic ramblings of an organism like me.
"I’ll finish this draft by the end of the week."
I will procrastinate for six days and have a meltdown on the seventh.
"This chapter just needs a little tweaking."
This chapter is trash, and I’m about to rewrite the whole book instead.
"I love my characters so much!"
I’m going to emotionally devastate them for fun.
"The plot is solid, I just need to flesh it out."
The plot is six sentences, half of which are question marks.
"I’ve got a new idea for a book!"
I’ve abandoned my current project and am fleeing the guilt.
"This is just a first draft."
Please don’t judge me for this dumpster fire.
"I’m doing research for my story."
I’ve been Googling ‘weird medieval punishments’ for four hours.
"I don’t care about reviews."
I’ve read every review. Twice. And cried over three of them.
"The ending needs a little work."
The ending doesn’t exist yet, but thanks for asking.
"I’m editing today."
I’ll spend 30 minutes on commas and four hours rearranging furniture.
"My characters took over the story."
I have no control over anything anymore. Send help.
"I think this draft is almost done."
There’s a 40% chance I’ll delete it tomorrow.
"I’ll outline my next project properly."
HAHAHAHAHA. Sure, Janet.
"I’m working on character development."
I’m Googling psychological disorders and debating tragic backstories.
"I’ll just jot down a quick idea."
I’ve accidentally written half a novel on a napkin.
"I’m worldbuilding right now."
I’ve spent three hours naming a forest and none on the actual plot.
"I don’t get attached to my characters."
I would die for this fictional idiot and cry over their demise daily.
"I’m starting fresh with this new story idea."
I’ve given up on my last three WIPs but refuse to admit defeat.
"I don’t need a deadline to stay motivated."
Without pressure, I will accomplish absolutely nothing.
"My characters feel so real."
I have arguments with them in my head while washing dishes.
"I just write for fun."
I obsess over every word and feel personally attacked by constructive feedback.
"I’m creating a writing playlist."
I’m avoiding my manuscript by curating vibes for the 30th time.
"I’m a writer!"
I am chaos personified, and I occasionally open Google Docs.
The biggest compliment ever is when someone sees your creative work and says that they’re now inspired to go out and create something, too
Lots of thoughts recently. Everything feels plastic.
I could go on and on about why all that AI "art" is bad. I could mention theft, lack of creativity, it's impact on the work field and environment, but countless people have already said all that. I wanted to touch on something that to me is the most utterly wrong about all of it.
Art is more than just something pretty to look at or listen to. It's therapeutic. It's a form of communication. A tool for human connection. It's a pure, human need.
Support real artists ☀️
hey when you make posts, i just want you to know, thou/thee/thy/thine/ye are like he/you(object)/your/yours/you(subject) okay? "thou art wearing shoes," "i will wear shoes for thee," okay?
you say thine if the next word starts with a vowel and thy if the next word starts with a consonant and they both mean "your" so "thine own shoes," "thy shoes," okay?
and ye means you and refers to the subject of a sentence, "ye members of the brotherhood of shoes," okay? you need this information to create better knight yaoi. i'm personally more interested in nun yuri but we are a community
What am I doing? Just talking through my story to myself instead of writing it.
21 he/they black audhdWriting advice and random thoughts I guess
232 posts