Writing Post Masterlist

I just had to do fanart of cressie by @gravityfying and @paneyneygirl I just loved this girl from the very beginning (*≧∀≦*)

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Sexualizes that old man???

Is there a process for writing a novel, or does everyone just figure out what works for them? I feel like I’m making it up as I go and wondering if that’s normal.

This is a question that writers, especially new writers, ask across the board. Is there a process, a right way of creating the story, and am I doing it the best way possible?

If you’re interested in efficiency, you might hate the idea of moving full steam ahead on a project without knowing whether you’re using the best process for writing. So many writers provide “helpful” tips like “write every day.” When you think about it, that’s rather a worthless bit of advice, isn’t it? So what if I write every day? Am I writing in the right order? Will it all flow together in the end? What if I write every day, but none of it makes sense?

Well……

I’ve read a lot of books about writing and tried a lot of different processes. I’ve come to the conclusion, based on both research and practice, that there is no specific process for writing a novel. The number of workable processes is as abundant as the number of novels that exist. 

But this is no reason to get discouraged!

We can still glean some wisdom from other writers who have finished novels and use their knowledge to help us finish our own. I love reviewing the details, however great or small, that other writers give to offer glimpses into their personal writing processes. These are some of the quotes that have helped me create my own personal process. I tend to operate in a more intuitive style than a direct, organised approach, feeling personally that a story must unfold naturally in order to flow in a way that makes sense to me. And I personally love the sandbox imagery! It makes the idea of a process seem more playful and far less serious and rigid.

What we can learn from other writers

The beauty of writing is that every author’s journey is unique, yet we can all learn from each other’s experiences. Some of the most insightful wisdom about the writing process comes from those who have walked this path before us. These writers don’t just tell us what to do, they share their personal relationships with the process, their struggles, and their moments of revelation.

What’s particularly striking about these perspectives is how they embrace the messiness and uncertainty of the creative process. Rather than prescribing rigid rules, they offer metaphors and frameworks that can help us understand our own approach to writing. Here are some particularly illuminating quotes that capture different ways of thinking about the writing process:

“I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.” —Shannon Hale

“I long ago abandoned myself to a blind lust for the written word. Literature is my sandbox. In it I play, build my forts and castles, spend glorious time.” —Rabih Alameddine

“I write just about everything piecemeal…It’s effective because it works; I’m never held up stewing about What Comes Next— I don’t care what comes next, I just care about something I can see happening. The order of the happening has a logic to it (often, more than one), and that will become clear to me as I work.” —Diana Gabaldon

“I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many rooms are going to be in the house, what kind of roof they’re going to have, where the wires are going to run, what kind of plumbing there’s going to be. They have the whole thing designed and blueprinted out before they even nail the first board up. The gardeners dig a hole, drop in a seed and water it. They kind of know what seed it is, they know if planted a fantasy seed or mystery seed or whatever. But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have, they find out as it grows. And I’m much more a gardener than an architect.” —George R. R. Martin

Common writing processes

While there’s no “right” way to write a novel, there are several common approaches that writers tend to gravitate toward. Understanding these can help you find or develop a process that works for you:

The Plotter

Creates detailed plot outlines before writing.

Develops character profiles and backstories.

Maps out story beats and major plot points.

Researches extensively before drafting.

Works from a structured chapter plan.

The Pantser

Starts with a basic premise or character.

Lets the story unfold organically.

Discovers the plot through writing.

Makes notes about story elements as they emerge.

Revises extensively after the first draft.

The Plantser

Combines planning and discovery writing.

Creates loose outlines that allow for flexibility.

Plans major plot points but discovers the connections as they write.

Develops some characters fully while letting others evolve organically.

Adjusts the outline as the story develops.

Finding your process

The key to developing your own writing process is experimentation. Try different approaches and take note of what works best for you:

Start small

Test different methods on short stories.

Try writing scenes both with and without outlines.

Experiment with different planning tools and software.

Practice different prewriting techniques.

Observe your natural tendencies

Notice when you feel most productive.

Pay attention to what blocks your progress.

Identify your preferred writing environment.

Recognise your natural storytelling style.

Adapt and combine methods

Take elements from different approaches.

Modify existing processes to suit your needs.

Be flexible and willing to change methods.

Create hybrid systems that work for you.

Remember, your writing process can and should evolve as you grow as a writer. What works for one project might not work for another, and that’s perfectly fine. The goal is to find methods that help you tell your stories effectively and enjoyably.

Really intrigued by Goodbye Cleveland! (even tho i don't watch naruto lol)

"When his father, for the first time in twenty years, sincerely asked if he “would like to become equal to his older brother,” Ashura understood - he has to get out of here, now.

It's not that he didn't want to do it sooner. Tbh - who needs him here? Father's followers, striving to chop off more from the "naive unfortunate boy"? To the father himself? Not even funny. To grown up peers who do not hesitate to recall past beatings and bullying? Indra, whom to reach is like to reach the moon by legs only?

Nii-san at least did not try to pretend being interested.

Ashura, although he was considered a "worthless renegade" - thanks, dad - was not an idiot, and he fully understood that something bad was coming. First, the father's strange behavior, now whispers in the back and sidelong glances... The simpleton's mask usually helped to avoid many problems, but now it only got in the way: the people around smiled condescendingly - "it's too hard for you."

For days and nights, Indra has being disappeared in the library (probably, he also sensed something was going wrong), Ashura - at the training grounds. Even if he never manages to become at least equal - to give up - is to not respect himself.

Well, okay, when nii-san finally comes into the inheritance, it will be possible with a clear conscience to take the share, tearfully say goodbye and dump into the sunset (to other worthless renegades).

But the kami had other plans."

***

Or the story in which Ashura Ootsutsuki, like a real youngest child, who had been oppressed all his childhood, is very tricky, very smartass and very vindictive xd

But being vindictive is not the same as being evil.

OR a story in which they try to force the entire inheritance on the youngest son for some political reasons - and in which Ashura Ootsutsuki simply says "no".

A story in which Indra Ootsutsuki tries to get his younger brother back, because being the only ruler was not as pleasant as he expected, while the younger brother resists intensely xd

A story that turned around 180°.

:((

Indra Ōtsutsuki (大筒木インドラ)

*no one appreciates me :'

Fanart of Jam and Elizabeth from @moringmark’s ship war au٩( ᐛ )و I love these cinnamon rolls(≧∀≦)

SEE I TOTALLY DON’T JUST DRAW THE SADS! (also from “bury my heart”)

(@blackkatmagic​ has kind of turned hamura into a bit of a troll in my eyes)

The fate of Indra and the Uchiha clan is unjustifiable. Imagine just because you possess a special talent due to your genetics (sharingan) your father favors your brother over you and your entire line is labeled with curse of hatred when your anger at an injustice is justifiable. Your talent grows when you experience pain and people label you evil for it without acknowledging your suffering and if you fight back you’re in darkness.

I hate how Kishimoto silences these victims. Why is it wrong to fight for your rights? What did Sasuke do wrong? Fuck that he was in darkness bullshit Naruto didn’t save him Naruto doomed him. Madara is demonized for losing his sanity when psychosis is a condition out of anybody’s control. It reminds me of real life sterilization and executions of mentally ill people it’s despicable. Mental illness is out of these poor people’s control there’s no reason to dehumanize them.

You have the narrative glorifying criminals like Itachi while the antagonists are “evil” and only “redeemed” when they drink Naruto’s fascism kool aid. I will never understand the moral compass of this fandom no one finds anything wrong with a government murdering an entire clan? Just for demanding their rights? Fuck Konoha and anyone who supports it.

Writing References: Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ "Well-Rounded Character" Worksheet

Basics: How to Write a Character ⚜ A Story-Worthy Hero

Basics: Character-Building ⚜ Character Creation

Key Characters ⚜ Literary Characters ⚜ Morally Grey Characters

Personality Traits

5 Personality Traits (OCEAN) ⚜ 16 Personality Traits (16PF)

600+ Personality Traits

East vs. West Personalities ⚜ Trait Theories

Tips/Editing

Character Issues

Character Tropes for Inspiration

Tips from Rick Riordan

Writing Notes

Allegorical Characters

Binge ED

Childhood Bilingualism ⚜ Children's Dialogue ⚜ On Children

Culture ⚜ Culture: Two Views ⚜ Culture Shock

Emotional Intelligence ⚜ Genius (Giftedness)

Emotions ⚜ Anger ⚜ Fear ⚜ Happiness ⚜ Sadness

Facial Expressions

Fantasy Creatures

Happy/Excited Body Language ⚜ Laughter & Humor

Hate ⚜ Love

Health ⚜ Frameworks of Health

Identifying Character Descriptions

Jargon ⚜ Logical Fallacies ⚜ Memory

Mutism ⚜ Shyness

Parenting Styles

Psychological Reactions to Unfair Behavior

Rhetoric ⚜ The Rhetorical Triangle

Swearing & Taboo Expressions

Thinking ⚜ Thinking Styles ⚜ Thought Distortions

Uncommon Words: Body ⚜ Emotions

Voice & Accent

Writing References: Plot

Lotor fucking dislocated both of his arms just so he wouldn’t get yelled at by his dad and honestly? Mood