File This Under “super Obvious Yet I Always Seem To Forget It.”

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster, on account that a bunch of monsters can turn you into a monster by biting you. Vampires, werewolves, zombies. those are the big ones, there are others

Writing Worksheets & Templates

will update this every few weeks/months. alternatively, here are all my tagged Writing Worksheets & Templates

Chapter Outline ⚜ Character- or Plot-Driven Story

Death & Sacrifice ⚜ Magic & Rituals ⚜ Plot-Planning

Editing: Sentence Check ⚜ Writing Your Novel: 20 Questions

Tension ⚜ Thought Distortions ⚜ What's at Stake

Character Development

50 Questions ⚜ Backstory ⚜ Character Creation

Antagonist; Villain; Fighting ⚜ Protagonist & Antagonist

Character: Change; Adding Action; Conflict

Character: Creator; Name; Quirks; Flaws; Motivation

Character Profile (by Rick Riordan) ⚜ Character Sheet Template

Character Sketch & Bible ⚜ Interview your Character

Story-Worthy Hero ⚜ "Well-Rounded" Character Worksheet

Worldbuilding

20 Questions ⚜ Decisions & Categories ⚜ Worksheet

Setting ⚜ Dystopian World ⚜ Magic System (AALC Method)

Templates: Geography; World History; City; Fictional Plant

References: Worldbuilding ⚜ Plot ⚜ Character ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

all posts are queued. send questions/requests here.

My cat has to wear a cone this week and it made me think of an angel whose halo is a cone.

some people think writers are so eloquent and good with words, but the reality is that we can sit there with our fingers on the keyboard going, “what’s the word for non-sunlight lighting? Like, fake lighting?” and for ten minutes, all our brain will supply is “unofficial”, and we know that’s not the right word, but it’s the only word we can come up with…until finally it’s like our face got smashed into a brick wall and we remember the word we want is “artificial”.

Oh my gosh. I just found this website that walks you though creating a believable society. It breaks each facet down into individual questions and makes it so simple! It seems really helpful for worldbuilding!

Classifications of Magic Users

I thought I’d share with you my own system of magic and how to classify how powerful a witch is. Fair warning there’s 12 I use so this will be long

For starters Witch is the umbrella term. If you use magic you’re a witch or thaumaturge if you prefer a term without a specific gender.

1) Magicians: Magic of the spells. The lowest rank of witch and most common. Magicians can only ever really master one spell. There exists one magician for every spell in existence. It may seem kinda sad but every magician can always perform their spell perfectly and successfully. Always. In a direct comparison no other witch will ever be able to cast the same spell as flawlessly as the magician who’s mastered it.

2) Mages: Magic of the elements. These witches can only ever master one type of magic. Be it fire magic, mental magic, cleaning magic, etc. like magicians they are also the most skilled at the magic they specialize in. Different from magicians in the sense that there are more than one mage who masters a type of magic.

3) Alchemists/Witch Doctors: Magic of objects. studious witches who specialize in potion making, magical item crafting and charm making. They create the magical artifacts that all kinds of witches can use...for a price. Any craft made by an alchemist, or potion brewed is guaranteed to work. They invented brooms, wands, charms, etc. Some prefer the term witch doctor.

4) Wizards: Magic of space. Wizards deal with magic from other worlds, be it the realms of the gods, the faerie realm, or something else entirely. They draw their power from the secret places of the secret worlds and pluck power from between the stars. Their secrets are guarded zealously and due to their unearthly magic it is quite difficult to overcome.

5) Warlocks: Magic of the dark. Warlocks know all the dark magics and are particularly gifted at curses, jinxes, hexes, and all manner or malevolent magic. Unsurprisingly they are often sought out for wars or as soldiers or for revenge. Their dark magic is the best. Their power level is equal to Wizard ranking witches

6) Sorcerers: Magic of the mind. this rank is often looked to for guidance and wisdom. Sorcerers and sorceresses posses great psychic power. Often having multiple extra sensory abilities. The most powerful among them can know the future, hear thoughts, sense emotions, know the past and astral project. It is extremely difficult to surprise a sorcerer/ess or keep news from them.

7) Shamans/druids: Magic of the people. one of the most respected and revered rank of witch. A shaman or druid is deeply connected to the magic of their culture and environment. Similar to sorcerers and wizards there is little these witches do not know about their people and the power that fuels them. It is whispered they can directly commune with the deities that watch over their people and that they can even make contact with the spirits of ancestors, former leaders, and the spirits of nature. They have particularly strong connections with local animals.

8) Soothsayers: Magic of the voice. All soothsayers cast spells or work magic vocally. They are particularly feared since they are not bound to strict incantation rules. Some say that whatever a soothsayer says is bound to happen. Be it a prediction, a command or even an alteration in reality. Incidently no two soothsayers cast spells the same, one might rhyme, anither sing, and a third uses another language. (Like backwards speech for example ;).

9) Sages: Magic through science. Sages are perhaps the most crucial rank to witchcraft. Sages and scientists and inventors. Because of their genius they are slways advancing magic and creating new spells, formulas, potion ingredients, blueprints, etc. They are also one of three ranks able to perform magic of every kind. Without them magic would stop progressing.

10) Shades: Magic through chaos. Shades have the ability to command dark magic energy itself. The very fabric of curses and hexes they weave and cut like greecian fates. Dark magic bows to their whim.

11) Enchanters/esses: Magic through craft. Enchanters And Enchantresses are considered to be the most versatile witches. They control pure magic energy. The very essense of witchcraft. They dont adhere to any of the laws of magic because magic adheres to them. They make their own laws.

12) Necromancers: Magic in life: Necromancers are the most powerful of all witches. The rarest rank of all. Elusive and mysterious these witches have mastered the powers over life and death. Toying with the balance as thet see fit. Strong potential for destruction or salvation. It is rumored they are immortal and that there is never more than 7 on earth at a time. Some say they’re gods, others claim they are cursed by the gods.

(Zee is a soothsayer, John is an alchemist or maybe wizard, swamp thing is a shaman, Boston and Black Orchid or Mages, Xanadu is a sorceress, Circe is an enchantress, June Moone and Klarion are Shades in my opinion lol but i consider this system separate from the dc canon)

With JoAnne Fabrics going out of business I feel it is my duty as a cosplayer, historical costumer, and general sewing gremlin to help teach y'all how not to be reliant on evil overpriced mediocre big box stores for fabric and cosplay supply, cause if I catch y'all going into Homophobia Lobby to get cosplay fabrics imma have to start throwing hands. And frankly you guys all deserve better.

- Find a neighborhood full of brown people. Probably a slightly poorer neighborhod. I know, I know, but they will have small independent fabric stores. Selection in each may vary. Hispanic and Caribbean areas will give you prints that EAT. Muslim areas will give you fabrics with amazing drapery. Indian and Southeast Asian areas will give you beading that would make the House of Worth wet with envy. (Try to avoid oldwhitelady quilting stores unless you are a knitter or are specifically trying to cosplay Kirsten Larson.) (Also ask while you're there for lunch/dinner spot recommendations. Your fabric store guy usually has a buddy with a joint nextdoor with the best *insert relevant ethnic food here* you'll ever put in your mouth.)

- DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OWNER OF SAID STORE. This I cannot stress enough. Abdul, my fabric guy, can and will get me whatever I want cause he knows me, knows I bring in other young people, and knows I will be back every month for more. Indie fabric stores tend to have older clients. They are anxious to see faces under 60. Just chat with whoever is in there about the kind of stuff you want and need and they will help you. This also frequently leads to discounts. I have not paid listed price for fabric in years and just walked out of Abdul's with 7~ yards of gorgeous teal satin for 10 bucks. Not a yard. Total.

- Do not be afraid of mess. The best shit comes from stores that look like a hurricane went through them. Don't try to understand the organization. (One day, 4 years into your relationship with the store, suddenly the fabric gods will reveal the knowledge to you.) Again, talk to whoever is in there about your project. They'll help.

- Give up on one stop shopping. Get your crafting supplies elsewhere. Like a small independent hardware store. There's usually an old guy in there that reminds you of an uncle who will also help you.

-Worbla and whatever other Cosplay Specific Material you're using is a fatphobic material straight from Satan's hot taint, you do not need it, and any old hardware/tractor supply dad will help you find better, more durable armor/weapon/detailing material. Don't snub your nose at paper mache and plaster of paris. Venetian Mask makers have been using it for years. Balsa wood is also your friend. Hardware store Uncles will teach you to work with both.

- Elderly people are your bffs. If you see an old person TALK TO THEM. They know how to do all kinds of shit. I know there's a hesitation around old people because of the political climate and a fear that they may be homo/trans/whatever-phobic, but hey....minds are changed by making friends. My elderly Muslim fabric supplier is an Our Flag Means Death fan because of me gushing about the teal I needed for Stede Bonnet. He wishes me happy pride now. He put bolt of rainbow in the window in June and kept it up all summer. And he'd never had a thought about queers before me.

- Don't feel limited to Craft and Fabric stores. Hardware stores are cool. They stock outdoor fabrics and umbrella and furniture covers that are very durable....my first cosplay was made out of patio furniture covers. Also upholstery stores and upholsterers have velvets and damasks and faux leather and real leather and all sorts of rich textures. Most of them will part with a few yards pretty cheap. Second hand sheets and bedspreads and curtains also make some really cool garments. A significant amount of my ren fair garb started as household goods.

- If you are forced to order fabric online, please for the love of all that is holy DO NOT BUY FROM MOOD or any other famous store. You're paying for their branding and their place on certain reality shows I will not mention. Indie is always cheaper for the quality and usually not abusing their workers.

- If the fabric/hobby/hardware/upholstery/etc store you develop a relationship with is inconveniently far from you, see if said owner is willing to take your order via phone and send it to you. You'd be surprised how accommodating people in the crafting and sewing world can be.

It all really comes down to having to form a community. I know finding multiple small stores is a lot less convenient than Joannes. But forming a relationship with a local supplier will, in the long run, yield you much better results AND put money and good back into a community near you.

(And if you're in the NYC area DM me and I'll put you in contact with Abdul. He's the absolute best and I'd do anything to help him and his business grow!!!)

tell me something nice

Please tell us about the desert.

So like. The desert is freezing at night and boiling at day. The elements are just about as savage as they can be and as a result it looks like a whole lot of nothing but dead, unforgiving, hostile emptiness. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, deserts have a biodiversity matched only by rainforests and much like rainforest most of it is unique to that specific desert. Most deserts formed from ancient lakes or oceans that dried out, leaving the remaining creatures to adapt to a rapidly changing and ever more hostile environment. It’s similar to those endothermic vents miles under the water any niche you can fill or make in a desert is extremely valuable but you can like, realistically go there. A desert is so very alive, despite looking as it does, despite everyone thinking otherwise. If you have never heard all the calls and sounds fill the cooling air as the sun sets as if to say ‘I’m here, despite everything, I’m still here and I’m alive’ it’s an S tier experience.

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