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Thought #1: What if someone has the powers to bring people back to life, but they become weaker everytime they do it.

Writing Prompt #1939

"You call that a family?" My father sneered at the loved ones I had surrounded myself with. "This is your last chance to make the right choice. Come back with me now, and there will be limited consequences. If you don't, you are no child of mine any longer."

How I Wrote A Novel.

This, in a nutshell, is what I did to get a book with my name on it.

NOTE: This is just my personal way of making the words go. Other people have different ways to make their words go. In the world of words, there are no right answers. There’s just lots and lots of tea/coffee/tear stains.

1). The Idea

When I get an idea for a story, I open up a document, label it “Brainstorming,” and start making a bullet list of events that consist of the plot.

It has to be an idea with tangible weight. A stray bit of dialogue or something vague like Halloween, that doesn’t give me much to work off of. Halloween creatures living on the same street where it’s Autumn every day- now that’s something I can build from.

What kinds of creatures are they? What do they do? What do their houses look like? The best ideas are the ones that spark more.

2). First Draft

This is the easy part- and the most challenging. Easy, because there’s literally no bar. I just sat there and typed. But it’s a huge mental challenge.

When I was in first draft mode, I wanted that story out. I thought that by making it such a rough, far-away version from the concept in my head, I was only delaying the day where I’d hold it in my hands. Turns out, that’s what got it to take on physical form in the first place. So I quieted down, grabbed my laptop and some hot tea, and typed.

3). Dissecting the First Draft

After I finished draft one, I printed it all off and highlighted the scant amounts that were passable for the next phase. Dialogue, descriptions, setting- anything that didn’t look like it was up to par was scratched out and omitted.

I call the above pictures A Slow Descent Into Madness.

4). The Second Draft

On a fresh document, I rewrote the story altogether- and it make a difference. I was coming up with things I hadn’t even thought of previously. And it was surprising how much better the plot was than the first time around. But it was still rough.

5). Draft Three

My method was to start with the bigger, more obvious issues and work my way down. Any plot holes I found were noted, and my outline was constantly under revision. I cut out entire scenes and made mental notes on ways they could be fixed/replaced.

This is where I started cutting chapters in half to make the story flow better- but I didn’t bother writing in usable chapter titles. Instead, I improvised:

6). Drafts Four and Five

These were dedicated to correcting the smaller, less obvious plot holes. This was the point where the story finally started to look close to what would become the final version.

7). Drafts Seven Onward

With the story line looking how I wanted, I then moved on to sentence structure. That one song that looked terrible? Rewritten. Over-the-top descriptions and excessive prose? Gone.

8). Editing and Proofing

This is where I had outside help. Besides this useful tool, I had two people check for spelling issues and the overall story. Once it was in decent shape to be made public, I asked for some additional help.

9). Betas

My betas were in the age range that my novel was geared toward, along with a couple of teachers and parents (as it was middle grade). I gave them the full manuscript, along with seven basic questions like “Which characters were your favorite/least favorite and why?” and “Was there a part of the story that didn’t make sense?”

I gave my betas three months to read a 42,590 word story, and by the end they gave me back the review sheets.

10). Final Adjustments

After I read over the reviews, I let the comments sit for three days so that I could proceed with a clear head. I smoothed out any flaws, scanned over the MS twice to make sure everything was right, and that is how I got to the end of writing my first novel.

Next comes publishing- which is a different beast entirely.

cousins⚡️🌊🔥

Ahhhh!!! It's here!!

Thank you @soopticboop I love it so much!!!

5 New ideas for outlining stories

Maybe you are tired of all outlining techniques out there… the snowflake, the skeletal, the summary, the visual map, you’ve tried them all. And, although they are great, nothing works anymore. Or never worked in the first place. Maybe, when you outline, you feel like the magic is gone, the story has already been told, you don’t need to write it anymore. Outlining makes your bored.

Then, you try going pantser, but you get lost to where your story should be going soon after the first plot point. Not outlining makes you lost.

We need to jump outside the box of plotter and pantser. No one is 100% plotter, or 100% pantser. We are neither. In truth, we are explores, travelers, discoverers of beautiful stories, sometimes we have maps, sometimes we are following the unknown.

If we outline with fear and/or severity, we are doomed. Outlining is supposed to be on the creative side of the brain. It’s the whole picture of a drawing. Or the sketch of a sculpture. So, let’s try an artistic approach to outlining. 

1. TV Series:

For a moment, pretend that you are not writing a book, but a 15-episodes TV series. Write down a small paragraph to what should happen in each episode. Don’t worry about details, make it general. With 15 episodes planned out, you’ll have a clear view of the story. As you write, use the episodes as guidance.

This exercise helps you explore plot details.

2. Hours:

Think of your story as the hand of a clock, it has to run through twelves parts to close the circle. Draw a clock, but, instead of hours, write down plot points. Every hour should change the story somehow and guide the characters to a conclusion.

This exercise helps you keep track with the main plot.  

3. Branches

Picture your story as the branches of a tree. Better yet, grab a paper and draw your tree trunk. The trunk is the beginning of the story. Part the trunk into two big branches. These two branches are two different turns your story could take. From two big branches, create four smaller ones. At each split, create a new course for your story. At the end of the exercise, you’ll have many outlines to choose from.

This exercise helps you discover new possibilities.

4. Mixing

Mix the outline of two existing stories from books, movies or games to create your own. Very simple and easy. Write down one or more paragraphs on how these two stories would merge into one completely new.

This exercise helps you unravel new angles to old ideas. 

5. Tags

Make a list of 10 to 50 words of objects, colors, places, animals or even feelings. Pick three words randomly and try to incorporate them into your story.

This exercise helps you think outside the box.

You can try your favorite exercise, or all of them.

HADES ANIMATED…………

The Kids Pt. 4

@badthingshappenbingo​

Prompt: Accidentally Hurt By Friend

Fandom: Original Work

Wow, this past week was a long one, but I’m back! Enjoy! :)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

With tears streaming down her face Liv punched the wall. Ignoring the pain in her hand, she punched it again.

The Principal had broken her.

She had sworn to him that she would never break, but here she was. Broken.

She turned and slid down the wall sitting on the floor. She pulled her knees to her chest and let out a sob.

Her cell door slid open, and a guard stepped into the room.

“Class time.”

Liv didn’t move.

The guard stepped closer and pulled her up to her feet. She didn’t fight and followed him down the hallway.

They arrived at the gym, and the door slid open. She was pushed inside, and the door slid shut behind her.

Standing right in front of her was The Principal. His signature grin was plastered on his face.

“Welcome to class Liv.”

She just stood there staring at him.

His smile just widened as he stepped to her right.

“I need you to do something for me.” He motioned to a figure at the back of the room. “They are going to try and get out of this room, and I need you to stop them.”

Liv studied the figure.

They wore something that looked like what Liv was wearing, but they also wore a black hood that covered their face.

The President stepped closer to the door. “This is your test to see if you will do what I say.” He opened the door and stepped into the hallway. “If not, you will regret it. Go.” He yelled and slammed the door shut.

The figure started running towards the door. Liv sprinted after them and caught them by the arm. She pulled them back.

The figure pulled at her fingers, but Liv just tightened her grip. They grabbed her wrist and pulled it down as fast as they could. Catching Liv off guard, she let go of their arm.

They took off running towards the door again.

Liv grabbed at her wrist and took off towards them again. They were getting too close to the door.

Liv dove at them taking out their legs. The figure fell forward and landed hard on the ground. When they hit the ground, Liv heard a loud snap, and the figure let out a loud yelp.

The figure pulled their wrist to their chest and cried out in pain. Liv got to her feet confused.

Why did she recognize that voice?

The figure pushed themselves to their knees and then to their feet. Still grasping their wrist, they ran towards the door again.

Liv sprinted past them and stood in front of the door. They tried to push her to the side, but Liv pushed them back and pulled the hood off their head.

Alice stood in front of her.

“Alice, what are you doing here?” Liv grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her away from the door.

Alice pushed her hands off her shoulders and wiped tears from her eyes. She just stared back at Liv.

“Is your wrist ok?” Liv reached for it, and Alice pulled it out of her reach.

“Why do you care?” Alice took a step away from her.

“What do you mean? I didn’t mean to hurt you, and I want to make it better.”

Alice just stared back at her.

Liv jumped forward and grabbed Alice’s arm. Alice let out another yelp, but Liv examined her wrist. Alice’s wrist was swollen, and it was starting to look purple. Broken.

Liv let go. “I think it’s broken.”

“Why do you care?” Alice repeated.

“Why do you keep asking that? I care about you.”

“No. You don’t. You don’t care about anybody except yourself.”

Liv stepped back in surprise. She tried to form words, but nothing was working.

Alice pushed past her and walked towards the door.

Shaking her head Liv turned towards Alice. “Who told you that?”

Alice turned and faced her. She didn’t look mad anymore, she just looked confused. “I-I don’t know.”

Liv took a step forward. “They are in your head, they are in mine as well.”

Tears filling her eyes Alice stepped towards her. “I can’t separate what they are telling me from what are my own thoughts.”

“I know. They are doing the same thing to me. I care about you, and I always will.” Liv stretched out her hand towards her.

Alice stepped forward and took Liv’s hand.

That’s when a shock sent them both flying away from each other.

Alice hit the wall next to the door, and Liv slid towards the back wall.

Not again. This had happened when she tried to comfort Conner. She jumped to her feet and ran towards Alice.

Alice sat up looking dazed. She winced and grabbed her wrist.

Liv sat down right in front of her. She reached for Alice’s arm when a voice came over the intercom. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Liv froze. She recognized that voice. It was The Principal.

“I’m very disappointed in both of you.”

The door slid open, and two guards walked over to them and pulled them both to their feet.

“You failed your test. Which means you will be doing more assignments to make it up.”

Liv’s heart sank as she was guided back to her cell.

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NAILED IT!!!

GAME IDEA REBLOG THIS AND TRY TYPING YOUR URL EYES CLOSED

VD&diydgbyt-buh

I can't believe I didn't post this sooner!!!

Thank you @jacksoopticboop for the fantastic art!!

I also really enjoyed the little notes that came with the art!

You're the best, and I hope your day is full of PMA!!