274 posts
Latest Posts by the-writer-muse - Page 8
this is it. this is writing
what people think is hard about writing: describing the joy, love, beauty, grief, loss and hope that form the richness of human experience
what is actually hard about writing: describing basic actions such as turning, leaning over, reclining, gesturing, saying something in a quiet voice, breathing, getting up from chairs, and walking across rooms
my villain origin story is realizing how many words i have to write just to get to my favorite scene
me: you’ve already used this exact turn of phrase two paragraphs ago, that’s too repetitive
me, an intellectual: if I use it three more times it becomes a motif
Writing Account Advice
Intro
One of the reasons I joined the writing community was because of a post like this. I’d always been interested in the reading and writing part of Instagram, and this was an opportunity for me to get even more involved with it! For anyone who’s on the fence about making a writing account, I would definitely recommend trying it out!
1. Make friends
This is the most important thing you can do, in my opinion. There are many different ways you can do this, even if you’re introverted, like me. You can DM people with shared interests or join groupchats. Friends make everything worth it. I can think of so many people who mean a lot to me and make my day better!
2. Making your posts
There are hundreds of websites and apps out there you can use, but I’ll mention the ones I know best and the most popular ones here:
Tumblr
Canva
Phonto
PicsArt
Polarr
VideoStar
If you’d like to see how these are used, just take a look around the writing community and you’ll find many different styles and variations. Also, this is only a starting point! Feel free to explore other options and please add on in the comments if you know about more.
3. Themes
There’s a lot of spoken and unspoken pressure to have a pretty theme--the overall aesthetic and design of an account--in the writing community. Instagram is a very visually-based app, so a lot of people will follow or unfollow based on aesthetic. The truth is, though, it’s not necessary to have a theme. Whether or not you have one doesn’t actually matter because a writing account is meant to help your self-growth and your growth as a writer. Aesthetics don’t have any part in the friends you make or the things you learn during your time here!
4. Decide what content you want to post
Do you want to post writing tips? Original writing? Memes? Figure out what you like the most and then follow users who create that content, to get a feel for how people promote and interact with that content. However, don’t feel like you have to limit yourself--post what you want to post and what makes you happy, not what you feel like you have to post!
More and more these days, writing accounts are struggling to find new topics to cover, given that there are so many of us here now. However, I would call this a potential opportunity. You have freedom to create any kind of content you want. You can post bookish content, study tips, aesthetics, and more--having a writing account doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to writing tips!
5. Prioritize yourself
Always, always prioritize yourself and your own well-being before anything else. You may be a content creator, but that doesn’t mean you have to create at the expense of your mental health. You do not owe anyone anything.
If prioritizing yourself means posting sporadically, then so be it. If it means taking a lot of hiatuses, then that’s the best thing for you. Sometimes you’ll see the mentality that creators are obligated to make content, and that’s an unhealthy mindset and idea.
In the same vein, you are much more than a number, whether it's for likes, comments, or follows. It's easy to become overabsorbed in numbers. Yes, it's disheartening to have low numbers, but in the end, you should just let it go, because you can't control what the algorithm chooses to do with your content. Your statistics are not a reflection of some fault in yourself. When periods of low engagement happens, as they inevitably do, try to focus on the little things, like small interactions that leave you smiling, or a comment that makes you laugh.
6. Schedule
Another step you can take is deciding which days to post. This is optional but it helps some people stay organized, like me. You might choose to post daily, only on certain days, or whenever you feel like it. Do whatever works for you and your real-life schedule!
7. Growth and engagement
As a new writing account, growth and engagement can be slow at first due to low follower numbers. However, there are ways you can help it, if you want to grow. Some don’t, and that’s valid, too! Also, keep in mind that all of the things I list here are optional!
Create a business account to track your statistics
Reply to followers’ comments and DMs
Use hashtags
Ask questions of the day in your posts
Make and share a help card
Put up question boxes/polls on your story and share the answers
Use tag lists, where you tag people in the comments who want to see your posts more quickly
Use writing/reading-related hashtags
someone: can i be a character in your book??
me: sure! right here i have an opening for *squints at doc* insignificant side character who exists only for plot purposes
can you believe that the most human trait there is is art? we didn't start making art because it was needed for our survival or it helped us mate or hunt…. we make art for the sake of making it and for you and other people to enjoy it. this is why I love literature and art museums or just looking through my old sketches and stories…. making art is what it means to be human I think.
Writing Flashbacks
Credit: https://www.nownovel.com/blog/incorporate-flashbacks-into-a-story/
In many books, the events of the story take place chronologically. However, in stories involving characters’ memories or large leaps in time, flashbacks are useful for showing formative or crucial moments that drive characters’ present-time psychologies and decisions. Flashbacks typically recall a scene of emotional power. They show the memories that linger in a character’s mind long after they have happened. They are, essentially, scenes inserted into the present narrative time-frame from a time period that precedes the primary story arc.
1. Decide whether a flashback is necessary
As an alternative to writing flashbacks, you can substitute exposition. Your main character can simply recall the day an impactful event happened. However, describing the scene as though your character is living and experiencing it for the first time can be much more emotionally affecting for the reader. To decide whether an earlier event in your character’s backstory (e.g. witnessing a crime) needs a flashback scene, ask yourself:
What are the benefits of showing the reader the earlier scene through my character’s eyes?
Is the scene important enough to my central story arc to break from narrative continuity?
How will I convey to the reader that this is a flashback and not an event happening in the present time of the story?
2. Look at flashback examples in fiction to gain insight
Writing flashbacks is storytelling time travel. Getting it right can be hard. So research novels that use this narrative device and see how other authors approach flashbacks.
Flashbacks can be long or short, or repeated. For example, in The Gilded Wolves, we catch glimpses of main character Séverin Montagnet-Alarie’s childhood, which gies us insight into why he acts the way he does and why he makes the decisions he does in the current narrative. The flashbacks also tie into his character arc throughout the Gilded Wolves trilogy.
3. Choose your flashback’s time-frame
When you write a flashback, it’s important to choose a reasonable time-frame for the scene. Typically, a flashback will consist of a single conversation or event that occurs over a single day. Keeping the time frame of your flashback brief helps not to distract the reader from the present arc of your story. If you want to convey how an entire year in your character’s life was formative, for example, it’s better to summarize that year in a few lines of expository narrative.
4. List any details that will be different during your character’s flashback
Times change. Because time isn’t static, remember to show how your characters and their circumstances are different during your flashback scene. For example, if a character living in 1990 recalls the 1960s, think about how slang, music and other cultural details differ.
A few small details (such as a song playing on the radio or a description of a period hairstyle) can signal that we’ve traveled back in narrative time. List the most significant differences between your character’s present life and their life during the time period of their flashback. Even if not all details make it into the story, it will help you strike an authentic note.
5. Learn how to write a flashback that has consistent tense
These are many options for verb tenses in a flashback; you could write your flashback in the same tense as your present-time narrative, differentiating time periods with explicit reference to the year. You could also write your flashback in a different tense to your main, present-time narrative. Whatever approach you choose, be consistent throughout your flashback scene. Pick a tense and stick with it!
6. Decide how you will transition to flashback scenes
Part of writing a successful flashback scene is knowing how and when to cut to the scene that lies outside of your story’s main chronology. Like all story scenes, your flashback scene should have good structure.
Here are some suggestions:
Instead of writing a short intro paragraph to a flashback, launch straight into your flashback at the start of a scene or chapter. This way the transition is less obvious.
Try to insert flashback scenes after strong scenes in the present time of your story. This makes it easier for the reader to recall where the present-time narration left off once the flashback ends.
Signify a flashback by writing it in italics.
Physically separate the flashback from the main narrative (e.g. with a space and a few asterisks).
7. Check that your flashback focuses on a single experience or event that supports your story arc
Once you’ve written your flashback scene, double-check that it’s completely relevant to the later story. In a crime novel, a flashback scene might provide an essential clue regarding the identity of the culprit. In a character-driven family saga, it could show a formative familial relationship, conversation or confrontation that shapes your character’s outlook.
Make sure that your flashback scene draws your reader’s attention towards the key element that will deepen your reader’s understanding of key later scenes. This way, your story will feel cohesive even if the narrative does not follow a linear chronological path!
f*k coffee and tea, my writing drink is the tears of my readers.
Writing a Unique Fairy Tale Retelling
Credit: https://lindsay-elizabeth.com/how-to-write-a-unique-fairy-tale-retelling/
Intro
Fairy tale retellings are one of my absolute favorite genres to read, so I had to make a post on it! Retelling a story is addressing the original one with your own love letter and homage. A retelling is also a deeply personal experience, because whatever you want to retell is something that you find worth returning to, over and over again.
This post is primarily for fairy tale retellings, but any of these elements can be applied to folklore, mythology and other literary retellings as well!
1. Get to know the original story
We all know the most popular fairy tales well because we’ve been told them so many times in a variety of ways. However, the original stories were penned centuries and even thousands of years ago, so there are a lot of things you’ll probably want to leave behind, like misogyny, racism, and underage/toxic/inappropriate relationships. There are many other interesting story details, though, that you can pick up from the original text that can make your retelling richer and more layered.
Every writer interprets things differently. You never know what detail could spark your imagination and turn out to be something few others have used, so definitely take the time to read the original works. You can find pretty much all of the classic fairy tales for free online since they’re in the public domain (meaning the original copyright has expired).
2. Pay attention to themes
What makes fairy tales timeless and so pervasive in every culture are the underlying themes that we all relate to. They’re the truths that we connect with and instantly recognize on a deeper level. They explore topics like transformation, self-discovery, justice, judgment, class, and love. We’re inspired by the main hero’s will, spirit, and perseverance as they face challenges and ultimately overcome them on their journey to finding true love and happiness.
These are deeply human feelings and experiences, which is why they resonate with people of all generations and backgrounds. Fairy tales (and the best stories in general) make us examine these truths and help us understand them more deeply.
When writing a fairy tale retelling, look for the core of the story that you’re putting a spin on. What human experience is at the heart of it? As long as you have this, you can get as creative as you want with the rest of it!
3. Take note of your favorite elements
Besides the themes, what else do you love about the fairy tale you want to retell? Take some time to examine the story and take notes on what draws you to it over and over again.
If it’s the love story, what is it specifically about the love story that captures your heart more than others? The dynamic between the characters or a particular trope?
Keep pulling back the layers. The more you understand what you’re drawn to about this particular fairy tale, the more creative license you’ll be able to take because you’ll know what needs to stay the same to maintain the core of the story and what you can play with to make it unique.
4. Look at existing retellings
Take some time to go through the books currently available in the fairytale retellings genre to see how other people are playing with these stories and what the common threads are. Some places to check are:
GoodReads Lists of Fairy Tale Retellings
BookBub’s lists like this one of 20 Magical Fairy Tale Retellings for Adults
Amazon’s Best Sellers List for Teen & Young Adult Fairy Tale and Folklore Adaptations
What is missing? What hasn’t been done that you would love to read? Just one twist on the story can be the starting point for something completely fresh and intriguing.
5. Take note of what you like and don’t like
In all of the fairy tale retellings you’ve read and watched, what were your favorite things about them? What did you love about the characters, the scenes, the plots, the dialogue? What inspired you and pulled you into the story? And what didn’t you like? What did you think could’ve been done better? What did you feel was missing? All of these answers could be the first spark and building blocks to your own unique retelling.
6. Read reviews from other readers
Take a peek at the reviews for some of the most popular fairy tale retellings. What did other readers like and dislike about them? You’ll learn a lot about genre expectations here, as well as expectations for each individual fairy tale, and pick up a lot of valuable information you can use when crafting your own.
You never know what could spark your imagination; something someone says they “wishes” had been different in the story or that they never see in fairy tale retellings could be the impetus for a whole new story idea!
Keep in mind, writing is completely subjective, so just because someone else likes or doesn’t like something doesn’t mean you can’t tell the story you want to tell! This is just a way to get different perspectives on the genre and individual fairy tales to get your own creative juices flowing.
7. Take liberties with the plot
Following the original plot (or the most popular adaptation of it) too closely can get boring and predictable because your readers will know what’s coming. This offers a great opportunity to subvert expectations with unexpected twists on them.
8. Ideas for twists
Besides playing with the plot, there are a lot of other ways to put a twist on a fairy tale. To make it really unique, combine multiple twists.
New genre
Different time period and/or location
Gender-swap, role swap, combine roles, change roles
Switch to a different POV
Crossover/mix stories
Prequel or sequel to the original story
Friendly Writing Reminders
Intro
I feel like some of us need these reminders, especially as we go into NaNoWriMo season. Remember, too, that no matter what you do, you are worthy, you are capable, and you are loved!
Reminders
Everyone works at their own pace. Don’t feel ashamed if you’re “slower” than others. Good things take time.
Adding on to that--it's okay, and perfectly normal, if you’ve never finished a project! It often takes months or years for most people (4 years for me).
Always, always prioritize yourself. Don’t sacrifice your mental health, your sleep--or if you’re in school, your grades--for your writing.
It’s okay to not like your writing. We’re writers: it’s difficult not to nitpick or dislike words we’ve seen a hundred times. At this stage, you’re still finding your writer’s voice and the story you want to tell.
At the same time, though, recognize when you’re doing well and compliment yourself on it. Self-validation is just as important as self-criticism!
Finding your writing process takes time, and what works for another person may not work for you.
You can plan as little or as much as you want for your story. Plotter, plantser, or pantser--all that matters is that you write!
However: you don’t have to feel guilty for not writing, particularly during circumstances outside of your control (e.g. work, burnout).
Not being a productive writer doesn’t make you a bad writer.
It doesn’t matter if your story is cliche or unoriginal. The only thing that matters is your enjoyment of it.
You don’t have to include popular tropes and characters in your book to make it good.
In the same vein, all genres, not just popular ones, are valid! Some genres, like fantasy and romance, are emphasized and normalized more in the writing community, but anyone can write in any genre, and that diversity is here too!
Publishing is great and all, but it doesn’t have to be your end goal. You might have your own reasons, you might not be ready to publish, or perhaps you simply don’t know if you want to publish.
If you do want an audience, though, remember that someone out there wants and needs your story. Someone out there will appreciate it and relate to it like you do. Someone out there will make fanart and playlists and fanfiction for it someday. Write for that person, and you’ll find them!
You don't need to make writing your career. It’s okay to do it on the side, or just as a hobby. That doesn’t make you any less of a writer!
Many people in the writing community are novel writers, but you don’t have to write novels if that’s not something you want to do or aren’t ready for. There are a plethora of other genres you can do, like novellas, short stories, poetry, scriptwriting, etc.
Stop and think for a second about how awe-inspiring it is to be a writer. You create people that live of their own free will. You make worlds in which every reader can immerse themselves. You have the power to change the course of people's lives. You are amazing.
Extremely Comprehensive World-building Checklist
Inspiration for every country
Map, or basic understanding of the layout. I recommend Inkarnate for making maps!
Major historical events, think about how wars have sparked new political philosophies and how they’ve shaped cultures today (think about how Liberalism stems from a response to oppressive monarchies)
What’s the culture of the different countries in your world? What kind of arts do they practice, if the arts are widespread? What’s available for entertainment, does the average person have enough downtime to participate in leisure? What’s the architecture like? What are the major exports of each country?
Are there any major historical figures in your countries? Any influential works of literature that have been studied?
What does daily life look like for people in different socioeconomic classes?
Is the culture of country side villages and towns similar to urban areas? How does it differ?
What is the religion? Does each country follow something different, or is everyone the same? Is it mono or polytheistic? Who are the religious leaders? Do people attend church, or is worship practiced in private? Are there any rituals?
Building off of religion, is there any religious conflict?
What does the government look like? Is it an absolute monarchy? Constitutional monarchy? Or some form of democracy or republic? Who’s the leader and what other positions hold power?
Does each country have a government, or is your world ruled under one government?
What do the different classes look like in your country? Do the higher social classes look down on those beneath them? Is there a general sense of class consciousness, and class conflicts?
Climate of each country, territory, or state
Typical jobs of every country, territory, or state
What kind of transportation is available?
What does the military look like? Is there one? Do any militias operate in the rural areas?
Does your world have any myths or legends? What were they influenced by, and how do they influence the culture? Are there any superstitions around these myths?
Typical foods, what do most people eat? Is the food bland, or flavorful? How does access to food differ for different people, and does the type of food eaten change with social status?
Type of laws, do the people have any protected rights? What might get someone thrown in a cell for a night? Do your countries have an organized prison system, or do they operate by throwing everyone in the castle’s dungeons?
What kind of economy do the different countries have? Is it regulated by the government? What’s the major currency?
What’s the social life like? Are there certain customs to follow? What’s considered polite or impolite?
How are foreigners seen? Is there any hostility towards them, or are the citizens of your countries more accepting of other cultures?
What are the relationships like between countries?
What weapons are used in war?
What’s the general attitude towards war and other conflicts? Do any of your countries use a pacifist approach? Do any countries protect their neighbors from a common enemy?
Sanitary system, do they have sewage? Think about how disease was common in cities before proper sewage was invented.
Educational System for the poor, is there any sort of public education? Is there any sort of access to higher education, if it exists in your countries?
Educational system for the rich, do nobles typically hire tutors or is there a system of private schooling?
How is education viewed? Is it valued?
How do the people communicate, between cities or even countries? Is there any form of published communication, or is everything passed through spoken word?
Morality, what is considered moral or immoral?
What are the beauty standards of your country? How are different physical appearances viewed?
What’s the clothing like? What does the average peasant wear, what does the average noble wear?
What language is spoken? Do different countries speak different languages? Is there a common tongue?
Are good hygiene practices common? How often does the average person bathe?
Is marriage viewed as a religious or legal institution? What’s the general attitude towards marriage? Is it common? What does the courting process look like?
Are water and other resources readily available? Do they have to be outsourced to other countries?
Science, is it accepted? Do people actively research new things in your countries?
Going back to the prison question, what is the legal system like? Do people get trials? What sort of crimes result in different penalties? Who makes the final decision of punishment, a judge? The lord ruling over the territory the crime took place?
How is death treated? Are funerals held? Do they bury their dead, or use funeral pyres? Are funerals viewed as a celebration of the person’s life, or a time to mourn?
What kind of diseases are common? What do the symptoms look like?
What are your countries’ attitudes towards alcohol and other substances? Is drinking a common practice, or widely frowned upon?
When looking at these different aspects of your world, it’s also important to remember that the histories of our world don’t have to dictate what happens in yours. For example, public education wasn’t really common in the United States until the 1800s. On the other end of that, one of the earliest formal schools was founded in Egypt in 2061-2010 BC and many Middle Eastern cultures have pushed for education since then as the ability to read religious scripture was important.
That said, using the characteristics of different countries can be useful in guiding your own and the histories of said countries can guide you even further. Your world can resemble ours, or be totally different and backwards. At the end of the day, have fun!
Quotes From My WIP
These are some of my favorite (non-spoilery) quotes from my WIP, Of Souls and Swords! Please be kind, and please do not plagiarize my work :)
Sword fighting looked great and all until you actually had to learn it.
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“I’m sorry I fought her.”
Bian raised her brows knowingly. “No, you’re not. You’re just sorry you got caught.”
I laughed. “You know me too well."
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“Where. Were. You?” The last word was punctuated by a pillow in my face.
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“Remind me why I tolerate you?”
“My entertainment value. Why else?”
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“Not another word from you. I have a deadly weapon and I’m not afraid to use it.”
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“My mother had a lot to say about you.”
“Only good things, I hope?”
"She called you immature, irresponsible, a practitioner of evil magic, and a poor excuse for a soldier.”
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Maybe my true home wasn’t in places, but in people.
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“Revenge is a concept for the living.”
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If we were a storm, I was thunder and she was rain—perfectly matched, perfectly balanced, perfectly opposite.
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I’d never thought about it before, but I saw with sudden clarity just how young I was to be experiencing any of this helplessness and fear.
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If they wanted me to fight, I would show them battle.
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I wasn’t born to respect. I was born to rebel.
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“Trust me as I have trusted you."
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I looked away from him, studying the high iron gates that guarded the camps. From here they looked like living things, like snakes rising up on stakes, ready to strike.
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"But even the hardest stone weathers over time."
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“Every fortress has a weakness.”
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This must have been what it was like to be a phoenix, rising high and higher on wings of flame. This was what it was like to live and die in the same breath.
I wish people’s WIPs showed up on Goodreads because I have seen so many excerpts and WIP intros on Instagram that I NEED to read, but I can’t add them to my TBR so that I can remember I need to read them and I think that is awful.
Tips For Designing a Book Cover
Credit: https://dribbble.com/stories/2021/01/26/book-cover-design-101-how-to-design-a-cover-that-sells
1. Gather book cover design inspiration
Before you start designing, you should always gather visual inspiration first to help guide your cover’s overall look and feel. Gathering different book cover ideas will help you to understand what you’re drawn to, what works, and what doesn’t, so you can narrow down what you want to accomplish with your cover design. As a good rule of thumb, aim to collect between 10 - 20 pieces of visual inspiration.
Once you’ve gathered enough ideas, you should start to notice certain patterns of visuals, themes, imagery, and layouts that you’re drawn to. Keep this in mind throughout the next steps.
2. Outline the book’s main themes
A book cover needs to support the themes the book explores. It also needs to support the mood of the book. What is the book about? Is it a serious exploration of modern society? Is it a fun, adventurous memoir all about finding yourself? A serious book should have a relatively serious cover, while a fun beach read needs an entirely different kind of aesthetic.
Outline your book’s main themes and keep these at the front of your mind when deciding on the kind of imagery you’ll want to use on the cover.
3. Consider the genre
Different genres have different conventions when it comes to covers. Most fantasy books show protagonists with weapons or fantasy creatures. Romance books typically have the romantically involved characters on the cover. Contemporary books frequently feature cute, modern art. True crime books usually feature dark covers that hint at the crime.
To get a sense of what the genre expects, look to competing books. If they all follow a certain convention, you’ll likely want your cover to also fit that convention so that readers of that genre can immediately recognize it!
4. Use visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy on a book cover is key. You need to make sure that the reader browsing the shelves sees the most important part of the cover first. For most books, this will be the title. But for certain bestselling authors, you might want to consider emphasizing their name so that it’s even more prominent than the title. That’s because fans of that author can immediately recognize that it’s one of their books.
In general, your hierarchy should place the title and cover graphics most prominently, followed by a subtitle (e.g. “a novel”), followed by the author’s name. There may also be endorsements or prizes to include on the cover, but those are usually placed less prominently than other elements.
5. Get rid of the clutter
Cluttered covers don’t work well when viewed at small sizes. Since a lot of book browsing happens online, covers are usually shrunk down to thumbnail size. If your book cover looks cluttered at thumbnail size, you will risk turning away potential readers.
Choose one focal element for your cover. This could be part of the image used on the cover, or it could be the title of the book. Once you know your focal point, you can design the rest of the cover to emphasize that point. Also make sure you leave plenty of white or blank space around that focal point.
6. Think in terms of thumbnails
When people are browsing Amazon or other online publishers such as Bookshop.org, they’re presented with a series of cover thumbnails. These are often pretty small—less than 200px high. That means that if your title isn’t prominent enough on the cover, it won’t be legible. It also means that if your cover has a ton of fine details that are important to its meaning, that will be lost in thumbnail size.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t include those details on a cover, though. What it means is that you need to make sure that your cover still has a powerful impact at thumbnail size. Make your title legible at small sizes and ensure that the most prominent part of your graphics are recognizable (i.e., a mountain should be recognizable as a mountain, a person should be recognizable as a person, etc.).
7. Choose an appropriate font and color palette
Choosing a typeface for your book cover can be tricky. It needs to look great when viewed on the full-size cover, but it also needs to remain legible at small sizes on thumbnails.
For the most part, try to avoid any super detailed display or complex script typefaces. When searching for the perfect typeface, try it out both at large display sizes and at smaller body sizes to see if it’s still readable when displayed at 12px or 14px sizes.
Color palettes can be a book cover’s biggest asset—or biggest downfall. The right color palette draws the reader’s eye and gives them an idea of the tone and mood of the book, while the wrong colors risk confusing your audience. For example, neon colors typically indicate that a book will be fun to read and not too serious. Dark colors? This book could be serious or scary (depending on genre).
However, remember that color palettes are only one part of establishing a mood. You can, for example, create a scary mood with a pastel cover with the right visual elements (for instance, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White has a pastel pink cover).
8. Don’t overlook the spine or back cover
While a book’s front cover gets all the glory, the spine and back cover are also important design elements. Spines, especially, are important when a reader is browsing bookstore shelves, where most books are arranged on shelves with only the spine showing.
You also need to take into account that due to the way offset printers work, your front cover, back cover, and spine may not always align perfectly. By continuing the basic background design around the entire cover, you avoid the spine or back cover looking bad due to printing errors. This ensures that your entire book cover looks professional and consistent.
How to Write the “Gifted” Kid
Intro
First, I apologize for the slightly misleading title when this is also a thinly veiled excuse to rant about being said “gifted” kid. But I also do want to touch on this topic because it’s something I’m familiar with, having seen it in many other people my age. The irony of the system I’ve seen and experienced is that it’s meant to push us up, but instead far more often pulls us down.
Note: I think the idea that people are more gifted than others is complete nonsense, therefore I have placed it in quotation marks in the title. I will not be using the quotations throughout the entire post; however, please assume they are there, just invisible.
Remember too, that this is my experience, and a lot of these are my opinions; you may have had a different experience, and that is also completely valid!
Pressure
“Gifted” kids are often singled out at a young age by the education system. Usually they have desirable qualities like good memorization, determination, and curiosity. Sometimes they’re chosen by their school to take part in a “gifted and talented” program or something similar. The result is that they grow up with a lot more pressure on them to do well in school, and later on, life. They are expected to achieve high and aim for success, all with relatively little effort because they’re “gifted.”
But as they grow older, they become more insignificant as the number of gifted kids increases, and suddenly they’re struggling to compete with a dozen other people at any given time.
And speaking of grades, that’s another thing gifted kids focus on. A lot of gifted kids end up connecting their self-worth to their grades, which eventually leads to low self-esteem, mental exhaustion and low mental health, and burnout.
Perfectionism
Another effect of being a gifted kid is growing up believing that you have to be perfect. This often leads to a huge fear of failure and/or disappointment.
Perfectionism has always been a huge issue for me. When I check my grades, I get a cold, almost nauseous feeling from the anticipation. I cry when I don’t understand a lesson the first time because I expect myself to be perfect. I hate not being good at something the first time I do it. It’s terrible and it’s irrational, but it’s a habit, and a hard one to break, at that.
Not all gifted kids are perfectionists, but it’s a common trait. You probably know that one kid who complains about getting an A minus or some other grade that’s still good. That’s the gifted perfectionist, on a bit of an exaggerated level.
Gifted kids are held to a much higher standard, and I believe that’s what causes the perfectionism in the first place. Our identities are tied to our success. If other people aren’t satisfied with us, we aren’t satisfied with ourselves. If we make mistakes, we become them. It’s a vicious cycle that’s difficult to break out of, but unfortunately, it’s a reality for many.
Academic career
(Disclaimer: A lot of what I say here applies to the United States. If you live in another country, I would be interested to hear about what the typical “gifted” academic career looks like!)
Gifted kids frequently take honors classes, AP classes, or IB classes in their academic career, and usually more than one at any given time. Also, note that College Board, which runs AP and a bunch of other tests and classes, is regarded as a scam and a rip-off by most people, and it’s something of a running joke among AP students. I’m not going to dip into that discourse here, but I do believe that exams are very expensive and the grading scale is designed to be deliberately detail-oriented and harsh.
All of this is to say; gifted kids spend most of their early lives learning to build toward their future. A frequent problem is, though, that it’s not a future they’ve chosen for themself. I’ve chosen it, but there are plenty who haven’t, or people who want to escape it and can’t.
Burnout and motivation
All of this can lead to declining mental health and self-esteem and close connections. “Gifted kid burnout” is a common condition as gifted kids get older. They work themselves to the point of exhaustion, and use coping mechanisms such as old childhood/comfort hobbies or fandoms. Another popular coping mechanism is procrastination.
Often at this point, productivity sharply tumbles, and the gifted kid is left wondering why they can’t seem to summon any of their old achievements and success. This may bring them to a loss of motivation and increased apathy towards life.
Why it’s problematic
The entire concept of “gifted” kids is designed to benefit only a select few, and then then, after the system is done with them, I wouldn’t call those few “benefited.” And what about those who aren’t deemed gifted? Are they average? Below-average? The system is divisive and discriminatory, and it needs to be reworked.
Gifted kids are also forced into competition, both with others and themselves. Their careers become a race against their own productivity and success. And when that fails, they’re left with the dregs of their mental health.
Outro
Hardly any of this was actual writing advice, but I hope some of it was useful, or at least eye-opening. This may not be the most important issue out there, but it is certainly one of the most common ones. When you're writing a gifted kid character, keep these things in mind. Thank you for reading!
are you really lost if you don't want to return
writing a satisfying slow-burn romance
"There is such a gravity in your words that the entire world falls silent to your call" - excerpt from a book ill never write
We all slow-burn romances - but how do you write one so it isn't boring? or worse, one that doesn't feel completely satisfying when the characters *finally* come together. You don't get that feeling of happiness and relief when they do - so how do you prevent that?
#1. The common ground
What do they have in common? What really spurs on their chemistry? There should be something that binds them together, and shows the readers that oh yeah these two would be awesome together. Make use of 'opposites attract' or maybe they dislike each other at first, but bond over something in their past! They don't have to be very close very fast - but slowly, slowly, their chemistry should build up!
#2. Have a conflict that drives them apart, or pits them against each other
This is the part that we all secretly love - the angst. Your main plot should pull these two apart in some way; physically, emotionally, spiritually - however you want it. This adds the 'slow' element - since they're apart, we don't actively see them falling for each other. However far apart you pull them, keep giving your readers a glance at how their relationship will be possible someday. We love those crumbs - like one of them rushing to save the other when they're in danger, or patching up wounds.
#3. Show the cute moments
Show the two of them in a situation where they're awkward with each other - maybe they go ice-skating, and one of them is absolutely amazing at it and the other one keeps falling. These soft interactions and fluff are so KWJRGKJGE <33
#4. Make one of them hurt the other
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, one of them should hurt the other one. This creates a gap and a distance between them, further slowing down their romance. How they resolve it is up to you - maybe they forgive each other, or it's something they fight to solve together. It's absolutely painful, and will make the ending much more satisfying.
#5. Weave in symbolism
Make every interaction of theirs meaningful. Every moment should 'count' and add something to their relationship or character development. One of my favourite kinds of symbolism is when the characters having opposing colour schemes - red and blue, for example. It often adds to their relationship, and is something I personally love!
#6. Tie it all together
In the end, whether they get a happy ending or not, they should have a 'moment' (unless you're really cruel and want them separated without closure/j) where they finally admit to their feelings. It's the moment shippers will wait for - so make it count.
How to Finish A First Draft
Source: https://thewritepractice.com/first-draft/
post by @writingwithacutlass on instagram
Here are the two steps for writing a book:
1: sit down*
2: write.
*this step is optional.
That’s all you have to do to write a book. You can’t edit a book you never wrote! If you want to finish writing a novel, you’re gonna need to have a finished first draft.
As the article puts it; writing is not:
thinking about writing, buying books on writing, talking about writing, listening to podcasts about writing, attending writing conferences, dreaming about writing, getting a tattoo about writing, watching movies about writing, talking to your cat about writing—none of those activities will write your book.
But if you’re simply clueless on how to actually write a first draft, never fear! I’ve got you covered :) swipe!
figure out the story first
You’ll need something to guide you as you write your first draft. If you’re new to writing, you’ll figure out soon enough if you’re a plotter, plantser, or pantser, but either way you’ll want at least a vague idea of where you’re headed.
write a blurb and get feedback on it
Write a short paragraph (such as one you would find on the back of a book) that sums up your story. (don’t reveal the ending though!) share it with your friends or someone you trust (keep in mind that friends might sugarcoat to avoid hurting your feelings, so maybe ask someone else) and get their feedback on it. Did they read all the way through or did they zone out after the first sentence? Be sure they can give you honest opinions on it.
don’t let yourself get distracted while writing
When you sit down to write, it’s best if you keep all distractions away from you. Put your phone in another room, find a quiet spot, put on some music if it helps you...create a space where you can write without losing your train of thought every five seconds.
write “tk” as placeholder
When you’re unsure of something, do NOT go to google and try to figure out what it is. Write “tk” as a placeholder, as there are no words (or at least hardly any) in English that have those two letters next to each other. Later, you can search “tk” in your document and all those placeholders will show up.
don’t stop
Momentum is everything when it comes to first drafts. You need to keep writing until the first draft is complete!
don’t rewrite, edit or reread until it’s finished
Editing as you write will slow you down SO MUCH. if you’d like to save yourself a heap of time, just don’t do it. Same goes for rewriting. It’s fine as it is, you can fix things in later drafts. As for rereading what you wrote, it’s best if you don't do this either. It wastes time and keeps your mind stuck in what you already wrote, instead of what you need to write now.
don’t get discouraged
It’s really easy to get discouraged while writing a first draft. We’ve all been there. Don’t give up!! Despite all the writing advice you can find online, perseverance is really the main key when writing first drafts. You’ve got this, I'm rooting for you!
set deadlines + goals
Deadlines and goals are very helpful for both motivation and keeping track of your progress. Make sure your set *attainable* goals, or else you’ll become stressed and eventually give up. Celebrate your progress!
find a supportive community
Having supportive friends is the best thing ever :) my online friends motivate me so much, and some of them have saved my wip from dying lol but if you aren’t in a community yet, go join one! And if you don’t know where to find one, don’t worry :) instagram’s writing community is wonderful and everyone is so supportive of each other! The algorithm is being horrible to us right now but everyone is really welcoming to new accounts and you can find friends and writing buddies!
How to Develop a Writing Routine
Credit: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-consistent-writing-schedule#5-benefits-of-a-writing-schedule
Find a time of day that works best for you
Set the same writing time every day—or every other day if that’s more realistic. Early morning works well for creative writing because the brain is fresh. But if you’re a night owl, or if you’re a student or jobholder, writing later in the day might work better. Before you know it, your daily writing sessions will become just another part of your routine that you just do without thinking twice.
Routine ≠ daily
Just because you have a writing routine doesn’t mean you have to write every day. In fact, writing every day can lead to burnout and loss of motivation. Also, some days you simply won’t be able or willing to write. Yes, it’s important to get words down when you don’t feel like writing, but that shouldn’t take precedence over your mental health and things that are more important. Maybe you write on weekdays and take a break on the weekend. Maybe you write only Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Whatever the case, find a routine that works for you and your schedule!
Create your own writing calendar
When you put writing on your daily to-do lists, take it a step further. Physically write your writing time in a calendar or daily planner, or block it out in a digital one. That makes it more official, like writing down any other appointment that you’re obligated to keep. You can’t ignore it because it’s quite literally a part of your day now!
Prioritize your projects
Some writers have more than one idea in their head, which can make it hard to know where to start. Write a list of your ideas in order of priority. Then, starting with the first one, write an outline or a step-by-step guide to writing. Create milestones and deadlines to help you see each phase through until you have a finished story! If you have a lot of projects and you’re not sure which to work on, try determining which project is more underdeveloped or close to completion, or simply choose the one that’s better for your creativity!
Have a plan for writer’s block
Writer’s block is bound to happen, especially if you’re working on one project for a long time. Be prepared so you don’t end up just staring at your computer screen. That can look like having a list of daily writing prompts or doing stream-of-consciousness freewriting. Find creative ways to use spare time that isn’t spent writing! For example, if you’re writing a non-fiction book, use that writing downtime to do research on your subject matter.
Word count
Another way of keeping yourself responsible is to implement a daily or a total word count goal. Having a minimum word count on any given day can motivate you to get words on the page. However, this can be pressuring or impossible for some. If you’re one of those people, just recording your word count might motivate you in a healthier way. Remember to do what works for you!
Find a writing space
Take the guessing out of where you’re going to write each day by designating a writing space. Set it up so it’s all ready for you to write in every day when you sit down. I wouldn’t recommend writing in bed, because you’re more likely to get distracted or sleepy. Muscle memory is important, so try finding a place and only doing writing in it!
Keep your writing files organized
When you sit down to write, make sure all of your files are organized so they’re easy to access. The simpler you make it to sit down and get started, the easier it will be to start writing at your predetermined time. Save your stories in Google Docs or Microsoft Word and keep them in folders. Label each document with the working title. Keep track of your progress on each project in an Excel spreadsheet.
Join a writing community
Find inspiration by connecting with other writers. Find a local writer’s group, attend writing workshops, or participate in NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month. Join groupchats on social media and post about your writing. You’ll have an incentive to show up with words and you’ll be held accountable by other people!
Writers know 50 different ways to say a sentence but are still speechless when someone asks them what their WIP is about
A random song: I brought you inspiration...
Me: Oh, thanks!
The song: ...for a new WIP >:)
Me: No-
Writer culture is perpetually daydreaming about fictional characters, stories, and worlds.
How to Use Descriptive Writing
Credit: http://www.glimmertrain.com/bulletins/essays/b113geni.php
Intro
Every story exists somewhere between the writer's imagination and the reader's imagination. So, finding the right balance of description is critical. Good description sketches a clear picture but does not fill in every single detail. It builds and deepens the reality of the story in vibrant ways, but also leaves room for the reader to imagine some of the features and qualities of the world. This work invests the reader in the story and allows them to claim and connect with the story, and even be a partner in creating it!
Know your setting well
Place is essential to any story. It defines the scope of your characters' actions—where they go, what they feel and see and hear and taste and touch, how large an effect they have on the world around them, how many people they interact with, how rich and full their lives are. Make intentional choices about your setting. Urban or rural? Beautiful or ugly? Familiar or unknown? Safe or perilous? Interesting or dull? Spacious or cramped? Bright or dark? Pleasant or off-putting? The setting defines the size and shape of the story.
Be specific
Once you've chosen a setting, be specific about its nature. Your setting should never seem vague or half-imagined. Some writers will draw landscape maps. Some will create a layout for the house in which their characters live. If your story takes place outdoors, be aware of the terrain, the season of the year, the foliage, the weather, the color and texture of the sky. If your story takes place indoors, be aware of the architecture, the kind of furniture, the feel and layout of the room, the amount and quality of light, the smell of the air. This doesn’t mean you have to describe all these elements in detail, but the more aware you are of your setting, the more you’ll be able to capture it and integrate it into the story!
Remember to use all five senses
Many writers have a "default sense" that they use reflexively when writing description. (For most of us, this is vision. A lot of writers will describe what things look like and stop there.) Pay attention to what "default sense" you may use, and try to break out of the habit whenever possible. Smell, in particular, can be incredibly evocative when written well. Think about temperature, ambient sounds, the feel of the ground, and the taste of the air as well.
Emotion and action
Description can echo and enhance the mood of a story. There's a reason so many love scenes take place in the wild crush of pouring rain. Your use of description can heighten, alter, or mirror what your characters are feeling. The same interaction will seem different if it happens in a labyrinthine mansion or a dark alley or a children's playground. If two characters are having a terrible fight, placing them in a tight, claustrophobic room will heighten the tension, while placing them in an open, breezy field will defuse it. A coming storm creates the sensation of foreboding. Heat slows the story down. A cold breeze chills the reader too. Think about how your descriptions can affect the emotion and action of the story.
Characters
It is as important to describe your characters as it is to describe the setting. Physicality makes these people real to the reader. Make sure you know what your characters look like and that your descriptions are consistent.
When describing your characters, reconsider hair and eye color, as well as height and weight--these are still significant, but they can also be repetitive. Think, instead, about more complex descriptors. Consider your characters' gestures, the shape of their facial features, their gait, their dimples, their scars, the way they laugh, the quality of their teeth, their stance, their fashion sense, their odor, their vocal tone, etc.
Think in terms of "telling details": details that let the reader see your characters while also revealing something about their minds. In this way, your descriptions can do double duty: giving the reader a physical picture while also showing an inner, mental trait.
Vary the length of your sentences
If you favor long, winding, complex sentences, remember that too much of this style can overwhelm and exhaust the reader. Take a break and include shorter sentences every so often. If, on the other hand, you prefer brief, choppy, staccato sentences, remember that too much of this sort of prose can seem breathless and frantic. Take a break and include a long, dreamy sentence every now and then to calm the reader down.
Dialogue and description
Description can be particularly useful when writing dialogue. If your characters are conversing for a long time, they can start to seem disembodied. The reader may lose track of who's talking or forget the physical space that holds the characters. It's important to include imagery and description at regular intervals to ground the characters' voices in reality. A paragraph of description can slow down a ping-pong interaction and quiet an intense and heated interaction. It can give the reader a beat to take in some new information. It can add nuance and nonverbal subtlety to the characters, shading and enhancing what they're saying.
Finding a balance
Too much description can bog down a story, but not enough can have the opposite effect, making the characters seem weightless and detached from reality. However, this is something to think about only during the process of revision: you shouldn’t worry about it while actively writing something new. When it comes to description, finding the right balance will take time, space, and the clarity of mind that comes from editing a finished piece, not creating a new one. While you're actively writing, don't worry about whether you're using too much or too little description. Feel free to try things and make mistakes! When in doubt, write more description than you think you'll need. You can always take things out afterward.
How to Block Your Scenes
Credit: https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2018/01/how-to-handle-blocking.html
What is blocking?
The term "blocking" is borrowed from play performances. Blocking is just about anything an actor does that isn't dialogue: where they stand, where they look, how they interact with the setting, how they move across the stage, how close they are to what, how they interact with props.
Blocking is just as important in fiction writing! If you don't use blocking, not only does it make it difficult for the audience to imagine where your characters are relative to the setting, but you're selling your story short by not using it to your advantage. Here is what you can do to block your best scenes!
Continuity errors
One of the main problems with blocking in unpublished fiction is continuity errors. In one line, a character is sitting on a couch in the living room, and a few lines later, they’re sitting on their bed, in the same scene with no sense of motion. Continuity errors also commonly happen with food or with objects characters are holding. Also, watch out for when characters' hands are full or when you have them doing something they aren't capable of. In some cases, motions can be assumed--but make sure they can be, or that you imply them somehow, so that it doesn't read like a continuity error. Make sure you watch carefully for when characters sit down, when they’re standing, and if they do the same motions twice.
Spatial vagueness
Another one of the most common problems with blocking, is vagueness. This usually happens because the setting, objects, or characters' distances from one another or other things haven't been properly established.
For example, take the quote, "Joey walked down the street"--yet as the scene goes on, there is no sense of what street, what city, what it looks like, what season it is, or where or why he is walking in the first place. Sometimes there isn’t any sense of setting and only conversations and body language, and then there’s a line like, "Tiff walked inside." Were they were outside that whole conversation? And what did she walk into? When blocking is vague, the audience has to fill in the blanks, which can be a problem if it's not what the author actually pictures.
Specificity
Being specific isn't necessarily the same as being detailed. Details can help make something be specific, but they aren't the same thing. And with blocking, in some cases, the more detailed it is, the more it hurts the story because it slows the pacing and changes the story's focus. In the example above, "Joey walked down the street," the sentence can be more specific by adding and changing a few words. "Joey walked down Mulberry Street, autumn leaves crunching under his feet." In certain kinds of action scenes, it can be very important to be specific in word choice, and not in details. "Margaret hit Lara in the jaw." But if you try to put too much detail into action, it can slow the moment way down. In some cases, it's helpful to establish the setting before the characters start interacting with it. This makes the setting or "stage" more specific in the reader's mind. Be specific, not vague. How much detail you include depends on pacing and the focus of the scene.
Blocking to contribute to or emphasize points
This is especially true for conversations. As an argument gets more intense, a character may invade the other's personal space. If one character is vulnerable, whether the second draws closer or steps away can convey a lot. Of course, you can use setting and props to do the same thing. As an argument gets intense, one character might throw something at the other. If someone is uncomfortable, they could put up a barrier. If they’re feeling vulnerable, they might "hide" or "block" themself. This is blocking that emphasizes and contributes to the situation or point at hand, and even heightens tension. Even in a scene where blocking is the primary focus (building an invention, forging a sword, hunting), how the character interacts with the setting and objects can emphasize points--how sweaty their hands are against a climbing wall, the way they beat the metal, how many shots they shoot.
Blocking to convey character
Similar, yet different from, the last section, you can use blocking to convey character, rather than just the moment at hand. A character who sees litter at a park and picks it up is much different than one who adds to it. A character who comforts a crying stranger is different than one who ignores them. A character who always makes sure they’re near an exit is different than one who could care less. Blocking is great to show character and their feelings, rather than tell them.
This is a great time to add in mannerisms and tendencies as well--this way the audience can get to know your character well through only their actions!
Blocking to give motion to still or stagnant scenes
A lot of beginning writers will open a story with a character sitting and thinking. One of the reasons this is a problem is because there is no motion and nothing happening in the present moment. So how do we fix this? Use blocking to add motion. If done correctly, not only does this create more motion and interest, but also gives you material for the two bullet points before this one, so that it can actually add to the introspection and characterization. With that said, some conversations are very important, interesting, have high tension, or natural draws--they may have incorporeal motion--and already carry the audience, and sometimes when you put in blocking, it actually takes away from that, instead of contributing to it, by drawing away the audience's attention. So watch for that, as well!
Blocking for natural pauses, lulls in conversations, and for beats in dialogue
On the topic of dialogue exchanges, when there is a natural pause in dialogue or a lull in conversation, instead of saying, "There was a moment of quiet," you can put in a bit of blocking to convey that. Sometimes actions really do speak louder than words!
You can also use blocking for beats in dialogue. Rather than always using dialogue tags, you can use a beat to imply who is speaking what line. It doesn’t clutter up the dialogue with tags, and it adds to the emotional impact of the scene!
Multitasking blocking
Try to have your blocking accomplish more than one thing. Maybe it can hike up tension and convey character. Maybe it can emphasize a point and help us follow a fight scene. Maybe it can replace a dialogue tag and convey something important about the setting. And remember, in some scenes blocking is more important than in other scenes!
How to Write Rivals to Lovers
Credit: https://allwritealright.com/writing-from-enemies-to-lovers-creating-dynamic-relationships/
Intro
I would argue that rivals to lovers is superior over enemies to lovers because it’s less toxic and more satisfying. Typically, it results in a healthier relationship than most enemies-to-lovers relationships because it presents a less dark or drastic reason for them to dislike each other (like killing the other’s loved ones, etc). With rivals to lovers, you get jealousy, pining, banter, tension, and of course, a great payoff!
Establish the characters
First and foremost, you’re going to need to make sure that the rivals have the potential to get along. You need to be very strategic about how you design these characters, since this will determine whether or not the dynamic will work authentically. The characters should be unique individuals, obviously, but you need to build them in such a way that your readers will be able to identify their chemistry.
The two characters should have some similar or complementary traits. They should also have traits that make up for the other’s shortcomings, and they should have struggles and flaws that the other character could help them with--if they could only cooperate. These subtle parallels should give readers the sense that the characters would get along, if not for whatever obstacle warped their opinions of each other in the beginning.
Decide why they dislike each other
There are a number of different reasons that characters could have for disliking each other, but you need to be careful about how you approach this. The characters’ hatred should never be based on things that are unforgivable, and they shouldn’t be allowed to evolve as a result of abuse or trauma. Never romanticize bullying, abuse, or manipulation. With that said, here are plausible backstories for their rivalry:
Competition, also known as the main pillar of this trope. Competition can bring out the worst in people, so if your two characters are both vying for the same goal, they might clash as a result. The great thing about this type of hatred is that it might be accompanied by great respect for their rival, and it also gives you a good similarity between the characters that you can rely on to draw them closer together.
Desires. If these characters want the same thing, then the next thing they want is not to let the other get it. This is closely connected to competition. This sets up an interesting plotline as readers wonder who will achieve their prize first...or who might lose it. More on this later!
Conflict. Being on opposing sides of a conflict, such as a debate or dispute, positions characters to dislike each other regardless of their personalities. Their dislike for each other is based on their moral dedication to their country, faction, or clan, and not on their inherent qualities as people.
Society. They might dislike each other because of their parents, education, or class differences. If characters believe they dislike each other because they were taught to dislike each other, then they will have to work out their own internal struggles individually before they can get along together.
Actually falling in love
The biggest mistake that writers make with this trope is moving through the arc too quickly. Overcoming intense feelings for another person takes time, and it happens in distinct phases. First, the characters need to forgive each other and reconcile with their rivalry. Then, they will likely be friends before they can come anywhere close to falling in love. Rivals to lovers must be slowburn to be effective. Some methods of showing it are below:
Forced proximity/conversation
Reluctant partnership (a personal favorite!)
Physical, emotional, or sexual attraction
Banter or teasing
Staring
Flirting
Remembering small things about the other character
Coming to the thought that maybe the other person isn’t so bad / things might be different if they weren’t rivals
Letting the other person beat them in something
Let the characters evolve
If the characters are going to make things work between them, they cannot simply continue the way things have always been. They must acknowledge where they were wrong, and change themselves for the better. They must confront their beliefs and change their perspective, and above all else, they need to forgive themselves and each other for the time they spent disliking the other.
In many cases, characters will need to redeem themselves before their relationship will work. This is a great opportunity to write a redemption arc for one (or both) of the characters, which can make readers feel even more emotionally attached to the characters.
Climax and conflict
At the heart of every rivals-to-lovers story, there’s something that both characters want--otherwise they wouldn’t be rivals! It sets up a very interesting conflict, due to their changing feelings for each other. Who needs the prize more? Who wants it more? Will one of them yield for the other, or will they forge ahead with selfishness and guilt? Or will they both realize that what they need is something completely different from what they thought they wanted?
This is an excellent time to incorporate a betrayal or forgiveness trope. Rivals to lovers implies high stakes, because there is something that they are fighting for. Show those stakes, and you’ll have both an excellent story and an excellent romance!
Love confessions
Once the characters have overcome the obstacles in the way of their love and come to terms with how they feel, the next step is for them to admit those feelings to each other. How your character decides to approach this decision is going to depend on their personality and their existing relationship with the other person. Make sure the scene carries some emotional weight to it: you want readers to feel like the stakes are high.
Your characters aren’t likely to confess their love without feeling some shred of reciprocity. If they haven’t noticed any indication that the other person likes them back, then they’re probably going to sit on those feelings for a while. Both of the characters can even be doing this at the same time, without realizing that the other person feels the same way (which is both really frustrating and really gratifying for the reader!).
What Asian Readers Want to See More of in Fiction
what my audience wants to see more of in Asian representation:
- fantasy with aspects of asian culture!!
- brown asians brown asians brown asi-
- Asians of different skin tones and body types
- strong asian mcs
- More Southeast Asian characters
- Pretty Asians!! Aesthetics aren't just for Westerners
- Maybe just mentioned? I'm soooo happy when another book mentions my country
- more Asian settings, myths, cultures, and ethnicities
- More mixed characters! I'm mixed Asian and I've never read about a mixed character like me
- as an indian, would love to see indian parents that AREN'T abusive. it's a hurtful stereotype
- more smart Asians who aren't written stereotypically!
- South Asians of all religions, there are so many South Asian Muslims but so few are represented
- not just East Asian cultures, also the differences between cultures in the same country
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what i want to see more of in Asian representation:
- The clear acknowledgement that Asians are not a monolith
- Fantasy countries that are based on Asian countries besides China
- Asian characters from different parts of Asia
- Asian characters who are disconnected from their culture
- Asian characters who refuse to shorten their names or refuse to go by nicknames
- More stories with/based off Asian myths
- Asian characters without strict and oppressive parents, like the stereotype of the “tiger mom”
- That being said, I would like to see the acknowledgement of the pressure often put on Asian kids to succeed
- Asian characters who can and will mess up--stop portraying us as “perfect.” We’re just as flawed as anyone else.
- In that same vein: morally gray Asian characters
- Asian characters who are proud of their heritage and take the time to show/explain it to others (this makes me really happy when it’s done right!)
Some of My Poetry
love letter to a supernova
remember when
we orbited each other like planets,
caught up in the gravity of our own innocence?
i could tell you that your eyes were like nebulas,
your heart as rapidly expanding as a galaxy,
your smile a streaking comet in a sea of darkness,
and all of it would be true
and yet not enough to describe you.
-
because, darling, you were my universe.
i could never know every part of you
but that never stopped me from trying.
-
yet the constellations are filled with tragedies,
and the stars within them mourn and die;
and when you ignited in a spray of self-destruction,
my heart collapsed in on itself.
-
perhaps stars are never meant to love;
for one moment of brilliant, burning passion is not enough
to define all the dark days after.
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unwritten definitions
hollow. verb: to throw a stone and hear no echo; to feel nothing where something used to be; to carve out your own heart and offer it upon an altar of your own bones.
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gen z
i am a part of a generation that died before it lived.
even before we opened our eyes to stinging air
we knew our struggle would be our story.
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i am part of a generation that is accustomed
to things ending even as they begin,
innocence most of all.
-
i am part of a generation that inherited
the problems of the past, yet was not raised
with the full knowledge of the mantle it stood to shoulder.
-
i am part of a generation that longs to be accepted,
and i am part of a generation that has accepted itself
because no one else will.
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i am part of a generation that demands change.
we refuse the heirlooms of ignorance our elders offer
because we will not trade truth for tired lies.
-
and i am part of a generation that hopes to heal.
we will remember and memorialize
the tears and troubles of those who came before us,
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and we will come to terms with our own pain.
our hearts were made to burn brightly,
but left unchecked, they threaten ash.
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eulogy
content warning // implied police brutality, mentions of death
this is for the ones who should have lived.
this is for the ones whose deaths were what it took for people to turn their heads.
this is for the ones who never woke up from the nightmare others call the Dream.
this is for the ones whose names are mangled as badly as their bodies.
this is for the ones who did everything right.
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this is for the ones who survived.
this is for the ones who didn’t know they were saying goodbye for the last time.
this is for the ones who are still learning to speak in past tense.
this is for the ones who live in fear.
this is for the ones who are exhausted.
-
this is for the ones who never find justice,
and for the ones who never stop trying.
Developing a Plot
Credit: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-master-the-art-of-plot-development#what-are-the-elements-of-a-good-plot
Introduction
Plot, also known as the bane of writers everywhere. How are you supposed to keep your readers entertained when there are so many other things they could be doing? How can you stretch out the events enough to cover tens or hundreds of pages? There is no one way to approach plotting, but there are ways to make it easier. In the end, the best way to plot is to practice!
Sketch out a plot outline
Mapping out your plot ideas can streamline your fiction writing process and help you through periods of writer’s block. The extent to which a writer outline varies, but plotters, plantsers, and pantsers alike can pick and choose which of these tips to use!
One way is to start with a freewriting session. Brainstorm scene ideas, story points, and character information. Next, organize your basic ideas into an outline to get your basic plot structure down. Place your major beats into your outline, and then create the scenes between these beats to create continuity in your storyline.
Start with the action
Your exposition--or the background information and worldbuilding for your book--has several important duties. It identifies the main character, establishes the setting and the themes of your story, and launches the plot. You need to write all this in a way that hooks the reader and engages them through the entire novel. One way to do that is by diving right into the action, dropping your reader into the scene in medias res, or Latin for “in the midst of things.” This sets the pace from the beginning and creates a strong open that engages a reader.
Lay the groundwork for the climax during the rising action
Now that you’ve set the stage, the rising action is where you really build the plot of your story, develop characters, and propel the tension towards the climax--the most active and dramatic part of the book. Over the course of the rising action, drop reminders of the conflict that’s driving the plot. Accomplish this by raising the stakes with plot points--dramatic turning points that force the protagonist to make crucial decisions that send the story in new directions. Adding these surprising plot twists keeps the momentum moving. Plot points also help deepen character development by revealing their strengths and flaws.
Create a rich narrative with subplots
A good story has several plotlines running through the narrative. Write subplots to weave in and out of your main plot. A subplot is a shorter side-story that introduces secondary characters, provides a backstory that informs a character's actions and motivations, and supports the themes established in the main plot. A common subplot is romance, but there are so many more options.
Leave your readers satisfied
When the tension has reached its peak, it’s time for the climax to resolve the conflict. If you have great exposition and dramatic rising action, then this final face-off between the protagonist and antagonist should be a big payoff. Finally, write an ending that ties up loose ends and closes out character arcs--this can happen in either a final chapter or an epilogue (as a reader, though, I prefer the epilogue). Readers will be glad they followed the story through to this satisfying resolution!
Read other authors
All great writers employ their own writing style and creative process to develop a plot with the five structural elements. If you want to refine the writing process and learn how to develop a great plot, read from writers similar to you. You might pick a bestseller, like a Rick Riordan book, and study it as an example of how plot and humor work together to play well to a large audience. Determine which authors you want to observe and which authors are like you.
This also comes in handy later, when you want to make comparisons between other works and authors and your book. For example, I’d describe my own WIP as “An Ember in the Ashes meets The Poppy War.”
did it hurt? when your word count for the day turned out to be not even half of what you thought it was?
me: it was a sad day when my ability to be productive passed away...
my productivity: stop telling everyone I'm dead!
me, opening instagram: sometimes I think I can still hear their voice