All I Write

I’m a writer. I’m too curious for my own good; which is why I want to become a detective someday. Aspiration: live where it always rains and write and occasionally stroll around solving mysteries in an old trench coat.

[alliwrite]

winter is coming

it’s the most wonderful tiiiiimmmeeee *spits snow out of mouth* *skids over an ice lake* of the yeaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrr *lands headfirst in a pile of snow* *muffled shrieking*

[teenagerposts]

(via tank.sinatra)

[ddrvbiblgigb]

[garfield-baybee]

Reblog to have something good happen at 1:42 tomorrow

[nounamegirl]

I am REALLY needing anything good, even if it’s just 5 cents on the floor

[flashinqlights]

ok so there’s a game me and my friends play called “don’t get me started” and basically someone gives another person a random topic and they have to go on an angry rant about it and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us at parties and car rides so I highly recommend playing sometimes with your friends

[blueandbluer]

I love this idea. We used to do things like this in Improv.

[whatyouwanted-whatyougot]

Related game: “THINK ABOUT IT.” You’re given a random topic, and your job is to build it into an epic conspiracy theory, the crazier the better. You end your rant with a serious face and the command that your listeners “Think about it.” 

[astrojukebox]

Another related game: Illuninati. Similar to Think About It except you are given 2 completely different topics and you have to connect them to each other in a wild conspiracy rant

[a-simpler-life]

Rb to safe an awkward hang out

[fuocogo]

These are honestly how I’ve always communicated with my friends

[writing-in-the-grave]

ATTENTION WRITERS

Google BetaBooks. Do it now. It’s the best damn thing EVER.

You just upload your manuscript, write out some questions for your beta readers to answer in each chapter, and invite readers to check out your book!

It’s SO easy!

You can even track your readers! It tells you when they last read, and what chapter they read!

Your beta readers can even highlight and react to the text!!!

There’s also this thing where you can search the website for available readers best suited for YOUR book!

Seriously guys, BetaBooks is the most useful website in the whole world when it comes to beta reading, and… IT’S FREE.

[shinningstarz]

HEY! BECAUSE OF OP, THEY CREATED A SPECIAL WELCOME IF YOUR FOUND THEM THRU A TUMBLR WELCOME, ITS A YOUTUBE VIDEO.

[writing-in-the-grave]

They also sent me this; which was super cool

[writingonjupiter]

*slams reblog button*

[shaelinwrites]

Hey Shaelin! Looking for music recs here. I'm about to start drafting a novel and I really want to evoke a strong creepy atmosphere throughout. Do you have any song that spring to mind to help me get in the zone? Thanks <3

I don’t know if all of these really count as creepy haha, but maybe you could check out:

-I’ll Borrow Time by Marika Hackman (creepy circus vibe?)

-Undone Undress by Marika Hackman (eerie creepy)

-Red Shoes by Marika Hackman (creepy folksong)

-Stone Body by Folded Voices (sad??)

-Touch by Lights Fade Low (eerie creepy w/ creepy lyrics)

-Clair de Lune by Little Green Cars (idk it just came to mind?)

-Creep by Radiohead (cuz title)

-Lotus Flower by Radiohead (bc more Radiohead?)

-When I’m Small by Phantogram (I don’t know it just came to mind?)

[writingbox]

[languages-georg-blog]

An Actual Writing Tip From An Actual Author

Wow holy shit I’m gonna actually give you guys an actual writing tip, being a published and award winning author and all.

Anyways, a great way to work in TOTALLY UNRELATED little details about your setting or what have you that may or may not be relevant later on is through the use of metaphors, euphemisms, etc. in character dialogue.

“This cold is terrible! I’m wearing more layers than an Aenirian bride!”

Congratulations, you now know something about Aenirian marriage customs. You might not even know what exactly an Aenirian is, but you know that their brides wear lots of layers.

See where I’m going with this?

[thievesguilding]

also even though it seems like common sense little details add so much depth and flavour to a story even and maybe especially when those details aren’t plot relevant

not everything in the real world connects neatly and seamlessly with everything else; there are TONS of loose ends in real life because there’s an entire world that keeps going regardless of one particular person or group’s drama

having proof of a world outside of and utterly unconcerned with the main conflict is such a nice touch and a really quick way to breathe life into dialogue

[languages-georg-blog]

Excellent addition!

[georgiacwritblr-deactivated2020]

Alright !

A nice anon asked me the other day about my writing software, and I gave out the name “manuskript” and like, realised that i really wanted to share more about it with you guys ! (I gain no money for that, i just really like that app ?)

SO, Manuskript.

First it’s free. So, yeah, nice ! Then :

Parts to put your general infos and summary, with option to put different sized summary. NICE. Then I guess you’d like to keep tracks of your character ? Well good cause here :

Sorted into main/secondary/minor for your convenience. You can chose colors for them which will be useful later… Mine is pretty empty cause I got all in my brain and forget to put it down here but see that last tab ? Perfect for a character sheet ! Then you’ve got plots, sub-plots, sub-subplots ? Here you go :

I did some censorship there, because I wouldn’t want to spoil you but see ? Organised in importance, general infos, characters part of the plot/subplot, then resolution steps. Also there’s a button on the right side so if you wanna have the book summary on screen you can. SO NICE. 

Also I guess you may have some worldbuilding to do ? GOOD cause there’s a part for this too !

Here you can put all your worldbuilding stuff, under categories of your choice ! 

Now you want to do some plans for your writing ? put down chapters, parts ? guess what’s in the “outline” tab ;)

On your left, you plots and subplots. In the middle, your outline. You can also put a summary, one line or longer, set the POV, and the wordcount goal down there. HOW COOL.

 What about ACTUALLY WRITING NOW ?

Here is the Editor with all parts open : outline on the left, data, cheat and search tab on the right, and that thing that let’s you keep track of things you put in References (in the data tab) through chapters, with POVS, down. 

Note : You can chose also what appears in the outline bar : here i set it so that i have :  - progression percentage after categories, wordcount after chapters -  color of chapter icon indicates POV - color of categories and chapters name indicate progression (red = not started or less than half [or two thirds ?] of goal, blue = half of goal or more, green = goal or more, orange = more than a third of goal above it)

Of course you can chose which tabs are open. For example this is my usual set. Outline, data, nothing more

I don’t use much of the “Debug” part, but it’s a great way to keep track of things, and I guess you can do much with it that I don’t know about.

Tl; dr : THIS THING IS GREAT AND FREE SO YAY.

[hell-yeah-fantasy]

This program looks pretty awesome! You’re making me want to switch over from yWriter now lol

[wordfather]

small writing exercises

make up an origin and meaning of a name

write a family history going back centuries

pick a character and make them ramble about their favorite thing

make up a fable, pretend it’s as famous as the Grimm fairytales. how does this fable affect the world and what would people reference from it? (i love this one because it can be as crazy and silly as you want)

make a commercial for something that really shouldn’t be sold at all. try to convince people to buy it.

ACRONYMS. but, like, try to have it make sense

make a poem about your story/something in your story

rewrite a classic but put your own twist on it

make up a detailed recipe

make a monologue with a plot twist or punchline in the end

create a ridiculously detailed timeline for a character

childhood memory (real one or make it up!)

improv rap lyrics

the story behind an inside joke

make up a mythical creature

pretend to be a commentary youtuber and pick a topic

the what if? pick a story and create an alternate ending to it

pick one scenario and several characters. how different are the reactions based on their personalities?

[shaelinwrites]

All time favorite short story collection?

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie SO GOOD 

[shaelinwrites]

My characters frown or grin or raise their eyebrows all the damn time. Do you have any tips to make their actions more interesting to read while still conveying the same mood?

My suggestion would be to think about what the character is doing, rather than just standing there. Baking bread? Re-shingling a roof? Tuning a guitar? Get your characters doing something while they speak, it’s much more interesting than just having them sit and talk. 

[nevver]

Heartfelt, Kevin Tong

[lanqu-e-deactivated20200420]

OC asks

What is your OC’s favorite color?

Does your OC collect anything? What do they collect?

What kind of things is your OC allergic to?

What kind of clothing does your OC wear?

What is your OC’s first memory?

WWhat’s your OC’s favorite animal? Least favorite?

What element would your OC be?

What is your OC’s theme song? 

Do you have a faceclaim / voiceclaim for your OC?

What deadly sin would best represent your OC?

What are your OC’s hobbies?

How patient is your OC? How hot-headed are they?

What is your OC’s gender / sexuality / race / species / etc.?

What foods does your OC like to eat? What are their least favorite foods?

If your OC could have any pet, what would they choose? Why?

What does your OC smell like? 

How do they make a living? What kind of job do they want / not want? What is their dream job? What do they think of their current job?

What are your OC’s greatest fears? Weaknesses? Strengths?

What kind of music do they listen to? Do they have a favorite song?

If they came from their world to ours (if not already in our’s) how would they react? What would they do?

What personal problems/issues do they have? Pet peeves?

What kind of student were they/would they be in high school?

What is a random fact about your OC? 

What is their outlook on life? What is their philosophy / what do they think in general about living?

What inspired you to create them / how did you create them? Were they originally a fancharacter? What was their personality / design like when you first made them?

Who is the most important person in their life? Why? Who is the least important to them (that still has an impact and why?

What kind of childhood did your character have?

What kind of nervous habits do they have? Do they stim? Do they have any kinds of addictions?

If they could choose their epitaph for their grave, what would they choose?

Do they want to get married? Why or why not? Would they ever want kids? Do they have kids? Why?

What is their most traumatic memory/experience? What is their favorite memory?

If they could have one thing in the world, what would it be?

Would they ever kill someone? What would someone have to do to push them to kill someone? If they would kill someone, why? 

What social groups and activities does your character attend? What role do they like to play? What role do they actually play, usually?

How is your character’s imagination? Daydreaming a lot? Worried most of the time? Living in memories?

What does your character want most? What do they need really badly, compulsively? What are they willing to do, to sacrifice, to obtain?

What’s something that your character does, that other people don’t normally do?

What would your character do with a million dollars? 

What is in your characters refrigerator right now? On their bedroom floor? Nightstand? Garbage can?

Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where are they going? What do they wear? Who will they be with?

What does your character do when they’re angry? Why?

Does your character have any scars? Where did they get them from? 

What was the most offensive thing your character had ever said?

How does your character react/ accept criticism?

If your character was given a slice of pineapple pizza and they HAD to eat it (or something bad would happen), how would they react? Do they even LIKE pineapple pizza?

Your character is given a voodoo doll of themself. What do they do with it? Do they see if it actually works?

Can your character draw? What do they like to draw? Do they doodle?

What were their parents like? How has that affected how they are as an adult?

Does your character like candy? Do they get sugar rushes? What are they like when they get a rush?

If your character was presented with imminent and unavoidable death/fatality, how would they react? Would they try to avoid death anyways? Would they try to make their last days count? 

[badassunicorn2016]

Writing Tip June 4th

A list of body language phrases.

I’ve included a very comprehensive list, organized by the type of body movement, hand and arm movements, facial expressions etc. In some cases, a phrase fits more than one heading, so it may appear twice. Possible emotions are given after each BL phrase unless the emotion is indicated within the phrase. (They are underlined for emphasis, not due to a hyperlink.)

Note: I’ve included a few body postures and body conditions as they are non-verbal testimony to the character’s physical condition.

Have fun and generate your own ideas.:-)

Eyes, Brows and Forehead

arched a sly brow:  sly, haughty

blinked owlishly:  just waking, focusing, needs glasses

brows bumped together in a scowl:  worried, disapproving, irritated

brows knitted in a frown: worried, disapproval, thoughtful

bug-eyed:  surprised, fear, horror

cocky wink and confident smile:  over confidence, arrogant, good humor, sexy humor

eyes burned with hatred: besides hatred this might suggest maniacal feelings

eyes flashed: fury, defiance, lust, promise, seduction

eyes rolled skyward: disbelief, distrust, humor

forehead puckered:  thoughtful, worried, irritation

frustration crinkled her eyes

gaze dipped to her décolletage: sexual interest, attraction, lust

gimlet-eyed/narrowed eyes: irritation, thoughtful, mean, angry

gleam of deviltry:  humor, conniving, cunning

kept eye contact but her gaze became glazed: pretending interest where there is none/bordom

narrowed to crinkled slits:  angry, distrust

nystagmic eyes missed nothing (constantly shifting eyes):  Shifty

pupils dilated:  interested, attraction to opposite sex, fear

raked her with freezing contempt

slammed his eyes shut:  stunned, furious, pain

squinted in a furtive manner:  fearful, sneaky

stared with cow eyes:  surprised, disbelief, hopeful, lovestruck

subtle wink:  sexy, humor/sharing a joke, sarcasm

unrelenting stare: distrust, demanding, high interest, unyielding

Place To Place, Stationary Or Posture

ambled away:  relaxed, lazy

barged ahead:  rude, hurried

battled his way through the melee:  desperate, anger, alarm

cruised into the diner:  easy-going, feeling dapper, confident

dawdled alongside the road:  lazy, deliberate delay for motives, unhurried, relaxed

dragged his blanket in the dirt:   sadness/depressed, weary

edged closer to him:  sneaky, seeking comfort, seeking protection, seeking an audience

he stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sudden interest, sexual attraction

held his crotch and danced a frantic jig: demonstrates physical condition – he has to pee

hips rolled and undulated:  sexy walk, exaggerating for sex appeal

hovered over them with malice/like a threatening storm: here it’s malice, but one may hover for many reasons.

hunched over to look shorter:  appear inconspicuous, ashamed of actions, ashamed of height

leaped into action feet hammering the marbled floor:  eager, fear, joyous

long-legged strides:  hurried, impatient

lumbered across:  heavy steps of a big man in a hurry

minced her way up to him: timid, sneaky, insecure, dainty or pretense at dainty

paced/prowled the halls:  worried, worried impatience, impatient, diligently seeking pivoted on his heel and took off:  mistaken and changes direction, following orders, hurried, abrupt change of mind, angry retreat

plodded down the road:  unhurried, burdened, reluctant

practiced sensual stroll:  sexy, showing off

rammed her bare foot into her jeans: angry, rushed

rocked back and forth on his heels: thoughtful, impatiently waiting

sagged against the wall:  exhausted, disappointment

sallied forth:  confident, determined

sashayed her cute little fanny:  confident, determined, angered and determined

shrank into the angry crowd:  fear, insecure, seeking to elude

sketched a brief bow and assumed a regal pose: confident, mocking, snooty, arrogant skidded to an abrupt halt: change of heart, fear, surprise, shock

skulked on the edges of the crowd: sneaky, ashamed, timid

slithered through the door:  sneaky, evil, bad intentions

stormed toward her, pulling up short when: anger with a sudden surprise

swaggered into the class room:  over confident, proud, arrogant, conceited

tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing

toe tapped a staccato rhythm:  impatience, irritation

tottered/staggered unsteadily then keeled over:  drunk, drugged, aged, ill

waltzed across the floor:  happy, blissful, exuberant, conceited, arrogant

Head Movement

cocked his head:  curiosity, smart-alecky, wondering, thoughtful

cocked his head left and rolled his eyes to right corner of the ceiling:  introspection

droop of his head: depressed, downcast, hiding true feelings

nodded vigorously: eager

tilted her head to one side while listening:  extreme interest, possibly sexual interest

Mouth And Jaw

a lackluster smile:  feigning cheerfulness

cigarette hung immobile in mouth: shock, lazy, uncaring, relaxed casualness

clinched his jaw at the sight:  angered, worried, surprised

curled her lips with icy contempt

expelled her breath in a whose:  relief, disappointment

gagged at the smell: disgust, distaste

gapped mouth stare:  surprised, shock, disbelief

gritted his teeth:  anger, irritation, holding back opinion

inhaled a sharp breath:  surprise, shock, fear, horror

licked her lips:  nervous, sexual attraction

lips primed: affronted, upset, insulted

lips pursed for a juicy kiss

lips pursed like she’d been chewing a lemon rind: dislike, angry, irritated, sarcasm

lips screwed into: irritation, anger, grimace, scorn

lips set in a grim line: sorrow, worried, fear of the worst

pursed her lips:  perturbed, waiting for a kiss

scarfed down the last biscuit:  physical hunger, greed

slack-mouthed:  total shock, disbelief

slow and sexy smile:  attraction, seductive, coy

smacked his lips: anticipation

smile congealed then melted into horror

smile dangled on the corner of his lips: cocky, sexy

smirked and tossed her hair over her shoulder:  conceit, sarcasm, over confident

sneered and flicked lint off his suit: sarcasm, conceit

spewed water and spit: shock

stuck out her tongue: humor, sarcasm, teasing, childish

toothy smile:  eagerness, hopeful

wary smile surfaced on her lips

Nose

nose wrinkled in distaste/at the aroma

nostrils flared:  anger, sexual attraction

nose in the air:  snooty, haughty

Face in General

crimson with fury

handed it over shame-faced

jutted his chin: confident, anger, forceful

managed a deadpan expression:  expressionless

muscles in her face tightened:  unsmiling, concealing emotions, anger, worried

rested his chin in his palm and looked thoughtful

rubbed a hand over his dark stubble:  thoughtful, ashamed of his appearance

screwed up her face:  anger, smiling, ready to cry, could almost be any emotion

sneered and flicked lint off his suit: conceit, derision, scorn

Arm and Hand

a vicious yank

arm curled around her waist, tugging her next to him:  possessive, pride, protective

bit her lip and glanced away:  shy, ashamed, insecure

brandished his fist:  anger, threatening, ready to fight, confident, show of pride

clamped his fingers into tender flesh:  anger, protective, wants to inflict pain

clenched his dirty little fists: stubborn, angry

clapped her hands on her hips, arms crooked like sugar bowel handles:  anger, demanding, disbelief

constantly twirled her hair and tucked it behind her ear:  attracted to the opposite sex, shy crossed his arms over his chest: waiting, impatient, putting a barrier

crushed the paper in his fist:  anger, surrender, discard

dived into the food: hunger, eager, greedy

doffed his hat:  polite gesture, mocking, teasing

doodled on the phone pad and tapped the air with her foot:  bored, inattention, introspection

drummed her fingers on the desk:  impatient, frustrated, bored

fanned her heated face with her hands: physically hot, embarrassed, indicating attraction

fiddled with his keys: nervous, bored

firm, palm to palm hand shake:  confident, honest

flipped him the bird: sarcastic discard

forked his fingers through his hair for the third time:  disquiet/consternation, worry, thoughtful

handed it over shame-faced:  guilt, shame

held his crotch and danced a frantic jig:  physical need to relieve himself

limp hand shake:  lack of confidence, lack of enthusiasm

propped his elbow on his knee: relaxed, thoughtful

punched her pillow:  restless, can’t sleep, angry

rested his chin in his palm:  thoughful, worried

scratched his hairy belly and yawned:  indolent, bored, lazy, relaxed, just waking

shoulders lifted in a shrug:  doubtful, careless discard

slapped his face in front of God and country:  enraged, affronted/insulted

snapped a sharp salute:  respect, sarcastic gesture meaning the opposite of respect

snapped his fingers, expecting service:  arrogant, lack of respect, self-centered

sneered and flicked lint off his suit

spread her arms wide: welcoming,  joy, love

stabbed at the food: anger, hunger, determined

stood straighter and smoothed his tie:  sudden interest, possible sexual interest

stuffed his hands in his pockets: self-conscious, throwing up a barrier

sweaty handshake:  nervous, fearful

touched his arm several times while explaining:  sign of attraction, flattery, possessive

wide sweep of his arms:  welcoming, all inclusive gesture, horror

Sitting or Rising

collapsed in a stupor:  exhausted, drunk, drugged, disbelief

enthroned himself at the desk:  conceit, pronouncing or taking ownership

exploded out of the chair:  shock, eager, anger, supreme joy

roosted on the porch rail like a cock on a hen house roof:  claiming ownership, conceit, content

sat, squaring an ankle over one knee:  relaxed and open

slouched/wilted in a chair and paid languid attention to:  drowsy, lazy, depressed, disinterest, sad, totally relaxed, disrespectful

squirmed in his chair: ill at ease, nervous, needs the bathroom

Recline

flung himself into the bed: sad, depressed, exhausted, happy

prostrated himself: surrender, desperate, miserable, powerless, obsequious, fawning, flattering

punched her pillow:  can’t sleep, anger, frustrated

threw himself on the floor kicking and screaming: tantrum

Entire body and General

body stiffened at the remark:  offended, anger, alerted

body swayed to music:  dreamy, fond memories, enjoys the music

bounced in the car seat, pointing:  excitement, fear, eager

cowered behind his brother:  fear, shyness, coward, desperate

curled into a ball:  sorrow, fear, sleepy, defensive

heart galloping:  anxiety, joy, eager

held his crotch and danced a frantic jig

humped over his cane, each step shaking and careful: pain, aged

inhaled a deep breath and blew out slowly: buying time to find words/thoughtful, reconciled

quick and jerky like rusty cogs on a wheel:  unsure of actions, self-conscious, tense, edgy

rocked back and forth on his heels:  impatient, cocky, gleeful

manhandled the woman into a corner:  bully, anger

slumped shoulders: defeat, depressed, sad, surrender

stiff-backed:  priggish, haughty, affronted

stood straighter and straightened his tie:  sexual interest, wants to make an impression

stooped and bent: aged, arthritic, in pain

stretched extravagantly and yawned:  tired, bored, unconcerned

sweating uncontrollably: nervous, fear, guilt

tall erect posture:  confidence, military bearing

was panting now at:  afraid, exhausted, out of breath, sexual excitement

-Sharla Rae

[candy-m-s-deactivated20180720]

Reblogging for future everyday use

[ivettaviolet-deactivated2018060]

If this book was around while you were a middle-schooler and you had any taste, you’ll remember this excerpt from Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Last Olympian.

Now that I think about it, this is actually a pretty good introduction to a character. Consider all the things you find out about Michael Yew from these two short paragraphs:

•He has been the head counselor of his cabin for a year •He is a child of Apollo •His half-brother died •He is short (4'6, to be specific) •He has a lot of attitude •He has a pointy nose •He has scrunched-up features •He scowls a lot (showing a poor temper) •He is an archer •He is bold (for defying Clarisse)

And somehow everything flows naturally, despite being jam-packed with information.

How did Rick Riordan do it?

He connected things.

•He connected Clarisse yelling at Michael with his height, setting up the situation and revealing that he is short. (“which looked kind of funny since Clarisse was a foot taller.”)

•He connected Michael’s exact height with his attitude, giving you two pieces of information about him in one sentence. (“Michael stood four feet six, with another two feet of attitude.”)

•He connected Michael’s face with his tendency to scowl, alongside him being an archer. This is three pieces of information — four, if you want to count the two things said about his face as separate. (“He reminded me of a ferret, with a pointy nose and scrunched-up features — either because he scowled so much or because he spent too much time looking down the shaft of an arrow.”)

Basically, by putting two (or more) facts into one sentence in a clever way, you can reveal a lot about a character without disrupting the flow of your writing.

Thanks, Rick Riordan!

[andromedaspull]

I love those friendship dynamics that are like order/chaos. Like one wrote the rulebook and sixteen sequels and the other one saw the word “rule” and “standard” and immediately fucking burned them like??? And then they team up and it’s a constant criss cross of “sorry for my friend he’s an asshat do you accept bribes” and “sorry for my friend he’s wearing his clothes inside out because he hates normalcy may I request a meeting with your ambassador”

Y'all can tag your ships but like the FRIENDSHIP ARC

And then there’s an arc where child of chaos is in a really tense court room or something similar and is like “actually according to law 243.a”.and order agent just !!!!!!! I’m gonna die

Or they’re at a market or some shit and order agent just fucking,,,,, kicks the nearest statue except it’s really solid so they hurt their foot and they shout a stream of swear words before yelling “DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN BUY AN ILLEGAL PRODUCT” and chaos kid is like holy SHIT

[biggest-gaudiest-poltergeist]

this is exquisite and I need examples or I will emit an emotion don’t test me