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andantegrazioso-deactivated2018

La Sirenuse | vanillaattack

klwritesbooks

Dark Inspiration #17

oldmosswoman

mybroomstickcloset-deactivated2

Fairy rings occupy a prominent place in European folklore as the location of gateways into elfin kingdoms, or places where elves gather and dance. According to the folklore, a fairy ring appears when a fairy, pixie, or elf appears. It will disappear without trace in less than five days, but if an observer waits for the elf to return to the ring, he or she may be able to capture it. They are soooooo beautiful!

igatherthedead

fairy rings are usually caused by decaying organic matter, generally a tree stump. many types of fungi have symbiotic relationships with tree roots and mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of such fungus. So if a huge old tree was cut down, you’ll often find fairy rings. they can last for years and years as the earth reabsorbs all the nutrients left behind by the beautiful tree.

sorry, didn’t mean to crush dreams - but i have a degree in horticulture and i was really excited when i first learned this.

maybe fairies and fungi are joining together to mourn the loss of the tree

notcuddles

NO BUT FINDING OUT ABOUT WHY FAIRY RINGS EXIST IS ALSO REALLY COOL.

whowasntthere-deactivated202106

From a writer’s perspective, it’s even more interesting to find out why they exist on a horticultural level, because it opens up a whole realm of fictional possibilities. Science doesn’t have to invalidate mythology or fiction, no more than mythology or fiction invalidates science.

For example, doesn’t that just essentially make this a tree grave? And if folklore has taught us anything, it’s that “fairies” and other spirits usually occupy trees, or have them as their life force. And that’s to say nothing of the folklore of trees being spirits in and of themselves, or kitsunes that live in tree hollows, or dryads, etc., etc.. So, if it’s disrespectful or feels like a slight to step on human graves, wouldn’t that logic transfer to stepping inside the Fairy Circle, AKA, the tree’s grave? It’s essentially giving more fuel to the story, not detracting from it, in my humble opinion!

qthewetsprocket

Science doesn’t have to invalidate mythology or fiction, no more than mythology or fiction invalidates science.

writers-are-writers

Thank you to whoever made this cute thing, very helpful. Here’s some advice to anyone who wants it!

writingwithcolor

Writing With Color Top Posts + Other Useful Ones

Oh hey– here’s a list ranked by Writing With Color’s most popular posts since opening in 2014 up till now, the start of 2017. Pulled together for the interest and usefulness for readers like you. Thank you.

Other recommended WWC Posts.

The Key to Moving Beyond Checklisting is Not Less Diversity - “The problem with pasted-on diversity is not the diversity; it’s the pasted on part.”

Stereotyped vs Nuanced Characters and Audience Perception - Discusses one of our more common ask themes: the writing (or rather, the not writing) of stereotypes.

When We Read: Mod Wishlist - A list of what we as mods would like to see of ourselves in media. Check out the Native American WL too.

Bad Representation vs Tokenism vs Diversity just existing without justification like in the real world -Title says it all.

Stereotyping Tropes List - A categorized tropes list reposted from the TV Tropes website with links to their topics on the subject matter.

–WWC

bwisou-deactivated20190916

hello! ive been asking around and i was wondering if you knew any websites online that were good for beginners just starting to learn korean? c: thank you again!

hi there! as a native speaker, here is my advice to you:

resources for learning korean

sejonghakdang - hosts all the sejong textbook series in an online form, but you have to create an account (it’s free + easy) to start. they include ebooks, pdfs, and learning modules from beginning to advanced levels. the online lessons are available in english, chinese, spanish, and more. there’s also webtoons and culture-related items, so it’s probably the closest you can get to taking a real korean course. from quickly browsing through, i can tell that it’s extremely thorough and detailed – highly recommend

naver dictionary - don’t trust any other translators

duolingo - is a mobile app available on ios + android, and korean will be released on sept. 7, 2017 (what perfect timing!!). it’s a well-developed app and a great starting place to ease into the language. i’m assuming they’ll start with teaching hangul and move on to grammar/vocab? they’re pretty reliable and it’s user/student-friendly. super useful for learning when you’re on public transport, walking somewhere, in a waiting room, etc.

talktomeinkorean - a popular resource that includes podcasts, pdfs, and videos

quizlet - free vocabulary flashcards

other resources - someone compiled a list of other free textbook pdfs, websites, blogs, etc. that might be helpful to you

general tips:

learn the korean alphabet, hangul (한글), first and foremost! relying on romanizations is a bad way to approach the language. you can move on to actual learning once you’re comfortable reading, writing, and pronouncing sentences. you’re not going to understand much, but try reading korean tweets (i.e. @bts_twt or your favorite fansite accounts) as practice!

don’t neglect grammar. i see a lot of people jumping to watch kdramas/movies or diving into flashcards first to pick up vocabulary, which is good, but grammar is just as important, if not more. it might not be as fun, but it’s the backbone

practice often and don’t get too ahead of yourself. learning a language (or any subject) is like building a skyscraper. you can’t just keep going up and up without having a solid foundation first, or it will collapse. you spend years learning basic math like addition before working to up to calculus right? so spend time to absorb information carefully and take it seriously to build a solid foundation before climbing up. it will take time, but you’ll be a better speaker because of it

talk. since you are learning online, it’s crucial that you are reading things aloud. watch videos to get pronunciations right! you might not feel confident speaking to someone in korean if you aren’t speaking when you learn

good luck & study well ^^

movielosophy

xiaojinling

thewritingrealm

Crafting Memorable Characters

“Plot is Character"

-Henry James

Recently, I attended the Books in Progress conference in Lexington. I went to a session about writing characters with Nancy Kress, author of Beggars in Spain. I came away with a plethora of good advice. I learned the importance of planning your character before you start writing. The story’s plot comes from the decisions the characters make based on what happens to them. Successful main characters are the agents of their own destiny, they are someone we root for, and they grow or change during the course of the novel. Name The name can give clues about the character. It can suggest the generation or historical setting. You don’t see many teenagers named Mildred nowadays, but that name may be perfect for someone born in the 20s. The Social Security website has a data base of name popularity by year. Nicknames can also reveal details about the character. It can say something about how he views himself or how other characters view him. For example, his mom calls him Billy because she still sees him as her little boy. He introduces himself as William, but his friends all call him Will. Appearance When describing a character’s appearance, forego details into things such as hair and eye color (unless these are particularly unique). Instead, focus on things that the character can control about her own appearance—hair style, clothes, and the like. Zoom in on a small detail or two that reveal the most about the character’s personality. Environment Again, keep the focus on what the character can control. What do the furnishings, decorations, or refrigerator contents tell us about your main character’s personality? Mixing a few details with the action give the reader a sense of the character’s environment without slowing the pace. Dialogue What a person says and how she says it gives clues about her character because different people express the same thing in different ways. A light splattering of dialect adds to the character, but don’t go overboard with it. The readers can pick up on the dialect without the author misspelling every other word. Action The character’s actions key the reader into his personality. Creating actions that contradict his words shows depth. Like in the Hunger Games when Peeta says he doesn’t want to be a piece in their game, but plays along to stay alive. Thoughts Action alone doesn’t show the character’s true motivation. Go deeper into the protagonist’s point of view to show what he is thinking. Thoughts that contrast with his dialogue and actions give the reader insight. For example, Hamlet pretends to act crazy (when his soliloquies show otherwise) in order to investigate the murder of his father. Reactions The reactions between two characters tell something about each of them and their relationship. What does it say about a character when others look up to her? Or if a trustworthy person dislikes her? How other characters react to the protagonist informs the reader. Perceptions Readers learn about the character through his perception of the environment. Let’s say the protagonist encounters a shady grove of trees. If he sees gloomy shadows, then perhaps he is a negative person. If he sees a welcomed relief from the sun, then perhaps he has a positive out look. The shadows haven’t changed, but how your character perceives them says something about his personality. Perception can also reflect his current emotional state. Emotions Rather than naming the emotions, it is important to make the reader feel them. At the same time, don’t pile on the metaphors. Use external signs such as blushing and blinking, or use internal changes like a tight throat or shortness of breath. The character could also have a brief memory flash or other thoughts to indicate her emotions.

Source.

ms-mazarin

Words to replace said, except this actually helps

I got pretty fed up with looking for words to replace said because they weren’t sorted in a way I could easily use/find them for the right time. So I did some myself.

IN RESPONSE TO Acknowledged Answered Protested

INPUT/JOIN CONVERSATION/ASK Added Implored Inquired Insisted Proposed Queried Questioned Recommended Testified

GUILTY/RELUCTANCE/SORRY Admitted Apologized Conceded Confessed Professed

FOR SOMEONE ELSE Advised Criticized Suggested

JUST CHECKING Affirmed Agreed Alleged Confirmed

LOUD Announced Chanted Crowed

LEWD/CUTE/SECRET SPY FEEL Appealed Disclosed Moaned

ANGRY FUCK OFF MATE WANNA FIGHT Argued Barked Challenged Cursed Fumed Growled Hissed Roared Swore

SMARTASS Articulated Asserted Assured Avowed Claimed Commanded Cross-examined Demanded Digressed Directed Foretold Instructed Interrupted Predicted Proclaimed Quoted Theorized

ASSHOLE Bellowed Boasted Bragged

NERVOUS TRAINWRECK Babbled Bawled Mumbled Sputtered Stammered Stuttered

SUAVE MOTHERFUCKER Bargained Divulged Disclosed Exhorted

FIRST OFF Began

LASTLY Concluded Concurred

WEAK PUSY Begged Blurted Complained Cried Faltered Fretted

HAPPY/LOL Cajoled Exclaimed Gushed Jested Joked Laughed

WEIRDLY HAPPY/EXCITED Extolled Jabbered Raved

BRUH, CHILL Cautioned Warned

ACTUALLY, YOU’RE WRONG Chided Contended Corrected Countered Debated Elaborated Objected Ranted Retorted

CHILL SAVAGE Commented Continued Observed Surmised

LISTEN BUDDY Enunciated Explained Elaborated Hinted Implied Lectured Reiterated Recited Reminded Stressed

BRUH I NEED U AND U NEED ME Confided Offered Urged

FINE Consented Decided

TOO EMO FULL OF EMOTIONS Croaked Lamented Pledged Sobbed Sympathized Wailed Whimpered

JUST SAYING Declared Decreed Mentioned Noted Pointed out Postulated Speculated Stated Told Vouched

WASN’T ME Denied Lied

EVIL SMARTASS Dictated Equivocated Ordered Reprimanded Threatened

BORED Droned Sighed

SHHHH IT’S QUIET TIME Echoed Mumbled Murmured Muttered Uttered Whispered

DRAMA QUEEN Exaggerated Panted Pleaded Prayed Preached

OH SHIT Gasped Marveled Screamed Screeched Shouted Shrieked Yelped Yelled

ANNOYED Grumbled Grunted Jeered Quipped Scolded Snapped Snarled Sneered

ANNOYING Nagged

I DON’T REALLY CARE BUT WHATEVER Guessed Ventured

I’M DRUNK OR JUST BEING WEIRDLY EXPRESSIVE FOR A POINT/SARCASM Hooted Howled Yowled

I WONDER Pondered Voiced Wondered

OH, YEAH, WHOOPS Recalled Recited Remembered

SURPRISE BITCH Revealed

IT SEEMS FAKE BUT OKAY/HA ACTUALLY FUNNY BUT I DON’T WANT TO LAUGH OUT LOUD Scoffed Snickered Snorted

BITCHY Tattled Taunted Teased

Edit: People, I’m an English and creative writing double major in college; I understand that there’s nothing wrong with simply using “said.” This was just for fun, and it comes in handy when I need to add pizzazz.

fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment

In addition to a little pizzazz in the dialogue tags, these are also super useful as part of the narration, or summing up/paraphrasing something that has been said, or even in a character’s dialogue as they describe how someone was talking!

qi-lang

Li Gang: Jingrui really has the biggest heart of any child I’ve ever seen. The heavens gave him a kind, magnanimous, and forgiving disposition—perhaps precisely to counteract the pain in his heart.