Fanfiction help, tips, prompts and ideas
I know how frustrating it is to come here looking for actual advice and the only things you find are inspirational posts that just repeat the same "you can do it" message over and over. So I compiled all the wonderful tips and advice I've seen so far. These posts here have saved me a million times already.
Dialogue
Dialogue Prompts, tips, ideas, everything ->
Dialogue tags, sentence structure, adverbs, etc
(these tips are great for those writing their own books and for those writing fics too)
https://www.tumblr.com/dynamicsymmetry/178394340566/good-stuff-guys-i-edit-professionally-this-list?source=share
20 Flirty Remarks to Build Romantic Tension Without Being Overbearing
https://www.tumblr.com/hayatheauthor/765324203055546368/20-flirty-remarks-to-build-romantic-tension?source=share
Angst, Fluff, Smut, Bittersweet:
https://heartofwritiing.tumblr.com/post/703589142626484224
Things Real People Do in Dialogue
https://www.tumblr.com/s-soulwriter/764437752082300928/things-real-people-do-in-dialogue-for-your-next?source=share
dumplingsjinson's dialogue prompts
(They're great and with so many different dynamics):
https://listography.com/dumplingsjinson?m=0580652416
Help with Sentence Structure
I know that feeling when you see your writing and notice how bleak and repetitive it is. These posts can help you <3
A few special rules for dialogue punctuation, paragraphing, and grammar
(Rules you can and should break after learning the basics. Play with those rules to find your style)
https://www.reddit.com/r/FanFiction/comments/15zni42/a_few_special_rules_for_dialogue_punctuation/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
How to make your writing more eloquent
https://pens-swords-stuff.tumblr.com/post/181631690061/how-can-i-make-my-writing-sound-more-eloquent-and
How to know if you're telling too much and what to do
https://www.tumblr.com/iselsis/655030320745332736/writing-tip?source=share
Sentence Structure
(Really useful if you're struggling with making more varied sentences)
https://how-to-fanfic.livejournal.com/4861.html
One Look Thesaurus
If you're having that horrible brain fog moment and can't remember that one word, this can help you!! This saved my hair from being ripped off a lot of times
Synonyms and related words for to do something surprisingly from OneLook Thesaurus, a powerful English thesaurus and brainstorming tool that
Tips of all types: pacing/formatting, etc
Read this, it's worth it, I promise
make your characters have inaccurate perceptions of themselves. your character might think they’re selfish but at every opportunity they act
Filter words, words that distance the reader from the writing:
https://www.tumblr.com/daily-writing-tips/174033348563/are-these-filter-words-weakening-your-story?source=share
When nothing is happening in your story or things are going too slow:
https://www.tumblr.com/daily-writing-tips/178617903283/ive-been-writing-a-book-and-the-feedback-ive?source=share
A great discussion about epithets:
https://www.tumblr.com/daily-writing-tips/639487272174141440/undertailsoulsex-cimness?source=share
Abandoning your outline or letting it grow:
https://www.tumblr.com/daily-writing-tips/186443325965/first-of-all-i-love-your-writing-so-much-and-i?source=share
Describing emotions internally and externally:
https://lets-get-fictional.tumblr.com/post/171248036936/resources-for-describing-emotion
General writing tips for structure, formatting etc:
https://www.tumblr.com/kindredcandy/691030138594426880/writing-tips-for-fanfic-writers-a-post-by-someone?source=share
Tips on writing characters without faces:
so yeah, we all know that facial expressions can tell us a lot about how a character is feeling, but what if that isn’t an option? how can y
Masterlists/Masterposts
Writing Help Masterlist!
https://www.tumblr.com/kurlyfrasier/748573570709504000/need-help-writing-a-masterlist?source=share
agirlnamedjana's master dialogues/scenes/dynamics prompt list:
https://creativepromptsforwriting.tumblr.com/post/642950535717224448/master-prompt-list
And also her masterpost on how to write/motivation/tips:
https://creativepromptsforwriting.tumblr.com/post/633943514155253760/masterpost-how-to-write-a-story
+ Writing Resource masterlist:
https://lets-get-fictional.tumblr.com/post/146261106991/writing-resources-masterlist
Body Language
The Emotion Thesaurus (and all the other ones covering bad traits, settings and more)
Not everyone has the money to buy the book, so I'm going to link down here the place where you can buy it, but if you can't, just look up 'Emotion Thesaurus PDF download' on Google and you can download it for free. I recommend searching for it on VK, it comes with all the other Thesaurus(ses?) too. It's really helpful, especially the examples at the beginning and the notes after each section!
https://www.amazon.com.br/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/1475004958
Other Words for "Look" + Meanings | List for writers
https://www.tumblr.com/thewriteadviceforwriters/768981064455766016/other-words-for-look-with-meanings-list-for?source=share
Words to describe voices
https://www.tumblr.com/saraswritingtipps/731091220088127488/some-tips-for-using-a-few-words-to-describe?source=share
Writing descriptions
(Voice tone, facial expressions, etc)
https://www.tumblr.com/thewatcher727/751571479667326976/writing-description-notes?source=share
How to show emotions instead of telling them
https://www.tumblr.com/creativepromptsforwriting/689038358087860224/how-to-show?source=share
Body language basics
(Smiles, eyebrows, head positions)
https://lets-get-fictional.tumblr.com/post/146030452463/writing-tip-june-6th
List of body language phrases
(Positions, reactions, movements like "he arched his back") divided by body parts:
https://lets-get-fictional.tumblr.com/post/153224282966/writing-tip-june-4th
Body Language sheet
Body Language Master List - Google Sheets
Said — use it, don't use it, alternatives and tips
These alternatives can also help you come up with new ideas for the feelings/reactions of your character ->
Words to replace "said" and some tips
Caitlin McDonald - Words to replace said, except this actually helps (tumblr.com)
Alternatives to "whisper" (except with actual useful tips under those alternatives)
the dextrous, the sinister. — Word List: Alternatives to "Whisper" (tumblr.com)
Words to use instead of “said” organized by emotion/intention part 1&2
https://www.tumblr.com/damselwrites/136952662989/words-to-use-instead-of-said-organized-by?source=share
https://www.tumblr.com/damselwrites/173814509709/words-to-use-instead-of-said-organized-by?source=share
When to include physical gestures, actions, and facial expressions & how often to say he/she said/yelled/whined, etc
https://tmblr.co/ZEsmmh2Ht2qO7
Fights and Battles
Writing Angry Scenes: Tips to Avoid Melodrama and Make It Real
https://www.tumblr.com/imastoryteller/767056808210743296/writing-angry-scenes-tips-to-avoid-melodrama-and?source=share
What getting punched feels like in different parts of the body
https://www.tumblr.com/obaewankenope/771301215754747904/it-also-depends-on-how-youre-punched-too-like?source=share
Writing realistic injuries
https://www.tumblr.com/pygmi-says-hi/762013708733038592/stop-doing-this-in-injury-fics?source=share
Vocabulary list for fight scenes with actions, reactions, effects and more:
https://www.tumblr.com/writers-potion/743977530213679104/vocabulary-list-for-fight-scenes?source=share
Words and phrases to describe characters in pain
https://www.tumblr.com/maccreadysbaby/721518428167536640/some-of-my-favorite-words-and-phrases-to-describe?source=share
Little Tips
How I learned to write smarter, not harder
(aka, how to write when you're hella ADHD lol)
https://www.tumblr.com/archaeren/754474165729476608/how-i-learned-to-write-smarter-not-harder?source=share
Things that may be causing your writer's block and what to do
https://www.tumblr.com/burntoutdaydreamer/733191894679650304/things-that-may-be-causing-your-writers-block?source=share
Writing tips for authors with ADHD
https://www.reddit.com/r/FanFiction/comments/u3mzd0/writing_tips_for_authors_with_adhd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
NSK96's Writing Help, divided by sections and covering all parts of writing:
https://www.tumblr.com/nsk96/703138245307924480/writing-help?source=share
Show Don't Tell
Or do a little telling too, it's alright
How do you set a scene without overusing visual descriptions? Show, don’t tell is probably the most common writing advice any author will e
Writing better descriptions
The Power of Negative Space A late spring breeze drifts through the open window of your studio, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and
Showing what the character is feeling
Consider checking more of Lyralit's posts, there are more like this one
show, don't tell: anticipation - bouncing legs - darting eyes - breathing deeply - useless / mindless tasks - eyes on the clock - checking
Writing tips by Mod Joana: Don't like it — change it. The first words. Show don't tell:
https://lets-get-fictional.tumblr.com/post/175250059716/what-are-the-best-3-tips-for-writing-in-your
Writing relationships:
The look of love, longing, betrayal and hatred
https://www.tumblr.com/writing-chats/759405472560398336/the-look-of-love-for-writers?source=share
Writing Intimacy
https://www.tumblr.com/maelancoli/762370465038745600/writing-intimacy?source=share
Writing Smut
https://www.tumblr.com/cillmequick/734816830305255424/maam-please-bestow-upon-me-your-amazing-smut?source=share
Writing a relationship your readers will ship
https://www.tumblr.com/daily-writing-tips/174033327753/writing-a-relationship-your-readers-will-ship?source=share
Advice for writing relationships
(Big compilation with lots of tips and different types of relationships)
https://www.tumblr.com/creativepromptsforwriting/726838146095087616/advice-for-writing-relationships?source=share
Writing romantic love
https://www.tumblr.com/novlr/713058246667223040/how-to-write-romantic-love?source=share
I'll update when I find more! I hope this helps you <3











