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when I was in high school I had a literature teacher who had a policy of unlimited extra credit. All you had to do was read a book by a notable author (his discretion) and have a little chat with him after school to prove that you read it. No limits, no need for variety (one month I decided I really loved Kurt Vonnegut and just read everything of his I could get my hands on).

Yes, I was tearing through books constantly, and talking to this teacher at least weekly. Because even though I always loved reading as a kid, literature was always a very weak subject for me in terms of a teaching-to-standardized-test school setting (I just do awful on "what color were the curtains" type multiple choice questions. Those details don't stick in my memory THEY JUST DON'T). But that didn't matter for this class. I could just read my way out of any bad test score. I have always had fond memories of how I "fudged" my way through that class and "abused' the extra credit policy.

I was thinking about it again today, and only just now realized that he absolutely tricked me into being well-read, while my teenage self thought I was totally getting away with something. THAT MOTHERFUCKER. I hope he's doing well.

rockingbytheseaside

✦ Working to bring back Dottore

archerdepartures116

Ill post this au( inspired by tweet above) i started on my twt on Tumblr too

First part

more comic panels below

kingthekoshka

Basically my first thought when this scene came up....my second thought being "omg venti"

I know he probably couldn't see the little projections of venti and varka and whatever but imagine if he could he'd be so confused

xulips

soft illuhens because i kinda relapsed during my midterms (scratches head)

viffywoo

jomeimei421

logical fallacies

rockingbytheseaside

✦ Four notes, four unspeakables

otherdaze

"How pretty"

pantserspen

Very Specific Writing Tips

Cut the First Three Lines of Every Scene Most writers warm up on the page. The real beginning often starts a few sentences later.

Replace One Adverb Per Page If a character walks quickly, ask why. Are they nervous? Late? Angry? Specific emotion is stronger than “quickly.”

Give Every Character a Physical Habit A chipped thumbnail. Constantly adjusting glasses. Tugging at sleeves. Small details make them feel real.

Read Your Dialogue Out Loud If you feel slightly embarrassed saying it, your character probably would too. Natural rhythm matters more than clever wording.

End Scenes on Decisions, Not Explanations A choice moves the story forward. An explanation stalls it.

Search Your Draft for the Word “Suddenly” If something needs the word suddenly, the buildup might be missing.

Add One Sensory Detail Per Page Not five. Not a paragraph. One grounded detail that anchors the reader in the moment.

Make Sure Every Argument Has Two Right Sides If only one character makes sense, the conflict feels flat.

Check That Every Scene Changes Something Information, emotion, relationship, stakes. If nothing shifts, the scene may not belong.

Rewrite Your Weakest Sentence Do not fix the whole chapter. Find the single line that feels dull and sharpen it. Small improvements compound.

pantserspen

How to Write Enemies to Lovers

Make them enemies for a real reason. Not a misunderstanding that could be fixed in one conversation, but a genuine clash of values, goals, or loyalties.

Give them equal power. The tension works best when neither can easily dominate the other and both can win or lose.

Let conflict come before attraction. Chemistry should spark because of friction, not in spite of it.

Use forced proximity with purpose. Trapped together, working toward the same goal, or needing each other to survive creates pressure without softening things too fast.

Show respect before affection. They don’t have to like each other yet, but admiration is the first crack in the wall.

Let attraction feel inconvenient. They should resent it, deny it, and rationalize it away.

Keep the banter sharp but meaningful. Every argument should reveal values, wounds, or strategy—not just snark.

Slow the shift. Trust builds in small moments: shared danger, honest conversations, choosing not to betray each other when it counts.

Make the turning point costly. One of them risks something real to protect or choose the other.

Resolve the enemy status before the romance fully blooms. Love doesn’t fix the conflict—the conflict has to change first.

Let them choose each other after growth. The romance works because they’ve both changed, not because the tension disappeared.

pantserspen

How to Write a Manipulator (+ Types of Manipulators )

Manipulative characters aren’t just “evil and smart.” The best ones don’t look like villains at all.

They feel helpful. Reasonable. Charming. They make other characters doubt themselves and sometimes the reader too.

Here’s how to write them so they feel unsettling instead of cartoonish.

1. Manipulators Don’t Force, They Nudge

A good manipulator rarely gives direct orders. They plant ideas and let other people think they came up with them.

They say things like:

“I just thought you should know…”

“You’re free to decide, of course.”

“I’d never tell you what to do.”

If your character is openly controlling, they’re not manipulating — they’re dominating.

2. They Know Exactly What Someone Wants

Manipulators are observant. They notice insecurities, unmet needs, guilt, fear, and ambition.

They don’t attack weaknesses. They offer relief from them.

This is why people stay loyal to them long after they should’ve left.

3. They Always Have Plausible Deniability

The scariest manipulators can always say: “I didn’t mean it like that.” “You’re reading too much into it.” “I was only trying to help.”

They never leave clear fingerprints on their damage.

4. Manipulation Feels Like Safety at First

At the beginning, being around them feels good.

Someone finally understands you

Someone has answers

Someone makes decisions easier

Only later does the character realize how much control they’ve lost.

Types of Manipulators ↓

asterrwritess

Non-writers never seem to understand the fact that characters have free will.

"you made them, just make them do what you want!"

I can't SUSAN.

ariesrin

Relationship Dynamics Writing Cheat Sheet

For romance, rivalry, found family and other relationships in your writing.

Dynamic / Type (Pick 1)

Friends to lovers

Strangers to allies

Rivals to reluctant partners

Enemies to lovers

Mentor / student

Protector / protected

One-sided devotion or unrequited love

Found family

Ex-lovers

Codependent

Toxic

Power Balance (Pick 1)

Equal

Unequal (status, strength, knowledge)

Shifting (changes with circumstance)

Hidden (one holds unseen leverage)

Illusory (seems equal, isn’t, may involve gaslighting)

Reversed over time

Source of Tension (Pick 1-2)

Miscommunication

Secrets

Fear of loss

Fear of change

Timing

Outside pressure (family, duty, war, society)

Moral disagreement

Unequal commitment

How They Fight (Pick as many)

Silence

Arguments that never finish

Avoidance

Explosive confrontations

Passive aggression

One apologises, the other refuses

Violence and/or misdirected anger

What Makes Them Change (Optional)

A choice

A sacrifice

A betrayal

A confession

A loss

Being forced to rely on each other

Nearly losing the other

hayatheauthor

100 Dialogue Tags You Can Use Instead of “Said”

For the writers struggling to rid themselves of the classic ‘said’. Some are repeated in different categories since they fit multiple ones (but those are counted once so it adds up to 100 new words).

1. Neutral Tags

Straightforward and unobtrusive dialogue tags:

Added, Replied, Stated, Remarked, Responded, Observed, Acknowledged, Commented, Noted, Voiced, Expressed, Shared, Answered, Mentioned, Declared.

2. Questioning Tags

Curious, interrogative dialogue tags:

Asked, Queried, Wondered, Probed, Inquired, Requested, Pondered, Demanded, Challenged, Interjected, Investigated, Countered, Snapped, Pleaded, Insisted.

3. Emotive Tags

Emotional dialogue tags:

Exclaimed, Shouted, Sobbed, Whispered, Cried, Hissed, Gasped, Laughed, Screamed, Stammered, Wailed, Murmured, Snarled, Choked, Barked.

4. Descriptive Tags

Insightful, tonal dialogue tags:

Muttered, Mumbled, Yelled, Uttered, Roared, Bellowed, Drawled, Spoke, Shrieked, Boomed, Snapped, Groaned, Rasped, Purred, Croaked.

5. Action-Oriented Tags

Movement-based dialogue tags:

Announced, Admitted, Interrupted, Joked, Suggested, Offered, Explained, Repeated, Advised, Warned, Agreed, Confirmed, Ordered, Reassured, Stated.

6. Conflict Tags

Argumentative, defiant dialogue tags:

Argued, Snapped, Retorted, Rebuked, Disputed, Objected, Contested, Barked, Protested, Countered, Growled, Scoffed, Sneered, Challenged, Huffed.

7. Agreement Tags

Understanding, compliant dialogue tags:

Agreed, Assented, Nodded, Confirmed, Replied, Conceded, Acknowledged, Accepted, Affirmed, Yielded, Supported, Echoed, Consented, Promised, Concurred.

8. Disagreement Tags

Resistant, defiant dialogue tags:

Denied, Disagreed, Refused, Argued, Contradicted, Insisted, Protested, Objected, Rejected, Declined, Countered, Challenged, Snubbed, Dismissed, Rebuked.

9. Confused Tags

Hesitant, uncertain dialogue tags:

Stammered, Hesitated, Fumbled, Babbled, Mumbled, Faltered, Stumbled, Wondered, Pondered, Stuttered, Blurted, Doubted, Confessed, Vacillated.

10. Surprise Tags

Shock-inducing dialogue tags:

Gasped, Stunned, Exclaimed, Blurted, Wondered, Staggered, Marvelled, Breathed, Recoiled, Jumped, Yelped, Shrieked, Stammered.

Note: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No I am NOT telling people to abandon said and use these. Yes I understand that said is often good enough, but sometimes you WANT to draw attention to how the character is speaking. If you think adding an action/movement to your dialogue is 'good enough' hate to break it to you but that ruins immersion much more than a casual 'mumbled'. And for the last time: this is just a resource list, CALM DOWN. Hope that covers all the annoyingly redundant replies :)

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?

Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors!

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thewriteadviceforwriters

Other Words for "Look" + With meanings | List for writers

Many people create lists of synonyms for the word 'said,' but what about the word 'look'? Here are some synonyms that I enjoy using in my writing, along with their meanings for your reference. While all these words relate to 'look,' they each carry distinct meanings and nuances, so I thought it would be helpful to provide meanings for each one.

Gaze - To look steadily and intently, especially in admiration or thought.

Glance - A brief or hurried look.

Peek - A quick and typically secretive look.

Peer - To look with difficulty or concentration.

Scan - To look over quickly but thoroughly.

Observe - To watch carefully and attentively.

Inspect - To look at closely in order to assess condition or quality.

Stare - To look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.

Glimpse - To see or perceive briefly or partially.

Eye - To look or stare at intently.

Peruse - To read or examine something with great care.

Scrutinize - To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.

Behold - To see or observe a thing or person, especially a remarkable one.

Witness - To see something happen, typically a significant event.

Spot - To see, notice, or recognize someone or something.

Contemplate - To look thoughtfully for a long time at.

Sight - To suddenly or unexpectedly see something or someone.

Ogle - To stare at in a lecherous manner.

Leer - To look or gaze in an unpleasant, malicious way.

Gawk - To stare openly and stupidly.

Gape - To stare with one's mouth open wide, in amazement.

Squint - To look with eyes partially closed.

Regard - To consider or think of in a specified way.

Admire - To regard with pleasure, wonder, and approval.

Skim - To look through quickly to gain superficial knowledge.

Reconnoiter - To make a military observation of a region.

Flick - To look or move the eyes quickly.

Rake - To look through something rapidly and unsystematically.

Glare - To look angrily or fiercely.

Peep - To look quickly and secretly through an opening.

Focus - To concentrate one's visual effort on.

Discover - To find or realize something not clear before.

Spot-check - To examine something briefly or at random.

Devour - To look over with eager enthusiasm.

Examine - To inspect in detail to determine condition.

Feast one's eyes - To look at something with great enjoyment.

Catch sight of - To suddenly or unexpectedly see.

Clap eyes on - To suddenly see someone or something.

Set eyes on - To look at, especially for the first time.

Take a dekko - Colloquial for taking a look.

Leer at - To look or gaze in a suggestive manner.

Rubberneck - To stare at something in a foolish way.

Make out - To manage to see or read with difficulty.

Lay eyes on - To see or look at.

Pore over - To look at or read something intently.

Ogle at - To look at in a lecherous or predatory way.

Pry - To look or inquire into something in a determined manner.

Dart - To look quickly or furtively.

Drink in - To look at with great enjoyment or fascination.

Bask in - To look at or enjoy something for a period of time.

Calling all aspiring storytellers with hearts full of whimsy! Get ready to sprinkle a touch of enchantment into your scenes with my Scene Wo

683 members, 435 posts about #creative writing #creative writers #helping writers • Guiding Writers to New Heights

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