strength of a woman

Ordinary Writer. Music Enthusiast. Reader of Other Worlds. The author of The Stag Of Dragonstone duology and other fanfiction and original stories.

[gothredy]

[thehautecouturelover]

Elie Saab FW 2016 Couture

[fastestmanalive333]

Titans Ages (Pre 52)

Every once in awhile, people ask "How old is [insert Titans character] supposed to be?" So I've created this to analyzes this topic. Now, comic books, as a rule, have a somewhat sliding age scale. You can only age Robin and the original sidekicks so much - because as they age, so do their mentors. Some people place the original fab five [Dick, Wally, Donna, Roy and Garth] in their late 20's. That's too old by my estimation.

Now, there are a few times in the comics where ages are actually mentioned. From this, we can establish a general rules of thumb to go by. I'm using the fab five as a 'base' to establish the ages of most of the Titans. There's two general rules I'm going by:

RULE 1: THE ORIGINAL TITANS ARE ALL THE SAME AGE: This seems to hold true through their history. Also, it's been established that Dick, Wally, Donna and Vic started college somewhere between TEEN TITANS #53 and NEW TEEN TITANS #1. By this logic, many of the 1970's members are around the same age plus/minus a year or so.

RULE 2: THE LIAN HARPER RULE: This is the most effective way to establish ages. Lian Harper is established as four years old during the TITANS series [1999-2003]. Now, a big deal was made when Dick Grayson turned 20 - leaving his teen years behind him. This happened when he was on Tamaran, as established in NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #17-21 [1986]; His birthday actually happened in an issue of SECRET ORIGINS #13 [1987] featuring Nightwing. In NEW TEEN TITANS (second series) #20-21 [1986], Roy Harper learns Lian is his daughter; she is a newborn at this time. So the math is simple - the original Titans were in/approaching their 20th year when Lian was born. So they are 24 now.

Now, you will find discrepancies in this theory - but most printed evidence supports the above theories. Majority rules. Wally West is established as 23 years old during FLASH #0 [1994]. That seems about right. Donna Troy states she is 23 years old in TITANS #5 [1999]; again, that seems about right. This places Wally as a few months older than Donna - maybe even almost a year older. Now, that seems like a lot of adventures have taken place between ZERO HOUR and TECHNIS IMPERITIVE. But that's comics for ya.

Some things must be ignored. The DC Secret Files timelines contradict each other - ignore those for the most part. And Wally West stated he was 26 years old during the Geoff Johns/Scott Kolins run on FLASH. That's a little too old by my estimation. So please don't @ me with those kind of nits; If you have strong evidence concerning other characters, please let me know.

All my 'age theories' are supported by Teen Titans #1/2, published in 2004. In that issue, there are flashback sequences that chronicle Titans history. Flash to 10 years ago: Dick Grayson's parents die. Flash to 6 years ago: Rose Wilson is schooled at home by her mother, Lili. Flash to 5 years ago: Ravager I is killed. Flash to 3 years ago: Slade is forced to kill Jericho. Flash to 2 years ago: Cadmus attempts to clone Superman. Flash to 18 months ago: Rose deals with the death of her mother. Flash to one week ago: Bart Allen is shot by Slade. If you track the ages to this timeline, it all lines up, more or less.

OK, here's the rundown as I see it:

Dick Grayson [Nightwing] Age: 25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2

Donna Troy [Troia] Age: 25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2

Wally West [Flash] Age: 25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2

Roy Harper [Arsenal] Age: 25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2

Garth [Tempest] Age: 26 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; But there is an addendum. Garth spent "many months" in another dimension training with Atlan while mere seconds pass (established in Showcase '96 #1 [1996]). This now makes him the oldest Titan by a year or so.

Lilith Clay [Omen] Age: 24

when she died Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; She appears to be the same age as the original five.

Hank Hall [Hawk] Age: 23 Rationale: Died in the 90s a year passed since he would be the same age as the original five.. but since he wasnt brought back till brightest day and a few years had passed hed be 23

Don Hall [Dove] Age: 25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; He appears to be the same age as the original five.

Mal Duncan [Herald] Age: 24/25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; He appears to be the same age as the original five. Mal and Karen always somehow SEEM older, since they have these careers and have settled into marriage life so young. You could make an argument that they are a year or so older.

Duela Dent [Harlequin] Age: 23

when she died Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; She appears to be around the same age as the original Titans; I'm placing her a bit younger since she joined later and seems a bit more immature.

Karen Beecher [Bumblebee] Age: 24/25 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; She appears to be the same age as the original five. Mal and Karen always somehow SEEM older, since they have these careers and have settled into marriage life so young. You could make an argument that they are a year or so older.

Bette Kane [Flamebird] Age: 23 Rationale: I'm placing Bette a couple years younger than Dick Grayson, since she was such an airheaded groupie in the beginning. I'll attribute than to immaturity. She also appears a bit younger the way the team looked down on her for years.

Charley Parker [Golden Eagle] Age: 23 Rationale: See Rules 1 and 2; He is established as 16 years old when he was introduced in JUSTICE LEAGUE #116 [1975]; He appears to be around the same age as the original Titans; I'm placing him a bit younger since he joined later and seems a bit more irresponsible.

Gar Logan [Beast Boy] Age: 23 Rationale: he was 16 at the start of NTT, years past he turned 18 sometime after Crisis with and they clearly state he is not a kid anymore during possessed gar and ravens time going around cosplaying bonnie and clyde killing people we see him going to clubs at the time he is definitely 19 he is drawn taller and older, 2 years pass he is 22, it was even confirmed in an interview he was 22 and we see his cousin who is his age drinking in Dicks limo and he even drinks in a club in his mini and is established as being 3 years younger then dick so he is 23 the same age as Bette Kane who he is shown buddying with a lot

Vic Stone [Cyborg] Age: 25 Rationale: Cyborg is established as the same age as Donna, Dick and Wally. They all started college the same year [right before NEW TEEN TITANS #1]. In NEW TEEN TITANS #20, the Titans celebrate Vic's birthday and Donna says. "So you're nineteen. Welcome to the club."

Kory [Starfire] Age: 24 Rationale: Close in age to the original five Titans, Kory seemed just a tad younger. I place here one year younger than them.

Raven Age: 18 [Physically] Mentally [23 Years Old] Rationale: Ravens age is confusing.. she was summoned the New Teen Titans shortly after her 18th birthday, which placed her at the same age as Kory [TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS (mini series) #2 [1982]: Raven's origin; Raven mentions when she turned 18, she sensed Trigon's evil and sought out the Titans.]. So would have been 23 years old by the 2000s. But Raven was reborn in the 2003 TEEN TITANS series. A tad bit younger then when she came the first time.. around 17 i am ignoring Titans 2008 cause that is inconsistent as all hell.. and just a bad series.. im gonna say shes 18

Arella Age: 37 when she died Rationale: She ran away from home when she was 17 years old [as told in TEEN TITANS [third series] #8]. When the New Teen Titans formed, Raven was 18 so Arella was 35 years old. Add a couple of years to get to the Titans Hunt phase, when she died.

Terry Long Age: 32 when he died Rationale: In NEW TEEN TITANS #20, Terry Long mentions he's 29 years old - he's exactly 10 years older than Donna. He died in WONDER WOMAN #121 [1997].

Robert Long Age: 3 when he died Rationale: Robert was born in TEAM TITANS #3 [1992]. He was established as 3 years old in GREEN LANTERN #82 a few years later. Now, this would age Robert too rapidly for a comic book timeline; I'll attribute that to the rapid-godhood-aging that perhaps began before the Titans of Myth halted it. He died in WONDER WOMAN #121 [1997].

Tara Markov [Terra I] Age: 16 when she died Rationale: Terra joined the Titans when she was 15 years old - and celebrated her 16th birthday in NEW TEEN TITANS #34.

Joe Wilson [Jericho] Age: 20 Rationale: Joe Wilson is two years younger than his brother, Grant. Grant was just about the same age as the Titans when he became the Ravager. I'll place Grant as one year older than the original Titans, and Joey one year younger. Since he has not taken corporal form since TITANS HUNT, he could be younger even - frozen at his TITANS HUNT age - which would be 20 years old.

Frances Kane [Magenta] Age: 24 Rationale: She's the same age as Wally.

Kole Weathers Age: 18 when she died [?] Rationale: Kole states she is "At least eighteen now" in NEW TEEN TITANS #10 [1985]; If she's still alive, she'd be 22 now.

Azrael [The Angel.. not to be confused with Jean Paul Valley] Age: ?? Rationale: He's of alien origin - he could be 5 years old or 5,000 for all we know.

Chris King [Dial H] Age: 20/21 Rationale: He was 14 when he received the dial. He had just started college when he met the Titans in NEW TEEN TITANS #45-46 [1988]. So he is definitely 2-3 years younger than the original Titans. Plus, he is in college still now, so he must be college age.

Danny Chase Age: 14 when he died Rationale: Danny Chase was 13 years old when introduced in NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #3 [1988]. He died in NEW TITANS #84 [1992].

Pantha Age: 24 when she died Rationale: Total guess. When in doubt, I'll place them the same age as the original Titans, unless evidence suggests otherwise. Pantha doesn't even know how old she is.

Leonid Kovar [Red Star] Age: 25 Rationale: He appears to the same age of the original Titans when he first met them way back in TEEN TITANS #18.

Baby Wildebeest Age: 3 when he died Rationale: A year younger than Lian Harper seems just about right. And his toddler status in TITANS #20 seems to support this.

Miri Delgado [Mirage] Age: 22 Rationale: Miri was about 18 years old when the TEAM TITANS series was published. Since then, she's gone through a pregnancy and birth. Placing TOTAL CHAOS and those events 3 years ago seems about right.

Tara Markov [Terra II] Age: 19 when Rationale: She was 16 when the TEAM TITANS series was published; She was an exact doppelganger for Terra I, who was 16 when she died. Placing TOTAL CHAOS and those events 3 years ago seems about right.

Charlie Watkins [Killowat] Age: 15/16 when he was erased Rationale: A good guess. Definitely younger than Mirage; All the Teamers attended high school during TEAM TITANS, which means they were between 14-18.

Carrie Levine [Redwing] Age: 15/16 when she was erased Rationale: A good guess. Definitely younger than Mirage; All the Teamers attended high school during TEAM TITANS, which means they were between 14-18. Carrie and Jon Levine joined the resistence when they were about 15 years old, as established in TEAM TITANS #1 [1992]

Jon Levine [Prestor Jon] Age: 15/16 when he was erased Rationale: A good guess. Definitely younger than Mirage; All the Teamers attended high school during TEAM TITANS, which means they were between 14-18. Carrie and Jon Levine joined the resistence when they were about 15 years old, as established in TEAM TITANS #1 [1992]

Dagon [Nightrider] Age: 14 when he was erased Rationale: He is established as 14 years old in his origin story in TEAM TITANS #1 [1992]. Vampires don't age. Seems young, given his appearance; Maybe supernatural powers make you appear more buff.

Battalion Age: ?? Rationale: Really hard to hazard a guess. The weathered soldier could be anywhere between 30 and 50 years old.

Bart Allen [Kid Flash] Age: 16 [chronologically only 3 years] Rationale: Bart is chronologically only 3 years old since his age has been hyperaccelerated. He is established as stabalizing at 14 years old when he came to the past in FLASH #92-93. That was around the time of ZERO HOUR - the same time Wally is established as 23 years old. More recently, in SECRET ORIGINS 80-PAGE GIANT #1 [1998], Bart states: "When I was one, I looked three. When I was two, I looked twelve." When asked how old he is now, he says: "Three. Fifteen. Depends." he is established as 16 at the end of new earth

Grant Emerson [Damage] Age: 18 Rationale: He was established as 16 years old when his DAMAGE series began. Damage is decribed as: "Damage is 16-year-old high school student Grant Emerson, who suddenly discovered he was a superhuman with incredible explosive powers." I placed about a year and a half between DAMAGE #1 and now. Plus, he's close in age to Argent.

Kyle Rayner [Green Lantern] Age: 23 Rationale: I place Kyle as two years younger than the original Titans. When Kyle dated Donna, Donna mentioned she was a little older than him.

Linda Danvers [Supergirl] Age: 21 Rationale: She was in college through the run of her series.

Minion Age: 14 Rationale: I don't think his age was ever established, but seemed much younger than the other Titans.

Rose Wilson Age: 16 Rationale: She was established as 14 years old in DEATHSTROKE ANNUAL #4 [1995]. Everything else in that time period is 'about a year ago'. another year passed with one year later putting her at 16

Ray Palmer [Atom] Age: 17 when he was a Titan Rationale: It was stated he was de-aged to 17 years old after ZERO HOUR. in TEEN TITANS [second series] #1 [1996] he says he's 17 years old. He's now back to his proper age - in his mid-30s.

Toni Monetti [Argent] Age: 18 Rationale: All the Teen Titans in this group celebrated their 16th birthdays in TEEN TITANS #1 [1996]. All H'San Natall seeds were conceived the same day.

Cody Driscoll [Risk] Age: 18 Rationale: All the Teen Titans in this group celebrated their 16th birthdays in TEEN TITANS #1 [1996]. All H'San Natall seeds were conceived the same day.

Isiah Crockett [Joto] Age: 18 Rationale: All the Teen Titans in this group celebrated their 16th birthdays in TEEN TITANS #1 [1996]. All H'San Natall seeds were conceived the same day.

Prysm Age: 18 Rationale: All the Teen Titans in this group celebrated their 16th birthdays in TEEN TITANS #1 [1996]. All H'San Natall seeds were conceived the same day.

Fringe Age: 18 Rationale: All the Teen Titans in this group celebrated their 16th birthdays in TEEN TITANS #1 [1996]. All H'San Natall seeds were conceived the same day.

Freddie Freeman [Captain Marvel Jr.] Age: 19 Ratonale: he is shown to be in college during Trial of Shazam so 19 seems about right

Jesse Quick Age: 27 Rationale: She's definitely a little older than the original Titans. She was already out of college and working on her thesis when she was introduced in the early 1990's. She runs her own company.

'Hero' Cruz Age: 16/17 Rationale: Just a guess. All the Ravers seemed about the same age as Superboy - which is 16.

Ryuko Orsono [Bushido] Age: 17/18 Rationale: Just a guess. He seems younger than Gar, but old enough to assume a lot of responsibility for the Bushido legacy.

Cerdian Age: 1 Rationale: Garth's son Cerdian is born in AQUAMAN #63 [2000] hed be 1 year before infinite crisis

Tim Drake [Red Robin] Age: 17 Rationale: Tim celebrated his 16th birthday in an issue of ROBIN just prior to he start of the 2003 TEEN TITANS series. Tim also assumed the Robin mantle when he was 14 - which supports his current 'age theory' one year later puts him at 17

Kon-El [Superboy] Age: 17 [chronologically only 1-2 years] Rationale: It was established that Kon was frozen at the age of 16 during practically the whole run of SUPERBOY and YOUNG JUSTICE. Kon was 'created' from scratch after the 'death' of Superman, so he's chronologically only 1-2 years old. Superboy is aging normally now, though, after the events of SINS OF YOUTH [1999]. died his age was frozen came back, in superboy 2011 simon valentine is shown to be looking through colleges so he is definitely in his senior year

Cassie Sandsmark [Wonder Girl] Age: 16 Rationale: Cassie was established as 14 years old when introduced in the pages of Wonder Woman #105 [1996]. I would place her at about 16 years old by the time one year later takes place.

[some-irish-guy-yelling]

Avatar world map

[avatar-dacia]

What’s the source of this?  Is there a larger version that’s a bit more legible?  Either way, it’s awesome.

[cauldronlakebathbomb]

You can see a larger version clicking here.

[glamourweaver]

Thank you so much! Was this an official creation or a fanwork?  If it’s a fanwork I want to make sure I credit the artist if I draw on it in fic.

[cauldronlakebathbomb]

I didn’t find this when I first look it up, but I did a little more digging and it is indeed a fanwork. 

In fact two persons contributed to form this map: djinn327 made the amazing cartography, while Reddit user DigitalEmu did the “borders, names, cities, and stuff”, which might also explain why all the names look to be of Chinese origin rather than following each nation’s origin (water tribe = Inuktitut and other Inuit languages, air nomads = Tibetan, etc).

[glamourweaver]

Awesome thank you!  I’m still trying to track the origin of the idea that Zaofu is in the Southwest near Omashu and the swamp (the wiki claims this but provides no source) and was wondering if this might have been the source if it was official.  

[moonlitinks-deactivated20250331]

ways you can further develop your main character

give them a misbelief

no characters have a personality when the plot starts. all of them have backstories, a past, and a mindset that they grew up with!

basically, a misbelief is the wrong mindset that they grew up with, and is also a belief that will be restructured by the end of your novel.

this not only shows character growth and development as their mind is "restructured" or they learn their life lesson, but also drives the internal plot of your story, which differs from the external (or action) plot that most people seem to read.

+ this gives readers a deeper insight to your character!

give them a goal

every character has a goal, or something they want in their lives. having them strive for it would essentially drive your plot, and may also help you dig deeper into your character's motivations!

this goal doesn't always need to be achieved, or may be impossible to (for example, someone wanting to meet a loved one who turns out to be dead; they may have not reached their goal, but it took them on a journey)

this goal should also be concrete if possible! vague ones like "they want to be happy," isn't very helpful. what do they think will make them happy?

(side note: wanting everything to be the way that it is can also be a goal, cause they're striving to make things go back to the way they were!)

more notes / explanations here! most of these notes in this post are taken from story genius by lisa cron, and i thought they might help. please take all this information with a grain of salt, and maybe use it in a way that'll work best for you! <3

buy me a kofi | insta | main

[inefekt69]

Sapporo, Japan

[hisunseeliemajesty-deactivated2]

East Asian Mythology | Kitsune

In Japanese folklore, Kitsune,  literally the Japanese word for fox) are intelligent foxes that possess paranormal abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to yōkai folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others – as foxes in folklore often do – other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers. (x)

[darxinator]

OC Aesthetics → Gulia Hightower [The Mastermind]

"You are truly godless, Aerion. It's bad enough you kill a horse, but a puppeteer is as low as you can go. Lys is the least you deserved and, as a woman of faith, I am supposed to have pity for you, but I don't and I wish the worst for you. What were you thinking coming to Red Lake, my sister's home and inside a sept. Your uncle died, may the Seven give him peace and you are here. Looking for me and I am nothing for you to play with. Repentance is your only chance, but you are too far gone. You should have repented for ruining Lily and Melissa, but you hurt people and my cousin of House Beesbury is dead, because of you and Daeron lying on the hedge knight and caused all this mess in the first place. Does your father know you are in Red Lake? Or are you here on your own will and attempt to seduce me in a sept. Get out, I don't want to see you ever again. You ruined my reputation, I was a woman of faith, and righteous, until you put mud on my name and I am a scarlet lady, because of you. You ruin lives everywhere you go, but you are not finished and the Crown will still have a use for you in the next rebellion Bittersteel will lead and you might die. And I will be glad."

[yarimkalansigaram]

[expressions-of-nature]

by Igor Svibilsky

[calirph]

𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐋, 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐒.

"If I were a lesser man, I would confess my heart to you here, where no eyes can witness our folly."

"You speak of honor, my lord, but your gaze tells a different story."

"Duty binds us to another, but it is my heart that is drawn to you."

"A single dance is all I ask. Let the world say what they will."

"Your marriage contract is written in ink, but our bond was sealed in blood."

"There is no greater treason than what my heart conspires when I see you."

"A crown is a heavy burden, my lady, but it would rest lighter if you were by my side."

"Tell me your heart belongs elsewhere, and I shall never speak of this again."

"It would be a scandal if they knew how often I think of you."

"A marriage of alliances is what they see, but between us, I see more."

"Your touch is forbidden, but I crave it more than all the gold in the kingdom."

"My honor demands I walk away, yet here I remain, waiting for you."

"Shall we speak of politics, or shall we speak of what truly lies between us?"

"Your father’s alliances are well and good, but none can offer what I do—my heart."

"Would you defy your House to be with me? For I would burn the world to claim you."

"Let the court whisper all they wish. My only concern is your heart."

"There are eyes upon us, but do they know how deeply I adore you?"

"Do not speak of duty when your hand fits so perfectly in mine."

"One day, my love, they will write songs of the battles we fought to be together."

"If I must marry her, then know my heart will always belong to you."

"The realm would shatter if they knew the depths of my affection for you."

"A prince may sit upon the throne, but I rule only when you are near."

"You’re promised to another, but every word you speak feels like a vow to me."

"Your kiss would be the end of my honor, yet I cannot resist the temptation."

"I will marry for duty, but I shall love only for you."

"My kingdom is vast, but without you, it is empty."

"If you give me a sign, just one, I will renounce all that ties me to her."

"The stars above witness what I cannot say aloud—I am yours."

"Is it love or a dangerous game we play, my lady?"

"I would bend the knee to no one but you."

"Your name is on the lips of courtiers, but it is my heart that whispers it at night."

"I see the burden of your crown, and I wish only to share it with you."

"I could face a thousand armies, but your smile is what truly unmans me."

"They say the gods have destined our paths, yet my heart rebels for you."

"A kiss from you would ruin me, but what a glorious ruin it would be."

"There is no realm so vast that it could keep me from you."

"One glance, and all thoughts of duty flee. I live only for your love."

"What use is a crown when the heart is so divided?"

"I see the banners of our Houses in battle, yet I dream only of your embrace."

"Speak plainly, my lord. Do you wish for an alliance or something far more dangerous?"

"I will not ask for your heart, but know mine is already yours."

"The court dances around us, but you are the only step I wish to take."

"Your hand is promised to him, yet your heart beats for me. I feel it."

"Our families may be at war, but I long to lay down my sword at your feet."

"One touch from you, and the world could burn. I would care not."

"This is not the place to speak of love, yet I find no other words come to mind."

"Do not ask me to be content with only your friendship when I desire so much more."

"Your marriage may be arranged, but love is something we can still claim for ourselves."

"I have fought wars, but the greatest battle is hiding my affection for you."

"Would you forsake your titles if it meant you could have me?"

"My lady, one kiss, and I would renounce all crowns and titles for you."

"We are betrothed to others, yet my heart chooses you every time."

"I long for a life with you, but I fear the cost would be too great."

"The court will gossip, but they cannot understand what we share."

"One secret look from you, and I will forget all loyalties."

"They see us as pawns, but my feelings for you are real."

"A night with you would be worth all the betrayals of the realm."

"Marry him if you must, but know I will always wait for you."

"Our union would tear the realm apart, yet I cannot let you go."

"The gods have willed our paths to cross, but only we can choose what comes next."

“Our houses are enemies, my lord, yet here you stand, offering your hand.”

“You know well that a marriage between us would seal more than a treaty.”

“I should not want you, but how can I resist when the stars seem to conspire for us?”

“Duty and love seldom walk the same path, but perhaps we can change that.”

“Your gaze lingers longer than is proper, but I cannot say I wish it otherwise.”

“If my heart belonged to my house, I might deny you… but it belongs to you.”

“What can I offer a prince who already possesses a kingdom? Surely not my heart alone.”

“We have danced around this long enough. Say it—do you love me or not?”

“This court is filled with lies and shadows, yet you… you are the one truth I cling to.”

“If we are caught, my lady, it will not just be scandal—it will be war.”

“The crown sits heavy on your brow, but when you smile at me, you wear no weight at all.”

“It is dangerous to love you, but a life without danger is no life at all.”

“We speak in whispers, but my heart shouts for you.”

“You have kingdoms to conquer, and I have a heart to guard—yet both will fall if we stand together.”

“Even if the world burns for our love, I will never regret a moment of it.”

“What would your father think, seeing his son court the daughter of his enemy?”

“I should leave before we are discovered, but you have a way of making me forget caution.”

“Marrying you would be the end of my family, but losing you would be the end of me.”

“Does the crown prince bow to no one? Because I have seen you bend at my feet.”

“If your heart is as cold as the steel you wield, then why do you seek my warmth?”

“They say dragons and wolves cannot share a den, yet here we are.”

“My marriage was arranged, but my love… that is my own choice.”

“You think we could be happy in the shadows? I would bring you into the light.”

“They’ll say you’ve bewitched me, but I know it is I who sought your spell.”

“We cannot be together—too many eyes watch us, too many mouths would speak.”

“I cannot marry you, but I will not marry another.”

“This ring… I stole it from my father’s treasury, but it belongs to you now.”

“Our love is a secret, but it is the most real thing in this cursed court.”

“Every time you walk past me without a word, my heart breaks a little more.”

“Do you think this cloak hides us from the world? No—only our hearts can.”

“The king may order my marriage, but he cannot order my love.”

“I have sworn fealty to the crown, but to you… I give my heart.”

“If this court knew the truth of us, they would tear us apart.”

“You stand too close, my lord. But do not think for a moment that I will step away.”

“Would you still love me if I had no title? If I were no one at all?”

“The political alliance may be settled, but what of the alliance between us?”

“We are but pawns in their game, yet I find I am drawn to you all the same.”

“A kiss in the dark—was it a promise or a farewell?”

“I love you, but I will not be your queen if I cannot be your equal.”

“If your father knew what passed between us, his sword would be the least of our worries.”

“A crown is not what I seek from you; I want only your heart.”

“They think I love you for power, but the truth is far simpler—I love you because you are you.”

“We have danced at a dozen balls, but I crave only the dance we share in secret.”

“Even if the kingdom falls, my love for you will stand eternal.”

“You say I must marry for duty. But I wish to marry for love.”

“Every look from you feels like a stolen kiss in a room full of spies.”

“They would call us traitors for this, but love knows no loyalty to crowns.”

“When you speak of the future, do you see me beside you, or is my place already taken?”

“Let the court gossip, let them plot—I care not. I care only for you.”

“You think I courted you for your title? No, I courted you because you are the only one who truly sees me.”

“This sword may defend my honor, but it is your love that defends my soul.”

“I should not love you, but when have I ever obeyed the rules of court?”

“Your kiss may be forbidden, but I would rather have it than any crown.”

“If this is the last time we meet, let it be with love on our lips, not sorrow.”

“You think I belong to the throne? I belong to you.”

“There will be no heirs without love, and there will be no love without you.”

“I do not seek a king—I seek a partner, a love that burns through the ages.”

“In another life, perhaps I could have courted you openly, without fear.”

“We may be enemies, but my heart knows no such war.”

“Even if I lose everything, I will never lose my love for you.”

 Writing Prompts:

A lord risks his reputation to visit a forbidden love in the dead of night, knowing discovery could mean death.

A noblewoman is torn between her duty to marry for alliance and her growing affection for a knight beneath her station.

A marriage is arranged between two rival Houses, but the bride finds herself drawn to the groom’s brother.

At a grand tournament, a knight declares his love for a lady promised to another, causing a scandal in the court.

The heir to the throne must choose between a politically advantageous marriage or the one they truly love.

A lady is forced to wed a cruel lord but begins a secret romance with his trusted guard.

Two childhood friends, both of noble birth, find themselves on opposite sides of a war while trying to conceal their love.

A prince seeks the hand of a foreign princess for a strategic alliance but falls in love with her maid.

A lady-in-waiting falls for the king, knowing their love could threaten the stability of the realm.

After the death of her betrothed, a noblewoman finds herself pursued by his best friend, who has loved her all along.

A princess defies her family’s wishes to pursue a love affair with a rogue mercenary.

During peace negotiations between two warring kingdoms, the heirs from each side fall in love.

A knight tasked with protecting a noblewoman finds himself hopelessly in love with her, despite her betrothal.

At a royal feast, a noblewoman invites scandal by asking a prince from a rival kingdom to dance.

An arranged marriage is doomed from the start as the bride secretly loves the king's sworn enemy.

A foreign diplomat comes to court to negotiate a treaty but becomes entangled in a forbidden romance with the queen.

A betrothed prince and princess find themselves longing for others at court rather than each other.

A forbidden romance blossoms between a high-born lady and her father’s most trusted squire.

A rebellious nobleman attempts to ruin his family's arranged marriage by seducing his betrothed's handmaiden.

After a failed coup, a nobleman is held prisoner in the castle and falls in love with the king's daughter.

A knight wins a princess's favor in a joust but must navigate the court's dangerous politics to remain close to her.

A widow is pressured to remarry for political reasons, but her heart belongs to her late husband's brother.

A young nobleman must choose between family loyalty and his growing affection for an enemy spy.

A queen's closest advisor conceals his love for her as she contemplates a new marriage for the sake of the realm.

In a war-torn kingdom, a prince hides his love for the daughter of the enemy's general.

A commoner saves a noblewoman’s life, leading to a romance that defies all courtly conventions.

A princess defies her father’s wishes by pursuing a love affair with her sworn protector.

A noblewoman enlists the help of a mage to conceal her forbidden relationship with a member of the court.

A foreign prince sent to court to solidify an alliance is drawn to a lady-in-waiting rather than his intended bride.

Two heirs from opposing families must decide if their love is worth the risk of plunging their kingdoms into war.

Write a scene where a noblewoman sends her favorite knight a token of affection before battle, knowing they must keep their love secret.

A princess is courted by a rival prince, but she realizes she’s more drawn to his younger brother, a knight with no claim to the throne.

The marriage between two warring houses is meant to bring peace, but secret lovers on opposing sides must decide whether to betray their families or each other.

Write a scene where two political rivals share a stolen kiss in the middle of a negotiation, unsure if it’s love or manipulation.

A royal wedding is interrupted by a former lover, who makes a shocking declaration that could change the fate of the kingdom.

The court is abuzz with rumors of a hidden romance between a highborn lady and a mysterious foreign diplomat. What happens when their secret is revealed?

Write a forbidden romance between a prince and his most trusted knight, both of whom know their love will never be accepted by the realm.

A noblewoman is betrothed to a powerful lord, but a masked stranger at a masquerade ball captures her heart.

The queen’s handmaid catches the eye of a visiting lord, but the queen herself has plans for him.

A young heir must choose between a politically advantageous marriage and the commoner they’ve secretly been seeing.

Two nobles, one from the north and one from the south, fall in love despite their families being long-standing enemies.

A sorceress and a prince develop feelings for each other, but their magic and duty threaten to tear them apart.

Write a scene where a forbidden couple meets in a hidden grove, discussing whether they can ever truly be together.

A powerful noblewoman is tasked with spying on a visiting prince but ends up falling for him.

The princess falls in love with her sworn protector, knowing the kingdom would never approve of such a match.

A royal engagement is arranged, but during a secret meeting, the betrothed couple discovers they are each in love with other people.

Write a scene where a knight confesses their love to a princess, knowing it could cost them their head.

Two royals from rival kingdoms fall in love through secret letters, but neither knows the other's true identity.

The court whispers of a secret romance between the queen and her advisor—how long can they keep it hidden?

A betrothed noblewoman falls for her intended husband’s brother, creating tension at court.

Two lovers from opposing sides of a civil war meet on the battlefield and must decide between love and loyalty.

A widowed queen is courted by her late husband’s rival, and she must navigate her heart and her duty to the crown.

A lady-in-waiting is drawn to the king’s bastard son, but court politics make their love dangerous.

A knight is sent to escort a noblewoman to her wedding but falls in love with her on the journey.

A commoner saved by a prince in battle is invited to court, where they struggle to keep their feelings hidden.

Two nobles secretly betrothed as children meet for the first time as adults and discover that their feelings for one another are far from what their families hoped.

A prince courts a lady-in-waiting to his betrothed, creating political tensions within the kingdom.

Write a scene where a nobleman uses a dance at a royal ball to secretly profess his love for a woman already promised to another.

The heir to the throne falls in love with the enemy queen, leading to forbidden meetings in the midst of war.

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to create an atmosphere: Club

Sight

strobo light

very different styles of clothing

groups of girls and groups of guys huddled together

people dancing wild and free

people just slightly swaying from left to right

people grinding on each other

stressed barkeepers

bored looking security guards

vip areas

Hearing

loud music

whatever their conversational partner is screaming at them

a random girl crying in the bathroom

girls having random conversations with strangers in the bathroom

a fight breaking out outside or on the dancefloor

Touch

sticky floor

bodies bumping into each other

cold glasses with drinks in them

the hand of a friend out of fear of losing each other

bodies pressed together while dancing

Smell

the smell of sweat

the smell of alcohol

the smell of smoke from the smoke machine or from zigarettes or other substances

Taste

the taste of overpriced drinks

the taste of the smoke in the air from the smoke machines

the taste of a drunken kiss

[iconsfabric]

I C O N S ― Trey Baxter

©  ·  @iconsfabric

[kingdomy]

[anomalously-written]

Let's Talk About: Minor Character Development

“Creating one interesting character is hard enough — but when it comes to writing a whole novel or series of books, you have to create dozens of them. How can you keep your supporting cast from seeming like cookie-cutter people? There’s no easy answer, but a few tricks might help you create minor characters who don’t feel too minor.” [x]

10 Secrets to Creating Unforgettable Supporting Characters

Give them at lease one defining characteristic. "…lots of people have one or two habits that you notice the first time you meet them, that stand out in your mind even after you learn more about them.“

Give them an origin story. ”…Your main character doesn’t necessarily need an origin story, because you’ve got the whole book to explain who he/she is and what he/she is about. But a supporting character? You get a paragraph or five, to explain the formative experience that made her become the person she is, and possibly how she got whatever skills or powers she possesses.“

Make sure they talk in a distinctive fashion. ”…you still have to make sure your characters don’t all talk the same. Some of them talk in nothing but short sentences, others in nothing but long, rolling statements full of subordinate clauses and random digressions. Or you might have a character who always follows one long sentence with three short ones.“ ”…One dirty shortcut is to hear the voice of a particular actor or famous person in your head, as one character talks.“

Avoid making them paragons of virtue, or authorial stand-ins. ”…People who have no flaws are automatically boring, and thus forgettable.“ ”…Any character who has foibles, or bad habits, or destructive urges, will always stand out more than one who is pure and wonderful in all ways. And nobody will believe that you’ve chosen to identify yourself, as the author, with someone who’s so messed up. (Because of course, you are a perfect human being, with no flaws of your own.)“

Anchor them to a particular place. ”…A huge part of making a supporting character “pop” is placing her somewhere. Give her a haunt — some place she hangs out a lot. A tavern, a bar, an engine room, a barracks, a dog track, wherever. It works both ways — by anchoring a character in a particular location, you make both the character and the location feel more real.“

Introduce them twice — the first time in the background, the second in the foreground. ”…You mention a character in passing: “And Crazy Harriet was there too, chewing on her catweed like always.” And you say more about them. And then later, the next time we see that character, you give more information or detail, like where she scores her catweed from. The reader will barely remember that you mentioned the character the first time — but it’s in the back of the reader’s mind, and there’s a little “ping” of identification.“

Focus on what they mean to your protagonists ”…What does this minor character mean to your hero? What role does he fulfill? What does your hero want or need from Randolph the Grifter? If you know what your hero finds memorable about Randolph, then you’re a long ways towards finding what your readers will remember, too.“

Give them an arc — or the illusion of one. ”… You can create the appearance of an arc by establishing that a character feels a particular way — and then, a couple hundred pages later, you mention that now the character feels a different way.“ ”…A minor character who changes in some way is automatically more interesting than one who remains constant…“

The more minor the character, the more caricature-like they may have to be. ”…This one is debatable — you may be a deft enough author that you can create a hundred characters, all of whom are fully fleshed out, well-rounded human beings with full inner lives.“ ”…some writing styles simply can’t support or abide cartoony minor characters. But for your third ensign, who appears for a grand total of two pages, on page 147 and page 398, you may have to go for cartoony if you want him to live in the reader’s mind as anything other than a piece of scenery.“

Decide which supporting characters you’ll allow to be forgettable after all. ”…And this is probably inevitable. You only have so much energy, and your readers only have so much mental space. Plus, if 100 supporting characters are all vivid and colorful and people your readers want to go bowling with, then your story runs the risk of seeming overwritten and garish.Sometimes you need to resign yourself to the notion that some characters are going to be extras, or that they’re literally going to fulfill a plot function without having any personality to speak of. It’s a major sacrifice they’re making, subsuming their personality for the sake of the major players’ glory.“

Keep reading

[luna-azzurra]

10 “I’m Trying Not to Fall in Love With You” Behaviors

(for that painfully slow-burn energy. they’re in denial, we are screaming.)

✧ Overexplaining why they’re doing something kind. “I only brought you coffee because I was already there. It doesn’t mean anything.”

✧ Making playlists, but never sending them.

✧ Remembering oddly specific things, like how you take your ramen or your opinion on grape-flavored candy.

✧ Looking at your mouth mid-conversation. Catching themselves. Looking away.

✧ Offering to carry something small and stupid, like a charger or chapstick, because it’s one more way to be close.

✧ Giving a compliment but following it up with a weird joke, like their brain short-circuited.

✧ Fixing your sleeve. Avoiding eye contact while doing it.

✧ Defending you in front of others but teasing you when you’re alone.

✧ Staring a little too long when they think you’re not looking.

✧ Practicing how not to touch you when you sit too close. Failing anyway.

[awinterrosesstuff]

Norse mythology : Freyr - God of light, fertility, peace, prosperity, fair weather, and good harvest