Dicelady20

| Writer | She/Her | Howdy! I'm a she/her dice goblin who plays tabletop games and will go feral for tea or books. I write & repost writing tips. Welcome to the cute-cozy side of tumblr; have some tea and your favorite snack. My friends call me Pancakes or Documancer.

[imastoryteller]

15 Emotional Truths Readers Crave in Fiction

Readers don’t come to stories just for plot. They come to feel seen. No matter the genre (fantasy, romance, sci-fi, or fan fiction), stories resonate when they reflect emotional truths readers recognize from real life, even in unreal worlds.

These aren’t clichés or morals. They’re emotional realities that make readers think: Yes. That’s exactly how it feels.

Below are 15 emotional truths readers crave, plus notes on how you can bring them to life on the page.

1. Love is often messy, not pure

Readers crave love that includes fear, jealousy, uncertainty, and mistakes. Perfect devotion is less relatable than love that struggles.

Writing tip: Let affection coexist with resentment, doubt, or exhaustion.

2. Wanting something doesn’t mean you’ll get it

One of the most painful (and powerful) truths: desire isn’t a guarantee.

Writing tip: Let characters want deeply even when the outcome is uncertain or tragic.

3. People hurt each other without meaning to

Most emotional wounds aren’t caused by villains. They’re caused by misunderstandings, timing, and fear.

Writing tip: Replace malice with misalignment. It feels more real.

4. Growth is uncomfortable and uneven

Change rarely happens in a straight line. Readers recognize setbacks, relapses, and resistance.

Writing tip: Let characters regress before they improve.

5. Silence can hurt more than words

What goes unsaid often carries more emotional weight than dialogue.

Writing tip: Use pauses, avoidance, and unfinished sentences strategically.

6. Love doesn’t always fix the damage

Affection can coexist with trauma, grief, or broken trust.

Writing tip: Allow love to support healing without magically curing it.

7. People lie to themselves first

Readers connect to characters who rationalize, justify, or deny uncomfortable truths.

Writing tip: Show the gap between what a character says and what they do.

8. Fear often masquerades as anger

Anger is usually the surface emotion; fear is the engine underneath.

Writing tip: Ask what your character is protecting themselves from.

9. Being chosen matters

Whether it’s love, loyalty, or friendship, readers crave the moment a character is actively chosen.

Writing tip: Make choices explicit, not assumed. Moments where a character is deliberately chosen tend to land harder than declarations.

10. Closure is rarely perfect

Real life doesn’t always offer clean endings, and readers know that.

Writing tip: Aim for emotional resolution, not total neatness.

11. Grief comes in waves

Loss doesn’t fade, it resurfaces unexpectedly.

Writing tip: Let grief appear in mundane moments, not just dramatic ones.

12. People change… but not all at once

Readers crave realism: habits linger, flaws persist, even after revelations.

Writing tip: Let improvement be partial and ongoing.

13. Wanting independence can clash with wanting love

The tension between autonomy and connection is deeply relatable.

Writing tip: Force characters to choose, or believe they must.

14. Regret can be quiet

Not all regret looks like breakdowns. Sometimes it’s a glance, a pause, a “what if.”

Writing tip: Use small, restrained reactions to show lasting regret.

15. Being understood is as powerful as being loved

Readers ache for characters who are truly seen, flaws and all.

Writing tip: Give characters moments where someone understands them without explanation.

[pantserspen]

How to Fix Underwriting

1. Slow down at emotionally important moments.

Big emotions need space to land. If a scene feels rushed, pause the plot briefly to show how the moment affects the character.

2. Add reactions, not explanations.

Instead of explaining what a character feels, show it through physical responses, hesitation, or small actions that reveal emotion naturally.

3. Ground every scene in the senses.

If a scene feels thin, add one or two sensory details—sound, texture, smell, or temperature—to make the moment feel lived-in.

4. Let thoughts interrupt action.

A line of internal thought can deepen a scene without slowing it too much. Thoughts show stakes, fear, longing, or conflict beneath the action.

5. Expand consequences, not events.

You don’t need more things to happen—you need to show what matters. Focus on how events change relationships, decisions, or self-perception.

6. Strengthen setting where emotion peaks.

The environment should echo or contrast the emotion of the scene. Setting is not decoration—it’s emotional reinforcement.

7. Add specific details instead of general ones.

Underwriting often relies on vague language. Swap “they argued” for one sharp line of dialogue or a specific breaking point.

8. Let dialogue breathe.

Short dialogue exchanges without pauses can feel flat. Add beats—silence, gestures, interruptions—to give the conversation weight.

9. Show transitions between scenes.

If scenes jump too quickly, readers feel disoriented. A brief transition helps establish time, mood, and emotional continuity.

10. Clarify stakes early in the scene.

If readers don’t know what can be lost, scenes feel empty. Make sure the character wants something specific and fears losing it.

11. Use the “what are they feeling right now?” check.

After each major beat, ask what emotion is dominant in that moment. If it’s missing on the page, the scene is likely underwritten.

12. Expand scenes that feel “too clean.”

If a scene resolves too neatly or quickly, it probably needs more tension. Messy emotions and unresolved feelings add depth.

[linaisbluepancake]

How do you draw kisses so well????????

I had to learn how to draw the head in different perspectives besides the basic ones, that’s how u make the kiss look less stiff and awkward and actually make it look like a kiss. look for reference poses, i practiced with those a lot, don´t be afraid to practice different perspectives beside the side view, bonus points cause u wont have to draw the lips from a back view lol 

Also lips ARE SQUISHY and sometimes, depending on how deep or open mouthed the kiss is the lips may not even be that visible, they´ll just look like lines sometimes. Remember to use references, they help a lot, also nose positioning you’ll have to find out by pure observation lol so ye references.

Also Expressions! play with them they give life to the kiss, make it angsty, passionate, delicate, u do u! Hope this helped!

[adelineiserman]

Prompt 21: Write a sentence about light.

[dicelady20]

#adelineiserman

[nondelphic]

writers: what if the town had a secret.

me: what if the town was the secret.

[dicelady20]

#nondeklphic

[galina]

Dust-filled streaks of light, lukewarm coffee, the sticky plastic of library book covers, smudged ink, the smell of a candle just burnt out

[whumpster-dumpster]

100 Ways to say "I Care"

See the original 100 Ways to say "I Love You" list here: [x] I was inspired to make one of my own for caretaking themes 💕

"I'm here."

"Stay still."

"Trust me."

"You're safe."

"I've got you."

"I don't mind."

"I'm not mad."

"Lean on me."

"I understand."

"It's no bother."

"I'll clean it up."

"Take my coat."

"Need a hand?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'll handle this."

"Happy to help."

"Get some rest."

"Can I hug you?"

"I'll get the light."

"I can't lose you."

"Shh, don't cry..."

"My door's open."

"Take small sips."

"Stay behind me."

"I'll walk with you."

"Feel better soon."

"You're not alone."

"How'd you sleep?"

"I just want to help."

"I've got your back."

"Please be careful."

"It wasn't your fault."

"I'm a good listener."

"Let me help you up."

"When I say run, run."

"I'm glad you're okay."

"You're not a burden."

"I made your favorite."

"I'll see what I can do."

"How are you feeling?"

"We'll get through this."

"That's it, just let it out."

"I'm worried about you."

"I'll start a bath for you."

"I'm coming right back."

"I can stay up with you."

"I wish you had told me."

"It's okay to not be okay."

"Your health comes first."

"You need a ride home?"

"Sit tight, I'm on my way."

"I'm not here to hurt you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Just looking out for you."

"I'm sorry, I know it hurts."

"Let me worry about that."

"Stay as long as you want."

"I'll take care of everything."

"It's fine, I'll take the couch."

"I came as soon as I heard."

"You really gave us a scare."

"I'm not leaving you behind."

"I'm never too busy for you."

"I'll stay until you fall asleep."

"You don't have to apologize."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's okay, it was just a dream."

"You ready to eat something?"

"Don't strain yourself, I'll get it."

"I've missed seeing you smile."

"Do you need another blanket?"

"You didn't deserve any of this."

"Follow my breathing. In...out..."

"Don't scare me like that again."

"I'll wake you in a couple hours."

"It's really me. I'm here, I'm real."

"I won't let them near you again."

"You first, I'll be right behind you."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"I know I don't have to. I want to."

"You can hold my hand if it helps."

"I've got your next round of meds."

"Let me put on some fresh sheets."

"It's good to see you up and about."

"I'm with you every step of the way."

"I'll be outside if you need anything."

"Hey, you're supposed to be resting."

"You're the strongest person I know."

"Is there anyone you want me to call?"

"If you're not up for this, let me know."

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about."

"I just hate to see you hurting like this."

"Tell me what you need most right now."

"I called off work. You've got me all day."

"You've got my emergency contact info."

"I know you. You don't seem like yourself."

"I have a change of clothes ready for you."

"I'm so proud of you, and how far you've come."

"Call me if you need me. I don't care how late it is."

"They want to get to you, they'll have to go through me."

[dicelady20]

#prompt list #whump prompts #hurt/comfort #wow

[luna-azzurra]

Physical Intimacy Prompts

They bring their foreheads together in quiet moments, feeling each other’s breath and just being present.

When things get scary or uncertain, they instinctively reach for each other’s hand.

One sneaks up behind the other and wraps them up in a soft, comforting hug.

They gently trace patterns on each other’s skin, like absentmindedly drawing circles on the other’s arm.

When one is tired, the other’s shoulder becomes their perfect resting place.

Little stolen kisses, playful and unexpected, but always leaving the other smiling.

During an intimate moment, one plays with the other’s hair, lightly brushing through it.

Right before they lean in for a kiss, one bites their lip in anticipation, making the moment even sweeter.

Their lips barely touch, creating tension and leaving both wanting more.

[piplupfluffwritingstuff2]

Soft whump scenario: A Whumpee that just can't get warm. Maybe they've been out in the cold too long, or maybe it's their fever, but either way, they're freezing. Their teeth chatter as they pile on blanket after blanket, the chill seeming to have seeped into their bones. Caretaker eventually comes home to find a shaking mound of blankets, and a shivering Whumpee beneath them. Caretaker feels Whumpee's forehead and tuts softly. They leave for a few minutes; when they come back, something warm is pressed into Whumpee's frozen fingers. A hot cup of tea, just the way Whumpee likes it. Whumpee sips at the tea as Caretaker tries to coax them out of their blanket pile and into their bed. Even in their bed, Whumpee is still cold. Caretaker does the last thing they know to do. They climb under the covers and wrap their arms around Whumpee. Finally, Caretaker hears a tell-tale sigh of relief- Whumpee is finally warming up.

[pygmi-says-hi]

writing tips - banter

I LOVE BANTER WE ALL LOVE BANTER HIP HIP HOORAYYYY!!

Banter is a lovely addition to dialogue between characters. It means a lot of different things - sass, genuine insults, flirting....all sorts of options.

But overusing banter can make conversations sound circular. It's a fun 'fluffy' piece of dialogue, but doesn't do the best job conveying plot.

Pedantry vs teasing

Pedantic speech is basically nit-picking. Somebody who can't bear to let anything slide, no matter how small. This is an interesting character trait and one that adds depth, but if it's unintentional it sounds frustrating. Sassy characters are fun, especially when they go off in an inner monologue.

If a character has a quip for everything, it adds a layer of whiny-ness. Sarcasm is a fun way to tease and complain. Constant complaining gets on a reader's nerves after a while. Soon there becomes so much commentary it's hard to dissect what is actually being described.

Unless your OC has no sense of social boundaries, there's usually a break in between jokes to read the room.

How do I know when enough is enough?

Think about the character. If they have that wonderfully sardonic rapport with their peers, that's great! Why do they act like that? Is it a sense of humor? Is there a running joke? When you incorporate the banter, keep it in the confines of those parameters. It'll still enrich the conversation without overwhelming it.

It's a learning curve!!!!!

I like to do it this way:

write the dialogue as banter-y and indulgent as possible. When the scene is finished, I reread and pick out the really funny bits and discard the rest or move it to a different scene.

Sometimes those indulgent character moments help the really good stuff push to the front of your mind. Go for it! You know your story better than anybody else; if it's telling your story the way you want, that's all that matters.

[luna-azzurra]

How to Write a Confession of Love

Build the Emotional Tension Before the big confession, let the tension simmer between the characters. Maybe they share little glances across the room, or their hands brush accidentally but neither pulls away. Every shared laugh or lingering look should leave the reader wondering “Is this it?” When the confession finally happens, it’ll feel like the natural next step, as if both characters have been teetering on the edge of admitting their feelings for a while.

Inner Turmoil Leading Up to the Moment No one’s ever totally confident before saying, “I like you,” or “I love you.” Show the character’s inner freak-out. Maybe they’re wondering if they’re about to ruin everything, or if the other person feels the same. Let them overthink every detail, what if they mess it up? What if they say the wrong thing? This nervousness is super relatable and makes the confession way more intense and vulnerable.

Choose the Right Setting Where the confession happens can completely change the vibe. If it’s somewhere quiet and personal, like on the roof under the stars or sitting close on a couch, it adds a sense of intimacy. But maybe it’s in the middle of a party or a chaotic situation, where emotions are running high and everything’s on the line. The setting should fit the emotions—are they scared? Excited? Confused? Let the environment match their energy.

Don’t Make It Perfect Real life is messy, and confessions of love are no different. Maybe the character fumbles their words, says something awkward, or has to start over. Maybe they get interrupted, or they laugh nervously halfway through. These imperfections make the moment feel real. It’s not about saying the perfect words, it’s about what’s in their heart. Let the raw, unpolished feelings shine through.

Balance Between Show and Tell Obviously, they’re going to say something like “I love you” or “I can’t stop thinking about you,” but actions and body language speak just as loudly. Maybe their voice cracks, they shift closer without realizing it, or they can’t seem to meet the other person’s eyes. Maybe their hands are shaking, or their heart is pounding so loud they can’t hear anything else. Let those little details paint the full picture of how much this confession means.

The Other Person’s Reaction It’s not just about the person confessing, the other person’s reaction is a huge part of the scene. Are they completely shocked? Do they hesitate, or respond right away? Do they get teary-eyed or try to play it cool? The way they react adds layers to the moment. Even a pause before answering can make the scene ten times more intense. Their response shows how much they’ve been waiting for or dreading this confession too.

In short, make it messy, emotional, and real. Readers want to feel the build-up, the fear, the excitement, and the vulnerability of both characters. Don’t be afraid to make things a little awkward or imperfect, that’s what makes a confession unforgettable.

[creativepromptsforwriting]

Masterpost: How to write a story?

Compilation of writing advice for some aspects of the writing process.

How to motivate myself to write more

How to get rid of writer’s block

Basic Overview: How to write a story

How to outline a story

How to come up with plot

How to create a character

How to make a character unique

How to name your characters (Masterpost)

How to start a story

How to write a prologue

How to write conversation

How to write witty banter

How to write the last line

How to write a summary

How to write a book description

How to write romance

How to write friendships

How to write emotions (Masterpost)

How to write an argument

How to write yelling

How to write anger

How to write betrayal

How to title fanfiction

How to write an unreliable narrator

First Person vs. Third Person POV

How to write character deaths

How to use songs in a fanfiction

How to name fictional things

How to write self-insert fics

How to write multiple points of view

Introducing a group of characters

Large cast of characters interacting in one scene

How to write dual timelines

Redemption arc

Plot twists

Fatal Character Flaws

Good Traits Gone Bad (x)

Slow burn

Explanation posts about writing terms

What is…

AU ideas

Favourite tropes

Tropes of the day

List of Genres

Drabble vs. One-Shot

Advice for writing relationships

Masterpost: how to write relationships + romance

More specific scenarios

How to write a bilingual character

How to write a character with glasses

How to write heterochromia

How to create a villain

Reasons for becoming a villain

How to write a morally grey character

How to write an inferiority complex

How to write a road trip

How to create and write a cult

How to write amnesia

How to write being stabbed

How to write a stratocracy

How to write a heist

How to write the mafia

Criminal past comes to light

Ideas for traumatic experiences

How to create an atmosphere: Coffee Shop

How to create an atmosphere: Library

How to create an atmosphere: Supermarket

How to create an atmosphere: Train Station

How to write a college party

How to write royalty (Masterpost)

Paramilitary Forces/ Militia

Superpowers Masterpost (Hero x Villain)

Inconvenient things a ghost could do

A Queen’s Assassination Plot

Crime Story - Detective’s POV

Evil organization of assassins

Evil wins in the end

Causes for the apocalypse

Last day on earth

Liminal Spaces

Workplace AUs

Signs of co-dependency

What to wear in a desert

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

[dicelady20]

@creativepromptsforwriting

[anexperimentallife]

[the-golden-comet]

This. I cannot stress this enough. 👏

Take control of your book the way YOU want. The joy of writing, and art, is that you can be as creative and imaginative as you want it to be. The less you limit your amazing mind, the greater the possibilities.

You think I give a rat’s ass what publishing companies say? They don’t know your brain. They don’t know how you operate. I’m not PG13-ifying a book to appease a handful of pearl clutchers whose main purpose is to make your art consumable. To say “you can’t do this.”

Watch me.

Were great feats ever achieved by going the safe route? Be daring. Break the mould. Art is not a consumable. Art is the vulnerability that authors, sculptors, painters, and humans alike share together in culture.

Go bravely beyond your comfort zone. Make waves, splash paint onto the canvas. Bleed your heart on that page….and watch as those same publishers come knocking on your door and sliding into your DMs, because you let your personality shine through.

Don’t be intimidated by your book or your art. Intimidate them. Kick that door down and say, “What’s up, motherfuckers? Here I am; take it or leave it.” 💫

[creativepromptsforwriting]

You don't need anyone's approval for the stories you write and the art you create. But it's also absolutely valid to want some approval from your audience. Kudos and likes don't determine your creation's worth. But it just feels amazing to receive them.

[luna-azzurra]

Quick Tips for Writing Emotional Tension

They act like they don’t care, but we all know they’re just avoiding a massive emotional explosion.

One of them starts to spill their feelings, then clams up like, “Uh, never mind…” Cue the frustration.

One character throws out something super personal like it’s no big deal, but you can tell the other one’s like, “Wait, what?”

They let something slip that they were totally not ready to share, and then they freeze like, “Did I just say that?”

The “I’m fine” smile (but they’re not). One gives this shaky smile that doesn’t fool anyone, especially the other character.

They almost grab each other’s hand or hug, then they hesitate, and the moment passes. UGH, so frustrating!

One of them’s on the verge of tears but is trying sooo hard not to lose it. You can feel how much it hurts.

They talk about literally everything except the thing that’s actually bothering them. So. Annoying.

They used to be shoulder to shoulder, but now they’re standing a whole three feet apart like something big changed.

One’s suddenly acting like they barely know the other, being all polite and formal, and you just know there’s more going on.

[luna-azzurra]

12 Emotional Wounds in Fiction Storys

Betraying a Loved One. Your character made a choice, and it backfired, badly. They betrayed someone close to them, maybe on purpose, maybe by accident. Now, the guilt’s eating them alive. They might try to fix things, but can they even make up for what they did?

Guilt Over a Past Mistake. They made a mistake, one that cost someone else. Maybe it was reckless, maybe it was a dumb decision, but now it haunts them. They can’t stop thinking about it, and no matter how hard they try to make things right, the past keeps pulling them back.

Survivor’s Guilt. Imagine surviving something awful, an accident, a disaster, but someone else didn’t make it. Now your character is stuck asking, “Why me? Why am I still here?” They push people away, convinced they don’t deserve to be happy or even alive.

Feeling Powerless. Your character is trapped, maybe in an abusive home, a toxic relationship, or just in life itself. They feel stuck, with no control over their own future.

Being Wrongly Accused. They didn’t do it. But no one believes them. Your character has been falsely accused of something serious, maybe even a crime and now they’re fighting to clear their name. It’s not just about proving their innocence, though. They’re also battling the pain of being abandoned by people who were supposed to stand by them.

Public Humiliation. They’ve just been humiliated in front of everyone, maybe it’s a video gone viral, or they were betrayed by someone they trusted. Now, they can’t even look people in the eye.

Living in Someone’s Shadow. No matter what they do, it’s never enough. Someone else, a sibling, a friend, a partner, always shines brighter. They feel stuck in that person’s shadow, invisible and overlooked.

Abandoning a Dream. They had big dreams, but somewhere along the way, life got in the way, and now they’ve given up. Maybe it was because of fear or circumstances beyond their control, but the loss of that dream has left them feeling empty.

Childhood Trauma. Something happened to them when they were young, something painful that still affects them today. Whether it was abuse, neglect, or a significant loss, the trauma follows them into adulthood, shaping how they see themselves and the world.

Being an Outsider. They’ve never felt like they fit in, whether because of their background, their personality, or something else. They long for acceptance but fear they’ll never find it.

Struggling with Addiction. They’re caught in a destructive cycle, whether it’s with substances, behaviors, or even people. The shame and struggle to break free from addiction are real and raw.

Living with Chronic Illness. They’re living with a chronic illness or disability, and it’s not just the physical challenges that weigh them down, it’s the emotional toll, too. Maybe they feel isolated, or like they’re a burden to others.

[oflights]

helpful sites for writers

i have a little collection of websites i tend to use for coming up with ideas, naming people or places, keeping clear visuals or logistics, writing basics about places i've never been to, and so on. i tend to do a lot of research, but sometimes you just need quick references, right? so i thought i'd share some of them!

Behind the Name; good for name meanings but also just random name ideas, regardless of meanings.

Fantasy Name Generator; this link goes to the town name generator, which i use most, but there are lots of silly/fun/good inspo generators on there!

Age Calculator; for remembering how old characters are in Y month in Z year. i use this constantly.

Height Comparison; i love this for the height visuals; does character A come up to character B's shoulder? are they a head taller? what does that look like, height-wise? the chart feature is great!

Child Development Guide; what can a (neurotypical, average) 5-year-old do at that age? this is a super handy quickguide for that, with the obviously huge caveat that children develop at different paces and this is not comprehensive or accurate for every child ever. i like it as a starting point, though!

Weather Spark; good for average temperatures and weather checking!

Green's Dictionary of Slang; good for looking up "would x say this?" or "what does this phrase mean in this context?" i love the timeline because it shows when the phrase was historically in use. this is english only, though; i dig a little harder for resources like this in other languages.