do you hear the howls of humanity?

xviii▪intj▪leo▪slytherin

[medli20]

Making long-form webcomics is like

[ivynightshade]

today, i can’t be. i am too tired to be.

[fatima aamer bilal, from my heart has claws // stephen ellcock // langston hughes // david hettinger // susan sontag, from the dummy // mayday parade, from i’d rather make mistakes than nothing at all //ramon casas // lana del rey, from hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have — but i have it // daniel f. gerhartz // sylvia plath, from the bell jar // fatima aamer bilal, from moony moonless sky]

[randomgooberness]

Whole-heartedly BEGGING writers to unlearn everything schools taught you about how long a paragraph is. If theres a new subject, INCLUDING ACTIONS, theres a new paragraph. A paragraph can be a single word too btw stop making things unreadable

[randomgooberness]

Ok So I’m getting more notes than I thought quicker than I expected! So I’m gonna elaborate bc I want to. 

I get it, when you’re someone who writes a lot and talks a lot, it’s hard to keep things readable, but it’s not as much about cutting out the fat(that can be a problem) so much as a formatting issue. 

You are also actively NERFING yourself by not formatting it correctly, it can make impactful scenes feel so, so much better. Compare this, 

To THIS. 

Easier to read, and hits harder. 

No more over-saturated paragraphs. Space things out.

[randomgooberness]

@s1ld3n4f1l​ WAIT WAIT WAIT SO TRUE LITERALLY LITERALLY 

[elveatas]

The “everytime you’d imagine a camera angle change start a new paragraph” is what you are taught in film school when writing scripts.

You see, scripts need to both be easy to read, as they are often scanned quickly on set right before a scene. But also because it’s the script writer’s way of subtly letting the director know when they want the camera angle to change, as we are often not the ones directing the movie. So we’re like, influencing the director without them noticing :p

Mostly, though, one page of a screenplay is supposed to be about one minute of screentime, and if you have an action scene and no piece of dialogue, you NEED to space it out!!

[malus-syl-vestris-deactivated20]

Paragraph breaks can also be used to make the scene feel more or less actioney. If you’re doing creative writing, I’m afraid you are allowed to get creative with it actually, and that means you gotta know the rules specifically so you can set them on fire and toast marshmallows over the flames

[localbookshop]

Jean-Paul Sartre, The Selected Essays

[zackisontumblr]

do you ever sabotage your own free time? like wtf is that about? i want to play this game or read or do something specific but instead i will just stare out the window or scroll mindlessly???

[kaylewiswrites]

How to Love your Writing Anyway

Hi. So if you write, you’ve probably written some things that some would call ‘not good’. By probably, I mean definitely, because, you know. That’s life. Writing isn’t always good, and that’s ok! Whether it’s in drafts, you’re just getting started, or a particular story isn’t really working the way you want, all writers have these moments. But here’s the catch-you don’t have to hate it, or be upset about it, or get mad at yourself for it. Here’s how to love your writing, no matter how well you think it’s turned out. 

Step One: Separate Yourself From Your Art

I’ve talked about this about a million times, and I’ll talk about it a million more at least. You are not your art. When you think of your art as ‘bad’ or when someone else says your art is ‘bad’, it does not make you bad. You are not your art. This is super important to being able to have an objective view of your work, so you can properly critique it and receive criticism. 

If you notice that you feel critiques about your work deep in your own gut, take a step back. Practice thinking ‘this is not an insult to me. I am not my art’. That’s your new mantra. 

Step Two: Mistakes are not a Bad Thing

Ok, so we have to stop thinking about making mistakes as a bad thing. They’re not. They’re objectively neutral. I know it’s disappointing when you discover a  giant plot hole that means you need to completely rewrite a story in the third draft (when I say I know, I really know), but this isn’t a bad thing. It’s not a good thing either, don’t get me wrong, but we have to recognize it as just…a thing. You didn’t do anything wrong. Your morality isn’t at stake. Typos, passive voice, dialogue tags not properly formatted, these are neutral things that exist until you fix them. That’s all. 

Step Three: Abandon Perfectionism 

“Oh, sure, Kay, great advice. I’ll just stop being a perfectionist, easy.” Listen, I hear you. This could be an entire book on its own, let alone a tiny paragraph on a writing post, but here we are. Purging yourself of perfectionism is a difficult, lifelong task, but the only way to ease up on any of your perfectionism at all is to try. 

Practice making ‘terrible versions’ of scenes you’re having trouble with, or lists of ways you know it won’t happen. Lower your standards and expectations of yourself in your drafts. Define how ‘rough’ your rough drafts are allowed to be. When you see a mistake, smile. Like, physically smile. Which actually takes us to our next step…

Step Four: Learn to Laugh at Yourself

You know ‘fake it till you feel it’? That’s how you do this. Being about to look at a mistake and smile or laugh makes the writing process so much more enjoyable. At first, you won’t feel like it, but move those muscles anyway. Tell a writing buddy, hey, look at this ridiculous typo I made. Post it on Tumblr. Celebrate your mistakes! Your a human, everyone already knows you make them, why not revel in it? Own them, so they can’t own you. 

Step Five: Appreciate how Far You’ve Come

You know what will always be there to cheer you up, even in your darkest, self-loathing moments when you feel like you can’t even look at your work? Recognizing your progress. It’s great to read old stories, laugh at the passive voice and weak character choices, and know, ‘Wow. I really have gotten better.’ It’s easy to let yourself drown in all the mistakes your making now. Remind yourself of the mistakes you’re no longer making. You are constantly improving, no matter how much it sometimes feels otherwise. Take some time to appreciate yourself. 

I hope these help you find more joy in your writing. No matter how good you get at all of these, there will still be moments of self-doubt or loathing. We’re human! Don’t be afraid to reach out to a writing buddy, a friend, Tumblr as a whole, or to me! 

[queencatradora]

gays, i have an important question:

are you a sword gay, knife gay, battle axe gay, or a bow n arrow gay

[queencatradora]

this question is good for all lgbt people of course, except for terfs

[elchantra]

knife gay or bow n arrow gay

[sirhenry-deactivated20210125]

aaaaand repeat

[elchantra]

sigh

[wouldyouliketoseemymask]

This is a compiled list of some of my favorite pieces of short horror fiction, ranging from classics to modern-day horror, and includes links to where the full story can be read for free. Please be aware that any of these stories may contain subject matter you find disturbing, offensive, or otherwise distressing. Exercise caution when reading. Image art is from Scarecrow: Year One.

PSYCHOLOGICAL: tense, dread-inducing horror that preys upon the human psyche and aims to frighten on a mental or emotional level. 

“The Frolic” by Thomas Ligotti, 1989

“Button, Button” by Richard Matheson, 1970

“89.1 FM” by Jimmy Juliano, 2015

“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, 1892

“Death at 421 Stockholm Street“ by C.K. Walker, 2016

“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin, 1973

“An Empty Prison” by Matt Dymerski, 2018

“A Suspicious Gift” by Algernon Blackwood, 1906

CURSED: stories concerning characters afflicted with a curse, either by procuring a plagued object or as punishment for their own nefarious actions.

“How Spoilers Bleed” by Clive Barker, 1991

“A Warning to the Curious” by M.R. James, 1925

“each thing i show you is a piece of my death” by Stephen J. Barringer and Gemma Files, 2010

“The Road Virus Heads North” by Stephen King, 1999

“Ring Once for Death” by Robert Arthur, 1954

“The Mary Hillenbrand Cassette“ by Jimmy Juliano, 2016

“The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs, 1902

MONSTERS: tales of ghouls, creeps, and everything in between.

“The Curse of Yig” by H.P. Lovecraft and Zealia Bishop, 1929 

“The Oddkids” by S.M. Piper, 2015

“Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” by Richard Matheson

“The Graveyard Rats” by Henry Kuttner, 1936

“Tall Man” by C.K. Walker, 2016 

“The Quest for Blank Claveringi“ by Patricia Highsmith, 1967

“The Showers” by Dylan Sindelar, 2012

CLASSICS: terrifying fiction written by innovators of literary horror. 

“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, 1843

“The Interlopers” by Saki, 1919 

“The Statement of Randolph Carter“ by H.P. Lovecraft, 1920

“The Damned Thing” by Ambrose Pierce, 1893

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving, 1820 

“August Heat” by W.F. Harvey, 1910

“The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe, 1843

SUPERNATURAL: stories varying from spooky to sober, featuring lurking specters, wandering souls, and those haunted by ghosts and grief. 

“Nora’s Visitor” by Russell R. James, 2011

“The Pale Man” by Julius Long, 1934

“A Collapse of Horses” by Brian Evenson, 2013

“The Jigsaw Puzzle” by J.B. Stamper, 1977 

“The Mayor Will Make A Brief Statement and then Take Questions” by David Nickle, 2013

“The Night Wire” by H.F. Arnold, 1926 

“Postcards from Natalie” by Carrie Laben, 2016

UNSETTLING: fiction that explores particularly disturbing topics, such as mutilation, violence, and body horror. Not recommended for readers who may be offended or upset by graphic content.  

“Survivor Type” by Stephen King, 1982

“I’m On My Deathbed So I’m Coming Clean…” by M.J. Pack, 2018

“In the Hills, the Cities” by Clive Barker, 1984

“The New Fish” by T.W. Grim, 2013

“The Screwfly Solution” by Racoona Sheldon, 1977

“In the Darkness of the Fields” by Ho_Jun, 2015 

“The October Game” by Ray Bradbury, 1948

“I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” by Harlan Ellison, 1967 

HAPPY READING, HORROR FANS!

[wouldyouliketoseemymask]

I’ve been doing some reading and have more stories to add: 

PSYCHOLOGICAL: 

“Paradise Pine” by C.K. Walker, 2016

“Suffer the Little Children” by Stephen King, 1972 

“Rocking Horse Creek” by C.K. Walker, 2016

“The Ledge” by Stephen King, 1978

“Ted the Caver” by Ted, 2001

“The Fly-paper” by Elizabeth Taylor, 1969

CURSED:

“The Reaper’s Image” by Stephen King, 1969

“Correspondence” by Bloodstains, 2011

“Casting the Runes” by M.R. James, 1911 

“The Dionaea House” by Eric Heisserer, 2004

“1408″ by Stephen King, 1999

“Stinson Beach” by Walter Smith, 2011

MONSTERS:

“The Crawlers” by Jimmy Juliano, 2014 

“Pickman’s Model” by H.P. Lovecraft, 1927

“Dollhouse” by C.K. Walker, 2016

“I Love My Grandparents’ Fireplace” by Rona Vaselaar, 2016

“Click-clack the Rattlebag“ by Neil Gaiman, 2015

CLASSICS:

“Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad” by M.R. James, 1904 

“The Voice in the Night” by William Hope Hodgson, 1907 

“The Cask of Amontillado“ by Edgar Allan Poe, 1847

“A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury, 1952

“Cool Air” by H.P. Lovecraft, 1928

SUPERNATURAL:

“It Was a Different Time” by Cymoril Melnibone, 2018

“The Testament of Magdalen Blair” by Aleister Crowley, 1929 

“Instructions for the Babysitter” by CR Jones, 2018

“The Hand” by Guy de Maupassant, 1880 

“63 Years Ago” by Jake Healey, 2016

UNSETTLING:

“Window” by Bob Leman, 1980 

“No Matter Which Way We Turned” by Brian Evenson, 2016

“The M Show Fan Club” by lenalona, 2013

“The Dune” by Stephen King, 2011

“Jacqueline Ess: Her Will And Testament“ by Clive Barker, 1984

“The Judge” by Rona Vaselaar, 2015

ENJOY!

[wouldyouliketoseemymask]

Here’s some more stories I’ve enjoyed, bringing the list total to 125 scary tales:

PSYCHOLOGICAL:

“Nightcrawlers” by Robert R.  Mccammon, 1984

“Burn” by C.K. Walker, 2016

“Examination Day” by Henry Slesar, 1958

“Miriam” by Truman Capote, 1945

“To See the Invisible Man” by Robert Silverberg, 1979 

“A Conversation with a Stranger on the Bus” by C.M., 2019

“The Man Who Loved Flowers” by Stephen King, 1977

“Paleontologists Were We” by C.K. Walker, 2016

CURSED:

“The Hourglass Tattoo” by The Dead Canary, 2019

“I Uncovered the Disturbing Truth Behind a Haunted Film…” by Joel Farrelly, 2015

“Moomaw’s Curses” by Pippinacious, 2017

“A Curse is Killing My Friends and I’m Next” by Zamil Akhtar, 2017

“The Cat From Hell” by Stephen King, 1977

“I’ve Been Getting Strange Letters from the St. Louis Prison” by Andrew Harmon, 2015

“The Ash-tree” by M.R. James, 1904

MONSTERS:

“The Midnight Meat Train” by Clive Barker, 1984

“Recluse” by Jimmy Juliano, 2016

“The Raft” by Stephen King, 1982

“Mr. Widemouth” by perfectcircle35, 2010

“The Beast of Averoigne” by Clark Ashton Smith, 1932

“Graveyard Shift” by Stephen King, 1970

“The Puppet in the Tree” by Dopabeane, 2018

“The Autopsy” by Michael Shea, 1980

CLASSICS: 

“The Triumph of Night” by Edith Wharton, 1914

“Specialty of the House” by Stanley Ellin, 1956

“The Oval Portrait” by Edgar Allan Poe, 1842

“The Mezzotint” by M.R. James, 1904

“The Occupant of the Room” by Algernon Blackwood, 1917

“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, 1966

“The Waxwork” by A.M. Burrage, 1931

“The Terrible Old Man” by H.P. Lovecraft, 1920

SUPERNATURAL:

“The Stillwood King” by Kris Straub, 2008

“She’s Gotten One Step Closer Every Night…” by Nick Botic, 2018

“Beauty” by Robert R. Mccammon, 1990

“My Girlfriend Talks in Her Sleep…” by Ryan Matthews, 2018

“The Everlasting Club” by Arthur Gray, 1910

“Char” by C.K. Walker, 2016

“The River Styx Runs Upstream” by Dan Simmons, 1981 

“Lemon Blossom Girl” by Kris Straub, 2008

“How to Summon the Butter Street Hitchhiker” by Chris Hicks, 2018

UNSETTLING:

“Soft” by F. Paul Wilson, 1984

“The Taxidermied Child” by Tobias Wade, 2019

“It’s a Good Life” by Jerome Bixby, 1953

“Magnum Opus” by C.K. Walker, 2016

“Something Passed By” by Robert R. McCammon, 1990

“The Stretching Party” by Nick Botic, 2018

“Incident On and Off a Mountain Road” by Joe R. Lansdale, 1991

“Other People” by Neil Gaiman, 2001

HAVE FUN!

[theguillotinequeen]

Dark academia reading list ✨📚

-The Secret History by Donna Tartt

-The Lake of Dead Languages by Carol Goodman

-If We were Villains by M. L. Rio

-Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

-The Magicians by Lev Grossman

-Metamorphoses by Ovid

-Dead Poets Society by N. H. Kleinbaum

-A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

-The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

-Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro

-The Bacchae by Euripides

-The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

-Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar

-Possession by A. S. Byatt

-Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire

[willkillforgoodmemories]

Dark Academia for Brown People

 Most people, when they think of dark academia is books (that’s the whole point) and ancient languages such as Latin or Ancient Greek. I’m here to tell you that you all are SLEEPING on brown culture. Love that is conveyed in the languages of Persian and Urdu (my native language) crosses borders. Sure, Shakespeare and Sappho wrote great pieces of literature but the stories and poems of Rumi, Manto, Hafez and Iqbal have a special place in my heart. 

Some of my favourites are:- (all are translated)

Sit at my grave with wine and a minstrel in a trance, so your smell will raise me from the dead.

HAFEZ

My lover’s sadness lit a fire in my heart that burned my chest, there was a fire in his house that burned the nest.

HAFEZ

O the day turned night, what a shame, a gazelle of kindness a lion became, my partner and lover grew tired of my words and prayers too.

RUMI

These are my personal favourites. I can always make a longer post if you all want.

Female poets deserve a whole other post.

As someone who goes to an English-Medium school, we are always taught to converse in English, see the language as a part of yourself but deny a place to Urdu. As I grow older, I have come to appreciate my identity and so should all my fellow brown people. Take pride in your mother tongue.

[elchantra]

surprise! instead of doing a wip intro for the wips that i already introduced in my writerblr intro, i ended up making this. a very new work in progress that i have thought of last month. this goes to show how organized i am aHahA. but this is only an informal intro. imma make a formal one after i figure out how to do aesthetics cuz bruh idk anything about that and i want my wips to be pretty :’) anyways enjoy this chaos. 

[TAGLIST IS OPEN LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED :) ]

[insufferable-goblin]

sir that’s my emotional support gruff surrogate father figure with a murky past and a heart of gold trope

[eatingjupiterarchive]

NEW WIP : I WANT TO SEE YOU IN THE STARS 

this is a  story of a  singer and a thief  who takes her away and the hunt that follows them. it is of becoming something for someone else and then finding  the strength to undo that.  the story  couples letters and prose, romance and violence , joy and sorrow. it is a handing off wants into needs, and relunctantness  into requirements. it holds the hope that one day love will find you.  it also has notches of idolization and the horrors  of that  ,  unhappy marriages, and people who are  thought to be one thing but are rather more deep. 

an excerpt  of the story :  MY DEAREST CASSANDRA,   you transfigure yourself and think that i cannot find you. but my dear i have memorized each note of your body. you  cover yourself with another but the scent of you never wilts  and to that i sang today.  my dearest love you belong to the other side but i do to you.   yours till the sky bleeds ,   AMANDA. 

TAGLIST : @sancta-silje @vandorens @rowofthorns ( ask to be tagged or removed.) 

[elchantra]

surprise! instead of doing a wip intro for the wips that i already introduced in my writerblr intro, i ended up making this. a very new work in progress that i have thought of last month. this goes to show how organized i am aHahA. but this is only an informal intro. imma make a formal one after i figure out how to do aesthetics cuz bruh idk anything about that and i want my wips to be pretty :’) anyways enjoy this chaos. 

[TAGLIST IS OPEN LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO BE ADDED :) ]

[remanence-of-love]

[elchantra]

currently reading chapter 1 of the picture of dorian gray and basil is already fangirling while lord henry is throwing shade and spilling tea everywhere. i love it sm.