[ellakbilodeau]

Being accused of using ai because of your writing style has to be one of the worst feelings. Like yeah, let's give a emotionless computer credit for the hours I spent writing plot and trying to not use "because" a thousand times

[ellakbilodeau]

Being a writer with dyslexic friends is not for the weak. Like, i'm sorry I keep correcting you, but you're using the wrong "your" 😔

[ellakbilodeau]

Said is not dead, and should be used... but it does get boring.

[ellakbilodeau]

Stop telling aspiring authors that their first book will fail!!!

Genuinely there is no faster way to discourage a writer than that, and I hate when people frame it as "harsh truth", because it isn't. Most of the time it's about marketing, not your writing :(

[ellakbilodeau]

"Writers block doesn't exist" I say as I stare at an empty document on my computer screen, tears welling in my eyes.

[ellakbilodeau]

It genuinely grinds my gears that the em dash and semi colon are considered signs of ai use. Like, no I don't use ai, I'm just very active on ao3

[ellakbilodeau]

"Enemies to lovers" this, "rivals to lovers" that

What about annoyances to lovers huh?? Like, they mildly irritate each other for awhile until they realize they have a lot in common

[ellakbilodeau]

Enemies to lovers but they've argued so much that even their compliments come out with an aggressive tone

[ellakbilodeau]

How to actually write a decent protagonist... in my opinion

-☆- If you struggle with getting a solid personality, have your character be inspired by other media (songs, characters, yourself, etc.), since that gives you a steady base to go off of and pick from. "Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination" - Jim Jarmusch.

-☆- Something thing that makes a character immediately hard for me to like is if they have obvious plot armor and/or are never wrong. Please, please give your main character flaws, because no matter if they're a villain, a hero, or just an average person, having relatable flaws will humanize your character and make them less one dimensional.

-☆- A good character should have a strong, memorable personality, which can be portrayed through their voice. A "voice" in writing refers to being able to give your character a strong, distinct personality that shows through the way their perspective is told. All good characters have clear personality traits that make them who they are. Make sure that the perspective of your character is clear through the way information is laid out. Personalize it!!

-☆- There has to be a reason your main character is... well, the main character. Their perspective has to give something that not just any other character's could. And that is part of the reason I believe the chosen one trope is so popular, because there's a reason for them to be the center of your attention.