Eloquent Edits

technically a writing and prompt blog // 18+ and NSFW tagged

[eloquent-edits]

🗡️ Introduction 🗡️

Hey folks, I’m Abs. I’m a writer by day, editor by night, and an absolutely insane person all the time :3

This blog is primarily for writing prompts (18+ and NSFW tagged accordingly), streams of consciousness about writing/editing, and memery given that I choose to live under a rock in regards to anything “pop” culture.

Asks are open for prompt suggestions! 💜

9/2024 update: Been relatively on hiatus for this blog because my workload significantly increased and I have been enjoying life with my man (those friends to lovers prompts were so real)

[aquilacalvitium]

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

[aquilacalvitium]

Please keep interacting with this post because when I come to tumblr to procrastinate, this shows up again in my notifications and guilts me into writing again

[eloquent-edits]

🗡️ Oh, love, don’t let me go

won’t you take me where the streetlights glow? 🗡️ physical affection prompts

Tight hugs that feel like coming home after a long time away

Nose kisses!!!

Tracing constellations between freckles and moles

Reaching for their hand in a crowd, knowing they’ll guide you through safely

Cradling their face in your hands, thumb brushing against the creases of their smile

Kissing the back of their hand and gently squeezing it before leaving

Dog piles on a couch with limbs all askew yet very comfortable

After a terrible joke, flicking their arm or hand

Les bises (cheek kisses) upon greeting them

A hearty clap of joy on the back

Hidden tangling of the legs under a table or blanket

Resting your chin on their shoulder, arms wrapping them in a gentle embrace from behind

Friendly sparring while waiting around (if actual swords are included that’s even better)

Twirling them around in a big hug, bursting into laughter when you almost topple over

Sneakily finding the right moment to slip an ice cold hand up their shirt

Washing their back in the shower for them

When they’re injured or sick, carefully carrying them where they need to go

Secret handshakes just for fun

Hip-checking, either like a salsa dancer’s final move or a itty bitty bump for acknowledgment

Detangling or braiding their hair as their head rests in your lap

Spooning (big or little spoon, it’s nice 10/10 highly recommend)

Pressing a warm hand into their side/stomach/back to alleviate cramps or muscle strains

Scratching that ridiculously hard to reach spot for them

Brief shoulder massages when they’re stressed

Curling into their chest, protected from everything in the world for that moment

[jewfrogs]

this is so mean but sometimes i see published writing and suddenly no longer feel insecure about my own writing ability. like well okay that got published so im guessing i dont have much to worry about

[naamahdarling]

I have a friend who is an editor, and gets submissions of mostly poetry and short stories.

I have had a glimpse into her slush pile, and let me tell you, the contents were unbelievable and immediately disabused me of the notion that reading through submissions is in any way glamorous. People have the nerve to submit unhinged paranoid ramblings, fetish porn, and a seemingly endless supply of poems about masturbation.

I no longer feel like my fiction is somehow an imposition on the people who read it. It may be forgettable, but at least it isn't typeset to look like sperm.

Do not be afraid to submit your work. Your competition is not only worse than you think, it's worse than you ever imagined.

[silverhand]

Do these three things to get to the top of the slush pile:

The place has a style sheet. Use it. They say they want your MS in 16.5 point Papyrus italic with 0.8 inch margins all around, guess what you're doing before you send it off? Save As, reformat, send it. In the absence of a specific guide: Courier 12 pt (Times New Roman if you must), double spaced, align left, tab 0.5 at each new paragraph.

Check the word count. Don't submit novellas to 2500 word short story venues. BTW, you format the MS in that old style above because the question isn't literal words. Courier 12pt double spaced gives you 250 words per page for typesetting purposes. 2500 words is 10 ms pages, 5000 is 20 pages, etc.

Don't send your romance to Analog or your war story to Harlequin. If it's a cross-genre story, be sure there's enough of what the publication is focused on to interest them, but breaking through is hard if that's not something they usually do.

That's basically what every single editors' panel at every con I've ever been to has boiled down to. And invariably, someone tries to get up and argue with them, not realizing it's not a discussion.

Bonus tip: Don't be in any way cute in your cover letter. Just the facts/Luke Skywalker's message to Jabba the Hut in ROTJ.

Enclosed/attached is my story <Title> for your publication <Magazine>. It is x (rounded to the nearest 500) words. I can be reached at <email> (that you check regularly and isn't likely to dump things into spam) and <phone>.

(If submitting a hard copy: The manuscript is disposable. A SASE is enclosed for your response./A SASE is included for return of the manuscript and your response.)

Thank you for your consideration.

If submitting a novella length piece or greater, a brief and complete summary is appropriate.

In the midst of an interstellar revolt against an evil galactic Empire, vital weapon plans fall into the hands of a farm boy on the edges of the galaxy. With the help of an aging warrior from the Old Republic, and a smuggler with a dark past and his imposing alien copilot, the four set out to deliver them to the rebel forces but are instead flung into a rescue mission to save the beautiful princess who stole the plans as worlds are destroyed by the might of the Empire's weapon, the Death Star.

Captured by the Death Star on route to deliver the plans, they manage to escape the base with the princess, the old warrior sacrificing himself to make this possible. As the Death Star approaches the rebel base, they use the captured plans to stage a desperate final stand. In a fierce space battle of single-pilot ships over the surface of the moon-sized weapon, the farm boy manages to make the critical shot with an unexpected assist from the smuggler, destroying it.

Never under any circumstance put a cliffhanger into a query letter summary. There is no faster way to get the entire MS binned than doing that.

Happy writing.

PS "Top of the slush pile" means into the top 25% of manuscripts received. Three quarters of the submissions don't take the trouble to do even those three basic steps.

Now, that still means 25/100 submissions or 250/1000 submissions, but it still improves your odds and forms the basis for starting a relationship with the publisher for the next piece you send them.

PPS This is obviously about prose. Poetry certainly has its own submission rules, and I know none of them. If you're writing poetry, find out what they are.

[dduane]

@silverhand's reply is right on.

[typhlonectes]

[renthony]

The fastest way to shut down my "freelance life means I have to constantly be working" thoughts is to remind myself that if I was a boss holding a worker to the standards I hold myself to, their union would hunt me for sport and nobody would blame them.

[vaspider]

Not me immediately screenshotting this and posting it to the OPP freelance writers chat I'm in

[clpolk]

I tell myself: "I'm the owner of the company. But more importantly, I'm also the head of Scriveners Local 23, and I have some demands."

So what that means is that I have a four day work week. I work monday-tuesday and then Thursday-Friday. Fuck the boss if they don't like it.

I have a workplace wellness program that means I can take breaks for yoga, meditation, exercise, and naps.

I have unlimited paid personal days thanks to my project oriented work structure--I get to decide what's the best balance between production and restoration. Fuck the boss if they don't like it.

I have five days each quarter for vacation. attending a convention, conference, expo, bookstore event tour, or a writing workshop *is not a vacation.* that's business-related travel. taking a day or two for a weekend jaunt *is not a vacation.* that's unlimited paid personal days. Five working days. Each Quarter. Vacation. and since I always have wednesdays off, it doesn't count.

I know there's a piece of your brain saying "I have to hustle, I have to hustle"

I know

My brain does that too

And without the union boss in my head, I'll just work until I drop. That's what I did for years. And then I burnt out so bad that this is the first time I have actually made real, noticable progress(1.) similar to my pre-burnout rates in years.

Because the union boss went on strike, and the boss' bottom line was *destroyed.* If I have to crunch now, the union boss enforces recovery time. that's all overtime. but since I don't get paid a wage, I get all that back in time.

The boss never wants to see a strike like that again.

There is power in a union, even if it's only the union in your head.

(1.) only it's not similar. it's half the "speed" of pre-burnout. It's probably my actual true real speed and not my sweatshop labour hustle culture speed. FUCK THE BOSS IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT.

[s-leary]

This is outstanding advice for all forms of freelancing.

[eloquent-edits]

AAAAA DO YOU HAVE MORE FWB PROMPTS THAT SEVERELY TOW THE LINE OF A AND B BEING IN LOVE 😭🩷??

BOY DO I HAHA

🗡️ How can I be friends with this thing called love?

you don’t love me, let me hold you again 🗡️ friends with benefits prompts 🗡️ 18+ prompts

Character A and Character B carpool to events together and usually they take that time to rile each other up, but it’s shifting to deeper, more vulnerable conversations

A, known for hardly ever dressing up, decides to throw B for a loop and go full out for one of their sessions (B has to bite their tongue on telling A they’re beautiful)

B is an absolute sucker for head scratches and A knows this, so they take every chance they can to give that to B

A brings a slice of cake from a family event over to B’s place out of love kindness, and apparently it is B’s favorite flavor (A stows this knowledge away and brings B that cake whenever possible)

“You know, my parents commented that I seem a lot more relaxed and happy around you.” “Seems like I just have that effect on people.”

A is very careful about what’s allowed to be said in bed, but B slips up once and it hits A like a TRUCK oh my gods they want to hear that again and again and again

A takes B out to a park at midnight to spar and they end up sprawled in the grass, laughing and holding each other close while watching the stars above

B sheepishly admits that they sometimes want to save A’s pictures—but not the spicy or sexy ones, just the everyday casual ones!

B pops into the background of A’s call ONCE and later, Character C asks if that’s A’s new partner (this is legitimately what happened to me LMAO)

Both are accident-prone, so a lot of time is spent tending to wounds and ensuring the other person is not in pain

A originally had a boundary of not kissing B goodnight for their emotional sanity, but they accidentally did it once and keep meaning to stop but they dON’T

“Your kisses are so sweet,” B murmurs as A’s lips trace and press against their skin.

Character C, one of B’s best friends, hangs out with A and B twice and comments that they are cute together

^ Both blush and A pulls slightly away from B while B jokes about how terrible it is to have A around with a big grin on their face

^^ As B makes some new friends, C mentions how A is exactly what B’s been looking for over the years

Historically, A didn’t want to sleep over at a FWB’s place to keep feelings from developing, but it’s so easy for them to fall asleep next to B

^ The first time this happened, A and B woke up well-rested and tangled up in each other (which is a miracle because both of them have problems with sleep)

During the Christmas season, A’s family puts up mistletoe over the main entryway. While no one is looking, A hesitantly, carefully pulls B into a kiss under it.

A and B gravitate towards each other even across a big room full of other people, somehow knowing when the other’s gaze is on them

A has a photo collection on their fridge of their favorite moments and over time more and more photos of B are put up

“Oh how were things going with C? You seemed interested in them.” “Eh, they’re cool but we didn’t really click. The banter wasn’t as… good, y’know?” “Damn! Well, if they can’t banter then they’re not the right person for you.”

B doesn’t listen to many song recommendations from friends but goes out of their way to listen to what A suggests (“That was the worst song I’ve ever listened to, that was SO CURSED.”)

After A and B finish belting a song together, A admits that singing songs together is sort of like a love language for them

While weaving through a crowd, A takes B’s hand to keep them close (and totally doesn’t forget to let go until much, much later)

B pulls away as A tries to kiss them deeper, more passionately. Thumb caressing their cheek, B whispers, “I want to take this slow. I… want to remember this moment.”

[eloquent-edits]

🗡️ Sweet Nothings

cute prompts that are totally not based on my current situation teehee 🥰

“Stop being so pretty/handsome.” “You stop being so pretty/handsome!”

“Be gentle with me.” “Always.”

“My life is better with you in it.”

“I hope you know what you’re getting into.” “Oh do not worry, I knew exactly what I was getting into from the moment I met you.”

“How am I supposed to focus when you look at me like that?”

“Stay close to me darling.”

“What are you doing?” “Memorizing this so I can get it for you later.”

“Is there anything you want me to do my dear?”

“How did I get so lucky to find you?”

“You are incredibly comfortable.”

“Your eyes are the color I wanted on my old bedroom walls.”

“When I went over to learn how to bake something at their place… I asked them how to bake your favorite type of cake.”

“You’re adorable when you’re flustered.”

“And for my angel?”

“May I kiss you?”

[eloquent-edits]

Apologies for the lack of prompts lately! There’s a lot going on in my personal life. I’m probably going to take a little hiatus from this blog while I figure things out.

Thank you all for enjoying my prompts! Remember that you are adored and that you are enough.

[noshitsherlockidgaf]

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race and the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering—these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life, but poetry, beauty, romance, love—these are what we stay alive for.” ― N.H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society

@noshitsherlockidgaf

[eloquent-edits]

I’ve been debating with some folks outside of my company about writing instructions, specifically about when a step should end.

Let’s say that I’m writing for a generic art program. I’m inclined to write steps like this:

Click Effects —> Gaussian Blur —> Radial in the top menu.

Set the desired location of the Gaussian blur in the preview window.

Slide the appropriate radius bar to set the desired horizontal and vertical radius.

Click OK to apply the Gaussian blur.

They want to break apart steps for every single action performed, so it would look like this:

Click Effects in the top menu.

Click Gaussian Blur in the Effects menu.

Click Radial in the Gaussian Blur menu.

Set the desired location of the Gaussian blur in the preview window.

Slide the horizontal radius bar to set the desired horizontal radius.

Slide the vertical radius bar to set the desired vertical radius.

Click OK to apply the Gaussian blur.

Breaking apart the horizontal/vertical radius setting, yeah that’s fine sure. It’s the menu thing that IRKS me. If they were perhaps in completely separate places entirely, then it would make sense. But conceptually the menus flow together. There isn’t a totally new menu that appears where you need to click these things.

Another example: you want to replace the lightbulb in your microwave. Here’s how one website wrote it.

These steps must be broken apart according to these folks.

Grab your screwdriver.

Remove the mounting screws on the light cover.

If there is a clip or clamp, release it before pulling the light cover down.

Remove the old light bulb.

Insert the new light bulb.

Twist the new light bulb until tight but not too tight to secure it.

Clip the light cover back in place.

Align the tabs and slots of the light cover.

Reapply the mounting screws.

Plug your microwave back in.

Separating the steps by action doubled the number of steps in this case.

To me it makes sense that you don’t want to put down the thing you’re holding to go read the next step, especially if it’s delicate or heavy. The step should end when you have to grab something new, a completely new window pops up, just something that is conceptually different from the main component you are messing with.

It’s silly but it does affect how much work I need to do so I’m just venting haha. Let me know your opinion on it below just for fun.

Separate steps in instructions by…

Concept

Every action taken

Some secret third thing

Voting ended onMar 23, 2024

[gef-the-talking-mongoose]

I don't care what official translations say, I chose to believe "Et tu, Brute?" translates to "What the FUCK, Brutus?"

[eloquent-edits]

🗡️ “I can assure you, we are just friends.”

definitely not something that’s a little more than friends 🗡️ friends with benefits prompts 🗡️ 18+ prompts

While Person A is chatting with their friends, Person B sidles up to A and subtly trails a finger up their spine (does A stutter? go completely silent at the electricity going through their body? start to get red but manage to keep their composure? TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS)

B begs A to not leave any marks because they just can’t let this secret get out

For that beach episode: A takes off their shirt, exposing scratch marks from a recent session… B hides a sly grin as A is questioned about who they’re with

A is very physically affectionate in general, but has fallen into the habit of only bothering B in public with it

^ A wants to interact with B in many ways and just ends up biting their arm jokingly to satiate that desire (yes, their friends think this is weird)

B needs to be held accountable for finishing their work, so A comes over to hang out… they do not get work done for a while

At a party, B can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy when they spot A flirting with someone

A’s childhood friend is in town and A is super excited to have them meet B (B is quietly panicking over making a good impression and wondering what A has said about them)

A and B are in the same anatomy class and they spend a lot of time studying together (A is most certainly a hands-on learner hehehehe)

“Is that B’s shirt?” “What? Oh, uh, yes… My shirt got dirty the last time I was over there so they’re washing mine for me.”

“Is that A’s shirt?” “Yes. What about it?” “…Does A know you have their shirt?” “Nope!”

They really only planned on the midnight rendezvous, not falling asleep afterwards, so A and B go get morning coffee together (they are both very grumpy but still enjoying each other’s company)

Inside jokes during sexy times bleed into their normal banter, leading to some questionable looks from their friends

A gets a little drunk and B expects them to slip up and expose their true relationship, but instead A is very wholesome and remains steadfast on their boundaries; B is so proud of them for this

B is desperately trying to get something off their mind, so A offers a distraction for the night… it’s Mario Kart and whoever loses owes the other a favor

Any of their plans to go out have to include wiggle room in case they get preoccupied (soon it’s not just B that’s always late to events)

While their friends are occupied in another room, A and B intertwine their bodies and try to stay quiet—key word here is TRY

“I bet A would really like [insert kink here]…” “Nah, they’re not really into that.” “How the fuck do you know that?”

All their friends take the BDSM test as a joke and A and B secretly take notes on what the other person likes/dislikes to make the benefits side better

If given the choice, A will always pick the seat next to B so they can tease them under the table

During a passionate session, A accidentally draws blood while gripping B’s back (A apologizes over and over while tending to B, who just has a shit-eating grin the whole time)

Whenever B cracks yet another terrible joke, A has to refrain from kissing it off their face

A and B take a break from the benefits whenever one of them wants to pursue someone else (your characters can have healthy boundaries and communication!!! I am BEGGING y’all to write characters that actually communicate with each other)

[cherribalm-deactivated20140609]

site that you can type in the definition of a word and get the word

site for when you can only remember part of a word/its definition 

site that gives you words that rhyme with a word

site that gives you synonyms and antonyms

[bumblebeebabie]

THAT FIRST SITE IS EVERY WRITER’S DREAM DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I’VE TRIED WRITING SOMETHING AND THOUGHT GOD DAMN IS THERE A SPECIFIC WORD FOR WHAT I’M USING TWO SENTENCES TO DESCRIBE AND JUST GETTING A BUNCH OF SHIT GOOGLE RESULTS

[archivestorystuff006]

OMG

[dduane]

This one’s an always-reblog, because who knows who needs it and hasn’t seen it yet?

[aistobascistod]

/f/ : Unvoiced Fricative :: /v/ : Unvoiced Vricative

[echo-somewhere]

/p b/ : bilabial plosives :: /t d/ : diladial tlosives

[robotslenderman]

Source

[tributary]

teetotailer

[judygemstone]

first incidence of good writing advice i've seen in 10+ years on this platform and it's in the notes of a mustelid wreaking absolute havoc in a german grocery store

[scavengedluxury]

*record scratch*

*freeze frame*

"Ja, das bin ich. Sie fragen sich wahrscheinlich, wie ich hierher gekommen bin".

[deniselavestal-deactivated20231]

Local writer attempts to create something wholesome but ''mysteriously'' ends up emotionally torturing their characters instead. More at seven