Hey! So, I've been working on a story and I find your blogs truly helpful. Thank you so very much!
So, the story I'm working on is like rivals to friends to lovers, and what extremely frustrates me is that I just don't know how to let the relationship between the rivals to slowly improve without making it forced.
(Note: the two mcs are supposed to be ceo's to two rivalling companies and they have a project to work on together)
Sorry for the long question^^;
Hope you have a wonderful day (or night)!
Rivals to Friends to Lovers
There are a lot of ways one could go about developing a relationship with this trajectory, but here's how I would map out the progression generally:
Exposition: establish why they dislike each other circumstantially, then personally. It's important to make room for depth and vulnerability that later turns into opportunities for bonding and eventual affection. The best way to do that is set up the climax of the first act early, and immersing the reader immediately into the patterns and conceptions that have created the initial dynamic is the best way to set up an organic transition.
phase one: rivals to friends - a mutual misunderstanding is resolved, making way for acquaintanceship which blooms into friendship upon mutual interests or values OR events that continue pushing them together until they realize they don't hate each other anymore.
Phase two: friends to lovers - romantic interest grows between the two as their relationship develops and they slowly notice more and more similarities between the idea of the partner they want and the person in front of them
Phase three: lovers - there is a communication of feelings and desires and we reach a resolution the the tension and stakes. Remember that structure and pace is important in this story, so if this comes too early, you're robbing the characters of the slow escalation that will season the events following the love confession. I know it's the fun bit, but practice delated gratification for yourself and readers. The preamble is often more important to the conclusion than the resolution.
I've linked some other resources from the blog that you might find helpful:
Do you guys remember how kidnap fantasies were popular on wattpad because young girls and queer teens were both made to feel shame at the thought of their own sexualities, so the fantasy of being kidnapped totally against their will was a way for them to engage with a romantic or sexual fantasy without feeling morally in the wrong for doing so? Added bonus that the fantasy involved being whisked away from repressive environments like home or school, right?
Finding out that Bram Stoker was in a sexless marriage and that scholars believe that he very likely was closeted gay puts the entire book into perspective as to WHY it reads EXACTLY like a self insert wattpad Dracula kidnap fic:
“I TOTALLY love my wife and would never do anything that an upstanding Good Straight Working Man wouldn’t do but oh nooo, big strong man with broad back and strong enough arms to carry me back to bed like a princess trapped me and claimed me as his, completely against my will 👉👈 But he protects me against the bad evil sexual women (who I assure you, I am TOTALLY sexually attracted to, as any straight man with a choice would be) but trust me, I do NOT want ANY of this. What’s that? The Count is not capable of feeling love? Would be a shame if I had the special ability to change tha-”
This is also the fantasy behind all those old bodice-ripper romances that people today like to mock or call problematic, by the way.
“Oh, my next forty years are going to consist of nothing but washing dishes and keeping house and bearing children for the disdainful man I married right out of high school because my parents said college was for men and I had no other obvious life path open to me? What if a pirate captain thought I was worth stealing away from it all? [what if I ran away but no-one could blame me for leaving]?”
#I read an article a long time ago about a woman who was raised in an incredibly repressive conservative christian community#where all that mattered was purity and virginity etc #She talked about how for a long time rape fantasies were the only way she could derive any pleasure from sex #because she couldn’t feel safe exploring the idea of wanting sex #it wasn’t really ABOUT rape or eroticizing assault or whatever #it was about creating a scenario where she was free from the shame associated with wanting #i think this is true of a lot of icky-seeming stuff in romance and erotica #it’s an imaginary scenario where nothing you don’t really want actually happens #but you can’t be blamed or feel guilty for it #you didn’t do anything wrong#anyway that article changed my perspective a lot #i think there’s also something to be said for people who have felt ugly and undesirable their whole lives #enjoying fictional scenarios where a hot alpha werewolf or whatever is so attracted to them he ‘cant help himself’ or whatever #because it can also be really shameful to want to be desired #when you feel like youre ugly and gross ( @headspace-hotel )
today i am bringing you another list with my top 3 favorite (free!) tools that I find helpful for each phase of writing a novel.
brainstorming phase
Fantasy Names Generator - not only for fantasy (you can also generate real names). this website is just... amazing! it helps you come up with names for characters, places and locations, descriptions, generate traits, outfits (yes, outfits!!), and probably something else you could ever think of.
The Story's Hack - this one is so cool! you can generate names for everything, create your own generator, and practice writing through writing exercises! plus, you can save your generated names to see later, and you earn coins for each idea generated (you can later buy themes - dark, snow, forest, etc)
RanGen - my last favorite generator on this list is RanGen! you can generate plots, appearances, archetypes, love interests, cities, worlds, items, and more.
developing the idea phase
Bryn Donovan - in this blog you can find master lists under the tag "master lists for writers". it is so helpful when you first start developing the characters and need to find the right words to describe them and to find some quirks and flaws!
Writers Write (350 character traits) - again, this is so helpful!
Story Planner - ah, the number of times I've talked about this website... please, PLEASE take a look at it, you won't regret it. this website has literally everything you need to fully develop your idea with outlines for you to fill in step by step.
writing phase
Colleen Houck (80+ barriers to love) - need more romace conflict? there you go!
Cheat Sheets for Writing Body Language - so, you know how your character's feeling, but don't know how he'd physically act? check out this list!
Describing Words - honestly, this is a lifesaver. don't you struggle to find the right word to describe something? well, with this website all you have to do is to type the object you're trying to describe and see which description fits better to you!
revising phase
Language Tool for Google Docs - i know we all have heard about google docs before, but the truth is, it's almost impossible to find free softwares to check grammar and spelling. so, google docs is useful, because it automatically revises it for us, and it's completely free. plus, you can add adds-on, such as "language tool".
Unfortunately, there's only one (free) tool that I actually enjoy for the revising phase. if you know some others, please let me know so that I can try them out and feature in this list.
exporting phase
Google Docs - i find google docs very easy to format and export to .epub, so i'd recommend using it as a free tool.
Reedsy - this is also a free tool available online. all you have to do is to write down each chapter (copy and paste) or import your word document. it will format the document to your liking and export it to pdf, epub and mobi.
that's everything for now! i hope this post was somehow helpful or inspiring!
if you want to see more master lists full of resources, check these:
WEBSITES FOR WRITERS {masterpost}
BEST accounts to follow as a writer
BEST SITES & SOFTWARES TO WRITE FICTION
DIALOGUE IDEAS TO GET RID OF THAT WRITING BLOCK (masterpost)
Useful Resources & Tips for Writers
also, if you are a notion lover just like me, check the free template I just released with everything you need to develop and write your novel!
thank you so much for reading! hope to see you around, and have a nice day <3
Welcome to Whumptober 2023 — the sixth year running!
To those of you who participated last year, welcome back! To everyone joining this year, welcome!
Please make sure to read the Event Info carefully, as most of your questions will be answered there already. For everything else, you are welcome to come to our ask box or ask questions in our Discord server here.
This year’s AO3 Collection can be found here.
And this years playlist can be found here.
There are 139 prompt options in total this year - this is including the alternatives list! A special thanks goes out to those who took part in our trope vote back in July. From the 1526 responses to our list of 223 tropes, we looked through the popularity results, as well as your honourable mentions, and were able to produce this years prompts list. Stay tuned, as we will be posting some of the results at a later date!
We’re very excited to see the community come together once more and be a wild, chaotic bunch of creators and consumers of whump. Go wild with the prompts, and support your fellow creators - we wish you all the fun!
Best of luck and happy whumping,
Mods Vanne, Yenn, Kitty and Surro
(All 31 Themes + Prompts, Event Information and FAQs are posted below the cut!)
Whumptober 2023 Prompt List
No. 1: “But now this room is spinning while I’m trying just to fill in all the gaps.”
Safety Net | Swooning | “How many fingers am I holding up?”
No. 2: “I’ll call out your name, but you won’t call back.”
Thermometer | Delirium | “They don't care about you.”
No. 3: “Like crying out in empty rooms; with no-one there except the moon.”
Journal | Solitary Confinement | “Make it stop.”
No. 4: “I see the danger, It’s written there in your eyes.”
Cattle Prod | Shock | “You in there?”
No. 5: “You better pray I don't get up this time around.”
Debris | Pinned Down | “It's broken.”
No. 6: “Do or die, you’ll never make me; Because the world will never take my heart.”
Recording | Made to Watch | “It should have been me.”
No. 7: " “I paced around for hours on empty; I jumped at the slightest of sounds.”
Alleyway | Radio Silence | “Can you hear me?”
No. 8: “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier.”
Overcrowded ER | Outnumbered | “It’s all for nothing.”
No. 9: “Learning everything ain't what it seems, that's the thing about these days.”
Polaroid | Mistaken Identity | “You're a liar.”
No. 10: “Can’t you see that you’re lost without me?”
Broken Phone | Stranded | “You said you'd never leave.”
No. 11: “All the lights going dark and my hope’s destroyed.”
Animal trap | Captivity | “No one will find you.”
No. 12: “I haven't slept in days but who's counting?”
Red | Insomnia | “I’m up, I’m up.”
No. 13: “It comes and goes like the strength in your bones.”
Cold Compress | Infection | “I don’t feel so good.”
No. 14: “Feed me poison, fill me ‘till I drown.”
Flare | Water Inhalation | “Just hold on.”
No. 15: “I don't need you to help me I can handle things myself.”
No. 16: “Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”
Gurney | Flatline | “Don’t go where I can’t follow.”
No. 17: “You’re the lump in my throat and the knot in my chest.”
Collar | Touch Aversion | “Leave me alone.”
No. 18: “I tend to deflect when I’m feeling threatened.”
Blindfold | Tortured For Information | “Hit them harder.”
No. 19: “I’ll take one final step, all you have to do is make me.”
Floral Bouquet | Psychological | “I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”
No. 20: “People don’t change people, time does.”
Blanket | Found Family | “You will regret touching them.”
No. 21: “See the chains around my feet.”
Vows | Restraints | “Don't move.”
No. 22: “They never saw us coming, ‘til they hit the floor.”
Glass Shard | Vehicular Accident | “Watch out!”
No. 23: “It’s gonna get me by the end of the night.”
Shadows | Stalking | “Who’s there?”
No. 24: “I’ve got a head full of chemicals; mouth full of ridicule.”
Goodbye Note | Neglect | “I thought they were with you.”
No. 25: “You’re not delivering a perfect body to the grave.”
Storm | Buried Alive | “They’re not breathing!”
No. 26: “Sometimes I get so tired; I don’t even know myself.”
Seeing Double | Working To Exhaustion | “You look awful.”
No. 27: “You drew stars around my scars; But now I’m bleeding.”
Matches | Scars | “Let me see”
No. 28: “We might not make it to the morning; so go on and tell me now.”
Bloody Knife | Sacrifice | “You'll have to go through me.”
No. 29: “I only sink deeper the deeper I think.”
Scented Candle | Troubled Past Resurfacing | “What happened to me?”
No. 30: “It’s okay, just to say, ‘I’m not okay’.”
Borrowed Clothing | Bridal Carry | “Not much longer...”
No. 31: “I thought that I was getting better.”
Emptiness | Setbacks | “Take it easy.”
Alternatives List:
Betrayal
Aftermath of Failure
Brass Knuckles
Decoy
Body Modification
Playing Cards
Examination
Hunting
Drugging
Shaking
Panic
Broken
Miscommunication
Lab Rat
Reluctant Whumper
Event Info & Rules
~ Please read our extensive event info posts before sending us an ask ~
WHUMPTOBER is a month-long, prompt-based creation challenge (think: Inktober, but whumpier). There are 31 official themes this year - one for each day of the month - which can be used, skipped, or combined in any way you’d like. The 'theme' of each day is the line of lyrics.
The prompts are merely to serve as inspiration without being taken literally (e.g. you don’t have to include the exact wording of prompts into your work). Feel free to run rampant on interpretation. For example, if the prompt is "flame", you could create something with reference to a candle/campfire, your character could have suffered a burn, or the flame could be related to the 'spark' of a relationship. It's truly up to you!
In total, there are 4 prompts for each day: there's lyrics, an object, a trope and a line of dialogue to choose from. We want to give everyone as much creative freedom as possible, as well as increase event accessibility for folks with triggers and squicks.
Creators can PRODUCE work in any media they choose, including but not limited to: writing, visual artwork, photo/video/audio edits, paper crafts and elaborate recommendation lists (not just a list of links). Creators can PARTICIPATE as much or as little as they want (i.e. you don’t have to do ALL the prompts if you don’t want to) and prompts can be used in any order. They are also free to use even after the event ends.
When uploading Whumptober content to your blog, be sure to tag the with:
#whumptober2023 …..(the event tag)
#no.1, #no.2, #no.3, …..(day number)
#lyric, #bruises, #stabbing, …..(the theme or specific prompt you chose)
#fandom or #OC, … (ironman, originalcontent, oc …)
#medium …..(gifs, fic, podcast, art, etc.)
#teeth, #gore tw, #etc …..(trigger warnings & any additional tags. Add "tw" AFTER the trigger/content warning. )
#nsfwhump …..(only for nsfw content)
#your own tags go here
PLEASE BE DILIGENT WITH YOUR TAGGING. Only properly tagged posts are considered for archiving on the official @whumptober-archive blog. They must be tagged in the order above. An elaborate post about our tagging system can be found [here]
Unfortunately, due to the sheer number of participants in recent years, we cannot guarantee your work will be archived. A random selection of properly tagged posts from all genres will be reblogged each day.
Whumpers who produce content for 31 total theme days are considered event completionists and will be tagged in a masterpost at the end of the month. A form will be published at the beginning of November asking you to tell us if you completed the event. You do not need to post anything you have created, we rely on trust and we will not check this.
Questions not addressed in one of our many event info posts can be directed to this blog. We will not answer any questions that have been answered in the FAQs or rules already.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does this year’s prompt list work? What do I have to choose?
You can create something based on:
The overall theme/lyric of the day
Prompt 1, 2 or 3
One or several of the alternative prompts
A combination of the above
Q. Is [specific anything] allowed?
When in doubt: JUST DO IT!
Q. Do I have to do all 31 days?
Participate as much or little as you like! Just be sure to tag your posts properly (ex. #no.7, #radio silence). If you create works for 31 total theme days you will become a completionist. But apart from that, there are no repercussions if you don’t fill prompts for each day.
Q. Can I post early/late?
Yes, you can post whenever you want. We will only reblog posts during October, but you can use our prompts all year round. The day you post will only affect your probability of being reblogged.
Q. Will you reblog my post?
Due to the sheer number of content posted during Whumptober we can’t promise to reblog every single post. We will make a random selection trying to capture a wide variety of content. The following will increase your chances at being reblogged:
tag your post properly
post within 2-3 days of the theme you want to fill: if you fill the prompt for Day 1 your chances of being reblogged during October 1st to 3rd are highest and will go towards zero afterwards.
Q. What if I don’t understand a prompt/theme?
Send us an ask! We’re happy to help with wild, unhelpful clarifications or brainstorming. That being said, the themes are entirely up for interpretation. Don’t take them too literally. For example: You can be choking on a cherry, someone else can choke you or you could be choked up on emotions, etc.
Q. What kind of content can I make? Can it be NSFW?
This is a MIXED MEDIA event! You can write fic, post meta, doodle or paint, create a gifset or photo edit, link a song, or get crafty with video - anything goes. As for NSFW, make what you like, we just hope that you’ll tag your work accordingly so that others participating in the event can stay safe.
Q. Can I combine Whumptober with other creation challenges?
Absolutely, as long as the other challenges allow it too.
Q. Can I upload/repost my Whumptober content to other social media platforms?
Of course! You can post your own content wherever you like (or you can opt to not publish it at all). Additionally we’ve created an AO3 Collection to archive any fics posted there. It can be accessed here. The tumblr blog @whumptober-archive is the official archive, so please respect the boundaries of any closeted whumpers in your social circle.
Q. Can I use prompts to write a new chapter for an existing fic?
Yes.
Q. An existing fic I am currently writing contains many of the Whumptober prompts, can I use it?
If you are actively writing this fic at the moment with the Whumptober prompts in mind, yes. If you’ve previously posted something that checks the boxes, we ask that you not include it retroactively for this current year. You can, however, add new chapters relating to one or more of the prompts.
Q. What kind of characters can I write for?
Fandom characters, OC characters, human, furry, alien, cyborg, RPF, whoever you like. You can use the generic “whumpee” character or have specific ones.
Q. Does it have to take place in a specific fandom?
No, you can create works for your own worlds or for fandoms or for both. You can also create more generic or pan-fandom works. You can do cross-overs or use OCs, whatever you want.
Q. Can I use a prompt multiple times?
Yes, but it only counts once towards being a completionist.
Q. If I’m not comfortable with one day’s prompts can I use a prompt of a different day as a substitute and still be a completionist?
No, you can’t exchange prompts for different days. However, if all four prompts of a specific day make you uncomfortable, we have created an alternate prompts list that you can draw from. You can exchange any prompt with these, but please make sure not to use them twice.
Q. Where can I post my work?
Post where and how you want. You don’t have to (cross)post it to Tumblr or at all. Just keep in mind if it’s not on Tumblr we will not be able to add it to the blog archive.
Q. Can I start posting early?
You can, but this is an October event and wouldn’t it be more fun with everyone doing it at the same time? That being said, you can post early, but we won’t be reblogging any work predating October 1st.
Q. Do I have to finish a fic I started/can I post WIP’s?
Yes you can post WIPs. And you’re not obligated to finish it in October for it to count towards being a completionist.
Q. Is co-writing allowed?
Yes, absolutely, and it would count towards being a completionist for both/all of you.
Q. Do I have to create 31 standalone pieces to be considered a completionist or can I write one continuous story?
One continuous story is fine. The challenge is to write something for 31 prompts. If that’s spread over 31 fics or just one, you are still considered a completionist. (The same goes for every other media you choose.)
Q. Is there a min/max limit on word count?
There is no limit.
Q. Can I combine prompts? Is there a limit on how many?
No limit and combine as many as you’d like.
Q. Is a hc/angst/emotional whump focus ok?
Of course! We are not going to establish a threshold for whumpiness. If you think it’s whumpy enough, then it’s whumpy enough. It can be physical, psychological, emotional, or any combination of the three.
Q. What’s considered nsfw?
See this post
Q. What is whump?
Typically the genre includes situations where a fictional character is hurt, be it emotionally, psychologically, or physically. Fanlore provides information here.
Q. My interpretation of the prompt isn’t whumpy at all, does that count?
If you don’t think your interpretation is whumpy, then it doesn’t count for Whumptober. Remember that whump comes in many forms, though, and that we don’t have a whump-checker or a threshold for how much whump needs to be included. If you think your interpretation contains enough whump to count, then it does.
Q. Can I start working on the prompts before October?
Absolutely! That’s why we post the prompts a month in advance. We recognise how difficult it can be creating for 31 days in “real time” so feel free to start creating early!
Q. How do I tag triggers?
tw at the end of the word, ex. #gore tw
Q. Do I have to use your tags?
Yes, if you want your work archived on the blog. If not, feel free to use whatever tags you want.
Q. Does combining prompts count towards completion?
Yes
Q. Can we @ you?
Yes but we mostly rely on the #whumptober2023 tag.
Q. Is there anything we are absolutely not allowed to write?
There are no rules, but please make sure to properly tag your trigger warnings. And keep in mind Tumblr’s policies if you are posting it here (or the policies for whatever site you use).
Q. Where can I go for brainstorming help?
Here on Discord or come into our ask box.
Q. My characters are minors, is that ok?
Yes, but as with everything else, use clear and descriptive tags.
Q. Can I cross post on other blogs?
Yes, multiple platforms and blogs are perfectly acceptable. You can also post different works to different accounts under different names, without posting them everywhere at once.
Note: This is a creation challenge, please don’t repost your old work under our tags (unless it’s been changed or edited for the event).
Injuries For Your Characters To Receive When You’re In The Mood For Angst (And How To Treat Them.)
A: A bite wound. (Wash the wound with soap and water, then cover the area with a bandage. Afterward your character will need medical care from a doctor to make sure that they aren’t going to get rabies or an infected bite area.)
B: A sprained wrist. (Your character should ice the area and avoid activities that cause pain. It’s also important to compress the area with bandages (But not so much that it cuts off circulation!) and keep it elevated.)
C: A stab wound to the stomach. (This is an emergency room visit because abdomens have a lot of vital organs. Just straight to the ER.)
D: A concussion. (A concussion is brain trauma so your character really should be checked out by someone at the ER. Afterward they should take it mentally easy and possibly take pain pills for pain.)
E: A black eye. (An ice pack on the swollen area should help.)
F: A broken ankle. (Your character will probably need to go to the Doctor to get their leg splinted. After leaving the hospital they’ll need to take it easy on their foot until it’s healed.)
The eyes are the windows to the soul, and they can convey volumes of unspoken emotions. Describe those stolen glances, the lingering eye contact, and the way their gazes seem to connect on a deeper level. In addition, small touches like a brush of hands or an accidental bump can create electric moments that hint at an underlying romantic attraction. For example:
"Her heart fluttered as she caught him stealing glances, his eyes softly tracing the curves of her smile. With every accidental touch, their hands lingered, sending a current of warmth through their veins."
/////////
Meaningful Conversations and Shared Secrets:
Deep conversations and intimate confessions can be powerful tools for hinting at romantic feelings. When characters open up to one another, revealing their vulnerabilities and dreams, a bond begins to form. These moments create a sense of emotional intimacy that can lay the groundwork for a blossoming romance. Consider this example:
"Underneath the twinkling stars, they shared secrets that they had never uttered to anyone else. As he listened to her dreams, he realized that he wanted to be a part of them, and a warm smile played on his lips."
/////////
Playful Teasing and Banter:
Ah, the age-old art of witty banter! This lighthearted exchange of playful jabs and teasing remarks can build tension and create a magnetic pull between characters. It allows them to establish a unique connection filled with laughter and friendly competition. Here's an example:
"Their banter was a delightful dance of sharp wit and quick comebacks. Every retort was like a playful spark that kept the fire between them burning bright, a dance they couldn't resist joining every chance they got."
/////////
Unspoken Jealousy and Protective Gestures:
Jealousy can be a potent emotion to hint at unexpressed romantic feelings. When one character starts to feel protective or slightly possessive, it suggests a deeper connection brewing beneath the surface. Show how they react to potential rivals or display signs of concern for each other's well-being. Check out this snippet:
"Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the subtle tightening of his jawline when he saw her laughing with someone else. His fingers tapped nervously, silently craving her attention, and he couldn't help but step closer, ready to ward off any potential threats."
1. Hidden Identity: The character is living under an assumed name and concealing their true identity for personal or safety reasons.
2. Past Trauma: The character has experienced a significant traumatic event in their past that they have kept secret, shaping their behavior and motivations.
3. Forbidden Love: The character is involved in a romantic relationship that goes against societal norms or has complications, forcing them to keep it hidden.
4. Hidden Talent: The character possesses a remarkable talent or skill that they have kept hidden from others, fearing judgment or exploitation.
5. Criminal Past: The character has a history of involvement in criminal activities, either as a former offender or as an undercover agent, which they keep concealed from their current life.
6. Family Secret: The character comes from a family with a dark or scandalous secret that they are determined to keep hidden, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness.
7. Betrayal: The character has betrayed someone close to them in the past, and they carry the guilt and shame of their actions as a closely guarded secret.
8. Hidden Agenda: The character is harboring a hidden agenda or ulterior motive, manipulating events and people to serve their own interests.
9. Hidden Wealth: The character possesses significant wealth or resources that they keep hidden to maintain a humble or low-profile existence.
10. Supernatural Abilities: The character possesses supernatural abilities, such as telekinesis or mind-reading, which they keep concealed for fear of persecution or exploitation.
11. Lost Memories: The character has gaps in their memory or a forgotten past that they are desperate to uncover, unsure of what they might discover.
12. Hidden Agenda: The character is working undercover or as a double agent, keeping their true intentions and loyalties hidden from those around them.
13. Terminal Illness: The character has been diagnosed with a serious illness but chooses to keep it a secret, not wanting to burden others or alter their relationships.
14. Stolen Identity: The character has assumed someone else's identity, perhaps due to a troubled past or to escape a dangerous situation.
15. Secret Society: The character is a member of a secretive organization or society with its own rules, rituals, and agenda, which they keep hidden from the outside world.
16. Guilty Pleasure: The character has a guilty pleasure or indulges in a secret hobby that is incongruent with their public image or perceived personality.
17. Hidden Fear: The character has a deep-rooted fear or phobia that they go to great lengths to hide from others, fearing it will make them appear weak or vulnerable.
18. Lost Love: The character had a past love or relationship that ended tragically or abruptly, and they keep their feelings and memories associated with it concealed from others.
19. Hidden Enemy: The character is secretly being targeted or pursued by an unknown enemy or antagonist, and they must keep their guard up to protect themselves and those around them.
20. Unfulfilled Dreams: The character harbors dreams and aspirations that they have never shared with anyone, feeling uncertain or afraid of pursuing them.
1) “You take people, you put them on a journey, you give them peril, you find out who they really are.” - Joss Whedon
2) “First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow them.” - Ray Bradbury
Coffee bean’s analysis: Letting your characters lead the story can result in an authentic, character-driven story, full of real conflicts and natural emotion.
3) “Turn up for work. Discipline allows creative freedom. No discipline equals no freedom.” - Jeanette Winterson
4) “Show up, show up, show up, and after a while the muse shows up, too.”
- Isabel Allende
Coffee bean’s analysis: In order to write or eventually share your story with the world, you have to sit down and do the work, even if your brain is empty. Once you show up, the creativity has a chance to spark.
5) “All bad writers are in love with the epic.” - Ernest Hemingway
6) “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo Da Vinci
Coffee bean’s analysis: Being able to turn a complex idea into simple words is harder than one might think— but can elevate your writing. Not everything needs to be epic or overly flowery.
7) “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.” - Anne Lamott
8) “I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged.” - Erica Jong
9) “Don’t write at first for anyone but yourself.” - T.S Eliot
Coffee bean’s analysis: Perfectionism will kill any chance you have at having fun and finishing your novel. Let go of that pressure of being perfect and do not worry about being judged. Write for you.
10) “Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.”
-Henry Miller
Coffee bean’s analysis: Don’t overwhelm your schedule with trying to write a ton of projects at once. Focus your energy into one (or two) at a time.
11) “A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it.” - Edgar Allen Poe
12) “Every sentence must do one of two things— reveal character or advance the action.“ - Kurt Vonnegut
Coffee bean’s analysis: Even if you’re writing a novel, this advice is brilliant. Whether it’s a sentence, paragraph or whole chapter… make sure they are meant to be in your story. Keep your scenes tidy and thematic, building towards something.
13) “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” - Anton Chekhov
Coffee bean’s analysis: When writing a novel, give your reader details so that they can picture the scene in their head. Don’t do too much telling (though it has it’s places).
14) “It is perfectly okay to write garbage— as long as you edit brilliantly.”
- C.J Cherry
15) “If it sounds like writing … rewrite it.” - Elmore Leonard
Coffee bean’s analysis: Allow yourself to write messily and worry about editing later. Once in the editing phase, if your writing sounds stiff, rewrite it so that it sounds natural.
30 Days of Action/Adventure - June Monthly Writing Challenge
– This month’s theme is action/adventure! Instead of doing a full story for every prompt (unless you’re up for it), the challenge is to brainstorm and write at least 500 words pertaining to each day’s prompt, and then on the 20th choose the writing prompt you were most inspired by and submit a short story around the initial blurb. Submit your draft by the 30th and every story submitted under the hashtag will be in a wrap-up post on the 3rd of July! I encourage you to post your daily responses to the prompts, but it’s not required in order to be featured in the wrap-up.
I look forward to seeing all of your guys’ responses here using the hashtag #WNSAdventure and over on Instagram, where you can tag me @ writingandsuch.
This challenge begins on June 1st, but I always post a day early to give you some time to plan stuff out, because you may need to switch some days around to accommodate your schedule. You’re free to do one day’s challenge on another day if your schedule doesn’t allow enough time to complete that day’s challenge. Best of luck to you!
Patreon || Ko-Fi || Masterlist
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☼ Prompt List ☼
A choose your own adventure story with characters that can talk to the narrator. x
A medieval fantasy party are on their adventure when they encounter an abandoned modern day city, the lights seem to be on, but nobody’s home. x
You are able to manipulate and manifest your tattoos, moving them around your body and turning them into real-world objects. Wings, a dagger, or even something as mundane as glasses. Always at your disposal. x
You set out on an adventure to save someone, but slowly realize that you like the adventure more than you like them. x
You Are a being that has been gifted with immense power by a cosmic entity at least two hundred million years ago. Or something. You don’t really care much anymore, and you now work as a librarian suffering from depression. x
You are a hero, but you have no tragic backstory. Nobody believes you when you say that your village is fine and that your mentor is eagerly awaiting your first letter home. x
“As a CIA assassin, I was assigned to eliminate a reporter who was digging too deep. I tried everything from shooting and stabbing to poisoning and bombing, but all my attempts failed. My frustration grew as I couldn’t figure out why.” x
You have superpowers, but unlike the other heroes you do not fight criminals. Instead you found numerous other ways of improving the lives of the general population with your powers. Unfortunately the other heroes have misgivings about your reluctance to fight and have sent you an ultimatum. x
You were the chosen one, that is, you would have been. You have avoided the original call to action and every subsequent call to action since. Now you’re 30, you have a family, and you think you have successfully avoided adventure. Suddenly, the phone rings. x
A fortune teller foretold that twins would be born where one was evil and the other was good. A year later, a woman gave birth to a boy with horns and bat wings, and a girl with angel wings and a halo. The boy was sent away, while she and her husband raised the girl. They kept the wrong one. x
You find an intriguing choose your own adventure game. Little do you know that the actions in your game happen to people in real life. x
Write a story narrated by each member of a superhero/adventure team. Each tries to portray themselves as the main protagonist and the other(s) as a humble sidekick. x
A psychologist sits down for his usual biweekly appointment with his patient, who is suffering from severe PTSD as a result of being the protagonist in a well known action/adventure film. x
Your mission is to write the worst opening to a YA dystopian novel ever. x
When people turn 18, they gain the ability to summon one random thing in the world to their hand, as Thor does Mjolnir. As you summon yours it takes some time but people are horrified as it finally arrives… x
Your superpower isn’t anything special. You can make stuff disappear behind your back then pull it back out again. When a friend at a party asks you to do it to them it sounds like a great laugh. But when you pull them back out they look older, disheveled, and are frantic to be sent back. x
Your wife has just been put on trial for witchcraft. You know your wife isn’t a witch, but you are. x
The rest of your party is always making sure that you, the healer, stay in the back. Not because they don’t want you to get hurt, but because they all still remember the last time you took the front line and nobody wants a repeat of that. x
Your significantly older, more rundown self steps out of a portal and instantly dies. They were carrying a notebook filled with the exact actions that lead to their fate. The first record is dated tomorrow. x
Begin the draft of the short story you will write using your answer to one of these prompts as a jumping-off-point.
☼ Possibly Helpful Resources ☼
General Tips on Chase Scenes
Tips on Writing Fight Scenes
Tips on Writing Chase Scenes
How To Make The Journey Interesting
10 Mistakes to Avoid in Action
All prompts are from the reddit /r/writingprompts page, and credit to the original posts are linked on the (x) next to each prompt.
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Masterlist
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One way to type those around you is to examine their Enneagram talk style. Each type has a unique approach to speaking and writing, which can be picked up on in a matter of minutes. The following is a list of each type and their general mode of communication:
TYPE 1: SERMONS/PREACH & TEACH
Teaching, preaching, finding fault, admonishing, correcting, reminding of obligations
Self-talk: ‘That’s not right’
TYPE 2: SYMPATHIES/HELP & ADVICE/PRAISE & COMPLIMENTS
Befriending, supporting, comforting, offering friendly advice, pitching in, meeting needs, getting personal
Self-talk: ‘You need me’
TYPE 3: SALES PITCHES/PROPAGANDA/SELF-PROMOTION
Promoting, advertising, performing, exclaiming, motivational speeches, success stories
Self-talk: ‘Watch me shine’
TYPE 4: LAMENTS/SAD STORIES
Longing, lamenting, extolling, yearning, regretful sighs, poetic turns of phrase, self-expression
Self-talk: ‘I’m feeling …’
TYPE 5: LECTURES/THESES/TREATISES
Detailed explanations, informative displays of knowledge, definitions, facts, precise instructions, logical, rational arguments
Self-talk: ‘I’m thinking …’
TYPE 6: CAUTIONS/CAVEATS/SETTING LIMITS
Questions, warnings, second-guessing, trouble-shooting, worst-case scenarios, defending / testing
Self-talk: ‘But what if …’
TYPE 7: ANECDOTES/BRAINSTORMING/STORYTELLING
Joking, laughing, story-telling, entertaining, shifting gears, changing venues, sampling, imagining, checking out, moving on
Self-talk: ‘On a lighter note’
TYPE 8: COMMANDS/DIATRIBES/LAYING TRIPS
Arguing, debating, opposing, taking aim, scoring points, parting shots, military metaphors
Self-talk: ‘Do this my way’
TYPE 9: CHRONICLES/SAGAS/EPICS
Recounting sagas, epics, generalizing, day-dreaming aloud, voicing vague notions, wondering, meandering
Self-talk: ‘Nice ’n easy’
how do you tell the difference between a high Fi/Fe user when you type someone in real life? since most of their traits would come down to being a feeler, what are the big signs? thanks 😊
I look for where their attention goes -- FJs are appropriate to the present situation and the people in it, they attempt not to offend others by being mindful of how to approach them, they cater to their audience by altering their approach or figuring out how to say this in a meaningful way, and they will attempt to get everyone on the same emotional page and in harmony with each other (it can be as simple as being frustrated that the kids aren't all excited about going to the park, so the FJ tries to bolster them all up on the way there).
FPs are mostly concerned with their own hobbies and interests and have no interest in or need to control the emotional environment; it means nothing to them and others' feelings and moods are not theirs to influence or control. They struggle a lot more with knowing how to respond to others without being naturally blunt (low Te), do not alter themselves to fit a situation so much as go quiet in it if they disagree and want to avoid conflict, and have much more of a "live and let live, people should do whatever they want" attitude.
Other things...
EFPs are open-minded and go with the flow; they are aware of other people but refuse to change to suit them and believe everyone should be true to their feelings, even if it doesn't "suit" the situation. ESFPs live totally in the moment and based on their feelings; they are highly energetic "doers" who try everything. ENFPs are idealists who aren't in touch with the reality of things and who are stubborn about giving people the benefit of the doubt and not passing judgment on everyone.
IFPs come across as the most insistent on being "true to what I feel," which means it's all about what I feel right now and not about other people, and they are highly sensitive to criticism. ISFPs believe however they feel at any given time is cause for immediate action, and they are pretty enthusiastic "doers." INFPs are idealistic, naive and withdrawn from the world, and not able to adapt to it well in favor of all their ideas about how it could be so much better.
EFJs all share the common trait of forceful feelings and an immediate tendency to address whatever is bothering them -- ENFJs are razor-sharp in their predictions or insights, and look for different angles by which to appraise people's characters or influence them; ESFJs are more practical and down to earth, but are also idealistic and whimsical. ENFJs are more risk-taking in general.
IFJs mostly come across as Fe except in situations where you get to know them well -- you see moral judgments or thoughts, adaptability, awareness of what's appropriate to a situation, concern for how they are affecting other people, and making decisions with them in mind; like all intuitive dominants, INFJs run the risk of abstracting away from human beings and thinking about them philosophically instead of dealing with the person in front of them. ISFJs are less intellectual and more based in the present moment and in their hobbies.
since every type can do the same things but for different reasons, i'm wondering what reason would high Fi have to try and influence or change someone else's mind? like make them like something/change the way they think or view something.
thanks!
This probably ties into the Enneagram more than anything; and not all Enneagram types care what others think or try to influence them.
Fi + 1: You are wrong/bad/evil to think this and need to be shown the light/adjust your behavior to be more moral and appropriate.
Fi + 2: You are not going along with my agenda to help you become a better person, so you should listen to me more because I have the answers to your problems!
Fi + 6: I feel safer when we are in agreement on important things, so I need to push this and make you see that you're being irrational or wrong, so that we can stay friends without me feeling like I can't trust you / am not safe with you because of what you think.
Fi + 8: You're a moron who won't accept the truth, who needs to be set straight, because this is a problem and you are ignoring it. Don't be a coward. Get on board with this or move aside.
What does unhealthy low Ne look like? How does it compare to “unhealthy high Ne” (if that is such a thing, and I feel like it’d look mainly just like regular Ne unconstrained by Si)?
Unhealthy low Ne - intellectually incurious, fearful of any change or anything new, contempt for abstract concepts and themes (why can’t people just say what they mean? who cares about theoretical nonsense), won’t bother to try learning new things, seeing things another way, reading anything “intellectual,” or experimenting with ideas that differ from their current worldview. Under stress, worst-case scenario thoughts or being impulsive/overly idealistic.
Unhealthy high Ne - chases after anything colorful or entertaining, swept along with ideas but never makes any of them real, idealistic and naive about people, believes the best even in toxic people, doesn’t learn from their mistakes, refuses to be realistic or see how things actually are in favor of irrational dreams, unprepared, thinks they’re smarter than they are, skim-reads, doesn’t study details but runs with things while not knowing enough to be credible.
What questions should I ask myself to know inferior function? I don't quite get the concept. Is it something you really hate doing and are bad at? Or it's how you behave under stress? I'm think my inferior is Se or Si but maybe I'm totally wrong about what inferior function is in first place
What's hard for you to do, and what do you either devalue (as in, why do they care so much about this?) or over-value (how are they so good at this and why is it so hard for me!?) in other people? How are you over-indulgent when you focus on this thing?
For example, as an ENFP, my inferior Si is... bad. I can't remember most facts and details ten minutes after I've read them. I don't recall important details like the exact date of someone's birthday. I find conversation from high Si types to be taxing, because often they want to know all the details of something -- where I bought this, where I found that, exactly what that person said, etc. I marvel at their ability to create libraries in their mind to store information, since my brain is a convoluted mess of partial pieces of data. But when I decide to over-focus on Si, I way over-prepare. I add in too much detail to a story, I buy too many research books when a casual glance at one or two would be sufficient, I stress over what to include and leave out, and I hamper my own literary creativity by binding myself too closely to the facts of historical situations (I can't do X, because it never happened!). It's hard for me to find a balance between no details and too many, and to know what information needs to be there and what doesn't, and how to be more attentive to what I need to remember without getting stressed about it.
And yes, your inferior functions can show up under stress -- I become unwilling to embrace flexibility under stress, too caught in a rut (that may or may not actually be serving my agenda), I refuse to try new things, or I over-indulge in memories/nostalgia/what is familiar rather than branch out. So those are factors to consider.
I talk extensively about all the functions in my book, and how they behave in each position in a cognitive stack, and what they act like under stress -- so it might be useful to you to read it. It's linked to on funkymbti.com.
Here because of that ask about the auxiliary function compensating for the inferior. How is it for aux Fe - inferior Se in INFJs?
INFJs have a tough time of things, because they repress their Se to some degree, and yet Se is the only function that is realistic about reality in their stacking. Under-developed Ni can leap to conclusions and believe them without any proof (not checking in with Se to gain real-world experience to prove them right or wrong). Ni and Fe together can form these assumptions about people, sometimes without consulting said person. Young/underdeveloped Ti looks for evidence to prove their forgone conclusion, rather than disprove it, and argues in circles in favor of what they have decided, rather than picks apart its own logic. So unless they develop Se, there's nothing grounding them in reality.
INFJs therefore can become too dependent on Fe (their ability to communicate, attach to other people, and understand them) and repress Se -- this makes them more "of the mind" than "of the body." Not interested in anything tangible or physical, in favor of what feels more natural and comfortable (being in a "mental" headspace). If they develop Fe properly, though, they can learn to challenge their own assumptions by connecting to people as individuals, rather than seeing them as something to analyze, solve, or abstracting away from the actual person and seeing something "else" instead (a symbol of humanity, etc). This can compensate for a lack of facts (Se) through a human connection.
