I'm Winning You With Words

My name is Megan, I'm a writer, and the one thing I'm terrified of doing is filling up all of my notebooks. This is a writing blog, or, really, a things-Megan-needs-to-remember-about-writing. Still a work in progress.

[typewritingly]

Writing reference list! Go ahead and add more if you have any, this is kind of short!

Names

Fake name generator

Another name generator

Worldbuilding/Setting

Magical World Builder’s Guide

I Love the End of the Word

Worldbuilding 101

Creating a Believable World

Rhymes

Rhymer

Unscramble

Kenn Nesbitt

Writeexpress

Families

Family Dynamics

Family Tree

Hair

Describe Hair

Hair Colours

200 Hair Description Words

Eyes

Describe Eyes

Common Eye Colours

Eye Colour Chart

Drugs

Substance List

Fact Sheets

Alcohol

List of Alcoholic Beverages

Health Effects of Alcohol

Relationships

Healthy Relationships

More Healthy Relationships (Be sure to follow Kris!)

[songofthe-day]

Visit Original Link

Gray or Blue - Jaymay

[throughdepthsofheight]

If you write to impress, it will always be bad, but if you write to express, it will be good.

Thornton Wilder (via throughdepthsofheight)

[whataboutwriting-blog]

"Show, Don't Tell" Tips & Masterlist

Hello! I’m having a hard time with my writing. I seem to be having trouble with the whole “show, don’t tell” thing. If you could help me out, I’d really appreciate it. - anonymous

[whataboutwriting-blog]

Show, Don’t Tell is simply a way of letting your reader connect to your plot, your setting and your characters better. It enriches your writing, but it also runs the risk of sounding boring to some readers. 

First of all, Use it only when relevant and with caution. Overusing this method might make it look like you’re trying to show off your writing skills. But most of all  - and this is the real risk of using this method - it make take the focus out of the story and slow down your plot. Specially when you’re writing an action scene, there’s nothing wrong with telling instead of showing. When you need fast-paced narrative, it might be a better idea to keep Show Don’t Tell to a minimum. Also, when there is no reason why your reader needs to connect with a certain place, story or character, don’t shove too much information down their throats. It’s always better to save this method to when it’s relevant.

Now, some real tips on how to master this method:

Ask yourself what makes you say your character is *personality or physical trait* If you’re creating a stubborn character, ask yourself what makes you say your character is stubborn. In what aspects of this character’s daily life does it show that they’re stubborn? List those aspects, and incorporate them into your scenes - when relevant. 

Appeal to your reader’s senses. This is one of the best ways of putting your reader in your setting. If your character tastes, sees or smells something, let your reader figure out what it is alongside your character. Give your readers enough information for them to perceive the setting just like your character does, instead of simply telling them what’s around. 

Symbolism. Symbolism is a subtle way of showing instead of telling that works really well when you’re trying to hint at something that is going to be disclosed in the future or you simply want to leave your readers guessing. I have a full article on symbolism, that you can find here. 

Back story. Giving your readers a glimpse into what your character’s life or personality was like before your story started is also a way of show don’t tell. It helps your readers understand your characters, their motives and goals better.

Let your readers judge your characters or settings. To me, this is one of the key points of this method. Try to be impartial when describing a setting or a character (when appropriate), because it helps your readers to form their own opinions. If you describe a certain character’s actions to your reader and leave it up to them to decide if that makes them a reckless, angry, stubborn, prideful, etc character, they will feel more connected and you’ll be a master of show don’t tell. 

Also, there are really good resources about it scattered around tumblr - and the internet in general. So I put together a handful of really interesting articles on the matter that might help.

What The F*ck Does Show Not Tell Mean? - FYWH

Show Don’t Tell - Personality Traits - My article.

Show Don’t Tell: A Whiteboard Writing Lesson

Show Don’t Tell

Show Don’t Tell: Robert J. Sawyer

Grammar Girl: Show Don’t Tell

Show, Don’t Tell

The First Rule of Writing

Writing in Pictures using the Show, don’t tell Rule

Show Don’t Tell - But How?

The Secret to Show, Don’t Tell

Writing Tips: Show Don’t Tell

I really hope this was useful! All in all, just let your characters and settings speak for themselves. 

[daisybuchananrph]

A Body Language Masterlist

Cheat Sheets

Body Language Cheat Sheet (archetypewriting)

Body Language Cheat Sheet (writerswrite1)

Writing-Specific Guides

Using Body Language to Create Believable Characters

Character Emotion Written All Over Their Face

Ideas For Using Knowledge of Body Language in Your Writing

Elaboration: The Power Punch of “Body Language” Detail

How to Read a Person Like a Book

Body Language: An Artistic Writing Tool

Body Language Basics

41 Flavors of Body Language for Writers (very nice guide/reference)

Reveal Character Through Body Language (a good quick reference with emotions and behaviors associated with them)

Non-Writing Specific Guides

Dimensions of Body Language (very extensive with pictures)

Nonverbal Dictionary

Body Language Index (lots of tables, resources, and terms. I highly recommend checking out this link)

Body Language Wikipedia Page

Important Features of Body Language

Exercises

Creative Writing Exercises: Body Language

An Exercise in Character Differentiation 

A Conversation Through Body Language

[inspired-to-write]

Every first draft is perfect, because all a first draft has to do is exist.

Jane Smiley (via inspired-to-write)

Somehow this is the most inspiring thing I’ve read in a long time. I’m going to go write now.

(via joleebindo)

[thewritersarchive]

This is an ultimate masterlist of many, many resources that could be helpful for writers/roleplayers.

→ GENERAL

Improvement

Improve Your Writing Habits Now

5 Ways to Add Sparkle to Your Writing

Getting Over Roleplaying Insecurities

Improve Your Paras

Why the Right Word Choices Result in Better Writing

4 Ways To Have Confidence in Your Writing

Writing Better Than You Normally Do

How’s My Driving?

Describing

A Description Resource

55 Words to Describe Someones Voice

Describing Skin Colors

Describing a Person: Adding Details

Emotions Vocabulary

90 Words For ‘Looks’

Be More Descriptive

Describe a Character’s Look Well

100 Words for Facial Expressions

To Show and Not To Tell

Words to Describe Facial Expressions

Describing Clothes

List of Actions

Tone, Feelings and Emotions

Masterlists

Writing Specific Characters

Character Guides

Writing Help for Writers

Ultimate Writing Resource List

Lots of RP Guides

Online Writing Resources

List of Websites to Help You Focus

Resources for Writing Bio’s

Helpful Links for Writing Help

General Writing Resources

Resources for Biography Writing

Mental Ilnesses/Disorders Guides

8 Words You Should Avoid While Writing

  Body Language

Body Language Cheat

Body Language Reference Cheat

Tips for Writers: Body Language

Types of Crying

Body Language: Mirroring

Grammar/Vocabulary

Words Instead of Walk (2)

Commonly Confused Adjectives

A Guide on Punctuation

Common Writing Mistakes

25 Synoms for ‘Expession’

How to: Avoid Misusing Variations of Words

Words to Keep Inside Your Pocket

The 13 Trickiest Grammar Hang-Ups

Other Ways to Say..

Proofreading

300+ Sophiscated and Underused Words

List of Misused Words

Words for Sex

100 Beautiful and Ugly Words

Words to Use More Often

Alternatives for ‘Smile’ or ‘Laugh’

Three Self Editing Tips

Words to Use Instead of ‘Walk’, ‘Said’, ‘Happy’ and ‘Sad’

Synonyms for Common Words

Alternatives for ‘Smile’

Transitional Words

The Many Faces and Meanings of ‘Said’

Synonyms for ‘Wrote’

A Case Of She Said, She Said

Writer’s Block

How to: Cure Writer’s Block

Some Tips on Writer’s Block

Got Writer’s Block?

6 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

Tips for Dealing With Writer’s Block

→ APPLICATIONS

Application (Itself)

How to: Make That Application Your Bitch

How to: Make Your App Better

How to: Submit a Flawless Audition

10 Tips for Applying

Para (Sample)

Para Sample Ideas

5 Tips on Writing an IC Para Sample

Writing an IC Sample Without Escaping From the Bio

How to: Create a Worthy IC Para Sample

How to: Write an Impressive Para Sample

How to: Lengthen Short Para’s

Prompts

Drabble Stuff

Prompts List

Writing Prompts

Drabble Prompts

How to Get Into Character

Writing Challenges/Prompts

A Study in Writing Prompts for RPs

Para Prompts & Ideas

Writing Prompts for Journal Entries

A List of Para Starters

→ GUIDES

Personalities

Angry

Bad Asses

Bitches (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Childishness

Emotional Detachment

Flirtatious

The Girl Next Door

Introverts (2)

Mean Persons (2)

Psychopaths

Party Girls

Rich (2) 

Rebels

Sarcasm

Serial Killers (2)

Shyness (2, 3)

Sluts

Villains (2)

Witt

Disorders

Disorders in general (2, 3, 4, 5) 

Attention Deficit Disorder

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Anxiety (2, 3, 4, 5) 

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Alice In Wonderland Syndrome

Bipolar Disorder (2, 3)

Cotard Delusions

Depression (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)   

Eeating Disorders (2, 3)

Facitious Disorders

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Multiple Personality Disorder (2)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Night Terrors

Kleptomania (2)

A Pyromaniac

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Psychopaths

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (2)

Sex Addiction (2)

Schizophrenia (2)

Sociopaths (2)

Disabilities

Aspergers Syndrome

Apathy 

Someone Blind (2)

Cancer (2, 3)

Disability

Dyslexia

Muteness (2, 3)

Stutter

Jobs/Hobbies/Beliefs

Actors

Ballet Dancer (2)

Christianity

Foreigners

Gamblers

Hinduism

Hitmen

Satanism

Smokers

Stoners

Taoism

Journalists

Vegetarians

Drugs

Alcohol Influence (2, 3, 4, 5)

Cocaine Influence

Ecstasy Influence (2)

Heroin Use

LSD Influence

Marijuana Influence (2, 3)

Opiate Use

Locations

Australia

Boston

California (2, 3)

England/Britain (2, 3, 4, 5)

New York

Prison

London

The South (2)

Genders

Females (2)

Males (2)

Transgenders

Supernatural

Vampires

Witches (2)

Werewolves

Other

Amnesia

Children

A Death Scene

Loosing Someone (2)

Old Persons

Physical Injuries (2, 3)

Sexual Abuse (2)

Fight Scenes (2, 3, 4)

Horror

Torture

→ CREATING CHARACTERS

Biography Writing

Components of Your Biographies

Character sheet (2, 3)

Need Help With Character Creation?

How to: Draw Inspiration for Characters From Music

How to: Write a Biography (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)

How to: Write a Fully Developed Character

How to: Create a Cast of Characters (2)

Writing an Original Character (2, 3)

Creating Believable Characters (2, 3)

Bio Formats (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Little Things You Can Add To Your Bios

Connections (2)

Titles

Bio Twists

Names

Female Names (2, 3, 4, 5)

Male Names (2, 3, 4, 5) 

Last Names  (2, 3, 4)

Personalities

Jung’s 16 Personality Types

Underused Character Personalities

Birth-Order: Personality Traits

The Difference Between Personality and Behavior

How to: Show a Characters Personality In a Paragraph

16 Character Traits

Underused Personalities

Personality Traits

Positive (2)

Negative (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Both (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

Habits

Addictions and Bad Habits

Bad Habits

Character Habits

Character Quirks

Phobias (2)

Secrets

300 Possible Secrets to Give Your Characters

I Bet You Didn’t Know..

Character Plots And Secrets (2)

Celebrity Secrets

Secret Masterlist

Quotes

Song Lyrics Masterlist

Songs for Biographies

Favorite Quotes: TV and Movies

Favorite Quotes: Notable Authors

Favorite Quotes: Celebrities

Favorite Quotes: Popular Books (2)

Quotes From Songs

Character Quotes

Masterlist of Bio Lyrics

Masterlist of Bio Quotes

Masterlist of Song Lyrics

Biography Lyrics

A Masterlist of Quotes

+130 Quotes

The Quotation Garden

Mary Sue’s

A Mary Sue In The Inbox

Your Character Is A Sue, Not Just A Mary Or Gary

Not Writing A Mary Sue

→ WHILE ROLEPLAYING

Para Titles

100 Paragraph Titles

Para Titles - Song Title Edition (2,3)

A Whole Ton of Para Titles

350+ Song Titles

Para Titles For You (2)

Starters

How to: Create an interesting starter

How to: Make an Interesting Starter

Gif Conversations: A Guide

A Brief Guide to Starters

Interesting Gif Convesation Starters

Starters Masterlist

Gif Starter Posts

46 Interesting Gif Chat Starters

Ideas for Gif Chat Starters

Starters

Careers/Jobs

Masterlist: Jobs

Possible Careers for Characters

Artistic Occupations

Martha’s Vineyard Job Masterlist

Interesting Jobs

Locations/Settings/Activities

Para Ideas

Masterlist: Para Ideas

Top 50 Places for Starters

Writing Topics: Para Ideas

101 Date Ideas

68 Date Ideas

22 Date Ideas

Popular Places to Eat

Character Developement

Character Development Questionaire

Character Surveys

C.D. Questionaire

30 Day Character Development Meme

Character Development Questions (2)

100 Pt. Questionaire

IC and OOC Surveys

Online Test for Character Building

30 Days of Character Development

How to: Develop Characters

Get To Know Your Characters

→ ROMANCE

Romance (in general)

The Little Ways a Ship Gets Build

Roleplaying Relationships

8 Ways to Say I Love You

How to: Make a Set Ship RP Work

How to: Write a Romantic Scene

Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Relationships

Putting a Label on It

Synonyms for Love

Pregnancy (2, 3, 4, 5)

Smut

Smut Guide: Casual Sex

Smut Guide: For Beginners

How to: Write a First Time Sex Scene Romantically

How to: Smut - The Bare Bones

How to: Smut (For Virgins)

How to: Write Lesbian Smut

How to: Write Smut (2, 3)

How to: Write a Blowjob/Prepping for Smut

Smut Guides of Tumblr

Tips on Writing Sex Scenes

A Guide to Language in Smut

Domination and Submission

Making Love

A Smut Guide

Kisses

How to: Write a Kiss (2)

Different Types of Kisses

Writing Out the First Kiss

→ OTHER

Plot Writing

How to: Create the Best Plot for Your RP

How to: Create A Plot Outline in 8 Steps

How to: Write A Plot in 12 Steps

How to: Write A Quality Plot

How to: Spice Up Your Roleplay Plots

Components of Your Plot Page

Writing Up A Plot

Basics of Writing A Plot

Links for Plot Writing Help

Eight Unique Plot Ideas

Plot Twists

Situation Ideas (2, 3)

Guide to Plotting

Eras

Eras Masterlist

Everything You Need to Know Abut the 20’s

20’s Slang

Primary Sources on Ancient Civilizations

How to: Play the Greek Goddess ‘Harmonia’

How to: Roleplay In the Victorian Era

Victorian Dialogue

[cooperhelps-deactivated20150527]

RAY BRADBURY’S ADVICE TO YOUNG WRITERS

Don’t start out writing novels. They take too long. Begin your writing life instead by cranking out “a hell of a lot of short stories,” as many as one per week. Take a year to do it; he claims that it simply isn’t possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row. He waited until the age of 30 to write his first novel, Fahrenheit 451. “Worth waiting for, huh?”

You may love ‘em, but you can’t be ‘em. Bear that in mind when you inevitably attempt, consciously or unconsciously, to imitate your favorite writers, just as he imitated H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Arthur Conan Doyle, and L. Frank Baum.

Examine “quality” short stories. He suggests Roald Dahl, Guy de Maupassant, and the lesser-known Nigel Kneale and John Collier. Anything in the New Yorker today doesn’t make his cut, since he finds that their stories have “no metaphor.”

Stuff your head. To accumulate the intellectual building blocks of these metaphors, he suggests a course of bedtime reading: one short story, one poem (but Pope, Shakespeare, and Frost, not modern “crap”), and one essay. These essays should come from a diversity of fields, including archaeology, zoology, biology, philosophy, politics, and literature. “At the end of a thousand nights,” so he sums it up, “Jesus God, you’ll be full of stuff!”

Get rid of friends who don’t believe in you. Do they make fun of your writerly ambitions? He suggests calling them up to “fire them” without delay.

Live in the library. Don’t live in your “goddamn computers.” He may not have gone to college, but his insatiable reading habits allowed him to “graduate from the library” at age 28.

Fall in love with movies. Preferably old ones.

Write with joy. In his mind, “writing is not a serious business.” If a story starts to feel like work, scrap it and start one that doesn’t. “I want you to envy me my joy,” he tells his audience.

Don’t plan on making money. He and his wife, who “took a vow of poverty” to marry him, hit 37 before they could afford a car (and he still never got around to picking up a license).

List ten things you love, and ten things you hate. Then write about the former, and “kill” the later — also by writing about them. Do the same with your fears.

Just type any old thing that comes into your head. He recommends “word association” to break down any creative blockages, since “you don’t know what’s in you until you test it.”

Remember, with writing, what you’re looking for is just one person to come up and tell you, “I love you for what you do.”Or, failing that, you’re looking for someone to come up and tell you, “You’re not nuts like people say.”

Source

[fillingmynotebooks]

Did you change your url?

I did! Thank you for noticing and not wondering when the heck you followed somebody with that URL! I used to be megan-fuentes, and I was a mish-mash of a blog. But then I decided I should be doing something really useful to me for this blog. And that something is a writing blog featuring tips, tricks, and techniques that may, hopefully, improve my writing.

[fillingmynotebooks]

Did you miss me?

[fitzimmons]

[princessmononobae-deactivated20]

[depraved-darling-deactivated202]

WHAT.

[lovinqsheeran]

omg

[to-him-we-return-deactivated201]

perfect

[kstoeffel-deactivated20140411]

[foodnetwerk]

Sounds like my freshman year of high school

[oflovesandlikes]

I use sarcasm because flat out telling you you’re a fucking moron is considered inappropriate and is frowned upon. And I was raised better than that.

[its-tuesday-again]

i have two moods:

sleep is for the weak

sleeping for a week

[lgnacio-deactivated20170224]

changing themes is such a traumatic experience

[whystartreallife]

When I decide to speak in class

I’m like: