Some tips for using a few words to describe voices:
1. Tone Words: Use tone words to convey the emotional quality of a voice. For example, you can describe a voice as "melodic," "soothing," "sharp," "gentle," or "commanding" to give readers a sense of the tone.
2. Pitch and Range: Mention the pitch and range of the voice. Is it "deep," "high-pitched," "raspy," or "full-bodied"? This can provide insight into the character's age, gender, or emotional state.
3. Accent and Diction: Describe the character's accent or diction briefly to give a sense of their background or cultural influences. For instance, "British-accented," "Southern drawl," or "formal."
4. Volume: Mention the volume of the voice, whether it's "whispering," "booming," "murmuring," or "hushed."
5. Quality: Use terms like "velvet," "silken," "gravelly," "honeyed," or "crisp" to convey the texture or quality of the voice.
6. Rate of Speech: Describe how fast or slow the character speaks, using words like "rapid," "slurred," "measured," or "rambling."
7. Mood or Emotion: Indicate the mood or emotion carried by the voice. For example, a "quivering" voice may convey fear or anxiety, while a "warm" voice may express comfort and reassurance.
8. Resonance: Describe the resonance of the voice, such as "echoing," "nasal," "booming," or "tinny."
9. Timbre: Mention the timbre of the voice, using words like "rich," "thin," "clear," or "smoky."
10. Cadence: Highlight the rhythm or cadence of speech with descriptors like "staccato," "lilting," "rhythmic," or "halting."
11. Intonation: Convey the character's intonation by saying their voice is "sarcastic," "apologetic," "confident," or "questioning."
12. Vocal Characteristics: If applicable, mention unique vocal characteristics, like a "lisp," "stutter," "drawl," or "accented 'r'."
heyyyy so does anyone have that one post with a bunch of free artbooks on google drive that I seem to keep losing and re-discovering every few months but I would like it. checks watch. right about now. pretty please with a cherry on top
Narrative arcs/ plot structures that can be associated with misfortunes
In the previous post I listed some of the common misfortunes in the characters. In this post, I will give you several common narrative arcs or plot structures that can be associated with misfortunes.
The Hero's Journey: This is a classic narrative arc where the protagonist starts in their ordinary world, experiences a call to adventure or a significant misfortune, goes through a series of challenges and trials, and eventually returns transformed. The misfortune acts as the catalyst for the hero's journey, leading them on a path of self-discovery, growth, and eventual triumph.
Redemption Arc: In this plot structure, a character starts with a misfortune or a past mistake that haunts them. They embark on a journey of redemption, seeking forgiveness, atonement, or personal transformation. The misfortune serves as a driving force behind the character's quest for redemption and provides opportunities for reflection, self-improvement, and finding inner peace.
Overcoming Adversity: This plot structure focuses on a character facing a series of misfortunes or challenges and their journey to overcome them. Each misfortune serves as an obstacle or setback that the character must confront and find a way to overcome. This structure allows for exploration of resilience, determination, and the character's growth through their ability to persevere in the face of adversity.
Rise and Fall: This plot structure involves a character experiencing a series of misfortunes that lead to their downfall or a dramatic change in their circumstances. The misfortunes progressively escalate, leading to the character's ultimate downfall or a rock-bottom moment. This structure allows for exploration of themes such as hubris, consequences of actions, and the potential for redemption or downfall.
Quest for Justice: In this plot structure, a character faces a misfortune such as being wrongfully accused or witnessing an injustice. They embark on a quest to seek justice, uncover the truth, or make amends. The misfortune becomes the driving force behind the character's pursuit of justice, leading to a journey of investigation, moral dilemmas, and eventual resolution.
Tragic Arc: This plot structure follows a character who experiences a series of misfortunes that ultimately lead to their tragic downfall. The misfortunes progressively worsen, highlighting the character's flaws or weaknesses. The narrative explores themes of fate, the human condition, and the inevitability of tragedy.
Rebirth or Renewal: In this plot structure, a character undergoes a profound misfortune that serves as a catalyst for their personal transformation or rebirth. The misfortune forces the character to reassess their priorities, values, or beliefs, leading to a positive change in their life. The narrative focuses on themes of self-discovery, second chances, and finding hope amidst adversity.
Parallel or Interconnected Misfortunes: This plot structure involves multiple characters experiencing misfortunes that are interconnected or occur simultaneously. Their stories may intersect, intertwine, or influence one another, creating a complex narrative with multiple perspectives. This structure allows for exploration of themes such as interconnectedness, empathy, and the ripple effects of misfortune.
Betrayal and Revenge: This plot structure revolves around a character who experiences a betrayal or significant misfortune at the hands of someone they trusted. The misfortune fuels their desire for revenge, driving them to seek justice or retribution. The narrative delves into themes of betrayal, morality, and the psychological and emotional consequences of seeking vengeance.
Coming-of-Age: This arc focuses on a young character who undergoes a misfortune that forces them to confront the challenges of adulthood and mature emotionally. The misfortune becomes a transformative experience, leading the character to navigate their identity, make difficult choices, and discover their place in the world. Themes explored include self-discovery, resilience, and the transition from innocence to experience.
Episodic or Anthology Format: This structure involves a collection of standalone stories or episodes, each featuring a different character facing a distinct misfortune. The misfortunes may vary in nature and severity, showcasing a range of experiences and perspectives. This format allows for exploration of diverse themes, character development, and the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Psychological Journey: This narrative arc focuses on a character's internal struggle as they confront a misfortune that challenges their perception of reality or tests their sanity. The misfortune may be psychological in nature, such as delusions, hallucinations, or internal conflicts. The narrative explores themes of perception, identity, and the fragility of the human mind.
These narrative arcs and plot structures provide different frameworks for developing stories around misfortunes. They offer opportunities for character growth, thematic exploration, and engaging storytelling, allowing readers or viewers to connect with the characters and their experiences on a deeper level.
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Part 2 of magical/ superpowers list. I didn't know the readmore function before, so it caused trouble for everyone. I'm really sorry!
Probability manipulation (luck manipulation)
Enhanced healing/regeneration
Phasing (ability to pass through solid objects)
Sonic scream
Super breath (ability to blow strong winds or freeze objects)
Weather manipulation
Teleportation
Super hearing
Super smell
Empathy (ability to feel and understand others' emotions)
Telempathy (ability to manipulate others' emotions)
Energy absorption
Energy projection
Super stamina
Night vision
Holographic projection
Super flexibility
Underwater breathing
Plant manipulation
Gravity manipulation
Camouflage
Astral projection
Dimensional travel
Super luck
Laser vision
Enhanced senses (enhanced taste, touch, etc.)
Dream manipulation
Fear manipulation
Probability manipulation (ability to alter probabilities)
Illusion creation
Enhanced speed reading
Enhanced memory
Body swapping
Enhanced agility
Omnilingualism (ability to understand and speak any language)
Magnetic manipulation
Density control (ability to become intangible or super dense)
Earthquake generation
Super breath (ability to create strong gusts of wind)
Animal transformation
Sonic boom generation
Molecular manipulation
Hypnosis
Elasticity
Force field manipulation
Energy shields
Gravity control
Bone manipulation
Enhanced intelligence
Power mimicry (ability to copy others' powers)
Acid generation
Flight through astral projection
Energy wings
Enhanced senses (enhanced taste, touch, etc.)
Power negation (ability to cancel out others' powers)
Enhanced persuasion
Time stop
Molecular combustion (ability to cause objects to explode)
Animal telepathy (ability to communicate with animals)
Insect manipulation
Dreamwalking (ability to enter and control others' dreams)
Probability manipulation (ability to alter outcomes)
Force manipulation
Healing tears (ability to heal others with tears)
Power absorption (ability to steal others' powers)
Elemental transmutation
Energy constructs (ability to create objects out of energy)
Enhanced senses (enhanced taste, touch, etc.)
Magnetic flight
Reality warping
Flight
Super strength
Invisibility
Telepathy
Telekinesis
Super speed
Healing powers
Shape-shifting
Time manipulation
Mind control
X-ray vision
Super intelligence
Energy manipulation
Elemental control (fire, water, air, earth)
Super agility
Precognition (seeing the future)
Super durability
Super senses (enhanced hearing, sight, smell, etc.)
Immortality
Force field generation
Teleportation
Animal communication
Super reflexes
Elasticity
Pyrokinesis (ability to control fire)
Cryokinesis (ability to control ice)
Technopathy (ability to control technology)
Astral projection
Time travel
Size manipulation
Chronokinesis (ability to manipulate time at will).
Astral manipulation (power to manipulate and interact with the astral plane).
Biokinesis (ability to manipulate and control biological matter, such as healing wounds or altering physical characteristics).
Probability manipulation (power to manipulate probabilities, increasing or decreasing the likelihood of specific events).
Sound manipulation (ability to control and manipulate sound waves, including creating sonic blasts or generating illusions through sound).
Memory manipulation (the power to alter, erase, or enhance memories in oneself or others).
Spatial manipulation (the ability to manipulate and control space, including teleportation, creating portals, or bending space to manipulate distances).
Technopathy (the power to communicate with, control, or manipulate technology and electronic devices).
Dream manipulation (the ability to enter and manipulate dreams, altering the dreamer's experiences and perceptions).
Emotion manipulation (the power to control and manipulate emotions in oneself or others).
Energy vampirism (ability to absorb and feed off various types of energy from other sources).
Probability sensing (the power to sense and perceive the likelihood of specific events or outcomes).
Supernatural luck (extreme good luck that seems to defy probability).
Elemental transmutation (ability to transform one element into another).
Power replication (power to copy and temporarily possess others' superpowers).
Fear manifestation (ability to manifest and control the fears of oneself or others).
Meta-communication (power to communicate with concepts, ideas, or abstract entities).
Astral projection (ability to separate one's astral body from their physical body and travel in astral form).
Reality manipulation (the power to alter and manipulate the fabric of reality itself).
Quantum manipulation (the ability to manipulate quantum particles and phenomena).
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Naming a character can be a daunting thing, because you want your reader to connect to your characters and the first thing they know about them and the way to indentify them is often their name.
But not all people go with their given name. And that's where nicknames come into play.
Different forms of nicknames
diminutives
pet names
names based off events or activities
Why use a nickname
the character doesn't like their given name
it's a long or complicated name
people cannot spell or pronounce their given name
someone just called them a certain name and it stuck
people around them like to give nicknames to everyone
it's a name that automatically has a nickname that is known in their language
Who uses the nicknames
you have to choose who is calling your character by a nickname and which one
what are their parents and the whole family calling them?
is it a nickname so common, that even their teachers or coworkers call them like that?
is it an inside joke with their friends?
do different friends call them different names? (childhood friends vs. friends they made as adults)
is it a nickname that only one person would ever call them?
How to make a nickname
nicknames are often based on the first name of the person
use only the first (or first two) syllables of the character's name = (Jessica; Michael)
use only the last syllables of the name = (Isabella)
your character can also go by their surname
or by their middle name
they can go by their initials = (Taylor Johnson = TJ)
base a name on the character's looks (don't be mean) = (Freckles)
base their name on their personality or their interests (again, don't be mean)
Different nicknames in different languages
in English, you can often see an -y or -ie at the end of the name, or the first syllable of the name
- John = Johnny; Charles = Charlie; Patricia = Patty
in Spanish, a lot of nicknames (especially for kids) end in -ita (for girls) or -ito for boys
- Carlos = Carlito; Susana = Susanita
in German, it's common to end names with -i or with -chen or -lein (which indicates cuteness and requires closeness, often not a very serious nickname)
- Jana = Jani or Janchen or Janilein; Andreas = Andi
More things to consider:
do they like all their nicknames?
did they try to give themself a nickname, but no one used it?
do some people not even know their real name because they know their nickname?
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:-“Tried to be cool but failed miserably” Embarrassing first meet prompts-:
By @me-writes-prompts
Getting a nose bleed because they are so flustered when the other one glanced their way
They just wanted to drink a coffee in peace, but there was no peace when they literally spat their drink on the other one upon seeing them
“I think I’ve seen you before somewhere.” “Are you the kid who stole my pencil in my 5th-grade class and never returned it? *looks more closely* omg, you are!”
“You’re wearing your socks inside out.”
Tripping and falling face down because they lost balance
“Hey! You forgot your phone there. Someone named ‘My death’ was calling you.” “Oh, thanks.” *laughs nervously*
Sneezing so hard that they startle them
*at a store and checking out* “Can you also add that spider-man kinder-joy right there? Make it three.” “Is it for your kids?” “No, for me. I’m single.” (LMFAO)
“You have something on your face.” “Oh, where?” “There, right by your lips.” Turns out it was the last crumbs of chocolate cake they ate earlier. (Embarrassment level rises)
my writing fundamentally changed forever ten years ago when i realized you could use sentence structure to control people’s heart rates. is this still forbidden knowledge or does everyone know it now
Okay, so a few people have asked for me to cite the dark magics at them, and i’m super happy to share because it’s my favorite thing ever.
so, let’s see if i can explain this the same way that i learned. read a sentence out loud. you come to a full stop when you hit the period, and you take a normal, breath. but, when you hit a comma, you take a slightly longer pause. and when you hit a dash - you take an even longer pause.
this is a natural rhythm that we pick up when we’re first taught to read; we do it without even thinking. but when you start to think about it, you realize that it can become a tool.
think of your heartbeat. a period is badump. a comma is badump-dump. and a dash is thump badump. one breath. a longer breath. two breaths.
that means what you read automatically affects the rhythm of your breathing and your heartrate. which means that you can control the amount of physical tension your reader feels… by altering your punction and your sentence structure.
for fast paced scenes, you use short sentences. a lot of hard stops. mostly periods, with just a few comma’s thrown in for the full breath. your reader’s heartrate accelerates. their breathing is slightly and unintentionally, on their end, quicker. you hit the dramatic ending of the scene - and your reader’s body phsyically feels the gasp, the breath of fresh air, of these longer sentences.
now, read that paragraph again ant take note of your natural pauses, and how it subtly affects your breathing.
the same thing can be said of comma’s and dashes. while they can be used as a breath of fresh air, they can also cause a new line of tension as they lead your reader to hold their breath. during this section, you should use longer sentences; breaking up the harshness of the pauses by using variations of punction. read this paragraph out loud from the start and take note of how long you go between pauses and full breaths.
and then, comes the biggest trick.
the hard stop.
the paragraph.
because while the periods, commas, and dashes are variations on a short stop, the paragraph is a hard stop. you take a full breath. you pause for a moment, then move to the start of the next paragraph.
which means you can create an entirely new sort of dramatic tension. read the sentences that are in bold. see how you take a naturally longer pause at the end of each paragraph?
see how it makes you feel?
how it makes you breath different?
how doing it once, twice, or three times creates a different line of tension?
this little magic trick can be used to cause a reader’s heartrate to speed up during a fight or chase scene. it can be used to cause their breathing to slow down during moments of dramatic tension, sorrow, or softness. and it can be used to create hard breaks that add a new level of physically felt emphasis to your written work.
i hope these examples make sense! it’s my favorite writing trick!
YES YES YES YES I do this ALL THE TIME it’s GREAT!!!
One of my favorites is intentionally making run-on sentences, with some commas mixed in, and occasionally using “loaded” words to rush the reader and create a more panicked or rambling sort of paragraph. It feels like your thoughts are racing with all sorts of possibilities, much like someone experiencing fear would do, and you’re holding your breath waiting for the inevitable until—
Well? Did you feel it?
This sort of thing really supplements my preferred form of perspective, that being anything of the limited sort. Having an omniscient narrator that reveals what both sides are thinking kinda removes the inherent drama from that - at least for the reader. Neither side knows with 100% certainty what the other is thinking, which leads to miscommunications, which leads to drama— You get what I mean?
And because you’re limited to one perspective, you get all the more time to experience what that character’s thinking. If that character gets emotional, you get a front-row seat to how their view of the world around them changes. They forget the “unnecessary” details. They link things towards what’s making them feel so emotional. When something comes up they’re more willing to push it aside. Because people can get very tunnel-visioned while wrapped up in strong emotions.
Another thing about limited perspectives is that your characters are biased. They will think and say things that the reader doesn’t agree with. They can choose to ignore what another character is saying, and the reader will be left out of that conversation in the process. They’ll focus on things that the reader doesn’t find interesting in the slightest…
…This turned into a post about my bias towards limited perspectives. Sorry OP. This instance of self-demonstrating topics wasn’t intentional I swear—
(but one thing i found weird about this post was how the pause length of periods, commas, and dashes differ. why do periods have the shortest length when they’re a full stop? they should be the longest, shouldn’t they?)
(i feel like the order of shortest to longest pause length is commas -> dashes -> periods. however, commas can sometimes feel longer than usual, like starting a sentence with “so,”. this is pretty subjective anyway, people read at different paces)
Also, while consonance (the repetition of consonant sounds) and assonance (the repetition of vowel sounds) are generally considered to be poetic devices, they can be used in prose, as well. The most common effect is creating a sense of anxiety or a “crazy vibe.” (comment courtesy of @aqueerkettleofish)
.
If you’re writing in English, don’t forget the power of iambic pentameter. I knew it was used in poetry and in Shakespeare, but I didn’t really care until I read the Director’s Commentary on For The Asking by Gremble (@abeautifulblog). Wow
fluff was highly requested in my last poll, so here you go :) | tag me if you use any | if yall want more prompts like this, jus drop an ask nd ill respond as soon as possible :)
𝙎𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙎:
Eyes lightning up as soon as your significant other enters a room
Comparing hand sizes as an excuse to hold hands
Losing themselves in each others eyes as they hold a conversation
Forehead kisses
Cheek kisses
HAND KISSES>>>>
Constantly smiling or giggling when your partner is around
Playing with the other's hair as they rest their head in your lap
Staring at them from across the room with loving eyes
Looking at your partner like they're all you could ever want
Smiling against your partner's lips as you kiss
Tight hugs that feel warm and full of love
Asking the other about their day
Embraces from behind where the other person nuzzles their nose into your neck
Wanting to spend each second with each other, soaking in the feel of each other's presence
Stopping at absolutely every gift shop along the way so they can buy stupid little presents for each other.
Singing along to the music that's playing at the top of their lungs.
Having deep conversations that they would otherwise never have.
Making fun of the driver's driving.
Bringing their furry friend along to enjoy the trip with them.
The person in the passenger's seat trying to navigate where they're going but they're navigationally challenged. Cue childish arguments and yelling as the stress gets to them.
The passenger insisting that they drive for a while but the other hates the way they drive.
The third person chilling in the backseat with their headphones on while the other two chatter away in the front.
Hysterical laughter when the driver makes mistakes.
Coming up with new insults.
The driver bringing the passenger's free hand up to their lips to kiss.
The excitement that happens each time they see a store they've wanted to visit for ages.
Introducing new songs to each other to help the time pass by.
kianamaiart
theartofmadeline
kaledo-art
prguitarman
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