insanehamsterwheel

Ever been inside a hamster wheel? Don't answer that.. user on ao3: ascetic_lynx

[writersisland]

Tiny Grammar Cheatsheet: When to Use Hyphens for Compounds

Compound: two words used together ‣ terms can move between the form of compound, usually reflecting frequency of usage: base ball (open compound) ➛ base-ball (hyphenated compound) ➛ baseball (closed compound)

There is no set answer for when to use hyphens. The Merriam Webster Dictionary reports that they often only have one variation in their database, but that does not mean others aren't used or are wrong. ‣ Examples of formerly hyphenated compounds: shoelace, postcard, rattlesnake, doorknob... ‣ But even constructs related to each other can differ: backyard ⭤ front yard ➛ Remember that language is a fluid construct!

There still are some loose rules you can follow to get a general grasp on what will probably be accepted. A compound is (typically) hyphenated when: ‣ a noun is being modified with a compound adjective ending in a participle: a sun-bleached roof (Hyphens are not used for the adverbial -ly ending: lightly salted peanuts) ‣ a usually open compound modifies another noun: He loves science fiction, he is actually is going to a science-fiction convention soon. (Exceptions possible if terms are common enough: real estate agent) ‣ listen to your gut and see what feels and looks right. Maybe if it is a term specific to a field, see how others in said field use it. ‣ Note that using or not using a hyphen may reveal how (un)familiar you are with a term, which may carry connotations you did not intend for

[fragiledate]

the strongest bond is probably pad wings to themselves. the weakest is probably pad wings to your underwear

[hopeful-stormy]

Reminder to download your comfort fics, your bedtime stories, your crack fics, whatever it is you're interested in (even incomplete fics and fics you think you might be interested in).

[carmahnart]

Hey y’all I have an announcement! My web app that I’ve been working on, Afro Index, is now live! It’s a visual reference library of Black hairstyles, for artist, animators, writers, and anyone who wants to learn more about them!

Check it out at afroindex.org! 💛✨

Afro Index – Black Hairstyle Reference Library

A reference library for Black hairstyles with accurate naming, structured filtering, and curated reference images.

[writersisland]

Commonly Confused Words (4)

phased vs. fazed phased is typically followed by in or out, used to mean when something is introduced or being stopped slowly: “The company has slowly been phasing in the new software.” fazed refers to the state of being bothered by something; usually used in its negative form: “She remained unfazed.”

discrete vs. discreet discrete is usually used in a mathematical context and means to separate: “It is an ongoing process rather than a discrete event.” discreet means something inconspicuous or subtle: “I want this handled discreetly.”

ascent vs. assent ascent refers to climbing something: “She begun the ascent at dawn.” assent is a formal way to refer to agreeing: “The consumer needs to assent to the privacy agreement.”

its vs it’s its is the possessive form of the pronoun it: “The dog laid on its back.” it’s = it + is/was: “It’s not possible!”

More Commonly Confused Words

[verdantdrawzstories]

Reminder that fanfic authors write the stories you like

FOR FREE

[wdarlingyap]

"But I don't like the ending/the character/the plot point. I would have done it differently."

Yes. Good. Go get a pen. This is where it begins.

[voice-of-illogical-sense]

[flagellant]

this is what a Bodhisattva is

[alexaloraetheris]

Oh, literally!

[writersisland]

there is just something about a character who wants to be great, who wants to be a hero, but knows that is not their story. they will never have a true moment of comeuppance, will never get what they deserve, will never get to make their own choices, will never be free from the narrative’s need for them to fail so another can succeed. forever the supporting character, the under appreciated best friend, the neglected comic relief, the unlucky sap whose pain and trauma is either motivation for the true main character or a punchline.

[hallownest-archive-deactivated2]

imo the best way to interpret those “real people don’t do x” writing advice posts is “most people don’t do x, so if a character does x, it should be a distinguishing trait.” human behavior is infinitely varied; for any x, there are real people who do x. we can’t make absolute statements. we can, however, make probabilistic ones.

for example, most people don’t address each other by name in the middle of a casual conversation. if all your characters do that, your dialogue will sound stilted and unnatural. but if just one character does that, then it tells us something about that character.

[jauntylittlefrillyboy]

[corvidcall]

to anyone in the areas impacted by the wildfire smoke, my #1 biggest piece of advice as someone whos been dealing with wildfire smoke in the NW united states for years, is build yourself a Corsi-Rosenthal Cube

they perform as well as expensive HEPA air cleaners, and are comparatively VERY inexpensive. all you need is a box fan, 4 air filters, a piece of cardboard, and some duct tape!!!!

i think it took us maybe a half hour to put ours together, if that, and we replace the filters every 3 months. it's really made a HUGE difference, both when the air quality is bad, but also with our allergies

[o0fyuu0o]

Saw these easy to read instructions on Twitter. Stay safe 💚

[tinyyellowflowers-blog]

Great time to start pricing this out by the way, fire season starts… on the summer solstice this year, that’s fun. Signs point to it being a doozy.

[cyanide-sippy-cup]

For anybody not caught up: Tennessee just passed a new map that pretty much makes it so black neighborhoods have no power in local votes. Two things about this. While protestors were chanting "No Jim Crow", white Tennessee lawmakers were caught laughing on video. On top of this, Representative Justin Pearson and his brother KeShaun Pearson were arrested for trying to give their takes on the matter (which is not only their legal right but literally his job). If you give a shit about black people, help fight this. We can't allow a return to Jim Crow.

[luna-azzurra]

Signs your romance subplot has absolutely no tension (sry)

♡ they meet and immediately like each other (goodbye conflict, we barely knew you)

♡ the only thing keeping them apart is a misunderstanding that one conversation would fix

♡ both characters describe the other as "beautiful" within three pages of meeting

♡ their chemistry is told not shown (the narrator insists they have spark. they don't.)

♡ the love interest has no personality outside of loving the protagonist

♡ they argue once, make up immediately, never argue again

♡ obstacles are external. they always agree with each other about everything.

♡ the rival love interest exists for two chapters then vanishes without explanation

♡ they almost kiss. something interrupts. this happens four times. on the fifth time they kiss. the end.

♡ the love interest is described as funny, clever, and kind. we see none of this.

♡ their big emotional moment is in the rain. it is always in the rain.

♡ the breakup lasts exactly one chapter before they reconcile

♡ "i've never felt this way before" said by someone with no prior emotional history

♡ both confess feelings at the same time. no awkwardness. no stakes. just synchronized emotion.

♡ their first kiss is perfect. no bumped noses. no wrong angle. cinematic and frictionless.

♡ jealousy subplot introduced and dropped without consequence

♡ they have one shared interest and it is the plot

♡ trauma bonding mistaken for romantic chemistry (these are different things)

♡ the side characters ship them loudly. this is not a substitute for actual tension.

♡ one of them dies temporarily. other is devastated. they come back. no lasting emotional damage.

♡ they end up together because the plot ends, not because they chose each other

♡ epilogue: married with children. every loose end tied. nothing left to feel.

[insaneehamsterwheel]

Keeping this in mind for Pyrrhic Victory

[cedarwool]

being an everything crafter is great but also sucks. like i want to get my watercolors out but i need to put away my microcrochet first. i want to do some leatherwork but my oil paints are on the table. i want to whittle but i'm using the bucket i catch wood shavings in to hold my papermaking mush. i want to write my book but my hands are too busy knitting a sweater. i want to code another video game but i'm too busy studying nalebinding. do you see my problem. the problem is that i need more hands

[insaneehamsterwheel]

If you add 3 sentences to your work in progress and show me, I will add 4 sentences to my work in progress and show you.

It can be any work in progress that you want it to be. Preferably ones that you haven't added anything 2 in a while.

This ask gave me inspiration to write two paragraphs to something I haven't touched in.. 4 months <3

[insaneehamsterwheel]

Can harem endings work?

I'm currently working out a concept for a fanfic and I really want the character to end up with everyone because I really can't choose (5-6 love interests). I'm planning on it being polyamory, because polygamy is NOT the goal, but I have yet to see good harem fics. Do you think a harem ending can work? If not, why so, what can I do? And if yes, PLEASE leave some tips. And if there's anything you guys hate to see in tropes like this, let me know! I look forward to any response because I need help ;(

Also, the harem-ing makes sense to the plot, so to say, of the fic, but everyone looks forward to end-ships, that's the problem!

[magekrove]

I love memes and have a lot of time on a bus