Randgridr: The Umbrescence

A brand-new Tumblr for my writing series https://substack.com/@milzwillwrite

[milzwillwrite]

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This is for my brand new (I've made 3 now, but this time I'm sticking to it lmao) Tumblr blog -- I'm determined to write a book! Stay tuned to learn more ;3

[milzwillwrite]

Damn: I have to write my book before I can publish it.

Sometimes I wish I could just 🧠➡️📄.

If my dissertation wasn't taking up all of my writing bandwidth, I would've made more progress, I won't lie. But, my academia does come first 🙂‍↕️. And I'm very grateful for all of the support I've been getting here.

[milzwillwrite]

Writing hot take 2

(Also, I've started posting on TikTok -- milz.will.write btw if anyone wants to cheekily follow me -- I do not have a CLUE what I'm doing though lmao.)

---

But, hot take number 2 (seeing as my first was rather popular):

To write well, you have to research.

I know. Shocking.

I'm not just talking about better writing = more reading. That's sort of a given. I'm going beyond that and mentioning research pertaining to experiences/cultures/backgrounds that differ from your own.

But, allow me to provide an example: for my homebrew world, I like to bring in influences from other real-world, earthly cultures and people -- Desi, Native American, Asian, African, and a vast amount of European culture too. And I'm quite sure that as an English woman who's spent most of her time in the countryside and just four years away at university in two different cities, my lovely little fantasy world would not be very spectacular if I just included English culture (like uhhh going to Big Tesco, getting a meal deal, and complaining about the weather? /j).

Obviously, if I want to include other cultures in my works and draw inspirations from them, the last, LAST thing I want to do is accidentally include a horrific stereotype or a complete misrepresentation of the culture I'm drawing upon. The world is full of interesting places and people -- I believe that they deserve the love and respect that comes from doing in-depth research into their lives. And that goes beyond paying homage to different cultures from around the world: I'm also referring to cultures and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled individuals, etc. -- anyone from a different background than your own!

Of course, I'm not perfect -- nobody is -- but I think it's better to put in considerable effort to research these cultures rather than just slapping them into a world with little thought.

I hope this gets my point across well :] TL;DR -- if you're including a culture different to your own in a story, do a bit of research! 📖

(this post will also be going on my Substack :D Big up everyone who subscribes to me there <3333).

[milzwillwrite]

First Proper Substack Post

A Reluctant Main Character: Ambrose Sendri

A Reluctant Main Character: Ambrose Sendri

"O' Sovereign, I pray -- if you are listening -- help me find Toamra."

YESSS I finally made my first, proper post!! (so sorry for the delays)

Please please give it a read: I’ve been putting this off for a while (I’m a competitive procrastinator, and my Master’s dissertation has been actively swamping me).

And please tell me what you think in the comments! :D 📚✒️Every subscriber to my Substack really helps me out.

[milzwillwrite]

Writing Update 4:

Big news: I will be writing up my first proper Substack post tomorrow!!

Finally — after promising it for a week and a bit — I am finally going to do it! 🥹

Btw, if you're not already, you should totally go and follow my Substack :3 maybe even subscribe :3... you know you want to :3c.

On it, I will be writing up in-depth discussions for my book, the characters, the world, etc.

So if you love OCs, blorbo binguses (??), and a heck of a lot of worldbuilding inspired by DnD, subbing to my Substack (and following me here too -- always grateful for my little Tumblr following! <3) is always very appreciated.

[crashtimes3]

was going through my WIPs and found this

its a good start i think

[milzwillwrite]

Writing hot take:

Yo!

Subtle writing hot take — maybe even a lukewarm take:

To be a great writer, you need to go outside. You need to see the world.

Of course, I’m aware that not everyone is in a financial position to afford a grand trip around the world (I’m in the same position right now) — what I mean is that I think one cannot simply write a great book just slouched behind a desk, reading loads, but not really experiencing new things. Not experiencing any wonder, intrigue, or curiosity about the world.

Books are entirely about experiencing something new, and being filled with wonder and curiosity!

Even if it’s just a little stroll around your neighbourhood, I can guarantee you’d feel much more in-tune with your work after getting outside for a little bit. And it’s good for you, too.

So, if you are able to, get out there! :) 🌸

(this note was also published to my Substack -- if you check it out, you'd be doing me a huge favour <3 thanks!)

[milzwillwrite]

Another update:

Hiya gang,

Just updating: I’m slowly adjusting to these new meds (see my previous note) BUT — just my luck — my next-door neighbours have started the most obnoxious, noisy, ear-grating, jarring building work. 🫠

Release me from this madness.

But, I promise to get a post out very very soon!

[milzwillwrite]

Update:

Hiya gang.

So sorry for the delays on posting: truthfully, I’ve been taking some new medication for my chronic illness, and I’ve been taking the time to adjust to it.

It’s been wiping me out. But, I haven’t forgotten you all!

I promise to get something out soon.

[milzwillwrite]

Sorry for the lacklustre daily post today: it's been a busy weekend! I promise I'll either put something out here or on my Substack tomorrow! :3 It'll likely be a post about my book's MC/protagonist, Ambrose Sendri; the sceptical archivist who is now on a journey to Death's Tomb to find her best friend and restore her coven.

[milzwillwrite]

Milz, are you opening commissions?

Yo!

Just a little side-note, perhaps counting as my daily post.

I've recently been asked by a couple of lovely people here if I have commissions open for my artwork.

First off, I'm very very grateful that people like my art and want to commission me! I'm not the best, but I do my best.

However, right now I've currently got quite a bit on my plate: I'm finishing off my Master's, hunting for a graduate job, and starting up on this book project! I'd love to open commissions, but right now I've just got a lot going on 😵‍💫.

Buuuuut, that doesn't mean that I'll never open commissions! If a good few more people show interest, I'll happily make a commission sheet/price list. But right now everything else, and starting the writing for Project Khrysomallos, comes first.

Thank you everyone nonetheless for your support :).

[milzwillwrite]

Wow -- 10 followers! Thank you all so much! <3

I'm super grateful for all of the support I've received thus far. It really makes all the difference. I hope that you'll all stay with me in the long-term to see my book through to the end, and maybe more! :3.

[milzwillwrite]

Writing Update 3

Posted to my Substack this afternoon -- I'd totally recommend going and subscribing to it, btw: there's currently an offer on. Normally it's £5 a month, but until July 31st I'm giving away 50% off for 3 months. And who doesn't love a bargain? 👀

Buuuut, summing my post up:

The artwork for my MC, Ambrose Sendri, has been created.

It's only a lil sneak peek for now, as the full post will be published on my Substack for paid subscribers only. It'll contain:

The juicy lore

The design process

Ambrose's goals/motives

So on and so forth.

Sooo... you know what to do 👀.

But, as an aside from that, I am super grateful for all of the support I've been receiving thus far. Every follow, like, and free subscription really boosts my motivation to continue this project :3. So big thanks to everyone who's liked and followed and subscribed thus far.

[milzwillwrite]

Also, just as a quick mention: my book, and my work as a whole, will always be 100% no AI.

As someone who aligns herself with creativity, I think the human ability to make stuff entirely from imagination, love, and devotion is very sacred. Why would I want a machine to do it for me?

And that's not even mentioning the plagiarism and environmental damage that AI does, as well as its contributions to cognitive decline and the devaluation of the arts. I just can't support that. I want to create a story with my own, genuine efforts -- I'd rather my own artwork be hand-made by me and look a lil naff sometimes, or credit a human artist, than get an unthinking bot to do it for me.

To all who feel the same way: keep doing what you're doing. Your creativity is very magical -- keep creating and keep being human.

[chxrry-bombs]

5 Tiny Writing Tips That Aren’t Talked About Enough (but work for me)

These are some lowkey underrated tips I’ve seen floating around writing communities — the kind that don’t get flashy attention but seriously changed how I write.

1. Put “he/she/they” at the start of the sentence less often.

Try switching up your sentence rhythm. Instead of

“She walked to the window,”

try

“The window creaked open under her touch.”

Keeps it fresh and stops the paragraph from sounding like a checklist.

2. Don’t describe everything — describe what matters.

Instead of listing every detail in a room, pick 2–3 objects that say something.

“A half-drunk mug of tea and a knife on the table”

sets a way stronger tone than

“There was a wooden table, two chairs, and a shelf.”

3. Use beats instead of dialogue tags sometimes.

Instead of:

"I'm fine," she said.

Try:

"I'm fine." She wiped her hands on her skirt.

It helps shows emotion, and movement.

4. Write your first draft like no one will ever read it.

No pressure. No perfection. Just vibes. The point of draft one is to exist. Let it be messy and weird — future you will thank you for at least something to edit.

5. When stuck, ask: “What’s the most fun thing that could happen next?”

Not logical. Not realistic. FUN. It doesn’t have to stay — but chasing excitement can blast through writer’s block and give you ideas you actually want to write.

What’s a tip that unexpectedly helped with your writing? Let me know!! 🍒

[milzwillwrite]

Writing Update 3

Posted to my Substack this afternoon -- I'd totally recommend going and subscribing to it, btw: there's currently an offer on. Normally it's £5 a month, but until July 31st I'm giving away 50% off for 3 months. And who doesn't love a bargain? 👀

Buuuut, summing my post up:

The artwork for my MC, Ambrose Sendri, has been created.

It's only a lil sneak peek for now, as the full post will be published on my Substack for paid subscribers only. It'll contain:

The juicy lore

The design process

Ambrose's goals/motives

So on and so forth.

Sooo... you know what to do 👀.

But, as an aside from that, I am super grateful for all of the support I've been receiving thus far. Every follow, like, and free subscription really boosts my motivation to continue this project :3. So big thanks to everyone who's liked and followed and subscribed thus far.

[wyrm-house]

[to-get-to-the-sky]

I low key cannot type fast enough to keep up with the flow of dialouge going through my head. Typing speedrun time.