MANIC!

it/its - plural artist & writer

[moonlit-spirals]

Hey there!

You can call us Manic.

We're a 17 year old plural household with 600+ housemates, and we're both an artist and a writer! We use it/its pronouns, by the way. :)

This is our main blog. Here, we'll be posting art, writing, worldbuilding, reblogs, and rambles!

Our current fandoms: The Amazing Digital Circus, Marvel, Gravity Falls, Warrior Cats, Danganronpa, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Universal Century.

Find our artfight here and our characterhub here!

We have no DNI, but we block freely.

This isn't our only Tumblr account-- you might recognize us or our content from elsewhere!

Go look at our Housemate Sign-Offs And Info post!

Also check out our ramble about Self-Talk And Empowering Your Mind!!

Similarly, read our essay about Plural Discord Communities!

You can also read our newest essay about Role Centrism!

Want to be our friend, but are too shy to ask? Fill out this Google Form!

That's all. See you around!

[moonlit-spirals]

Our TADC OC! Her name is Glaze, and she was a model before entering the digital circus.

[moonlit-spirals]

New OC! She doesn't have a name yet, but we're open to suggestions :)

[moonlit-spirals]

Reference for our OC named Creed Nocturne! They're the reincarnation of Khonsu and part of an underground rebellion. :)

[moonlit-spirals]

Like You

A short scene between our OCs Lyrik Cross and Blake Hamming.

"I wish I was like you," the words stumbled out of Lyrik's mouth before she could stop them. Their body then froze, the joints all locking in place, and they averted their gaze.

"Like me?" His friend chuckled, giving him a glance. "I don't believe you should be comparing yourself to someone like me."

"... I'm aware." A sigh escaped Lyrik along with her murmured reply. Why did they say that, anyway? Nothing about their conversation prompted such a statement. He anxiously messed with his long ginger and brunette hair, running his fingers through each thick strand.

"You are, huh." The man's grayish blue eyes lingered on her face. "But I haven't told you anything about my past, have I?"

"Oh-" Lyrik gasped, and then proceeded to giggle, shaking her head. "I didn't mean it like that, Blake." They corrected him honestly. "I just... Have a habit of making comparisons, is all."

"Mm..." Blake nodded slowly with a hum. "Why is that?" His wonder slipped into an innocent question, causing the other to flinch. Her shoulders stiffened.

"Why?" They echoed instinctively. Surely, he couldn't be serious about this.

"Yes. Are you afraid to tell me?"

"No, no... I just--" Lyrik's voice cut out, followed by a pause. "It's difficult for even me to understand. My mind is quite the enigma, you see." A long few beats of silence passed.

"That's a lie, isn't it?" The blonde one challenged. "You don't have to be dishonest with me. You're aware of that much, are you not?" Silence stretched between them as he contemplated his options. Blake could practically see the gears turning in her mind, calculating outcomes and testing the waters. "I promise, I won't tell anyone." A warm grin spread across his face. He tried to reach for them, to put a hand on their shoulder, but their body shifted and turned away from him. He quietly put his hand back in his lap.

"... Promises are always empty under the right circumstances."

"For most people, perhaps." He shrugged, leaning against the icy wall. "But I am a man of my word. You can guarantee that, Lyrik."

"Liar."

"Only in your mind, my friend." Blake attempted to assure him. The young adult bit her lip, the couch creaking under her weight as she moved further from him. "This isn't healthy for you."

"What do you know?!" Something snapped inside their mind, and they whipped around to face the short-haired blonde again.

"Many things, across many lives. As do you." His reminder made something click. A forgotten time flooded his mind-- a time where he and Blake were different, and perhaps... Closer than they were now. A warm sensation filled their chest. Maybe... She could trust him. But just this once.

"... Fine, you win. Congratulations!" Lyrik remarked, their words dripping with a sarcastic tone. "If you must know, and clearly you do... I envy everyone around me. Not their entire character-- just bits and pieces. Traits that I want for myself, but am forbidden to have, as is my nature." His confession came out all wrong-- sharp and demeaning-- in a way that made Blake's brow furrow as his smile turned to a frown.

"Is that the truth?"

"Nothing but." She confirmed with a short-lived, forced grin.

"I see..." Blake's eyes darted around as if he were searching for something important. He then returned his gaze to Lyrik, his face hardening with a serious look. "You are not forbidden anything, Lyrik. Do not restrict yourself of any right."

"Hmph. And here I thought you would understand..."

"I do. But I likewise know of a greater truth-- the truth of expectations." He began to explain. "When you assume something to be right, your mind has no reason to disbelieve. If you do not go searching for proof- you will absorb whatever information you were fed, much like a sponge, and grow weak with lies."

"Lies are not weak."

"Yes, they are mighty strong. But they target people's strengths and break them." A pause. It gave Lyrik time to breathe-- to think-- and they were starting to see Blake's perspective. Not that it was correct in his eyes, but... "I am trying to convey an important lesson: your thoughts will shape your character. If you believe that you are incapable of growth and change, then you will be. It is very simple."

"Sure, but I'm really not--"

"Because that is the reality you created for yourself." He cut her off to continue making his point. "Now, will you tell me what it is that you envy?"

"Oh, please. I've said enough. You're just scolding me now." They huffed and crossed their arms.

"Not at all! I am attempting to help you. But if you seriously do not want my assistance... I will leave you alone."

"That would be appreciated." Lyrik's eyes wandered back to Blake's face, their own barbed with hostility. "Go on, then. Leave."

"Alright, alright." Blake huffed and stood up, cracking his back and knuckles as he did. "I will see you later, Lyrik. Please think about what I said in the meantime." His thumping footsteps faded away into the background after he left the room, leaving him to his solitude once more.

"What a headache..." She groaned. "Who does he think he is? Last I checked, he was not the fallen god of wisdom." The room around them seemed to shrink a little, so they sprawled out on the couch to give themself more room. "Meh meh meh-- your thoughts will shape your character! Oh, give me a break."

He buried his head into the nearest pillow, punching it once before he settled down, and then whined softly. Was he actually right? No, he couldn't be... Lyrik had sealed her fate long ago.

Their thoughts began to spiral as they drifted into unconsciousness, thereafter enjoying a dreamless sleep.

Maybe one day they would understand each other.

[moonlit-spirals]

Hi there! This is our OC named Aether Fleetwood. He's a nonbinary man and the reincarnation of Anubis!

His reference. ^^

[theaawalker]

Alternatives to "Saw"

ᚑ      ᚑ

When a character notices something quickly:

»-♡→ Spotted »-♡→ Caught sight of »-♡→ Glimpsed »-♡→ Noticed »-♡→ Detected »-♡→ Clocked »-♡→ Picked out »-♡→ Espied »-♡→ Observed »-♡→ Sighted

...or if they're searching for something:

➺ Scanned ➺ Surveyed ➺ Examined ➺ Inspected ➺ Searched ➺ Swept their gaze across ➺ Looked over ➺ Studied ➺ Pored over ➺ Scrutinized

...or if they're admiring something:

➵ Beheld ➵ Gazed at ➵ Admired ➵ Marveled at ➵ Took in ➵ Drank in ➵ Appreciated ➵ Feasted their eyes on ➵ Reveled in ➵ Absorbed

...or if they're shocked or horrified:

̗̀➛ Witnessed ̗̀➛ Stared at ̗̀➛ Gawked at ̗̀➛ Recoiled from the sight of ̗̀➛ Bore witness to ̗̀➛ Froze at the sight of ̗̀➛ Locked eyes on ̗̀➛ Gaped at ̗̀➛ Couldn't look away from ̗̀➛ Found themselves staring at

ᚑ      ᚑ

[moonlit-spirals]

Greatest Mistake

This is a small scene about our OCs, Creed Nocturne and Aether Fleetwood. Read all about them here and here!

A stinging, boiling sensation irritated Creed's raw skin. The left side of their face and shoulder were coated in layers of bloody bandages, serving as a constant reminder that hurt more than the physical pain. He huffed, leaning against the cold concrete wall of the medbay. This had been their greatest mistake.

Creed knew what he did. They were too hasty, too bold, too daring-- and it all came crashing down on them. Flashes of orange flames engulfing a towering factory came rushing into his mind, as did a jolt of burning pain. The teen hissed and sank into the white sheets of their temporary home. "Damn it..." His teeth grinded against each other.

A knock on the medbay's door quickly brought them back to their senses, and they sat back up. His spine ached, but he kept himself in that position. "Come in!" They commanded, shouting from the corner of the room. The door creaked as the knob was turned and pushed open. There, he saw someone with dark chocolate skin, blonde wicks, and golden bands in their thick hair. "... Aether, what are you doing here?"

"I came to see you. That is what friends do, is it not?" Aether tilted his head, hazel eyes looking them up and down.

"I thought you didn't like being my friend." Creed grumbled.

"Hm...? When did I ever say that?" He drew closer, coming over to their bedside so he could rest a hand on the dual colored teen's good arm.

"You didn't. But it's obvious, isn't it? You avoid talking to me every chance you get. Why choose to see me now, after I've already embarrassed myself?"

"You're awfully harsh," Aether hummed alongside a soft grin. "But that's what I respect about you, Creed. You always say exactly what you believe."

"You didn't answer my question." Creed crossed their arms as best as they could.

"... Right. I do enjoy being your friend, if I must answer." The floor creaked under his weight as he stepped closer to the bed, almost leaning on it. "I just... Worry too much." They mumbled.

"About what?" Surely he wasn't concerned that he would die? They already did that once! Creed wasn't planning on a round two. This was just... A small hiccup, yes, that's what it was. Aether didn't give a response this time, though. His eyes simply avoided him. "Aether," they reminded him.

"I shouldn't say. It's... Personal to me."

"As if I haven't been personal with you? I told you about my entire life!" They snapped, scowling and leaning in towards their friend.

"I know. But I simply can't bring myself to say it, as much as I do trust you. It might... Change things between us. I do not want that." Aether sighed, his eyes dragging to the floor, as if something was weighing them down. He gently used his thumb to rub Creed's arm. "Please, forgive me for being so secretive. I mean nothing by it." Creed rolled his eyes at first, huffing quietly.

"... Fine. Keep your secrets." They declared in a grumbling voice. "But leave me to rest, will you? The nurse said I still have months of healing ahead of me."

"Very well," he concluded, backing away and retracting his hand. "Feel better soon." With that, Aether's footsteps began to fade while he exited the room and went elsewhere. Creed let out a long, sluggish sigh and laid back down.

"He doesn't value me at all." The coily haired teen told himself. "I'll show him. I'll show everyone-- I can be powerful too!"

[moonlit-spirals]

A Long List Of "Said" Alternatives

Organized by emotions!

ANGRY/ANNOYED:

Insulted, goaded, jeered, argued, bickered, raged, scolded, complained, nagged, quipped, chided, snarled, ridiculed, snapped, retorted, protested, grumbled, whined, accused, badgered, threatened, lashed, ranted, scoffed, retaliated, stormed, sneered, boomed, roared, yelled, shouted, barked, grilled, fumed, heaved, insisted, bellowed, taunted, sassed

HAPPY:

Beamed, cheered, gushed, bubbled, chirped, resounded, praised, sang, trilled, chorused, tittered, complimented, effused, jabbered, rejoiced, approved, chimed, chatted, exclaimed

SAD:

Bawled, cried, blubbered, sobbed, wept, sniffled, wailed, agonized, grieved, mumbled, groaned, sniveled, apologized, lamented, fretted, gurgled, croaked

CALM/NEUTRAL:

Added, began, addressed, agreed, called, announced, confirmed, described, continued, disclosed, echoed, greeted, emphasized, informed, mentioned, implied, mused, observed, prompted, offered, recited, started, recalled, uttered, reckoned, ventured, went on, pronounced, voiced, noted, remarked, commented, interjected, shared

SCARED:

Cautioned, gulped, swallowed, keened, panted, gasped, shrieked, trembled, shuddered, yelped, warned, hesitated, stammered, stuttered, pleaded, murmured, sputtered,

CURIOUS:

Hummed, questioned, inquired, quizzed, queried, wondered

NOTE: You don't always have to use an alternative to said in order to get your point across! Please avoid overusing dialogue tags, and remember to spice things up in other ways.

[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!! 🍒

[pantserspen]

How to Fix Underwriting

1. Slow down at emotionally important moments.

Big emotions need space to land. If a scene feels rushed, pause the plot briefly to show how the moment affects the character.

2. Add reactions, not explanations.

Instead of explaining what a character feels, show it through physical responses, hesitation, or small actions that reveal emotion naturally.

3. Ground every scene in the senses.

If a scene feels thin, add one or two sensory details—sound, texture, smell, or temperature—to make the moment feel lived-in.

4. Let thoughts interrupt action.

A line of internal thought can deepen a scene without slowing it too much. Thoughts show stakes, fear, longing, or conflict beneath the action.

5. Expand consequences, not events.

You don’t need more things to happen—you need to show what matters. Focus on how events change relationships, decisions, or self-perception.

6. Strengthen setting where emotion peaks.

The environment should echo or contrast the emotion of the scene. Setting is not decoration—it’s emotional reinforcement.

7. Add specific details instead of general ones.

Underwriting often relies on vague language. Swap “they argued” for one sharp line of dialogue or a specific breaking point.

8. Let dialogue breathe.

Short dialogue exchanges without pauses can feel flat. Add beats—silence, gestures, interruptions—to give the conversation weight.

9. Show transitions between scenes.

If scenes jump too quickly, readers feel disoriented. A brief transition helps establish time, mood, and emotional continuity.

10. Clarify stakes early in the scene.

If readers don’t know what can be lost, scenes feel empty. Make sure the character wants something specific and fears losing it.

11. Use the “what are they feeling right now?” check.

After each major beat, ask what emotion is dominant in that moment. If it’s missing on the page, the scene is likely underwritten.

12. Expand scenes that feel “too clean.”

If a scene resolves too neatly or quickly, it probably needs more tension. Messy emotions and unresolved feelings add depth.

[ijustwannawritepls]

Underused Microexpressions for Attraction

We’ve done lip biting to death... Let’s evolve.

• Eyes flicking to someone’s mouth mid-sentence • Forgetting what they were about to say • Leaning in unconsciously • Mirroring posture without realizing • Smiling at something that wasn’t that funny • Adjusting hair or clothes when the other person enters • Noticing and remembering details no one else bothers to • A pause before pulling their hand away • Shoulders softening • Looking away first and then back again • Swallowing before speaking • Voice lowering slightly • Turning their body fully toward the other person • A delayed reaction to a touch

[luna-azzurra]

Your character doesn't need to be likeable. They need to be legible. The reader needs to understand every decision they make even when it's wrong, even when it's ugly, even when they want to shake them. Likeable is easy and forgettable. Legible is what makes someone stay with you for years. Make the logic of every bad choice visible. The reader doesn't have to agree with it. They just have to follow it.

[inkpressedpetals]

[tenderlypressed]

[tinyreviews]

Writing Tips: One Tip to Improve Your Prose

Be specific. 

Specificity comes from strong verbs, precise nouns, and necessary descriptors — each choice giving the reader more information, mood, and character insight.

🍷 Example 1 – From Vague to Specific

He knocked over the bottles.

He stumbled, knocking over the bottle of red wine.

He stumbled, kicking over the half-empty bottle of Merlot.

He stumbled, kicking over the half-empty bottle of Two Buck Chuck.

“Bottles” is vague; “half-empty” hints someone’s been drinking; “Merlot” gives flavor; “Two Buck Chuck” reveals character and situation.

🍰 Example 2 – Dessert Scene

She ate dessert.

She picked at a slice of cake.

She poked at the chocolate cake, half the icing scraped off the edge.

She crammed the last bit of frosting down her gullet, leaving behind a pale, stale bit of angel food.

Neutral to disengaged to indulgent to telling details about the cake — and the eater’s attitude.

💇 Example 3 – Hair Touch

She ran her fingers through the girl’s hair.

She combed her nails through the girl’s hair.

She dragged her nails through the girl’s tangled hair.

She raked her talons through the orphan’s knotted clumps of hair.

Each verb and noun shifts tone — from gentle to menacing.

👟 Example 4 – Shoes

He wore a white pair of shoes.

He wore a beat-up set of Nikes missing a shoelace.

He wore a pair of scuffed Nikes, the heel worn down to the foam.

He sported a scuffed-up pair of Air Jordans, the sole flapping with each step.

From generic footwear to brand, condition, and pride (or lack thereof).

The Rule: Use specific verbs (crammed, raked, sported), specific nouns (Two Buck Chuck, Air Jordans), and only descriptors that add necessary, relevant information (half-empty, pale, stale).

Specificity makes every line work harder — carrying action, mood, and subtext at once.

The above is a summary of Tim Grahl’s latest Youtube video: 

[moonlit-spirals]

Freedom Of Heart

I hear birdsong in the morning

There is always no warning

But I feel the silky blanket of safety

And I remember not to be hasty

For there is much to learn and much to explore

There is no need to walk out the door

In the freedom of my heart I see

There are numerous ways to be

Multitudes of joy and pain

It's never the same

But with the freedom of my heart

Never do we come apart

We stick together through it all

And if we need something, we call

So in the freedom of my heart I say

We will live today