Pantsers Pen

Writer before all else✍🏾. I make 5 star Etsy templates ★★★★☆!!! Lets make daydreams into novels. Shop here: https://pantserspen.etsy.com

[pantserspen]

Stop Guessing. Start Writing With Confidence.

Welcome to Pantsers Pen!

Hey, I'm Kendra! I love help writers find their community and voice. I sell 5 star ★★★★★ story guides to help writers organize their novel. This is a writing community where Pantsers and Planners are both invited.

Get free templates:Join the NEWSLETTER!

Visit: My Shop⋆˚꩜｡

Also, if you have any ideas for post you would like to see, don't hesitate to send me a message using the 'ask me anything' button.

Thank you!

[historiaarch]

Checking Or Fact Checking History Claims?

Here Are My Key Strategies for Ensuring Source Accuracy:

Cross-Reference Information (Triangulation): Never rely on a single source. Compare information across multiple, independent, and reputable sources to confirm facts. Truth Always reveals itself!

Check for Bias and Purpose: Analyze why the source was created. Is it propaganda, an opinion piece, or an objective report? Identify if the author has a hidden agenda, emotional language, or political motives. Usually propaganda always have an end result. Understand that and see if it applies to the base argument!

Evaluate the Author/Publisher: Determine if the author is an expert (academic background, previous reputable work). Check if the publisher is a university press, academic journal, or reputable historical institution.

Verify Citations and Evidence: Check the sources the author used. If a source makes claims without citing evidence, it is not reliable.

Contextualize the Source: Ensure you understand when the source was created and the context surrounding it (primary vs. secondary).

Use Lateral Reading: Instead of staying on one website, search for information about the source/author on other sites to verify its credibility (lateral reading). 

Common Red Flags for Inaccurate Sources:

Sensationalist, overly emotional, or biased language.

Lack of citations or bibliography.

Spelling, grammar, or typographical errors.

The information cannot be found anywhere else. 

Evaluating Primary vs. Secondary Sources:

Primary Sources (eyewitness accounts, diaries, records): Ask if the author was actually present, if they have a reason to lie, or if the account was written long after the event.

Secondary Sources (books, articles): Ask if the author used primary sources, if they are qualified, and if other historians agree with their conclusions. 

Best Tools To Ensure Accuracy When Doing Fact Checks!

Get It Here!

[historiaarch]

Best Places to Get Reliable History Facts (Quick Guide)

If you’re into history and want accurate, non-misleading sources, here’s where to look — and how to use them properly.

1. Wikipedia (start here, don’t end here) Use it for timelines and overviews. Always scroll to the references and check the sources.

2. Primary Sources Read original writers like Tacitus or Herodotus. Ask: Who wrote this? Why? What’s their bias?

3. University Websites (.edu) Search: topic + .edu Great for structured explanations and lecture-style breakdowns.

4. Academic Databases Use JSTOR or Google Scholar for deeper research and modern scholarship.

5. Museum Websites Places like The British Museum give context for artifacts and cultural history. 6. Short Form Video Content Yes! I'm not saying to become addicted but scroll for a purpose!!!! 7. Look On Pinterest!! I can't urge this enough, looking on Pinterest for history facts is really the best way. Its not that hard anyways and is considered (by me) the simplest way.

How to Make Facts Stick

Don’t just collect dates. Track:

Causes

Consequences

Patterns

Connections

History makes sense when it’s organized, not scattered across tabs. Do yourself the a favor and get this history dashboard. If you like history you shouldn't be disorganized! SHOPE HERE!

[historiaarch]

How I Take Notes On Historical Events

I stopped memorizing random dates and started organizing history like a system. Here’s the structure I use for every event:

1. Basic Info

Event name

Date(s)

Location

Main people involved

Example: The assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BCE, Rome)

2. Causes (Why did this happen?)

I break this into:

Political causes

Economic causes

Social tension

Long-term background

History makes way more sense when you focus on buildup instead of just the moment.

3. The Event Itself (What actually happened?)

What triggered it?

What were the key turning points?

Who made the critical decisions?

Keep this clear and simple — no fluff.

4. Immediate Consequences

Who gained power?

Who lost power?

What changed right away?

For example, after Caesar’s death, Rome didn’t become stable — it spiraled into more conflict.

5. Long-Term Impact

This is the most important part.

Did it shift power structures?

Did it change a government system?

Did it influence later events?

This is how you connect one event to the fall of the Roman Republic or the rise of the Roman Empire.

6. Patterns & Themes

I always ask:

Is this about power consolidation?

Reform vs tradition?

Expansion?

Economic strain?

Once you start tracking themes, history feels interconnected instead of random.

And if your wondering how this is even possible, i orginized one history dashboard built for things like this. Don't be messy with history! Below is some pictures of the best Dashboard for history! GET IT HERE!

[pantserspen]

OC power ideas: SHADOW POSSESSION

This ability allows the user to control or inhabit shadows—moving through them, manipulating them, or even taking control of a person by merging with their shadow. Shadows become extensions of the user, able to restrain, spy, or attack without being easily detected.

What it looks like: Shadows stretch unnaturally, moving against the light. They may ripple, split, or rise from the ground like liquid darkness. When the user takes control, a person’s shadow may lag behind… or move on its own.

Character Idea: A quiet, observant character who prefers to stay unseen. They avoid attention, watching from the background—but know more than they let on.

Story Hook: They’ve always hidden inside the shadows… until one day, a shadow starts moving without them.

Hidden Downside: The more they rely on shadows, the less connected they become to their physical body. Staying too long in darkness can weaken them—or worse, trap them there. In some cases, shadows may begin to act independently, resisting control.

Get free writing tools: Join the newsletter!

[pantserspen]

Types of Chapter Hooks

The Cliffhanger. End right before the outcome of a tense moment so the reader needs to know what happens next.

The Shocking Reveal. Drop unexpected information that changes how the reader sees the situation.

The Unanswered Question. Raise something important that isn’t resolved yet, pulling the reader forward.

The Emotional Hit. End on a strong feeling—grief, anger, love—that lingers beyond the chapter.

The Sudden Twist. Shift the direction of the story in a way the reader didn’t expect.

The Decision Moment. A character makes a choice that will have major consequences.

The New Problem. Just as one issue ends, a bigger or more dangerous one appears.

The Mysterious Line. A vague or intriguing statement that hints at something deeper.

The Interrupted Moment. Cut off a conversation, action, or confession at the most crucial point.

The Calm Before Chaos. End on a quiet or normal moment that subtly hints something is about to go wrong.

Get free writing tools: Join the newsletter!

[pantserspen]

How To Write/ Outline a KINGDOM

Define How the Empire Gained Power. Conquest, trade, magic, or inheritance—its origin shapes everything.

Establish Leadership Structure. Emperor, council, dynasty, or divine rule—who holds power and how?

Create a Clear Hierarchy. Nobility, military, commoners—social layers affect daily life and tension.

Show Cultural Influence. Language, traditions, and values spread across regions under the empire’s control.

Build Military Strength. Armies, strategy, or magical forces determine how the empire maintains control.

Include Internal Conflict. Corruption, rebellion, or power struggles keep the empire unstable beneath the surface.

Design Economic Power. Wealth from resources, trade routes, or taxation fuels its dominance.

Show Control Over Territories. How the empire governs distant lands—strict rule or loose influence.

Define Its Reputation. Feared, respected, or resented—how others view the empire shapes interactions.

Decide What Threatens It. Every empire has a weakness—rebellion, decline, or an external force.

Get free writing tools: Join the newsletter!

[pantserspen]

Idiot Writer Guide to Sword Fighting

First rule: sword fights are not fencing lessons. They’re arguments with blades. Every swing should mean something emotionally, not just look cool.

Don’t choreograph every move. Readers don’t need left–right–parry–spin–thrust. Focus on intent: who’s pressing, who’s desperate, who’s losing ground.

Fatigue matters fast. Sword fighting is exhausting. Arms burn, grip slips, breath gets ragged. If they’ve been fighting for more than a minute, they should feel it.

Armor changes everything. Armor makes you slower, louder, and harder to kill. No armor means every hit is terrifying. Pick one and commit.

Pain is immediate and messy. Even a shallow cut hurts, bleeds, and distracts. People don’t ignore wounds unless adrenaline is very high—and even then, it comes back hard.

Defense wins fights. Blocking, dodging, and retreating are more realistic than constant attacking. Most people are trying not to die, not show off.

Environment is a weapon. Tight spaces, mud, stairs, crowds, low ceilings, bad footing—all of these matter more than fancy techniques.

Skill gaps should be obvious. A trained fighter doesn’t need ten flashy moves to win. They stay calm. They waste less energy. That’s scarier.

Emotion affects form. Anger makes people reckless. Fear makes them defensive. Desperation makes them dangerous in unpredictable ways.

Fights end suddenly. One mistake, one slip, one opening—and it’s over. Long duels should be rare and meaningful.

Winning still costs something. Even the victor should walk away injured, shaken, or changed.

If you can replace swords with knives or fists and nothing changes, the scene is weak. The weapon should shape how the fight unfolds.

Bonus: Common Sword-Fight Mistakes Writers Make

Everyone fights forever without getting tired

Characters talk calmly mid-duel

Armor works when convenient and vanishes when dramatic

Blades slice cleanly through everything

The hero never gets hit

Join the Newsletter! Get Free Basic Plot Outline!

[pantserspen]

Easy Grammar Rules to Remember

Every Sentence Needs a Subject and Verb. A complete thought must include who or what it’s about and what they’re doing.

Keep Tense Consistent. Don’t switch between past and present unless there’s a clear reason.

Use Commas for Clarity. Break up ideas so your sentence is easier to read and understand.

Match Subjects and Verbs. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

Watch Your Homophones. Words like “your/you’re” and “their/there/they’re” are easy to mix up.

Use Apostrophes Correctly. They show possession (“the writer’s book”) or contractions (“don’t”).

Avoid Run-On Sentences. Separate long ideas with punctuation or break them into smaller sentences.

Keep Sentences Clear and Direct. Simpler sentences are usually easier to understand.

Read Your Writing Out Loud. It helps you catch mistakes and awkward phrasing.

When in Doubt, Simplify. If a sentence feels confusing, rewrite it in a clearer way.

Get free writing tools: Join the newsletter!

[pantserspen]

OC Power Ideas: Sand Shifting

This ability allows the user to turn their body into sand and control it at will. They can slip through cracks, reshape their form, or scatter completely to avoid attacks. Sand can also be used offensively—blinding enemies, creating small storms, or forming weapons.

What it looks like: The user’s body breaks apart into flowing grains, moving like a living desert wind. Their form isn’t always stable—edges blur, pieces drift, and their voice may sound distant or echoing when fully shifted.

Character Idea: A quiet, guarded character who hates being tied down. They avoid attachments, move often, and never stay in one place too long—because deep down, they’re afraid of being trapped.

Story Hook: They’ve always been able to escape anything… until the day someone finds a way to trap them in glass.

Hidden Downside: The more they use their power, the harder it becomes to stay solid. Their body starts losing form—fingers slipping into grains, movements becoming unstable. If they lose control completely, they risk scattering beyond recovery.

Get free writing tools: Join the newsletter!

[pantserspen]

OC power ideas: Hemokinesis

This ability allows the user to control blood—both their own and others’—by manipulating its flow and movement. They can slow or stop circulation, force movement, or shape blood into weapons and restraints. With precision, it can be used for healing… or complete control.

What it looks like: Blood moves unnaturally—lifting from wounds, curling through the air, or tightening beneath the skin like invisible strings are pulling it. When used on others, veins may darken or shift as control takes hold.

Character Idea: A controlled, emotionally guarded character who believes power should only be used when necessary. They carry a strong moral code—but deep down, they know how dangerous they could become if they ever lost control.

Story Hook: They swore they would never use their ability on another person… until the moment they’re forced to—and realize how easy it is.

Hidden Downside: Using the ability drains their own body, often forcing them to rely on their own blood to maintain control. Overuse can cause weakness, dizziness, or internal damage. Worse, the more they use it, the more desensitized they become to crossing moral lines.

Get free writing tools: Join the newsletter!

[pantserspen]

Join a Community of Dedicated Writers! Get Free Writing tools, and weekly newsletters written by a real human writer, NOT AI! Sign up Here

[pantserspen]

Join a Community of Dedicated Writers! Get Free Writing tools, and weekly newsletters written by a real human writer, NOT AI! Sign up Here

[pantserspen]

Weekly Newsletter for Writers!

Join a Community of Dedicated Writers! Get Free Writing tools, and weekly newsletters written by a real human writer, NOT AI!

Sign up Here

[pantserspen]

Newsletter for Writers!

Join a Community of Dedicated Writers! Get Free Writing tools, and weekly newsletters written by a real human writer, NOT AI!

Sign up: Here

[pantserspen]

Dialogue tags vs actions

Use Dialogue Tags for Clarity. “Said” keeps things simple and lets the dialogue shine.

Use Actions to Add Emotion. A glance, a pause, or a movement can show what the character feels.

Don’t Overcomplicate Tags. Avoid fancy words like exclaimed, retorted, uttered—they can distract from the scene.

Let Actions Replace Tags When Possible. If it’s clear who’s speaking, an action can carry both identity and emotion.

Match the Tone to the Moment. Intense scenes may rely more on actions, while fast dialogue may need simple tags.

Avoid Tag Overload. Not every line needs a tag—too many can slow the pacing.

Use Actions to Show Subtext. What the character does can reveal what they’re not saying.

Keep Tags Invisible. “Said” and “asked” should fade into the background, not draw attention.

Don’t Stack Tags and Actions Unnecessarily. Choose one strong method instead of using both every time.

Balance Both for Flow. A mix of tags and actions creates natural, engaging dialogue.

Sign up now!

[pantserspen]

Choose a Verb Writing Prompts: Body Language Edition

shift, fidget, squirm, still, freeze, flinch, recoil, tense, relax, stiffen, loosen, straighten, slouch, hunch, lean, step back, step forward, inch closer, hover, linger, retreat, turn, pivot, face, avoid, glance, stare, blink, squint, narrow (eyes), widen (eyes), roll (eyes), lower (gaze), lift (chin), tilt (head), nod, shake (head), swallow, gulp, breathe, sigh, exhale, inhale, steady, tremble, shake, quiver, shiver, clutch, grip, grasp, release, let go, wring, tap, drum, trace, brush, graze, press, push, pull, reach, withdraw, fold (arms), cross (arms), uncross, clasp (hands), hide (hands), cover, uncover, rub, scratch, wipe, tuck, adjust, smooth, fix, tighten, loosen, pace, wander, stop, pause, hesitate, linger, collapse, sink, rise, stand, sit, kneel, crouch, stretch, curl, uncurl

Join the Newsletter! Get Free Character Sheets!