writing account

reblogging anything that is helpful to writing. no need to follow. icon: kim lip (artms/OEC/loona)

[writing-prompt-s]

Everyone at magic school picks on you for your creepy skeletal minions. One day a trio of bullies has you cornered. "What now, necromancer? There's no corpses or bones around to save you." You sigh, "Actually, I'm an osteomancer. The skeletons don't have to come from corpses."

[fullest-circlest]

If you're writing 18th century dialogue, this website lets you search words and phrases to double-check whether they were in use & meant what you intend. It doesn't include every period-accurate use of a word/phrase, but it certainly helped me separate genuine 18th century grammar from the vague tangle of 💬old-fashioned fancy-speak💬 I've internalized from TV and video games.

[my-deer-friend]

Other websites that let you do this:

Johnson's Dictionary Online (thanks @yellowbelliedtoad!) – 1755 and 1773

Green's Dictionary of Slang – 1300s to today

A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue – 1788

Feraud's Dictionaire critique de la langue française – 1778

[zisurru]

A dictionary of the English and Italian languages by Giuseppe Baretti is a bilingual dictionary from 1790!

[grandruinssheep]

Nancy Wheeler's Guilt

One of the themes in Nancy Wheeler's story has to do with guilt and regret: the guilt of knowing, the guilt that her loved ones suffered or died, and the regret that she could not do better to prevent that.

So far in the series, she lost people close to her, such as: Barb, her best friend; and Fred, a teammate in the journalism group whom she worked closely with.

Later in Season 4, she closely encountered Vecna and received a warning from him.

Therefore, when she saw her mother Karen's state and her little sister Holly's absence (and learned of Ted's condition), the guilt of having the information yet not doing enough got to her.

It made so much sense why she crashed out in the hospital; why she had a whole scene of washing off the blood in the washroom. Not only did she feel devastated and upset over the tragedy, but she was also burdened by the fact that she had the "power" to change things (having information, knowing better) yet being unable to save her loved ones in time.

I guess this may also explain why the focus was on her more than her younger brother Mike; the story had to do with reinforcing the theme and experience of guilt.

However, since she is the Nancy Wheeler, she picked herself back up after that and became determined to look for Holly. She also teamed up with her younger brother, naturally, and they had hilarious scenes together in executing their plans.

[arodrwho]

super simple low-effort ao3 summary methods that are 1000% better and 1000% less annoying than just saying you suck at summaries:

copypaste the first few lines of the fic. u already wrote ‘em. let ‘em be their own damn hook

if ur feeling fancy & don’t mind showing ur hand a bit, copypaste the first few lines of the fic that u feel are esp. Important or Interesting - the ones where u first start getting into the real meat of things

state the main tropes! theyre probably already in ur tags - just say them again - maybe as a full sentence if ur feelin fancy. or with a joke if ur feelin Extra fancy

ask a question. pose a hypothetical. eg what happens if u take [character] and put them in [situation]?

make an equation. [character] + [thing] = [outcome]

just write like a one-sentence summary of what the fuck is going down. just one (1) sentence. doesnt matter if it doesn’t cover every important aspect. or if it sounds bland. any summary sentence is gonna be miles better than “idk i suck at summaries”

just…explain the fic like u would to a friend? it doesnt have to be a polished back of the book blurb. it can just be “[pairing] coffee shop au, but like, still with murder, and also i made everyone trans. enjoy”

just stick a meme in there

honestly who cares

just put literally anything but a self deprecating comment in there & ur golden

[cosmictuesdays]

#it’s okay if you even have to spoil a little bit of the early plot twists#set the lure; cast the net [x]

[grandruinssheep]

Lucas Sinclair in Stranger THINGS 5, Volume 1

Episode 4: Sorcerer was so intense. Lucas was leading two kids away from the demogorgons... IN THE TUNNELS. Imagine: in the TUNNELS.

He also had many scenes that highlight different sides of him in Volume 1!

Episode 1 showed him standing up to Dustin's bullies, along with Mike and Will. He's a good friend, and someone with more confidence in himself too!

Along with Mike and Dustin, he became concerned for their friend Will after Will experienced visions.

Episode 2 highlighted his badass action scenes — being the first human being that the demogorgon saw, fought, and followed! He even jumped over the hole!

Episodes 1 and 4 showed his devotion to taking care of Max! Because he played her favorite song, Max almost got out.

And Episode 4 demonstrated how he took care of the kids! He assisted them down the ladder and tried to protect them from the demogorgons in the tunnels.

LUCAS CHARLES SINCLAIR, YOU ARE THE BEST.

[licorice-and-rum]

Something that really hit my like a punch about SOTR is how Suzanne Collins decided to write Haymitch's relationship with the women in his life because (in a clear contrast with Snow) even in his times of doubt over them, even when he's talking about Drusilla (fuck her btw), he still has a level of respect Snow didn't show for any of the women in his life in TBOSAS.

He sees Maysilee and Louella as sisters and each of them have strengths he admires deeply — in contrast with Snow thinking of Tigris (his actual cousin) as someone whose appearance "invited abuse."

Even Lenore Dove's most worrisome characteristics come for Haymitch from a place of care and love for her, from a desire to keep her safe, not to control her. Haymitch loved Lenore Dove for who she was, regardless of her rebelliousness maybe causing trouble for him. I don't even have to mention the contrast to Snow, right?

Even Effie, whose alienation certainly annoyed him, is talked about in a way thay shows and extensive highlights her empathy beneath her propagandized opinions. Haymitch never disrespects Effie or thinks of her disrespectfully despite the fact that is hinted that she has some behaviors that annoyed him. Snow, however, thinks of his female classmates with a irritated tone that visibly undermines them and their good traits.

Even the contrast between Drusilla and Gaul. Right, Drusilla is not as powerful as Gaul when they're presented to the reader, and Haymitch and Snow come from very different places, but Drusilla is the closes thing Haymitch will get to a powerful ally from the Capitol. Yet, he rejects her (in a quieter way than Maysilee does but still does it) almost right away because of her obvious cruelty. It doesn't appeal to him is the slightest like it does to Snow.

Also, the contrast between how Snow and Haymitch see the sacrifices the women in their lives make with the former disgusted at Tigris and the later showing how much he loves his mom (also) because of all the sacrifices she made to keep him and Sid alive and well, even if it devastates him (like the fact that they don't have a cake in the birthdays in fairness to him not getting a cake or the loss of the shirt his mother had so carefully sewn together for him).

Suzanne Collins didn't just made her mission to say a big fuck you to people who were romanticizing Snow, she showed us what we all should expect from a man (again btw) and you gotta respect her for it.

[moon-mirage]

“Not to eat, to hatch.”

[clxartss]

I humbly present some book accurate katniss and haymitch to the courts 🫶

[dramaticallychill]

a thing that i particularly love about the hunger games prequels is how it shows that people have been fighting against the games since their inception

when i was younger and read the original trilogy for the first time i was so bothered how it was 74 years of games, i remember thinking how could it have gone on so long without anyone doing anything

these prequels highlight that people have been fighting from the get-go: lucy gray's defiance, reaper ripping down panem's flags to cover the fallen tributes, haymitch's games and how many others shared his ideologies - the capitol just drowns them out, they rewrite their stories so their efforts are forgotten

liberation takes time and it's built upon the actions of those in the past

[grandruinssheep]

One thing that I used to appreciate in Stranger Things was how they wrote the clashing ways of caring between Joyce and Jonathan Byers towards Will.

The scenes that I have in mind are their argument from Season 1, when a 16-year-old Jonathan was preparing for his brother Will's funeral; and Season 2, when both Joyce and Jonathan (and Nancy) were exorcising Will.

Joyce, as the mother, relied on her instincts that something bigger was going on in the background. Therefore, she may do things that would hurt for the short term but may be better for the long term (see: Season 2 scene when Will was getting exorcised). Will visibly struggled, and she let it, hoping that whatever it was inside of him will remove itself.

Jonathan, as the older brother, saw things more at face value and short term. If Will was hurt, Will was hurt. He took less risks than Joyce, wanting to stop something that hurts Will even if the pain will be temporary. In the exorcism scene, he cried and wanted for the procedure to stop because Will visibly struggled.

This dynamic between the Byers used to be meaningful writing in Stranger Things. It gave the show a heart by focusing on how the closest people to the victim (Will) were affected and were responding to the consequences of his vanishing, without complicating the depiction of the conflict (the presence of the supernatural). Anyway, despite Joyce and Jonathan's clashing ways of caring for Will, it doesn't erase the fact that they love him deeply. That much was clear.

Seasons 3 and 4, as well as the constant addition of characters, made the writing more complicated. It's not bad to put others in the spotlight for a season, but you have to be consistent in providing meaningful writing for characters like Jonathan Byers instead of providing him a lame plot line and brushing aside his strength of his character. That kid stood up as a "parent" — taking extra job shifts, being willing to face classism in Hawkins Post to earn money, and preparing for his little brother's funeral, only to what...? Just be written as some part of a love triangle? What? The writing for his character, and the dynamics of family Byers overall, has regressed in some way.

I have high hopes that they revisited this dynamic of the Byers for Season 5.

[writing-prompt-s]

"You will be a worker now," said her mother, "And I will be elevated to Nobility. You will take my place in poverty." And she entered the Great Black Mansion to forever join the eternal party. But a man in noble garb came along soon, "Would you like to see why you're better off out here?"

[literaryvein-reblogs]

100 Words for Worldbuilding

Some sensory words that can enhance your story/poem.

A-E

Acid - sour, burnt; vinegary

Acrid - strong, biting (e.g., something on fire)

Airy - natural smelling, (e.g., clean, fresh air)

Ambrosial - fragrant; having a pleasant smell

Aroma - strong, yet pleasant scent

Aura - smell surrounding something

Balm - soothing scent

Billowy - scent that surges and wanes

Biting - pungent, sharp or harsh

Bouquet - blend of floral scents

Briny - salty

Buttery - smooth; rich; greasy

Citrusy - crisp notes of any citrus fruit

Clean - very light scent, clean and natural

Cottony - soft; smooth or delicate

Creaky - squeaky; showing signs of deterioration

Crisp - fresh and natural

Crystalline - strikingly clear or sparkling

Dirty - nasty, unpleasant odor

Doggy - odor like an unbathed or wet canine

Downy - soft, soothing; silky; delicate

Earthy - recently dug or tilled soil

Essence - basic, natural scent

F-M

Faint - very light or mild; can barely be detected

Feminine - floral fragrances

Fetid - decaying or rotting smell

Fishy - smelling of fish; pungent, strong, unpleasant

Fleecy - shaggy; woolly

Floral - scents associated with flowers

Flowery - fragrance similar to flowers

Foamy - frothy; bubbly

Fragrance - pleasant smell

Fresh - natural smelling, rather than artificial

Fruity - having the flavor or aroma of ripe fruit; sweet

Gaudy - excessively showy

Gingery - pungent; sharp, robust taste or aroma

Globular - spherical

Gossamer - light, delicate, or insubstantial

Grainy - coarse; sandy; unrefined

Heady - very strong aroma

Incense - strong scent

Lemony - tart, piquant citrus notes

Lilac - rich floral scent combining rose with vanilla

Lime - refreshing and zesty citrus smell

Loamy - fragrance with an earthy note

Masculine - earthy fragrances

Medicinal - earthy; often unpleasant

Mildewed - soaked in wetness that has gone stale

Minty - menthol-like smell (e.g., mint tea or peppermint candy)

Misty - mild fragrance, not overpowering

Moist - smell of dew or rainfall

Moldy - damp, fungus-like odor

Musty - old smell; stale and probably moldy

N-R

Nauseating - odor that makes one sick to the stomach

Odorize - changing the scent

Overpowering - too strong of a smell

Peppery - hot, pungent, fiery; stinging

Perfumed - artificial fragrance, not natural-smelling

Pheromone - natural scents

Piercing - loud, shrill; biting

Pine - crisp, refreshing evergreen smell

Piquant - pleasantly pungent, sharp, or spicy taste

Plastic - artificial chemical polymer odor

Poignant - pungently pervasive; piercing

Prickly - stinging; irritating; itchy

Pristine - fresh and clean as or as if new

Pungent - strong fragrance

Putrid - stench of decay

Rancid - spoiled; food that has gone bad

Rank - offensive in odor or flavor

Redolent - having a strong, permeating odor

Repulsive - off-putting odor

Rich - strong, resounding smell that is appealing to the senses

Ripe - brought by aging to full flavor or the best state

Rose - spicy yet sweet fragrance

Rotten - spoiled, rancid, unpalatable

S-Z

Savory - spicy, salty scent that has no elements of sweetness

Sharp - pungent fragrance that permeates the air

Skunky - noxious smell that lingers; sulfuric (like rotten eggs) odor

Smoky - scent of burning wood

Soapy - smooth and slippery

Sour - rancid, sickly sweet smell

Spicy - sharp, heady, can sting or tickle the nose

Spoiled - rotten; something that has “gone bad”

Stale - old, dusty, stagnant odor

Stinking - unpleasant, foul smell

Sweaty - perspiration odor

Sweet - sugary smell

Tangy - having a powerfully stimulating odor or flavor; acidic

Tantalizing - arouses or stimulates desire or interest

Tart - sharp fragrance or taste

Tasteless - arousing no interest; dull

Tempting - having an appeal; enticing

Trace - a tiny amount of fragrance

Velvety - soft, smooth, thick, or richly hued

Vinegary - sour; disagreeable, bitter, or irascible

Whiff - a fleeting scent

Wispy - hint of fragrance in the air

Woodsy - forest-like smell

Zesty - sharp and pleasantly stimulating

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Worldbuilding ⚜ Word Lists ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[theinternetarchive]

I just want to let you guys know Cornell's entire library is open access (no permissions required) and there are (shocker) many books...

[grandruinssheep]

"Not a hard word anymore, the easiest one in the world."

- Annabel Price (writer: Holly Jackson), The Reappearance of Rachel Price, p. 388

I am trying not to spoil, so I cut off The Word being referred to by this quote. But my goodness, this work of Holly Jackson broke me to tears in a good way.

Yes, this quote. This. Very. Quote that resides in Bel's thought process.

It holds so much weight considering everything that happened in all those years.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing a "Courageous" Character

Courage

The ability to meet a difficult challenge despite the physical, psychological, or moral risks involved in doing so.

Examples of acts of courage include: saving another’s or one’s own life against a meaningful threat; coping with a painful, debilitating, or terminal illness; overcoming a destructive habit; and voicing an unpopular opinion.

Also called bravery; valor.

Courage is often misunderstood as a grand gesture, such as rescuing someone from danger or publicly speaking out against an injustice.

While these acts are undoubtedly courageous, the essence of courage lies in our everyday actions and decisions (Pignatelli, 2010).

Courage is the ability to tolerate and be with the discomfort of fear, to move forward and live a fully engaged life despite our fear (Rate, 2010).

At its core, courage is about being true to ourselves (Numminen et al., 2017). It’s about making choices that align with our deepest values and convictions, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky to do so (Yang et al., 2024).

Courage requires us to stand up for what we believe in, to express our true thoughts and feelings, and to pursue our passions, even when faced with opposition or potential failure.

Types of Courage

There are 5 types of courage, and each is essential for personal growth and authentic living. Courage manifests in various forms:

Physical courage. Involves facing physical danger or adversity, often seen in acts of bravery, like rescuing someone from harm, enduring physical hardship, or putting your life at risk for a cause, as soldiers do (Howard & Reiley, 2020).

Moral courage. This type of courage is seen when we have the strength to stand up for what is right, even in the face of social pressure, ridicule, or personal risk (Lachman, 2010). Moral courage is about acting in alignment with our values and integrity, even when it is difficult to do so.

Social courage. Advocating for others, standing up against injustice, and challenging societal norms all entail taking risks in relationships and social settings and are examples of social courage (Howard et al., 2017).

Intellectual courage. Refers to the willingness to challenge your own beliefs, explore new ideas, and engage in critical thinking, even when it’s uncomfortable (Kraemer, 2018).

Emotional courage. Involves facing our inner fears and vulnerabilities, such as confronting difficult emotions, expressing feelings honestly, or coping with loss (Bregman, 2018).

Character Strengths Related to Courage

Courage is not a standalone virtue; it is supported by several character strengths that enable us to act courageously in different situations. Here are some of the key Values in Action (VIA) character strengths that have been found to be related to courage (Pury & Kowalski, 2007):

Bravery. It describes our ability to act despite our fear, rather than in the absence of it. It is about confronting challenges, speaking up when we need to, and defending what is right, even in the face of opposition. Bravery also includes the willingness to take risks for the greater good or for our personal growth. It could look like standing up to a bully, pursuing a dream that others doubt, or even admitting when we’ve made a mistake. This should not be confused with recklessness; it is a calculated willingness to take on challenges that matter.

Perseverance. Courage often requires sustained effort over time, especially when the road is long and difficult, so perseverance is another critical strength linked to courage. It is the ability to keep going despite obstacles, setbacks, and failures, maintaining a commitment to our goals, values, and principles, even when progress is slow or the outcome is uncertain.

Honesty. Honesty is about living with integrity and being authentic with ourselves and others. It is about living aligned with our values and principles, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. It requires us to be truthful in our words and actions, and to take responsibility for our decisions.

Zest. Courage isn’t just about facing difficulties; it is also about embracing life’s opportunities with enthusiasm. Zest encourages us to try new experiences, pursue our passions, and engage with whatever life throws at us with a sense of adventure.

Foster Courage & Live Authentically

Fostering courage is a continuous process that involves cultivating the character strengths we identified above (Lester et al., 2010). It requires intentionality and commitment. Here are some practical ways to help your clients develop courage and live more authentically:

Identify values. Start by helping your clients identify their core values. What truly matters to them? When we are clear about our values, it becomes easier to make courageous decisions that align with them (Stanislaw & McCreary, 2022).

Practice vulnerability. Being vulnerable means opening yourself up to the possibility of rejection, failure, and criticism (Keay & Kirby, 2018). Learning to be vulnerable is a powerful way to build courage (Jordan, 2008). Encourage your clients to start sharing their thoughts and feelings with trusted individuals and gradually extend this practice to broader areas of their lives.

Set small, courageous goals. Encourage your client to begin setting small, manageable goals that require courage, such as speaking up in a meeting, trying a new hobby, or having an honest conversation with a friend. As they achieve these small goals, your client’s confidence will grow, making it easier to tackle bigger challenges.

Reflect on past successes. Reflecting on past courageous acts can boost confidence. Help your clients remember times when they were courageous and the positive outcomes that resulted from their courageous actions. Use these memories to fuel their current efforts.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[historiawon]

The first chapter of Xavier's birthday event was so refreshing to read! It highlights many things about him and his background. In alphabetical order: his age (lmao), alien origins, bold remarks, interest in comics, protagonist energy, aaaand his whimsy found in the mundane (!!!). For the last part, this refers to how Xavier has/receives/enjoys domestic items presented in an unconventional and creative way, such as the Bunbun shelling machine. It's such a fun way to add whimsy in his life and I love it!

(Moreover, the fact that MC mentions Xavier is a worthy protagonist of the "boldest, most imaginative" comic somehow reminds me of a fan-made post—about how Xavier is a protagonist in his own right. I will link the post when I find it!)

The conversation between Xavier and MC seems to be a way to show that MC uncovered some of Xavier's secrets, such as his age and alien origins.

In the end, they even claimed that they would find out Xavier's secrets on their own in the future. It reiterated a part of their dynamic wherein Xavier (obviously) kept secrets, and trusted that MC could uncover them enough on their own.

[creativepromptsforwriting]

How to show emotions

Part IX

How to show being delighted

bright, sparkling eyes

smiling or grinning broadly

light, bouncy steps or movements

clapping hands or small, excited gestures

warm blush or flushed cheeks

soft, happy sighs or laughter

jumping up or small hops

eyes crinkling at the corners

open mouth, slightly parted in surprise or joy

leaning forward eagerly

staring at whatever delights them

spinning in a circle

How to show dread

rapid, shallow breathing or sudden gasps

sweaty palms or clammy skin

trembling hands or body

tightened jaw or grinding teeth

furrowed brows, tense forehead

wide, darting eyes or a fixed, unblinking stare

clenched fists or nails digging into skin

stiff, frozen posture or tense muscles ready to react

dry mouth or difficulty swallowing

sudden chills or shivers

heart pounding visibly or audibly (e.g., pounding in ears)

fidgeting or restless movements, pacing

nausea or tightness in the stomach

avoiding eye contact or looking away anxiously

voice trembling or catching in throat if speaking

How to show serenity

slow, deep breathing

soft, gentle smile or neutral, peaceful facial expression

softly gazing

smooth, unhurried movements

hands resting calmly, loosely folded or open palms

even heartbeat/pulse

slight tilt of the head, indicating calm attentiveness

relaxed jaw, no clenching or grinding

steady, balanced posture with relaxed shoulders

soft sigh or contented breath out

minimal fidgeting or twitching

How to show being alarmed

widened eyes

raised eyebrows

dilated pupils

quickened or shallow breathing

heart pounding or racing

trembling or shaking hands

stiffened posture or frozen still

sweating or cold sweat

sudden intake of breath or gasping

paleness or flushed face

lips pressed tightly or quivering

clenched jaw or fists

neck hairs standing on end

fidgeting or restless movements, pacing

mouth slightly open or dry mouth

rapid head movements, scanning surroundings

jumping or flinching suddenly

tightened throat or throat clearing

More: How to write emotions Masterpost

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