do you have any tips for learning to stylise animals? I have a habit of drawing them too realistically, and want to learn to style them more simple & effectively. Yours are awesome so I thought I'd ask the best :')
I took half an hour aside to hopefully make something which might help you (or might confuse you further) .
Alright, so you need to start thinking of animals as shapes, and not so much as animals. Hereâs a bog-standard but ugly as ass pony for you.
You need to start seeing this pony as this. Mr Pons is showing his main shapes. His head is circles and connecting lines. Every part of him needs to be some sort of polygon which you can envision with your head.
All of those shapes can be pulled or pushed to make something new. I took our ugly ass Mr Pons and made him into some hunky warrior horse. So youâre wondering, what the hell Velle, how the heck did you get him there. Well, his shapes are still the same.
I just made them larger and pulled those lines out. Every straight line that connects the dots can be bent, every shape can be pulled, misshapen or distorted. You can also squash elements. As you can see, I moved his legs up, I gave him shorter limbs. Shorter and stockier can mean stronger which is what I was aiming for.
Alternatively we could pinch those lines in and make a pretty weak looking animal. I mean look, he has basically no ass. This is kind of where your foundations in anatomy start to play a major role, even though I pinched this animal a lot you can still look at it and think âThatâs a horse.â His neck is still long, his withers are still prominent, it still holds himself with a good posture.
Anyway, moving on⊠I find the best way to get a good but unique sort of characterisation of a animal is to pull, push, bend and pinch. I will distort each part. This horse is a combination of strong characteristics, and weaker characteristics. He is pretty balanced, but he ended up as strong horse who might have some speed which his light limbs. I want a fellow like this one to pull me in a carriage as I drink Champagne or some fizz or something.
Another good way to characterise an animal is to exaggerate areas which stands out to you. So this is a quick sketch of my cat Winnie who is currently asleep next to me. Sheâs a pretty standard looking cat to most people.
Working on that image I made something which is more of a play on how I like to describe her to other people. When I describe her to other people I usually revert to, âShe has large ears, chunky cheeks, kind of skinny with a saggy belly, long black tail and teeny white toes.â There we go, we have our aim. If look at that description and look at the image below you can see where I forced out those characteristics.
I quickly slopped some colours in for you guys because my cat is adorable ok.
Also being cruel to their image can make you draw a really good representation of them. Hereâs my brothers pug bitch Frankie. As you can see, I was not kind at all in drawing her. I made her wall eye really obvious, squished her face since pugs are just a big squish, chunked her neck out since she has a shit tonne of skin there and gave her these long ass legs. Seriously, this dog has the longest legs Iâve ever seen on a pug. However taking how mean I was, it works in a representation of her. She is a just a big happy wrinkle with a lot of quirks.
Anyway, I hope this is helpful, if at all. Itâs not an easy process to explain and I glossed over it, but yeah⊠Enjoy!
today i redesigned my old character development graphs to make them a lot more accessible and easy to use! i've always wanted a visual resource to build the general outlines of a character's personality, so i tried to create some templates that could be used for tons of different scenarios, no matter what kind of universe your character exists in! these can be filled out in ms paint, with a multiply layer or however you choose - feel free to use and repost them for your ocs, or even use them for canon characters!!!
(edit: imgur link with hi-res images for cleaner editing <3)
below the cut is an example of how they can be used!
To Create an Awesome Character, Envision an Awesome Destiny
I find that fiction writing in general is easier for me when the characters Iâm working with are awesome. The most important lesson I learned from reading Shinji and Warhammer 40K is that every character has the potential to be awesome - Iâm thinking particularly here of when a random bridge bunny ends up holding off a riot using a fake movie-prop chainsword and Kensuke being turned into a Techpriest. Awesome characters are just more fun to write about, more fun to read, and youâre rarely at a loss to figure out how they can react in a story-suitable way to any situation you throw at them.
But what if youâre having trouble thinking of a sufficiently awesome character? Worse, what if your story doesnât seem to call for one?
Letâs say the cognitive skill you intend to convey to your readers (youâre going to put the readers through vicarious experiences that make them stronger, right? no? why are you bothering to write?) is that of continuing onward in the face of adversity, instead of breaking down and crying. Say, youâve been trying to put some skill points into this trait yourself, so writing about it can both tell others what you learned, and help you solidify your skill points yourself.
You could try to write litfic about this, but then nobody would read it, and you donât see any reason to make this an Earthfic. So instead you decide to start with a high school girl who doesnât yet possess the skill of Continuation, and transporting her into a dangerous magical world where she will acquire it.
Thereâs just one problem with this apparently well-premised piece of cognitive fiction: Youâve set yourself up to start with a weaksauce non-awesome character. Your premise requires that she be weak, and break down and cry.
âCanât I show her developing into someone who isnât weak?" No, because I stopped reading on the first page. You havenât given me anyone I want to sympathize with, and unless I have some special reason to trust you, I donât know sheâs going to be awesome later. Your protagonist can develop additional sympathetic qualities later, but right from page one I need a reason to continue sympathizing with her.
Horns are rlly hard to explain but i hoped it helped a lil!! Its just like w every other kind of art: you only get a feel of it when you keep drawing it!
EDIT!!! Apparently one of my images didnt load; it should be fixed now!!!
Exploring good traits gone bad in a novel can add depth and complexity to your characters. Here are a few examples of good traits that can take a negative turn:
1. Empathy turning into manipulation: A character with a strong sense of empathy may use it to manipulate others' emotions and gain an advantage.
2. Confidence becoming arrogance: Excessive confidence can lead to arrogance, where a character belittles others and dismisses their opinions.
3. Ambition turning into obsession: A character's ambition can transform into an unhealthy obsession, causing them to prioritize success at any cost, including sacrificing relationships and moral values.
4. Loyalty becoming blind devotion: Initially loyal, a character may become blindly devoted to a cause or person, disregarding their own well-being and critical thinking.
5. Courage turning into recklessness: A character's courage can morph into reckless behavior, endangering themselves and others due to an overestimation of their abilities.
6. Determination becoming stubbornness: Excessive determination can lead to stubbornness, where a character refuses to consider alternative perspectives or change their course of action, even when it's detrimental.
7. Optimism becoming naivety: Unwavering optimism can transform into naivety, causing a character to overlook dangers or be easily deceived.
8. Protectiveness turning into possessiveness: A character's protective nature can evolve into possessiveness, where they become overly controlling and jealous in relationships.
9. Altruism becoming self-neglect: A character's selflessness may lead to neglecting their own needs and well-being, to the point of self-sacrifice and burnout.
10. Honesty becoming brutal bluntness: A character's commitment to honesty can turn into brutal bluntness, hurting others with harsh and tactless remarks.
These examples demonstrate how even admirable traits can have negative consequences when taken to extremes or used improperly. By exploring the complexities of these traits, you can create compelling and multi-dimensional characters in your novel.
Send me a # (questions for OCs) or a letter (questions for creators) and Iâll answer
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR OCs
Whatâs the maximum amount of time your character can sit still with nothing to do?
How easy is it for your character to laugh?
How do they put themselves to bed at night (reading, singing, thinking?)
How easy is it to earn their trust?
How easy is it to earn their mistrust?
Do they consider laws flexible, or immovable?
What triggers nostalgia for them, most often? Do they enjoy that feeling?
What were they told to stop/start doing most often as a child
Do they swear? Do they remember their first swear word?
What lie do they most frequently remember telling? Does it haunt them?
How do they cope with confusion (seek clarification, pretend they understand, etc)?
How do they deal with an itch found in a place they canât quite reach?
What color do they think they look best in? Do they actually look best in that color?
What animal do they fear most?
How do they speak? Is what they say usually thought of on the spot, or do they rehearse it in their mind first?
What makes their stomach turn?
Are they easily embarrassed?
What embarrasses them?
What is their favorite number?
If they were asked to explain the difference between romantic and platonic or familial love, how would they do so?
Why do they get up in the morning?Â
How does jealousy manifest itself in them (they become possessive, they become aloof, etc)?Â
How does envy manifest itself in them (they take what they want, they become resentful, etc)?Â
 Is sex something that theyâre comfortable speaking about? To whom?Â
 What are their thoughts on marriage?Â
 What is their preferred mode of transportation?Â
 What causes them to feel dread?Â
 Would they prefer a lie over an unpleasant truth?Â
 Do they usually live up to their own ideals?Â
 Who do they most regret meeting?Â
 Who are they the most glad to have met?Â
 Do they have a go-to story in conversation? Or a joke?Â
 Could they be considered lazy?Â
 How hard is it for them to shake a sense of guilt?Â
 How do they treat the things their friends come to them excited about? Are they supportive?Â
Do they actively seek romance, or do they wait for it to fall into their lap?Â
Do they have a system for remembering names, long lists of numbers, things that need to go in a certain order (like anagrams, putting things to melodies, etc)?Â
What memory do they revisit the most often?Â
How easy is it for them to ignore flaws in other people?Â
How sensitive are they to their own flaws?
How do they feel about children?Â
How badly do they want to reach their end goal?Â
If someone asked them to explain their sexuality, how would they do so?Â
QUESTIONS FOR CREATORS
A) Why are you excited about this character?
B) What inspired you to create them?
C) Did you have trouble figuring out where they fit in their own story?
D) Have they always had the same physical appearance, or have you had to edit how they look?
E) Are they someone you would get along with? Would they get along with you?
F) What do you feel when you think of your OC (pride, excitement, frustration, etc)?
G) What trait of theirs bothers you the most?
H) What trait do you admire most?
I) Do you prefer to keep them in their canon universe?
J) Did you have to manipulate or exclude canon factors to allow them to create their character?
đžDescribing Scents For Writers đž| List of Scents
Describing aromas can add a whole new layer to your storytelling, immersing your readers in the atmosphere of your scenes. Here's a categorized list of different words to help you describe scents in your writing.
đż Fresh & Clean Scents
Crisp
Clean
Pure
Refreshing
Invigorating
Bright
Zesty
Airy
Dewy
Herbal
Minty
Oceanic
Morning breeze
Green grass
Rain-kissed
đŒ Floral Scents
Fragrant
Sweet
Floral
Delicate
Perfumed
Lush
Blooming
Petaled
Jasmine
Rose-scented
Lavender
Hibiscus
Gardenia
Lilac
Wildflower
đ Fruity Scents
Juicy
Tangy
Sweet
Citrusy
Tropical
Ripe
Pungent
Tart
Berry-like
Melon-scented
Apple-blossom
Peachy
Grape-like
Banana-esque
Citrus burst
đ Earthy & Woody Scents
Musky
Earthy
Woody
Grounded
Rich
Smoky
Resinous
Pine-scented
Oak-like
Cedarwood
Amber
Mossy
Soil-rich
Sandalwood
Forest floor
â Spicy & Warm Scents
Spiced
Warm
Cozy
Inviting
Cinnamon-like
Clove-scented
Nutmeg
Ginger
Cardamom
Coffee-infused
Chocolatey
Vanilla-sweet
Toasted
Roasted
Hearth-like
đ Industrial & Chemical Scents
Metallic
Oily
Chemical
Synthetic
Acrid
Pungent
Foul
Musty
Smoky
Rubber-like
Diesel-scented
Gasoline
Paint-thinner
Industrial
Sharp
đ Natural & Herbal Scents
Herbal
Aromatic
Earthy
Leafy
Grass-like
Sage-scented
Basil-like
Thyme-infused
Rosemary
Chamomile
Green tea
Wild mint
Eucalyptus
Cinnamon-bark
Clary sage
đ Unique & Uncommon Scents
Antique
Nostalgic
Ethereal
Enigmatic
Exotic
Haunted
Mysterious
Eerie
Poignant
Dreamlike
Surreal
Enveloping
Mesmerizing
Captivating
Transcendent
I hope this list can help you with your writing. đ·âš
Feel free to share your favorite scent descriptions in the replies below! What scents do you love to incorporate into your stories?
Writing Angry Scenes: Tips to Avoid Melodrama and Make It Real
Anger can be one of the most intense, relatable emotions to readâand one of the trickiest to write. When handled well, an angry scene can pull readers deep into the emotional world of a character, building tension and driving the story forward. But when handled poorly, anger can easily slip into melodrama, making the characterâs feelings seem overblown, forced, or even cringe-worthy.
So how can you avoid these pitfalls and write anger that feels real and compelling? Here are some tips to make angry scenes powerful without overdoing it.
1. Understand What Fuels Your Characterâs Anger
To write anger authentically, you need to understand its roots. People get angry for complex reasonsâfear, frustration, betrayal, grief, and even love. Ask yourself whatâs truly driving your characterâs anger. Are they afraid of losing control? Do they feel abandoned or misunderstood? Are they hurt by someone they trusted? Anger rarely exists in isolation, so dig into the deeper emotions fueling it.
When you understand the core reasons behind a characterâs anger, you can weave those nuances into the scene, making the anger more relatable and layered. Readers will feel the depth of the character's rage, not just the surface heat of it.
2. Show, Donât TellâBut Donât Overdo It
âShow, donât tellâ is classic writing advice, but itâs especially crucial in angry scenes. Donât rely on generic phrases like âShe was furiousâ or âHe clenched his fists in anger.â Instead, look for unique ways to convey how this specific character experiences anger. Maybe their voice drops to a deadly calm, or their eyes narrow in a way that makes everyone around them uncomfortable.
That said, showing too much can backfire, especially with exaggerated descriptions. Over-the-top body language, excessive shouting, or too many âflaring nostrilsâ can tip the scene into melodrama. Use body language and physical cues sparingly and mix them with subtler reactions for a more realistic portrayal.
3. Use Dialogue to Reveal Hidden Layers
People rarely say exactly what they feel, especially when theyâre angry. Angry dialogue isnât just about yelling or throwing out insults; itâs an opportunity to show the characterâs deeper thoughts and vulnerabilities.
The pacing of an angry scene can be the difference between a powerful moment and a melodramatic one. In real life, anger doesnât always erupt instantly; it can simmer, spike, or deflate depending on the situation and the characterâs personality. Experiment with different pacing techniques to create tension.
You might build the anger slowly, with small signs that somethingâs brewing. Or maybe the character explodes suddenly, only to calm down just as quickly, leaving a chill in the air. Controlling the pace helps you control the readerâs emotional engagement, drawing them in without overwhelming them.
Maybe their skin feels prickly, or their jaw aches from clenching it. Think about details that are unique to the character and to the moment. By focusing on small, unique sensory details, youâll help readers feel the anger rather than just reading about it.
6. Let the Setting Reflect the Emotion
The setting can be an effective tool to amplify a characterâs anger without overstating it. Small details in the environmentâsuch as the hum of a refrigerator, the slow ticking of a clock, or the distant sounds of laughterâcan create a sense of contrast or isolation that heightens the characterâs rage.
For example, imagine a character seething in a peaceful park or a quiet library. The calm of the surroundings can make their anger feel more potent. Or maybe theyâre in a crowded, noisy room where they feel unseen and unheard, which fuels their frustration further. This use of setting can add depth to the scene without the need for dramatic gestures.
7. Let Consequences Speak for Themselves
An effective way to avoid melodrama is to let the consequences of the anger show its intensity. Characters donât always have to yell or physically react; sometimes, a single choice can convey more than any outburst.
Perhaps your character cuts off a close friend or says something they canât take back. Maybe they throw away a meaningful object or walk out in silence. By focusing on the consequences of their anger, you can reveal the impact without over-explaining it.
8. Let the Emotion Simmer After the Scene Ends
Anger is rarely resolved in a single moment, and its effects often linger. When writing an angry scene, think about how it will affect your character moving forward. Are they holding onto grudges? Do they feel guilty or exhausted afterward? Does their anger transform into something else, like sadness or regret?
Allowing the anger to simmer in your characterâs mind even after the scene ends creates a more authentic and layered portrayal. It shows that anger is complex and doesnât just disappear the moment the scene is over, adding emotional weight to both the character and the story.
one of my worst writing sins is abusing my power to create compound words. i cannot write the sentence "The sun shone as bright as honey that afternoon." no. that's boring. "The sun was honey-bright that afternoon" however? yes. that sentence is dope as fuck. i do not care if "honey-bright" is a word in the english dictionary. i do not care if the sentence is grammatically correct. i will not change. i will not correct my erred ways. the laws of the english language are mine.
This is what's called a poetic epithet, and it happens all the time in writing. Consider, for example, Homer and his wine-dark sea, or Shakespeare and his death-mark'd love.
If you were then to start using them instead of the word they're describing, you'd be making a kenning. For example, if instead of describing the sun as honey-bright, you said "the honey-drop in the sky". Kennings are best known from Norse writings, like "the path of serpents" for gold, or "GrĂmnir's lip-streams" for poetry itself.
So you're not sinning, you're participating in an ancient literary tradition!
Too many writers are using generative 'AI' to make their book covers, so I've written a guide on how to make your own cover for free or cheap without turning to a machine.
If you can't afford to pay an artist, you CAN make your own!
I hope this is a helpful overview that covers the basics and points to some free resources.
Some truths about the publishing industry because I certainly got blindsided when going in. Now I'm so broken by this industry I struggle to encourage aspiring writers lmao
As someone who worked in trad-pub on the editing side and chose to go self-pub for my work because of how trad-pub works and dictates the market, yeah. All of this.
I was told point blank Hunger Pangs would be unmarketable without major changes. The book trad-pub wanted to turn it into was unrecognizable from the one I pitched. And frankly? It wouldnât have sold as well.
It would have been another cookie-cutter love triangle with zero staying power in the market. And the publisher would have turned around and made that my fault, despite the fact that what they wanted me to do was ableist, bi-phobic and honestly dull as dishwater.
My book as is, is true to my style, my voice and the story I want to tell. And itâs good. (It also continues to sell well after five years on the market, which Iâm sure grinds the gears of certain people at my former publishing house who told me itâd be lucky to sell a handful at most, so lol.)
I donât need a trad-pub seal of approval to know that, and neither do a lot of others who are continually thinking their rejection letters are about the quality of their work and not the perceived marketability by the industry.
Is self pub and indie pub easy? Fuck no. Itâs a shit ton of work. But personally the creative freedom is worth it for me. I would not be happy in trad-pub. I know this because I wasnât happy in it as an editor and how we and the authors were treated but thatâs a whole other rant outside of this one.
Do you have any tips for how to slow down time in a story?
How to slow down time
To slow down time in your story you need to use a mix of different writing ingredients: you need different descriptions that capture the reader in the moment as well as internal monologue and different sentence structures.
Detailed Descriptions:
Sensory Details: Use the five sensesâsight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to describe what the character is seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, and tasting in intricate detail.
Detailed Observations: Zoom in on small, often overlooked details. The sound a tea cup makes as it hits the ground, the way an expression on a character's face changes, the turning of heads as someone enters the room.
Slow Motion: Manipulate the time by describing how it feels like slow motion to the characters: "Time slowed down, and it felt as if the whole of humanity had decided to stop breathing for a moment."
Physical Reactions: A detailed description of the physical aspects of a scene. The movements a character makes, how their gaze turns, their breathing changes, their body begins to shake.
Psychological Aspects: Focus on the anxiety of a character looking at a clock that never seems to move, their nervousness seeping out of them
Internal Monologue:
Memories and Flashbacks: Add context by showing memories or flashbacks that relate to the situation.
Pondering: Let the character reflect on the situation, their feelings and their plan for the next steps. Let the reader explore the character's inner life.
Dialogue:
Reduced Dialogue: Dialogue brings a scene into real time. Use it thoughtfully and sparringly, with lots of inner thoughts and reactions in between.
Silence: Make use of silence between the characters which can be filled with more descriptions.
Language:
Smaller Steps: Write out each action taken, no matter how small, and focus on describing each step that happens.
Control Pacing: Use your sentence structure to create long descriptions that slow it down, and short, impactful ones to pick up the pace if needed for a moment.
