Nothing is Sweeter Than Pen and Paper

A place to collect my writing and notes.

[a-cure-for-writers-block]

#100 Dialogue Prompts- Angst Edition

“This will be the last time you lie to me.”

“You know it’s not like that.”

“How could you think this wouldn’t hurt me?”

“You’re never going to be the same after this.”

“I just think it’d be best if we never met.”

“I can’t believe you would even think to leave me like this.”

“You never loved me, did you?”

“It didn’t have to be like this, but now you’ve ruined everything.”

“I hope you’re happy.”

“If you had have kept your mouth shut, then he’d still- he’d still be here!”

“What did you want once this was all through? Tell me!”

“Now I have to deal with the consequences of your actions. Thanks, it means a lot.”

“You could’ve- could’ve stayed. You could’ve helped me fix things.”

“I knew she’d never change, she was too stubborn, too similar to me.”

“This isn’t going to be fixed. You’ve ruined this for good now.”

“I hope I’m not put in the same part of hell as you.”

“When did you think you could hurt me again? Today? Tomorrow?”

“You’re back in my life and I want to die again.”

“You only ever brought me pain and I’m sick of it.”

“I hope you got what you wanted.”

“You made me miserable and I still loved you.”

“When you die, I’ll be the first to dance on your grave.”

“Don’t underestimate me, I have more power than you can even comprehend.”

“If only you knew what you’d brought upon yourself.”

“We’re never going to have a happy ending, just remember that.”

“Everytime something goes well, I momentarily forget how much I despise you.”

“Don’t pretend like you’re not happy to see me like this.”

“There is nothing worse than seeing you get what you want.”

“Your mind must be a horrible place.”

“You can cut me, bruise me and skin me alive, but you will not take her from me.”

“How is it that we always end up in this predicament?”

“I want to wipe that grin of your face with my sword, but my mother taught me to play nicely.”

“Did anyone ever tell you how pathetic you are? It’s incredible how low my standards are for you.”

“Ah, well if you want them back alive, I suggest you lay down your own life.”

“Don’t be ‘smart’. The battlefield is no place for Math Scholars.”

“You shouldn’t have come. You can’t be-”

“Stop talking or tomorrow won’t come.”

“Hand me the gun and I’ll kill him myself.”

“I shouldn’t care for your life, but I’m starting to and it’s becoming an inconvenience.”

“If you live to see her, please send my best regards and this box of her father’s ashes.”

“It would’ve been nice to get to know you better, but I’m afraid I don’t care.”

“I can’t help but think you’re a terrible person.”

“Seeing your face has unconventionally made me want to die. I wasn’t quite prepared for this feeling.”

“You could have loved me, I’m quite good at seducing, but you’re actually vile.”

“I hope I see you in a bodybag sometime.”

“Let’s pretend you didn’t cheat on me with my sister and be good people for a few minutes.”

“We should probably stop talking forever.”

“If I hated you anymore, I think I’d probably be crowned as satan’s right-hand man.”

“To say I ‘tolerate you’ is a vast overstatement.”

“You broke her heart and came back for more, you bastard.”

“This isn’t fifth grade, this is a courtroom, you whore.”

“I think you’d be the perfect match for my ex-husband. He loved to sleep with multiple people.”

“I’m not coming home, don’t look for me.”

“Time was always a measurement of this relationship and we finally ran out.”

“Please don’t look at me with such hatred.”

“I could’ve died and you couldn’t have cared less.”

“Just get out. I- I don’t want you hear, just leave.”

“You’re not the same person I married, don’t tell me I’m wrong.”

“I wish you wouldn’t beg for forgiveness, it has the opposite effect of what you want.”

“Don’t hate me for this. You would’ve done the same.”

“This could’ve been the end and you were ready to let me go.”

“You should’ve left me, you could never deserve the person I’ve become.”

“Hate me all you want. I know I’m right.”

“Today you broke my arm, I hope tomorrow it’s not my heart.”

“Nothing can justify this, you’ve ruined him.”

“You live with so much guilt, I hope it drives you mad one of these days.”

“My life was ruined because of one mistake. You were that mistake.”

“You are everything I hate, don’t ever come back.”

“Evil doesn’t come close.”

“Your wrongdoings are becoming your pastimes.”

“I wish you had of just done it for the thrill of it, but now you’re in deep shit.”

“Next time, I won’t be here to salvage your wreckage. This is the last time.”

“You should have ruined me when you had the chance.”

“No one will keep your name alive. Once you’re gone, everything you once stood for disappears too.”

“Don’t pretend you haven’t thought about your life without me.”

“This is always how it ends.”

“Break my heart once more, I dare you.”

“Forget how you loved me once, I mean nothing now.”

“This isn’t Romeo and Juliet, this is real life and I can go on without you.”

“You don’t own me, I don’t belong to you.”

“I should’ve died. That would’ve made you happy.”

“Are we going to carry on like this or are you going to give him back to me.”

“She drowned and he lost his mind.”

“We shouldn’t. You’re married and I’m pregnant.”

“You’ve never been loved, I can tell.”

“Who told you I needed fixing and what made you believe them?”

“You’re almost as far-gone as I am.”

“Maybe it’s best that we don’t go home.”

“Roaming the streets was never safe for her. What makes you think it’s different for you?”

“I think you’re going to ruin me. Am I right?”

“Do you remember our last feud? I wouldn’t want someone to lose their life again, would you?”

“Kiss me quick and leave them be.”

“I hate seeing you so sad. It’s just so dramatic how humans show emotions and being sad is such a boring one.”

“Will you ever forget my number? No? Ah, because you still love me.”

“After the funeral, let’s surrender.”

“What made you think I cared for you?”

“It’ll be fun explaining this to your sister. I hope she likes horror stories.”

“Don’t act as if we’re friends. I know how much you want to slit my throat.”

“Let’s not get angry. Let’s calmly and sensibly take this outside so I can ruin your face.”

“Please ruin yourself for me and I’ll watch in adoration as I fall apart as well.”

// GuYs, i haVE ofFiciaLly hAd toO muCh coFfeE. I never thought this day would come (or night/morning. It’s 2 am lmao), but here we are. I want to sleep, how are you my darlings? xox //

[characterdevelopmentforwriters]

If your characters existed in a modern setting, what kind of movies would they have grown up with?

[promptsforthestrugglingauthor]

Is there a certain way you do plotting? I always struggle with the beginning of my story as I always accidentally don't think about the beginning.

If I’m honest, I’m the exact opposite—I focus on the beginning (and often the end, although not always) and neglect other parts of the story, almost always the entire middle third. (I view my plots in thirds, personally, although there’s no rhyme or reason as to why) The way I initially develop a story is so absurdly simplistic, there’s hardly any real “process” at all. I tend to think up a “what if?” scenario and then start to answer that if. From there, pieces tend to come to me fairly quickly. I’ll open a document, grab a sheet of paper and a pen, or call a friend to keep the concept churning in my mind until I’ve determined a vague plotline, a main character’s archetype, and maybe a few specific plot points.

I don’t tend to really think of my stories and they way they develop in any sort of checklist or extensive manner, but rather kind of let it come to me. I suppose I’ve spent so much of my life reading and analyzing books that how the story ought to develop seems to come somewhat naturally to me, which makes it very difficult to help others, though I try my best.

As for beginnings, if you mean the first opening scene, there’s really no need to sweat it too much. You’re more likely than not going to dislike your opening once you complete your ending. Sometimes, it really is easier to finish something before starting it, so to speak. Once you know for sure the overall tone of your story, the way the rest of he plot progresses, and more thematic elements, you may find it easier to craft a fitting beginning. But also, for more specific help, you can always search “starting a story’ through my blog!

[promptsforthestrugglingauthor]

How do you take a generic/used idea (example: kids getting powers/being in a lab etc) and turn it into something that isnt terriable and cliche?

Aha! Well, lucky for you, I specialize in making standard ideas unique and have practically all but developed a system on how to do so.

1) Character, character, character. The most unique driving force of a story in my mind is the cast of characters it contains. Sometimes, it’s nice to fit in with the genre standard, but if your plot is also fairly standard, then you may want to diversify your cast! (That isn’t directly to say race/gender/sexuality, although having a diverse cast in that aspect certainly helps.) Perhaps your character has a learning disorder, or a physical disability, or an every day condition that people don’t often address but have fairly commonly (say, diabetes or vitiligo). These traits can add greater depth to your world by appearing more unique and realistic, therefore giving your story a generally more unique feeling. (For example, I have a superhero novel led by a transgender woman who gains her powers through someone swapping her estrogen for a concoction of chemicals that gives her superpowers. The plot is standard: What happened to me? How do I control this? Who did this to me? but because her origin and character are unique, the story stands out more.)

2) Twist the tropes! If your concept is standard, you can always divert from the standard storyline! Taking your example of kids being experimented on in a lab, you can twist the standard story a variety of ways. Perhaps these kids willingly consented to these experiments. Perhaps rather than some secret institution hiding unethical work for the sake of progress or playing God, who’s doing what is made fact and no one simply cares. Perhaps the kids escape, but don’t wish to heroically save any others who shared their fate and simply want to run away and hide forever. Any of these routes will make your story stand out!

3) Come up with a unique world. Or at least, add some unique attributes to your world. Perhaps it’s almost exactly parallel to our world, but a certain food or animal has gone extinct, and it’s changed subtle details. Maybe there’s a new state department or a different national law or governing process. There’s no limit to what you can create to make things different, and this will definitely make your story stand out from similar works!

[plotsandpromptsforall]

Three Things

First Kiss

Pajamas

The night sky

[characterdevelopmentforwriters]

Has your character ever wished they were a different species?

[sweetpenandpaper]

ugh when you’re trying to plot out your NaNo Project but it’s just coming along AWFULLY and you’re royally tempted to just ditch it and try something else. :(

[characterdevelopmentforwriters]

Banned and Illegal Magic

Are there specific spells/enchantments that are illegal, or is there just entire types of magic that are illegal? >Which specific spells are illegal? >Which types of magic are illegal? >>Summoning magic? >>Necromancy? >>Scrying? >>Curse making? >>Other types?

Are there illegal magical items? >Which types of magical items have legal restrictions on them? >>Potions? >>Weapons? >>Scrolls? >>Other items? >What do the restricted items do?

Where are they illegal? >Who made them illegal? >When were they made illegal? >Why were they made illegal?

What are the punishments for using the illegal magic/s? >Which spells/items/types of magic are fined, but given no jail time? >Which spells/items/types of magic are misdemeanors? >Which ones are serious crimes/felonies? >Are there any that are given a death penalty?

Is there an illegal market for these types of magic? >How expensive are they?

[characterdevelopmentforwriters]

@proudly-arrogant

That didn’t even cross my mind while I was writing this.

To add to the list of types of magic which may be illegal:

>>Mind control (most likely through telepathy)

>>>How was this made illegal without the telepaths making the lawmakers reconsider?

[the-modern-typewriter]

“I can’t beat them.”

“No,” their friend said. “You can’t.” 

The protagonist’s spine stiffened, and their friend continued lightly. “In experience, training, knowledge, power - they outmatch you completely. They’ve got a lifetime on you. You’re screwed.”

“Thanks.”

Their friend glanced over, eyes ablaze, and stared the protagonist down hard. “But you’re not the one fighting them. We are. All of us. It doesn’t matter how much better they are, they’re at the end of their story and we’re at the beginning of ours. You got me?” 

After a beat, a small smile crossed the protagonist’s face.

[fleshwerks-deactivated20191021]

let your character fuck up. please. let them fuck up on a scale so massive that this particular thing cannot be salvaged. let their fuck up have permanent consequences. and stoooooooooooooooop having them being the smartest person in the room who always has a sharp comeback to put their enemies down, and who always handles their enemies with grace or at least an air of superiority that s justified because they’re so cool and smart and clever™ let them bleed for their mistakes, let them MAKE those mistakes, and let that bleeding be ugly and disgraceful. let them suffer for their own mistakes, and let them suffer in knowing that they cannot fix. and let other people hate them for the shit they’ve done, and for once let the haters not be ‘petty bad people’. Let the haters be right.

[cherribalm-deactivated20140609]

site that you can type in the definition of a word and get the word

site for when you can only remember part of a word/its definition 

site that gives you words that rhyme with a word

site that gives you synonyms and antonyms

[bumblebeebabie]

THAT FIRST SITE IS EVERY WRITER’S DREAM DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I’VE TRIED WRITING SOMETHING AND THOUGHT GOD DAMN IS THERE A SPECIFIC WORD FOR WHAT I’M USING TWO SENTENCES TO DESCRIBE AND JUST GETTING A BUNCH OF SHIT GOOGLE RESULTS

[the-modern-typewriter]

Can you do some prompts for "I'm a gambler, not an idiot." Thank you <3

1) “I’m a gambler, not an idiot.”“Could have fooled me. Gambling is an idiot’s hobby.”

2) “I’m a gambler, not an idiot.”“That’s only reassuring if you’re a good gambler, otherwise I imagine it’s the same difference.”

3) “I’m a gambler, not an idiot.”“Oh great, you can tell me our exact odds of dying. Fantastic.”

[science]

[monitorchakas]

Love this little dood

[the-modern-typewriter]

“You do one bad thing and you’re marked forever. One good thing, and three months later they need another shiny bit of you to pick at. Nothing sticks, nothing is ever enough.” The antagonist snorted. “Hardly seems worth the bother.”

“Maybe because you don’t do it for the accolades?” The protagonist stared at them, nearly laughing. Had to. “And being mean makes you feel bad? Like, I don’t even know how to begin explaining trying to make the world a better place if you don’t think the world is worth it?” It seemed too bizarre that they wouldn’t try because of the effort?

[promptsforthestrugglingauthor]

how exactly can i develop a prompt/starting idea? Sometimes I just get this awesome idea but I'm stuck and can't make it a story

I’ve answered similar asks before, and you can find answers to those here and here.

[ambientwriting]

What sort of questions should I be asking my beta readers?

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR BETA READERS:

When I send out my chapter to be read over by my beta readers, I always include a set of questions typed out at the bottom, grouped into different categories such as: plot, pacing, character, setting, etc. 

You might want to tailor the questions depending on the genre or which chapter it is. For example, if it’s the first chapter you’ll want to ask them about how well your story managed to hook them, or if they managed to easily get an idea of the world you’ve introduced them to. If it’s the climax you might want to ask if the action scenes are fluid, and if the plot twist/s were predictable or surprising. 

Here’s some example questions that you could use:

Opening Chapter:

What is your first impression of the main character? Do you find them likable? Annoying? Boring?

After reading it for the first time, what is your first impression? Was it cohesive and compelling? Boring and confusing?

Did the first sentence/paragraph/page efficiently grab your attention and hook you in?

If you were to read this chapter in a bookstore/library would you be convinced to buy it? Or would you need to read further before deciding? Why or why not?

Did you get oriented fairly quickly at the beginning as to whose story it is, what’s going on, and where and when it’s taking place? If not, what were you confused about at the beginning?

Does the first chapter establish the main character efficiently? Do they feel believable?

Characters:

Could you clearly imagine what the characters looked like? If not, who?

Who was your favourite character and why? Has your favourite character changed? (if this hasn’t changed feel free to skip this question) 

Are there any characters that you do not like? Why do you not like them? (Boring, annoying, problematic, etc.) 

Was there ever a moment when you found yourself annoyed or frustrated by a character? 

Could you relate to the main character? Did you empathise with their motivation or find yourself indifferent? 

Were the characters goals/motivations clear and understandable? 

Did you get confused about who’s who? Are there too many characters to keep track of? Are any of the names or characters too similar?

Do the characters feel three-dimensional or like cardboard cutouts? 

How familiar have you become with the main characters? Without cheating could you name the four main characters? Can you remember their appearance? Can you remember their goal or motivation? 

Dialogue:

Did the dialogue seem natural to you?

Was there ever a moment where you didn’t know who was talking?

Setting/world-building:

Were you able to visualize where and when the story is taking place?

Is the setting realistic and believable? 

How well do you remember the setting? Without cheating, can you name four important settings?

Genre:

Did anything about the story seem cliche or tired to you? How so? 

Did anything you read (character, setting, etc.) remind you of any others works? (Books, movies, etc.) 

Plot/pacing/scenes:

Do you feel there were any unnecessary scenes/moments that deserved to be deleted or cut back?

Do the scenes flow naturally and comprehensively at an appropriate pace? Did you ever feel like they were jumping around the place? 

Was there ever a moment where you attention started to lag, or the chapter begun to drag? Particular paragraph numbers would be very helpful. 

Did you ever come across a sentence that took you out of the moment, or you had to reread to understand fully? 

Was the writing style fluid and easy to read? Stilted? Purple prose-y? Awkward?

Did you notice any discrepancies or inconsistencies in facts, places, character details, plot, etc.?

Additional questions:

What three things did you like? What three things did you not like? 

Can you try predicting any upcoming plot twists or outcomes? 

Was there ever a moment when your suspension of disbelief was tested? 

Is there anything you’d personally change about the story? 

Was the twist expected or surprising? Do you feel that the foreshadowing was almost nonexistent, or heavy handed? 

Feel free to tailor these to your needs or ignore some of them if you don’t think they’re useful. Basically, your questions are about finding out the information about how others perceive your own writing and how you can improve your story.

Have a question you want answered? 

[nimblesnotebook-blog]

Myths, Creatures, and Folklore

Want to create a religion for your fictional world? Here are some references and resources!

General:

General Folklore

Various Folktales

Heroes

Weather Folklore

Trees in Mythology

Animals in Mythology

Birds in Mythology

Flowers in Mythology

Fruit in Mythology

Plants in Mythology

Folktales from Around the World

Africa:

Egyptian Mythology

African Mythology

More African Mythology

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

The Gods of Africa

Even More African Mythology

West African Mythology

All About African Mythology

African Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

The Americas:

Aztec Mythology

Haitian Mythology

Inca Mythology

Maya Mythology

Native American Mythology

More Inca Mythology

More Native American Mythology

South American Mythical Creatures

North American Mythical Creatures

Aztec Gods and Goddesses

Asia:

Chinese Mythology

Hindu Mythology

Japanese Mythology

Korean Mythology

More Japanese Mythology

Chinese and Japanese Mythical Creatures

Indian Mythical Creatures

Chinese Gods and Goddesses

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Korean Gods and Goddesses

Europe:

Basque Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Etruscan Mythology

Greek Mythology

Latvian Mythology

Norse Mythology

Roman Mythology

Arthurian Legends

Bestiary

Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Lands

Finnish Mythology

Celtic Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

Middle East:

Islamic Mythology

Judaic Mythology

Mesopotamian Mythology

Persian Mythology

Middle Eastern Mythical Creatures

Oceania:

Aboriginal Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

More Polynesian Mythology

Mythology of the Polynesian Islands

Melanesian Mythology

Massive Polynesian Mythology Post

Maori Mythical Creatures

Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses

Hawaiian Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses

Creating a Fantasy Religion:

Creating Part 1

Creating Part 2

Creating Part 3

Creating Part 4

Fantasy Religion Design Guide

Using Religion in Fantasy

Religion in Fantasy

Creating Fantasy Worlds

Beliefs in Fantasy

Some superstitions:

Keep reading