Your writing is so incredible! Just beautiful and full of emotions. I really wish I was able to write like you like it actually is like I’m watching a movie when I’m reading your fics it’s mind blowing. Do you have any tips you can share for making a scene feel so real and flow so perfect? If not it’s okay I just wanted to say that you are one of my favorite writers and I admire your writing style so much. Okay I’ll stop bothering you now 😆 I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi, anon! Thank you for saying this - and for reading what I’ve written on here.
The fact that you think my writing is involving enough that it makes you feel like you’re watching a movie is ... a huge ass compliment.
I’ve shared a couple writing tips on here, and this post on my Ko-fi before, but don’t think that I’ve ever hit what you asked head on. So a few things off the top of my head?
- Make sure what happens is realistic. For example, if the characters are in a bedroom or a living room, think about a smaller amount of space, the placement of furniture, the way that others in the same room would change it. Typical characters won’t have mansion sized spaces to work with, and having characters do things that aren’t possible won’t make sense to readers, and can be distracting. This includes smut positioning, use of strength, bodily functions ... etc.
- Use the surroundings to help readers focus on what happens with the characters. I try to include other things - outside sounds, carpet, furniture, lighting, time of day etc - to help set the mood. Even though the focus is usually on the people in the stories, drawing attention away from them briefly can help to bring attention back to them in the end. For example, when characters are watching TV in the dark, your readers will be able to imagine the way the light bounces off of their skin, or how the low volume in the background changes the way they speak. Or, if they’re in a crowded place, they’ll sometimes have to lean in closer to be heard, or walk closer to gether, or lead each other.
- I know that fic is about making things happen that might not actually happen ... but that doesn’t mean that things should seem unbelievable. This includes everything from regular interactions to smut. It’s possible to write without actually experiencing something, or having been somewhere ... but it’s so much easier to pull from actual experiences and tweak them to suit the story. Most of the places I’ve written about, I’ve been. Vegas, the Bahamas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Disney ... When you’re not making up every single detail, it’s easier to paint a picture for everyone else.
- Be willing to ask for and accept advice and assistance from other people. If you’re going to be sharing your work in the end - or even if you won’t - but still want feedback, ASK. I have a few people on here that I ALWAYS turn to when I’m unsure of a scene or dialogue, or if I have questions about character behavior. It’s helped me so much to know what works or doesn’t, and even when I’m told that something is absolutely out of character or impossible, no matter how disheartening it is at first, I am grateful in the end that I was able to change it for the final draft.
** This includes reaching out to people (like you did with this message) and asking questions. Most writers are more than happy to answer questions and give tips and advice to other people, because the more people that write, the better. **
- Edit. Proofread. MAKE CHANGES. Each chapter or story that I write gets edited MULTIPLE times before it’s posted, and I think it helps a TON. Sometimes, what we have in our heads doesn’t translate well when we put it on “paper” - and needs changes. So, even though you may type something out and it makes sense to you because you’re the one that envisioned it, it might not be as coherent or logical or flow as well when someone else reads it. You can fill in the gaps - others can’t always do the same.
Writing isn’t an easy thing to do. I have a leg up because I’ve been doing it for YEARS both professionally and for fun, and I’ve learned a lot in that time. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like something you create isn’t “as good” or “as complete” or “as detailed” as what other people write, because people shouldn’t have the same styles. You need to find and create your own voice, because that will keep things new and exciting no matter what you write.
I am OVERLY critical of my own writing, even though I’ve gotten messages like this before. That’s normal, I think, for most writers ... but you can’t let it keep you from creating. Everyone’s process is different, because everyone has a different story that they want to tell. Good writing takes time, and as long as you’re willing to put that time in, you’ll see improvement.
Thank you again for sending this message. Thank you for the compliments. It’s things like this that make it all worthwhile, especially when put up against the crappy anons like the one from last week. Am I the best writer on this site? No. Not even close. But I’m so thankful that there are plenty of people that enjoy my work anyway. And I’m having fun ... which is all that matters.
You are NEVER bothering me. Please feel free to send asks whenever, and as long as Tumblr doesn’t eat them, I will answer as best as I can. I hope you’re having a great weekend, too.
