#ashley's notebook

[writers-are-writers]

Entry #5: Time for Some Killing

As most people know, writers are notorious for killing off characters that people love, but killing off characters isn’t easy, not even for us. So today, I’m going to give my tips on how to kill a character, no matter their importance. 

Ashley’s Tip #1: Why?

We all hate those characters deaths that are absolutely pointless and add nothing to the story, it’s like the author gave up on that character and just off’d them because they didn’t want to include them anymore. Don’t do that. Give a reason. Does their boyfriend die to make her/him stronger? Is the main character killed to prove a point? Why did his sister have to die? You see what I mean? 

Ashley’s Tip #2: How Do They Die? 

Okay, so if you are creating some immortal badass and he dies because he trips over a barrel, that’s just stupid. Make the death scene actually mean something. Are they heroic? Are they in a battle? Are they murdered? Especially if you’re going to kill a main character, if you’re gonna kill my baby, you better kill him right. 

Ashley’s Tip #3: Aftermath? 

How does this death affect the people that they’re in contact with? Were they hated so nobody cares? Were they loved so everyone is heartbroken? Mixed feelings? Is a country at risk now? Are children orphaned? Get it? What’s the aftermath because you just killed someone?

Just remember WHA, Why are they dying, How are they dying, and After they die.

Hope I gave some insight in the killing of some favorite and hated characters. Use WHA well, my fellow writers. Love you guys! Happy writing and happy killing! <3

-Ashley

[writers-are-writers]

Currently...

Right now, I’m going to be making a ton of Ashley’s Notebook entries and I’m thinking of finally showing some of my writing other than the prompts I post. What would you guys prefer, excerpt from the novel I’m currently writing or would you like an excerpt from something older? 

[writers-are-writers]

PSA

Ashley’s Method to Answering Your Questions: 

If some of you are wondering, why does she answer some questions, but never mine? 

Well, today, my writers, I will tell you. When I receive an ask, I look at it and if a prompt or answer pops into my head then, I’ll answer it quick. If something doesn’t pop in my head, I will leave it alone and let it pile up (because I suck). This blog just hit over 7,000 followers!!! Yay!! But that means 7,000 people are looking at this blog and expecting something out of it. SO, if I haven’t answered your question, or never did, it’s because your question made me think and I haven’t had the time to sit down and spam the blog with answers in a while. I’m currently at 50, because when I answer one, another comes in. I’ll get there. I promise. 

Love you guys. <3

-Ashley

[writers-are-writers]

Taking Requests...

Anyone have any requests for future Ashley’s Notebook entries? 

[writers-are-writers]

Entry #4: Mapping Out Worlds

I’m gonna tell you a little about the series I’m working on. It’s the Swufelian Tales and consists of multiple books, the first one, Hearts of Gold and Coal. Anyways, I created a whole entire world, countries and all, out of just my imagination. Which meant, I had to know where everything was in that world and map it out. That’s what we’re gonna talk about today.

Ashley’s Tip #1: Actually Make a Map!

Yes, yes, I get it. Not everyone is an artist. God knows I’m not, but you don’t have to show that map to anyone. You can have triangles for trees and stick people for Kings. If I posted mine, you would all laugh. Trust me, if you actually sketch out places in your world and where they are compared to others. It makes life a whole lot easier. 

Ashley’s Tip #2: Have Some Character Know That Place Exists

If a character, doesn’t matter who, knows about a country or forest (from an urban legend or them actually being there before) it’s a lot easier to describe the place to another character or describe it to your readers. Also, when you picture a character of yours knowing all about a creepy building, it’s better for you to visualize. 

Ashley’s Tip #3: Let Characters Travel as Much as Possible

If you are creating a whole world from scratch, let your characters explore! It gives your reader a better perspective on these strange places you have mentioned before and helps map out your own map in their head (if that makes sense). Let more than one country’s soil be stepped on by many of your characters.

There’s some of my insight on mapping out a world. Starting stories from nothing but your head is incredibly fun and I hope that most of you have tried to do this. Love you guys <3

-Ashley

[writers-are-writers]

[writers-are-writers]

Entry #3: Character Building

A question many writers posses when making a story is, who the heck are we going to make go through all this pain in my thoughts? So...in short, character building. 

Ashley’s Tip #1: Know What Type of Story You’re Making

This is important because if you’re making a very lovey romance novel, you aren’t going to want your characters be extremely butch with these evil names...unless that’s the type of lovey novel you’re going for...see? Know your story. Is it badass? Romancy? Sad? Mysterious? Sexy? If you know you’re story, it’s easier to make the characters that go with it. 

Ashley’s Tip #2: What Do They Look Like? 

For this step, I suggest you take some serious time in imagining these people in your head. You can base them off of real people, drawings you’ve seen, songs you’ve heard. What color are their eyes? Do they have freckles? What shade of skin do they have? Are there any scars? Any unusual things about their appearance? Ask yourself questions, a lot of questions. If you want a list...Huh. I’ll post one. (Here.)

Ashley’s Tip #3: How Do They Act? What Do They Like?

Books would be terrible if the characters had no personality. It doesn’t matter how hot we make them, if they’re not fun to read, then what’s the point. Give them hobbies. Give them thoughts. And GIVE THEM FLAWS. Nobody is perfect, that means our characters shouldn’t be. They could be the nicest girl in the world, she never does anything wrong, but she collects stolen pens and has them in a drawer in her room...you see what I’m saying? And if they’re a villain, give them something that they have a soft side for. Hey, I’m a mass murderer, but I will never hurt a cat. What clothes do they wear? What food do they like? Are they an asshole? Are they too pure for this world? You decide!

Basically, character building consists of a lot of questions until you finally get a clear picture of this person that you want to create. I hope I gave you some insight into how to pull these people out of your thoughts. Love you guys <3

-Ashley

[writers-are-writers]

Appearance: 

Boy, girl, or undefined?

Freckles?

Any birthmarks or scars?

Eyes?

Hair color? 

Hair style? 

How tall are they?

What shade of skin do they have?

Any piercings? 

Tattoos?

Are they missing any body parts? 

How big is their nose?

Strong jawline?

Feminine looking or masculine looking?

What clothes do they wear? 

Big or small feet?

Weight?

Big or small lips?

Any missing teeth?

Good smile?

Any moles? 

What are their favorite shoes?

How big are their hands?

Soft or rough skin?

Muscles? 

Personality:

Are they sarcastic? 

What about innocent?

Badass?

Are they insecure? If so, about what?

What are their flaws?

Do they have a sense of humor?

Are they sexual?

Romantic?

What is their sexuality?

Have they ever had their heart broken?

Ever been in a relationship?

Smart or dumb or in between?

Do they know how to shoot a gun?

Use a sword?

Have they been trained in fighting?

Do they put up with bullshit? 

Do they let people walk over them?

Are they angry?

Any mental disorders? 

Any emotional disorders?

Have they ever been abused?

Rich or poor?

Are they selfish or selfless?

Is their someone they love?

Do they like animals?

Have they ever killed someone?

Family and Relationships: 

Do they get along with parents?

Any siblings, if so, do they like them?

Did Mom treat them right?

Did Dad treat them right?

Did siblings treat them right?

Did ANYONE in their family treat them right?

Any friends, how many?

Have they ever had a best friend?

Single or already in a relationship?

Is their anyone who hates them?

Is everyone in their family alive?

All of their friends alive?

Has anyone ever left them behind?

Do they hate anyone?

Do they get along with everyone?

Are they liked by all?

Does anyone love them?

That’s as many as I can think of for now, if anyone would like to add...by all means, go ahead. Hope I helped! Happy writing!