Writing Tips from Hell

[ashlynfayth]

I am in a serious, committed relationship with Jstor.

[theinformationdump]

Body Language Cheat Sheet for Writers

As described by Selnick’s article:

Author and doctor of clinical psychology Carolyn Kaufman has released a one-page body language cheat sheet of psychological “tells” (PDF link) fiction writers can use to dress their characters.

[thecaffeinebookwarrior-deactiva]

Resources For Writing Deaf, Mute, or Blind Characters

Despite the fact that I am not deaf, mute, or blind myself, one of the most common questions I receive is how to portray characters with these disabilities in fiction.

As such, I’ve compiled the resources I’ve accumulated (from real life deaf, mute, or blind people) into a handy masterlist.

Deaf Characters:

Deaf characters masterpost

Deaf dialogue thread

Dialogue with signing characters (also applies to mute characters.)

A deaf author’s advice on deaf characters

Dialogue between deaf characters

Mute Characters

Life as a Mute

My Silent Summer:  Life as a Mute

What It’s Like Being Mute

21 People Reveal What It’s Really Like To Be Mute

I am a 20 year old Mute, ask me anything at all!

Blind Characters:

The 33 Worst Mistakes Writers Make About Blind Characters.

@referenceforwriters masterpost of resources for writing/playing blind characters.

The youtube channel of the wonderful Tommy Edison, a man blind from birth with great insight into the depiction of blind people and their lives.

An Absolute Write thread on the depiction of blind characters, with lots of different viewpoints and some great tips.

And finally, this short, handy masterpost of resources for writing blind characters.

Characters Who Are Blind in One Eye

4 Ways Life Looks Shockingly Different With One Eye

Learning to Live With One Eye

Adapting to the Loss of an Eye

Adapting to Eye Loss and Monocular Vision

Monocular Depth Perception

Deaf-Blind Characters

What Is It Like To Be Deafblind?

Going Deaf and Blind in a City of Noise and Lights

Deaf and Blind by 30

Sarita is Blind, Deaf, and Employed (video)

Born Deaf and Blind, This Eritrean American Graduated Harvard Law School (video)

A Day of a Deaf Blind Person

Lesser Known Things About Being Deafblind

How the Deaf-Blind Communicate

Early Interactions With Children Who Are Deaf-Blind

Raising a DeafBlind Baby

If you have any more resources to add, let me know!  I’ll be adding to this post as I find more resources.

I hope this helps, and happy writing!  <3

[thecaffeinebookwarrior-deactiva]

Updated with more resources, specifically for characters who are blind in one eye.

[concerningwolves]

Full offense but your writing style is for you and nobody else. Use the words you want to use; play with language, experiment, use said, use adverbs, use “unrealistic” writing patterns, slap words you don’t even know are words on the page. Language is a sandbox and you, as the author, are at liberty to shape it however you wish. Build castles. Build a hovel. Build a mountain on a mountain or make a tiny cottage on a hill. Whatever it is you want to do. Write.

[chryza]

I swiped a meme for my disaster children

-

And I’m gonna start using my tag list for once

@theforkedtongue @cogwrites @arynneva @midstorycrisis @brynwrites @lady-redshield-writes @cirianne @desperatlytryingtowriteabook @only-book-lovers-left-alive @hell-yeah-fantasy @honeyconsidered

[max-gillespie]

Drop a favorite cinematic/emotional song you write to in the box and I’ll rate it on an appropriate scale

[theforkedtongue]

Lofi hip hop radio - beats to study/relax to

[theforkedtongue]

sometimes I write a metaphor (or simile) I’m really proud of, and then I go back to a manuscript from a year ago and find the exact, damn, same thing.

“He shoveled food down like he was trying to put out a fire.” -- N. Wunderli, 2017, 2019

[theforkedtongue]

I’m trying to make a mood board

But I’m not very good. I have two character images so far

Here’s one:

and the other:

[theforkedtongue]

Hi, my name’s Nicholas, and I can’t stop giving my characters names that I can’t spell twice without having to refer back in my manuscript. 

[theforkedtongue]

Point

Today I realized that

You're just a girl, so

I tucked your gifts

Quietly

Away.

And I think I'm alright,

But I thought that last night

While I tore at the flesh on my face.

[breannacarroll-blog]

Publishing for Fun and Profit

So there was a list going around tumblr for a while that made it to my dash of literary journals that accept open submissions (and will pay!), but upon inspection about half of them were closed indefinitely, and I found quite a few other places that looked interesting through further research, so I wanted to post my own list. 

I tried to focus on things that paid professional grade (at least 6 cents per word), were friendly to speculative fiction, and specifically encouraged diversity and writing about marginalized groups.

(Please note that as of right now I have never submitted or been published with any of these, so if anyone has experience with them, good or bad, please feel free to message or reblog this with your experiences.)

Speculative Fiction

Strange Horizons — Speculative fiction (broadly defined) with an emphasis on diversity, unusual styles, and stories that address politics in nuanced ways. 8c per word. Up to 10,000 words, under 5,000 preferred. Responds within 40 days. LGBT+ positive.

Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine — Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, etc. 7-12c per word. Up to 25,000 words. No response times listed.

Asimov’s Science Fiction — Primarily sci-fi but accepts fantasy and surreal fiction, but no high fantasy/sword and sorcery. Prefers writing that is character driven. 8-10c per word. 1,000-20,000 words. Responds in about five weeks.

Evil Girlfriend Media — Horror and urban fantasy centered on female empowerment and defying gender stereotypes. $100 flat payment. 4,000-7,000 words. No response times given. LGBT+ friendly.

Beneath Ceaseless Skies — Fantasy with a focus on secondary worlds and characters. 6c per word. Up to 10,000 words. Average response time 2-4 weeks.

Fantastic Stories — Speculative fiction with an emphasis on diversity and literary style. 15c per word. Up to 3,000 words. Responds within two weeks. LGBT+ positive.

Fiction Vortex — Serialized fantasy and speculative fiction. $300 for featured stories, $50 otherwise. 3,500 words or less. No response times given.

Shimmer — Speculative fiction with an emphasis on diversity, strong plots, vivid characters, and beautiful writing. 5c per word. 7,500 words or less (will consider longer words with query letter). Usually responds within two weeks. LGBT+ positive.

Clarkesworld Magazine — Sci-fi, fantasy, and other speculative fiction. 10c per word up to 5,000 words, 8c per word after. 1,000-16,000 words. Responds within days usually, gives a tracking number.

Apex Magazine — Speculative fiction of all kinds. 6c per word, +1c per word for podcast stories. Up to 7,500 words, all submissions over will be auto-rejected. Responds within 30 days.

Heliotrope Magazine — Speculative fiction of all kinds. 10c per word. Up to 5,000 words. Responds within 30 days.

Lightspeed Magazine — Speculative fiction of all kinds, with creativity and originality in terms of style and format encouraged. 8c per word. 1,500-10,000 words, under 5,000 preferred. LGBT+ positive. Submissions temporarily closed for their main magazine but is accepting for their People of Color Destroy Science Fiction special.

General Fiction

The Sun Magazine — General fiction, likes personal writing or writing of a cultural/political significance. $300-$1500 flat payment  and a one year subscription to the magazine for fiction (also accepts essays and poetry). No minimum or maximum lengths but over 7,000 words discouraged. Responds in 3-6 months. Physical submissions only.

One Story — Any and all varieties of fiction, “unique and interesting” stories encouraged. $500 payment plus 25 contributor copies. 3,000-8,000 words. Usually responds in 2-3 months.

Camera Obscura — General fiction. $1000 for featured story, $50 for “Bridge the Gap” award, no payment for other contributors. 250-8,000 words. Response time vary, running just over two months as of now.

Flash Fiction 

Daily Science Fiction — Speculative flash fiction (including sci-fi, fantasy, slipstream, etc.). 8c per word. Up to 1,500 words, but shorter stories given priority. Response times not listed.

Vestral Review — General flash fiction. 3-10c per word depending on length to a max of $25. Up to 500 words. Response within four months.

Flash Fiction Online — General flash fiction. $60 flat payment. 500-1,000 words. Response times not listed.

Novels/Novella

Riptide Publishing — Any LGBTQ manuscripts between 15,000 and 150,000 words. Currently especially interested in lesbian romances, trans stories, asexual/aromantic stories, romances with a happy ending, and genre fiction such as urban fantasy. Also has a YA branch.  LGBT+ positive.

Crimson Romance — Romance stories of all kinds, currently seeking LGBT+ stories with a focus on emotional connections and relationships, especially m/m romance. Novel (55,000-90,000 words) or novella (20,000-50,000 words) length.  LGBT+ positive.

Kindle Direct Publishing 

Kindle Direct Publishing — Allows you to set your own prices, create your own cover art, and make royalties off of each sell. Any and all genres are welcome and if you’re prolific and smart about how you’re publishing you can make pretty good money.

General Guide to Kindle Publishing — Gives a good rundown of the publishing process on Kindle.

101 Guide to Kindle Erotica — Great guide with lots of resources about how to make money publishing erotica on Kindle.   

Publishing Comics/Graphic Novels

Here is a list of potential comic companies and what kind of open submissions they accept.  

Here is a list of literary agents who accept graphic novels. 

[wordsnstuff]

Resources For Writing Sketchy Topics

Medicine

A Study In Physical Injury

Comas

Medical Facts And Tips For Your Writing Needs

Broken Bones

Burns

Unconsciousness & Head Trauma

Blood Loss

Stab Wounds

Pain & Shock

All About Mechanical Injuries (Injuries Caused By Violence)

Writing Specific Characters

Portraying a kleptomaniac.

Playing a character with cancer.

How to portray a power driven character.

Playing the manipulative character.

Portraying a character with borderline personality disorder.

Playing a character with Orthorexia Nervosa.

Writing a character who lost someone important.

Playing the bullies.

Portraying the drug dealer.

Playing a rebellious character.

How to portray a sociopath.

How to write characters with PTSD.

Playing characters with memory loss.

Playing a pyromaniac.

How to write a mute character.

How to write a character with an OCD.

How to play a stoner.

Playing a character with an eating disorder.

Portraying a character who is anti-social.

Portraying a character who is depressed.

How to portray someone with dyslexia.

How to portray a character with bipolar disorder.

Portraying a character with severe depression.

How to play a serial killer.

Writing insane characters.

Playing a character under the influence of marijuana.

Tips on writing a drug addict.

How to write a character with HPD.

Writing a character with Nymphomania.

Writing a character with schizophrenia.

Writing a character with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Writing a character with depression.

Writing a character who suffers from night terrors.

Writing a character with paranoid personality disorder.

How to play a victim of rape.

How to play a mentally ill/insane character.

Writing a character who self-harms.

Writing a character who is high on amphetamines.

How to play the stalker.

How to portray a character high on cocaine.

Playing a character with ADHD.

How to play a sexual assault victim.

Writing a compulsive gambler.

Playing a character who is faking a disorder.

Playing a prisoner.

Portraying an emotionally detached character.

How to play a character with social anxiety.

Portraying a character who is high.

Portraying characters who have secrets.

Portraying a recovering alcoholic.

Portraying a sex addict.

How to play someone creepy.

Portraying sexually/emotionally abused characters.

Playing a character under the influence of drugs.

Playing a character who struggles with Bulimia.

Illegal Activity

Examining Mob Mentality

How Street Gangs Work

Domestic Abuse

Torture

Assault

Murder

Terrorism

Internet Fraud

Cyberwarfare

Computer Viruses

Corporate Crime

Political Corruption

Drug Trafficking

Human Trafficking

Sex Trafficking

Illegal Immigration

Contemporary Slavery 

Black Market Prices & Profits

AK-47 prices on the black market

Bribes

Computer Hackers and Online Fraud

Contract Killing

Exotic Animals

Fake Diplomas

Fake ID Cards, Passports and Other Identity Documents

Human Smuggling Fees

Human Traffickers Prices

Kidney and Organ Trafficking Prices

Prostitution Prices

Cocaine Prices

Ecstasy Pills Prices

Heroin Prices

Marijuana Prices

Meth Prices

Earnings From Illegal Jobs

Countries In Order Of Largest To Smallest Risk

Forensics

arson

Asphyxia

Blood Analysis

Book Review

Cause & Manner of Death

Chemistry/Physics

Computers/Cell Phones/Electronics

Cool & Odd-Mostly Odd

Corpse Identification

Corpse Location

Crime and Science Radio

crime lab

Crime Scene

Cults and Religions

DNA

Document Examination

Fingerprints/Patterned Evidence

Firearms Analysis

Forensic Anthropology

Forensic Art

Forensic Dentistry

Forensic History

Forensic Psychiatry

General Forensics

Guest Blogger

High Tech Forensics

Interesting Cases

Interesting Places

Interviews

Medical History

Medical Issues

Misc

Multiple Murderers

On This Day

Poisons & Drugs

Police Procedure

Q&A

serial killers

Space Program

Stupid Criminals

Theft

Time of Death

Toxicology

Trauma

[ec-sanderssides]

Boring

“Asexual characters are boring” I have traveled across eleven countries and ten states When I was thirteen I had hydrochloric acid dumped down my back and I walked away without a scratch When I was twenty-one I broke into castle ruins with a professor and found out afterwards that they were probably haunted

I once got stranded on a mountain while I was searching for the Cave of Zeus and got rescued by a little old lady who didn’t speak a word of English and the local village’s schoolteacher who did

I’ve learned how to surf on water, to dance with fire, and to bungee jump through the air I’ve walked up mountains, down beaches and through forests

My friends tell me I have the weirdest luck of anyone they’ve ever met and laugh about what mysterious forces must conspire to keep me alive

And yet, according to you a story about my life would be dull and uninteresting simply because I have no interest in sex

I wasn’t aware that that was the sum total of my value That no one cared about what I’d done only who

That every man must get a girl and every girl must be gotten and that to do otherwise is to be banished into obscurity

And yet I’m still here, still writing, still telling stories, and while I have been described as many things boring has yet to be one of them

Asexual characters are boring I pity your imagination

[max-gillespie]

Smoke and Gold Chapter One

While you can read it on Wattpad and cote and comment there to show support, I’m also posting it here!

WIP PAGE

Smoke and Gold is a YA Spec Fic novel about a woman named Eridein who is caught between family loyalty and new friendship as she navigates her way through the treacherous politics of the Golden Court, the monarchy that reigns Calida, what’s left of California after a nuclear war.

One

Storm warning sirens wail around me as I run through Arling’s central market. The wind whips the sand up into my face and it cuts into my skin as I plow forward through the crowds. I glance back for just a moment, readjusting my scarf over my nose and mouth. The two precinct security officers are gaining on me and with people trying to flee the storm, I start to lose the advantage that hiding between people gave me. It doesn’t help that I only have the use of one of my hands—the other clutches the package stolen from Baron Anders’ estate. I face forward again and sprint headlong into the oncoming wind.

The sirens and panicked shouts of people grow louder around me. I can just hear the officers ordering people out of the way as they chase me through the alleys between weathered concrete houses.

This was too much of a risk. My father’s only condition for doing work for Demos was that I don’t do anything to incriminate myself. Now here I am running from guards of the estate of the baron himself. My father is going to be furious. Of course, that’s only if I make it home alive.

A steady stream of people flows towards the outer edges of the market, some too far from home to take shelter from the storm. All of the restaurants and shops will be full. It would be the perfect place to hide, if it weren’t so obvious. I slip into the crowd moving into a brightly lit Mexicana restaurant, slow enough that I know the officers can see me. If I think it’s an obvious place to hide, they might too, and try to follow me in. The crush of the throng trying to get to safety pulls me in towards the doors. The sun is blotted out by an encroaching black cloud and a child next to me shrieks.

Finally pushing my way through to the other side, I press against the wall, low to the ground, and slip behind the back of the restaurant. The wind pulls at my scarf and I fix it once more with both of my hands. I freeze, eyes going wide for a split second until I’m forced to narrow them against the onslaught of razor-sharp sand.

I had dropped the package somewhere. It was just a bunch of papers; damage wasn’t a concern. But if I lost it, we’d lose months of work and if one of the guards got ahold of it they would have grounds to execute me on the spot. I plow back into the crowd, staying as low to the ground as possible as I retrace my steps. There, dirty and trampled, was the flat package from the baron’s servant who had met me out the back to deliver it. Files from the baron’s own office. As my fingers curl around the package, a hand grips my arm, jerking me backwards. 

“I’ve got her!” The officer shouts and within a moment, I’m being dragged out into the windswept street.

The other officer frowns. “Where’s that…thing she was holding.”

“What?” The first officer turns to look at me.

“I didn’t have anything,” I say, “I was visiting a friend at the Water Baron’s estate, he’s a servant there. When I heard the storm sirens I knew I had to get home.” 

The lie slips easily between my lips, not too articulate, not too hesitant. 

“Then why did you run from us?”

My heart beats a little faster as I try to rationalize everything they’ve seen into something nondescript. Anything that will save my life. “I’m…I’m not supposed to be out. My parents would kill me if they knew I was out right before a storm.”

The grip on my shoulder relaxes. The second officer shakes his head. “I swore she was holding something.”

My hand goes to my pocket and I almost sigh in relief. I pull out the thick, folded piece of paper. “He gave me his work schedule so I would know when to see him again.”

The one holding me snatches the paper from my hands, scrutinizing it, but it is indeed a work schedule. I needed some way of knowing when our contact within the estate would be ready for me. He swears under his breath and lets go of my arm. 

“What’s your name?” The second officer asks.

“Eridein,” I reply, my voice taut.

He sighs. “All right then, Eridein, just get home. Quickly.” They turn away from me, conversing as they duck into a shop.

I don’t let my guard drop until they’re out of sight. They were dangerously close to information I wasn’t willing to give. If that officer had so much as pressed for my last name I don’t know if I would be alive. The Kaspers are infamous traitors. Anything incriminating me would be a blow against my family and the revolution we represent.

The envelope is partially ripped open by the time I retrieve it and as soon as it’s in my hands, I break into a dead sprint across the deserted road towards my house. Thunder rumbles behind me and my skin prickles at the rising electricity in the air. 

The sky goes dark all at once and lightning strobes the sky. I push myself to run faster, my breath coming in sharp gasps now as my side start to ache. I’ve pushed myself too hard and my legs are aching. There’s no way that I can outrun this storm.  Adrenaline spikes through my body at the thought of becoming just another statistic lost to the storms, the extra energy burning hotter than any lightning strike.

The electricity in the air spikes to an audible hum. I throw myself to the ground, skidding a little on the pavement, praying that the various lightning rods and buildings are a much easier path to the ground than me. For a split second, the black sky gives way to a burst of bright white. (cont. below the cut)

Keep reading

[writing-ideas-inc]

[max-gillespie]

I’ll be formatting some chapters here as well, but for anyone who would like to, here is the Wattpad link (and it helps me out to read it over there tbh). Have a good night!

[prettyboybosie]

This is Harriet. Her job is to make sure I sleep okay.

[theforkedtongue]

This other blog of mine is book-related too, but with an emphasis on problematic Victorians and a lot more nonsense.