The Squid's Ink

Canadian writer working on fantasy-ish novels and shorts. More at my website

[starslide]

Like duhh

[helpful-writing-tips]

basic things you should know about your main characters

how is their relationship with their family

what are their beliefs, if they have any

what is their motivation (preferably something unrelated to their love interest/romantic feelings)

who were they raised to be vs. who they became/are becoming

what are their plans for the future, if they have any

how they feel about themselves and how it affects their behaviour

how do they feel about things they cannot control

and last but not least: Why is This Character the Protagonist??

[thesquidsink]

You ever had a project that's lived in your head for so long that you have to spend AGES trying to sort and update years' worth of ideas

[thesquidsink]

Nothing else I've ever written has had as much change and expansion as my current project.

I wrote a whole trilogy where each book had a clear vision and only needed minor tweaks.

This random mostly unrelated book is one I've struggled with for years.

And I still haven't really cut anything...

[lannegarrett]

Huh, I didn't see that coming.

- Me writing a story written and outlined by me.

writers

[leisureflame]

WORLD BUILDING CHECKLIST

If you are writing a book/story that takes place in another world, I have provided for you the complete world building checklist to ensure that you know your world inside out.

Economy A. Currency B. Poverty rate/line

Government A. Crime & Legal System B. Foreign Relations C. Politics D. War

The Land A. Physical & Historical Features B. Climate C. Geography D. Natural Resources E. Population

Society & Culture A. Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation B. Architecture C. Calendar D. Daily Life. E. Diet F. Ethics & Values G. fashion & Dress H. History I. Dining Customs J. Education K. Language L. Gestures M. Manners N. Meeting & Greeting O. Religion & Philosophy P. Social organization

Magic A. Magicians B. Magic and science C. Magic & Technology D. Rules of Magic

Technology C. Technology D. Medicine D. Transportation & Communication you're welcome <3

Fell free to reblog and fill it out if you want. I am curious to see the worlds in my fellow writers heads.

Follow me @leisureflame for more posts like this!

[thesquidsink]

Got to the end of my fantasy ice age western in a big edit pass. Better than I remembered, but added a lot.

Have to pad out the timeline even more - it's established quickly that it'll take place over one year, then I get like 90 days in and declare time skip 😅

[thesquidsink]

I self-edit so much while writing that if it doesn't come out exactly the way I wanted it, I don't really know what to do.

I'm editing a draft of a fourth novel where I'm mostly just adding more.

[writing-official]

[writing-official]

[writing-official]

[ad-wills]

[ad-wills]

[thesquidsink]

After a long time of waffling back and forth over whether I'm a plotter or a pantser, I've decided that I'm definitely a pantser who needs to plot a whole lot before the pantsing can properly happen.

Once I have a really strong and detailed understanding of my characters and setting, then I can just start writing and a story emerges. I'm great at surprising myself and adapting on the go... IF I already have good groundwork on the thing I'm pivoting to.

I encourage being told that sounds dumb and I'm wrong. Hit me with those hot takes so I can argue and better understand.

[thesquidsink]

I am back to writing and updating. Expect more soon.

Additional news here

[thesquidsink]

One of the benefits of having written a novel and not publishing it yet is that you can keep improving it forever. But when do you stop?

[thesefallenembers]

the thing that many writers, including myself, forget about first drafts is that they're the author's draft. every other draft can be for the readers, but the first is for you and your eyes only.

and use that advantage. don't know what to write? just leave a note and skip it. getting bored? write the scene sarcastically. want to try an idea but know it will cause plot holes? write it anyway! you can do anything. let your first draft be the most self-indulgent thing you have ever created. just let it exist.