what to do when one of the darkest scenes you've written also has one of the funniest lines in it

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@wynray
what to do when one of the darkest scenes you've written also has one of the funniest lines in it
Am I gonna kill you?
No, no, I'm not that nice. 😈
If you're writing anything involving cons, scams, heists, or morally questionable characters who are very good at lying, here are some free resources I've been using for research. Saving you the "why is this in my search history" anxiety.
1. The FBI's Famous Cases & Criminals archive (fbi.gov/history/famous-cases) has detailed breakdowns of real fraud cases, Ponzi schemes, and confidence operations. The language they use is clinical and precise, which is perfect for getting the procedural details right.
2. The FTC Consumer Sentinel Network publishes annual reports on the most common fraud tactics in the US. Great for understanding how modern scams actually work and what makes people fall for them.
3. The Smithsonian's American Art Museum has a free digital collection of forgery case studies. If your character forges documents or art, this is gold.
4. Court Listener (courtlistener.com) is a free legal database where you can read actual court transcripts from fraud trials. Want to know how a real con artist talks under oath? This is where you find out.
5. The Internet Archive's collection of old newspaper crime sections. Search for "confidence man" or "swindle" in papers from the 1920s through 1960s and you'll find incredible real stories that would feel too dramatic for fiction.
Bonus: The Psychology of Fraud section on the Association for Psychological Science website has accessible articles about why people trust, how deception works cognitively, and what makes someone a convincing liar. Essential reading if you want your con artist characters to feel psychologically real.
Reblog to save for later. Your WIP will thank you.
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this this this this this
One of the best things about being a writer is thinking of something small you can add to your work that’s just. Devastating. Like you’re sitting there going. Oh. That would be diabolical. People would get really riled up about that. Exquisite. Let’s do it.
welcome back to my beautiful, beautiful writing motivation
I’m always a sucker for the ‘mysterious character turns out to have been the MC’s best friend/family member all along’ trope when it’s done well, but there’s always one thing that gets me if it goes on for too long; how is it always such a massive reveal to the character?
I don’t mean that they should clock it instantly, but if they’ve known each other for such a long time and they’re that close, wouldn’t they slowly start to recognise the same speech and mannerisms and such in the alter ego? If they’ve only interacted for brief periods, then sure, fine, that’s why I specified that they need to have been interacting for a long time. But at what point are we getting to where they really SHOULD know?
Give me a story where they very slowly piece it together, not even intentionally, just naturally sinking into a sort of similar dynamic like muscle memory, because even if they don’t say it, something deep inside them knows that this is their person
Or better still; give me a story where both sides are under alter egos, and they slowly learn each other all over again. Thinking of their dear loved one when they see each other’s oddly familiar mannerisms. Turning a blind eye to the interests the other tries to hide, but making a mental note. Subtly introducing topics and waiting to hear the opinion you’ve heard before echoed. Bringing up inside jokes or references that only they would get, just to see their reaction, even while knowing it would give you away too. Dancing around the truth, but never quite crossing that line, because then the game’s over. And of course, if there’s even the slightest chance you’re wrong, how could you face that truth?
But then something happens to them, and as a scream is ripped from your throat, the name it carries is both wrong and right
when you come up with a plot and it’s no longer just weird vibes and random scenes
Ya know the thing characters do before they come to consciousness? That perfect lil thing where they do that wince, and their eyes which are closed squeeze shut even tighter as their brows forrow, then they slowly open their eyes, blinking against the too-bright light, especially coupled with a soft little noise of distress… just such good shit 👌
My goodness yes.
And of course it can be followed by…
- A low moan of pain when they register it fully.
- A hand immediately going to their wound, and encountering bandages. When did that happen?
- Bleary eyes roaming about, trying to figure out where they are and how they got there.
- Jolting up, thinking they’re back in the danger or forgetting they’re injured, only to cry out in pain.
- Trying to sit up, but their arms too weak/shaky to support them and they fall back again.
- Either of the above, but before they can get that far they are stopped by hands on their shoulders and gently but firmly pressed back down.
Joy and whimsy detected! This post is joyful and whimsical!
me writing a fight scene: time to use every synonym ever to say 'grab'
writing challenge!
open up your document and put words in it
i'm a big fan of protagonists who make it to the end of the book & live happily ever after. reblog if you agree
The best piece of writing advice I can give is that you should strive to be sincere rather than original.
You can't force originality. Originality will arise as a natural consequence of sincerity. Make the story completely and apologetically yours, and originality will come by virtue of it being your story.
Cons of writing a sad scene with your characters: now having to re-read and edit a sad scene with your characters
[ID: a header-style image of the word DRAGONSONG in all caps. it’s stylised to look like metal, and includes details like a sword in the upright part of the D, and a cane handle in the hook of the G. the Os also have dragony decoration. / end ID.]
WANTED: DRAGONSONG BETA READERS!!
⚔️ Synopsis
“I used to want to change the world.”
Isi wanted to be a knight since she was seven years old. She wanted to serve her king, to protect the people who need it. Now, she has everything she wanted… until she is ordered to kill a baby dragon. Torn between two parts of her oath, she chooses compassion. In one stroke, everything she has worked so hard for is stripped away.
Adrift without a purpose, Isi must make one for herself. She can’t change the world, not anymore. But, with her former squire Robin by her side, she can seek out a home for the child she saved from the Crown. At least, she can try.
The Crown teaches that dragons were driven from the land long ago. Without them and their songs, magic is fading too. The land is suffering; poverty and famine run rampant through the land outside the king’s citadel, and so do the king’s knights. Mages like Robin live in fear, their very existence a crime.
Serving the king and protecting his people are two very different goals. There are sides, and Isi has been on the wrong one. But now she has the opportunity to choose again… and maybe, just maybe, she really can change the world.
Someone has to bring back the dragonsong.
⚔️ Key book facts
Genre: fantasy adventure, no romantic subplot.
Age range: older YA/NA, roughly. Isi, our POV character, is 22.
Tropes/vibes: knights and dragons, strong women, "magic is illegal", found family, moral conflict and unpacking corrupt laws, loyalty and identity.
You'll like this if you like: dragons (especially baby dragons), super soldiers, ride-or-die friends, stubbornly kind characters, family and friendships at the centre with less focus on romance.
⚔️ Beta reading facts
Draft length: 141.9k words
Beta reading timeline (dates are approximate!)
Beta reader call closes April 16th
Drafts distributed by April 25th
Feedback due by June 26th [around two months to read]
Format: Google Docs or Ellipsus
Numbers: I ultimately can only work with so much feedback, so if I get lots of interest I may have to pick and choose 😔
so you’ve read this and you’re thinking… how do I sign up? easy! fill out this Google Form and I'll get in touch.
I'd love to get a range of eyes on the draft, including people who aren't as familiar with what I've posted so far, so boosts are greatly appreciated <3
main character intros under the cut!