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[jenna-hunt]

5 Ways to Find Your Novel Title

Note: Keep a running list of title ideas you could use for future projects. This is endlessly helpful for me.

1. Find it in the text itself

Maybe there is a really good phrase hidden in your work that encapsulates the work as a whole. I love when I come across the title while reading. Write down good contenders as you go along editing.

2. The Motif / Imagery

If there is a running motif or image in your work, that alone can be a good title or at the very least, be a part of the title. 

3. Eponymous

If your story relies heavily on a single character (or family and you use the surname), and the name is interesting: use it! There are very dynamic names in literature that could stand alone on the cover.

4. Eavesdrop

The amount of good titles I’ve heard in phrases of conversation I overhear is incredible. Sometimes, strangers string together the words better than you could just by brainstorming.

5. Figures of Speech

Whether you straight up use the figure of speech or adapt/subvert it to fit your story, these can be really good and eyecatching IMO.

[jenna-hunt]

Me and @livjay-writes say hello!!

hi hi!! i’ve been awol recently ‘cause college and frats and busy but i’m doing camp nano, making a lot of progress, and i want to be more active in the writeblr community! 

so reblog and i’ll check you out if:

you’re lgbt+/not aphobic, transphobic, homophobic, a gross person

you write lgbt+, ya, fantasy, sci fi, superheroes, etc.

you listen to greyson chance lmao

you speak another language! (specifically russian, portuguese, spanish, or mandarin) i’m really only decent at mandarin but i’ve been (kind of) working on the others!

jsyk i might ask you to translate or check a translation, if you’re cool with that

you have wip pages 

you wanna cry/scream about plots

you wanna be friends

also feel free to respond with your genres or wips!

[jenna-hunt]

Writing with Color: Description Guide - Words for Skin Tone

We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

So let’s get to it.

S T A N D A R D  D E S C R I P T I O N

B a s i c  C o l o r s

Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become cliché.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

C o m p l e x  C o l o r s

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

M o d i f i e r s 

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

D a r k - D e e p - R i c h - C o o l

W a r m - M e d i u m - T a n

F a i r - L i g h t - P a l e

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

U n d e r t o n e s

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

C R E A T I V E  D E S C R I P T I O N

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

N A T U R AL  S E T T I N G S - S K Y

Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

F L O W E R S

Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

A S S O R T E D  P L A N T S &  N A T U R E

Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone.“ 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

“Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

W O O D

Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

M E T A L S

Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

G E M S T O N E S - M I N E R A LS

Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

P H Y S I C A L  D E S C R I P T I ON

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

G E N E R A L  T I P S

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Things that are Brown (blog)

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics 3 2 1

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

[jenna-hunt]

Wow! Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I’m glad you also like Kiera Knightley/Elizabeth Swan hahaha, she is amazing ^_^

Hi :D Congrats on 4K!! I was wondering if you could check out my writeblr side blog? Just new so my main story isn’t on there yet, only a side story that I use to practice my discovery writing. My username/URL is Jenna-Hunt. I initially followed you because I liked your username and icon, and I enjoy your text posts. I like that you post regularly and seem to be really committed to writeblr. It’s a great example for me to follow as a new writeblr blog. Thank you!!

Thank you so much!

Here’s a blog rate for you!

URL: Simple, good and easy to remember! 6/4, I wish mine was a bit more like yours!

Icon: It’s the love of my life, Keira Knightley/Elizabeth Swan!!! Rating unneeded because she is perfect and you have fANTASTIC taste!

Theme: So pretty!!!! I love the simplicity of it and I especially love the background blue water-y image. As a general rule, I usually browse the internet with a half-screen so I can be looking at two windows at the same time. It’s an extra bonus point that your blog theme is half-screen compatible, 10/10!!!!

Posts: I enjoyed scrolling through your blog, and what you have posted for your writing looks really promising and I enjoyed reading it, keep up the good work!

4K Follower Celebration: Click here so I can celebrate you!

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flora theme

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like/reblog if you use!

this is a revamp of my old sunflowers theme

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features:

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[jenna-hunt]

Heya! :D

Hey followers and friends!

I recently reached 4000 followers on this blog which is an insane number of you and is honestly mind-blowing and so very humbling. None of what I do would be possible without you guys, and I would probably be in a very different (and much sadder) place in life, so thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

So now it’s time to give back to you guys a little bit!

Here’s what you need to do!

Be a follower. New followers are always welcome!

Reblog this post.

Send me an ask off-anon either telling me why you follow me, something you like about me, or something I’m doing well on my blog.

If your Writeblr is a sideblog, please mention it in your ask so I can find it!

I’m sorry for the very fishing-for-compliments-esque requirement, but it’s stressful before graduation so I could use the extra love. I’m also using this as general feedback about my blog so I can make my writeblr better!

Here’s what I will give you!

I will do one or more of these things for you, depending on my inspiration and mood, or at random.

Give a compliment about you, your blog, OCs, or WIPs.

Tell you what aesthetic I think you are.

Let you know what my first impression of you was.

Write you a sentence of a descriptive flavor text based off of your blog, or what I know of you. 

Give you a blograte a la the twitter account WeRateDogs™ 

If I’m not already following you, I’ll give you a follow from my main @undinisms so we can be mutuals.

Please participate, this is an event to celebrate you!!!!!! If you’re hesitant to do this or not, please just do it! I’d love to get to know you guys better and hopefully brighten your day a little bit.

Thank you all so much for everything, I love you!

All posts will be tagged #4k Follower Celebration, so please feel free to blacklist it if it gets to be too much!

*****I have still not finished doing all calligraphy requests for my previous follower celebration. If you are still waiting on yours, I will get to it eventually, I promise. Probably not anytime soon, but eventually, when I am reunited with my pens and I have more time. I’m so sorry for the wait! Thank you so much for your patience and understanding! 

[jenna-hunt]

Why is every piece of media now about “surprise! bet you didn’t see that coming” instead of themes, character arcs, internal logic, and consistency in writing?

It’s okay if your audience (especially hardcore fans) predicts your story. It means that they picked up the clues you put in, understood the themes you were trying to convey, empathised with the characters…

How is that a bad thing?

Instead each piece of media feels like it’s written by a marketing team that is looking at the latest statistics for TRP ratings and box-office collections.

[jenna-hunt]

Look, I’m a simple gal.

When I say I’m writing, I’m not.

[jenna-hunt]

when people complain about slowburns

[jenna-hunt]

Note to self

I'm a POC who writes mainly white characters but after seeing all the "diversity" posts on this site I'm wondering if I may be subconsciously prejudiced and now I don't know what to do. I feel like I've been doing everything wrong and yet I don't want to change my stories/characters to suit everyone else while not liking them myself.

To Write (or not write) with Diversity

No one can force you to write inclusive stories. Inclusive meaning media that consists of marginalized people, because that is what diversity really is - including people who have always been right there, but have been purposefully left out and erased from the pages of books and scripts. Those who are, when finally represented, are overwhelmingly assigned small, unflattering, and / or stereotypical roles.

Pages like Writing With Color are an offering. Our presence here is for those who choose to write with diversity. We aim to make being inclusive easier because we all believe in the importance of it. But as much as we know how enriching diversity can be, we cannot convince you to do something you don’t necessarily believe in.

Don’t do it because you feel forced

As you mentioned, you’ve read the posts. You know the facts. The decision cannot be forced upon you.  If anything, including diversity out of obligation alone could lead to bad representation. Forcing people to do things without motivation usually means it’ll lack effort, or be done with spite. Trust me when I say marginalized people don’t usually want to see themselves represented by someone who does not want them there. That unwelcome feeling shows. In short: Lack of representation hurts. Bad representation hurts worse.

I only ask that you have accountability.  

Now that you’re aware that your works default to white, you have a choice to make. I think a lot of us grew up reading and writing very white stories - both as PoC and white people - but once you possess the knowledge that things can be different, your next step is a conscious one. You’re not on auto-pilot anymore when you make everyone white (and/or straight, able-bodied, etc). You know better now. Own up to your choices.

So ask yourself: why have I chosen to write without diversity?

I’m afraid to write People of Color. 

Being uncomfortable writing People of Color is a big reason why people stick to writing white people, and only garnish their stories with PoC, if that. White people have long been the default, the everyman. White perspectives are “neutral” to approach. It’s daunting to go from feeling you can portray characters in whatever way you wish to suddenly having the weight of good versus harmful representation on your shoulders.

You don’t want backlash from getting it wrong. You also don’t want to be insensitive to groups. It’s easy to avoid writing them altogether, right? Sure. 

Be aware, though:

You’re making a choice to exclude people out of fear.

Of course, new things are scary. But that’s okay! Courage is the ability to do things that frighten you. Face your fears. Will you shrink away from the challenge, or use it to your advantage?

Let the fear fuel you to do better and to know better. Your concerns about writing PoC can drive you to get the research right in order to best represent people. If your fear is leading to more effort into thoughtful creation, you’re putting it to good use.

Let me tell you right now - you will mess up.

Maybe in small ways, perhaps in a big way. But mistakes will not kick start the apocalypse. Ideally:

Do your research to avoid the most obvious and devastating mistakes from the jump.

Equip yourself with the right beta-reader and sensitivity readers to catch those things. 

Even with errors, your story can be quite enjoyable for people who hardly see themselves represented. Yes, mistakes and all.

As a Black woman bookworm, if you write an exciting story about a Black girl on adventures and falling in love but mention a few questionable things about how she takes care of her hair…I will wince, but it won’t ruin the book for me. I’m willing to overlook some things, for the sake of my enjoyment, and let the author know how I felt about those parts in hopes they can improve.

Say you get something real important wrong. People call you out for it. I suggest you apologize, listen to their critiques, and do better. If possible, pull back the story and re-release when you’ve improved the piece. If that’s not an option, fix it in future works. Getting a finger wagged at you doesn’t mean lock up in fear and never write with diversity again. It means you improve.

Research PoC like you would on any topic:

For comparison’s sake, consider writing People of Color (or any group different from you) like writing other topics you’re unfamiliar with in-depth. 

For example: You may know the basics on Medieval England. The knights, royalty, and so on. But i’m sure there’s a lot of misconceptions mixed in there from television or unreliable sources. 

To write people from this perspective, you would do lots of additional research… right?  

If someone mentioned how you messed up on some of the facts, you would take note and dig into it more for the future…right? 

You might even have more experienced persons check your facts for accuracy beforehand to do the best job possible.

Approach researching PoC in the same way as other topics. There may not be hard facts on how to write an X character, but there are portrayals to avoid with explanations why, and roles people want to see themselves in.

I don’t like to be told what to write.

There’s this misconception that writing with diversity restricts creativity. I get it - there are things you’re being told not to do when writing certain groups. The lists of No’s can get dense. This reflects how poor representation has been for People of Color as there are a number of stereotypical portrayals folks are tired of seeing and has been detrimental to them.

Fiction simply reflects real life: People of Color being viewed through the lens of preconceived notions means being written on with those stereotypes in mind. It is a vicious cycle. Stereotypes are more than an annoyance - they can and do lead to real life consequences.

Being treated like a stereotype lowers our quality of life. Experiencing racism and daily microaggressions has a psychological effect - from insecurity, depression and PTSD - it is serious. (X)

Viewing People of Color by their stereotypes is what makes, say, a Black person who speaks with passion no matter what it’s about (and even if they’ve been wronged) too hostile and “Angry” to take seriously. If anything, they’re now a serious threat. And that’s dangerous for them.

Put yourself in the shoes of the overly typecast.

Think of a time someone misunderstood you. You had a bad day and acted grumpy. Well, being a grump defines who you are now. When asked, people describe you as crabby and humorless. Every new person you meet sees your every action through that lens.

Strangers tiptoe around you, as they can just tell you’re ill-tempered. Peers choose their words carefully, afraid of what might spark your wrath. Your children even inherit the title; teachers discipline them more and take other students’ word over theirs- your kids are snappy, difficult, and known to not play well with others, after all.

Wouldn’t that get old? Wouldn’t you feel it was unfair to be reduced to a label, and that you’re sick of being defined by it? Wouldn’t you have the desire to be seen for who you truly are, and can be? Perhaps you do get grumpy sometimes, which is just being human. You’re so much more than a grouch.

Stereotypes are not creative.

Writing outside of stereotypes open up so many more possibilities. How many times have we seen the Black Best Friend play out in media? You’re not being silenced when readers criticize your sassy sidekick. Your message has been heard, loud and clear - again and again and again. People are upset because it’s not anything new - in fact, it is quite old.  We want multiple portrayals. Why not create something new before you decide to write so closely to how we are always written?

OP said: I don’t want to change my stories/characters to suit everyone else while not liking them myself.

This should not be the case. Avoiding stereotypes has nothing to do with making unlikeable or even perfect characters. Simply make Characters of Color who go beyond stereotypes! Characters who are best friends without being arc-less doormats. Characters who are fierce and emotional and stand for something without being simplified to irrational, hostile, and angry. 

Knowing the difference between stereotype and culture is important, too. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re doing something wrong when their bias means they perceive your character as being stereotypical, or problematic, when they’re not. (See: Stereotyped vs Nuanced Characters and Audience Perception.)  

If anything, writing beyond hard labels leads to complex characters. Writing about new cultures is interesting and can be exciting. 

If you only like your East Asian characters when they’re geniuses or your Black girls when they’re angry without a cause…do some self-reflection. Why do your Characters of Color only seem “right” to you when they are flat, or confined to stereotypes? Why not allow them to be complex humans?

I’m not convinced that representation matters.

Well, representation does matter. A lot. While it has been written on so much, and there being countless studies, statistics, and personal accounts to support this, I would like to mention…

Representation (or lack thereof) lowers self-worth.

Studies show TV boosts the self-esteem of white boys. The confidence of People of Color and girls of all races, on the other hand, decreases when watching TV (X X). 

“If you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves.” -Junot Diaz

The Racial Empathy Gap.

I want to be brief (too late, right?) so let me just mention another point of research for you: the racial empathy gap. Stereotyped depictions and the limited roles for People of Color are internalized by society, leading to lack of empathy towards People of Color and the enforcement of stereotypes in real time. Lack of empathy actively affects how PoC are treated, such as the belief that Black people experience less pain than others and therefore are misdiagnosed (their illnesses and pain are downplayed) and under treated (X X X). 

Fiction Increases Empathy.

In addition to the racial empathy gap, look into the studies on how fiction improves empathy. For example: reading about vampires increases empathy towards vampires. Imagine what non-stereotyped, marginalized depictions in fiction can do for empathy.  (X, X)

The strength in which people are against representation speaks volumes. 

If representation does not matter, then why are some people so angry when it’s there? Let’s take book to movie depictions: 

A Character of Color depicted as white simply means they were the best actor for the job, according to a vocal presence in social media. 

However, even a verified Character of Color being depicted as such leads to boycotting, accusations of being “Politically-correct”, and wide complaints that they can’t relate to the characters and they are poor actors. Never mind that so many Actors of Color attend prestigious schools only to get so far.

The hypocrisy speaks to a need for more representation, and a prevalent lack of empathy. 

The People Want Diversity!

On a positive note: shows that reflect the real world, aka include diversity, continue to get high ratings despite many obstacles: those who don’t want them there, lack of advertising or inconvenient airtime for shows with diverse leads, the ole bait-and-switch method, and hasty cancellations. Not to mention media simply refusing to be inclusive even when they know “diversity sells” (X X). Gee, I wonder why….

Audiences are more drawn to projects that feature a diverse cast, a new study finds, though mirroring the population in the United States remains a problem.

“Less-diverse product underperforms in the marketplace, and yet it still dominates,” said Ana-Christina Ramón, the report’s co-author and assistant director of the Bunche Center. “This makes no financial sense.” 

-Diversity in Hollywood Pays Off in Ratings and Box Office, New Study Finds

Diversity simply reflects the real world accurately. 

There is nothing forced about diversity. People of Color exist in the real world, go out and about, and have lives. Creators including marginalized people only seems strange because media actively scratches them out as much as possible, pulling the marginalized out of focus to zoom in on white characters. That is what’s unrealistic. 

Ultimately, you, the writer, will write what you want. Just ask yourself why you have decided this is what you want to write. Are you okay with that reason? Despite all the progress that is being made, you’ll blend in just fine with all of the other mostly white books and movies out there. And as people become more conscious and bored with the same stories, we can and will choose to ignore whitewashed media.

The good thing is that there’s so much awareness and activism going on with representation; the path has been paved for you and it is not lonely! 

There are resources out there, and WWC continues to be one of them.

More Reading - Diversity:

Braving Diversity: How to Write Yourself (and others) out of your Story  (An early WWC post quite relevant to you, OP)

Diversity exists in the real world 

The Key to Moving Beyond checklisting is not LESS diversity 

Bad Representation vs Tokenism vs Diversity: just existing without justification like in the real world

How to research your racially/ethnically diverse characters 

–Colette

[jenna-hunt]

reasons to not quit writing:

your writing is a skill, not an inborn talent (unless, yeah, maybe it is). not everyone can do what you do and love

everyone says they want to write a book. everyone has what it takes to write a book. not everyone does it anyway. you be the small percentage of success you read about

your writing will always seem brickshit horrible because you wrote and read it a million times

you love this writing thingy. quitting it will be like cutting off your fingers one by one.

someone out there will want to read what you wrote.

someone out there wants to know what is on your mind. 

someone out there appreciates your art. they will share it with their friends. they will share it with their loved ones. they will share it with their future self because maybe what you wrote saved them.

if you give up now, you know you will just come back to it again, whether it’s years from now, months, or next week. you love writing, that’s why you planted the seed of thought that you are going to write this book, and whether you come back to it or not, your unwritten stories will come back to you.

[jenna-hunt]

Introducing myself!

My name is Jenna and I am starting a writing blog! So I thought I should introduce myself ^_^

I live in Australia but I am T E R R I F I E D of spiders. So if you’re a spider, please don’t @ me.

Elizabeth Swan and Will Turner (and maybe Jack Sparrow too) from Pirates of the Caribbean were my bisexual awakening, though I didn’t know it at the time. Hence the icon.

I am a huuuuuuge planner when it comes to writing. I haven’t even finished the book I started when I was in highschool because I keep replanning everything. It’s ridiculous. But! I am trying my hardest to make a plan and stick to it this time.

Apart from my long-time WIP which will remain unnamed, I am also working on several other stories that I will be posting on here and Wattpad. I have already posted the first few chapters of Vortex on my blog.

My hope is to write fresh, interesting stories with in-depth fantasy/sci-fi worlds and diverse characters. 

Some of my favourite authors are Brandon Sanderson, Sarah J Maas, Derek Landy, and Lemony Snicket. 

If anyone cares, I am in fact a Slytherin. 

I would love to make some friends on here!! :D 

[jenna-hunt]

The Vortex

Vortex - Chapter 2 - 1,889 Words

A vortex has opened up in the centre of Marin’s home, and strange occurrences are coming from it. A creature formed of stars roams the halls. The trees are moving. And Marin’s family doesn’t want to leave. 

Wattpad | Tumblr | Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

"Marin, help."

The voice, deep and soft and oddly familiar, drew Marin out of her dreams. Her eyes opened to darkness, but she found she was fully awake. She sat up, breathless. "Who's there?" she whispered.

The wind howled outside against the pouring rain.

She wanted to follow the voice, but reason had told her to stay. The servants wouldn't be impressed with her soaking wet clothes in the morning.

"Marin, help!"

She bit her lip and tried to wrangle her curiosity.

The rain bore down on Marin as she entered the courtyard. Kilyan Tor had not changed much over the years, though they had eventually cleared away the overgrown corner with the fountain, where new trees now grew. Marin was now nineteen, nearly a Lady in her family's household.

As she walked through the courtyard in the middle of the night, she questioned her sanity. Following strange voices wasn't something most people would do. And yet, she kept moving forward.

Ear splitting thunder ripped out from above. She cried out and covered her ears, stumbling back. In her haste, she tripped and fell back, splashing on the ground.

When she looked up, a darkness was hanging above the corner of the old fountain. She was up in an instant.

The strange sight seemed to be sucking inwards, blotting out the moonlight reflecting on the rain-soaked wall behind it, and leaving no rain beneath.

Unsure what to do, she looked up into the sky, blinking away the rain. "Help me!" she cried out.

Something brushed past her, light as a feather but cold and dark. She glimpsed that same shadowy figure she'd seen as a child; the figure that had been the centre of her drawings for the past ten years.

It moved so fast it was gone before she could call after it. Instead she stood frozen to the spot, unsure what she had just witnessed.

The rain lightened enough for Marin to hear the silence - the emptiness that seemed to come from it. She walked around the swirling blackness at a distance, trying to understand it.

Something creaked in the distance - a bad sign. If someone had seen what she had seen, she wouldn't know how to explain herself.

She darted away into the safety of Kilyan Tor's walls. This was a dream, just like the one she had had as a child.

***

Marin didn't get much sleep that night. The voice had gone, and something felt very wrong to her. It was like she had forgotten to do something extremely important.

As the servants walked off with her damp clothes, sullen looks on their faces, she chose a simple grey gown for the day. It flattered her form well, so she had been told. It had a high, loose waist, with a simple stitch line framing the underbust. Most of her closet lacked colour due to the way it clashed with bright hue of her red hair.

The servants made quick work of her hair, fashioning it the same way as always. They let most of the lovely red tresses of hair flow freely around her back and shoulders, but used strands from the front to weave into a braid that met at the back. The mermaid's tail, they called it.

She inspected her appearance briefly, before nodding. "Excellent. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

"My Lady?" Piper, a kindly woman who had been serving Marin's family for several years now, spoke up.

Marin nodded for her to continue.

She cleared her throat. "His grace, High Lord Penlock, has requested you make haste to breakfast, if you will."

Her father had requested her to hurry to breakfast? Most days he was too busy to join the family for meals, dealing with the issues of the estate. His study was a snowy field of paperwork that kept him up most nights.

Marin had intended to skip family breakfast in order to discreetly check the South-East corner of the courtyard. During winter the courtyard was almost abandoned. If her adventure last night was real, no-one would have noticed the dark vortex yet.

It would still be there when she finished breakfast, she decided. Her father wanted to see her for a reason.

She made her way through the vast stone corridors with quick steps, anticipating the warmth of the family dining room. Passing servants curtseyed or bowed with smiles in their eyes. Gone were the days of chasing after her as a child. Most of them had watched her grow into a woman over the years. Her rebellious behaviours had become obsessions over the vision of the strange creature, until her mother intervened with tutors one day and all but forced her to forget her insanity by loading her with books and lessons on becoming a Lady.

She still drew the creature every now and then, but didn't let anyone see.

"My daughter at last," her father greeted her as she entered.

"Come darling," her mother, High Lady Penlock, beckoned her over to the seat next to her. Her father sat at the head of the table, with her brother Garret at his side. Lein Murtblack, Garret's fiancé, poised herself on the edge of her seat next to Garret, blonde hair pulled gently over one satin-covered shoulder. Personally Marin thought she was a bit dressed up for breakfast.

Her father set down his utensils and stared at her. She, unsure what to do, stared back.

"Marin, we have watched you grow into a beautiful young woman."

She only briefly noticed High Lady Penlock placing her hand on Marin's shoulder.

"Father, what's this about?"

He glanced at High Lady Penlock and cleared his throat. "Your tutors informed me that you are excelling in all of your studies."

She nodded. "I am, yes."

"I have decided that it is time for you to take up the Penlock honour."

She blinked. "What?"

Garret stood. "Hang on, she gets to go, and I don't?"

"Garret, sit down," High Lady Penlock ordered. "You're to be the next High Lord, not some marauder."

As her older brother, Garret had been raised to lead. He and Marin were as close as most siblings were, each harbouring a jealousy of each other's places in life. While Marin was often left out and looked over, Garret never had the freedom she so often took for granted.

Lein put her hand on his arm to pull him down, but he turned away. As he left, they all heard him muttering "I can't believe this."

A sigh escaped Lein, but she remained seated.

"I get to travel across the seas?" Marin asked, having not taken her eyes off her father.

"And don't stop until you find a treasure," her father spoke with his usual canter, but there was a spark in his eyes.

"Oh," High Lady Penlock sighed, standing up. "I wish you would all stop glorifying this barbaric tradition!"

"Bronwyn, it's an honour to do this."

She huffed angrily at her husband. Their romance had lasted several decades, but they were still as hot headed as each other. An even match. "Where is the honour in sending your only daughter away simply to add another treasure to your collection?"

"Mother, it's our ancestor's treasure collection, passed on from each generation. If you'd had the chance to explore the world, wouldn't you have done it?" Marin spoke calmly, but couldn't keep the grin off her face.

"No! I would have done my duty as a wife and a mother, as you should be doing!"

At this, Marin scowled. Marriage. Another milestone of becoming a Lady that she had absolutely no interest in.

She stood. "Thank-you, father, for allowing me this honour. When do I begin?"

"On your twentieth birthday," he said without hesitation, "as your uncle did."

She nodded, this was what she had expected. She bowed to her parents, gave Lein a quick nod, was ignored, and left.

***

She stopped by the kitchens and took some grapes for her breakfast. In her excitement at the table she had forgotten all about it.

As she headed for the courtyard, she hiked up her gown and walked at a faster pace. The courtyard was to the eastern side of Kilyan Tor, where during the colder seasons it was left as everyone kept to the centre of the castle. With less visitors and the extreme climate it was easier to maintain one area of the castle rather than the whole thing.

Her footfalls echoed around the empty corridors until she came to the entrance of the courtyard - a set of heavy wooden double doors. She slipped through into the wind, and was drawn instantly to a new sight in the courtyard. She froze, confused.

In the South-East corner, where she had seen the vortex form and something run past her, there was now a collection of tall trees, blocking her view.

She tentatively walked across the courtyard, trying to comprehend the overnight phenomenon.

The trees looked like they had been there for longer than her lifetime. The thick roots overlapped each other, while dangling leaves brushed past her. She weaved her way through, brushing her hands along the trees to make sure they were real, until everything went quiet. The vortex dangled above, exactly how she remembered it.

She felt like she was looking at the sun - the way she needed to shield her eyes if she looked at it for too long.

"Is anyone there?" She didn't dare speak above a whisper.

Nothing happened.

"Alright," she said under her breath. Taking a rock from the ground, she took aim at the vortex. Before she could throw, a dangling leafy vine wrapped around her wrist. Gasping, she pulled away, but its grip remained tight. She took the vine with her other hand and snapped it off. The part around her wrist went loose, and she shook it off with a shudder.

The trees didn't look any different as she faced them. But something had made that vine move. With her heart beating loudly, she took one more glance around before racing back to the safety of the castle.

***

Standing in the Treasure room, Marin's red and grey reflection stared back at her from a shining glass case. Inside was a weathered chest with ancient writing carved over it, and a gleaming golden key sat in the keyhole.

It was the treasure her uncle had returned with. Next to it, a golden chain with diamonds hanging from it sat on the bust of her grandfather Ianten.

Marin wouldn't be the first female explorer of her family, but they were rare enough that she felt an even more powerful desire to succeed. She couldn't fathom where her future explorations would take her, but when she thought about it she became so excited it was hard to remain still.

Her thoughts turned darkly to the vortex and the strange trees in the courtyard. She wasn't sure whether she should have told anyone about it. If it was all just a vision invented by her insanity she definitely wanted to keep it to herself. Nothing would stop her from taking on the Penlock honour.

She just hoped she was going mad, and there was no vortex, or strange trees that seemed to grow overnight.

[jenna-hunt]

The Infinite

Vortex - Chapter 1 - 427 Words

A vortex has opened up in the centre of Marin’s home, and strange occurrences are coming from it. A creature formed of stars roams the halls. The trees are moving. And Marin’s family doesn’t want to leave.

Wattpad | Tumblr | Chapter 2

The warm leaves that spread across the grounds of Kilyan Tor hinted at the cold to follow. Servants hurried across the grounds, their eyes not daring to glance up at the beauty around them lest it distract them from their work. They were constructing a large white pavilion in the centre of the square, where the browning trees had been cleared many years ago.

Between the trees and the servants darted children; while a few well dressed individuals strolled by at a leisurely pace.

At the South-East corner of the square, a forgotten fountain hid behind overgrown trees and bushes. Sitting against the stone base of the mottled fountain, the young girl sat with her knees propped up to support her leather-bound pad.

She had her head tilted and slightly forward, lips parted deep in concentration. Her left hand held a large feather quill, dipped in fresh ink. The stolen bottle lay beside her.

She had on a light blue dress, her red hair pulled back into two braids that met at the back of her head with a large blue bow. Her parents' choice, she'd insisted to anyone who had complimented her on it.

From within the shadows, a voice whispered her name. "Marin."

The girl looked around. "Who said that?"

What she saw next was a sight so beautiful, she decided that she must have been dreaming. A creature made of darkness stepped into the light. Illuminating it from within that endless darkness there were countless shimmering stars.

Marin stood in awe.

"Do not be afraid. We don't have long." As the creature spoke, it peered at her with eyes like galaxies. The rest of its face was shining stardust that flickered with each word.

"Who are you?"

"I am the Infinite. I am you, and everything you see around you." It paused, before moving closer. "There is a danger coming. The Ender will break through. I should have enough power to expel it once it gets here, but please, Marin, help."

"Help who?" Marin was scared. The creature was beautiful and soothing, and she felt safe around it. But its words were darker than anything she'd ever heard, and she didn't even know what half of it meant.

"The spirits of this world. When the Ender breaks through, they will awaken to fight it. But they will be weak." The creature made a shuddering sound, and some of its lights died out. "Our time is up. When the Ender comes, you'll know."

A strong wind blew in, and the creature disappeared before her eyes.

[jenna-hunt]

Vortex - The Infinite (on Wattpad) https://my.w.tt/zdo9lHctwW A vortex has opened up in the centre of Marin's home, and strange occurrences are coming from it. A creature formed of stars roams the halls. The trees are moving. And Marin's family doesn't want to leave.