mercurial-thrills

[mercurial-thrills]

Tips For Writing Characters With Depression

This post discusses depression treatment, depression symptoms as examples, and is meant to be an aide for writers alongside their own research.

I'm sure this post has been made many times, but I'm here to give my own take on it:

The Obvious:

Do your research. Read the DSM-5 and ICD-11 diagnostic criteria. Find memoirs and blog posts from people with depression online. Look on Quora for more symptom-specific questions and experiences.

Don't glamourize the topic. Depression is more than being gloomy and crying all the time. In fact, it is disrespectful and stigmatizing to suggest it is such a thing. Don't get me wrong, you can have characters who experience this, but it shouldn't be the only thing they experience.

Plan it out. Write down, or think of, how your character experiences depression. If you're writing in a first-person point of view, consider how your character's depression impacts their inner dialogue and how they view the world, plus how that might change as their depression gets better or worse.

The Inconspicuous:

Consider apathy. Sometimes I don't give a flying frack about anything. I stop caring, checking in, or working on writing because it just doesn't feel important. I made this point not because I don't see it in stories, but because it gets disregarded as teen angst and/or lacking in empathy.

Address trauma and lifestyle factors. There are a lot of things that can cause depression, including having previous trauma. Perhaps the character was bullied, had adverse childhood experiences, or experienced burnout after working too hard.

Consider the type of depression. There's MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) where you get episodes, PDD (Persistent Depressive Disorder) where it's a long-term situation of having a low mood, seasonal depression, or bipolar disorder. All of them have slightly different presentations and treatment options.

The Obscure:

Your character doesn't have to be "cured" by the end of the story. We all love a happy ending, but sometimes things just don't end happy. I'm doing a lot better since I found out I had depression, but I still have bad days, and sometimes bad weeks.

Show your character getting treatment. Once again, depression is not something that can simply be fixed by your character growing throughout the story. It takes conscious work: trying antidepressant medication, attending therapy sessions, and challenging thought patterns that encourage depression. So, consider your character getting treatment appropriate to their setting, if possible.

You can't please everyone. People may not be happy with the way your character behaves in the story. The book "Cracked Up To Be" by Courtney Summers is a great example of a main character who's a jerk and experiences depression, most notably the self-destructive behaviours associated with it. The most important thing to do is make sure your portrayal is realistic, which people will appreciate whether or not they like the character.

Extras:

Your character could have more than just depression. If this is the case, ensure you do your research on the other conditions and learn how they interact.

Explore different treatment options if depression, or similar variants, exist in your fantasy or sci-fi universe.

Find more articles on how to portray a character with depression. Then find more.

Hope this helps.

[mercurial-thrills]

Alternatives To "Like Nails On A Chalkboard"

Nails on a chalkboard isn't the only thing that makes me cringe. So, here's a list of alternatives you can use in your writing:

The scratching of a fork against a plate

The sound of two Styrofoam bricks rubbing against each other

When the eraser on your pencil is too small and it tears the paper

Gum sticking to the top of your mouth

Dry grass against bare skin

Biting your teeth down on metal/glass/porcelain

Grazing your hand on rusty objects

Hairs rubbing against the back of your neck

Protip: ask any noise or touch-sensitive person and they might have more great ideas. This was meant to be a joke, but I'm absolutely serious.

[mercurial-thrills]

Professional Protip™ for Writers and Creatives

Eat. EAT SOMETHING. Then wash it down with a swig of your favourite beverage. Ideally, eat a source of protein. By taking a break and getting a snack, it can be the fuel you need to finish what you started!

You would be surprised how useful this can be. Whether you're stuck at your essay's conclusion or wondering how to go forward with a story, this can help you step back and see it from a fresh(er) perspective.

[mercurial-thrills]

I can only write while listening to Lana Del Rey's "Born To Die" album.

I was talking with a friend. We were talking about our writing projects and I was like, "I didn't do a whole lot of writing these past two weeks, just lots of reading and cozy gaming." Something inspirational must've happened while we played games together, because I couldn't sleep until 4AM. My mind raced and paced about fanfiction ideas, about worldbuilding, and about the next steps for my current project.

I got a little bit of shuteye (from 4 to 7-ish), but the thoughts remained... and yet, the moment I had the chance to jot everything down, it just STOPPED.

Then, I remembered my last successful writing session: nearly two weeks ago, coming home from a baby shower. I put on the "Born To Die" album, told myself I would write 2,000 words, and they spilled out like an abundance of crayons in a child's hand. So, I put on the album, wrote various notes, and it worked. It freaking worked.

I don't know how to feel about this, nor do I know how long it will work. 🤷

[mercurial-thrills]

Not yet, they haven't, and perhaps they never will.

I have two male characters who are canonically queer. They have the ability to be attracted to each other. They've showered together (to conserve water). They've been unhoused together. They've been practically butt naked together, physically and mentally. They even sleep in the same bed, sometimes spooning, sometimes with backs touching. Soon enough, their other friend joins in: a bisexual lady who has a hard time trusting people.

They're not soul brothers. They're not lovers. They're not even queerplatonic companions as far as I know. I haven't decided what their love will look like, nor how it will involve the other character.

Still, neither of them can sleep at night if one of them is gone.

“i’m scared of losing you” but they’ve never even kissed.

[mercurial-thrills]

A Drabble About Writing Being Hard

I can’t focus. This blank page is laughing at me, taunting me with its white backdrop and blue lines. Nagging me, it begs me to scribble gibberish, vomit balderdash, and scratch out malarky.

The problem is: I cannot motivate myself to write. I cannot think of what I want to write. The thoughts in my mind are bouncing around like the Windows XP screensaver. They are bouncing around so much that I went to YouTube to verify which screensaver I was talking about.

That’s it. That’s all I can say. That’s my 100 words, done and out of the way.

[mercurial-thrills]

Drinking Realitea🍵

I was a dreamer. I really was. It started with how my mother narrated a story about going camping, bonfire flames flickering between my eyes. I climbed mountains and ate chocolate ice cream on the beach, sand sinking underneath my feet.

These dreams morphed from avant-garde water levels in video games, to what I wanted, and what I feared. Words spilled onto paper of these dreams, ink splattering as I recalled bullying, floods, and a Wayside-style school collapsing.

Books I read turned into story elements. Reading Discover Rocks and Minerals conjured a superhero who could tell the Mohs scale of any stone. This was particularly important when they were entrapped in a cage with three different types of stone bars.

Soon enough, I devoted my life to the cause. I would write. I would live to write, and I would write to live. Until...

I got stuck in a rut a.k.a. writer's block, where my draft wasn't getting much better.

I saw the tuition for the English/creative writing/journalism programs at my local university and screamed.

I found out I had a disability that would make everything much more challenging, including the competitive job market for writers.

I settled into accounting classes, suggesting my detail-oriented nature would be beneficial for bookkeeping positions. However, the Co-op component left me rugged: applying to jobs, going to interviews, doing tests after interviews, practicing for more interviews, studying and more.

No matter what career path I'd find myself, there will remain a challenge to find a position to work. Sure, the job market for accountants is better, but it will still be a challenge to compete with others. It left me thinking, "Would becoming a copy editor for a living be worth the competition?"

I sit here today, stiff, crying about having not found a job for the summer. It feels as if I've come full circle: working my tail off, only to receive little payback due to outside circumstances.

Despite this, fantasies and stories remain within me. Like blood, they keep me alive, but I won't, shouldn't, and can't be kept alive with stories alone.

That would be a dream, and I stopped dreaming.

[mercurial-thrills]

We’ve set a small initial goal of £500, and thanks to a few kind hearts, we’ve already raised £30 — just £470 left to reach our first step!

Every little bit counts, and your help truly means the world to us ❤️

This fundraiser is verified by @bilal-salah0 and @a-shade-of-blue 🤝✅

Please, be one of the first to donate — even £10 can bring us closer to safety and hope 🏠✨

And if you can’t donate, a simple share could reach someone who can!

https://gofund.me/5cdd060e

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts 🇵🇸🍉

⬆️This one's only had 7 donations so far. Check it out!

[mercurial-thrills]

Hey 💌 I’m Saja — a mother trying to hold onto hope through days that feel impossibly heavy.

I know you probably see a lot online, but if you could take just a moment… I’d be so grateful.

💫 A reblog of my pinned post could help our story reach someone who cares.

🌿 And if you’re in a place to give, even a small donation could bring comfort to my daughter and help us feel safe again.

@sajagz, thank you for listening.

Even gentle support creates strength.

From one heart to another — thank you 🤍

Boosting this one also, just click on the link and you'll find her Tumblr blog. ⬆️ All these fundraisers I've been asked to share have been vetted and verified through various means, and are not considered spam.

[mercurial-thrills]

Hi there,

I’m reaching out with a quiet hope in my heart. These days are heavy, and my family is living through a reality filled with uncertainty—but I’m still here, doing my best to hold on and keep going.

If you have a moment, please check out my pinned post.

A simple share could help it reach someone who might be able to make a difference.

If you’re able to give, even the smallest kindness can bring light into the darkest places.

Your time, your voice, your compassion — it all matters more than you know.

With deep gratitude,

@nadinfamily

Boosting this ⬆️

[mercurial-thrills]

My name is Abed.

I’m a survivor from Gaza, holding on to hope in a world that has fallen apart around me. 💔

The life I once knew — my home, my family, my sense of safety — has been shattered by war. Today, I live among the ruins, trying to find a path forward through the rubble and heartbreak. 🏚

Every moment is a battle against fear and uncertainty. What was once ordinary — a safe place to sleep, a future to dream of — now feels like a distant memory. 🕊️

I share my story not to seek pity, but to keep hope alive — to believe that even in the darkest places, kindness can still find a way. 🤍

If my story touches your heart, please consider sharing it or offering support. Every voice, every act of care, brings me one step closer to safety. ✨

Thank you for taking the time to listen. 🙏

Post Link

Boosting this one as well ⬆️

[mercurial-thrills]

Let's Talk About 🍉

I’ve been getting a few asks from people, asking for reblogs and donations for their fundraisers. All of them relate to what’s going on in Palestine right now. On top of the war, the total blockade of the Gaza Strip is preventing medical supplies, fuel, and even food and water from passing through.

No matter what side you are on, Human Rights Watch has declared this to be a war crime. (https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/12/18/israel-starvation-used-weapon-war-gaza)

According to the law of supply: When the amount of supply decreases, prices increase. This basically means whatever resources they have in Gaza are mad expensive right now. So if you are interested in mutual aid, I’ll be directing people to the few accounts who have requested aid in my inbox.

Check out this article for more details: https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-is-never-justifiable-israel-and-hamas-in-gaza

Remember: war and genocide can co-exist.

[mercurial-thrills]

Any tips for someone who completly stuck in writeblock with no actual reason? I wasn't writing in years but i can't let it go either.

This is a hard one, particularly because I've never experienced years-long writer's block. One thing I understand, however, is losing endurance, like for focus and exercise.

So, I'll suggest this: treat writing like an exercise. Like exercise, writing can be grueling, challenging, and downright painful (in a healthy, brain-biggering way). Sometimes, it feels impossible to get our brains to put words on paper.

And just like forms of active movement, we do it anyway. We do it for health. Catharsis. Self-expression. Serotonin. Anyway, here's where you could start:

Start with VERY SMALL goals. This could be like, "I will write 100 words today."

Make a weekly goal such as, "I will write 500 words this week." Sound daunting? Try 250 words, or 125 words.

Downsize. If it intimidates you to return to a novel, start a novella, short story, or drabble (100 word story).

Find a writing prompt, or use one word to inspire your writing. This site is quite helpful for random words.

Reframe your thoughts on writing. Ask yourself these questions: What may be preventing me from writing? When I try to write, where do I do it? What thoughts are coming to my brain when I think about my writing?

Remember why you started writing in the first place.

If you haven't exercised in a while, you may struggle. Your form might be off. You may have decreased stamina. Your muscles will be sore. It's the same with writing! So, you can also tell yourself these things:

"My writing is going to be crap, but I'll do it because it will make me better at writing in the long-run."

"I'm going to write so I can detect errors in my work and prevent them from happening next time."

"Today, I will write for five minutes. If I can do that, maybe I'll try writing for six minutes tomorrow."

I am by no way telling you to form a daily writing habit (I certainly don't write everyday). The goal of these tips is to make writing less scary, whether you do it daily, weekly, monthly, or less.

By changing what we expect of ourselves, we can set attainable and sustainable goals that will motivate us to work on bigger projects again!

(not an expert by the way, just someone who takes writing VERY seriously!)

[mercurial-thrills]

I like writing and talking about writing. When I'm not doing either of those things, I'm doing schoolwork, playing video games, or attempting to improve myself. For the sake of anonymity, you can call me Frances.

Here's what you'll find on my blog:

Atypical writing advice and ramblings

Drabbles

Short stories (ones longer than 100 words)

More to come.

I don't have any DNI, and I mostly follow other writing blogs. Trigger warnings will be tagged as "tw (insert trigger here)" and content warnings will be the same.

Here are some of my favourite posts:

Unconventional Writing Tips: https://mercurial-thrills.tumblr.com/post/772403569193369600/unconventional-writing-tips-from-my-many-years-of

Writing While Autistic - A Personal Reflection: https://mercurial-thrills.tumblr.com/

Francoise Sagan quote: https://mercurial-thrills.tumblr.com/day/2024/12/28

Social Media Links:

I'll put them here eventually.

[mercurial-thrills]

Why All Writers Should Keep Track Of Their Dreams 💭

It all started with me stripping into a swimsuit, entering a sensory deprivation tank. Upon coming out, I was crispy and seasoned, with my ribs and thighs becoming a delicacy.

Then I woke up, turned on my side, and grabbed my phone to type out the idea. It would make for the perfect horror anthology submission, after all.

Now, this is why I keep track of my dreams as a writer:

It's a homemade backlog of random story ideas. Most of them, anyway.

Keeping a dream journal can make you more understanding of yourself, which can help make understandable characters in fiction.

It helps with creative thinking according to this study, which is helpful for both fiction and non-fiction writers.

I thought it would be fun because my dreams are usually quite bizarre, and good material for stories AND conversations.

Telling your writer friends about these dreams often gets a reaction like, "Dang, the dream version of me is a JERK!"

And... that's about it, honestly. The hogwash my brain comes up with has fueled a few of my story ideas, after all. Perhaps it will do the same for you.

[mercurial-thrills]

Word Count Matters

If you’re aiming to get your manuscript actually published, word counts are just one more thing you have to be aware of—especially in traditional publishing. Unfortunately, no one is going to publish a 100K children’s storybook, or a 40K high fantasy. That’s because each genre comes with its own expected word count, and while you might get away with being a bit under or over, you should be aiming for that ideal range.

Here's the genres and their typical word count ranges ~

Mysteries/Suspense: 70K-90K

Crime: 90K-100K

High-Fantasy: 100K+

General Fantasy: 90K-120K

Horror: 80K-100K

Sci-Fi: 90K-125K

Speculative: 75K-125K

Romance: 40K-100K

New Adult: 60K-85K

YA: 70K-90K

Middle Grade: 25K-40K

Picture Books: 50-1000

And some general guidelines for what counts as a novel vs a short etc:

Novel: 50K+

Novella: 20K-50K

Novelette: 10K-20K

Short Story: 1000-10K, but ideally 3K-8K

Flash fiction: 1-1000

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(Psst... Did you know I launched a website?)

Head on over to www.gatesannai.com (or click here!) for exclusive blog posts, updates on my work, and pictures of my dog.

While you're there, consider signing up for my newsletter too :-)

[mercurial-thrills]

Me whenever I read my work aloud and people have things to say about it:

got some lovely feedback on a piece of writing. this is me behind the screen.